Petem95

Thinking of either a Merc 230 SLK or Lotus Elise - would be about 96/97 models.

Like the idea of the Lotus most, but Ive heard the suspension gets knocked out track easily or something? And the hood is horrible and leaks.

Merc is a bit girly but they look great and I like the folding roof - main drawback is maybe expensive servicing and auto only?

Anyone owned either?

what would scooby do

Had an SLK320 V6 Manual with AMG bodykit etc - totally different car to an Elise.

Merc for cruising and top down fun - Elise is very hardcore and not very practical.

SLK has a bigish boot, and you can still get a squashy bag in with the roof fully down

CTR

Ive got a 98/99 Elise. The roof leaks a little, but only really onto the sills, and it has to rain hard for that to happen, and it only happens when stationary. You dont get soaked when driving along.

I dont know about the geo issue, most people on the Elise boards seem to recommend getting it done once a year, unless it becomes obvious its gone out, I will only be getting it done once a year.

Dont want to put you off, but the K series engine is prone to head gasket failure, and the earlier models have a red clutch pipe, which in hot weather gots hot, and means you cant change gear. My mate had his rerouted which helped, but I would get one with a braided clutch pipe.

Other than that, its an absolute blast to drive.

Bobby Peru

I'd prolly go for an SLK320, automatic (essential for resale) with some nice AMG 18"s.

Dark Blue Mark

I had a sit in a Elise yesterday, and the guy who owned it had to show me the procedure for getting in and out of it Quite tricky!

Looked ok inside, but seats felt as though they would be very uncomfy after a while and the gear change felt a bit cheap.

Not many better looking on the outside though!

MB

Dark Blue Mark

What about a VX220, slightly more refined?

MB

CTR

Theres a knack, Im 6 foot 6, and have zero problems.

Well other than looking a bit daft, with my head sticking above the roof line with a crash helment on!

Dark Blue Mark

I expect you can just stride in from behind!

MB

Petem95

Didnt know the k-series were prone to headgaskets? Thats a bit of a turn-off.

How much is the cost of getting the suspension geometry setup?

VX220 isnt likely to hold its money as well as the Lotus or Merc I dont think, otherwise that would be an option!

Jaybird-UK

My mate has a VX220, better looking than the Elise IMHO

They seem to be holding their money well too, perhaps have a surf over to http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/index.php

RB5 Paul

How about an S2000 which would be somewhere between the 2 in terms of driving and comfort and practicality.

CTR

LOL @ DBM

I think Geo is about £150 at stealers.

CTR

Theres a buying guide here

http://www.elise-faq.info/

and other info.

CTR

Another thought, if you buy an Elise, join the AA, take out parts and labour cover, if your head gasket goes, this will pay for it to be fixed(first £500, or £1000 depending which cover you take out).

Chris L

The HGF problem is well known on the K series. There are ways to avoid and check for failure - there a loads of sites covering this. That said, a lot of specialist seem to attribute the problem not just to the layout of the cars (MGF and Elise), but also to the much increased weight of the MGF - which does the K series engine no favours. That is not to say that Elise's will not suffer a HGF, but I would think it is probably less likely than the MGF.

I've done a lot of research into this as I've considered an Elise on many occassions. Just remember it is a proper sports car and should be treated as such.

Chris