New S1 owner signing in
Discussion
Hello everyone,
Just bought my Elise S1 a couple of days ago. She's a bog-standard 1997, Azure Blue, 21k, mint condition super model, and i love her to bit's already. It's the first time i have owned a Lotus so i was a little apprehensive about the reputation and running costs, but i have always wanted an Elise ever since the model was released.
I've read through about 350 pages of this forum over the past week or so before my first post, and i must congratulate you all for being so friendly/helpful/knowledgeable/ and funny. I've had a right laugh reading through many of the posts.
Anway, i live in Mid-South Staffs (Stafford, Cannock, Lichfield, Rugeley), so if there are any S1/S2 owners who would like get in contact or meet up then please feel free to get in touch.
Just bought my Elise S1 a couple of days ago. She's a bog-standard 1997, Azure Blue, 21k, mint condition super model, and i love her to bit's already. It's the first time i have owned a Lotus so i was a little apprehensive about the reputation and running costs, but i have always wanted an Elise ever since the model was released.
I've read through about 350 pages of this forum over the past week or so before my first post, and i must congratulate you all for being so friendly/helpful/knowledgeable/ and funny. I've had a right laugh reading through many of the posts.
Anway, i live in Mid-South Staffs (Stafford, Cannock, Lichfield, Rugeley), so if there are any S1/S2 owners who would like get in contact or meet up then please feel free to get in touch.
Welcome in Mark 
I joined this forum in a similar way to you about 3 years ago (jeezus has it been that long?) when I bought a boggo S1, finally realising my 21 year-long dream of owning a Lotus.... 3 years down the track and the honeymoon's not over... I'm onto my second Lotus now (S1 Exige replacing S1 Elise) and it's a sunny afternoon here today and I'm getting all excited at the thought of tackling some twisty roads
I joined this forum in a similar way to you about 3 years ago (jeezus has it been that long?) when I bought a boggo S1, finally realising my 21 year-long dream of owning a Lotus.... 3 years down the track and the honeymoon's not over... I'm onto my second Lotus now (S1 Exige replacing S1 Elise) and it's a sunny afternoon here today and I'm getting all excited at the thought of tackling some twisty roads 
Thank You George, i knew it wouldn't be long before someone welcomed me in here
Yeah, i've wanted an Elise since my early 30's (i'm 43 now), so this is something i've been waiting for, for a long time.
After reading many comments about mid-engined/RWD cars , i've been taking it steady over here in England as the weather is still a bit cold/damp. After having owned 2 MR2 MkI's i know a little about how they handle, but the Elise seems to be a lot more "brutal" than they were.
Yeah, i've wanted an Elise since my early 30's (i'm 43 now), so this is something i've been waiting for, for a long time.
After reading many comments about mid-engined/RWD cars , i've been taking it steady over here in England as the weather is still a bit cold/damp. After having owned 2 MR2 MkI's i know a little about how they handle, but the Elise seems to be a lot more "brutal" than they were.
Re the shocks: With only 21k miles under them they should be OK but check to see if there are any signs of leaks. To be honest you'll find that replacing them with the S2 Bilstein upgrade will make a big difference to the car.
FWIW unless there are any bad leaks I'd go with what I have for this year and enjoy that(and tell yourself the clonking is character!). Then think about any improvements you might want to make to the car. You might find you decide to try some track days and enjoy them which would probably lead you down a different improvement route to a purely road car.
Thanks for the info TIPPER. The car seems to have been pretty much a garage queen most of it's life. It's had 3 previous owners before me and from what i was told by the last, the car was hardly ever taken out in the wet by any of them. I think she will probably have a harder life with me 
, but i intend to look after her.
The S1->S2 Bilstein upgrade is definitely on the menu, as well as new rubber, Hurricane induction kit, and a Larini sports exhaust. From what i have picked up, these appear to be standard upgrades that a lot of S1 owners carry out.
