Scottish Elises

Hi folks,

I am at last in the position to get myself an K-series Elise. I am still torn between the value for money of the S1 and the more modern spec of the S2. I will be using my car for commuting to work occasionally (12 mile round trip), and doing a few track days and hill-climbs. I am not too hung up on big power figures (anything from std to 140hp will do for now!) , but I do want a well sorted, sharp handling set-up.

I suppose my biggest dilemma is: do I go for a cheap standard S1 and keep some cash towards making it 'my' car, i.e getting it fettled to my spec, or blow my complete budget on the newest/ nicest S2 I can find (I really fancy a Sport 135).

I suppose my budget is approx 11k, and I would like to get a car with a hard top.

Any advice would be appreciated, especially from anyone else using their car for commuting & track work on what set-up gives you the best all-round package.

Hope to meet some of you soon,

Graham

Graham,

Alot of the problems with the S1 were ironed out in the S2. However there are alot of people on here who say the S1 was the real 'Elise/Exige'. I currently have an S2 Exige but someday would like to get an S1, purely for the experience. Good luck with the search. There are alot of trackdays at Knockhill - check out the trackday section of the forum. Plenty of guys are quite happy to do pax laps. There are also runs every so often - check in the Meets section. Run this Saturday in fact (26th Sept). If you want a look round a specific car i'm sure someone will volunteer to show you theirs/take you for a run. Quite a good little community here!

Cant' go wrong with an S1. Should be able to pick up a well looked after example with plenty change for uprated suspension,brakes etc for hillclimbing. S2 is much easier to live with day to day but lost some of the sharpness of the S1. best bet is to try both before you decide. I have a race S1 and a S2 Exige, more than welcome to pax in either or both. PM if you want.

Mike

loads of folk in the area with a huge range of variants. I'm sure you'll get loads of pax offers to help you decide what is best for you. Where about in the 'shire are you?

Jen

Hi Graham, welcome to Scottish_Elises.

As Jen says there are a growing number that have joined recently in the Aberdeenshire area, and we have cars ranging from the standard 118hp up to S/C Honda's with 300hp.

tut

first off along to SE!!!!!

I have had a standard S2 racetech for the last year and a half, used it for commuting, road runs with the SE crowd and 2 trackdays at knochill, personally i honestly think that for an alrounder the S2 is great, its nice and quick to put the roof on when it starts raining!!! lol

I have spent a bit of time and money on it done bits and bobs, like induction kit, vvc inlet, 52 mm throttle body, brakes and it has been more than ideal for me to get to grips with the trackday and roadrun banter, i stay in kintore if you want to go out for a blast, where are you from?

Oh and its for sale....you would get a decent amount of change for your 11k too........PM me it would be nice to keep it in SE too!

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... =7&t=22739

Don't spend all your money, save some aside for HGF! Dare I say an S2 might be better for commuting but I love my S1 and changing to S2 dampers made a big improvement but there are others who know a lot more than I do.

Hi Graham welcome along to SE
As the other have said try and get a shot of or pax in both S1 and S2
I'm in the opinion of letting someone else take the £££ hit for upgrades to suspension brake hoses and Air intake rather than going for a clean un molested car and if you can get one that the head gasket has been done properly ~a bonus
Find a car with a hard top if you can as the hard top's worth £500-750 it try and buy one later so cheaper getting a car with one already It will save you money in the long run
cheers Hamish

Thanks for all the advice guys, keep it coming.

Jacobite: I agree with you 100% about letting someone else take the hit for the mods, I suppose I should really just have some patience and wait for the right car to come up. But that is sometimes easier said than done!

I take it most of you guys rate the Nitron suspension for track days etc, does anyone have any experiences of gaz or other alternatives?

Graham

General opinion on Gaz is stay away from them. As you say, most of us when we change go for Nitrons, but they are £1200. The street Nitrons are now being Beta tested and they will be half the price of the NTR's.

Steve Butts rebuilt S2 suspension was also highly regarded at around the £600 mark, but not sure if he is still doing them.

tut