Discussion
Hi,
I'm at that stage in my life where you get the urge for a bit of adrenaline (36yo) and have a little (and I repeat little) spare cash to indulge. I never took a bike test and have no wish to become a leather-clad organ doner so the two-wheeled route is out.
I've heard that the closest you can get to the ultimate driving experience for reasonable money (or any money) is an Elise.
Assume I have £10-12k to spend - what would be the best "toy" I could buy.
I need fun and reasonable running and servicing costs (fuel not too much of a problem as relatively low milage will be covered.
Thanks in advance.
I'm at that stage in my life where you get the urge for a bit of adrenaline (36yo) and have a little (and I repeat little) spare cash to indulge. I never took a bike test and have no wish to become a leather-clad organ doner so the two-wheeled route is out.
I've heard that the closest you can get to the ultimate driving experience for reasonable money (or any money) is an Elise.
Assume I have £10-12k to spend - what would be the best "toy" I could buy.
I need fun and reasonable running and servicing costs (fuel not too much of a problem as relatively low milage will be covered.
Thanks in advance.
You could try a year 2000 series 1 elise sport 160. An awsome little machine. Power to weight ratio is up there with the newer normaly aspirated 'yota powered cars. Many of them will have recieved lots of tasty little upgrades by now that makes the car better/more usable/less temperemental rather than significantly faster.
As a great alternative, you might also try is the S1 111s which is alot less extreme.
Your budget would probably also stretch to a very early S2. Theese are better built than S1's and more refined but at that price it may not be the best of examples. As a weekend only car, you may find that the '160 is more rousing.
As a great alternative, you might also try is the S1 111s which is alot less extreme.
Your budget would probably also stretch to a very early S2. Theese are better built than S1's and more refined but at that price it may not be the best of examples. As a weekend only car, you may find that the '160 is more rousing.
The Elise is indeed a very fine 'weekend car', but it would be stretching the truth a little to say that it's the ultimate driving experience available at your budget.
It depends what level of practicality you require (the Elise is really quite comfortable and practical as a tourer, especially the 111S version , which has more comfy seats), but for pure performance and driving thrills, a Caterham or one of several similar lightweight 'Seven' type kit cars would beat it. Insurance on the Elise is quite steep, too; for comparison, I'd axpect to pay around £500-£600 p.a. on an Elise versus <£200 p.a. for a 'Seven' type.
That's not to denegrate the Elise, though - it just depends on what you want from the car. The Elise sits somewhere between the Sevens, Atoms etc. and the more mainstream sportscars (Honda S2000, Boxster, etc.) in temrs of thrills vs. practicality.
It depends what level of practicality you require (the Elise is really quite comfortable and practical as a tourer, especially the 111S version , which has more comfy seats), but for pure performance and driving thrills, a Caterham or one of several similar lightweight 'Seven' type kit cars would beat it. Insurance on the Elise is quite steep, too; for comparison, I'd axpect to pay around £500-£600 p.a. on an Elise versus <£200 p.a. for a 'Seven' type.
That's not to denegrate the Elise, though - it just depends on what you want from the car. The Elise sits somewhere between the Sevens, Atoms etc. and the more mainstream sportscars (Honda S2000, Boxster, etc.) in temrs of thrills vs. practicality.
Edited by Sam_68 on Tuesday 5th February 19:25
Sam_68 said:
The Elise is indeed a very fine 'weekend car', but it would be stretching the truth a little to say that it's the ultimate driving experience available at your budget.
It depends what level of practicality you require (the Elise is really quite comfortable and practical as a tourer, especially the 111S version , which has more comfy seats, but for pure performance and driving thrills, a Caterham or one of several similar lightweight 'Seven' type kit cars would beat it. Insurance on the Elise is quite steep, too; for comparison, I'd axpect to pay around £500-£600 p.a. on an Elise versus <£200 p.a. for a 'Seven' type.
That's not to denegrate the Elise, though - it just depends on what you want from the car. The Elise sits somewhere between the Sevens, Atoms etc. and the more mainstream sportscars (Honda S2000, Boxster, etc.) in temrs of thrills vs. practicality.
Indeed. But the extreme ones are pretty darn good. I believe that you can put together a sylva r1ot for about 6K. Apparently the handling is top notch and it's mid engined, but they are the picture of simplicity, light weight and low running costs.It depends what level of practicality you require (the Elise is really quite comfortable and practical as a tourer, especially the 111S version , which has more comfy seats, but for pure performance and driving thrills, a Caterham or one of several similar lightweight 'Seven' type kit cars would beat it. Insurance on the Elise is quite steep, too; for comparison, I'd axpect to pay around £500-£600 p.a. on an Elise versus <£200 p.a. for a 'Seven' type.
