from 911 to elise ?

[911newbie]

I'm sure this has been done before so please feel free to point me in the direction of previous posts etc.

OK... it looks like I may be becoming a father some time in the new year (touch wood). With only one salary for a while I may have to reduce the repayments on the car loan and buy something less expensive than the 911.
I'm v happy with it but I'm contemplating what I might be looking for in the £15k region.
Obvious choices are elise or chimeara (sp ?). Nothing japanese with a turbo.

So anyone have any comments on the practicalities of living with an elise as a daily transport and weekend toy ?
Can I get a cricket bag in there ?
What's driving like vs 911(993) C2 ?
Reliability ? Servicing etc ?
S1 versus S2 ? (whispers.. vs VX220)

Any help much appreciated
Chris

[CVP]

911newbie said:

So anyone have any comments on the practicalities of living with an elise as a daily transport and weekend toy ? Can I get a cricket bag in there ? What's driving like vs 911(993) C2 ? Reliability ? Servicing etc ? S1 versus S2 ? (whispers.. vs VX220) Any help much appreciated Chris

Chris

My 2p worth on your questions
1. Cricket bag - should be ok, S2 boot a bit bigger than S1. Better to have a squashy bag than a more hard case type of one. If necessary your bat may have to live in the passenger area. On a positive note it should help to quickly save any road rage incidents as you casually lean across for your bat

2. Driving v's 911
I've only driven a 964 so don't know what a 993 is like but I would expect the following
a) no big rumble from the back (sports exhaust can compensate somewhat but it will never rumble like the 911
b) driving position will be better, not as offset on the legs
c) driving position will feel more "race car" like you are a lot more reclined than the 911
d) still bloody quick up to 80 or so above this the 911 will simply walk away unless you get a 111s or something that's had surgery
e) mainly get admiring glances not people thinking you're just a flash git
f) driving gives a huge grin every time
g) think go cart and you're close

3. Reliability - mine's been good as gold so far. Head gasket issue in some S1's. many ideas as to what causes it and how to solve it but basically it's a lottery. S2 has solved this issue and head gasket failure is very rare in S2's. Servicing will be a lot cheaper than the 911. Some very good independents around - depends where you are. Plently of advice will be available

4. S1 v's S2 or VX220
Big can or worms opened here - all individual choice. I got an S2 as I prefer the design but you pays your money and takes oyur choice. At £15k you may not yet get an S2, but you should geta great S1 or a very good VX220 (non turbo).

Overall I'm so glad I went and bought one. It will feel a bit more "fragile" than the 911 but that's just because it's a very light fibreglass car rather than a lightish steel one. It will be more compromised than the 911 but if you have something sensible for the forthcoming family I don't see any reason why you can't run an Elise as a daily driver / Sunday toy. if it's going to be an everyday car I would push the boat out a bit and get an S2 Sports Tourer. It's plently quick enough for most occasions and getting the S2 roof on and off is an easy 2 minute exercise, the S1 roof is a little more complex.

Thoroughly recommended

Chris

[Bonce]

911newbie said:

OK... it looks like I may be becoming a father some time in the new year (touch wood).

Well, that's the right way to start!


(Sorry, I couldn't resist the obvious nob gag. But at least I waited until someone had posted a serious response!)