, but i intend to look after her. The S1->S2 Bilstein upgrade is definitely on the menu, as well as new rubber, Hurricane induction kit, and a Larini sports exhaust. From what i have picked up, these appear to be standard upgrades that a lot of S1 owners carry out.
Edited by Manx_S1 on Saturday 8th March 10:34
http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/index.php?act...
Come along to a meet and have a good chat about which bit will fall of next.
Come along to a meet and have a good chat about which bit will fall of next.
Stu Hill said:
http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/index.php?act...
Come along to a meet and have a good chat about which bit will fall of next.
I'd laugh, but i think your being serious!Come along to a meet and have a good chat about which bit will fall of next.
I already forgot one of the golden rules of being an S1 owner - NEVER leave loose change in your trouser pockets!
As a consequence, i now have a 5p piece rattling around under the ps. Bugger! Still, could have been worse, it could have been a £2 coin.
As a consequence, i now have a 5p piece rattling around under the ps. Bugger! Still, could have been worse, it could have been a £2 coin.
Edited by Manx_S1 on Sunday 9th March 06:21
Welcome, great choice of car. The hurricane sounds great and is easy to fit when you get round to it. Manx_S1 said:
I already forgot one of the golden rules of being an S1 owner - NEVER leave loose change in your trouser pockets!
As a consequence, i now have a 5p piece rattling around under the ps. Bugger! Still, could have been worse, it could have been a £2 coin.
Hello & Welcome.As a consequence, i now have a 5p piece rattling around under the ps. Bugger! Still, could have been worse, it could have been a £2 coin.
Edited by Manx_S1 on Sunday 9th March 06:21
You need deeper pockets! I find a folding flat ruler is pretty good for digging around under the seat to get your change back
Enjoy
riwiho said:
Manx_S1 said:
I already forgot one of the golden rules of being an S1 owner - NEVER leave loose change in your trouser pockets!
As a consequence, i now have a 5p piece rattling around under the ps. Bugger! Still, could have been worse, it could have been a £2 coin.
Hello & Welcome.As a consequence, i now have a 5p piece rattling around under the ps. Bugger! Still, could have been worse, it could have been a £2 coin.
Edited by Manx_S1 on Sunday 9th March 06:21
You need deeper pockets! I find a folding flat ruler is pretty good for digging around under the seat to get your change back
Enjoy
Manx_S1 said:
Hello everyone,
Just bought my Elise S1 a couple of days ago. She's a bog-standard 1997, Azure Blue, 21k, mint condition super model, and i love her to bit's already. It's the first time i have owned a Lotus so i was a little apprehensive about the reputation and running costs, but i have always wanted an Elise ever since the model was released.
I've read through about 350 pages of this forum over the past week or so before my first post, and i must congratulate you all for being so friendly/helpful/knowledgeable/ and funny. I've had a right laugh reading through many of the posts.
Anway, i live in Mid-South Staffs (Stafford, Cannock, Lichfield, Rugeley), so if there are any S1/S2 owners who would like get in contact or meet up then please feel free to get in touch.
Manx_S1,Just bought my Elise S1 a couple of days ago. She's a bog-standard 1997, Azure Blue, 21k, mint condition super model, and i love her to bit's already. It's the first time i have owned a Lotus so i was a little apprehensive about the reputation and running costs, but i have always wanted an Elise ever since the model was released.
I've read through about 350 pages of this forum over the past week or so before my first post, and i must congratulate you all for being so friendly/helpful/knowledgeable/ and funny. I've had a right laugh reading through many of the posts.
Anway, i live in Mid-South Staffs (Stafford, Cannock, Lichfield, Rugeley), so if there are any S1/S2 owners who would like get in contact or meet up then please feel free to get in touch.
Congratulations on the purchase of your car. Seeing where you are, if you fancy coming along to a Lotus 7 club meet, we have one at The Swan with Two Necks in Longdon between Rugeley and Lichfield on the 3rd Thursday of the month. There are two or three 7 owners who have Elises/Exiges as well and some are now migrating across to Elises completely. Its general meet so no problem at all coming along even if you have never had 7 at all.
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