2-11 for road use - am I mad?
Discussion
I am currently looking for a new weekend and sunny days car. My short list is an S3 Elise, a Caterham R300 (self build) or a 2-11. I've had both S1 and S2 Elises before and have previously built and raced a Caterham, so the 2-11 is ahead on the grin/novelty stakes.
I would only be doing relatively short journeys, to and fro from work and so on. Track work would be by exception (if at all).
Has anyone out there got any experience of using a 2-11 in a similar fashion?
Cheers!
I would only be doing relatively short journeys, to and fro from work and so on. Track work would be by exception (if at all).
Has anyone out there got any experience of using a 2-11 in a similar fashion?
Cheers!
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 21st May 14:10
I asked this question a while back and the general consensus seemed to be that the Caterham is a better car for road/track use, especially if you also want to include the odd weekend away. The 2-11 has no boot/storage, and obviously no screen. For track days or a blast around local roads it is an awesome car, and I'd love to justify buying one, but quite simply, the idea of having to wear a helmet on the road put me off. Still haven't definitively decided yet, but for me it is probably looking like an R300/400.
mike_knott said:
I have never driven a 2-11, but can't help thinking that something with a windscreen might be more appropriate for a commuting car(?)
Mike...
Appropriate - for sure. Exhilarating? Dunno. The thing I like about the 2-11 is that it is as mad as pants. An R300 is clearly the best balanced option, not least because it will not occupy as much garage space when it's not in use. Plus there is the fun of building a car yourself... Mike...
Spoke to my local Lotus dealer and their S3 isnt run in yet and there is no 2-11 demonstrator available as Lotus have sent their one and only to Germany. Doh!
weejimmy said:
mike_knott said:
I have never driven a 2-11, but can't help thinking that something with a windscreen might be more appropriate for a commuting car(?)
Mike...
Appropriate - for sure. Exhilarating? Dunno. The thing I like about the 2-11 is that it is as mad as pants. An R300 is clearly the best balanced option, not least because it will not occupy as much garage space when it's not in use. Plus there is the fun of building a car yourself... Mike...
Spoke to my local Lotus dealer and their S3 isnt run in yet and there is no 2-11 demonstrator available as Lotus have sent their one and only to Germany. Doh!
I'll be honest, I think it's pushing it to use it daily but nothing wrong with using a 2 11 as a weekend car
Boggy
rdodger said:
How about a 340R?
Mad as a box of frogs, but has a screen!
Agreed, but I prefer how the 2-11 looks. Plus I fancy a Toyota engine having had K's in S1 and S2 Elises and in the last Caterham.Mad as a box of frogs, but has a screen!
Can a 2-11 be driven without a helmet at all? I guess it depends on hoe good the deflector is as I don't fancy getting stones in my face!
The screen is pathetic
i'm 6 foot but passengers who are 5-9 or less indicate that it does stop buffeting significantly
given the current state of the roads i wouldn't drive without face protection
by the way it gets very cold after a few miles unless you dress appropriately
not a problem currently!
i'm 6 foot but passengers who are 5-9 or less indicate that it does stop buffeting significantly
given the current state of the roads i wouldn't drive without face protection
by the way it gets very cold after a few miles unless you dress appropriately
not a problem currently!
If you're not tracking it whats the point?
Driving one through town you get a lot of attention(if thats what you really want)
Drove the Frosts demo n/a car last year with a crash helmet on and the salesman said "How do you feel?"
"Like a tit" was my reply.
The Elise has 90% of the performance and 100% more practicality,so like i said,if you dont track it,whats the point?
Driving one through town you get a lot of attention(if thats what you really want)
Drove the Frosts demo n/a car last year with a crash helmet on and the salesman said "How do you feel?"
"Like a tit" was my reply.
The Elise has 90% of the performance and 100% more practicality,so like i said,if you dont track it,whats the point?
Agreed it makes very little sense versus an Elise, but the thought of it makes me smile. That's worth a lot in my mind as most cars are just dull grey/white/black euroboxes. I was looking at TT's for the wife the other day and the most extreme colour on offer was white!
2-11's seem like a two fingered salute to the typical dross eveyone drives today which is fine by me. An R300 would do the same to a lesser extent, but an Elise is pretty much mainstream.
Guess I'm having a mid life crisis! :-)
2-11's seem like a two fingered salute to the typical dross eveyone drives today which is fine by me. An R300 would do the same to a lesser extent, but an Elise is pretty much mainstream.
Guess I'm having a mid life crisis! :-)
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 21st May 20:33
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 21st May 20:36
Not so sure. I have a very comfortable 400+ bhp V8 for when the mood isn't right. I think a 2-11 would be a constant source of pleasure. The frustration would only come from not being to use it for long periods, or because its really a solo pleasure. Can't see the wife or my son donning a crash helmet for a quick blat on a Sunday morning. I wouldn't use an Elise enough to benefit from the extra practicality as my M3 has all the bases covered for fast, enjoyable travel. When the mood is right I reckon a 2-11 would be mega.
Short, sharp blasts of fun are the way to go I think.
Short, sharp blasts of fun are the way to go I think.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 21st May 22:10
cheddar said:
I like your honesty but as a two fingered salute to normality this is extreme action to take.
After a week of 'HEY, LOOK AT ME I'M ABSOLUTELY CRAZY' you'll be cold/wet/tired/bored/upset/annoyed.
I wouldn't think so, not if the OP has the right frame of mind. You could easily write the same about someone thinking of taking up motorcycling and yes, there are days when the rain and cold make it a chore, to say the least.After a week of 'HEY, LOOK AT ME I'M ABSOLUTELY CRAZY' you'll be cold/wet/tired/bored/upset/annoyed.
But then there are the days when the sun is shining, the roads are clear - and man, it is heaven.
I would think this is how it will feel in the 2-11, too.
Every car or bike is a compromise. If being more careful with the weather outlook is the issue with the 2-11, then that really is not an issue unless you want it as a daily driver.
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