Newbie here..looking at an S2 as a daily driver
Discussion
I've been a regular watcher of the classifieds and just discovered this forum after looking for an active Lotus forum that wasn't US based. I've an MX5 at the moment and it just doesn't have that 'spark'. Having been a Lotus fan for as long as I can remember, and living in the same county as Lotus I'm at that mid life crisis point when the kids have left home and I can be a bit more frivolous! Having been on a Lotus corporate day during the summer this has strengthened my desire for something with a little more bite. I'm in the middle of the 'Elise versus VX220' debate at the moment but wanted some opinions from owners who use their S2s as their daily drive. I found the 'guitar in an Elise' thread useful as I have to transport an acoustic in a hard case about occasionally. My commute to work is about 20 miles round trip on country roads. I garage the car at night so the question is can I get in and out ok in a single garage without taking the roof off? How far do the doors need to be open to get out (slimmish build)? Anyone local to Norwich who would be willing to show me round their car? I shall shortly be going along to my local Lotus dealer for a test drive but my budget doesn't stretch to the newer Toyota engined cars. Is the driving experience any different to the K series? I'm also a bit concerned about the dreaded HGF. Coming from an MG environment ( I have a 1971 Midget) I am well aware of the MGF/TF weakness in this area.
I'll probably be posting some more questions so won't waffle on any more.
Steve
I'll probably be posting some more questions so won't waffle on any more.
Steve
fretman314 said:
I've been a regular watcher of the classifieds and just discovered this forum after looking for an active Lotus forum that wasn't US based. I've an MX5 at the moment and it just doesn't have that 'spark'. Having been a Lotus fan for as long as I can remember, and living in the same county as Lotus I'm at that mid life crisis point when the kids have left home and I can be a bit more frivolous! Having been on a Lotus corporate day during the summer this has strengthened my desire for something with a little more bite. I'm in the middle of the 'Elise versus VX220' debate at the moment but wanted some opinions from owners who use their S2s as their daily drive. I found the 'guitar in an Elise' thread useful as I have to transport an acoustic in a hard case about occasionally. My commute to work is about 20 miles round trip on country roads. I garage the car at night so the question is can I get in and out ok in a single garage without taking the roof off? How far do the doors need to be open to get out (slimmish build)? Anyone local to Norwich who would be willing to show me round their car? I shall shortly be going along to my local Lotus dealer for a test drive but my budget doesn't stretch to the newer Toyota engined cars. Is the driving experience any different to the K series? I'm also a bit concerned about the dreaded HGF. Coming from an MG environment ( I have a 1971 Midget) I am well aware of the MGF/TF weakness in this area.
I'll probably be posting some more questions so won't waffle on any more.
Steve
Hello Steve,I'll probably be posting some more questions so won't waffle on any more.
Steve
Many people use their S2s as daily drivers without problems,just be aware that its a little more 'basic' than most other cars.
I have no problem at all getting out of my car in the garage,i just keep it over to the left and have carpet glued to the right hand wall to rest the door against,piece of pee
Whats your budget? <£15k or >£15k?
Dont worry about HGF,worst case is(someone correct me if im wrong)but you'll be looking at £500-£800 to fix(just get an AA warranty which should cover most of that
).Worth looking here www.seloc.org for a busier,rowdier forum
I've set a budget of £12,500 and am looking for a sub 40000 miler about 2003. I think thats possible after looking at the classifieds.
I'm aware of the more 'basic' nature of the Elise. I used to run a '66 Midget as a daily driver and carpets were a luxury.
I must admit to being a little daunted at judging a 'good' Elise. I know what to look for in a Eurobox but not something of a more thoroughbred nature.
I'm aware of the more 'basic' nature of the Elise. I used to run a '66 Midget as a daily driver and carpets were a luxury.
I must admit to being a little daunted at judging a 'good' Elise. I know what to look for in a Eurobox but not something of a more thoroughbred nature.
Edited by fretman314 on Wednesday 11th November 18:29
The Bandit said:
Worth looking here www.seloc.org for a busier,rowdier forum
rowdier.. LOLOLOLOLOL thats one way to put it...Series 2 Elise or VX220 really at the end of the day are the same car bar engine & gearbox but the Lotus commands a badge premium. For S2 money you can have a mint 2.2 n/a VX220 or an older turbo both are less revvy more torquey and more powerful than their counterpart if you think S to 2.2, R to Turbo - edit I notice your £12K budget so turbo or a load of spare cash in the bank or a supercharged bolted on the 2.2. So depends on what type of engine you personnally prefer i'm sure each could have a good group of people argue each is best.
As for living with every day, yes either would be fine. I do a 40 mile a day round trip that 90% b road then a bit of city crawl. I got a hardtop for the winter and it does make the car feel more snug and drier. I leave my car outside exposed to the elements on the drive and its fine. In the wet muddy bendy and at somepoints very fast b road commute its faultless - I find it a more planted feeling car than the MX5 in the wet and actually less demanding when simply travelling a to b in poor conditions - when on track pushing it is where you notice the extra agility of the Lotus/ Vauxhall and the more demanding on-the-edge nature. I've taken to leaving a big bag of silica gell on the dash at night as it does mist on the inside of the screen in the early morning, thats about the worse thing about the car but its not bad .
