JTaylor

As per title.

I love my RA; its quick and grips well and performs flawlessly at Castle Coombe. However, I like to try all that the world of motoring has to offer and as such my next step is a light weight sports car.

I've considered the VX220 but really have my heart set on the Lotus. My concerns are will I miss the poke of my 330-350/310 1240kg RA? Will I be seduced by a car which doesn't just grip, but handles? In short, how will I find the transition?

All constructive comments, opinions and advice welcome.

Cheers

James

P.S. Found this thread but it didn't answer all my questions
P.P.S Read all the other threads, but still can't fathom whether the change will leave me unsatisfied

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthrea...ighlight=Elise

CTR

Do you like a challenge?

The Elise is going to be way more challenging to just keep it pointing in the direction you want to go when pushing on. Then its even more challenging to make the thing go quickly. The Elise is very very rewarding to drive though.

It will feel slow in a straight line compared to your Impreza. In fact it will be slow in a straight line compared to your Impreza. There are upgrade options for an Elise which make it supercar quick, like sticking a Honda engine in it, this isnt cheap, but absolutely transforms the car. After that it wont feel slow.

I had a classic UK turbo a few years ago, and there is no way I would have it back after owning an Elise.

Moonloops

on the track - Elise

On the road - scoob

go figure

JTaylor

Thanks for the advice thus far. So that you know what I'll be coming from, the link shows the spec of the RA.

http://www.type-ra.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15

Dark Blue Mark

Im biased but S2000 is worth a look.

They handle great but with some suspension, zorst, filter and a remap they are even more potent!

Id really like an S2 but I couldn't handle any reliability issues, or leaks, etc... and it seems a bit hit or miss.

MB

JTaylor

Hello Mark,

I've seriously considered the S2000 but want to scratch the lotus itch (although that may change, I'm vacilating a lot). Did you get a PM from me the other day re your S2000?

SimonGawthorpe

Ive had a Series 2 (51-plate) Elise Sport Tourer for about 10 weeks now. Before that I had a UK Classic Turbo (W-Plate).

Have you driven an Elise yet? If not, get in one ASAP. It is like nothing else I have ever driven. On paper the performance is almost equal between the Elise and the Classic Turbo2000, but actually driving them I think the Elise feels faster due to the ride / noise. However I do have a fairly loud Lotus sports exhaust on mine!

It is pretty unpractical but thats part of the fun. Getting in and out is a task with the roof on, but very easy with the roof off. I can even get a week's worth of food shopping in the boot or the passenger footwell.

Reliability wise (touch wood) ive not had any major problems yet. Apart from a failed jubilee clip which caused the car to empty itself of coolant on the driveway. Easily fixed though.

Also be prepared for people to stare at you. Im not a poser (honest!!) but I do like to feel like im driving a nice car that people admire. The problem with the Lotus is that everyone at petrol stations and car parks want to talk to you about it and young children want to take photos of it on their camera phones!!

I think if you get out and test drive one, you will know instantly whether it is for you or not. I love it!! I realise you are going from a fairly modified Scoob but if you are looking at the 111s or Sport 135 then I dont think you will see much difference.

Also you will save a fortune in petrol!! I put £30 in mine, drive it quite hard and still get 200-220 miles out of it!!

Hope this helps. Check out this link for more info-

http://forum.nyloc.org/index.php

Simon

p.s. Dont buy a VX220, you will only regret not buying the Lotus!!

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

I had a S1 elise, before the scoob, and is the only car i have ever really missed, if i had the money i would have you as well.

But wouldnt loose my scoob for it though

JTaylor

Thanks for the feedback chaps. I think my mind's made up - s2 111s in one these colours - top one being my favourite.











I like BRG as well but couldn't find a snap.

Tripple'O G

Before I bought my scoob I went to look and test drive an elise.......

After spending what felt like an eternity trying to get in the ******* thing (sliding across the door seal etc) I realised it wouldn't be a practical thing at all.......infact after I got my mate to jump in next to me and we were shoulder to shoulder, I had to get out on my hand and knees and never even looked back at the salesman.

If you want it as a play thing to track then go for it......everyday car? IMHO it would pi$$ you off within 3 months

SiDHEaD

Love that top pic with the dark wheels and splitter!

greg.g went from a classic to 111S, he loves it!

JTaylor

Thanks for the input OG, I've got a fiesta for shopping so i'm not too bothered.

