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      02-25-2008, 10:34 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cafe.Racer View Post
There's something about the Elise that made it go out of date and makes it look old fashioned, the VX doesn't have this problem, maybe because they're rarer.

Anyway, if you get bored with the K-Series' performance or reilability, you could always throw the Audi 1.8T in...

http://www.auto-teknix.co.uk/

Then if 260bhp isn't enough, Bernard knows what to do next...
Mixed messages there!

Wouldn't disagree with the Bernard recommendation though!!!
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      02-25-2008, 10:49 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by Cafe.Racer View Post
There's something about the Elise that made it go out of date and makes it look old fashioned, the VX doesn't have this problem, maybe because they're rarer
I probably lean the other way. I find the Elise is better looking machine.

I am tempted by the comments that the VX is an easier drive, because of the 2.0 litre engine, but I have a feeling that if I got a VX I would always regret it every time I saw an Elise on the road.
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      02-25-2008, 11:31 AM   #25
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Nfs,something to play on with the w/end = BIG bike,if you have the balls
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      02-25-2008, 12:32 PM   #26
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Of all the cars I've had, the only one I actually miss and wish I still had is my 1997 R-reg Elise Mk1, in regular 1.8 Kseries form with 118bhp-ish. It wasn't the fastest thing in the world (although a 6sec 60 time wasn't bad at all) but the way it made every time I drove it an experience is something that transcends outright speed or power.

I learnt the Nurburgring in that Elise - yes it's mid-engined, and therefore will snap into oversteer a lot less progressively than our BMWs for instance, but the limits of grip are higher, and more importantly the level of feel about what the car is about to do is higher. In the wet, it can be a handful but that's mainly down to the tyres more than anything. I never found the car dangerous to drive, and that's because of the tactile response you get when driving.

Have been thinking about getting another one - seen one on the approved Lotus site (only way to go IMO) 2003/53 Elise 135 Touring + Sports packs, 17k miles, full service, £17995

However, have bought something else in recent days.......
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      02-25-2008, 01:03 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by E92Fan View Post
Of all the cars I've had, the only one I actually miss and wish I still had is my 1997 R-reg Elise Mk1, in regular 1.8 Kseries form with 118bhp-ish. It wasn't the fastest thing in the world (although a 6sec 60 time wasn't bad at all) but the way it made every time I drove it an experience is something that transcends outright speed or power.

I learnt the Nurburgring in that Elise - yes it's mid-engined, and therefore will snap into oversteer a lot less progressively than our BMWs for instance, but the limits of grip are higher, and more importantly the level of feel about what the car is about to do is higher. In the wet, it can be a handful but that's mainly down to the tyres more than anything. I never found the car dangerous to drive, and that's because of the tactile response you get when driving.

Have been thinking about getting another one - seen one on the approved Lotus site (only way to go IMO) 2003/53 Elise 135 Touring + Sports packs, 17k miles, full service, £17995

However, have bought something else in recent days.......


A fast Coupe???
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      02-25-2008, 01:05 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by needforspeed View Post
I probably lean the other way. I find the Elise is better looking machine.

I am tempted by the comments that the VX is an easier drive, because of the 2.0 litre engine, but I have a feeling that if I got a VX I would always regret it every time I saw an Elise on the road.
Totally agree....as I said before!

E92 fan I'm intrigued as to what toy you've just bought to follow an S1 Elise...!

Only thing I'd disagree with in your post is about using a main dealer - you pay well over the top for very little benefit, providing you are prepared to get to know about the cars and the community....and I woould expect anyone on here to be more than prepared to do that!!!!
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      02-25-2008, 01:16 PM   #29
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      02-25-2008, 01:38 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisbin View Post
Totally agree....as I said before!

E92 fan I'm intrigued as to what toy you've just bought to follow an S1 Elise...!

Only thing I'd disagree with in your post is about using a main dealer - you pay well over the top for very little benefit, providing you are prepared to get to know about the cars and the community....and I woould expect anyone on here to be more than prepared to do that!!!!
I'd only use a Lotus dealer to buy Approved - for the 12 month warranty so that any niggles can be ironed out. The thing with Elises is that many have been tracked, and badly looked after. Having had the rear suspension collapse on mine, then repaired under the approved warranty scheme, it makes a lot of sense as it saved me a £1200 bill (admittedly it would be a lot less if I had taken it to an independent, but then again I had Lotus main dealer fix it back to factory spec)
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      02-25-2008, 01:59 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by squeezebm View Post
Nfs,something to play on with the w/end = BIG bike,if you have the balls
Have to agree squeeze, my fireblade takes up much less space than a second car and only costs £115 to insure.

Having said that, if I had a large enough garage, I would probably change to something like an elise or VX220.

Money no object, it would have to be an Atom.

Just like a bike, but different.
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      02-26-2008, 03:09 AM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E92Fan View Post
I'd only use a Lotus dealer to buy Approved - for the 12 month warranty so that any niggles can be ironed out. The thing with Elises is that many have been tracked, and badly looked after. Having had the rear suspension collapse on mine, then repaired under the approved warranty scheme, it makes a lot of sense as it saved me a £1200 bill (admittedly it would be a lot less if I had taken it to an independent, but then again I had Lotus main dealer fix it back to factory spec)

...well...£1200 would have bought you a full Nitron set up....

