2011 Lotus Elise S3 1.6
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Well I visited Castle Lotus on Saturday and after discussing various Lotus products with Benn I was handed the keys to a brand new Elise S3, Aspen White with Black pack (Wheel's and rear diffuser). My Son Luis-Stewart was with me and all he wanted to do was go to his Grand parent's, this soon changed when we got into the car! It's a totally different, even thou the last of the S2's have the same interior component's it just seemed light years away from the outgoing S2 (My Elise R
), the engine is very quite but that all changes when you push the car, it seems to roar almost as if it has an aftermarket induction kit it's a strong word this but the car is amazing, I can't believe it's the same chassis as it feel's as polished as a Boxter, before anyone says anything about this car I strongly suggest you drive it, obviously the handling is out of this world but it just feel's so much more polished, I have no doubt that this seriously puts an end to any other 2 seater sports car I can't believe it's got a 1.6 litre engine in it
I came back to the dealer ship willing to sign on the line for an Elise S3, I've been thinking about buying an Evora but now I just don't need one as the S3 would make a superb motorway car as well as a track day hack, I'll be looking at an Elise SC as I'd like a little more power however the Elise S really is all the sports car you'll ever need.
Don't even try to argue unless you've driven it as whatever you currently believe you will love this Car
Boggy
Well I visited Castle Lotus on Saturday and after discussing various Lotus products with Benn I was handed the keys to a brand new Elise S3, Aspen White with Black pack (Wheel's and rear diffuser). My Son Luis-Stewart was with me and all he wanted to do was go to his Grand parent's, this soon changed when we got into the car! It's a totally different, even thou the last of the S2's have the same interior component's it just seemed light years away from the outgoing S2 (My Elise R
), the engine is very quite but that all changes when you push the car, it seems to roar almost as if it has an aftermarket induction kit it's a strong word this but the car is amazing, I can't believe it's the same chassis as it feel's as polished as a Boxter, before anyone says anything about this car I strongly suggest you drive it, obviously the handling is out of this world but it just feel's so much more polished, I have no doubt that this seriously puts an end to any other 2 seater sports car I can't believe it's got a 1.6 litre engine in itI came back to the dealer ship willing to sign on the line for an Elise S3, I've been thinking about buying an Evora but now I just don't need one as the S3 would make a superb motorway car as well as a track day hack, I'll be looking at an Elise SC as I'd like a little more power however the Elise S really is all the sports car you'll ever need.
Don't even try to argue unless you've driven it as whatever you currently believe you will love this Car
Boggy
Edited by Boggy on Sunday 9th May 13:25
smele said:
I think it looks good on paper as well, need to get myself down to a dealer and have a look.
What is the price?
Around 28k for the basic Car which does sound expensive I think but this really is all the sports car you’re ever going to need, I'd bargain hard and look to pay no more than 28k with a colour, touring back and Black park includedWhat is the price?
This car will blow your mind, 46 mpg, £125 year tax, and it will keep up with anything through the lanes what a car
Boggy
MG-FIDO said:
That sounds great Boggy, especially nice to hear after a lot of people's luke warm response to the initial pictures. Good to see that the early S3 reviews are as rosey too! 
How do you feel about the looks of the thing having given it a proper going over?
It’s a more modern Elise, How do you feel about the looks of the thing having given it a proper going over?
I'm not one of the bearded brigade and realise that everything need's to change. It's a much fresher faced car I don't reminisce about either the S1 or the S2 move on so to speak they are old design's now.
People didn’t upgrade to the S2 in most cases because they couldn't afford to, I'm not talking about everyone but I hear a lot of people slagging the design of the S3 because in reality they can only just afford an S1/S2
I really like it in the flesh, I would say it looks better in brighter colours thou
Boggy
Edited by Boggy on Monday 10th May 09:20
It does sound good. I went in a new 111R a couple of years ago and it was very solid, with a slick grearchange too. Seemed a real step up in quality compared to mine.
Despite the fact that the one you drove was much more suited to everyday driving the fact remains that most people outside the Lotus world will see it as a 'hardcore' option compared to most other 2 seaters and not even bother to test it.
Despite the fact that the one you drove was much more suited to everyday driving the fact remains that most people outside the Lotus world will see it as a 'hardcore' option compared to most other 2 seaters and not even bother to test it.
Frimley111R said:
It does sound good. I went in a new 111R a couple of years ago and it was very solid, with a slick grearchange too. Seemed a real step up in quality compared to mine.
Despite the fact that the one you drove was much more suited to everyday driving the fact remains that most people outside the Lotus world will see it as a 'hardcore' option compared to most other 2 seaters and not even bother to test it.
