Sunday 10th March 2002
Elise S2
With the Elise heading to the USA, who better to try out the Elise S2 than an American? Robert Farago does that deed.
Discussion
I have an S2 which I have used daily as my only car (my wife has a practical car for moving stuff, shopping, etc).
I agree that it is not practical and very 'cosy' (in fact intimate) if you have a passenger BUT it is the best drivers car that I have ever had the pleasure of...
So much so that I have a brand new Elise 111S on order and can't wait for delivery (and the unfortunate running in for 1000 miles).
I have driven the 111S demonstrator and at the point where my car purrs, this one just growls. Performance is now firmly up there with cars costing many times the price and the handling probably excels most of these with ease.
Oh and as for ease of entering and leaving, I am not a twenty or thirtysomething but in two years will match that old American program with Jack Lord ... Hawaii XX.
I agree that it is not practical and very 'cosy' (in fact intimate) if you have a passenger BUT it is the best drivers car that I have ever had the pleasure of...
So much so that I have a brand new Elise 111S on order and can't wait for delivery (and the unfortunate running in for 1000 miles).
I have driven the 111S demonstrator and at the point where my car purrs, this one just growls. Performance is now firmly up there with cars costing many times the price and the handling probably excels most of these with ease.
Oh and as for ease of entering and leaving, I am not a twenty or thirtysomething but in two years will match that old American program with Jack Lord ... Hawaii XX.
Yes, Oracle, you're spot on.
I watched an S2 come sliding round a corner on Saturday evening and the back end graciously broke away but the driver, who clearly knew his onions, stepped up the power and with a dab of correctivity brought things back on a bolt straight heading.
It was a fabulous sight and I couldn't help but lower my window and gesture a massive sign of approval to the chap: other motorists in the vaccinity thought I was somwehat barking but needs must when faced with such stupendous grace and profficiency.
I had an S1 whcih I still prefer stylistically but the S2 is dynamically improved (having done Hethel in one last year) and it's wonderful front aspect is growing on me: the 111S would certainly be my weapon of chioice were I in the market now.
Mine was in 'Norfolk mustard' and I miss it dearly. This review makes me lusty again and I can only wish you every happiness with the new machine. One of THE great motoring experiences.
Superb!
I watched an S2 come sliding round a corner on Saturday evening and the back end graciously broke away but the driver, who clearly knew his onions, stepped up the power and with a dab of correctivity brought things back on a bolt straight heading.
It was a fabulous sight and I couldn't help but lower my window and gesture a massive sign of approval to the chap: other motorists in the vaccinity thought I was somwehat barking but needs must when faced with such stupendous grace and profficiency.
I had an S1 whcih I still prefer stylistically but the S2 is dynamically improved (having done Hethel in one last year) and it's wonderful front aspect is growing on me: the 111S would certainly be my weapon of chioice were I in the market now.
Mine was in 'Norfolk mustard' and I miss it dearly. This review makes me lusty again and I can only wish you every happiness with the new machine. One of THE great motoring experiences.
Superb!
I am one of few girls who own an S2 Elise (and previously an S1) and can safely say it is definitely the best fun you can have with your clothes on. Totally impractical - a weekend away is clean undies and a toothbrush - but the best drive ever. The satisfaction you can get from pulling away at traffic lights and leaving the frustrated sales rep in his V6 Vauxhall Vectra standing is like no other feeling on earth.
I smile on a daily basis!
I smile on a daily basis!
Girlie said:The satisfaction you can get from pulling away at traffic lights and leaving the frustrated sales rep in his V6 Vauxhall Vectra standing is like no other feeling on earth.
I smile on a daily basis!
Sounds like you're the frustrated one if you have to prove yourself against lower priced, slower cars. Try it against an Evo or Impreza and see who will be smiling then...
>> Edited by adeewuff on Wednesday 23 October 12:03
adeewuff said:
Girlie said:The satisfaction you can get from pulling away at traffic lights and leaving the frustrated sales rep in his V6 Vauxhall Vectra standing is like no other feeling on earth.
I smile on a daily basis!
Sounds like you're the frustrated one if you have to prove yourself against lower priced, slower cars. Try it against an Evo or Impreza and see who will be smiling then...