I hear what you are saying, and sure it offers some peace of mind....however, so long as you investigate the car thoroughly before you buy it then you really dont need to pay main dealer prices.....after all, the £2k 'ish premium will pay for a lot of repairs/upgrades
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      02-26-2008, 10:38 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisbin View Post
...well...£1200 would have bought you a full Nitron set up....

I hear what you are saying, and sure it offers some peace of mind....however, so long as you investigate the car thoroughly before you buy it then you really dont need to pay main dealer prices.....after all, the £2k 'ish premium will pay for a lot of repairs/upgrades
Just had a seat in a sports tourer with the 135 engine upgrade. I can see what people mean about getting in and out of the Elise. With the roof off no problem - but getting out with the roof on is more of a challenge

I'm going to arrange a test drive with my local dealer and see if I really want one.
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      02-26-2008, 12:07 PM   #34
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Originally Posted by chrisbin View Post
..its another of those cars that you have to "rag" to make them perform...and in all fairness, the handling is nowhere near Elise levels....but, its a Honda so will be reliable, and they are very practical...
I think this is a common misconception about the S2000. Just because it revs to 9,000 doesn't mean that you have no performance unless you rev it to 9,000.

In fact performance is very good even much lower down the rev band.

It's true about the handling - they tend to have a bit of a dead feel to the steering - but they do handle. Unfortunately a lot have been written off or badly damaged by youngish drivers for whom it is their first RWD car and who don't know how to drive one.
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      02-27-2008, 05:12 AM   #35
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If you like silver then this looks like a good buy....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/369247.htm

and a good example of what you can get for the money.
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      02-27-2008, 07:27 AM   #36
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I think NFS has already made his mind up, there seems to be a Lotus theme running through his posts
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      02-27-2008, 09:27 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisbin View Post
If you like silver then this looks like a good buy....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/369247.htm

and a good example of what you can get for the money.
I'm a bit confused by this one. It says it's an S2, but looking at the roof and age I think it might be an S1. I thought the S2 roof was squared off at the rear?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrimsonRedE93 View Post
I think NFS has already made his mind up, there seems to be a Lotus theme running through his posts
I've test driven an Elise now and really liked it. I was pleasantly surprised by how civilised it was, having expected something REALLY raw. Apart from the brakes, which have no servo at all and the steering when parking, it's a very easy car to drive. I can see myself using it to get to work fairly often.

It's similarly quick in terms of acceleration to the 330i, but has a totally different level of steering and cornering feel.

The VX220 is still in the back of my mind, but I think I've narrowed my options down to that or the Elise. Anything else which would be sufficiently different to the 330i would either be too slow, or too expensive.

The level of connection and involvement in the drive is superb. The 330i felt somewhat numb by comparison.
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      02-27-2008, 09:32 AM   #38
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.....bug has bitten.......

Glad you enjoyed it...the warnings obviously prepared you well!

As for the silver one, its like mine, an S2 longtail. IMO the best looking as the non "squared off" roof works better....but its all personal taste of course. If you want the short roof version then you need to be looking at mid to late 2002 cars.

One advantage with the short roof is that you can buy and use a hardtop a lot easier...but then, who buys an Elise to use a hardtop...???

What engine was in the one you drove?
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      02-27-2008, 09:44 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisbin View Post
.....bug has bitten.......

Glad you enjoyed it...the warnings obviously prepared you well!

As for the silver one, its like mine, an S2 longtail. IMO the best looking as the non "squared off" roof works better....but its all personal taste of course. If you want the short roof version then you need to be looking at mid to late 2002 cars.

One advantage with the short roof is that you can buy and use a hardtop a lot easier...but then, who buys an Elise to use a hardtop...???

What engine was in the one you drove?
Ah ... the dealer I spoke with told me that the longtail roof was dropped with the S2. Obviously it carried on for the very first S2's which is what confused me.

I test drove an 02 plate sport tourer with the 135 engine upgrade (and the short roof).

Lovely rorty exhaust note. Hard to believe that it could come from a 1.8 litre rover engine. The car pulled really well up to 70mph and I was pleasantly suprised by the ride (which was not much worse than the 330i) and the noise levels (not to noisy to chat too the passenger although cruising at 70mph was quite loud).

I obviously only got a bare impression of the handling, but the steering was lovely, fabulously direct. Brake feel was also amazing having come straight out of a heavily servo-assisted BMW. Having said that, they take some getting used to in terms of confidence levels.

I was initially slightly intimidated by the car, having expected something a little more extreme. However, I think it would be very easy to live with.

Dealer price was a bit on the high side, but then that covers a 12 month warranty and their profit and overhead.

Need to think a bit now.
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      02-27-2008, 10:38 AM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by needforspeed View Post
Ah ... the dealer I spoke with told me that the longtail roof was dropped with the S2. Obviously it carried on for the very first S2's which is what confused me.

