Elise Decisions
Discussion
After bottling it last year and buying a c class, I am again in a position to look at an Elise. Which model would people recommend? I loved the purity of the 1.6, and the fact that it was enjoyable, but would I get frustrated with the relative lack of power. Bell and Colvill have the sprint tested by PH a few months back for sale, Not really sure what to look at or go for as I'm new to the sports car market!
I test drove a 1.6 and then a 220 Sport and it was a clear winner what I was going to buy.
Originally I wanted a mint S2 Exige S but could not find one for live nor money in the right condition.
Decided on a 220 Cup in the end as they are a limited run car and just something a bit more special than the standard spec Elise.
The car is a real head turner.
Originally I wanted a mint S2 Exige S but could not find one for live nor money in the right condition.
Decided on a 220 Cup in the end as they are a limited run car and just something a bit more special than the standard spec Elise.
The car is a real head turner.
I bought an Elise in 2012. Its the poultry 1.8 134bhp spec. I use it as a daily in my time off, we regularly do long European road trips in it and at the age of 44 still think its relatively comfortable. I made a luggage rack for the trips, you can pick up a second hand engine cover for peanuts and drill holes with no worries about resale, the extra space gives you somewhere to put a small overnight case and the soft top. The boot space is surprisingly big you just have to buy squashy bags to maximise it.
The power is a little off though but after driving a friends 220sc I wasnt too impressed and think my choice wasn't too bad.
Since owning it i've done a few mods, TRD airbox, 2bular exhaust was worth every penny, sounds much much better than before, the hard top was a blessing, slightly less interior noise, no leaks and makes it look much better imo.
I also upgraded the sound system with a flat bass box, amp and bigger speakers so I can hear my music now
Great little car and have no intentions of selling it.
The only downside is having a small boot opening, but take off the roof and its surprising what you can fit from Ikea.
The power is a little off though but after driving a friends 220sc I wasnt too impressed and think my choice wasn't too bad.
Since owning it i've done a few mods, TRD airbox, 2bular exhaust was worth every penny, sounds much much better than before, the hard top was a blessing, slightly less interior noise, no leaks and makes it look much better imo.
I also upgraded the sound system with a flat bass box, amp and bigger speakers so I can hear my music now
Great little car and have no intentions of selling it.
The only downside is having a small boot opening, but take off the roof and its surprising what you can fit from Ikea.
I'm not really sure, The 1.6 at Bell and Colvill is 4 months old, it was the sprint used by all of the motoring magazines (and PH). If I was going for a 220, it would probably be 2-3 years old, But I also have a soft spot for the 111r.
The big thing attracting me to the 1.6 model is the fact that it is a lot of fun at legal speeds
The big thing attracting me to the 1.6 model is the fact that it is a lot of fun at legal speeds
kambites said:
If you want "fun at legal speeds" and aren't intending to use it daily, I'd argue you should be looking at S1s or possibly early (K-series) S2s. The Toyota cars with their extra weight, assisted brakes, etc. feel considerably more... grown-up.
How reliable is the K series? One thing I'd like to try is track days, So I can definately see the logic of the S1/S2 Elises, but looking at prices, the VX220 NA and Turbo seems like much more value for money. I know that this debte has came up before, but is the extra money for the Elise justifiable over the Vauxhall?VXs are fine cars, and don't necessarily assume turbo. many argue the delicate chassis is best enjoyed with NA, and the VX has enough power and good torque.
You need to try S1s to compare with the civility of the Toyo cars. Head gaskets aren't a problem - fix it if it happens for a few hundred £ and treat it right (warm up, cool down properly). K series is actually a classic engine imo.
the 1.6 is a fine car for momentum drivers. The S is a lot of power for the public road if you like driving a car at 9/10s+.
1.6 really benefits from a TRD airbox and sports exhaust (dealer fitted as Power Pack), more lively noise, more responsive and maybe few more ponies.
