Discussion
A question like that has the potential to cause arguments!
It is more than tyres (or was that tongue in cheek?).
Do you have a preferance on looks? I am slightly biased of course, but I prefer the looks of the S1. Too much plastic grills in the S2, and not keen on the interior.
Those who favour the S1, say it's rawness is a plus point. The S2 club will say that it's 'refinement over the S1' is the S2's plus point.
I think the objective of the S2 was fix things wrong with the S1 and make it appeal to a wider audience. Hence things like cup holders, more speakers, 'soft' trim, wider seats, easier roof, less leaks, etc. Supposedly the S2 is easier to drive on the limit.
Rumour has it that with an average driver a standard S2 will be quicker round a circuit than a standard S1, because of the improvments in the handling department.
I think you will only really be able to make the decision by taking both for a hoon.
If I had the choice (and money) I would go for another S1. A late standard model and hopefully have money left to cast some magic on the engine and other upgrades.
No doubt you will enjoy whatever you go for.
It is more than tyres (or was that tongue in cheek?).
Do you have a preferance on looks? I am slightly biased of course, but I prefer the looks of the S1. Too much plastic grills in the S2, and not keen on the interior.
Those who favour the S1, say it's rawness is a plus point. The S2 club will say that it's 'refinement over the S1' is the S2's plus point.
I think the objective of the S2 was fix things wrong with the S1 and make it appeal to a wider audience. Hence things like cup holders, more speakers, 'soft' trim, wider seats, easier roof, less leaks, etc. Supposedly the S2 is easier to drive on the limit.
Rumour has it that with an average driver a standard S2 will be quicker round a circuit than a standard S1, because of the improvments in the handling department.
I think you will only really be able to make the decision by taking both for a hoon.
If I had the choice (and money) I would go for another S1. A late standard model and hopefully have money left to cast some magic on the engine and other upgrades.
No doubt you will enjoy whatever you go for.
s2 is better screwed together has marginally better handling - feels a bit less like a kit car
s1 - looks nicer - has a rawer feel to it and is more of a racer feel - ie stripped out inside
also - s1 doesn't have so much engine management gubbins like Mil sensors etc so easier to tune, de cat etc
hth
s1 - looks nicer - has a rawer feel to it and is more of a racer feel - ie stripped out inside
also - s1 doesn't have so much engine management gubbins like Mil sensors etc so easier to tune, de cat etc
hth
The S1 has a raw ,hardcore image and is more simple ,basic and back to basics = FUN
The S2 has the edge because of its perfection from its poise and handling to its interior and comfort its perfect. It has lost some of that raw image and coolnes that the S1 had but it makes up for it when you drive it.
The S2 has the edge because of its perfection from its poise and handling to its interior and comfort its perfect. It has lost some of that raw image and coolnes that the S1 had but it makes up for it when you drive it.
Not mentioned but very relevent are issues like parts.
I did hear that a head lamp assembly is £500 for an S2, with a wait for delivery, whereas the S1 is £36 and availiable everywhere. It goes on and on.
Then you get to tuning and the S1 is better served.
Oh, and the S2 is ugly, and how could you forgive the front pram wheels? And you have to undo a dozen bolts to get at the washer bottle (which is very small so you have to do this a couple of times a week in the winter) which is a bit dim, and the doors ar'nt as nice.....
Catch my drift?
Actually, catching drifts in an S2 is probably easier.
I did hear that a head lamp assembly is £500 for an S2, with a wait for delivery, whereas the S1 is £36 and availiable everywhere. It goes on and on.
Then you get to tuning and the S1 is better served.
Oh, and the S2 is ugly, and how could you forgive the front pram wheels? And you have to undo a dozen bolts to get at the washer bottle (which is very small so you have to do this a couple of times a week in the winter) which is a bit dim, and the doors ar'nt as nice.....
Catch my drift?
Actually, catching drifts in an S2 is probably easier.
As you're in the South East - we've got both Mk1 and Mk2 "tyres" - come along and kick 'em both!
www.adrianblyth.co.uk
Apprentice
www.adrianblyth.co.uk
Apprentice
[quote
And you have to undo a dozen bolts to get at the washer bottle (which is very small so you have to do this a couple of times a week in the winter) which is a bit dim, and the doors ar'nt as nice.....
quote]
A dozen bolts?, only three small M5 button head screws, removed with the allan key provided. Any one who can't do that must be a handless git! Washer bottle capacity is not a problem.