>> Edited by adeewuff on Wednesday 23 October 12:03
Girlie: I'm up for a ZXR Vs Elise sprint - if you want to get your humility back?
Re: Mr. Farago [one 'r' short of a farrago?]and his review of the Lotus Elise:
This is one funny man. His references to virginity [putting the top back on the car], speed dialing your chiropracter [getting into the car], and the size of madam's handbag [luggage space or the lack thereof] are all priceless [and totally accurate]. When he is done with reviewing automobiles - me thinks he has a real fine career ahead in stand-up comedy.
Congrats on a funny, funny [and accurate review].
Ron Davis
This is one funny man. His references to virginity [putting the top back on the car], speed dialing your chiropracter [getting into the car], and the size of madam's handbag [luggage space or the lack thereof] are all priceless [and totally accurate]. When he is done with reviewing automobiles - me thinks he has a real fine career ahead in stand-up comedy.
Congrats on a funny, funny [and accurate review].
Ron Davis
Quote...
"In fact, unless you're supple, there's simply no getting into the
Elise. Period. I'm serious. Anyone who can't do the Yoga position known as "the bow" should not attempt to post themselves into the four foot slot between the Elise' roof and doorsill without their chiropractor's number teed-up for speed dial. Middle-aged extraction is equally perilous and inelegant. You don't sit in the thing as much as wear it."
What the heck are all these writers on about? Change the scrpt!
If you have trouble getting into the car, then don't get one! Or can I suggest you get down the gym and leave some of the pies for me!
If my sister (when 7 months pregnant) could get in and out ok and my mate who is 190cm tall and weighs around 140kg (fat!) could get in and out ok, you guys who say you have problems just sound pathetic!
It seems trendy to knock anything Lotus, and especially the Elise these days. Why don't you just drive it and report what you think. Not every article written has to be a comparison with something else on the road. And it is ok to write an article that does not contain a crticism every second sentance.
Anyone who does not do their research and various comparisons before getting a Lotus deserves every disapointment that comes their way.
If it is not to your taste don't get in it. Everyone has their expectations and wants from a vehicle. There is not one single car on the planet that can satisfy everyones requirements, so get over it.
>> Edited by 135sport on Thursday 7th November 13:10
"In fact, unless you're supple, there's simply no getting into the
Elise. Period. I'm serious. Anyone who can't do the Yoga position known as "the bow" should not attempt to post themselves into the four foot slot between the Elise' roof and doorsill without their chiropractor's number teed-up for speed dial. Middle-aged extraction is equally perilous and inelegant. You don't sit in the thing as much as wear it."
What the heck are all these writers on about? Change the scrpt!
If you have trouble getting into the car, then don't get one! Or can I suggest you get down the gym and leave some of the pies for me!
If my sister (when 7 months pregnant) could get in and out ok and my mate who is 190cm tall and weighs around 140kg (fat!) could get in and out ok, you guys who say you have problems just sound pathetic!
It seems trendy to knock anything Lotus, and especially the Elise these days. Why don't you just drive it and report what you think. Not every article written has to be a comparison with something else on the road. And it is ok to write an article that does not contain a crticism every second sentance.
Anyone who does not do their research and various comparisons before getting a Lotus deserves every disapointment that comes their way.
If it is not to your taste don't get in it. Everyone has their expectations and wants from a vehicle. There is not one single car on the planet that can satisfy everyones requirements, so get over it.
>> Edited by 135sport on Thursday 7th November 13:10
Sounds like you're the frustrated one if you have to prove yourself against lower priced, slower cars. Try it against an Evo or Impreza and see who will be smiling then...
At a guess the Elise driver will be the one smiling, being the one driving the car the doesn't look like a pumped up aircon unit . . . for starters . . .
fergusd said:
Sounds like you're the frustrated one if you have to prove yourself against lower priced, slower cars. Try it against an Evo or Impreza and see who will be smiling then...
At a guess the Elise driver will be the one smiling, being the one driving the car the doesn't look like a pumped up aircon unit . . . for starters . . .
Yes - the squashed beach buggy look is much more attractive.
fergusd said:
At a guess the Elise driver will be the one smiling, being the one driving the car the doesn't look like a pumped up aircon unit . . . for starters . .
