Is it 2005 Toyota engines kick in?

[wilsonf1]

Hi!

I'm 23 and want buy an Elise next summer probably (bit of travelling aboard to do), been waiting 10 years!!!

I will definitely go S2 - but my question is, do the Toyota engines only come in models 2005 onwards? I've been told to get one with the Toyota engine if I can possibly afford it. By next summer my guess is the prices will be just right!

One other thing.... sports pack and touring pack. Sports pack is for the track and stiffens it up I take it, does the touring pack make it much softer than comes bog standard from Lotus? If anyone can clear that up and direct me in what to look for that'd be great.

My budget will be about £15k when I go to buy

[otolith]

There are some 2004 cars, I think.

[the ronin]

2004...... Touring is just a nice way of sayin stock, the sport pack was an option.

[grumpy]

My 55 plate 111S is a K series.

[Scuffers]

grumpy said:

My 55 plate 111S is a K series.

they were sold side by side for ~1 year

111S - K
111R - 2ZZ

[doggydave]

Tiff Needell test drove a 53 plate 111r against a VX220 on 5th Gear some years back. Still on You Tube I think. Last of the 111s were on the 55 plate I think.

[wilsonf1]

Nice so i want to be looking out for 111r basically?

[wilsonf1]

Nice so i want to be looking out for 111r basically?

[otolith]

If you want a Toyota engined Elise of that age, yes. There are also lower powered Toyota engined Elises badged Elise S, but I think those were not available until later.

[kambites]

wilsonf1 said:

Nice so i want to be looking out for 111r basically?

If you want a Toyota car, yes. Don't like them as much, personally.

[doggydave]

otolith said:

If you want a Toyota engined Elise of that age, yes. There are also lower powered Toyota engined Elises badged Elise S, but I think those were not available until later.

You might just be able to get an early Elise S with your budget and a bit of haggling. It would be a good Elise to start with.

[Geneve]

doggydave said:

otolith said:

If you want a Toyota engined Elise of that age, yes. There are also lower powered Toyota engined Elises badged Elise S, but I think those were not available until later.

You might just be able to get an early Elise S with your budget and a bit of haggling. It would be a good Elise to start with.

£15k(+ish) should get you into a Toyota 1.8'R' or a 1.8'S', particularly if you are able to buy out of season.

Opinions are divided on which is best, as the power and torque characteristics are quite different, so it is really down to personal preference. IMO either car needs a few tweeks to get the best out of them.

[Beachbum]

the ronin said:

2004...... Touring is just a nice way of sayin stock, the sport pack was an option.

Not true. 111R came with no Touring pack initially. Think it became standard some time mid-2005.

[subaqua]

Beachbum said:

Not true. 111R came with no Touring pack initially. Think it became standard some time mid-2005.

In the UK that's correct.... TP was an option around 1500 quid IIRC.

I suspect that federal elises were all shipped with the TP as standard... so you are probably both right!

[Beachbum]

subaqua said:

In the UK that's correct.... TP was an option around 1500 quid IIRC.

I suspect that federal elises were all shipped with the TP as standard... so you are probably both right!

Must admit to thinking that this was a UK specific Q, given the OPs location. Plus didnt think 111Rs were available in the US in 2004. But that may be me being completely wrong

[The Bandit]

111Rs were available in late 2003, Elise S in 2006.
Trim levels/option here from 06 onwards if that helps:
http://www.nubax.com/wp-content/pdf/Lotus%20News%2...