View on Elise SC? Difference between old/new shape?

[erics]

May add one of those to the stable at one point. Had a few elises in the past. Two s1's and 1 s2. Well aover 10 years ago.

I like the idea of a small light economical sportscar, although more comfortable than the ones I used to own..

I like the idea that the supercharged car can be a cross-continent cruiser and a lovely road car for a weekend blast. As in: can go as far as Spa in Belgium for a weekend.

I hear they sound a bit bland 'out of the box'.

I would be buying a low miles (sub 10k miles) 2nd hand if and when I decide to take the plunge.

What's the view on them and the ownership experience?

[gjf764]

I had one for 2 years and 38,000 miles. My second Elise after my 'S' and a truly brilliant car. I wish I'd got it first time around. I got a TRD airbox fitted which helped with the niose. If I'd kept it I'd have gone for a sports exhaust of some sort.
I got the interior re trimmed by Allon White and heated seats fitted to make ti more habitable. The hard top was also great
PM me if you want to know anything else.

Gary

[erics]

ty.. Why did you sell it then?

[Thorburn]

By old/new shape do you mean the 06-10 Elise SC vs. the MY12 Elise S, or the difference between say a 2009 Elise SC and a 2010 facelifted Elise SC?

[gjf764]

erics said:

ty.. Why did you sell it then?

38,000 miles, change of job leading to more miles, brakes needed a bit of money spent on them and the M135i had just come out....

[erics]

This:
<the difference between say a 2009 Elise SC and a 2010 facelifted Elise SC>

Thorburn said:

By old/new shape do you mean the 06-10 Elise SC vs. the MY12 Elise S, or the difference between say a 2009 Elise SC and a 2010 facelifted Elise SC?

[Thorburn]

erics said:

This:
<the difference between say a 2009 Elise SC and a 2010 facelifted Elise SC>

Not a massive amount then really, other than the looks. Mechanical changes were mostly reserved to the introduction of the 1.6l engine, the R and SC only lasted until the end of 2010 when Euro V engine regs killed them off.

Elise model history said:

2011 M.Y. Introduction: March 2010

VIN character 10 = B. VIN serial number restarts at 0001.

Exige range unchanged.

Changes to Elise range include:
Revised front body with enlarged oil cooler intake ducts and chin spoilers
Restyled radiator outlet ducts
One-piece lift out access cover
Aluminium mesh grilles
Separate rear transom panel without faux end grilles
New diffuser
New headlamp units incorporating LED turn lamps and LED daytime running lamps.
New 12-spoke cast roadwheels, or new 5-’Y’ spoke forged wheels.
Elise S model replaced with 1.6 ltr, 1ZR FAE engine, featuring inlet and exhaust cam VVT-i, and VALVEMATIC inlet valve lift control, Lotus T6 controller; new 6-speed type EC60 transmission; revised rear subframe; optional cruise control.

[erics]

err.. thanks.. I can google as well.

My questions are more in terms of real-world experience and people who actually own them / drive them.

Thorburn said:

erics said:

This:
<the difference between say a 2009 Elise SC and a 2010 facelifted Elise SC>

Not a massive amount then really, other than the looks. Mechanical changes were mostly reserved to the introduction of the 1.6l engine, the R and SC only lasted until the end of 2010 when Euro V engine regs killed them off.

Elise model history said:

2011 M.Y. Introduction: March 2010

VIN character 10 = B. VIN serial number restarts at 0001.

Exige range unchanged.

Changes to Elise range include:
Revised front body with enlarged oil cooler intake ducts and chin spoilers
Restyled radiator outlet ducts
One-piece lift out access cover
Aluminium mesh grilles
Separate rear transom panel without faux end grilles
New diffuser
New headlamp units incorporating LED turn lamps and LED daytime running lamps.
New 12-spoke cast roadwheels, or new 5-’Y’ spoke forged wheels.
Elise S model replaced with 1.6 ltr, 1ZR FAE engine, featuring inlet and exhaust cam VVT-i, and VALVEMATIC inlet valve lift control, Lotus T6 controller; new 6-speed type EC60 transmission; revised rear subframe; optional cruise control.

[Thorburn]

erics said:

err.. thanks.. I can google as well.

My questions are more in terms of real-world experience and people who actually own them / drive them.

