Elise S1 or S2
Discussion
Series 2 has cut down sills on the chassis that make access easier, and is available with Toyota engines as well as the early Rover K-series cars (whereas all Series 1's were K-series as standard).
The S2 got progressively heavier (particularly from the introduction of the Toyota engines).
The S1 had slightly snappy on-the-limit handling. Lotus had originally envisaged that it would sell to the sort of beardy enthusiasts who would hillclimb it on a weekend; when it started selling in large numbers to IT geeks trading up from FWD hot hatchbacks, they tamed the handling on the S2 by (mainly) fitting narrower front tyres, but the downside was that it became a bit understeery.
The S1 has a lousy geachange as standard; it can be easily improved using a bushes and quickshift kit, but the Toyota models still have a better gearchange overall.
Prices on S1's will probably harden first, as you are finding, because they're the 'original' and purest model, but truth be told the Toyota S2's are probably the best cars for road use, for most peoples' purposes.
The S2 got progressively heavier (particularly from the introduction of the Toyota engines).
The S1 had slightly snappy on-the-limit handling. Lotus had originally envisaged that it would sell to the sort of beardy enthusiasts who would hillclimb it on a weekend; when it started selling in large numbers to IT geeks trading up from FWD hot hatchbacks, they tamed the handling on the S2 by (mainly) fitting narrower front tyres, but the downside was that it became a bit understeery.
The S1 has a lousy geachange as standard; it can be easily improved using a bushes and quickshift kit, but the Toyota models still have a better gearchange overall.
Prices on S1's will probably harden first, as you are finding, because they're the 'original' and purest model, but truth be told the Toyota S2's are probably the best cars for road use, for most peoples' purposes.
Edited by Equus on Tuesday 8th March 19:14
Equus has highlighted the main differences. Many seem to favour the S1 for its purity and lightweight but I didn't notice a huge amount of difference between S1 and S2 - admittedly mine was an S2 111S so one of the lighter models.
If its to be used everyday the S2 was a bit more resolved with the sills and also the roof (the short tail - a few early S2's had the tent like long tail too).
If its to be used everyday the S2 was a bit more resolved with the sills and also the roof (the short tail - a few early S2's had the tent like long tail too).
If you've been offered a genuine 135 Sport, they're a bit of a holy grail as you probably know. A friend of mine has one and they are lovely, the close ratio gearbox really brings them to life.
I switched my Evora for any early S2 111S last year and it's great fun. The main attraction was I just preferred the looks of the S2, I think the S3 was a backward step styling wise and the S1 a bit too 'quirky'
I am also a big fan of the characterful K, a much maligned unit in my opinion
I switched my Evora for any early S2 111S last year and it's great fun. The main attraction was I just preferred the looks of the S2, I think the S3 was a backward step styling wise and the S1 a bit too 'quirky'
I am also a big fan of the characterful K, a much maligned unit in my opinion
Edited by Lotobear on Friday 11th March 10:56
I had an 08 plate Toyota powered S2 Elise S for 4 years and loved it. Superb steering feel and handling and plenty powerful enough, I only sold it cos I’m an old git with arthritis and struggled to get out (I was ok falling in) I liked the sweeping body style and a few other refinements more than the S1. The S1 is still a great car, we have several members in our local Lotus club who’ve owned their S1 models from new and will never sell them.
I’ve owned Lotus cars since 1975 and they’ve all been fantastic in various ways but I’d say the Elise was the best for easy maintenance and just jumping in for long or short stress free journeys. (as much as I still love my M100 Elan after 23 years)
I’ve owned Lotus cars since 1975 and they’ve all been fantastic in various ways but I’d say the Elise was the best for easy maintenance and just jumping in for long or short stress free journeys. (as much as I still love my M100 Elan after 23 years)
I can't personally comment on the S1 as I had a new S2 in 02 but from friends who had both, the difference other than the comments made before is the roof...the S2 design is easy enough to put on/off without too much hassle (you can almost take it off at a set of traffic lights as long as you don't have a passenger). The S1 is clearly more collectable given it was the "first" and for some is the more pure version.
One thing to keep in mind is that the similarities between all the variants are greater than the differences. Over time they’ve got heavier and more powerful and less unrefined but they’re still more alike than they are different. You can tweak the geometry of an S2 to dial out the understeer (or learn to drive around it) and you can also fit wider front wheels, which also makes it easier to find proper tyres.
otolith said:
One thing to keep in mind is that the similarities between all the variants are greater than the differences. Over time they’ve got heavier and more powerful and less unrefined but they’re still more alike than they are different.
A better way of saying what I intended earlier in this thread. Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff