Future Lotus owner

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:32 pm

Time for a respray Paul

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:38 pm

you first

caleebra · Post by **caleebra** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:45 pm

Hopefully wont upset anyone here, but Kenny have you had a good look at the VX? 2.2 has 150bhp as standard, a bulletproof engine and can be run for Astra money. Turbos can be had for as little as £18k now, 200bhp as standard and easily tuneable if you feel the need.

Great alternative if you can bring yourself to drive a Vauxhall.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:52 pm

thinfourth wrote:you first

Good comeback!

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:54 pm

caleebra wrote: Great alternative if you can bring yourself to drive a Vauxhall.

Which exactly what is all about....I know it's really a Elise but...
Maybe we need to swap cars for short blast to try and convince me

tut · Post by **tut** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:34 pm

The VX220 is a good alternative to the Elise as a road car, but if Kenny is keeping his Type-R, then an early 730kg Elise takes some beating at £8K, which leaves a fair bit over for upgrading if he wants to go that path after getting some time in it on the track.

tut

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:14 pm

Still early days and I am undecided.

I was hoping to sell the CTR to wee bro, he can easily afford to buy it, its wether he can afford to insure it thats the problem. That way I can pinch it if I ever need the practical 4 seats and a boot. That might delay things till later in the year which means I will probably be as well waiting until next year.

On the plus side it gives me plenty of time to decide and save a bit of cash, hopefully manage to fit in a test drive or 2 as well.

Beginning to come round to the idea of finding a well used S1 for much cheapness and battering about in that for a while before modding or engine conversion.
Really fancy the Honda conversion, not just for the power but for the way the engine and gearbox feel. Its simply the best combo I have experienced.

Other options.

An Exige is still a possibilty.

VX220
Been in Dave Hay's (Rag_It from TRS) VX220, seems near enough identical to the Elise, but isnt it quite a bit heavier? Please correct me if I am wrong

Still would consider it if I found a good deal though.

VX220 Turbo
Probably prefer to go for this, but slightly put off by the 5500rpm redline. I really love the 8000+rpm howl of vtec hence desire to keep the Honda engine in an Elise.
Just worried I mind find the low revs dissapointing despite the power. Again a test drive might be in order.

Might yet chop in the CTR in time for summer but its looking increasingly doubtful at the moment, however I plan to stick around here in the meantime asking annoying questions and generally getting in the way

tut · Post by **tut** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:10 pm

Kenny

Good excuse to try as many of the options as possible. I am quite happy for other people to drive my car on the track as long as I trust them, so let me know if you want to try it.

tut

caleebra · Post by **caleebra** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:13 pm

Gareth wrote:
caleebra wrote: Great alternative if you can bring yourself to drive a Vauxhall.
Which exactly what is all about....I know it's really a Elise but...
Maybe we need to swap cars for short blast to try and convince me

But is it not a car first, badge second?

VX220
Been in Dave Hay's (Rag_It from TRS) VX220, seems near enough identical to the Elise, but isnt it quite a bit heavier? Please correct me if I am wrong Still would consider it if I found a good deal though.

VX220 Turbo
Probably prefer to go for this, but slightly put off by the 5500rpm redline. I really love the 8000+rpm howl of vtec hence desire to keep the Honda engine in an Elise.
Just worried I mind find the low revs dissapointing despite the power. Again a test drive might be in order.

2.2 is 875kg, Turbo is over 900 (cant remember exact weight).

2.2 has bags of low down torque, Courtenay will also soon be releasing the Hitec supercharger kit which will bring it up to 215-250bhp, for around £5k. I'm already trying to see what I can sell!

There have been a lot of CTR/ITR migrants to the "Velise" and I doubt many have looked back. There are a lot of things to make up for the lack of that singing VTEC.

I'm certainly not trying to instigate any Elise v VX banter here by the way, just trying to offer some advice. I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time Kenny whatever you buy, as long as it has that bonded aluminum tub below the skin

early 730kg Elise takes some beating at £8K

*thumbsup*

Might be something I look at if I have to sell the VX to buy a house

I cant imagine life without one of these special little sportscars.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:27 pm

tut wrote:Kenny

Good excuse to try as many of the options as possible. I am quite happy for other people to drive my car on the track as long as I trust them, so let me know if you want to try it.

tut

Do fish swim? Is the Pope a Catholic? Do bears shi.......... you get the picture

I'll gladly take you up on that Tut

tut · Post by **tut** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:46 pm

Lee

No need for a flamesuit, as you say, car first, badge second. This does not apply to everybody though, myself included up to a point, but that is because over six years I have just got so used to saying Scottish_Elises.

For me the early Elise is a winner because of lack of weight, and this is absolutely paramount. Once you start adding weight, even though you up the power, you are on a loser. This has always happened with so called improvement, the Golf being the prime example. I think the 111R is around 890kg, and the VX 220T about 980kg, mine even with the Honda conversion is 750.

So for me that is what it really boils down to. Bare aluminium, electric and power nothing, and of course, top off.

tut

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:21 am

is that an official caterham colour ?