Buying a New Elise

[John Burton]

Hi all

i am new to this board and to Elises. I currently own a Boxster s and am looking to replace it with a more focussed car for weekend use and the odd track day (don't know how nuch track use yet.)

i need advice on which car is right for me. I have see at a dealer a 135R with sports exhaust (their demonstrator) and a 111S. I like the idea that the 135R is designed for track and road use but am a little worried that it may be too extreme for road use.

Also the 11s has more bhp.

What do you all think about both cars? I will be driving them both though the 135R only has about 800 miles on the clock so the dealer will lot let me take it over 3k revs (good sign I guess!)

As for price how open are dealers to giving discounts etc. The 135R is up for £27.5K Ie list but has the sports exhaust. Is this a little steep.

Sorry for the ramblings ant thanks in advance for any help.

Regards
John

[onedsla]

Really tough decision between the 2 - I have a 111S (bought it in Jan) and have loved it ever since, especially with the nice weather.

I've knocked the numberplate off on a multistory carpark and another time on a track leading to a friend's new house - I'd be concerned that that would be the front bumper of the 135R.

I wouldn't be concerned with the power deficit of the 135 - although it's 25ish bph under, I've heard it delivers it's power in a smoother manner and in all but the longest straights will more or less keep up with the 111. Then you hit the corners (or on a race track) and the limits are lots higher, so realistically it's the quicker of the 2.

However, as a Boxter owner (I used to have 406 coupe with every possible extra) I think you'd be a bit annoyed missing out on central locking (the one thing I really miss) which is now standard on the 111S but not the 135.

[onedsla]

Oh - and as for the deals, push for a free hard top (I got one). I think the 135R with miles on the clock is overpriced, but I'd be very interested in what other people think, as I'm currently convining a mate to buy an elise!!

[John Burton]

Thanks for the reply. I have a steep drive so am also worried as to grounding etc. As for going from a boxster and being worried about central locking etc I am switching because I want a rawer experience. The boxster is an everyday car but the elise will be a weekend car so I am not concerned about creature comforts.

Regards
john

[DanH]

Well the 135 is going to own a 111S on tracks with corners. The grip it can muster is amazing.

Of course there is always the sport 190

Interestingly, the foreign market get a Elise R which has the 111 engine along with the 135 wheels+dampers.

The 135 is ride height adjustable if you are worried about drive clearance. Not sure how easy it is though.

The 135 might be a bit of a handful in the wet with those tyres. Definitely advise caution on wet roads, Elises are very hard to catch when they start to spin/slide.

Depending on how much you want to spend, you can always uprate the engine on the 135 if you want more pace. You may not think it worthwhile though - dunno. You can chuck endless amounts at Elise upgrades, and many do...

If you really want a focussed weekend car, and you are mostly going to pick sunny days, the 135 would be my choice.

Discount wise, I think from some peoples comments that you may get more like if you order the blue as its apparently less popular. Dunno though.

Go join www.seloc.org, as there was discuss of 135R discounts/finance on the 'discounts' board.

One thing to note on the 135 is that they've had some taste failures on the interior, with blue alcantara on the instrument cowling - evil... also they have put alcantara on the steering wheel binacle, and that wears away nastily when you put the key in and out. I'd consider other options for those bits perhaps.

Of course you could order a 111S and put on the 135 wheels/dampers. They cost 3.5k as a standalone, but maybe they could do you a deal if you don't buy the original parts. Worth an ask... (Also last year that 3.5k package was on special for 2.7k or so so there is definitely room for movement on it).

Frankly the 111S won't be noticeably faster than the 135. You'll need 190bhp + to really notice a difference. Wilsons lotus essex, have an ex demo sport 190 for sale at the moment. Dunno the price though. That will be extremely track focussed. Think it may even have remote resevoir suspension - possibly a step to far unless you are extremely hardcore (I think they need re-valving every couple of years!).

[John Burton]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I have emailed lotus re ride height adjustment on the 135 so will see what they say. I suspect the "discounts" will come in the form of a better trabe in price for the boxster.