[Closed] New car... Why not an Elise?

Are you female?

Do it

Like you the Elise is my dream car. Do it whilst you can!!

Do it tomorrow.

Lol no I'm male, had a few 'gay boy' jibes while in the MX5, doesn't really bother me 🙂

dont dent or crash it though, its a tub job so will be expensive

For heavens sake why not.

Just do it. They hold value well,you won't catch a cold on resale...

Its a car. It will get you from A to B. It has Rover/Nissan mechanicals and a non rusting body with minimal electrics inside togo wrong.

If you *need* an estate occasionally, hire one. If you can aford an elise, you canafford a days hire once in a blue moon.

Its a good fun/track day car for sure... if its what you want then go for it fella.

Agree, go for it. Long time dead etc.

Do it. they are a fantastic drive.

(plus, if you have a triple jointed spine and you are under 5'2" you'll be able to get in and out of it too 😆 )

Cracking car I'd go for it. Especially cool when running a K series V tec conversion.

Next door had one. They still have regrets about getting rid. I was very envious. Get one.

It was actually a serious question 🙂 If you like them, go for it, they are meant to be fun.

Friend had one - I never worked out how to get out of it and remain looking cool. His (quite abused and uncared for) one always felt incredibly agricultural; the clonks and groaning noises inside and smell of brakes in the cabin was slightly disconcerting but a hoot to drive.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the insurance for a newly qualified male, even a 30yr old one, set you back? Has to be painful!

It is the one car I would sell my soul for. If you can afford it, go for it.

Do it.

If you can afford it go for the toyota engined one if not check the head gasket on the rover engined one. You can get stainless water pipe kits for them as well. Go and buy one tomorrow. Only a cateram or westie comes close. I'm now very jealous!

Convert it's £1500 fully comp, £500 excess. For 4k miles a year.

Inbred it's funny you mention the gasket, my current car has similar engine and has blown the head gasket. Someone a mate knows wants to buy it as a track toy.

My mate is a petrol head - had super 7s, elises, etc.

said the handling on the elise wasn't up to the hype that top gear gave it, so give one a good try before you buy it.

I'd say give it a go - good time to buy a soft top.

But from what I hear they are WAY more impractical than an MX5 (which I own and love)

If I get to own another fancy car it'll be a Boxster or Elan M100, or if I have a Mrs who wants a Yaris/Focus etc maybe an Elise/Midget/Cooper.

Buy it! I had one of the early ones, in fact one of the original Lotus test cars and it was one of the best cars I've had, apart from the aforementioned head gasket problems, Rover K class engine. It had to go with the arrival of the first child. Still find myself looking on the internet for Elises for sale from time to time...Didnt have any hairdresser comments with the Elise though did with my previous car a MkI MR2.

It was actually a serious question If you like them, go for it, they are meant to be fun.

? Elise is about the best handling road going car available, not sure where sex has anything to do with it (apart from the fact that you could probably do without it for ages with the fun of driving one). Not exactly a "girly" car.

IME the folk making hairdresser comments drive Focuses, Mondeos, Vauxhalls etc - not Porsches or Beemers. It's just envy/inadequacy.

+1

I'd have one. Pre kids Mrs North and I seriously considered it. Only reason we didn't was her size (4'10") - not that she couldn't drive one, but that the build wad so variable, some cars fitted and some didn't!

We bought an MX5 instead and had a hoot for 5 years. The only car we've both been sad to see go (bought a hatchback when Baby North was born).

I had one. Brilliant handling cars, also go like greased shit off a teflon shovel. I will have another some day.

I had the pleasure of taking mine to knockhill a couple of times on lotus track days. When you're not worrying about blasting your license out of the water or cars coming the other way they are truly amazing cars.

Get one.

ourmaninthenorth - Member
but that the build wad so variable, some cars fitted and some didn't!

😀

If you really want one then go for it. You'll find it hugely impractical and it'll break down every five minutes but you really need to do things you want like this.

oh no, do this do that, but **** it, get the elise. have fun. They look like a laugh. regret it later when you are old and boring.

