I went in a S1, 120bhp Lotus Elise
Discussion
OK guys, having a crisis of faith here. My mate let me have a go in his S1 Elise which was basically standard except for Yoko's (like R888 with a few more lines), Larini exhaust and huge grooved breaks. It still had the old banger K-Series 120bhp engine. With two of us in the car and a (lotus sized) boot for of camping gear it shifted quite well on mountain private roads in some mountainous region of Europe. Overtaking was easily on par with my Chim up to speeds of about 60mph. The thing that blew me away was how that little thing covered ground in twisty mountain roads, it was truly amazing in it's ability to corner. Bonus of the little torqueless engine was vastly improved breaking and cornering over my TVR, it was VERY adictive.
So, without spending a small fortune (you can pick up a sorted S1 for under £10K), can I make my Chim this good through the corners? If I could, I can't think of a better package. If I can't, god it is going to be a painful choice!
So, without spending a small fortune (you can pick up a sorted S1 for under £10K), can I make my Chim this good through the corners? If I could, I can't think of a better package. If I can't, god it is going to be a painful choice!
Shabs said:
So, without spending a small fortune (you can pick up a sorted S1 for under £10K), can I make my Chim this good through the corners?
not a cat in hells chance I'm afraid. Yes, you can improce the chim significantly over standard, but the layout of the Chim will always hinder it -v- an elise. You'll have to wait for the straight bits to catch your mate I'm afraid. 
... Captain, I sense great pain!!!2 things to account for
the roof on the elise is a proper PITA
the sound of the V8
finally, they are two different cars, if you think you are going to constantly be in full on attack mode there is no doubting the elise is the quicker car, however from a practicality point of view it makes the Chim look like a Land Rover Defender and from a comfort point of view the Chim is a Range Rover by comparison.
the roof on the elise is a proper PITA
the sound of the V8
finally, they are two different cars, if you think you are going to constantly be in full on attack mode there is no doubting the elise is the quicker car, however from a practicality point of view it makes the Chim look like a Land Rover Defender and from a comfort point of view the Chim is a Range Rover by comparison.
Had a Series 2 Elise 111R as a courtesy car for a weekend a while back. Absolutely fanatstic cars; great handling, fantastic brakes and just so 'chuckable' through the corners that I found myself quite addicted to driving it! The engine took a thrashing and still begged to be revved harder, but never left me worrying whether I was doing it damage. It was definitely lacking at motorway speeds, but nothing like as bad as my 147!
Of course, I had to hand it back when picking up the T350 and I have to say that as soon as I sat back in the Tiv and started her up, I forgot all about the Elise.
Don't know how a Chim would compare, but I wouldn't swap a Tiv for an Elise. As a second car, I'd have one without hesitation.
Of course, I had to hand it back when picking up the T350 and I have to say that as soon as I sat back in the Tiv and started her up, I forgot all about the Elise.
Don't know how a Chim would compare, but I wouldn't swap a Tiv for an Elise. As a second car, I'd have one without hesitation.
T350 Al said:
Had a Series 2 Elise 111R as a courtesy car for a weekend a while back. Absolutely fanatstic cars; great handling, fantastic brakes and just so 'chuckable' through the corners that I found myself quite addicted to driving it! The engine took a thrashing and still begged to be revved harder, but never left me worrying whether I was doing it damage. It was definitely lacking at motorway speeds, but nothing like as bad as my 147!
Of course, I had to hand it back when picking up the T350 and I have to say that as soon as I sat back in the Tiv and started her up, I forgot all about the Elise.
Don't know how a Chim would compare, but I wouldn't swap a Tiv for an Elise. As a second car, I'd have one without hesitation.
I'd agree. I nearly bought a Series 2 before I bought the Griffith, I'd done the Chris Neil trackday, testdrive(s) and spec procedure..... and then someone pointed me towards the Griff I have now. Chalk and cheese, two totally different cars and the Lotus is everything said above but I'm sure at times you don't want to drive the thing on the edge all the time and I think to really enjoy the Lotus you have to. Whereas the TVR will just let you sit back and enjoy the lazy drive the torque affords you if you want.Of course, I had to hand it back when picking up the T350 and I have to say that as soon as I sat back in the Tiv and started her up, I forgot all about the Elise.
Don't know how a Chim would compare, but I wouldn't swap a Tiv for an Elise. As a second car, I'd have one without hesitation.
Also I'm not sure for everyday driving I'd be able to put up with the 'gunshots' everytime something hits the alloy chassis of a MkI or whether I'd want to drive over 1500 miles in a week with luggage like you can in the TVR.
As well as the TVR? Yes. Instead of? I don't think so.
Shabs said:
OK guys, having a crisis of faith here. My mate let me have a go in his S1 Elise which was basically standard except for Yoko's (like R888 with a few more lines), Larini exhaust and huge grooved breaks. It still had the old banger K-Series 120bhp engine. With two of us in the car and a (lotus sized) boot for of camping gear it shifted quite well on mountain private roads in some mountainous region of Europe. Overtaking was easily on par with my Chim up to speeds of about 60mph. The thing that blew me away was how that little thing covered ground in twisty mountain roads, it was truly amazing in it's ability to corner. Bonus of the little torqueless engine was vastly improved breaking and cornering over my TVR, it was VERY adictive.
