Just looking at buying a 2007 Elise S - views?
Discussion
Im looking at buying a fully specced 2007 S touring model, its got the 135 bhp toyota engine on 5 speed box.
The owner kindly let me drive it over a varied selection of roads and to be honest I loved it, very well balanced, the 5 speed box was a peach and the engine seemed torquey in all gears.
Obviously it doesnt have the R's 6000rpm catapult but seemed to have ample power.
Ive not driven the R and wondered whether I would yearn the more powerful engine at some time in the future.
Ive looked through various mag reviews and the car comes out very well in terms of power and balance described by some as the best elise out of all the range.
Im balancing performance etc against the age of the car and the spec. I can get a 12 month old S for the same money as a 3 year old R. The S touring comes with great spec which is an appealing selling point for me.
Any views
The owner kindly let me drive it over a varied selection of roads and to be honest I loved it, very well balanced, the 5 speed box was a peach and the engine seemed torquey in all gears.
Obviously it doesnt have the R's 6000rpm catapult but seemed to have ample power.
Ive not driven the R and wondered whether I would yearn the more powerful engine at some time in the future.
Ive looked through various mag reviews and the car comes out very well in terms of power and balance described by some as the best elise out of all the range.
Im balancing performance etc against the age of the car and the spec. I can get a 12 month old S for the same money as a 3 year old R. The S touring comes with great spec which is an appealing selling point for me.
Any views
S seems to be very well recommended. But before you part with your money, try an R. There are some very good buys around. I am sure on here there be a 50/50 argument for both cars, but it really comes down to personal choice. On the road the only difference with be on the motorway/long straights, I would imagine everywhere else there be very little in it, but the second cam is addictive.
I bought a 111R this time last year, and its a great time to buy. September is a good month for road trips.
Enjoy!
I bought a 111R this time last year, and its a great time to buy. September is a good month for road trips.
Enjoy!
As Stu said, probably best to try an R - i went for one because, well the missues put it best...
"if you get the S, in 6 months when you get bored of the power your either going to start modifying it or lose money trading up"
and i figured she was right, so i went for the R - but its worth you trying both and seeing which fits you best.
As for the motorway cruise Ben, 70mph is about 3,300/3,400 RPM in my R - gives over 40MPG though so I cant complain.
"if you get the S, in 6 months when you get bored of the power your either going to start modifying it or lose money trading up"
and i figured she was right, so i went for the R - but its worth you trying both and seeing which fits you best.
As for the motorway cruise Ben, 70mph is about 3,300/3,400 RPM in my R - gives over 40MPG though so I cant complain.
For me personally the S felt a better balanced drive,the power is spread more evenly across the range and it just 'felt' right.
Also,i came from driving FWD/4WD cars and this was my first mid engined sportscar,so i decided to go for the entry level car and learn how to drive it properly first(not even scratched the surface yet!)before progressing to more powerful machinery.
There is the occasional time where i think i could do with a few more horses but then i take it round a set of bends and think naah,thats enough thanks as the car has more ability than i have talent!
Try them both though just to set your mind at rest,and then go and buy the S!!
Also,i came from driving FWD/4WD cars and this was my first mid engined sportscar,so i decided to go for the entry level car and learn how to drive it properly first(not even scratched the surface yet!)before progressing to more powerful machinery.
There is the occasional time where i think i could do with a few more horses but then i take it round a set of bends and think naah,thats enough thanks as the car has more ability than i have talent!
Try them both though just to set your mind at rest,and then go and buy the S!!
Thanks guys, ive really almost made my mind up on the S, ive read reams of road tests on it and the others and to be honest Im not too bothered about exploring the 6000rpm + regions of the rev counter all the time to get into the next power band of the R. I accept i should perhaps test drive an R but like the previous writer I am really using this car to get used to the elise personality. If it suits me and i get on with it i may move up in 18 months to a more powerful derivative.
I just posted this in case anyone jumped up and shouted "Dont do it" for whatever reason
I just posted this in case anyone jumped up and shouted "Dont do it" for whatever reason
S Works said:
"Don't do it".
Do the maths on changing after 18 months. I've not met a Lotus Elige owner yet who didn't want more power at some point or another.
Just to balance the argument - If I had the choice again I'd go for it - when, after six months you get the yearning for more power, you'd be able to strap one of these on http://web.mac.com/philjames66/SilverstonePerforma... - and have no problems keeping up with an R S/C!Do the maths on changing after 18 months. I've not met a Lotus Elige owner yet who didn't want more power at some point or another.
Im almost 12 months and 13000 miles into owning an Elise S with touring. I drove the R and it was fun but I didnt want to have rev the nuts off the car to get at the power The S was plenty fast enough for me and as a first forray into RWD sports cars its spot on. Only think I need to upgrade is tallent Try an R then think about how you like to drive .. if its 2nd gear and the engine screaming perhaps the R is for you.
I do love the cam change up on the R though...
It means you can drive it as an ordinary 'sports car' up to 5/6k RPM with a nice amount of power and torque, but pretty reasonable economy, and a nice burble sound...
