A year with the Elise

[Woza]

I can't believe it's been a year already!

This time last year I went to Murray Motors in Edinburgh to have a look at an Elise that seemed to tick all the boxes for me and after a short test drive I was hooked.

I went back the next day and put down a deposit. A few days later I went back to pick it up:





The very next day I had made plans to meet up with a few of the scottishelises chaps and headed to knockhill - I wasn't drivin on track but it was good to meet the guys and see what all the fuss was about!!!





As it was to be my daily driver I had a few concerns, namely space and being able to drive it easily in the harsh weather Edinburgh could get!

There proved to be no problems at all and it was great for everything I needed. Even going to the shops was great fun.

I went on a good few road trips and got to enjoy some of the stunning roads Scotland has to offer - again meeting some very nice people along the way.

This particular run was to the Jim Clark room in Duns







I was leaving Edinburgh in August but before I left I made sure that I popped my trackday cherry and headed to Knockhill again with the scottishelises bunch. The weather was terrible but it didn't ruin the day despite having an off after only a few laps which scared me a bit!! The day was amazing and certainly got me hooked on driving the car as Colin Chapman intended!



I left Edinburgh in August of this year and the car was faultless and comfortable on the 450 mile trip - much more comfortable than I thought!

Since being back down south I've done much more both to the car and also in terms of driver training etc. The first thing was a walshy driver training day at North Weald and whilst there was so much to take in on the day, it really helped me learn the limits of the car.

I've been to loads of meets now and am a regular at the monthly SELOC Hampshire meets with many more events planned in 2011





I've attended a few PH meets including the Sunday service at brooklands and a couple of Tunnel runs (post exhaust)





The car had been perfect and even survived the snow:



Unfortunately on my first Dawn run I had an incident with a steep driveway:



But I soon got that fixed and decided to put a tigga splitter on to prevent things like that happening again:





Thanks to Pete757 for supplying this!

Next came a 2bular exhaust:





This totally transformed the car and I can't thank Jim enough (y)

I had a trd fitted just after Christmas when the car was in for service and again this has helped transform the driving experience. It produces a great note together with the 2bular.

The only problems I've had over the year that weren't self inflicted was the heater matrix going which was all covered under warranty!

I've got another trackday booked at Llandow in a few weeks and can't wait.

Buying the car is the best thing I've ever done and whilst it's not the most powerful (upgrade before long) it is perfect for me right now. I've got lots of other events planned this year including my annual pilgrimage to Le Mans which the Elise will be going to and I have met a great bunch of people through here.

Anyone thinking of biting the bullet - do it.

Here's to another good few years as a Lotus owner :brum

Edited by Woza on Monday 21st March 19:09

[MrSimba]

Nice write up! enjoyed reading that

[neilj37]

Good write up. Also had my elise a year now and I too fitted a 2bular exhaust, very happy with it. Not popped my trackday cherry yet but it is something I might consider.

You should consider getting the rear splitter black powder coated / painted, tidies up the back end nicely.

[S Works]

Great write up, brings back lots of happy memories for me from similar times.

[CTE]

I have almost committed myself to purchase an Elise mentally,...it`s a big thing for me (I always ponder for ages about buying any car)....my ambition is to buy an S1 and convert it to Honda power, so I need a reliable tidy car, ideally with the S2 suspension upgrade. I am relatively inexperienced with "what to look for on Elises", and would not know how to check for chassis damage, which is crucial. Therefore I seem to remember reading somewhere that there is someone who specialises in finding cars, obviously for a cut....does anyone know his name/contact details?

[Mr E]

I think I've pretty much done a year as well. First trackday in 3 weeks.

[andySC]

A year of Elise ownership for me too. Mine was from Murrays too. The drive from Edinburgh to Doncaster was superb...I was in awe of how rapid these things are. Mines a Starlight SC aka The Plastic Fantastic.

[andy_s]

Nice write up and some cracking pictures too Woza. Thanks

[NJS25]

Congratulations Woza and a happy anniversary.

I recognise that photo in Dunns! Looks like it's from around the middle of April last year, I met you and other Scottish Lotus Owners there when I turned up in our 63bhp Aygo!

Some great photos, it looks like you've been having fun!

Wishing you many more years of lotus ownership.

Regards, Neil

Edited by NJS25 on Tuesday 22 March 21:28

[chieflief]

CTE said:

Therefore I seem to remember reading somewhere that there is someone who specialises in finding cars, obviously for a cut....does anyone know his name/contact details?

I'd be interested in knowing the answer to this question...

[matthewg]

Thanks for that

Best of luck with it. Pics of Le Mans when you go please!

[chevronb37]

Great write-up and looks to have been a cracking first year with your Elise. As an all-round package, a Toyota engined S2 takes some beating.