Which S2?

[GaryC]

Am looking at getting a used S2 - £20-25k budget, will be a moderate every-day-usage-steed, but with use of Golf TDi as a back up when needed.

Which is the best one to go with to manage commute (14-ish non-motorway miles each way), and the odd 100-mile trip but still give thrills…..and still be track'able'??

Std?
Std then tune?
111S?
135?

or go S1 Exige instead?


Fankoo

[bogie]

Id get an S2111S with aircon - you could get a new one for £25K with some haggling as they are now £25995 list.

Or find a 6 month old one with a few mods like sports exhaust and induction kit for £23K ish.

The extra power of the 111S is nice - with a few bolt ons you can see 165bhp and still be reliable and under warranty.

The 135R suspension/tyre setup is great on track and on sunny days but not so hot in rain or on an icy winters morning - the tyres never really get warm for road use.

A modded S2 is nice..but you are looking at £3K to get to 160bhp...and then youve got no warranty/peace of mind generally - you may as well get a S2111S thats putting that out as std with 18months of warranty left.

An S1 Exige is very track focussed like the S2135R and very hot inside in the summer - no real boot space either without cooking the contents !

HTH

bogie

ps - ALL Elises are trackable - even on the std setup a good driver can be quicker than most things ...the car is very rarely the limiting factor



>> Edited by bogie on Sunday 14th March 10:21

[bogie]

one for sale here:

http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=19209

also try the classifieds here on Pistonheads and over on www.seloc.org

[GaryC]

Thanks - kinda echo'd my own thoughts...

What about the 'normal' 135 (non 'R') though?? major difference between that and 111s?

[xxplod]

Definately a new 111S. You will get one for £25K. Westover Sportscars in Bournemouth are doing them with a £750 PX allowance. Obviously you're supposed to PX a Lotus to get that, but I'm sure they won't turn away £25K in readies.
I've had 3 Elises, inc. two S2, and trust me, the 111S is the one you want, (assuming you can't stretch to the R? - Might be worth the extra £3K - depreciation will be very slow for the first 2 years).

Good luck!

[maverick25]

I echo that. Ive got a new 111s (5 months old with air con, hard top and sports exhaust). I tried the 135 but found the suspension just too hard for everyday use. The new 111s is beautiful with electric windows and better soundproofing. Its an all round better everyday car in my opinion.
If you get it new make sure they throw in a sports exhaust (about £500 squid) as without it I feel the engine is lacking in the "right" noise department. Get the latest model. its finished off beautifully...

[DanH]

If you are going to buy new then get a 111R imho. If you can't afford it, why waste money getting a new 111S when you can get a second hand one and save the VAT+more probably.

Then again I believe the only justification for buying a brand new car is if a) you can't get them second hand yet or b) the cost of the car is insignificant to you.