Then, when you need it (or just want it), you change down, or simply floor it, allow it to rev past 6k, get the additional surge of power, and a very distinct noise...
And for me its not just the performance - I had a SC for a day when the R was in with Lotus, and while it was certainly faster, it didnt feel as much fun as it was a flat experience, and somewhat more insulated (but this could be the hardtop and/or the fact it was brand new)...
But as I said earlier, and as others have said - go try an R, you may prefer the S, you may not - but its worth trying both to see which suit you best!
It means you can drive it as an ordinary 'sports car' up to 5/6k RPM with a nice amount of power and torque, but pretty reasonable economy, and a nice burble sound...
Then, when you need it (or just want it), you change down, or simply floor it, allow it to rev past 6k, get the additional surge of power, and a very distinct noise...
And for me its not just the performance - I had a SC for a day when the R was in with Lotus, and while it was certainly faster, it didnt feel as much fun as it was a flat experience, and somewhat more insulated (but this could be the hardtop and/or the fact it was brand new)...
But as I said earlier, and as others have said - go try an R, you may prefer the S, you may not - but its worth trying both to see which suit you best!
I'm 10 months into 'S' ownership, my 3rd Elise. I was tempted by a second hand 'R' but on balance preferred a new car in warranty. Having driven an 'R' I bet they are excellent on track but I'm not sure that they will be much better on the road given the amount of traffic, even in our rural location.
Now, a small block alloy V6 with a bit of torque would be a much more interesting proposition .......
Now, a small block alloy V6 with a bit of torque would be a much more interesting proposition .......
Ive made the putt. The car is too nice to miss. Its the yellow one in the private ads T23 PJM (private plate).
I went over to see the guy again tonight and drove another 20 miles on the hills around the edge of derbyshire and walked away from it having left a deposit. I have no doubt the R would have left it behind on a couple of the long stretches but the S was absolutely top drawer. Its full of extras, absolutely mint and still has 7 months warranty, which is some peice of mind when buying privately.
It will certainly satisfy me for the length of time i tend to keep my cars or may be a stepping stone to something a little newer and faster next swap.
I went over to see the guy again tonight and drove another 20 miles on the hills around the edge of derbyshire and walked away from it having left a deposit. I have no doubt the R would have left it behind on a couple of the long stretches but the S was absolutely top drawer. Its full of extras, absolutely mint and still has 7 months warranty, which is some peice of mind when buying privately.
It will certainly satisfy me for the length of time i tend to keep my cars or may be a stepping stone to something a little newer and faster next swap.
david@mediacopy said:
I'm 10 months into 'S' ownership, my 3rd Elise. I was tempted by a second hand 'R' but on balance preferred a new car in warranty. Having driven an 'R' I bet they are excellent on track but I'm not sure that they will be much better on the road given the amount of traffic, even in our rural location.
Now, a small block alloy V6 with a bit of torque would be a much more interesting proposition .......
You should try the Honda Elise 370 BHP Demo car at Maidstone sportscars.Now, a small block alloy V6 with a bit of torque would be a much more interesting proposition .......
Talk about instant progressive power.
Definately not a car for the faint of heart, that said it pootled along impeccably at 1800 rpm in 6th 35/40 mph IIRC.
F.C.
F.C. said:
You should try the Honda Elise 370 BHP Demo car at Maidstone sportscars.
Talk about instant progressive power.
Definately not a car for the faint of heart, that said it pootled along impeccably at 1800 rpm in 6th 35/40 mph IIRC.
F.C.
I did toy with the idea of a Honda conversion but I'm too lazy / tight to sort it out. Would be nice to have some instant umph under foot for those 'right now' overtakes.Talk about instant progressive power.
Definately not a car for the faint of heart, that said it pootled along impeccably at 1800 rpm in 6th 35/40 mph IIRC.
F.C.
im sure you will love it. Might be worth getting it checked over by a specialist pre purchase Just to be sure its all as it should beaea730 said:
Ive made the putt. The car is too nice to miss. Its the yellow one in the private ads T23 PJM (private plate).
I went over to see the guy again tonight and drove another 20 miles on the hills around the edge of derbyshire and walked away from it having left a deposit. I have no doubt the R would have left it behind on a couple of the long stretches but the S was absolutely top drawer. Its full of extras, absolutely mint and still has 7 months warranty, which is some peice of mind when buying privately.
It will certainly satisfy me for the length of time i tend to keep my cars or may be a stepping stone to something a little newer and faster next swap.
It sounds like you've made the right choice for your driving style and circumstance, the S engine has a little more torque at the bottom end, and while the R is faster the car once you get up to higher speeds, unless you like high reving engines the S makes the more sound buy IMOI went over to see the guy again tonight and drove another 20 miles on the hills around the edge of derbyshire and walked away from it having left a deposit. I have no doubt the R would have left it behind on a couple of the long stretches but the S was absolutely top drawer. Its full of extras, absolutely mint and still has 7 months warranty, which is some peice of mind when buying privately.
It will certainly satisfy me for the length of time i tend to keep my cars or may be a stepping stone to something a little newer and faster next swap.
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