Scottish Elises

Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone on here has gone from owning a standard (or near enough) S1 Elise to an S2 Exige (I'm quite sure there will be). Been dreaming about one and would love to hear opinions of owners who made this jump. I have actually driven one (not an owner's from this forum) but it was brief so didn't get to form much of an opinion (and was still shaking from being a passenger (on the roads) with a completely fearless and mad driver, so its all very foggy!). The main thing I did notice was how much more refined and supple it felt. The car I drove had a stage 2 exhaust tho so it was seriously brutal on the senses.

I have of course read every article/review I can find on the Exige and spent ages poking round them last time I was down at MMC, but would like to hear owners opinions who have previously owned an S1 on how they think they compare. Whats it like just pootling around and not wringing the cars neck on the power cam? Enough pull. Etc.

Sorry if its been discussed before, but kinda a hard subject to search for in the archives. Know you all love talking about your own cars anyway!

Cheers,

D

I`ll try and help with this one.....

I traded the one on the left in for the one on the right.....



I bought the S1 and it was the first quick car I had owned, and I kept it for 10 months although it was off the road for repairs for 2 months of that.

I loved the s1 and it definately feels lighter than the Exige. I will say now I am no driver, but the S1 is noticably down on power compared to the Exige. I did 10k in my S1 and towards the end it started to piss me off as it needed minor things doing to it constantly. Now if you are into mechanical things then thats great, but I am not and it wasnt.

The Exige feels like way more of a "car" in the build etc. It is much more solid and mine has induction kit and stage 2 and it sounds great.

I think the other massive difference is the look of it - I went for the yellow for a change and I am glad I did, you cant go anywhere without being noticed thats for sure.

Anything else, just ask. I think Lee had an S1 before his Exige but he`s only just got his.

Lee has had just about every variant of Elise except a 340R and S1 Exige so he's your man for comparisons!

(Hand shaking vigourously in the air)

I went S1 to S2 Exige (fair enough there was a wee break in the middle when I contemplated being practical) but the Lotus bug really gets under your skin. The S1 is more delicate to drive while the Exige feels like a British bulldog in comparison, ... Stop compairing and do it if you can, Ive just come back from an awesome drive, so much so I went and poured a rather large glass of vino when I came back and sat for a while outside just oggling the car in the dusk. Flipin awesome...bats flapin round my head and bits of the car pinging away in the background as they cooled down. F-me its good to be back.

ScottyF (getting slightly inebriated faction)

Thanks for the info jke11y! Think I'm pretty much in the same situation you were in. I've had my S1 (also silver!) for 4 years now and I do really love it, but the Exige is just so cool, and although personally I have enjoyed doing some of the maintenance on my car myself (always chasing the next loudest rattle!), it would be nice to not have to worry about that for a while with a newer and more refined car.

Cheers,
D

scottyf I think I emailed you a few times about your S1 when you were selling it last winter, but couldnt get insured at the time(if it was the titanium one).

jke11y wrote:scottyf I think I emailed you a few times about your S1 when you were selling it last winter, but couldnt get insured at the time(if it was the titanium one).

Yep, it certainly was. Eventually sold it to a guy down south who is now using it as a hillclimber.

scottyf wrote:

jke11y wrote:scottyf I think I emailed you a few times about your S1 when you were selling it last winter, but couldnt get insured at the time(if it was the titanium one).

Yep, it certainly was. Eventually sold it to a guy down south who is now using it as a hillclimber.

All the good ones go to heaven...!!!

Cheers Scott! I remember your previous S1, think we met once when I had my car in at Roy's in Arbroath (BMX plate right? Or do I have the wrong Scott?).

Just been out for a blast in the car myself. There's no doubt the Elise can still put a big smile on my face. Sure was a ridiculous amount of moths out tonight tho! Quite a few less now tho!

Cheers,
D

Hey Dave,

Just do it...you know you want to!

I've moved to Cohort BTW, will drop you a mail.

Steve

Hi Steve!
I heard the other day that you joined Cohort. Having fun?
What's the latest on your car? Did the insurance co make you a decent offer in the end?

D

At least you'd have a genuine excuse for having the hardtop on then
I think I saw your car once or twice without the roof on it as I used to see it parked up when I went home for lunch.

This is true Simon!

SteveBanks wrote:Hey Dave,

Just do it...you know you want to!

I've moved to Cohort BTW, will drop you a mail.

Steve

Hey Steve, long time no speak! what's this about your car? you still at the same abode?

Having gone from S1 Elise to S2 Exige (with a only brief interlude to try something more practical - not ), I love the Exige - but particularly on the track.

if you're not going to track it much, then an Elise 111R may be preferable?