Questions about the Elise

slg · Post by **slg** » Mon May 01, 2006 5:29 pm

Hello all

Been reading through this site for the last couple of days - enjoyable but I'm trying to find out if the Elise should be my next car.

Currently have a TT (265-270bhp (est) as it's been remapped, stainless cat back exhaust, forge dv and Neuspeed Shifter) but I have seen an Elise - 51 plate sports tourer in the Autotrader from Scottish Motor Services and would like to know from your experiences whether it would be worth changing?

Is that the model to go for? Should I be looking at a different model?

It will be getting daily use (I hope) & the only other option I can come up with is a Clio Sport 182!

Thanks for your time & patience (esp as I'm a Newbie on your forum)

Stuart

Post by **Shug** » Mon May 01, 2006 5:37 pm

Stuart.

Very different car to the TT. You won't get the same shove (unless you buy an Exige S) but you'll find whole new dimensions to driving. None of them are straight-line cars, but find the right road and there's not much that can keep up with a well-driven Elise.

As for differences, from something solid like and Audi, you'd be looking to get the latest S2 you can afford. They get progressively better built (and a bit heavier) as they get younger.

You'd really be better getting a ride in a few, as they do require slight compromises if you want to use every day. Don't rush into one, keep an eye out for meets and trackdays and pop along (we don't mind if you turn up in an Audi

) Just about everyone will be only too happy to take you for some passenger runs to get an idea of what the car's about.

BTW - might have some questions for you re Audis (the g/f has an 01 S3 and is looking for good independants and her options for tuning)

HTH a wee bit

Oh, and

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Mon May 01, 2006 5:54 pm

Also, IMO just because your car has 275bhp don't think that an Elise with 120bhp is going to feel slow or be slow in comparision. OK, in a straight line the TT is going to pull past the Elise after a certain speed but straightline stuff is boring....

From experience especially from Knockhill, a Scooby Sti did not have enough power to get past me at KH on the straights. I think you are going to need 300+ to do so as I found out by Admirals Evo.

Clio 182 is an excellent car and if driven well will stick with an Elise.
They're still chalk and cheese.
I would prefer the rear wheel drive, potential tuning and open top that the Elise offers.

Post by ed » Mon May 01, 2006 5:59 pm

As per what shug said, best to try them out for yourself. the standard elise is only 120bhp ish but in the right hands can lap with the best of them. Power goes up to 190bhp in a 111r/exige but s/c are on the way and 280bhp is possible but expensive. Come along to kh/meets for some pax action and then take it from there. Best to try at a stealers and then by privately so save funds for mods. Had a shot of a 225 tt the other day and was amazed at the difference. imho you wouldnt regret the change for a second!!

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:46 pm

Hi Stuart,

A friend of mine went from a mark one elise to a TT. He was a bit of a nancey boy, and didn't like the little things, e.g. small boot, and awkward getting in & out, so loved the practicality of the TT. As for driving experience, he says the Audi was nowhere near as involving, or as quick. However, I reckon his Audi is one of the lower spec quattros, and that may have an impact on just how much more your head gets pushed into the seat when you accelerate

Can only reiterate, try before you buy! If you like driving your understeery Audi, you'll love the S2

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Mon May 01, 2006 7:51 pm

The difference in the steering feel is worth the switch alone. If you want too feel involved get an Elise

The TT is totally devoid of feeling and pretty dull to drive. A 111R or Exige will just walk away from it on track, as has been shown in the last few track nights. Round the bends the Audi is SO much slower than any version.

Take one out for a spin and tell me I'm not right

Good luck with it.

slg · Post by **slg** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:26 pm

thanks for the opinions and suggestions - looks like I will be visiting a stealer to try one first

TT can be a bit lacking of feeling in the twistys but I've found that switching the esp off and putting the foot down in the corner and turn tighter lets the haldex transfer more power to the rear quicker and push out of the corner rather than create more understeer.

Will keep an eye out for any trips to Knockhill, have only been out on the bike up there but loved it. Wanted to take the TT up last time but ARB's were needing replaced on the front. Hopefully get it on track before I sell it

How new a car should I be looking for? Is the vvti engine the one to go for and what age were they getting used from?

slg · Post by **slg** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:36 pm

Shug wrote:Stuart.

