Hard Top is off!!
Discussion
Took the lid off at the weekend - I know most of you chaps opt not to have a hard top for the winter but I needed one for a little more security when it's parked up every day during the week at a railway station.
First blast yesterday morning - blue sky, wooly hat, 3 layers on to keep warm and it was the first run without the roof after my hurricane was fitted back before Xmas. As S works has told us on here what a great mod this is!
What a laugh - reminded me why I love it soooo much, even got a bit of a tiny slide on out of a bend at one point
I usually change cars every 2-3 years but at the moment I can't think of anything for the money which would be so much fun.
First blast yesterday morning - blue sky, wooly hat, 3 layers on to keep warm and it was the first run without the roof after my hurricane was fitted back before Xmas. As S works has told us on here what a great mod this is!
What a laugh - reminded me why I love it soooo much, even got a bit of a tiny slide on out of a bend at one point
I usually change cars every 2-3 years but at the moment I can't think of anything for the money which would be so much fun.
Couldn't be arsed to put mine on this winter and you know what, El Beast was just fine, even with 6inches of snow.
When it gets sunnier I'll reproof the soft-top but it's been damn good. Worst case a few drips on the sill in the morning and when driving, no hassles at all.
I'm considering selling the hardtop actually - the lads at Sinclaires reckoned I could get about £500 for it which roughly = an S2 suspension upgrade.
Buuut, I'm really happy with the car at the moment. Sure it could probably use a respray on the nose to make it pristine, and I'd like to get the steering wheel retrimmed, but like Tim and Dan have noted above the thoughts I've had of replacing it with an S2 111s are drifting away as the weather improves.
This spring/summer I'm going to have some Test Drives in S2's to make my mind up about the next step. I want to try a standard, 111s/r, 135r and Exige to really see what the difference is like and if it's worth me digging deeper next year. 
When it gets sunnier I'll reproof the soft-top but it's been damn good. Worst case a few drips on the sill in the morning and when driving, no hassles at all.
I'm considering selling the hardtop actually - the lads at Sinclaires reckoned I could get about £500 for it which roughly = an S2 suspension upgrade.
Buuut, I'm really happy with the car at the moment. Sure it could probably use a respray on the nose to make it pristine, and I'd like to get the steering wheel retrimmed, but like Tim and Dan have noted above the thoughts I've had of replacing it with an S2 111s are drifting away as the weather improves.
This spring/summer I'm going to have some Test Drives in S2's to make my mind up about the next step. I want to try a standard, 111s/r, 135r and Exige to really see what the difference is like and if it's worth me digging deeper next year.
Hi Xxplod,
In a moment of madness thought about buying a Boxter, in the end I ended up going for a Audi TT, I'd owned a S1 before and was totally sold on the idea of a new 111s however my father of all people talked me out of both the Boxter & the Lotus and to buy a Car with at least some sort of rear seat, yes the Audi does have one but was total Sh*t it was the biggest Car mistake of my life. I'd driven all Boxter S new, Audi TT new and the 111s god only knows why I went and purchased the TT, I sold it 8 short month's later after test driving my currant Car Lotus 111R, I will never buy anything else again, well may be a round around but certainly not for fun Lotus 1st
Boggy
>> Edited by boggy on Tuesday 15th March 14:37
In a moment of madness thought about buying a Boxter, in the end I ended up going for a Audi TT, I'd owned a S1 before and was totally sold on the idea of a new 111s however my father of all people talked me out of both the Boxter & the Lotus and to buy a Car with at least some sort of rear seat, yes the Audi does have one but was total Sh*t it was the biggest Car mistake of my life. I'd driven all Boxter S new, Audi TT new and the 111s god only knows why I went and purchased the TT, I sold it 8 short month's later after test driving my currant Car Lotus 111R, I will never buy anything else again, well may be a round around but certainly not for fun Lotus 1st
Boggy
>> Edited by boggy on Tuesday 15th March 14:37
A Boxter is half a Porsche - I don't care how good the new one is, or how good the old one was, all it says to me is "I can't afford a 911" and I haven't got the balls to buy a Lotus or a TVR.
TT's are for birds who think they want a sportscar but don't really. It's not a sportscar, its a Golf/S3 wearing a slimline handbag (the lardy version of course being a Beetle... which is just a Golf for birds). Before I bought my S1 I test drove a couple of TT's and an S3 and although I was impressed by the engineering and build quality the driving characteristics were uninvolving and uncommunicative... they were just fast, nothing more.
Real men buy Lotus', Noble's, 911's, TVR's...
(GRRRR, beats chest, applies more Brut/Hi Karate, scratches balls etc.).
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 15th March 17:13
TT's are for birds who think they want a sportscar but don't really. It's not a sportscar, its a Golf/S3 wearing a slimline handbag (the lardy version of course being a Beetle... which is just a Golf for birds). Before I bought my S1 I test drove a couple of TT's and an S3 and although I was impressed by the engineering and build quality the driving characteristics were uninvolving and uncommunicative... they were just fast, nothing more.