As for living with every day, yes either would be fine. I do a 40 mile a day round trip that 90% b road then a bit of city crawl. I got a hardtop for the winter and it does make the car feel more snug and drier. I leave my car outside exposed to the elements on the drive and its fine. In the wet muddy bendy and at somepoints very fast b road commute its faultless - I find it a more planted feeling car than the MX5 in the wet and actually less demanding when simply travelling a to b in poor conditions - when on track pushing it is where you notice the extra agility of the Lotus/ Vauxhall and the more demanding on-the-edge nature. I've taken to leaving a big bag of silica gell on the dash at night as it does mist on the inside of the screen in the early morning, thats about the worse thing about the car but its not bad
.Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 11th November 19:25
Gday Steve
I have a 2006 111R that I use as my main drive, garaged at night and have nah problems getting out with the roof on. If you fancy a tour let me know as live in Norwich area. I have one word to say BUY BUY BUY! this is my second elise first being a K series. Nothing come close Nothing!
I have a 2006 111R that I use as my main drive, garaged at night and have nah problems getting out with the roof on. If you fancy a tour let me know as live in Norwich area. I have one word to say BUY BUY BUY! this is my second elise first being a K series. Nothing come close Nothing!
Thanks for the replies guys.
Herman. Sounds like it's a reasonably practical proposition then. I would go for the N/A VX as I believe it delivers it's power a bit more smoothly than the turbo. The turbo is quick though!!!
Slinkie, thanks very much for the offer. I can't email you direct yet..hopefully tonight. I live in Brundall. I also need to confirm that an Elise goes over the end of my drive as it has a slope on it. My neighbours brother has an Exige and I believe that gets in and out ok. (but my daughters Pug 106 bottoms out when 4 up !). I'll PM you later.
Herman. Sounds like it's a reasonably practical proposition then. I would go for the N/A VX as I believe it delivers it's power a bit more smoothly than the turbo. The turbo is quick though!!!
Slinkie, thanks very much for the offer. I can't email you direct yet..hopefully tonight. I live in Brundall. I also need to confirm that an Elise goes over the end of my drive as it has a slope on it. My neighbours brother has an Exige and I believe that gets in and out ok. (but my daughters Pug 106 bottoms out when 4 up !). I'll PM you later.
Having previously owned a number of MX-5s, I decided to try a mildly uprated S2 Elise as a daily driver. The MX5 was a better thought-out design but also softer and slower than the Elise. At lower speeds I have to say the MX5 could be just as much fun, maybe more; although the Elise comes into its own on track.
Overall, it's difficult to compare the two - they don't have much in common. The Elise always looked and felt more special and was dynamically the better car but it was clear they'd developed it on a shoestring. The MX-5 benefits from a huge development budget (very reliable, carefully thought out design) and is more exploitable at lower speeds. Both very good cars but for different reasons.
In terms of my experiences with the Elise, it was a mixed bag. You can use an Elise every day; whether you should depends on the sort of person you are. If you only use an Elise occasionally, you may be willing to overlook some of the shortcomings - you need to ask yourself if that would be the case if it was your only car.
I'm not saying they're all like this but...I ran my S2 as a daily driver and, while it never broke down, the accumulation of small irritations grew to the point where, despite the great drive, I washed my hands of it. A lightweight, simple car is a great idea but there's no excuse for flaws when the technology used is so basic.
The roof leaked, the heater controls jammed, the windows fell out of their runners, the door lock mechanism fell apart, the air vents blew crap into the cabin, the paint began to blister, the lights came on at random, the speedo went haywire, etc, etc. This was a well cared for car with full service history too.
They're fun to drive, and the philosophy of adding lightness is a good one - just be aware that the execution of that philosophy was a bit hit and miss at times.
Overall, it's difficult to compare the two - they don't have much in common. The Elise always looked and felt more special and was dynamically the better car but it was clear they'd developed it on a shoestring. The MX-5 benefits from a huge development budget (very reliable, carefully thought out design) and is more exploitable at lower speeds. Both very good cars but for different reasons.
In terms of my experiences with the Elise, it was a mixed bag. You can use an Elise every day; whether you should depends on the sort of person you are. If you only use an Elise occasionally, you may be willing to overlook some of the shortcomings - you need to ask yourself if that would be the case if it was your only car.
I'm not saying they're all like this but...I ran my S2 as a daily driver and, while it never broke down, the accumulation of small irritations grew to the point where, despite the great drive, I washed my hands of it. A lightweight, simple car is a great idea but there's no excuse for flaws when the technology used is so basic.
The roof leaked, the heater controls jammed, the windows fell out of their runners, the door lock mechanism fell apart, the air vents blew crap into the cabin, the paint began to blister, the lights came on at random, the speedo went haywire, etc, etc. This was a well cared for car with full service history too.
They're fun to drive, and the philosophy of adding lightness is a good one - just be aware that the execution of that philosophy was a bit hit and miss at times.
Edited by Risotto on Thursday 12th November 14:56
Hi risotto, thanks for the assessment. My wife has a Clio so this isn't the only car in the family. I have yet to take a test drive on normal roads. My local dealer has one that meets my spec coming in next week so I will be able to judge better as far as ride/noise/access is concerned. Long term 'living with' opinion is not possible of course but thats what these forums can tell me. Obvioulsy its very subjective. The MX5 is a nice car but needs another 50 bhp to give it better acceleration. Maybe I should be spending my pennies on a SC. I've always hankered after a Lotus and I don't have many more years before I won't be able to get in/out of one.
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