The k series rover 1.8 has plastic dowels in the earlier engines to hold the head gasket in place. These go soft over time and the gasket fails. The later engines addressed this problem with steel dowels. Because it doesn't hold a lot of water when it goes its hard to catch before any damage is done. If its an early one get the gasket done as a matter of course, circa 400 quid. Other than that they are a fantastic engine. I had an old 200vi great car.

There was an article in an few year old copy of Banzai Jap car mag I got. Fella in there did a load of research into an Elise and ended up going for a FI mk1 MX5 with all the toys. Quicker, more fun to drive, cheaper etc (apparently).

You're not asking about what car to get - you've got an option to buy a car you've lusted after since your female tutor took you for a quickie in one. Do it.

Why not an elise? Well heres a few reasons..

Ive driven one and would love to own one (edit: for the looks,not much else ;O)) Not impressed with the power and thats coming out of a 106gti. o.k. theres 160bhp+ models.. but for 120bhp,same as the pug,it wasnt a good start.

Anyhows.. what do i know?

If Richard Burns and his two mates in this vid put the 106 gti ahead of the elise for handling.. then save 6k+ and buy the peugeot.

Problems with getting called a boy racer? Well its either going to be a boy racer or a hairdresser so take yer pick.Definitely spend 10 mins watching this and listen to what they say.

Golf VR6,"one of the best handling cars" gets a bit slated in this. "I`m afraid Golfy isnt going to win today!" - Clarkson. Check it wallowing like a hippo!

Besides looking gorgeous.. i cant think of any other reason why i`d go out and buy an elise after watching this,driving one, and owning a pug for the past 5 years.

think id rather the 335

I always preferred the vx220 to be honest.

how tall are you ? and do you need to carry anything larger than a plastic bag of shopping ?

I too would have an Elise if I could - cars are very subjective, so make your own mind up as to what you want!

Just a thought though - MR2? cheaper, more reliable, (slightly) more practical...?

However, you seem to want an Elise, so why not just get one? It's not an irreversible decision|!

Elise, or VX220 Turbo?
I know where my money would be heading.

**spoiler** it's not Norfolk.

Do it 🙂

I'm on my second, had a few years off with an Evo and messing about with motorbikes but for a combination of "feeling special" and not being too expensive to run it can't be beaten.

A few replies to things mentioned above:

1) Build quality
No, it ain't as slickly put together as an Audi and it will rattle and clunk. It won't however suffer from anything falling off. There is very little sound proofing and the chassis acts as a boom box so makes it sound worse. Later bilatein suspension has different valving and is a lot quieter. Most cars will be on that by now.
The build quality is certainly not so variable that you can't fit certain people in it? Different models have different seats which can increase leg room.

The Pug 106 is better:
With all due respect, do me a favour! No doubt that they can be made to pedal along as quickly but a well set up Elise feels like nothing else. I include Sevens in this. Also, when has a VR6 EVER been considered a good handling car? No mK3 golf has ever had a cult following, certainly not one with a boat anchor in the front. 😉

You'll write it off if you damage the chassis:
The front end has an F1 style carbon crash box (replaceable) and the rear has a steel subframe (replaceable). Any impact that leads to the chassis being wrecked would also in all likely hood destroy a "normal" car. The difference being that the Elise chassis won't have folded like a tin can (see 106 above).

Head gasket:
If it was going to go, it will have gone. Don't ever be tempted to replace it "just in case". If it goes get someone who really knows what they are doing to fix it and all will be well. I sold my 1st Elise with 46k and plenty track use with no issues. My second has 103k and had a repair about 40k miles ago. It's about £500 so keep that stored up in case of emergency or get AA parts and labour. Look for a car that has been fixed by a good independent and has had an all aluminium radiator fitted. The OEM Peugeot one pops its plastic end caps off.

It's impractical:
Put the roof on straight and the rain stays out. MK2s are better in this respect ans the roof is easier to remove/refit. Kit wise i have fitted myself and a passenger, 2 crash helmets and all the stuff needed for a week away on euro trackdays. You just learn to pack better. Space wise I'm 6ft and fit in with no grief. I know a guy 6ft 4" and built like the proverbial, he also fits. With practice you'll hop in and out without thinking. MR2 is no where near as practical if you look at the newer style for storage and interior space!

