Calling 2-Eleven Owners!
Discussion
How many of you use your cars on a daily basis?
I want a 'bike on 4 wheels' car......not interested in track usage at the moment.......... I've had 2 Atoms and used them both regularly for journey to work, but sense the 2-Eleven might just be a little more useable and protective on an everyday basis.....also....is there any sort of fabricated roof or tonneau option?......or is it pretty much in the same bracket as the Atom?
Many thanks for any views.
I want a 'bike on 4 wheels' car......not interested in track usage at the moment.......... I've had 2 Atoms and used them both regularly for journey to work, but sense the 2-Eleven might just be a little more useable and protective on an everyday basis.....also....is there any sort of fabricated roof or tonneau option?......or is it pretty much in the same bracket as the Atom?
Many thanks for any views.
Use mine on a fairly regular basis even in winter.
Try to avoid if raining but have been caught in downpours which is not a problem if moving but is if stationary. Also tyres do not cope particularly well with standing water....
Only passengered in an Atom but 2-11 is far less breezy. If you are over 5' 10" then there is some buffeting at speed. Certainly not the helmet being wrenched off your head feeling I had in the Atom.
2-11 also has traction control and ABS which improve confidence.
Mine has just had first MOT and has been 100% reliable.
I'm sure you will be used to the attention you will get...
Try to avoid if raining but have been caught in downpours which is not a problem if moving but is if stationary. Also tyres do not cope particularly well with standing water....
Only passengered in an Atom but 2-11 is far less breezy. If you are over 5' 10" then there is some buffeting at speed. Certainly not the helmet being wrenched off your head feeling I had in the Atom.
2-11 also has traction control and ABS which improve confidence.
Mine has just had first MOT and has been 100% reliable.
I'm sure you will be used to the attention you will get...
If you pop along to the next http://forum.nyloc.org/ meet on tue 26 April there may be one there. Starts around 7- 7,30pm. If it's a nice evening there will be lots of Lotus in attendance.
Held at the Buckles inn on a64 outside York. http://www.ukpubfinder.com/pub/42092
Not sure how close you are to this place but usualy a good turnout in summer. I'll be there anyway!
Dunx.
Held at the Buckles inn on a64 outside York. http://www.ukpubfinder.com/pub/42092
Not sure how close you are to this place but usualy a good turnout in summer. I'll be there anyway!
Dunx.
I spent some time investigating getting a 2-11 as a replacement for my Elise track car. I spoke to owners (who, by the way seem to be universally enthusiastic and helpful) and looked at a couple of cars.
In the end I decided it was just too impractical for me. Deciding factors, were:
1. There is no lockable or even closed storage at all. I just looked at it and thought how am I going to get this thing to the 'ring or Spa?
2. there is a hard tonneau cover but you have to remove the passenger seat to fit it
3. there is no heater (see above re. Spa/the 'ring)
4. the aeroscreen is too low if you are tall (I'm about 6'3") and the buffeting is considerable
Now, my criteria were different from yours (for me track days were the primary purpose) and I still think the car is brilliant - if I had the space and spare cash I'd have one like a shot, but for an all purpose drive to and from the track car it was too compromised for me.
I'd strongly recommend chatting to some owners and hearing their real world experiences.
In the end I decided it was just too impractical for me. Deciding factors, were:
1. There is no lockable or even closed storage at all. I just looked at it and thought how am I going to get this thing to the 'ring or Spa?
2. there is a hard tonneau cover but you have to remove the passenger seat to fit it
3. there is no heater (see above re. Spa/the 'ring)
4. the aeroscreen is too low if you are tall (I'm about 6'3") and the buffeting is considerable
Now, my criteria were different from yours (for me track days were the primary purpose) and I still think the car is brilliant - if I had the space and spare cash I'd have one like a shot, but for an all purpose drive to and from the track car it was too compromised for me.
I'd strongly recommend chatting to some owners and hearing their real world experiences.
I use mine as often as possible including throughout the recent extended winter.
Not having a heater isn't a problem, just wear 5 light layers and a suitable crash helmet and your in business down to minus 10. Alternatively you can buy body warmers with heater elements and gloves to match if you particualrly feel the cold. There's plenty of motorcycle gear to help keep warm but good quality thermal underwear forms the backbone of any thermal protection.
The shape and aerodynamics of the car mean that the majority of your body is protected from cold wind/rain when moving, the Probax seats are very conmfortable and the suspension absorbs all the bumps pretty well - you will be surprised how well!
One issue to be aware of is low ground clearance, speed bumps, raised manhole covers, ramps, etc can be a buttock clenching nightmare.
I can't stress enough the importance of buying a suitable full face motorsport helmet. I have two motorcycle helmets and two motorsport helmets, they all perform differently in terms of aerodynamics, the one that stands out supreme is my Arai GP5, it cuts through the air 200% better than any of the others.
The car has no lockable storage but you can place spare clothing and the tonneau behind the seats or between the seats.
The car is a joy to drive, you never have a dull trip!
The purity of the direct steering, braking and handling will have you hooked and celebrating a wise choice.
Not having a heater isn't a problem, just wear 5 light layers and a suitable crash helmet and your in business down to minus 10. Alternatively you can buy body warmers with heater elements and gloves to match if you particualrly feel the cold. There's plenty of motorcycle gear to help keep warm but good quality thermal underwear forms the backbone of any thermal protection.
