which elise to get

[VvrooomM]

Current four year owner of BMW Z4M coupe and M3 before that - dont hold it against me!!

Always loved the look of the Elise and very nearly bought a series one. My question is with a budget of lets say upto 35k what version should I get. Am blown away by the choice on offer and the various facelifts etc - any advice greatly appreciated.

I drive 3000 miles a year, short journeys at all times of the day in all weathers unless I can grab the wifes diesel 308 for the snow.

Thanks in advance.

[Sumshi]

Buy an Evora for £35k....

[oodam]

If I was in the market for another, I'd get this... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3423546.htm

[VvrooomM]

Sorry it should read 25k not 35k

[400SE Dave]

With your Budget you could get a nice Elise SC. SC evens out the power so no need to rev as high to make good progress

That would be my choice ....if you weren't going for an Exige that is

[PaulHogan]

If you can find one, get an S1 135

[kambites]

Drive them all and see which you prefer. In some ways they're very similar, but in others they differ dramatically. For what it's worth, I suppose I'd say the things to drive are (in no particular order):

Elise S2 SC
Elise S2 111R
Elise S2 111S
Elise S1 S190/S160
Elise S1

And probably:

VX220 turbo/VXR
Some kind of N/A Honda converted Elise
Some kind of SC Honda converted Elise
Some kind of VAG turbo converted Elise.


For that money, I'd probably get something with a Honda engine in it.

[jackal]

VvrooomM said:

Current four year owner of BMW Z4M coupe and M3 before that - dont hold it against me!!

Always loved the look of the Elise and very nearly bought a series one. My question is with a budget of lets say upto 35k what version should I get. Am blown away by the choice on offer and the various facelifts etc - any advice greatly appreciated.

I drive 3000 miles a year, short journeys at all times of the day in all weathers unless I can grab the wifes diesel 308 for the snow.

Thanks in advance.

the true elise experience IMO, is about lightweight, mediocre power where momentum and everything you feel is uppermost

its about amazing supple fluid touch feely drives on the uk's rough B roads

and for that, the best elises IMO are the S1 135 & S1 111s, followed by the more portly and more civilised S2 111s and S2 elise S

You don't honestly have to spend as much as you're saying, 15k will get you the real deal.

of course if you want more of a lazy tourer then look to the SC, more of a track car then the exiges in s1 and s2 guise

but for the quintessential elise experience, see above IMO

Edited by jackal on Tuesday 29th November 00:05

[Minismiles]

jackal said:

of course if you want more of a lazy tourer then look to the SC, more of a track car then the exiges in s1 and s2 guise

Edited by jackal on Tuesday 29th November 00:05

Don't forget the actual 'GT' Lotus (for when it was anyway) of the Europa S/SE.

[doggydave]

After the Z4 and M3 go for a nice low mileage S2 Elise SC. Anything else will seem a bit hardcore. Get one with a hardtop for the winter driving.

[mikeyb13]

kambites said:

For that money, I'd probably get something with a Honda engine in it.

Had an S2 Exige and switched to an S1 Honda not had a single regret. They are stunning to drive.
Keep the 10k change for a nice 3 series to run about in if beemers are your thing.

[car95]

Got my new club racer today. Chose it over an SC or a wait for a new S. Drove the SC and loved it, very fast. Thing is, the 1.6 feels fast and can be driven so with practice. I think it will be more fun. It's the corners that count.