Doors are not as nice??????????
J
And you have to undo a dozen bolts to get at the washer bottle (which is very small so you have to do this a couple of times a week in the winter) which is a bit dim, and the doors ar'nt as nice.....
quote]
A dozen bolts?, only three small M5 button head screws, removed with the allan key provided. Any one who can't do that must be a handless git! Washer bottle capacity is not a problem.
Doors are not as nice??????????
J
I know people with S2's who do, unlike all here it seems, bitch and whine about the washer bottle access. The filling problem comes up especially i the winter when even a short journey on foul salt sloshed roads means plenty of use of wipers and washers.
Filling not a problem on the S1 of course as better product design applied.
How much more effort would it have taken for Lotus to have specified a hindged bonnet, or an external filler cap (like an Audi A2), or filling point in the door closure area, or anything but that fag of a job.
A £25,000 car that needs spanner action for essential maintanence? Errr... Is it still 1940?
Re. the doors. That black plastic cheepo thing on the interior to act as a door pull , rain collector, eye sore is dire. Thats all. Was there anything really that wrong with the hidden door grab of the S1?
Can't really imagine seeing something like that of the S2 on a Porche, a Ferrari, or for that matter a Hyundai.
Still, each to there own.
Filling not a problem on the S1 of course as better product design applied.
How much more effort would it have taken for Lotus to have specified a hindged bonnet, or an external filler cap (like an Audi A2), or filling point in the door closure area, or anything but that fag of a job.
A £25,000 car that needs spanner action for essential maintanence? Errr... Is it still 1940?
Re. the doors. That black plastic cheepo thing on the interior to act as a door pull , rain collector, eye sore is dire. Thats all. Was there anything really that wrong with the hidden door grab of the S1?
Can't really imagine seeing something like that of the S2 on a Porche, a Ferrari, or for that matter a Hyundai.
Still, each to there own.
There are plenty of aftermarket bits already out there and on the way to replace bonnet bolts, plastic bits etc. for the S2 but... I would go for an S1 any day, every time I see mine or another on the road it just blows my mind! It wins hands down on looks.
1998 cars (like mine) seem to be better than early cars with teething problems and better than later cars with problems due to Lotus starting to save money by using cheaper components.
Stu #2745 Feb98
1998 cars (like mine) seem to be better than early cars with teething problems and better than later cars with problems due to Lotus starting to save money by using cheaper components.
Stu #2745 Feb98
Personally I like styling aspects of the S1 (side view is fantastic) and the S2 (rear view beats the S1 IMHO) but if I had to buy a new car now it's be an S1 . . . 1/2 the price, 98% the handling, same engine . . . perhaps an S160, waw one today, 3000 miles, W reg, immaculate . . . well, compared to my W reg which is starting to look tired . . .
Also agree on the comments re. S1 build quality . . . done 38Kmiles in mine in 2 years, all hard driving (no tedious commuting), just had my first failure, bloody heater matrix (not happy but what can one do ?), only 70 quid to fix DIY though so not the end of the world (I'm sure a porker wouldn't suffer the same, but then it doesn;t drive the same either !!)
For value for money, S1, for modern looks S2, but at double the price . . .
Fd
Also agree on the comments re. S1 build quality . . . done 38Kmiles in mine in 2 years, all hard driving (no tedious commuting), just had my first failure, bloody heater matrix (not happy but what can one do ?), only 70 quid to fix DIY though so not the end of the world (I'm sure a porker wouldn't suffer the same, but then it doesn;t drive the same either !!)
For value for money, S1, for modern looks S2, but at double the price . . .
Fd
Interesting points guys. I love the S1 looks a lot more too, it's so cute and classic. The new design is certainly eye catching / striking, but not as sexy.
If I were to get a lotus it would have to be the new S2 190 though, for sheer ability.
Is it possible for lotus to instal the latest 190 engine in an S1, with the latest far superior management that's on the S2 190?....
If so, then this would be the ultimate IMO.
If I were to get a lotus it would have to be the new S2 190 though, for sheer ability.
Is it possible for lotus to instal the latest 190 engine in an S1, with the latest far superior management that's on the S2 190?....
If so, then this would be the ultimate IMO.
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