Discussion
Ive read the online guides about the checks to make on these things but Im looking for ownership experience in Scotland.
It would be a second car for me and probably do around 6kmiles a year. Just wondering what they are like on the roads in the Northeast and if there are any decent independant garages to use although I do like to get my hands dirty.
Are the S2's better than the S1's as they seems to be a crossover around the £10k level from S1 to S2 and I think £10k would be my max budget.
It would be a second car for me and probably do around 6kmiles a year. Just wondering what they are like on the roads in the Northeast and if there are any decent independant garages to use although I do like to get my hands dirty.
Are the S2's better than the S1's as they seems to be a crossover around the £10k level from S1 to S2 and I think £10k would be my max budget.
An Elise is a cracking buy, you are easily within driving distance of some of the best roads in the country for the car.
As you will know its not so much about top speed with these more about cornering speeds, so you can have a lot of fun at relatively sane speeds.
Be warned though, as Justin will agree I'm sure, they are addictive little cars and they can bring on some changes you never would have thought.
I bought my lotus with a garage queen mentallity (always been my way) now it's all about the driving and improving my skills, I've done trackdays, driving instruction, anything to make me better in the car.
If you like that kind of thing, there is also a massive lotus familly in Scotland with some really amazing, friendly and helpful people, in Aberdeen there's loads of them. Register at scottishelises.com in the newbies section, tell them where you are and what advice you want and watch the response.
Finally, of you haven't bought yet, stick a post in the se trackdays section for the sidc day and ask if you can get some pax laps in either car and people will gladly take you out.
Hope it helps, happy hunting!
As you will know its not so much about top speed with these more about cornering speeds, so you can have a lot of fun at relatively sane speeds.
Be warned though, as Justin will agree I'm sure, they are addictive little cars and they can bring on some changes you never would have thought.
I bought my lotus with a garage queen mentallity (always been my way) now it's all about the driving and improving my skills, I've done trackdays, driving instruction, anything to make me better in the car.
If you like that kind of thing, there is also a massive lotus familly in Scotland with some really amazing, friendly and helpful people, in Aberdeen there's loads of them. Register at scottishelises.com in the newbies section, tell them where you are and what advice you want and watch the response.
Finally, of you haven't bought yet, stick a post in the se trackdays section for the sidc day and ask if you can get some pax laps in either car and people will gladly take you out.
Hope it helps, happy hunting!
One thing I would say is make sure the suspension is good. People say to expect the suspension to be noisy, but definitely have a shot in a couple to find how the suspension should sound instead of doing what I did and get the first one you see (I know I know!) and have to get the shocks replaced a few months later!
Day to day running costs are very good, it really is fantastic fun (especially in the snow! I didn't die despite what everyone thinks) and as mentioned, it is more about fun than top speed, so I have kept my license intact!
The bad points? In the year I've had it, it needed the shocks and the steering rack replaced on its service at the start of the year, and a drive flange + bearing after it's MOT. The service did kick me in the balls a bit, but I have not had any issues which have left me stranded.
Everyone always mentions head gaskets, mine had the gasket replaced not long before I bought it, and I've been a bit paranoid with regards to coolant etc, but the only issue I've had was a faulty temp sensor, £10 for a new one and just a bit of a pain to replace!
Despite having a few problems with it, I've no regrets at all
Other than that, ask around on scottishelises, where there are people who know a lot more about them than I do!
Day to day running costs are very good, it really is fantastic fun (especially in the snow! I didn't die despite what everyone thinks) and as mentioned, it is more about fun than top speed, so I have kept my license intact!
The bad points? In the year I've had it, it needed the shocks and the steering rack replaced on its service at the start of the year, and a drive flange + bearing after it's MOT. The service did kick me in the balls a bit, but I have not had any issues which have left me stranded.
Everyone always mentions head gaskets, mine had the gasket replaced not long before I bought it, and I've been a bit paranoid with regards to coolant etc, but the only issue I've had was a faulty temp sensor, £10 for a new one and just a bit of a pain to replace!