Sidehead,

I was chatting to Greg last night on SELOC

Dark Blue Mark

MB

Dark Blue Mark

JT, they look pretty bloody nice. Be interested in your views!

MB

scoobynutta555

Hello again JT, good thread on SELOC. Seems to be quite a theme for peops to switch back and forth from Impreza to Elise.

Agree with the looks thing. I get the same amount of looks now as I did in either a P1 or a 22b with decat Blitz nur spec. Women and old men tend to look at the Elise, while with the Imprezas it was boys/youths.

SimonGawthorpe

One thing worth remembering about the colour issue is stone chips. These cars are primed in white before they are painted. They get BADLY stonechipped very quickly due to the ride height etc. This is doubled if you take it on a track / airfield day. If you go for a light coloured car then you cant see the stone chips as easily. Mine is Ice Blue and although quite well stone chipped on the front, you cant tell from about 2 feet away.

When you try to get in / out of one for the first time, do it with the roof on and off. With the roof on it is an aquired art, but quite easy after a few attempts. With the roof off its easier than getting into your Fiesta!

Heres the beast, crap photo from the advert when I bought it-



Si

Dark Blue Mark

Tell us bout the pro's and cons I would like one but doing 12k a year in one might be a problem for me...

MB

JTaylor

Hello Scoobynutta , thanks for the advice Simon. As Mark suggested, it'd be good to get a mini report if you find the time.

Tripple'O G

Oh I wasn't saying I wouldn't have one and like you say, you've got a fiesta for the normal shopping.....

I was just implying that after the initial "elise" thrill, it may get on your nerves after a while........

Go for it though as a friend of mine has had a 350bhp conversion done on one and he loves it to death....

SimonGawthorpe

I will tell you what I know, but remember I am only about 3 months into the ownership. FYI its a 2001 series 2 Sport Tourer with 24,000 on the clock.

Ive not come from a background of exotic cars but I have owned several Scoobs and Saxo VTS, Festa RST, Pulsar etc. This car is totally different to anything I have ever driven before.

The build quality of the S2 (mine) is supposed to be far superior to the S1, but I have no first hand experience of this. The build of mine is good, all quite solid. As with any car produced in relatively small numbers it has its quirks-

My drivers-side wing mirror comes loose every now and again. It would never actually fall off but I do have to keep pushing it back into the mount.

The heater control **** is stiff sometimes and needs a bit of persuasion to turn from hot to cold.

The lumbar support on the drivers seat is too high an can be uncomfortable. The drivers seat adjusts back and forwards a couple of inches on rails but has no other adjustments. The passenger seat doesn't adjust at all!

Only problem ive had with mine is a jubilee clip failed. The radiator is mounted under the front bonnet grills whilst the header tank is at the back. Therefore the coolant is hard-piped from the back of the car to the front. At the front end of the hard pipe is a rubber hose which goes to the rad etc. The jubilee clip holding the hard pipe and rubber hose came loose and I lost all of the coolant out of the car. Luckily this occured on my driveway so it was easy to fix.

Small problems like the one above are made harder by the fact that the entire underneath of the car is sealed with aluminium sheets. You have to take these off before you can get at anything from the underneath. They are only screwed on though.

Apart from that I have had no other problems. I always warm the car up to about 88c before driving it (they have a digi temp gauge). The car runs at anywhere between 86c and 107c is the highest ive seen. The fan comes on at about 104c.

Fuel consumption is good. They use ordinary unleaded, the manual actually makes reference that you dont need to use SUL. My tank holds about £30 and I get between 200 and 240 miles out of that.

There is plenty of scope for mods if you want to mess with it. I personally like it how it is. I already have an upgraded Lotus Sports Exhaust which is plenty loud enough. I may upgrade the induction soon though!

As for driving it, well I think you know its reputation. Ive not really explored it yet but I have been round some corners quicker than I though I ever would. The back end likes to step out, even at low speeds in the dry, but so far (touch wood) I have found it predictable.

I really wouldn't worry about getting in and out. I am just over 6'0" and although, as I said earlier, it is a task with the roof on, you just get used to it. When you come to get out, swing both feet out and then put your right hand on the top of the seat and your left hand on the edge of the windscreen and pull yourself out. With the roof off you just step into it sit down, then stand up and step out.