So, without spending a small fortune (you can pick up a sorted S1 for under £10K), can I make my Chim this good through the corners? If I could, I can't think of a better package. If I can't, god it is going to be a painful choice!
Shabs - I have had a Caterham for 4 years - and just picked up my Griff at the weekend.......So, without spending a small fortune (you can pick up a sorted S1 for under £10K), can I make my Chim this good through the corners? If I could, I can't think of a better package. If I can't, god it is going to be a painful choice!
Nothing is better than the Caterham through corners (similar to the S1) - but........very quickly you become drained in driving it - there is always someone in the way.......etc
I much prefer the Griff as a road car - as thats what it is......comfortable, beautiful, the sound.....and performance is blistering in a straight line - much like i'm sure your Chim is.
If you have space for a 2nd (3rd) or whatever car for twisty B roads........get a banged up ex race caterham for 7 grand.......and just use it the odd days you want to go nuts.
Rest of the time - drive the comfortable, beautiful TVR!!
Shabs - +What they said. I had a 450 Chim that I loved but was never that confident in it when pressing on. I decided I fancied something I could really chuck through the bends so after weighing up £10k options I went for an S1 111s Elise. I then had a new rack, S2 suspension, geo, brake upgrade, race seats, and a couple of engine bits done equating to approx 160bhp. It was great fun on smooth, grippy tarmac but after a few months of driving it as weekend/evening toy I started to find it a pain.
The reality was on any thing other than my choice local bits of road, the rattles/vibrations became more noticeable, the engine sounded pretty average unless being spanked, ( and sounded like an ice cream van when at tickover ), it was a impracticle re access in and out, roof on/off, boot space, etc, and it always seemed to need someting doing to it. Added to that even mine with 160bhp still seemed lacking unless driving really twisty stuff.
In the end I decided I missed the Tiv for its all round ability and sheer grunt so decided to replace with the car I always wanted and bought a Griff 500. Since purchase I've had a few bits done to improve the handling, ( not mods meerly new tyres, ball joints, geo ),and to be honest it feels fantastic and although the elise would have the edge in really tight stuff, the Griff would trounce it once into faster sweepers/straights etc..Then it sounds great burbling back home over the speed bumps at 20mph with the shopping in the boot and the roof quickly up to keep the rain out! Then look and admire it for 10 minutes before going inside to trawl classifieds to see if anything had popped on that could tempt me to replace it? Still nothing..
The reality was on any thing other than my choice local bits of road, the rattles/vibrations became more noticeable, the engine sounded pretty average unless being spanked, ( and sounded like an ice cream van when at tickover ), it was a impracticle re access in and out, roof on/off, boot space, etc, and it always seemed to need someting doing to it. Added to that even mine with 160bhp still seemed lacking unless driving really twisty stuff.
In the end I decided I missed the Tiv for its all round ability and sheer grunt so decided to replace with the car I always wanted and bought a Griff 500. Since purchase I've had a few bits done to improve the handling, ( not mods meerly new tyres, ball joints, geo ),and to be honest it feels fantastic and although the elise would have the edge in really tight stuff, the Griff would trounce it once into faster sweepers/straights etc..Then it sounds great burbling back home over the speed bumps at 20mph with the shopping in the boot and the roof quickly up to keep the rain out! Then look and admire it for 10 minutes before going inside to trawl classifieds to see if anything had popped on that could tempt me to replace it? Still nothing..
Edited by Edmundo2 on Monday 15th June 20:01
^^ +1 for what Racer + Edmundo's just added.
I was torn between a VX220T and my 450Chim and drove them both back to back. Would have been happy to drive away in either but the enjoyment from the VX (and I presume the Elise as well) is going 9/10ths around some nice twisty roads.
My thoughts were that i'd get more opportunity to actually enjoy the Chim, more of the time. I guess it's just down to what you want to use the car for, and how much you're able to drive it?
I was torn between a VX220T and my 450Chim and drove them both back to back. Would have been happy to drive away in either but the enjoyment from the VX (and I presume the Elise as well) is going 9/10ths around some nice twisty roads.
My thoughts were that i'd get more opportunity to actually enjoy the Chim, more of the time. I guess it's just down to what you want to use the car for, and how much you're able to drive it?
Edited by MrChips on Monday 15th June 20:04
Shabs said:
Chimjunkie - how does your beast of a thing compare to, say, Mark's Exige 190?
Hi Shabs,He cant get away from me
Chased the Exige through miles of twisties around essex and i was up his chuff 
He is now saving to get a supercharger 
The only time my car felt unsettled was when the rear tyres hit the arches on bad undulating corners. Am going to get stiffer springs this week. The car is amazing through low speed corners. But i'm not brave enough to find out what it is like on high speed corners compared with the lotus. I would guess i would loose out in the rear end traction department. Will find out on track soon.Handling mods i have:
Roll cage (stiffens chassis)
17"/18" SP12's with 225/245 Toyo R888's
SH drop links and Strengthened wishbone attachments
Nitron Shocks with 400F/325R springs
Fast road Geo setup (but not too extreme to loose high speed stability)
Also of importance is larger front brakes and Mintex 1144 pads. So much time can be lost on cornering if your brakes are not up to it.