Real men buy Lotus', Noble's, 911's, TVR's...
(GRRRR, beats chest, applies more Brut/Hi Karate, scratches balls etc.).
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 15th March 17:13
S Works said:
TT's are for birds who think they want a sportscar but don't really.
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 15th March 17:13
TT's are for people who like their hair and wardrobe far too much.
Anyway you know it is not a sports car when you cant get the shopping in the boot. If you can get golf clubs in the thing it is not a sports car.
gooby said:
TT's are for birds who think they want a sportscar but don't really.
TT's are for people who like their hair and wardrobe far too much.
Anyway you know it is not a sports car when you cant get the shopping in the boot. If you can get golf clubs in the thing it is not a sports car.
Try arguing that with a 911 or TVR owner
Look, it's not easy you know, being the only gay.....
No seriously, I did test drive the new standard boxster. Impressed with the quality, pretty good drive but lacked any real ooomph. May test drive the 'S' but I don't really want to spend £40K on a car. Also tried a 3.0L Z4. Disappointing. Again, well built, gem of an engine, but the worst ride of any car I've ever driven, and really fell short of what I'd expect from a £30K motor.
Trouble is, Mrs. XXPLOD is not keen on getting an Elise 111R. I on the other hand really can't think of a better car this side of a Ferrari 360. I just wish I'd never sold my 111S. It's all Pistonheads fault really. It sold within 24 hours!
Can anyone else suggest anything? Not a Boxster, no TVRs at all, Z3/Z4s and TTs are a no. Up to £30K, without stratospheric running costs? Oh, and no Caterhams/Westies/Atoms - I need a nod towards practicality. I did 32K in my 111S in 2.5 years.
Any suggestioins??
No seriously, I did test drive the new standard boxster. Impressed with the quality, pretty good drive but lacked any real ooomph. May test drive the 'S' but I don't really want to spend £40K on a car. Also tried a 3.0L Z4. Disappointing. Again, well built, gem of an engine, but the worst ride of any car I've ever driven, and really fell short of what I'd expect from a £30K motor.
Trouble is, Mrs. XXPLOD is not keen on getting an Elise 111R. I on the other hand really can't think of a better car this side of a Ferrari 360. I just wish I'd never sold my 111S. It's all Pistonheads fault really. It sold within 24 hours!
Can anyone else suggest anything? Not a Boxster, no TVRs at all, Z3/Z4s and TTs are a no. Up to £30K, without stratospheric running costs? Oh, and no Caterhams/Westies/Atoms - I need a nod towards practicality. I did 32K in my 111S in 2.5 years.
Any suggestioins??
O- said:
Suggestions:
Evo
RS6
RX7
MX-5
FTO
993
M3/5
Lots of choices out there.
Evo
Stunningly boring at any speed below 120mph. With a service interval like that why drive it off the forecourt. With service costs like that why drive it of the forecourt
RS6
Boring on the outside but understated, I dont want an estate. Driving Audis is boring, fast audis are fast and boring.
RX7
Not driven but I have been driven. Very quick, very scary!
MX-5
Fantastic handling and great fun to drive. Why is it so slow? I am always stuck behind one.
FTO
This hurts to say cos I really wanted to like them (I grew up driving mushybushys) It was really cack, it could have been that the one I drove was a highly modded version. Even with a drainpipe exhaust and breathing kit, the v6 was unwilling to deliver.
993
No idea - its a porche!
M3-M5
Not my cup of tea.
Here are a few of my suggestions.
Pajero Evolution. The ultimate wolf in sheeps clothing. A porche killer in a huge disguise. Fantastic fun and then you can do it off road too! How much more practicality do you need? I was offered one about a year ago for aprox £14k. It was vastly overpriced and I was so tempted
If you loved the elise then do something a bit classic. Bear with me. In the 80's when Lotus had lots of difficulty with quality, they asked Toyota for some help. At the same time Lotus were developing a small 2 seater that looked like the Mk1 Mr2. so the story goes, toyota took this prototype as part payment. That became the mk1 MR2. Then in Japan they added a supercharger. It would take some finding but a supercharged Mk1 Mr2 is incredible. Swap 1 cog in the supercharger and you have a 200bhp with 170 ft/lbs of torque. Bloody great car and think what you could do with the change - buy and insure the pajero evo!
xxplod said:
Look, it's not easy you know, being the only gay.....
No seriously, I did test drive the new standard boxster. Impressed with the quality, pretty good drive but lacked any real ooomph. May test drive the 'S' but I don't really want to spend £40K on a car. Also tried a 3.0L Z4. Disappointing. Again, well built, gem of an engine, but the worst ride of any car I've ever driven, and really fell short of what I'd expect from a £30K motor.