Yup, That's the only Issue getting people to test drive it who don't currently own or want a light weight sports car, (Porsche Boxter, Honda S2000, Datsun 350Z or whatever the thing’s called etc)Despite the fact that the one you drove was much more suited to everyday driving the fact remains that most people outside the Lotus world will see it as a 'hardcore' option compared to most other 2 seaters and not even bother to test it.
I really do urge you guys to take a test drive, you’ll be amazed
It's this simple, if they have 28k and test drive they will buy. I really think Lotus should push this car far harder, have an open day at a circuit with 10 or so car's, offer test drives around the road's near the track and then onto the track for a couple of laps
They wouldn't be able to keep up with the demands of people wanting to buy
Boggy
peter450 said:
doubtless would have been even better with the 1.8 litre version of the same engine
Hi Peter,Yes, but I think they are really pushing the old ethos thou,
performance through lightweight and low engine capacity = low emissions, I also believe that they will go back to making lighter Elise's rather than bigger engine cars
Hope so, Colin would be very proud
Boggy
Boggy said:
peter450 said:
doubtless would have been even better with the 1.8 litre version of the same engine
Hi Peter,Yes, but I think they are really pushing the old ethos thou,
performance through lightweight and low engine capacity = low emissions, I also believe that they will go back to making lighter Elise's rather than bigger engine cars
Hope so, Colin would be very proud
Boggy
if they had this engine back in an S1 weighted car, then it would be a valid comment to make, as it is, it's clearly bull.
Boggy said:
smele said:
I think it looks good on paper as well, need to get myself down to a dealer and have a look.
What is the price?
Around 28k for the basic Car which does sound expensive I think but this really is all the sports car you’re ever going to need, I'd bargain hard and look to pay no more than 28k with a colour, touring back and Black park includedWhat is the price?
This car will blow your mind, 46 mpg, £125 year tax, and it will keep up with anything through the lanes what a car
Boggy
It would make a reasonable proposition as a company car as well. I have a feeling that a trip to a dealer might be fatal.
Scuffers said:
smele said:
That does seem expensive, but thinking back to something I was reading earlier about list price of a VW Golf being 40K, it's not that bad.
?? sorry?List price of a Golf is £14,850 rrp (base model) to £41,650 for a fully optioned top of the range car.
Scuffers said:
Boggy said:
peter450 said:
doubtless would have been even better with the 1.8 litre version of the same engine
Hi Peter,Yes, but I think they are really pushing the old ethos thou,
performance through lightweight and low engine capacity = low emissions, I also believe that they will go back to making lighter Elise's rather than bigger engine cars
Hope so, Colin would be very proud
Boggy
if they had this engine back in an S1 weighted car, then it would be a valid comment to make, as it is, it's clearly bull.
I really like the look of the S3, but I have a feeling that it will still be too hardcore for your typical buyers who are looking at spending £28k on a new convertible; the lure and practicality of a new 3-Series or SLK for example would be too much for most. So to this end Lotus is still an enthusiasts brand and as far as I'm concerened long may that continue!
matc said:
I would imagine it is as light as they can feasibly make it; don't forget the amount of safety gear these cars need on them now compared to when the S1 was launched is massive. There is also a much greater demand for more creature comforts, such as A/C, Cruise Control etc. which obviously add a bit of weight.
I just don't buy this, considering Lotus Engineering were going on about how much weight they could strip out of a toyota the other day, the current Elise is a joke.Airbags/AC/etc. etc. do not weight 100+Kg's
they keep quoting this 'just add lightness' but in fact doing exactly the opposite
doggydave said:
Scuffers said:
smele said:
That does seem expensive, but thinking back to something I was reading earlier about list price of a VW Golf being 40K, it's not that bad.
?? sorry?List price of a Golf is £14,850 rrp (base model) to £41,650 for a fully optioned top of the range car.
Would suite as a company car for the little lady in my opinion, with running list of excuses from me to borrow it;
Must clear out the exhaust of cobwebs,
better check the tyre pressures,
think it needs petrol,
I can't find my car keys,
It's raining, I better check to see if it leaks,
smele said:
doggydave said:
Scuffers said:
smele said:
That does seem expensive, but thinking back to something I was reading earlier about list price of a VW Golf being 40K, it's not that bad.
?? sorry?List price of a Golf is £14,850 rrp (base model) to £41,650 for a fully optioned top of the range car.
top spec golf is hardly in the same ballpark as a base model elise is it?
where's the full leather 4 heated, electric seats, fully integrated Nav/Tv/Radio/CD, DSG gearbox, turbocharged engine, optional wheels/paint/etc etc etc.?
Base golf (if you really must compare) is £14,850, almost half the price.
Edited by Scuffers on Wednesday 12th May 18:30
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