That's not to denegrate the Elise, though - it just depends on what you want from the car. The Elise sits somewhere between the Sevens, Atoms etc. and the more mainstream sportscars (Honda S2000, Boxster, etc.) in temrs of thrills vs. practicality.
Captain Volvo said:
Hi,
I'm at that stage in my life where you get the urge for a bit of adrenaline (36yo) and have a little (and I repeat little) spare cash to indulge. I never took a bike test and have no wish to become a leather-clad organ doner so the two-wheeled route is out.
I've heard that the closest you can get to the ultimate driving experience for reasonable money (or any money) is an Elise.
Assume I have £10-12k to spend - what would be the best "toy" I could buy.
I need fun and reasonable running and servicing costs (fuel not too much of a problem as relatively low milage will be covered.
Thanks in advance.
You could go for the Elan M100. They are wicked to drive, reliable and practical. You can pick up a very good low mileage S2 and be well within budget. Servicing isnt too bad - just had a full service + cambelt on mine which came in around £650 (just under half of which was the cambelt change). You are probably looking at £300-400 for a normal service.I'm at that stage in my life where you get the urge for a bit of adrenaline (36yo) and have a little (and I repeat little) spare cash to indulge. I never took a bike test and have no wish to become a leather-clad organ doner so the two-wheeled route is out.
I've heard that the closest you can get to the ultimate driving experience for reasonable money (or any money) is an Elise.
Assume I have £10-12k to spend - what would be the best "toy" I could buy.
I need fun and reasonable running and servicing costs (fuel not too much of a problem as relatively low milage will be covered.
Thanks in advance.
With the budget you're talking about, I'd go for an S1 model 111s. Brilliant car, with plenty enough go and fairly refined for this type of car. I've done 5, 6 and 7 hour trips in mine and not had to hobble to the chiropractor!
You're the same age as I am, so insurance is not an issue. Just re-newed with Autotorque - £334! (Admittedly on a limited mileage policy, but you are talking about a weekend car, so limited is all you need!)
Servicing needn't be expensive either. Do not use the dealers! Use the plentiful specialists around that know the cars inside and out (most are Lotus trained anyway). When you buy, someone on here or at Seloc will be able to point you in the direction of a good Lotus specialist in your area. Also, you have to remember that engine wise it's a Rover 218 or Freelander engine, so it is a very simple and relatively cheap engine to maintain (and tune!)
Buy a nice one, read the forums for advice (during the week) and then spend the weekends driving and smiling (not polishing and then polishing again!!!)
Enjoy!
You're the same age as I am, so insurance is not an issue. Just re-newed with Autotorque - £334! (Admittedly on a limited mileage policy, but you are talking about a weekend car, so limited is all you need!)
Servicing needn't be expensive either. Do not use the dealers! Use the plentiful specialists around that know the cars inside and out (most are Lotus trained anyway). When you buy, someone on here or at Seloc will be able to point you in the direction of a good Lotus specialist in your area. Also, you have to remember that engine wise it's a Rover 218 or Freelander engine, so it is a very simple and relatively cheap engine to maintain (and tune!)
Buy a nice one, read the forums for advice (during the week) and then spend the weekends driving and smiling (not polishing and then polishing again!!!)
Enjoy!
I'd get an S1 variant with as much power as your budget stretches.
If you've never had a sharp handling sports car before then I reckon a standard S1 or S2 would amuse you for months. I went from a Fiat Coupe (slooowwww!) to an S1 and I was in heaven ..... for the first 6 months then I just needed more grunt as I became more confident. If you aren't going to use it much and you aren't used to driving sporty motas then I don't think you'd be dissappointed with any of them.
Sure you can't stretch to the 340R?! Sure not to disappoint (unless it rains)
If you've never had a sharp handling sports car before then I reckon a standard S1 or S2 would amuse you for months. I went from a Fiat Coupe (slooowwww!) to an S1 and I was in heaven ..... for the first 6 months then I just needed more grunt as I became more confident. If you aren't going to use it much and you aren't used to driving sporty motas then I don't think you'd be dissappointed with any of them.
Sure you can't stretch to the 340R?! Sure not to disappoint (unless it rains)
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