I test drove an 02 plate sport tourer with the 135 engine upgrade (and the short roof).

Lovely rorty exhaust note. Hard to believe that it could come from a 1.8 litre rover engine. The car pulled really well up to 70mph and I was pleasantly suprised by the ride (which was not much worse than the 330i) and the noise levels (not to noisy to chat too the passenger although cruising at 70mph was quite loud).

I obviously only got a bare impression of the handling, but the steering was lovely, fabulously direct. Brake feel was also amazing having come straight out of a heavily servo-assisted BMW. Having said that, they take some getting used to in terms of confidence levels.

I was initially slightly intimidated by the car, having expected something a little more extreme. However, I think it would be very easy to live with.

Dealer price was a bit on the high side, but then that covers a 12 month warranty and their profit and overhead.

Need to think a bit now.
Well, you picked the right engine! Trouble is you won't be happy with a standard car now! Incidentally was it the factory Sport135 or 135R? Or aftermarket e.g. Bell & Colville?? Former is preferable to latter....

I hope that the dealer wasnt a Lotus dealer with that stunning prodcut knowledge....

You've certainly "got" the Elise thing - great, isn't it?! The S1 is a bit more raw, but as you say the S2 is very "liveable"...

Look forward to reading updates, and if you are really serious about purchasing let me know and I'll see what can be found...
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      02-27-2008, 10:52 AM   #41
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Well, you picked the right engine! Trouble is you won't be happy with a standard car now! Incidentally was it the factory Sport135 or 135R? Or aftermarket e.g. Bell & Colville?? Former is preferable to latter....

I hope that the dealer wasnt a Lotus dealer with that stunning prodcut knowledge....

You've certainly "got" the Elise thing - great, isn't it?! The S1 is a bit more raw, but as you say the S2 is very "liveable"...

Look forward to reading updates, and if you are really serious about purchasing let me know and I'll see what can be found...
The engine upgrade was the 'dealer fit' one. So I think the car is technically a 111s - confusing anyway. Is that the bell and colville one?

The dealer is a 'proper' lotus one, so depth of product knowledge is obviously not that great. They were a also a little bit vague about the extent of the 135 upgrade, suggesting that it was 'something to do with the cylinder head' and that there was also a sports exhaust and some sort of brake upgrade that went with it. To be fair, they sell and service Lotus but they are really a multi brand sports car specialist.

Just got some insurance quotes which are a little worrying though. £1300 a year

I think you are right that I would want the 135 now though.
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      02-27-2008, 11:05 AM   #42
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Originally Posted by needforspeed View Post
The engine upgrade was the 'dealer fit' one. So I think the car is technically a 111s - confusing anyway. Is that the bell and colville one?

The dealer is a 'proper' lotus one, so depth of product knowledge is obviously not that great. They were a also a little bit vague about the extent of the 135 upgrade, suggesting that it was 'something to do with the cylinder head' and that there was also a sports exhaust and some sort of brake upgrade that went with it. To be fair, they sell and service Lotus but they are really a multi brand sports car specialist.

Just got some insurance quotes which are a little worrying though. £1300 a year

I think you are right that I would want the 135 now though.

Can't be £1300 a year on insurance?! I paid only £860 a year for mine (three years ago) but I was 25/26 with only 1 year no claims bonus, living in Central London...

Anyway, if you want to know more in depth detail about the 135 conversion, you need to contact Bell & Colvill on 01483 281000 (www.bell-colvill.co.uk) who are the most knowledgable Lotus dealer on the planet (IMO)

Oh, and ps... see if you can find a 111R to try - although beware because once experienced, you won't have anything less...!!!!
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      02-27-2008, 11:25 AM   #43
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Can't be £1300 a year on insurance?! I paid only £860 a year for mine (three years ago) but I was 25/26 with only 1 year no claims bonus, living in Central London...

Anyway, if you want to know more in depth detail about the 135 conversion, you need to contact Bell & Colvill on 01483 281000 (www.bell-colvill.co.uk) who are the most knowledgable Lotus dealer on the planet (IMO)

Oh, and ps... see if you can find a 111R to try - although beware because once experienced, you won't have anything less...!!!!
I need to look into the insurance in more detail. This was just from a search on confused.com. I have zero 'no claims', 3 points (albeit spent) and want to use the car for work on occasion - which probably explains the cost.

Either way I need to stop and think now, because I don't need another car. It might need to wait until bonus time next year
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      02-27-2008, 11:49 AM   #44
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If you do go down the route of getting a 320D and start looking for a weekend car pop down/up to the Ariel factory in Somerset and get Tom to take you out for a spin.
I'm just in the process of selling mine to someone for the same price i paid for it a year ago. Insurance was about £240 fully/comp , never needed to change tyres and even though the car has been tracked the brake pads are not even half used due to the weight. The only cost was a full service which was about £540.

It's an amazing car on so many levels to drive. My new Atom 3 300 is due
late March early April and i might try to pop over to one of the meets with it so i could take you out for a spin.

http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/
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