Hehe... well well well this is getting rather sad. How i'd love to be in the Impreza watching you vanish into to a small dot in my rear view mirror!! I'd be laughing my ass off and feeling alot better than you...
Hehe... well well well this is getting rather sad. How i'd love to be in the Impreza watching you vanish into to a small dot in my rear view mirror!! I'd be laughing my ass off and feeling alot better than you...
ROFLOL . . . sad, that would be the person trolling this forum who has a problem with the Lotus Elise he bought and didn't like . . .
Fd
Get out of here. You can fit 12 days clothes and things in the back - it's *huge*. I did 12 days in Scotland (Isle of Sky was the highlight - look at www.lotus-elise.org.uk/Scotland/Day%207%20-%20Sun%2020/P1010276.JPG for what the roads were like....) and didn't have to wear the same pants twice
Girlie said:Totally impractical - a weekend away is clean undies and a toothbrush - but the best drive ever.
J
Couldn't agree more. The elise takes a few days to get used to - but getting in and out is a simple as standing on one leg - if you try it as a "virgin one legger" you'll think it's stupid - if you only have one leg - you get used to it.
135sport said: Quote...
If my sister (when 7 months pregnant) could get in and out ok and my mate who is 190cm tall and weighs around 140kg (fat!) could get in and out ok, you guys who say you have problems just sound pathetic!
Whilst I have plenty to knock Lotus over - getting in and out of their cars (even with the roof on the elise) is not something I would start at.
J
joust said:Get out of here. You can fit 12 days clothes and things in the back - it's *huge*. I did 12 days in Scotland (Isle of Sky was the highlight - look at www.lotus-elise.org.uk/Scotland/Day%207%20-%20Sun%2020/P1010276.JPG for what the roads were like....) and didn't have to wear the same pants twice
Girlie said:Totally impractical - a weekend away is clean undies and a toothbrush - but the best drive ever.
J
Agree. The wife and I did Stelvio 2K, which was 2 weeks, and we had everthing we needed in the car. (Admittedly we did leave the roof at home!)
My Mum has just 'emigrated' to Scotland (from Hampshire) and i was thinking of combining a hoon around the hills with a vist to her. Do you have a route book of your trip or did you just make it up as you went along? Any suggestions of must do roads?
Thanks.
135sport said:My Mum has just 'emigrated' to Scotland (from Hampshire) and i was thinking of combining a hoon around the hills with a vist to her. Do you have a route book of your trip or did you just make it up as you went along? Any suggestions of must do roads?
I did normal route up to Edinburgh - M74 then onto A702. Not a bad road if it's dry.
Then A198 along to Dunbar - A1 back in can be fun in places.
Then 4th bridge - A9 up to Inverness (some great roads along there). Then we did Inverness down towards Fort William (*grin*), then hang a right on A887 and A87 to Isle of Sky. Then just go around the whole of the Isle.
Then back along the A87 - the run down the A87 where the A87 forks right and the A887 goes left is fantastic Elise ground.
Down A82 to Fort William - OK - but lots of long boring straights.....
Fort William -> Glasgow was quite a hoot I seem to remember.
Hope that helps!
J
It's a bit pointless people saying "Oh, but my Subaru's quicker than your Elise", as I'd imagine that a decent fraction of Elise owners have faster cars too.
Also, the Elise is most definitely not about acceleration, but more about finesse, so us owners will not really be upset if someone pulls away from the lights more rapidly.
If we were looking to comapre, though, I doubt that in most situations an Impreza would pull away all that much more quickly. The Elise will manage 0-60 in about 5.5, and its 0-30 is perhaps a touch better, so you will be roughly equal 6 seconds after take-off. Beyond that, it's a bit academic on the public roads.
Also, the Elise is most definitely not about acceleration, but more about finesse, so us owners will not really be upset if someone pulls away from the lights more rapidly.
If we were looking to comapre, though, I doubt that in most situations an Impreza would pull away all that much more quickly. The Elise will manage 0-60 in about 5.5, and its 0-30 is perhaps a touch better, so you will be roughly equal 6 seconds after take-off. Beyond that, it's a bit academic on the public roads.
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