They changed the roof style in 2002. Mine is a "long-tail" roof then they changed to a "short-tail" roof. Dont let people tell you that the long tail is an **** to put on and off because it isn't. It takes me about 20 seconds from opening the boot until the roof is fully on. Also dont be seduced by one with a hardtop, you will NEVER EVER EVER use it!! Its just a waste and if you go out for a drive with it on and it gets sunny, you cant take it off because you've got nowhere to put it!!

Servicing is a bit of a mystery for me so far. Mines due its first service since I got it next month. I am in the north and there are a couple of specialists who I think I might try rather than a main dealer.I dont think servicing or parts are much more expensive than a Subaru.

I was worried when I got mine because I haven't got a garage, but its been fine outside in snow and sleet. I move in two weeks to a house with a garage so I will be able to look after it properly!!

Cant think of anything else right now, but if you've got any questions please ask!

Si

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

I have had the Elise Itch for a couple of years now. Instead of getting the Elise I went from a turbo'd MX5 running 200bhp (now running 300bhp with traction control and more) which was the most fun on wheels I ever had. It had at the practicallity of a normal car but what a hoot.! Put a tastful body kit on it and lower one, and you can pretty much shake off the hairdresser image.

I then went to my classic now running or will be circa 380/380. Which is quick, very quick. But still would love to get into some 2 seater softop fun. I can justify a total toy now. There is something about a 2 seater low slung car with the roof off that just cant be met by even the fastest saloon car.

I test drove a S1 135 and was dissapointed in its performance but not its drive.

Being a petrol junky I would only now consider a heavily modded Elise (ideally a S1 as I love the shape of them), or a VX220turbo with AMG stage2.

You got to drive one, but keep an open mind and be subjective. Even a normal elise will put a very large smile on your face, especially if when you drive it, its a sunny day and the roof is off. But be careful - If you a power junky like me, you will probably soon long for more grunt than a standard elise will give you.

Duno what you budget is but you can get a TVR Tamora now for 20K also on my shopping list of cars to own.

greg.g

Hi JTaylor

I can still be found snooping around on here as well

As Sidhead said, i have not regretted my change.
If you are in the midlands, then drop me a line, or contact MLOC.
Someone is bound to take you for a spin.

Greg

JTaylor

Missed this, sorry () and thanks for the offer. Moving to Cardiff in the next couple of months so may well take you up on it Greg.

JTaylor

Good write up Si, cheers

wilftwo

Had my S1 18 months now.

Reliability issues - none.
Fun factor 10/10
Getting in and out - pain in the ****
Back ache on long drive - yep even with S2 seats

Given a sunny day on a country road and its x5 more involving and more fun than a scoob.

Straight line neither the std Elise, S111s or 135 are quick. Std brakes are pretty poor as well.

I would thoroughly recommend an Elise to anyone - but only as a second car.

scoobynutta555

Theres a few options if you want blistering performance from an Elise. The most common big power conversion Ive seen is the Honda Civic typeR engine and gearbox conversion. These cost in the region of 9-10k (plus cost of donor Elise), but give you 200-210 bhp. Think the quoted 0-60 time is 4 seconds, and on top of this there are other options such as supercharging, audi tt engines etc etc. Reliable 250-300 bhp can be acquired fairly easily if thats the route you want to go down.

Ive seen typeR converted Elises for sale at around 16-17k mark, I simply cannot think of anything that looks as good and goes as fast for this money, unless you go down the Caterham etc route.

Im quite happy with mine at the moment and occasions where Id use a full 210 bhp Elise IMHO wouldn't justify the expense. But if the engine let go, I'd have it converted I think.

regarding the brakes, they take getting used to as they are not servo assisted, but they are far from bad.

NeilT

yep, got an S1 Elise, 98 plate as a second car to my STI.

Would agree with everything you've said above, but had the seats redone by Lotus with probax - 100% better now.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...neilt/side.jpg

Also, the Elise costs next to nothing to run, seem to get well above 35mpg, plus tyres and brakes last forever, due to the weight of the car

Neil

scoobynutta555

The best colour too

luke m

take a long long test drive. i had a vx220 n/a after my mr2 turbo and was very disapointed. completely missing the low down grunt i crave and the vx220 has more torque than a standard s1 elise (less than a 135 though i suppose). it all depends if this is that important to you. if i were to buy that sort of car again i'd consider a vx220 turbo first and foremost. far better tuning potential. my classic feels quicker under acceleration than the vx220n/a.

scoobynutta555

The honda conversions supposedly soundly beat a vx220 turbo in terms of acceleration, and they would be a good deal lighter too.