Discussion
What makes you think there's a new 111s? You mean S3? If they do add electric windows etc, AND manage to get the weight lower, I can only imagine this is going to cost even more. Also, I think given Lotus's experience with electronics etc, manual windows are the safest option to go with.
i know what you mean with electronics, i have a very early S2 and just about everything has been replaced, including the simple window mechanism.
But, I was at my local dealer looking to buy a new 111s, and was told to wait until after the first of june 2003, when the new spec 111s will be released.
Same body shape,
electric windows,
remote central locking,
multi changer cd in the boot,
the washer bottle is now in the boot
all new colours, and most of the old colours have now been scraped
better sound proofing
better carpets
and all lighter than the current 111s!
may be these changes are being added of the back of the US elise
But, I was at my local dealer looking to buy a new 111s, and was told to wait until after the first of june 2003, when the new spec 111s will be released.
Same body shape,
electric windows,
remote central locking,
multi changer cd in the boot,
the washer bottle is now in the boot
all new colours, and most of the old colours have now been scraped
better sound proofing
better carpets
and all lighter than the current 111s!
may be these changes are being added of the back of the US elise
Wow, interesting stuff. I wonder how they'll get the weight down. It seems to me that these revisions are being done because the 111s is a bit of a flop. Apart from the engine and wheels, the rest of it is all hype. These make it much more of a luxury item to compete with the Boxster I assume, especially as you say, in the US.
Still, for purists, these are pointless additions to the car unless it's being used as a daily long distance commuter. Especially with the advent of MP3, the disc changer is a waste of space. I can just see the electric windows frying in heat and freezing solid in winter. The carpet complaint comes from the fact that they fall apart very quickly.
Seems to me like the best thing about the new 111s is the washer bottle in the boot! Any price increase?
Still, for purists, these are pointless additions to the car unless it's being used as a daily long distance commuter. Especially with the advent of MP3, the disc changer is a waste of space. I can just see the electric windows frying in heat and freezing solid in winter. The carpet complaint comes from the fact that they fall apart very quickly.
Seems to me like the best thing about the new 111s is the washer bottle in the boot! Any price increase?
AnthT said: the washer bottle is now in the boot
Hmm.. You'd have to run a looong hose to the front with all the risks it involves (kinking or other methods of squeezing it shut).
Only reason I can imagine for even thinking of this would be if the new model will have something in the front compartiment that requires a lot more space and forces the move of the washer bottle.
Wasn't ABS going to be mandatory on all cars in the EU in 2004/5 or so? Perhaps the remaining space in the front compartiment is going to be used for that..
Bye, Arno.
Hi,
So I guess I'm not alone after all!
I've just spent last week talking to 4 UK dealers about ordering a new 111S. Then one of them let slip that there was a new trim on cars ordered from this week. So I spent a couple of hours playing one dealer off against another and this is what I know:
* The cars will be rebadged as the Elise or the Elise S (the S being the Sports Tourer spec).
* There will be a standard and a 111 model.
* Standard spec will now include electric windows, central locking and sun visors.
What I don't know is whether I should buy a car with the old spec - and the dealers are now offering quite attractive discounts - or whether I should order the new spec car and wait 8 - 12 weeks and miss out on all of that good weather.
If anyone hears anymore please post
So I guess I'm not alone after all!
I've just spent last week talking to 4 UK dealers about ordering a new 111S. Then one of them let slip that there was a new trim on cars ordered from this week. So I spent a couple of hours playing one dealer off against another and this is what I know:
* The cars will be rebadged as the Elise or the Elise S (the S being the Sports Tourer spec).
* There will be a standard and a 111 model.
* Standard spec will now include electric windows, central locking and sun visors.
What I don't know is whether I should buy a car with the old spec - and the dealers are now offering quite attractive discounts - or whether I should order the new spec car and wait 8 - 12 weeks and miss out on all of that good weather.
If anyone hears anymore please post
Tad said: Hi,
So I guess I'm not alone after all!
I've just spent last week talking to 4 UK dealers about ordering a new 111S. Then one of them let slip that there was a new trim on cars ordered from this week. So I spent a couple of hours playing one dealer off against another and this is what I know:
* The cars will be rebadged as the Elise or the Elise S (the S being the Sports Tourer spec).
* There will be a standard and a 111 model.