Despite having a few problems with it, I've no regrets at all
Other than that, ask around on scottishelises, where there are people who know a lot more about them than I do!monsween said:
Bit of a different oppinion here but have you considered an s2k.
If i had 6-10k i'd have one in a heartbeat over the elise
If I had no interest in cars, I could see why you could think that. Don't forget the OP says this will be a second car, even if it was his only car, the elise will still excite and thrill him more.If i had 6-10k i'd have one in a heartbeat over the elise
I take it you've never driven an elise either.
OP, have a passenger in a few elises before you make the jump at buying on, or take someone along who knows about them... Just so you go in with your eyes open.
And enjoy!
Definitely a good idea!! I've had 4 Elises down here in Edinburgh (all S2's) and now I'm onto an Exige.. As above, they are quite addictive! They are a nightmare around bad roads to be honest but you quickly forget it once you hit the B/quiet roads and get out of town.
Doubt 10k will get you a good S2 if I'm honest... If I was you I would go for a good condition S1 for around £8k and stick a couple of grand in the bank to make sure it's kept in good nick. but that's just me!
Check tyres, suspension and brakes and if the mileage is high then make sure Head Gasket has been looked at.. Other than that you'll be set. Log onto scottishelises.com and say hi to the guys there. Sure some of the Northeast crew will be happy to take you out in the various models!
Doubt 10k will get you a good S2 if I'm honest... If I was you I would go for a good condition S1 for around £8k and stick a couple of grand in the bank to make sure it's kept in good nick. but that's just me!
Check tyres, suspension and brakes and if the mileage is high then make sure Head Gasket has been looked at.. Other than that you'll be set. Log onto scottishelises.com and say hi to the guys there. Sure some of the Northeast crew will be happy to take you out in the various models!
Cheers guys. Im a VW man and have a VR6 turbo just now which is amazing but Ive just got this niggling thing about trying out the back to basics RWD small engine thing. Would have to sell the Corrado first before doing anything.
What are they like when it comes to the dreaded salt? I wouldnt use it if its crap weather but would still like the option to take it out now again. Also what are they like to work on as I like doing my own work?
Im not a Jap car far at all and always liked the Elise's.
What are they like when it comes to the dreaded salt? I wouldnt use it if its crap weather but would still like the option to take it out now again. Also what are they like to work on as I like doing my own work?
Im not a Jap car far at all and always liked the Elise's.
Agree with what everyone is saying...
Had my S2 for just over a year and they are fantastic fun.
As said they're not all about power/top end but handling, balance, steering etc. Great fun to drive without having to do silly speeds.
I've done about 12k in just over a year and it's been totally reliable. Sometimes it frustrates a bit with rattles etc but on the right road they are fantastic.
Would recommend Murray Lotus too.
Had my S2 for just over a year and they are fantastic fun.
As said they're not all about power/top end but handling, balance, steering etc. Great fun to drive without having to do silly speeds.
I've done about 12k in just over a year and it's been totally reliable. Sometimes it frustrates a bit with rattles etc but on the right road they are fantastic.
Would recommend Murray Lotus too.
Hi, this cars a Scottish eliser, whilst i couldn't promise (as I don't know it). You can be reasonably sure it would be worth checking out. The guy posts a lot and seems to be known and knows his stuff.
Bang on budget too
[URL]http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2038314.htm|URL[URL]
ps only helping, as above I don't know the guy or car personally but if you join se and ask, somebody will.
Cheers
Bang on budget too
[URL]http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2038314.htm|URL[URL]
ps only helping, as above I don't know the guy or car personally but if you join se and ask, somebody will.
Cheers
Thanks, the more I look at them the more I prefer the S2. With these being a bit more than what I would spend at the moment and the fact that I would never be able to find another Corrado like the one I have Im keeping it for now and going to enjoy it.
Maybe in a year or so I'll be looking but for now I'll enjoy the torque steer!!!
Maybe in a year or so I'll be looking but for now I'll enjoy the torque steer!!!
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