Very different car to the TT. You won't get the same shove (unless you buy an Exige S) but you'll find whole new dimensions to driving. None of them are straight-line cars, but find the right road and there's not much that can keep up with a well-driven Elise.

As for differences, from something solid like and Audi, you'd be looking to get the latest S2 you can afford. They get progressively better built (and a bit heavier) as they get younger.

You'd really be better getting a ride in a few, as they do require slight compromises if you want to use every day. Don't rush into one, keep an eye out for meets and trackdays and pop along (we don't mind if you turn up in an Audi ) Just about everyone will be only too happy to take you for some passenger runs to get an idea of what the car's about.

BTW - might have some questions for you re Audis (the g/f has an 01 S3 and is looking for good independants and her options for tuning)

HTH a wee bit

Oh, and

Not used them yet myself but Star Performance in Kirkcaldy get good reviews and recommendations from the Scottish TT owners. Website is http://www.starperformance.co.uk Also, another independant is Autowerke Ltd in Edinburgh.

Post by **simon** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:50 pm

Welcome along Stuart, where abouts are you based?
I'd do like everyone else says, get along to Knockhill and get some pax laps and you'll get a feel for what the car is like there. Also definitely try and get a pax ride on the road as you can't really compare track and road driving.

Shug, I've also heard of Star being recommended for VW/Audi tuning.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:54 pm

Star are awesome.
Jim who owns Star is very knowledgeable

Sassy · Post by **Sassy** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:57 pm

If it's any help re the actual one you're thinking of buying (saw it today actually) then Scottish Motor Services is a good, trustworthy dealership. One of the old skool where a genuine passion for cars is the motivation rather than making a quick buck selling lemons.

As for Elise over TT -- Much as they're excellent in terms of build and engineering, and you can't beat the likes of the RS4 for a bit of suave muscle, I find Audis on the whole very anodyne. They're so 'perfect' they've had all the character smoothed out of them. If you're looking for a companion, and a challenge, rather than a just a car, you'll love the Elise. But if you only want to get from A to B in a slick motor stick with the TT.

slg · Post by **slg** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:06 pm

Sassy wrote:If it's any help re the actual one you're thinking of buying (saw it today actually) then Scottish Motor Services is a good, trustworthy dealership. One of the old skool where a genuine passion for cars is the motivation rather than making a quick buck selling lemons.

As for Elise over TT -- Much as they're excellent in terms of build and engineering, and you can't beat the likes of the RS4 for a bit of suave muscle, I find Audis on the whole very anodyne. They're so 'perfect' they've had all the character smoothed out of them. If you're looking for a companion, and a challenge, rather than a just a car, you'll love the Elise. But if you only want to get from A to B in a slick motor stick with the TT.

Was going in to see it today but got as far as Arnold Clark to look at the Clio, the kids got bored and I ended up going back home for peace - will go and see it during the week.

Is that a good model to go for though? It has a FSH, so wouldn't have thought 40k was too bad unless it they were hard miles

Sassy · Post by **Sassy** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:44 pm

I've only driven a 111R which is the VVTi engine, which I believe is 2004 onwards. So I don't know much about the K Series in the one you're looking at, other than what I've been told in that it's a bit fragile.

I'm rather biased toward the twin cam in the Toyota unit, but engines aside, the handling will be such a revalation over the TT you'll probably forgive your Elise anything, even when you're on the hard shoulder waiting for a very nice man in a yellow van...

Post by **simon** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:02 pm

http://www.elises.co.uk for all the model info you'll ever need

minkypotglory · Post by **minkypotglory** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:03 pm

Agree with the posts above the Elise is a breed apart from every thing else

The clio will be a nippy and functional and after two weeks a tad boring dare i say

where as the Elise is no doubt less functional but after two weeks you'll wonder why it took so long to get one

As many have said take your time and look at all the options there are many to choose from come and join the madhouse were a frendly bunch

Neil @ Mags