s1 or s2 what are main differences

[bigtalljim]

Sorry if this question has been asked before but in the market for a new toy. Have been looking at prices and specs but seem a bit confused over the Rover/Toyota engine change over date.

does the Rover unit give the same head gasket problems as in standard rover cars?

given a budget of 12k what would be the best route for a weekend/show car?

thanks for any feedback

[tertius]

All S1s are Rover engined, as are early S2s, the switch to Toyota power happened during the S2 's life.

Yes, head gasket failure is moderately common in K series Elises, but its not a big cost to fix.

12k will give the pick of the S1s and lots of early S2s. Don't think you'll get a Toyota car for that. Take a look at the 111S in either S1 or S2 form

[The Bandit]

bigtalljim said:

Sorry if this question has been asked before but in the market for a new toy. Have been looking at prices and specs but seem a bit confused over the Rover/Toyota engine change over date.

does the Rover unit give the same head gasket problems as in standard rover cars?

given a budget of 12k what would be the best route for a weekend/show car?

thanks for any feedback

Toyota engines were used from late 03 onwards(111R/Elise R) and 06 onwards(Elise S).
You'd be in leggy/tatty 111R territory with £12k so you'd be much better off looking at an early S2 or a very good S1(or even spend 9k on a decent S1 and bank the rest of your dosh for upgrades/maintenance etc),both have Rover engines.
Its likely(but not guaranteed)that the Rover engined car would have had head gasket failure,even if not its not hugely expensive to fix at a good specialist.
If it was me looking again i'd buy an S1 and have an upgrade budget. The residuals seem to be stable and parts are still widely available.

Good luck

[satan 59]

Try this link for types:-
http://www.elises.co.uk/models/index.php
Then get onto SELOC for all questions:- http://www.seloc.org/
Very helpful & the techwiki is brilliant.
I've just got (Mid November) a K S2 & loving it, it's my daily drive.

[Lawrence5]

With £12k I'd be looking at early S2 111s (rover)for around £13k and making offers..... if insurance isn't an issue e.g. 30 plus and got NCD then do look at tuned standard models or 135R if you can find one.

As above region area in SELOC have meets - turn up and see what you think to the models.....

[dern]

I'd go and drive one of each as they're quite different to drive as I understand it. The s2 isn't necessarily better, you may prefer the rawness of the s1.

[CooperS]

The Bandit said:

bigtalljim said:

Sorry if this question has been asked before but in the market for a new toy. Have been looking at prices and specs but seem a bit confused over the Rover/Toyota engine change over date.

does the Rover unit give the same head gasket problems as in standard rover cars?

given a budget of 12k what would be the best route for a weekend/show car?

thanks for any feedback

Toyota engines were used from late 03 onwards(111R/Elise R) and 06 onwards(Elise S).
You'd be in leggy/tatty 111R territory with £12k so you'd be much better off looking at an early S2 or a very good S1(or even spend 9k on a decent S1 and bank the rest of your dosh for upgrades/maintenance etc),both have Rover engines.
Its likely(but not guaranteed)that the Rover engined car would have had head gasket failure,even if not its not hugely expensive to fix at a good specialist.
If it was me looking again i'd buy an S1 and have an upgrade budget. The residuals seem to be stable and parts are still widely available.

Good luck

Not that i want to sell my 54 plate 111R but i got a trade in offer of 12.5k not to long ago and i wouldn't describe my car as leggy or tatty

[The Bandit]

CooperS said:

Not that i want to sell my 54 plate 111R but i got a trade in offer of 12.5k not to long ago and i wouldn't describe my car as leggy or tatty

But thats trade though,they would put that on the forcourt at £14995
A friend of mine sold his 05 plate 111R a few months ago with 57k for £13,750 privately.
Great nick but the mileage puts too many people off.
Yet to see one for £12k thankfully,don't want values going that low!!

[Neal H]

If you can stretch your budget a bit, this would make a terrific weekend/fun car
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2420460.htm

With S2's, a 111S (K-Series) is probably the best bet with a £12k budget. S2 135R is my personal favourite, but £12k is probably not quite enough and they rarely come up for sale.

K-Series is a brilliant little engine, as long as you're not trying to get huge HP from it.

Neal.

[Moospeed]

Neal H said:

If you can stretch your budget a bit, this would make a terrific weekend/fun car
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2420460.htm

Hmm... says unmolested and yet from a cursory glance its got the wrong seats, wrong wheel and some ally tat on the gearchange. And its green!

However, can definitely recommend sport 160 if you're looking for a characterful sportscar which shouldn't lose much money (mine went up in value)

[simpo555]

Increase your budget to 14K (Admit-easier said than done) and you're well into Toyota territory. See Autotrader for 2007 S or 2004 R-private sales, and reasonable mileage .

[thegreenhell]

Moospeed said:

Neal H said:

If you can stretch your budget a bit, this would make a terrific weekend/fun car
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2420460.htm

Hmm... says unmolested and yet from a cursory glance its got the wrong seats, wrong wheel and some ally tat on the gearchange. And its green!

It looks like a later WVTA model, on which the 111S seats were standard and the distinctive Sport 160 buckets were an optional extra. The snap-off wheel was an optional extra on all Elise models, I think. I agree about the alloy tat though.

[CooperS]

thegreenhell said:

Moospeed said:

Neal H said:

If you can stretch your budget a bit, this would make a terrific weekend/fun car
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2420460.htm

Hmm... says unmolested and yet from a cursory glance its got the wrong seats, wrong wheel and some ally tat on the gearchange. And its green!

It looks like a later WVTA model, on which the 111S seats were standard and the distinctive Sport 160 buckets were an optional extra. The snap-off wheel was an optional extra on all Elise models, I think. I agree about the alloy tat though.

I was in my indy a while ago and he had a green S1 with gold compmotive wheels which looked great and tbh if i knew i'd be messing around with mine (tidying up worn out consumables) i'd got something like this.

[Moospeed]

thegreenhell said:

It looks like a later WVTA model, on which the 111S seats were standard and the distinctive Sport 160 buckets were an optional extra. The snap-off wheel was an optional extra on all Elise models, I think. I agree about the alloy tat though.

Hmmm... mine was an WVTA (the Xxxx XCL manager's "offload this stock" special - same as that) and had the alcantara seats and wheel. Wasn't aware they were options, it didn't say as much on the original invoice.

Doesn't make it any less green in any case

[thegreenhell]

From the service manual Sport 160 Supplement:

Prior to July '00, all cars were fitted with sport suspension and upgraded seats, both of which became factory fit options after this time.

Sport suspension and seat upgrade option (previously std. fit) introduced at V.I.N.:
Y 1645 (July '00)

[Neal H]

Moospeed said:

Doesn't make it any less green in any case

Yellow stripe and some 'Team Lotus' stickers and you're sorted!

[wetny]

Got my sport 160 five years ago from Paul Matty. He had one for sale recently for exactly the same price that I paid, but mine still only has half the mileage.

[wetny]

Got my sport 160 five years ago from Paul Matty. He had one for sale recently for exactly the same price that I paid, but mine still only has half the mileage.