The shape and aerodynamics of the car mean that the majority of your body is protected from cold wind/rain when moving, the Probax seats are very conmfortable and the suspension absorbs all the bumps pretty well - you will be surprised how well!
One issue to be aware of is low ground clearance, speed bumps, raised manhole covers, ramps, etc can be a buttock clenching nightmare.
I can't stress enough the importance of buying a suitable full face motorsport helmet. I have two motorcycle helmets and two motorsport helmets, they all perform differently in terms of aerodynamics, the one that stands out supreme is my Arai GP5, it cuts through the air 200% better than any of the others.
The car has no lockable storage but you can place spare clothing and the tonneau behind the seats or between the seats.
The car is a joy to drive, you never have a dull trip!
The purity of the direct steering, braking and handling will have you hooked and celebrating a wise choice.
Many thanks to all for comments and advice.......it all sounds quite familiar given my Atom ownership! I suspect the 2 eleven is slightly more usable but not greatly so! Both cars are undoubtedly great to drive on the road and I'm sure the Lotus would bring just as big a smile to my face as my Atoms used to.....but when you add up the number of reasons why they might not be the car of choice on a particular day due to weather, clothing requirements for work, parking etc....I would end up using the Lotus on too few occasions to justify having one in the garage.....in the end it was why I got rid of the Atom.....and oh....when it got dirty it was a real pain to clean!
So....the question is...what is a usable...fun car?.....suspect someone on this forum is going to say Exige or Elise.....but at 6 3 I do find them both really difficult to get comfortable in.
So....the question is...what is a usable...fun car?.....suspect someone on this forum is going to say Exige or Elise.....but at 6 3 I do find them both really difficult to get comfortable in.
If you want a bike on 4-wheels, the you NEED a bike-engined car. You can't beat it for noise and that rush up to the ~12,000rpm red-line :-)
Like this: http://www.robcollingridge.com/kitcar/videos/index...
Rob
Like this: http://www.robcollingridge.com/kitcar/videos/index...
Rob
Just as Rob said... "If you want a bike on 4-wheels", have you seen one of these:
http://zcars.org.uk/
http://zcars.org.uk/
?You can fall off a motorbike and people seem to do this quite often :-( It creates a whole load of cheap donor engines for bike engined cars though :-)
My 450Kg Fury is a lot closer to a superbike than something like a 2-eleven. There is probably not a lot in it in terms of outright performance but, the engine sound and feel is the major difference and the lack of weight is also a huge factor. I love the 6-speed sequential box with paddleshift. It's a big part of the 'bike experience'.
Lotus cars are exceptional for involvement and handling but less is more. My Fury R1 is just so much more involving than my Elise was. The grip levels are higher and it goes round corners so much quicker and with much more balance and feel. It stops a lot quicker too.
I think the 2-eleven is a great car but for a screen-less, track machine with little practicality, there are much cheaper and lighter options. My view is that if you want a car that extreme, then go all in :-) I'd only 'upgrade' to a road-legal, single seater now.
Rob
My 450Kg Fury is a lot closer to a superbike than something like a 2-eleven. There is probably not a lot in it in terms of outright performance but, the engine sound and feel is the major difference and the lack of weight is also a huge factor. I love the 6-speed sequential box with paddleshift. It's a big part of the 'bike experience'.
Lotus cars are exceptional for involvement and handling but less is more. My Fury R1 is just so much more involving than my Elise was. The grip levels are higher and it goes round corners so much quicker and with much more balance and feel. It stops a lot quicker too.
I think the 2-eleven is a great car but for a screen-less, track machine with little practicality, there are much cheaper and lighter options. My view is that if you want a car that extreme, then go all in :-) I'd only 'upgrade' to a road-legal, single seater now.
Rob
mdrc said:
Many thanks to all for comments and advice.......it all sounds quite familiar given my Atom ownership! I suspect the 2 eleven is slightly more usable but not greatly so! Both cars are undoubtedly great to drive on the road and I'm sure the Lotus would bring just as big a smile to my face as my Atoms used to.....but when you add up the number of reasons why they might not be the car of choice on a particular day due to weather, clothing requirements for work, parking etc....I would end up using the Lotus on too few occasions to justify having one in the garage.....in the end it was why I got rid of the Atom.....and oh....when it got dirty it was a real pain to clean!
So....the question is...what is a usable...fun car?.....suspect someone on this forum is going to say Exige or Elise.....but at 6 3 I do find them both really difficult to get comfortable in.
Honda'd Elise (S1) and ditch the roof? So....the question is...what is a usable...fun car?.....suspect someone on this forum is going to say Exige or Elise.....but at 6 3 I do find them both really difficult to get comfortable in.
You won't struggle getting in or out then, and they're not a whole lot heavier than a 2-11 anyway. Plus it has a window, you wouldn't have to bother with a helmet...
As long as you find an insurer that doesn't need the roof attached, it's not really any different to a 2-11 in terms of security. It's not like there's anything to nick!!
Can't see how it'd be any more uncomfortable than a 2-11 once you're in it either, considering it's 99 per cent the same chassis.
Edited by pthelazyjourno on Tuesday 3rd May 17:26
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