Power:
It doesn't need a lot of power as it doesn't weigh much, then again neither does the aforementioned 106. The Elise however is about much more than 0-60 (which isn't shabby). Without wanting to get all ethereal it's about the experience. Without wanting to appear a snob the "feel" of an Elise can't be replicated buy a hot hatch, even a good one.

What you need to do is decide on your priorities. The S1 is a bit more (forgive me) undiluted in its driving experience and the s2 a bit more comfy for the commute. The S2 roof in undoubtedly less faff. Toyota engines are probably more reliable but are thirstier and a bit more expensive for road tax and servicing.

Best thing to do is sign up to http://www.seloc.org and find your local meet and have a look around and chat with the owners. The forum is very active with an excellent wiki & FAQ. Any other questions feel free to ask.

Did I say just do it!

Remind again where the VX220 was made again, and by whom?

Great cars once you've taken some of the "vauxhall" out of them.

Yes, we all know the VX220 is pretty much an Elise underneath.
They do happen to look better though - in my humble opinion, of course - and you can get a VX220 Turbo for the price of an S1 Elise. Why [i]wouldn't[/i] you want one over an Elise? It's the same car but with 70% more power.

70% more power, Nah. Look better? Nah.

[img] ?ver=13059619460001[/img]

118bhp * 170% = 200.6bhp
Where's the nah?

Looks are subjective though, so that's a moot point. EDIT: [i]And[/i] that's a S2

didn't know we were only talking S1's

the one above is 220HP

Agree on Looks, I just happen to prefer the Lotus, the VX220 is an excellent car, especially the turbo, but surely if you are comparing with the Turbo, then a fair comparison would be with and S2 as they are the same era?

They are all good, love mine.

OP was on about older Elises. I just thought that indicated a budget, and for that budget you get more car for your money with the VX220. It's technically a Lotus anyway, so the driving experience that OP is sold on should be fairly similar.

I drove a VX220 on a Jonathon Palmer race day, really impressive.

For one 'test' we had to brake through wet cone-lined 'S' bends with (and then without) the ABS switched on. No problems at all.

tbh I'd get one and insure it for normal use, no point buying/running another car as well - if you're able to borrow now and again.

back to the OP

do it soon, if there''s any chance of you having kids later

I have a Caterham that's just rotting away in my garage 😥

The VX is a good car and in Turbo form more powerful but as I alluded to earlier power isn't everything with an Elise. The VX is also carting around an extra 200kg, It is noticeably less agile to drive. if the OP has the Elise has his "dream car" then pointing out something else that is better on one level is pointless.

My Evo was "better" than a VX220 or an Elise using any metric save fuel economy or ability to take the roof off. However I wouldn't dream of suggesting one. This is why a VXT is the same price as an S1 although you might want to argue its better. More people want what an Elise does as opposed to what a VX does.

To put it in a bike context there would be little merit in me pointing out to someone buying a Cielo frame they could buy my Spesh Camber for a fraction of the cost.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I dont dislike the VX, but it's an S1 that I've wanted. I would need another car too with something of a boot, there are plenty of Focus/Golfs about. I reguarly (1-2 a week) make a short journey were it's essential and I would want a car I can put bikes in etc.

Thanks Johnny, i will no doubt pick your brain later 🙂

I'm off to test an S1 today. I'm very excited.