Trouble is, Mrs. XXPLOD is not keen on getting an Elise 111R. I on the other hand really can't think of a better car this side of a Ferrari 360. I just wish I'd never sold my 111S. It's all Pistonheads fault really. It sold within 24 hours!
Can anyone else suggest anything? Not a Boxster, no TVRs at all, Z3/Z4s and TTs are a no. Up to £30K, without stratospheric running costs? Oh, and no Caterhams/Westies/Atoms - I need a nod towards practicality. I did 32K in my 111S in 2.5 years.
Any suggestioins??
honda s2000?
Egoboss - The S2000 had crossed my mind. I had a test drive lined up a couple of years ago before I bought the 111S, but they sold the demonstrater the day before so it never happened! I don't think a S2000 would top a 111R on my list.
I'm not interested in the Jap-saloons. I think the Scoobys and Evos are phenomenal machines, but they just don't float my boat. Likewise I wouldn't consider an FTO - too old, or RX7/8. Full marks to Mazda for the RX8. Nice looking, seems well made, but I was told servicing was a frequent occurence and none too cheap. Don't know if anyone knows different?
MX5? Lovely car, a modern classic but as said, too slow.
M5 running costs are pretty scarey. Ihave considered an M3 Convertible, but the "w@nker chariot" image is a concern. Whereas in 5 years owning 3 Elises, covering 70K as every day cars - not one ounce of malice, no vandal damage, just endless thumbs ups, and shouts of "Cool car" etc....
Nope, I keep coming back to the Elise and finding it hard to beat. Anyone have any tips on how to win round Mrs. XXPLOD???
I'm not interested in the Jap-saloons. I think the Scoobys and Evos are phenomenal machines, but they just don't float my boat. Likewise I wouldn't consider an FTO - too old, or RX7/8. Full marks to Mazda for the RX8. Nice looking, seems well made, but I was told servicing was a frequent occurence and none too cheap. Don't know if anyone knows different?
MX5? Lovely car, a modern classic but as said, too slow.
M5 running costs are pretty scarey. Ihave considered an M3 Convertible, but the "w@nker chariot" image is a concern. Whereas in 5 years owning 3 Elises, covering 70K as every day cars - not one ounce of malice, no vandal damage, just endless thumbs ups, and shouts of "Cool car" etc....
Nope, I keep coming back to the Elise and finding it hard to beat. Anyone have any tips on how to win round Mrs. XXPLOD???
xxplod said:
Egoboss - The S2000 had crossed my mind. I had a test drive lined up a couple of years ago before I bought the 111S, but they sold the demonstrater the day before so it never happened! I don't think a S2000 would top a 111R on my list.
I'm not interested in the Jap-saloons. I think the Scoobys and Evos are phenomenal machines, but they just don't float my boat. Likewise I wouldn't consider an FTO - too old, or RX7/8. Full marks to Mazda for the RX8. Nice looking, seems well made, but I was told servicing was a frequent occurence and none too cheap. Don't know if anyone knows different?
MX5? Lovely car, a modern classic but as said, too slow.
M5 running costs are pretty scarey. Ihave considered an M3 Convertible, but the "w@nker chariot" image is a concern. Whereas in 5 years owning 3 Elises, covering 70K as every day cars - not one ounce of malice, no vandal damage, just endless thumbs ups, and shouts of "Cool car" etc....
Nope, I keep coming back to the Elise and finding it hard to beat. Anyone have any tips on how to win round Mrs. XXPLOD???
hmmmm, take your points - a nice dilemma! how about - import a nice new mustang convertible - left hand drive isn't too much of a hardship in the uk and in fact looks rather cool, no?
mx5 is rather too slow, i agree. i will tune mine at some point in the future. i really like the look of the rx8 but i have to drive a convertible - i find any hard top, no matter how great the car, very claustrophobic and even with slightest bit of dry weather the mx5 top is always down.
yes, i hear rx8 running costs are not very cheap and also i don't know if i could be bothered with any car that requires having the oil to be checked every petrol fill, as they recommend.
the elise is a truly beautiful car - i have only driven early ones on track days and my only criticism was the nightmare logistics of getting in/out with the roof on! you're probably more agile than me (not difficult!) so maybe this isn't an issue?
the new mx5 seems to have some interesting new engine options - maybe wait until a test drive in october?
re: m3 - quite agree. something about them isn't quite right, they don't seem credible, a bit like slk's and tt convertibles. dunno what it is - first of all i rarely see any of them with the top down!
so incongrous. my old 318 convertible (pic in profile) was how a beemer convertible should look. i am biased, i still miss it terribly. something was "right" about it even with just a 1.8 engine, i also had auto box and it cruised along beautifully. i hope it is still in original spec somewhere and being looked after.
ah well .... decisions, decisions, eh?
enjoy!
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff