Potential Newbie...

[KevJ]

Hi guys,

I am considering (amongst other cars) getting an early S1 Elise. It will be a daily driver.

I'm looking for opinions from people who use theirs daily and wondering how much of an issue it is that they leak? Is it really that bad? Can it be cured, etc?

Also am I right in thinking the roof is removable rather it being a convertible? i.e. You have to choose whether to leave the roof at home?

Many thanks!

[Philygumbo]

Soft top fits in the boot.
The only issue is, you will want to find a long route to work just to keep driving.
Enjoy.

Edited by Philygumbo on Friday 2nd May 12:40

[Tango7]

Hi,

Hoods are removable but stow fine in the boot area or behind the seats in the cockpit. They do leak to varying degrees but this is due to the windows not being correctly adjusted to have a good seal with the roof. Mine is now fitted so there is the occasional drip on the passenger sill rather than the deluge that used to be there... As an all year round daily driver, consider getting a hard top. These are warmer and more secure plus they save the soft top deteriorating in the winter months. Hard tops are typically £600-750 dependant on condition and whether they are Lotus OEM or not.

HTH

T

[KevJ]

That was quick!

Thank you both, reassuring to know the roof is stowable and that the leaks, if any, can be minimilised!

I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on, but thanks again in the meantime!

[Thorburn]

Used mine in the rain for the first time on Wednesday and it leaks like a sieve along the window seals, so need that adjusted.

Simply brilliant fun to drive though.

[TIPPER]

Just the odd drip from my roof even in the worst deluge from mine. The windows are adjustable so even leaky jobs can be fixed.
Roof removal is a bit of a faff but in reality takes no more than a couple of minutes.
Try and get an extended test drive to see if you can live with the Elise. Also go in with your eyes open with regards potential costs: they are very cheap to run in terms of what they are but not Eurobox cheap and more than one newbie has had a nasty shock.

[hueandcry71]

Do it. I have bought and sold a few in the past 12 months and whenever i buy a non Lotus car i come skulking back. Once you have had one nothing else will compare.
The other big plus is this forum, you wont get better advice or friendlier people on any other forum. I have posted my fair share of daft questions over the past 12 months but have always got the answer to what i have asked.

[andy_s]

just come back from a single seater track day and the best bit was the drive there and back. Nuff said- enjoy!

[fatwomble]

Obviously there are few on here that would not recommend you buy one, using an S1 Elise every day is not a problem and only excessive motorway journey will become wearing.

Get out there and buy one

[KevJ]

Thanks again for the information, it's good to know it's a friendly place with knowledgable people!

While I'm here, how much of a pig is it not having PAS? Being such a light car is it noticeable not having it?

Also if there is anyone in the Ipswich area who fancies taking me for a spin in an S1 I'll buy them lunch!?

[malbon]

The best bit about the elise is the lack of PAS and the lack of servo assistance on the brakes. I used an S1 111s as an everyday car for quite a while. The extra padded seats and more torquier engine make it a little bit easier to get on with than a standard car. If you can get one with uprated S2 suspension then this too would be advisable as it makes the ride a lot easier to live with.

[andy_s]

No PAS is a good thing - slightly heavier than a normal car at manouvering speed but you don't need tins of spinach, the upside is total connection with the road while driving and much greater feel for change in surface, camber, slippage - also feels pin sharp, nothing to get between your hands and the road except mechanicals. Other cars feel either disconnected or dampened on comparison (well, not all nut certainly most - esp at that price point)

[Philygumbo]

Yea, what they ^ just said.

[S Works]

Can't agree more with this thread. If you're going to get one as a daily driver then look for cars which have had the suspension upgraded to the S2 Bilsteins. Much more liveable with than the bone-shaking Konis! A hardtop is actually pretty useful during winter months if it's going to live outside, and if you have room to store it during spring/summer. I used to think it wasn't worth it, but having got another S1 recently (my 3rd), I'm glad it came with one.

[TIPPER]

KevJ said:

Thanks again for the information, it's good to know it's a friendly place with knowledgable people!

While I'm here, how much of a pig is it not having PAS? Being such a light car is it noticeable not having it?

Also if there is anyone in the Ipswich area who fancies taking me for a spin in an S1 I'll buy them lunch!?

I've seen people complain that the Elise steering is heavy and uncomfortable.
Utter twaddle, they don't know what good steering is. I reckon my young girls could drive it. Its not playstation light but easy enough not to have to put your arms into it even at parking speeds. Once on the move you just think where you want to go and you find your wrists moving and the car follows. Loads and loads of proper feel. Probably the best steering of any modern car - completly, totally and utterly uncorrupted:- Brilliant.
Regarding Ipswich: put a post on Seloc - there's a few peeps on there from that part of the world. (Oh, and give the Town a shout for me tommorow)

[Philygumbo]

S Works said:

Can't agree more with this thread. If you're going to get one as a daily driver then look for cars which have had the suspension upgraded to the S2 Bilsteins. Much more liveable with than the bone-shaking Konis! A hardtop is actually pretty useful during winter months if it's going to live outside, and if you have room to store it during spring/summer. I used to think it wasn't worth it, but having got another S1 recently (my 3rd), I'm glad it came with one.

Hard tops are for poofs, MAN THE fk UP.

Edited by Philygumbo on Saturday 3rd May 23:27

[S2000]

I am being tempted by the Stark Elise R - currently own a 55 plate S2000 which I love, but would like something a bit more "trackable" and am prepared to sacrifice some of the niceties like A/C, power hood / windows.

Has anyone had any experience of the Stark rebuilds or advice to offer?

Many thanks

[Thorburn]

The lack of power steering was a complete non-issue for me, it's heavier than my MX-5, but actually feels lighter than my old Fiesta Si with PAS, so either the Fiesta's PAS was rubbish or those 10 pushups a week have been really hitting the spot

Edited by Thorburn on Sunday 4th May 03:08

[TIPPER]

S2000 said:

I am being tempted by the Stark Elise R - currently own a 55 plate S2000 which I love, but would like something a bit more "trackable" and am prepared to sacrifice some of the niceties like A/C, power hood / windows.

Has anyone had any experience of the Stark rebuilds or advice to offer?

Many thanks

Linky? (Never heard of it, and I suspect I'm not the only one).

[S2000]

Sorry - thought it would be better known: http://www.stark-automotive.co.uk/eliser.htm

Would be interested te hear some thoughts - have been very happy with V-Tec engine and this looks like a great variation.

Thanks