Elise 1.6 vs Elise S
Discussion
Haven't driven the new version yet so feel free to dismiss my rambling 
i do plan on trying the new version as there should be a significant increase in MPG levels from around the 37 i get in my current s up to around 54MPG in the new one due to the six speed box. Have also heard though that the new engine needs revving which may be the factor which puts me off, as without opening the argument we will not speak of, i chose the s over the r due to my preference for low range torque as opposed to high end power.
My local dealer is happy for me to take the car for a few days so i can make an informed decision, it might be worth you having a word with yours.
i do plan on trying the new version as there should be a significant increase in MPG levels from around the 37 i get in my current s up to around 54MPG in the new one due to the six speed box. Have also heard though that the new engine needs revving which may be the factor which puts me off, as without opening the argument we will not speak of, i chose the s over the r due to my preference for low range torque as opposed to high end power. My local dealer is happy for me to take the car for a few days so i can make an informed decision, it might be worth you having a word with yours.
I've owned an S for over 3 years and had a good drive of the 1.6 recently.
The 1.6 was a demo and only had 800 odd miles on the clock (so the engine would still be tight).
It had a TRD airbox and stage 1 exhaust giving(alledgedly)140bhp so compared directly to my car with a TRD and Larini Sport.
(On the 1.6)I found that the 6 speed box was very good(miles better than the R 6 speeder and as good as the 5 speed in the S),it handled and braked really well out of the box and felt almost go kart like. I enjoyed the drive a hell of a lot as it felt very 'chuckable' , was generally good fun, was well put together and felt tight as a drum.
Despite supposedly having the same power as my S however the 1.6 really struggled in a straight line and ran out of puff at 'higher' speeds. (Not really a fair comparison though i know as mine has 32k miles on it and is nicely freed up).
On the whole though,the 1.6 experience was positive and most importantly it still had the Lotus feeling in spades.
I'd like another drive of one thats been run in to compare properly though.
1.6 is still pricey new sadly.
The 1.6 was a demo and only had 800 odd miles on the clock (so the engine would still be tight).
It had a TRD airbox and stage 1 exhaust giving(alledgedly)140bhp so compared directly to my car with a TRD and Larini Sport.
(On the 1.6)I found that the 6 speed box was very good(miles better than the R 6 speeder and as good as the 5 speed in the S),it handled and braked really well out of the box and felt almost go kart like. I enjoyed the drive a hell of a lot as it felt very 'chuckable' , was generally good fun, was well put together and felt tight as a drum.
Despite supposedly having the same power as my S however the 1.6 really struggled in a straight line and ran out of puff at 'higher' speeds. (Not really a fair comparison though i know as mine has 32k miles on it and is nicely freed up).
On the whole though,the 1.6 experience was positive and most importantly it still had the Lotus feeling in spades.
I'd like another drive of one thats been run in to compare properly though.
1.6 is still pricey new sadly.
kazste said:
Haven't driven the new version yet so feel free to dismiss my rambling i do plan on trying the new version as there should be a significant increase in MPG levels from around the 37 i get in my current s up to around 54MPG in the new one due to the six speed box. Have also heard though that the new engine needs revving which may be the factor which puts me off, as without opening the argument we will not speak of, i chose the s over the r due to my preference for low range torque as opposed to high end power.
My local dealer is happy for me to take the car for a few days so i can make an informed decision, it might be worth you having a word with yours.
I'd love to try one but there's no local dealer over here kazte. i do plan on trying the new version as there should be a significant increase in MPG levels from around the 37 i get in my current s up to around 54MPG in the new one due to the six speed box. Have also heard though that the new engine needs revving which may be the factor which puts me off, as without opening the argument we will not speak of, i chose the s over the r due to my preference for low range torque as opposed to high end power. My local dealer is happy for me to take the car for a few days so i can make an informed decision, it might be worth you having a word with yours.
I'll import a new UK car and there are a few unregistered 1.8S orphans still for sale at keen prices so I can still choose either - not sure if I'll be buying an outdated driving experience with the old S though.
I wish the facelift Elise had a 150bhp 1.8 donk - I've got sneaky suspicion that the 1.6 could be minutely but frustratingly underpowered.
I do rather like this relic:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2170700.htm
Nice but for £500 less I'd definatly have a look at this -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2945001.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2945001.htm
MrSimba said:
Nice but for £500 less I'd definatly have a look at this -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2945001.htm
Ta Simba, nice car but it's gotta be brand new so I can claim the VAT back for export.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2945001.htm
The Bandit said:
I've owned an S for over 3 years and had a good drive of the 1.6 recently.
The 1.6 was a demo and only had 800 odd miles on the clock (so the engine would still be tight).
It had a TRD airbox and stage 1 exhaust giving(alledgedly)140bhp so compared directly to my car with a TRD and Larini Sport.
(On the 1.6)I found that the 6 speed box was very good(miles better than the R 6 speeder and as good as the 5 speed in the S),it handled and braked really well out of the box and felt almost go kart like. I enjoyed the drive a hell of a lot as it felt very 'chuckable' , was generally good fun, was well put together and felt tight as a drum.
Despite supposedly having the same power as my S however the 1.6 really struggled in a straight line and ran out of puff at 'higher' speeds. (Not really a fair comparison though i know as mine has 32k miles on it and is nicely freed up).
On the whole though,the 1.6 experience was positive and most importantly it still had the Lotus feeling in spades.
I'd like another drive of one thats been run in to compare properly though.
1.6 is still pricey new sadly.
I have driven the same car that the Bandit is talking about and would agree with what he says. It was fun to drive, brakes were great, good handling and lots of feedback when cornering, however i felt it was gutless. You wanted it to just get up and go but it did not.The 1.6 was a demo and only had 800 odd miles on the clock (so the engine would still be tight).
It had a TRD airbox and stage 1 exhaust giving(alledgedly)140bhp so compared directly to my car with a TRD and Larini Sport.
(On the 1.6)I found that the 6 speed box was very good(miles better than the R 6 speeder and as good as the 5 speed in the S),it handled and braked really well out of the box and felt almost go kart like. I enjoyed the drive a hell of a lot as it felt very 'chuckable' , was generally good fun, was well put together and felt tight as a drum.
Despite supposedly having the same power as my S however the 1.6 really struggled in a straight line and ran out of puff at 'higher' speeds. (Not really a fair comparison though i know as mine has 32k miles on it and is nicely freed up).
On the whole though,the 1.6 experience was positive and most importantly it still had the Lotus feeling in spades.
I'd like another drive of one thats been run in to compare properly though.
1.6 is still pricey new sadly.
D
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