Driver! Have finally learnt what the car can do and how to take it to the limit and push hard. Get out on track days and also do an airfield day IN THE WET!!
Finally you need seats to hold you in place! I have Exige Probax jobbies which are very comfortable and incredibly supportive.
Jon
Edited by Chimjunkie on Monday 15th June 20:35
Shabs said:
OK guys, having a crisis of faith here. My mate let me have a go in his S1 Elise which was basically standard except for Yoko's (like R888 with a few more lines), Larini exhaust and huge grooved breaks. It still had the old banger K-Series 120bhp engine. With two of us in the car and a (lotus sized) boot for of camping gear it shifted quite well on mountain private roads in some mountainous region of Europe. Overtaking was easily on par with my Chim up to speeds of about 60mph. The thing that blew me away was how that little thing covered ground in twisty mountain roads, it was truly amazing in it's ability to corner. Bonus of the little torqueless engine was vastly improved breaking and cornering over my TVR, it was VERY adictive.
So, without spending a small fortune (you can pick up a sorted S1 for under £10K), can I make my Chim this good through the corners? If I could, I can't think of a better package. If I can't, god it is going to be a painful choice!
Improved breaking but you don't say what actually broke?So, without spending a small fortune (you can pick up a sorted S1 for under £10K), can I make my Chim this good through the corners? If I could, I can't think of a better package. If I can't, god it is going to be a painful choice!
combine said:
My cat '7' , 190bhp , much lighter and better round corners than an Elise , and my ' v8 ' , great sound and above 80 mph destroys Elises and cats , straightish roads of course !
Similar to many, I had a wedge and was doing a bit of trackday stuff so found it compromised. Started looking at newer TiV's, wavered in an Exige! What a beast, but listened to and look at that little 4 pot two inches from my head an replayed the trips to Spain and France that we had done fabulously in the TiV and just new that except for those few moments the better all round car was the TiV and so we got a Tamora and love it.
Subsequently went in a caterham R500 and will always want one but only as a 3rd cr!
Subsequently went in a caterham R500 and will always want one but only as a 3rd cr!
well,i have a t350c and a elise s1 as well. the elise is far from standard in all departments and nothing will stay with it on twisty roads.its quick till about 70,ive left a 911 off the lights,not sure which model as he was in my rear mirror,lol.
i wouldnt want to choose between them but if i had to i think it would be the tvr,but they are totally different cars,the only thing they have in common is both being british and great cars.
i wouldnt want to choose between them but if i had to i think it would be the tvr,but they are totally different cars,the only thing they have in common is both being british and great cars.
Thanks guys, phew, faith generally restored. I did have to take the cover off and then I remembered 
It doesn't help that mine has leaking standard shocks, SO3's and standard brakes (break point noted) - the plan is to get proper shocks / wheels / tyres / brakes this year, just saving the beans for it
It's a nice day, I'd say it's home form work early and out into the country!
Shabs
It doesn't help that mine has leaking standard shocks, SO3's and standard brakes (break point noted) - the plan is to get proper shocks / wheels / tyres / brakes this year, just saving the beans for it
It's a nice day, I'd say it's home form work early and out into the country!
Shabs
Edited by Shabs on Tuesday 16th June 10:20
Had the fortune to work at a Vauxhall dealership when they launched the VX220 and later the VX220 turbo. Used to do alot of the test drives for sales and obviously used it in summer as company car.
The car is great fun on the run to work and home, circa 20 miles each way. Taking it on a longer journey near 100 miles was a numbing experience from the comfort side, it handles well due to suspension etc..this hurts tender old me on long trips.
I would have one in a flash, but never instead of my Griff.
As mentioned many times before, they are very very diff cars, im happy at 100mph +(private roads) in my griff as it just soaks up the miles. The other car was very uncomfortable and noisy, so after a high spirited trip you were knackered. Happy but knackered.
Just my opinion.
The car is great fun on the run to work and home, circa 20 miles each way. Taking it on a longer journey near 100 miles was a numbing experience from the comfort side, it handles well due to suspension etc..this hurts tender old me on long trips.
I would have one in a flash, but never instead of my Griff.
As mentioned many times before, they are very very diff cars, im happy at 100mph +(private roads) in my griff as it just soaks up the miles. The other car was very uncomfortable and noisy, so after a high spirited trip you were knackered. Happy but knackered.
Just my opinion.
I have a 111r and am considering a Saggy, IMO I've yet to drive any car that I can use on a daily basis that's a as good as my Elise is 'out of the box', but yes it can often lack motorway oooommmph.
PS - Sit in one with a Stage 2 and Pipercross induction kit and it won't sound like a washing machine either!!!
PS - Sit in one with a Stage 2 and Pipercross induction kit and it won't sound like a washing machine either!!!
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