* Standard spec will now include electric windows, central locking and sun visors.
What I don't know is whether I should buy a car with the old spec - and the dealers are now offering quite attractive discounts - or whether I should order the new spec car and wait 8 - 12 weeks and miss out on all of that good weather.
If anyone hears anymore please post
Having seen the photos on another thread here I'd get the older car as the changes look like rubbish bolt ons to me...
Well I'd get the new version. No harm in central locking and leccy windows in my opinion.
I've heard mixed reports about whether there is a weight increase or decrease though. Still you'd be mad to take an old style one now unless its discounted to take into account the inevitably worse residuals for one a month newer with the new bits.
alunr said: Hmmm. I think the purists are going to start getting more particular about the cars they get - the 2.5 elise maybe a better car in terms of standard options but it all looks like so much of an afterthought that it looks tacky to me.
i have to agree, after seeing the pictures on the other thread. the badge on the back is total sh**
AnthT said:
alunr said: Hmmm. I think the purists are going to start getting more particular about the cars they get - the 2.5 elise maybe a better car in terms of standard options but it all looks like so much of an afterthought that it looks tacky to me.
i have to agree, after seeing the pictures on the other thread. the badge on the back is total sh**
I was talking more of the nasty looking new seats, electric windows (just a button over a cover to hide the hole the old winder went through!) and the plainly pointless sun visors!
I've been thinking of getting an S2 111s,but have been holding off till the next round of changes have been done. I agree that the pics of the Canary Wharf car look totally chronic. The Lotus lettering across the back was one of the coolest elements of the whole look! I just can't beleive that they're ditching it. Also those seats look like they cost about £10.00 from a car boot sale,just terrible. It seems to me that Lotus are more interested in increasing their profit margins than in improving the quality of fit and finish that the Elise needs to compete with Boxters etc.
I've seen the 135R in Mica Silver in the flesh, and that looks a million dollars. The colour-coded vents look much classier and more expensive than that matt black plastic, especially on the side vents. I was hoping that this would be applied to all the new cars, but the pics from Canary Wharf were a really bad disappointment. I f this is how the new ones will all look, then I'd rather have a 135R, and get the suspension adjusted for normal road use.
I've seen the 135R in Mica Silver in the flesh, and that looks a million dollars. The colour-coded vents look much classier and more expensive than that matt black plastic, especially on the side vents. I was hoping that this would be applied to all the new cars, but the pics from Canary Wharf were a really bad disappointment. I f this is how the new ones will all look, then I'd rather have a 135R, and get the suspension adjusted for normal road use.
I went to the Motor Expo on Thursday. I have to be honest; the new stuff does actually look okay when you see it in the flesh. The seats don't look cheap and the electric window buttons look absolutely fine (not like a tacky bolt-on).
Apparently, there are a new range of "lifestyle colours" of which the one they had at the exhibition wasn't a great example. Some of the old colours have been ditched (not black or cobalt blue). The new colour I'd really like to see is titanium which i'm assuming will be like the mk1 in which case it will be ace (cross between gunmetal and quartz).
I've said it before, but the one thing that I really don't like is the badge on the back - it looks like it's missing something. - very bad indeed. Reason for change as suspected: too labour intensive to do the lettering.
See the photos I took here
On a side note, the star of the show, was for me, the Vauxhall VX lightning. I genuinely believe Vauxhall will be able to turn their image around within the next 3 years. With Lotus responsible for the ride & handling, it's got to be a winner. If you could get them now, i'd have one dispite the fact it's a Vauxhall.
Apparently, there are a new range of "lifestyle colours" of which the one they had at the exhibition wasn't a great example. Some of the old colours have been ditched (not black or cobalt blue). The new colour I'd really like to see is titanium which i'm assuming will be like the mk1 in which case it will be ace (cross between gunmetal and quartz).
I've said it before, but the one thing that I really don't like is the badge on the back - it looks like it's missing something. - very bad indeed. Reason for change as suspected: too labour intensive to do the lettering.
See the photos I took here
On a side note, the star of the show, was for me, the Vauxhall VX lightning. I genuinely believe Vauxhall will be able to turn their image around within the next 3 years. With Lotus responsible for the ride & handling, it's got to be a winner. If you could get them now, i'd have one dispite the fact it's a Vauxhall.
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