Lotus Elise Sport 135: PH Fleet
With the Elise very firmly in its teenage years it's throwing a tantrum or two
Looks dry, track was anything but
When it is running sweet, and more often than not it is, the driving experience is so pure, so involving, that it quickly gets back under my skin. I can't think of nothing else for the initial outlay and running costs that offers such a special driving experience. Which is why it's still parked outside after three years.
One of those timely reminders came at Goodwood in mid-December for the PistonHeads track day. It's not a circuit I'd been round in the past, so with zero track knowledge, a worrying lack of run-off and possibly the coldest, dampest, greasiest surface I've ever encountered, I turned to a piece of advice that had lodged in my brain - from where I don't recall - 'Goodwood should be treated as you would drive a country road'. It became my mantra for the day, further moderated by Mr Harris's recent revelation that the Elise is the most dangerous car he's ever driven in the wet.
Over three years in and Danny's still smitten
Then people began falling off. The red flags started flying and I continued crawling, ever more desperate not to join them. Grip improved slightly around mid-afternoon, and although a dry line was still a dream, this gave me the confidence to brake harder and later and carry more speed into St Marys, Lavant and Woodcote. Sketchy? Yes. Exhilarating? Hell yeah!
It was far from ideal conditions for a lightweight, mid-engine sports car with no driver aids, but did that stop me from thoroughly enjoying every minute? Not a chance. It's a circuit that rewards flow, something that comes so naturally to the Lotus. And while my Elise was built in 1998, there's something about these little plastic cars that seem to be perfectly at home amongst Goodwood's heritage. Going back when it's dry is now a priority.
In good company at Analogue Automotive
Fitting wasn't actually that bad, but inevitably it ended up a gnat's cock off-centre; something I've been trying to rectify ever since. But aside from that, I'm really happy with it.
My other bargain eBay purchase was a brand new upgraded toe-link kit. This is something I've been meaning to do for ages, but keep getting distracted by vital upgrades such as steering wheels... Secured for £200, a healthy saving over retail, it was back down the A3 to Steff at Analogue Automotive to get them fitted. What I only found out when the old ones came off, was that Lotus's recall had never been carried out on my car, increasing the chances of, what could have been, a pretty significant failure.
Reconditioned heater donated from a Sport 160
Finally, I've learned that for all the construction similarities with a canoe, an Elise doesn't float. When you unintentionally drive into deep water (because it's dark and you've got a queue of traffic behind you), what actually happens is that a bow wave breaks over the bonnet, the aluminium tub becomes a paddling pool and enough steam comes off the radiator makes it look like you've driven into a Turkish bath. Astonishingly, everything still works though. Even the heater.
Fact sheet
Car: 1998 Lotus Elise Sport 135
Run by: Danny Milner
Bought: October 2010
Purchase price: £9,500
This month at a glance: Kept it on the black stuff at Goodwood, submerged it on the way home from fixing the heater.
Previous reports
For speed add lightness, to wallet in this case
Suspension fettling brings results, just in time for the alternator to go pop
Scottish road trip answers 'should I sell?' dilemma
Is it time for the Elise to go?
A cry of alarm from the Lotus - just drive me!
To Goodwood in the Elise
Why is the Elise slower on its new suspension then?
Nitron suspension upgrade for Danny's Elise
Is there any point in owning one when it rains almost every day?? Really would like one as a weekend toy.
Is there any point in owning one when it rains almost every day?? Really would like one as a weekend toy.
Yes, do need to be careful in standing water, however in damp or just wet conditions it is fine. My Caterham is much more twitchy in the wet and demands more care to drive quickly.
I think the reputation came from early cars which had rubbish tyres. Totally unjustified IME.
I have to confess I am a bit more of a fair weather driver but this motivates me !
Still the one thing that puts me off driving activities when its cold (and wet) is not just that I am concerned about slippery surfaces but thay part of the fun of a track day is the 'breaks' when you can watch other driving, check out cars, have a chat, etc.
When I have done winter track days that aspect is a lot less prevelant as its too darned cold or wet!! Call me soft...
Yes you can wrap up against elements but then you're constantly putting on/taking off layers.
I was thinking of getting an adapter so I could remove the wheel , that would also give a little extra knee room.
Is there any point in owning one when it rains almost every day?? Really would like one as a weekend toy.
That's the point of the Elise though it's meant to be a fun track car so it's refinement and handling are compromised for road use.
Is there any point in owning one when it rains almost every day?? Really would like one as a weekend toy.
Yes, do need to be careful in standing water, however in damp or just wet conditions it is fine. My Caterham is much more twitchy in the wet and demands more care to drive quickly.
I think the reputation came from early cars which had rubbish tyres. Totally unjustified IME.
Regarding the handling, I did a couple of trackdays in my S2 in the pouring rain and it was totally benign and completely fine at all speeds. There were a number of modifications to the S2 to make it handle better than the S1, especially in the wet. For example the S1 had lift at speed, mainly at the rear, whereas the S2 has downforce at speed, mainly at the rear; also the tyres on the S2 are bespoke with narrower front tyres to provide good wet weather grip (therefore higher pressure to dispel rain water) but a softer compound than the rears to avoid understeer (provided you drive sensitively that is - you won't feel the benefit of a softer compound if you're rough with the front end); the suspension on the S2 was also lower and stiffer than the S1 to control the car's mass better. The wheelbase is identical as far as I know. Note that some S2s had modified suspension fitted by the factory that was similar to the S2's, and of course you can fit the bespoke tyre from the S2 to the S1 if you wish.
That's the S2. The S1 I've not driven in the wet, but a friend of mine has one and has even taken it to drift events - he adores it. He did attend one of the track days I mentioned above when it was pouring with rain, and yes, a poor choice of tyre meant he didn't enjoy it much, but with the right tyres on the car he says it's absolutely fine in the wet due to how much the car tells you all the time.
One thing I will add before I finish is that the Elise has very specific geo changes with suspension deflection that are designed to make the car handle well and in a benign way. Owners modifying the suspension can interfere with this and cause wayward handling. As said above, much of the Elise's reputation has come from owner's messing with the suspension and also running worn tyres or fitting inappropriate tyres.
ETA: Despite all of the above, the Elise is a fairly short wheelbase rear engined car, so yes, it's never going to slide like an MX5 or a 3 series. Once the rear end is out a certain distance in all Elise derivatives, things do get nasty quite quickly, whereas this wouldn't happen in most front engined cars. However, you do of course get the benefits of the cars layout in its incredibly quick responses and agility. FE/RWD vs ME/RWD is always a choice in that respect. It's the same thing when comparing the MR2 to the MX5.
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