Looks like an Elise for me - 2008 season!

[gemini]

Well Jo wants rid of the Honda. She wants a 4 seat deisel.

Ill miss that car when it goes - fantastic all rounder that has been faultless.

However it leaves the predicamanet of finding an £8k replacement for the weekend acr

I feel an S1 Elise coming on - perhaps azure blue?

[Jonty99]

Why dont you go for a TVR 2.9 S3 instead? Ive heard some stories about reliability of the S1 Elise. Ok the TVR isn't exactly going to be te most reliable, but bits for the Elise will be more expensive?

[gemini]

That type of TVR would be a backward step for me - A tamora is a must in my garage at some time but finaces say otherwise at present.

I havent ventured into Lotus yet and feel it may be a good place to be?

[Zo-fo]

Let me be the first to propose an alternative car built by Lotus and based on the Elise but with a different engine - Vauxhall VX220.

[Winstar]

Zo-fo said:

Let me be the first to propose an alternative car built by Lotus and based on the Elise but with a different engine - Vauxhall VX220.

You could say I'm bias but I'd have to agree, the early NA's are in the £8-9k price range now.

There are alot of advantages to the VX over an Elise if you can see past the badge. Check out www.vx220.org.uk for more info.

Edited by Winstar on Friday 30th November 21:00

[tig6]

As an Elise owner - have to say that the VX220 must be a consideration at this budget.
If it's purely a weekend toy - how about a kit car? MK Indy/Tiger S6/R6 etc etc (slightly biased view from me here aswell!)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/113959.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/229905.htm

[StuB]

MZ3

[blot]

As a similarly ageing git & ex S1 owner, think you would enjoy a lot about an Elise. But, found standard one had a few niggles. Roof was a complete tt at times with the support bars pinging out or dropping, standard brakes were probably not up to some of the more spirited driving you may occasionally partake in & the standard seats require either a well padded arse or better seats!

Proved cheap as chips to run though and generally good fun. Also barely uses any tyre tread, even at Elvington!

[TVRinBFG]

Think you're making the right choice Rich. The Elise is a cracking little car.

[kevin63]

Lotus = Lots Of Trouble Usually
Serious, can't think of one for TVR but I am sure one of the Lotus guys/gals will think of one

Edited by kevin63 on Saturday 1st December 07:31

[Tonto]

vx220 is basically a S2 Elise with different clothes a better engine and more reliable and it doesn't say Vauxhall on it anywhere!

[Wacky Racer]

tig6 said:

As an Elise owner - have to say that the VX220 must be a consideration at this budget.
If it's purely a weekend toy - how about a kit car? MK Indy/Tiger S6/R6 etc etc (slightly biased view from me here aswell!)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/113959.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/229905.htm

Hey Andy,

Thinking about trading my Morgan in for a new Elise.....


Just thinking about it you understand....

[Talkwrench]

As a fun toy, the Elise is superb. It is a much more 'raw' driving experience than tha VX220 and easier to feel part of. Reliability is always a bit of a niggle with the 1.8 K series engine (head gasket) but if you always warm it up before booting it you'll probably never have a problem. There a re also retrofit parts that virtually solve the problems. I've never had a minutes trouble! Nothing on them is expensive to fix either. Go for a S1 fitted with S2 bilstein suspension (or fit it as soon as you buy it!) and you'll keep all your fillings and love every minute.
Just give me a shout if you need a hand finding a decent one.

[gemini]

Thanks

If I go for it I will need help - new territory and all that

[Dantxd]

The VX220 is more like an S1.5 Elise - and evolution of the S1 and the S2 is an evolution of the VX as I understand it.

Still, cracking, cracking cars. With that budget I'd be going for a VX220 2.2.

Dan

[earlyriser]

Rich

I had a std S1 Elise for 5 years. Brilliant, brilliant fun. BUT compared to a Tamora it will feel under powered at top end. Style wise I never rated the S2 Elise, nor the Vauxhall - its just not pretty. If going for S1 weekend car I'd be tempted by a late 135 or 160 version. Oh and New Aluminium is definitely the colour.

PM me if you want more detailed 'living with an Elise' chat

Martin

[gemini]

Cheers Martin

A helpful bunch you lot

[Dantxd]

I can certainly see the point about the VX - it's just not that pretty is it? Head turning for sure, but in a "What's that" way more than a "That's lovely" kinda way. Just IMHO of course. I prefer the look of the Turbo's too, with the little spoilers and the fat vents hehe

Dan

[burriana]

Dantxd said:

I can certainly see the point about the VX - it's just not that pretty is it?

Neither is the Gallardo but we'd still have one

[blueyonder]

burriana said:

Dantxd said:

I can certainly see the point about the VX - it's just not that pretty is it?

Neither is the Gallardo but we'd still have one

Ah but that's a Lambo, the VX220 is err....a Vauxhall