You asked the difference between the 2009 car and the 2010 facelift, the answer is pretty much just visual. Other than the stuff listed really very little changed - it was a short lived model so they weren't going to spend money updating it, the US market where it carried on another year didn't even get the facelift. Even things like the suspension are pretty much unchanged from the first 111R through to the 1.6 according to the Part List, other than optional Sports suspension, etc.

Doubt many people will have owned both as it would be a bit of a weird switch unless you REALLY liked the restyle.

Edited by Thorburn on Monday 20th May 15:19

[The Bandit]

Probably the best all round Elise you can buy out of the box. I've just bought one and its my 3rd Elise.
Went to Spa in March and going again in June, you can bang around track all day then cruise home in it.
Perfect combination of power, reliability, fun and comfort all rolled into one.
Very pleased with mine

[andySC]

I had mine for nearly 2 years. The ownership was painless.Other than routine servicing & a drop of oil now & again it needed nothing. Residuals remained high & I did really well when I traded it in. It was a great car & ticked a lot of boxes. Very quick as you would expect with plenty of grunt, the speed almost crept up on you & you could be well into "I'm very sorry m'lud" speeds before you realised. Mine was Starlight black with the black forged wheels & I reckon it looked fantastic.

The whine from the blower was quite muted & I woulda preferred a more evocative sound track but these things rev north of 8k & at full chat it did sound pretty good tbh...I'd have another, it'd be an SC car again given the chance.

[erics]

Excellent! Did you guys mod them? Exhaust etc?

[The Bandit]

Yep, TRD airbox, Stage 3 exhaust(was on when i bought it), now having Nitrons, ARB, engine mounts, shear panel, Pagid pads, Motul RBF600 brake fluid, wider front forged wheels etc etc etc
You really dont need to do any of that but I enjoy the fiddling!

[chandrew]

I have a 4 year old one, used as a summer weekend toy and subsequently has just under 10,000 miles on the clock (and many of my drives are long 300-500km trips around the passes here in Switzerland).

I really like the low down torque, especially when coming out of hairpins. The East side of the Stelvio probably needs dropping down to 1st but on most roads I can do 2nd - 4th if I'm wanting an involving drive or just make good progress staying in 3rd.

It's totally standard (though I got a few custom bits like body-coloured contrasting stitching done when I ordered it). I did think about a bit more noise but it's not the best base to work from - it's never going to sound like a V12 Aston, just a louder 4 pot Toyota. No, as long as I don't run out of garage space it will still be here in 20 years time totally original.

The refreshed one is a bit nicer looking IMHO but if I was in the market today I'd be looking at an Exige. When I ordered I was seriously tempted by a 260 Cup but decided that the SC would make a better road car & I still think I made the right decision.

[edo111s]

I've had an 08 SC for 5 years. It's my 2nd Elise.
I added TRD, 2Bular and HID dipped beam.

I covered 67k miles so far.
It's my daily driver - so in winter it gets Yokohama W and it keeps rolling for fun. Summer is better though :-)

Only real issue encountered was the change of the aircon pipes - the standard aluminium ones leak after a few years,
Other than that, just replaced consumables - and brakes (opportunity to upgrade the pads), and rear dampers once.
So overall an economical ownership for such a car.

Fabulous car you can't get wrong with one.

[erics]

Some great feedback. I fear the soundtrack issue the most...

[EK993]

The sound is pretty dismal it has to be said, however I added the TRD airbox - the supercharger becomes very audible with this mod. I really enjoyed listening to the charger whine away.

Not keen on "sports" exhausts on Elise's. Can't change the bland 4 pot soundtrack.

[erics]

There seems to be plenty on offer for sale. Any idea how much dealers are inclined to negociate?

Also appreciate ito hear about anyone who have been able to make their car sound half decent?

[The Bandit]

erics said:

There seems to be plenty on offer for sale. Any idea how much dealers are inclined to negociate?

Also appreciate ito hear about anyone who have been able to make their car sound half decent?

I managed £1k off the sticker price but it wasnt mint.
Good deal though.
Exhaust wise speak to Jim at 2bular as they are widely regarded as the exhaust of choice and you can specify exactly what you require.

[simpo555]

Save even more by buying one with a sports exhaust already fitted. Not a big fan myself, was very happy with a stage 1 which didn't drown the cabin with noise, didn't annoy the neighbours and allowed me to drive long distances in relative comfort acoustically. Horses for courses and all that. In todays market, despite reasonable demand for the cars, I'd imagine £1500 to be more than realistic as a discount if no P-Ex. Even better, buy privately and negotiate hard.