Enjoy it, they are just great fun. The boot isn't as bad as people make out, the entrance is tight, but there is a suprising amount of room under the rear deck. 5 or 6 carrier bags of shopping is no problem (on an s2 anyway) you just have to make sure your luggage is squishy and not in a hard case. Getting in and out is a nack, I'm 6ft and its no problem. Let us know how you get on?

jhonnystorm has it IMO.
get a 111s if you can. lovely and chuckable, with enough useful grunt for doing the lower speed stuff that lotus' are good at with aplomb. wouldn't do it these days, as it's pretty silly, but pirouetting one around a mini r'bout is one of my fondest memories of driving fun cars.
get it done lad, and get it on a track. you're a long time dead and shrouds don't have pockets. 😀

Johnnystorm wrote:

"The Pug 106 is better:
With all due respect, do me a favour! No doubt that they can be made to pedal along as quickly but a well set up Elise feels like nothing else. I include Sevens in this. Also, when has a VR6 EVER been considered a good handling car? No mK3 golf has ever had a cult following, certainly not one with a boat anchor in the front. "

With all due respect,you do ME a favour,come out of cloud cuckoo land and watch the clip on the track (not judging cars on figures plucked out of some car forum where elises,on paper,will no doubt come out light years ahead of pug 106`s)

Judge the pug against the lotus before watching the vid and slate away! Afterall,what do those guys know (bar clarkson) Yes,tuning up a pug it could keep up with some of the others.. Just like the Elise could be made to pedal along as quickly with anything else. The vid clip will no doubt show standard cars.They wouldnt be wasting their time with half of them tuned up! The times and the final results are all there to be seen and read.So the OP asked why not an elise.. that was good honest answers that,once you have watched the video,you cannot knock! (and theres no point in coming back for another ear bashing if you arent prepared to go watch the video (or at least own a pug 106 to ask yourself if it really was more fun than an evo or elise ;O))
Yes,the comments on a VR6 with "amazing handling" in the same line crack me up as well.The engine still needs around 40bhp over the pug to get pretty much the same time.

"Without wanting to appear a snob the "feel" of an Elise can't be replicated buy a hot hatch, even a good one"

Yeah,the basic Elise s2 i had a drive of felt so firm and planted like nothing else,but with that nice lightweight agile feel to it all that you dont feel in other faster "fully loaded" cars,or any standard hot hatch like you said.The noise behind you and the feeling of not being completely safe adds to it all! Still a pain to get in and out of without looking daft though.

Wish mine was a bit more practical!

[IMG] [/IMG]

If i were you i would look at a GTM Libre.

Good looking,faster and lighter than a S1.
And cheaper!Cheap insurance too!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3395429.htm

Get one, then go back to your college and pretend to be a tutor.

Sorry Martin, I think you are missing the point again!

The OP considers the Elise to be his dream car. That's down to a combination of factors that aren't all down to track times and leader boards. I might get around to watching the video, but then again I might not. The 106 might be just as quick, it might to some people feel just as much fun, but it's not a 2 seater convertible that the OP has had tucked away in the back of his mind. The VX220 suggestions, etc at least are for a car thats like the Elise. An old Uni mate had a 106 GTi, it was nice but....it's a hot hatch, and he would have been the first to concede that. It's not going to scratch the itch for someone who "wants" an Elise.

I have a mate who works on Lotus cars every day. They are a money pit, join some forums and research very thoroughly.
You will need money to keep it on the road

Genuine question (and sorry if it's a hijack) to any owners/potential owners of such cars:

What do you use them for?

Would you drive to work in them every day or just keep them for special?

(Not looking to mock/denigrate anyone who chooses to own such a car, just genuinely curious)

Older Elise? 111s for example with the Rover V-Tech engine?

Don't do it. What a pile of garbage. Like some kids 6th form project kit car. Mrs Strato' had one for a while. I just hated it. Hated it I tell you. It's so shoddily glued together with zip ties!!! Hated it.

The she had a Renault Clio V6. Now that's a proper sporty car.

SB

a Renault Clio V6. Now that's a proper sporty car.

Stevious: i did around 50kmiles in my chimera. it was my daily driver for ~ 4 years. an elsie would work similarly, but it'd have to be more A/B road than dual carriageway for me to do that. the lotus doesn't have the f***-off grunt the tvr had for dual carriageway work everyday. IMO.

My first Elise I kept "special" until it dawned on me I enjoyed most when driving not polishing! With my second I share duties with an Aygo when I need to cart the bike, weather looks atrocious etc. It does 40mpg and insurance is £280 fully comp with track day cover. I suggest the OP looks at a specialist Insurer like Henderson Taylor as his usage pattern sounds similar to mine.