You need to try S1s to compare with the civility of the Toyo cars. Head gaskets aren't a problem - fix it if it happens for a few hundred £ and treat it right (warm up, cool down properly). K series is actually a classic engine imo.
the 1.6 is a fine car for momentum drivers. The S is a lot of power for the public road if you like driving a car at 9/10s+.
1.6 really benefits from a TRD airbox and sports exhaust (dealer fitted as Power Pack), more lively noise, more responsive and maybe few more ponies.
CABC said:
VXs are fine cars, and don't necessarily assume turbo. many argue the delicate chassis is best enjoyed with NA, and the VX has enough power and good torque.
You need to try S1s to compare with the civility of the Toyo cars. Head gaskets aren't a problem - fix it if it happens for a few hundred £ and treat it right (warm up, cool down properly). K series is actually a classic engine imo.
the 1.6 is a fine car for momentum drivers. The S is a lot of power for the public road if you like driving a car at 9/10s+.
1.6 really benefits from a TRD airbox and sports exhaust (dealer fitted as Power Pack), more lively noise, more responsive and maybe few more ponies.
Thanks for this. I've been looking at a few cars. I want to use what ever I get as much as possible, and one thing that detracted from the 1.6 Elise, was that it felt significantly underpowered on the motorways. I've narrowed my list down to the following. There are 2 Elises, 1 VX....Opinions would be much appreciated!You need to try S1s to compare with the civility of the Toyo cars. Head gaskets aren't a problem - fix it if it happens for a few hundred £ and treat it right (warm up, cool down properly). K series is actually a classic engine imo.
the 1.6 is a fine car for momentum drivers. The S is a lot of power for the public road if you like driving a car at 9/10s+.
1.6 really benefits from a TRD airbox and sports exhaust (dealer fitted as Power Pack), more lively noise, more responsive and maybe few more ponies.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
The VX220 Turbo looks nice, aside from the missing sill panel in the photo (or might be the light) - plus has the added benefit of being able to pop to Courtenay Sport and grab the Stage 3 Klassen map in the future should you 'need' more power for minimal outlay.
The Elises are ok, but look a bit ropey.
This is just down the road from me, probably a bit of flex and haggling on the price to bring it closer to what your suggested budget may be:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Alternatively an S1:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
The Elises are ok, but look a bit ropey.
This is just down the road from me, probably a bit of flex and haggling on the price to bring it closer to what your suggested budget may be:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Alternatively an S1:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
ColinMacC said:
I went to see the blue s1 yeaterday. It is stunning. Seats and sill padding need refurbished. Do you think its a good investestnent?
The Blue S1 is owned by a friend of mine and is a very genuine and mecahnically good car. Rob the owner knows Elise's inside and out (you will have seen he owns two himself) and knows that Blue S1 inside and out and has made sure it is mechanically sound before selling.Sill pads can be bought cheap enough from ebay and a seat retrim is par for the course on most Elise's as it usually wears every few years. With the way the S1 market is going I'd say it's a good investment with the miles and condition of the car and you get a good S1 to enjoy in the meantime
Hope that helps.
smiles1 said:
The Blue S1 is owned by a friend of mine and is a very genuine and mecahnically good car. Rob the owner knows Elise's inside and out (you will have seen he owns two himself) and knows that Blue S1 inside and out and has made sure it is mechanically sound before selling.
Sill pads can be bought cheap enough from ebay and a seat retrim is par for the course on most Elise's as it usually wears every few years. With the way the S1 market is going I'd say it's a good investment with the miles and condition of the car and you get a good S1 to enjoy in the meantime
Hope that helps.
That's a lot of help. I loved the car,. To be honest, it exceeded my expectations. It's at the top end of my budget, and I was hoping to find an excuse to negotiate downwards, but I'm going to try to do a deal on itSill pads can be bought cheap enough from ebay and a seat retrim is par for the course on most Elise's as it usually wears every few years. With the way the S1 market is going I'd say it's a good investment with the miles and condition of the car and you get a good S1 to enjoy in the meantime
Hope that helps.
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