Can I have an opinion on this Elise?

[Chris71]

What do you reckon chaps?

I haven't had time to do much in the way of research, but I'm looking for a roadable track car basically and noticed this in the classifieds? Any thoughts on the price or spec? Anyone recognise it (er, from the description that is, lack of pics admittedly makes that difficult)?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1067429.htm

I presume an induction kit, but standard S1 exhaust would be fairly noise-test friendly?

[VX Foxy]

Sounds good depending on how tatty the interior is - can't find it on SELOC. Surprised there's no mention of harnesses.

[GR4]

Depends how far you would have to travel to see it. No photos, and ad suggests its a bit tatty. Very tidy and well looked after cars aren't much more money.

[Gad-Westy]

Are you looking for a track car? If so, it sounds perfect. If its a 'pride and joy' type weekend car, you'd probably want to budget some money for an iterior refresh (suprisingly affordable) by the sound of it.

Pictures paint a thousand words though. Have you seen any?

[Chris71]

Gad-Westy said:

Are you looking for a track car? If so, it sounds perfect. If its a 'pride and joy' type weekend car, you'd probably want to budget some money for an iterior refresh (suprisingly affordable) by the sound of it.

Pictures paint a thousand words though. Have you seen any?

Yep, the idea is indeed to get a track car, so I'm looking for something mechanically pristine, but providing the price reflects it cosmetic perfection is almost a disadvantage - I'll only get it covered in stone chips.

I haven't seen any photos yet, but to be fair I only emailed the guy last night. I think it does depend a lot on the details - this is the first one I've considered so I'm far from an expert, but my understanding is you could buy quite a smart standard S1 for that money these days? So it's a case of whether the track mods go far enough to compensate for the condition I guess.

It's very much early days yet though - haven't entirely decided what to get, but an Elise seems to tick all the boxes for a roadable track car and I now have the space and the funds to move when I see one.

Can anyone point towards a good S1 buyers guide? Anything in particular to look for? And are there any 'must have' additions to an S1 for track use?

[VX Foxy]

Chris71 said:

Can anyone point towards a good S1 buyers guide? Anything in particular to look for? And are there any 'must have' additions to an S1 for track use?

Have a look here:
SELOC http://forums.seloc.org/index.php
LOT http://www.lotus-on-track.com/

On a track car I'd be looking for; good suspension (ohlins/nitron), harness bar and decent harness(s), poss. uprated bushes and brakes (RS14 are among the best pads) - power mods would be last on my list. If using R888s or A048s I think you should have uprated toe links.

Have you thought about a VX220 (to avoid the Rover K series and imminent HGF)?

ETA: This looks good http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1065484.htm

Edited by VX Foxy on Tuesday 2nd June 12:34

[Chris71]

Another one... any thoughts?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1070887.htm

[VX Foxy]

Nice if you want a garage queen I prefer the 135

[Chris71]

VX Foxy said:

I prefer the 135

Good point - can someone explain the differences between the 111S, the 135, the 160 and any other special editions I'm likely to see up to the £12k (max) mark?

[VX Foxy]

The wiki on SELOC will tell all

[braddo]

Also try elises.co.uk for some useful reading.

A rough guide:

111s has the VVC engine - so less torque but lots of top end power.
135 Sport is essentially the standard engine with a ported head (std cams), so has good mid-range torque but power flattens out above 5500-6000 rpm.
160 has a non-VVC ported (more than the 135) head and wilder cams, and is overall more track focused than the first two.

They should all have the close ratio box, which I would say you will definitely want for a track biased car.

As they are all limited/special editions they command a bit of premium. Many standard S1s will be about with suspension/gearbox/engine upgrades that make them more than a match for the 111/135/160, often for less dosh.

Brad

[VX Foxy]

^^^ What he said