BUYING AN ELISE S1 111s

[kelvyn]

I am currently in the process of saving all my pennies together to buy my dream car (lotus elise in azure blue), hopefully i will be in a postion to buy it in January 2003.
Would just like to ask you guys ( & gals) who have the series 1 elise wot the good and bad points are on them?
I have never driven 1, but have spoke to many people who have and they say they are great fun.
I would ideally like the 111s s1, but 1 will see wot comes along. Any information would be gratefull, either post replys on here or mail me at [e-mail]
once again Thank You

>>> Edited by kelvyn on Thursday 29th August 16:06

[malbon]

Kelvyn - I am in a similiar position at the moment and am looking to buy soon. From what i've heard - and i've been doing my homework for a few months now - there is virtually no bad points with this car. The biggest grumble you get is poor(ish) build qulaity compared with other modern cars along with 'what tyres' to buy next time and 'what exhaust' to replace the original with.

erm just remembered a few more actually...

Cos its such a light car...and mid engined. rwd - driving in the wet at speed can be interesting !
Also - it doesn't have power steering, brakes, CL, leccy windows or anything else for that matter other than a steering wheel, 3 pedals and a handbrake. Its spartan but comfy - not to everyones taste though - best thing i would advise is to hire 1 for a weekend and c if u can live with it.

They are addictive cars and people are forever tinkering with them. I've test drove one and believe me - your gonna me covering some serious mileage when you get it. Check out this report if u fancy a 111s

jon

www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/LotusModels/LotusElise111s.html

>> Edited by malbon on Thursday 29th August 17:54

[Gargamel]

I have run a 111s for just over 15 months (actually its for sale on this site at the moment.

Fantastic car, really enjoyed having one - quicker at the top end than the std cars and has a handling ability way beyond what this driver is capable of.

Well behaved on the roads, never broken down and actually has been inexpensive to run... I guess I have been lucky. I paid out for a few carefully chosen mods - more safety, reliability issues than bad boy exhausts etc,

Mail me if you want details,

[kelvyn]

Hi Malbon,

Thanks for the advice and link to that website. I have studyed the elise for some time, im not bothered about comfort and accesories, i just want a car i can have some fun in on the road & track days and a nice crusin car, really cant wait. would love to have it now but still payin off the car i have now

Once again many thanks

[malbon]

gargamel...u say "guess i'v been lucky"

what do u mean by that ? Do you know any other 111s drivers who have had problems ?

PS Is your car the ali one at 17k ?

[kelvyn]

Just wanna thank every1 who has replied to my questions, sorry if i sound a bit divvy, just tryin to gather as much info as i can b4 i buy 1, dont want them to bull my pants down over the price i pay for 1.

One last question, how can u tell how much petrol u have left, apperantly there is no gauge??

[Bonce]

There is a digital guage in the STACK unit. It reads "FULL" between 40 and 35 litres, then counts down the litres left in the tank until it reaches 10, when it reads "REFILL", at which point it is advisable to refill it because once it reads REFILL, people have found that their range varies from car to car. I have managed 50 miles on REFILL, but it's scary!

[Bonce]

P.S. kelvyn, check the details of the car in my profile to get a feel for running costs etc.

Basically: Go for it, you won't look back!

[Gargamel]

Malbon

No mine is the calaypso red car.

When I say lucky - some elise owners have had - very leaky roofs, problems with the doors rubbing on the clam - have had self inflicted accidents - have caught fire (oil on the manifold) or have had reliabilty issues with components - eg accelerator assembly falling apart, sticking throttle body, red clutch pip failure. withou mentioning the K series head gasket failure weakness

I have not suffered these.... therefore - lucky !

[kelvyn]

Thanks for the info Bounce.

Im not gonna hold off buyin 1, just cant wait to get my hands on 1. Gonna go to the lotus open on the 14th september so i can get a closer look at 1 and hopefully take 1 for a test drive
Any more info u think is useful please feel free to let me know

Look at the info on ya car as well, it is very nice in titanium (cant spell)
THnaks

[ptc]

Kelvyn

See this weeks Autocar (may have been last weeks) there is quite a good buyers guide, the S1 111S gets positive comments unlike the sport 160.

The new S2 111S features in the handling test and suffers from the VW disease of gaining weight and creature comforts.

PC

[simonm]

Kelvyn


I've been the happy owner of a 111S for over two years and can honestly say it is without doubt an unbelievable machine. I don't use it everyday but quite frequently. I also track it quite a bit.

So far mine has suffered no real problems , the alternator has just gone but that's because it get's a bit hot , especially on track.

Otherwise there is very little to go wrong. If you are prepared to put up with a few niggles and problems, you will never look back.

Best advice is to go to another BBS

www.british-cars.co.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=lotusbbs

join up and search the archives you will find a wealth of useful information plus they are a very friendly bunch!!

Also try www.elise-faq.info , that is also pretty useful.

Good luck and get one soon!

Simon

>> Edited by simonm on Thursday 5th September 15:18

[kelvyn]

Have just got back from being at the lotus open day. All i can say is o my god. All those elises parked there. I sat in a 111s for the 1st time and i love it already and as an added extra bonus my girlfriend liked it to, i dont need to drive it i want to buy 1 now ::. Unfortunatly it will be about another 2 and a bit months before i can join the Lotus clan, but hey 2 and a bit months should go fast (i hope).
Keep on motoring guys.
kelv