Scottish Elises

Hi All,

Just found this forum as I was looking about for info on Lotus Elise’s.

I currently got a Civic type R, but am looking to change this for an Elise, but I’ve a few questions that maybe you can answer for me.
1. Can I realistically use an Elise and my daily drive, the getting in and out does not bother me, it’s a question of are they reliable. My Honda’s been 100% reliable, on the other hand my last car was an Alfa Romeo GTV, which was far from reliable.
2. What should I go for, I’ve recently seen an S1 S plate with 23 000 on the clock and a 51 plate for similar money with 28 000. Is mileage a huge issue?

Right-o... Common questions really...

Okay, reliability. A standard, well serviced one should give you no major problems. However - it's a handmade car (by Norfolk types) so things do go wrong. Usually of the niggly variety and it has to be said, the later the car, the less the problems. But you shouldn't have a standard car blowing up and refusing to start left right and centre. Mine was a daily drive for a year and a half (over 50K done in that time) and it let me down once (when the cheapo battery collapsed) Remember, the engine is exactly the same as one found in a boggo Rover.

I love my S1 and defend my God given right to question S2 owners sexuality but it has to be said an S2 is a better everyday proposition. It's a bit quieter, better built (again, later the better) and not quite as 'cottage industry' as the S1. That said, it's heavier and understeers

I'd think of mileage as less of an issue than the care taken over it. Look for lots of specialists receipts (don't bet on the main dealer being the best option) Make sure the guy loves it and, if possible, buy a known car. There are lots about at the moment ( circa 200 on pistonheads) so you can afford to be picky. Also, worth trying to blag an existing owner to come along and check out cars with you.

Welcome to the madhouse, by the way

hello.

I bought my S1 in April this year, and have done 7k miles since. It has cost me just over a tenner in the "things going wrong" department. Not bad.

Its in getting the cambelt changed and the Track rod ends done today and a full C service. So it will have cost me probably about 500 quid for servicing and maintenance this year, which isnt bad atall really. Factor in insurance and petrol though and its a bit more.... But still relatively cheap motoring for the experience!

The variation in condition of cars about is, in my experience, vast - from good buys to sheds. I would buy from a person on a board if possible as Shug says at least thenits a known car.

Buying from a dealer may be safer, but you still dont really know what youre getting - I know someone from here just traded their elise in, and its on the guys forecourt at 9995 - he put on some £50 used konis before he sold it!

And if you can wait until January you can buy mine.

^ see above

Hi Malky,

Kill Zippy is selling his Silver S1 in the classifed section

....and here's a link for the lazy

http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... isheliseso

Not personally seen it, but sounds like a blinder...

Shug,

What weight is your S1? Is it the same as Gordons?

Haven't had it weighed... but I've removed a pile of crap (radio, etc) from it, so hopefully lighter....

Yeah - the later S1's gained bulk (as they upgraded components, etc) But I'm sure Gordon had left his personal lead collection in the boot when he had it weighed!!!

Funnily, there can be a massive variation in S1 clam weights (depended how the bloke felt on the day he was laying it up!)

Cheers for the advise guys,

So basically it’s more of a mileage and history thing, than an age thing. I have to say I fall into the S2 camp (sorry Shug) One sitting in a local garage with 3k on it in silver with a hard top, sure it’s a 111S, missed out on one at AC in Glasgow, but never so it in the metal so it could have been to a bit rought, as the price seemed too good!!

Malky

Malky!

Id definently go for an S2 especially if it where switching from a Civic. The reason being is that they are, or so im told, more predictable and easier to live with day to day. I would go to a stealer for a test drive but would buy one privately.

Youll save at least £2k and have that money incase things go wrong.
Now is definently the best time to buy! Cheers Ed

MacK wrote:Shug,

What weight is your S1? Is it the same as Gordons?

Mine was 755kg foo to the brim with fuel. From what i remember it wasn't the heaviest s1. Christ, i dont even carry cd's in the car coz of the extra weight .

Sanjoy, what happened with the posting of the weigh in results??

Sorry about the thread hijack, Malky

Guys,

And I thought it was only my wife that was concerned with weight!!!
Gordon, how did you weight your S1?
Also please excuse my ignorance but with are S1 clam weights.

Are there any garages in Scotland that specialist in elise, other than main stealers!!

My car has been in (and is in at the moment as I type) at http://www.djbmotorsport.com - hes an elise owner and gets a thimbsup from me.

Yeah - but last time I looked brunty did sell them

Mac

Sorry mate - the clams are Elise-speak for the front and rear body sections. Clamshells, they were nicknamed. Hand laid up in fibreglass, and because of their size, can be surprisingly heavy.

Gordon was part of a group weighing session recently - Stu has a set of corner weight scales, used to set up the car. We're all concerned with weight, as light weight is the real reason the Elise is a quick car!