Yes, it "could" be a money pit but so can any car bought badly. Buy an enthusiast owned car with a good service history, and it'll be fine. Unlike some "performance cars" the oily bits are from normal cars.

The zip tie claim is a rediculous exaggeration, particularly when the next suggestion is a Clio V6. On the S1 Clios the under bonnet boot wasn't even properly sealed. Under the wider arches lies a hacked about fed Clio. Pinnacles of build quality they aren't. But I digress....the shoddy chassis technology has been licenced to Ford for the GT and Aston Martin.

@johnnystorm - I loved that Clio! It sounded great, it drove great, it was a monster car.

But coming back to the OP's older Elises. Mrs Strato has an extensive buyers check list if you want it.

SB

....I test drove one. It was better than I ever possibly thought.

One thing however it really showed my lack of skill as a driver, part mixed with my unfamiliarity of the car we had a few wiry moments. I have decided my licence and pass plus are no were near sufficient and I'm looking at various driving courses. The throttle response was instant, I have heard it is cable and is quicker than in other cars, I was on a sweeping left, I slowed for the corner and turned, as I was exiting the corner I gently applied the accelorator and the back just started swinging out to the right. In the MX5 i found it swung out but not like this. It was like the mx5 would get out if shape if you allowed it and the Elise would get out of shape and it was my job to bring it back online. The owner said they are like that till you learn how to drive them. The steering was as good as everyone has told me, it's so 'fingertippy' like it would be a shame to try and wrestle the wheel. After a top up on fuel we went down some country lanes, I was more comfortable with the car at this point and lighter the throttle. Driving down country lane on a sunny autumn afternoon I was completely sold on an Elise. Any doubts I had before are now gone. My girlfriend had a drive and loved it too.

This particular Elise was not for me, it had a hard life to this point and there were quite a few things that needed sorting.

A friend of a friend has one, an S2 he had an S1 before. We've been chatting on Facebook He said to drive as many as you can, to see what it should feel like. I'm arranging a few more tests ASAP. I've been grinning ever since.

Glad to hear your test drive went well. Sometimes people say meeting your idols only ends in disappointment but sounds like it was everything you hoped for.

People will pick fault with the Elise just like people do with my Westfield. I reckon just do your research and know what you are getting yourself into. If you're still happy then live your dream!

Just get one, you won't regret it. Had mine 3 years now and still love it.

Definitely join [url= http://www.seloc.org ]seloc.org[/url] (as a paid member), then get insurance from [url= http://www.hendersontaylor.co.uk/quote.html ]Henderson Taylor[/url]. Seloc memberhsip gets you 10% off with them for insurance (and Matt is a top guy).

Get some training asap (especially with winter coming). [url= http://www.carlimits.com/ ]www.carlimits.com[/url] are excellent. Their activity days are also good for safely pushing it. Doing a full Walshy day also gets you an insurance discount with some specialist insurers (like HT above).

The base 118hp S1 has plenty of power, especially considering your relative lack of driving experience. Don't muck around with the higher power (more expensive options). Once you have more experience if you really, really need more power then its very easy and not very expensive to get a standard S1 over 160bhp ([url= http://www.sabre-heads.co.uk/ ]sabreheads [/url]or [url= http://www.dvapower.com/ ]Dave Andrews [/url] do tuning, options of their websites). I've found that I can't yet get the most out of the stock power on track so have not yet found any reason to need more power.

Don't worry about HGF, its not as bad as it sounds and not as expensive as you might expect. If a car you looking at has had it though make sure its been fixed properly.

Lol, carlimits hits Singletrack! 🙂

Also have a look at CAT Driver training. Have a look at http://www.hangar111.com for goodies. 🙂

Am not going to read the whole thread, but I too wanted an Elise back in 04. Took some test drives and found them not nearly as inspiring as expected. A mate said I should check on the VX220s so I did. Bought an 03 Turbo and loved it. More torque and better responsiveness at speed. Great forum (vx220.org), plenty of mods and cracking track days etc.

All IMO of course 🙂