A Lotus Elise thread

[M1k3yC]

As lockdown has eased I've resumed my search for a new toy. In case anyone is interested, I drove this Lotus Elise S about three weeks ago:
https://www.williamsautomobiles.com/current-stock/10751231-lotus-elise-s3-1.8-l-supercharged/
I wasn't impressed, so they also let me drive this:
https://www.williamsautomobiles.com/current-stock/10128271-lotus-elise-220-sport-s3/

Firstly, the guys at Williams Automobiles are great and I'd happily recommend them if you're interested in their cars.

Unfortunately, the Elise S really wasn't for me. It felt nowhere near as quick as the claimed numbers (4.5s 0-62mph) and was also squealing like a pig. I found out after that's the belt on the supercharger, a simple fix, and no big deal. Because it was an unaccompanied test drive it put me off really pushing the car as I didn't know what was wrong and nobody was there to tell me to ignore it. The blue vehicle felt stronger in terms of power, but I didn't want to spend £40k.

I expected the Elise to be a lot more eager at lower revs and the gearing shorter, but the opposite seemed true. To get the performance I think you have to rev it right out but at that point you're well beyond sensible on a public road. I had no problems getting in and out and don't mind the basic interior, although for the price you do feel a bit cheated on the quality of dash and instruments. The seats are reasonably comfortable, but every few minutes I found myself thinking, "wow, these are pretty hard!" The steering isn't really heavy, even though it's unassisted, but it does start to weight up when you push it in a corner so I can imagine it being a bit physical if you were really going for it. I ended up coming to the conclusion that £30k for a large, relatively comfortable go-kart didn't make sense for me! If I did lots of track days or had amazing driving roads right on my doorstep (i.e., if I lived in the middle of nowhere) then maybe, but as a toy for the road with maybe a very occasional track visit it wasn't right for me. Shame, as it's a stunning looking vehicle. I'll just have to make the effort to go karting more frequently instead!

I'm interested in what any current or previous Elise owners think or if you've considered or tested an Elise.

 

[buzyg]

One of many cars I love hearing about but sadly cannot fit into. Surely you buy one to go around corners not to push you back into a comfy chair as it slingshots down a dual carriage way. Perhaps best that I have never been able to drive one, I can still enjoy the dream.

I used to race Karts, just the four stroke thunder karts not the really fast stuff. Get in there and enjoy it while your bones can take the battering. I broke a few ribs simply going over curbs in those things. Best tool there is for learning car control. I recommend slicks on a frozen circuit, if you ever get the opportunity. Possibly the most fun you can have at 60mph :driving:

 

[groovy_hippy]

I can’t disagree on the price thing. Lotus seem to have got it into their heads that they can price their cars close to Porsches, but at the end of the day they’re mostly using a customer engine and haven’t made any major tech advances in the last few years. Now don’t get me wrong, I’d love one - we used to have a VX Turbo which was awesome - but not at the price of a new/newer Lotus! In case readers don’t know...the Vauxhall VX200 Turbo is an Elise S2 with a 2.0 Turbo in back and a different body - immense fun.
It’s such a shame because Lotuses are great - simple, nimble little sports cars, but it seems that they’ve lost their way a bit on the marketing/price front.

 

[Smartbear]

With the Elise you’re paying for what you don’t get rather than what you do get, that’s the whole ethos of the car.
If it had plush, electric seating & a dashboard full of dials & buttons it wouldn’t weigh so little and be as nimble as it is.
It’s hardcore (although less than they used to be) and you have to re-evaluate what you’re buying into.
I owned mine for almost 3 years & loved it, totally different experience to a z4 & not comparable in any way.
Not sure about the new ones but my 2006 car didn’t even come with any carpet, just a couple of mats 8)

Rob

 

[beanie]

I think the Elise will always remain the one that got away, for me. I was all set to buy one until I tried a Z4m-the dark side was far too appealing!

I’d still really like an S2 exige or a newer sport 220 Elise but thanks to their uninspiring engines I don’t think I could ever let go of the Z4m for one. If there was a way I could have both then that would be a dream as they are cracking things to drive.

 

[scootr]

I think the Elise will always remain the one that got away, for me. I was all set to buy one until I tried a Z4m-the dark side was far too appealing!

I’d still really like an S2 exige or a newer sport 220 Elise but thanks to their uninspiring engines I don’t think I could ever let go of the Z4m for one. If there was a way I could have both then that would be a dream as they are cracking things to drive.

You would have a lovely problem then indeed. I love the look and idea behind these cars but I fear the ride will be a bit harsh for my old bones.

 

[brillomaster]

Ive got a mate with a vx220. Didnt like it at all to be honest... felt really cramped inside, seats were terribly uncomfortable, and i struggled to get in and out, even though im only 30! The interior was also really rattly, just felt like it was gonna fall apart. He asked if i fancied taking it for a few laps round donington, i declined. And youre right, it wasnt that fast, and didnt make a very nice noise either.

Personally i much preferred my z4 for trackdays... faster, sounded better, comfortable, and plenty nimble enough.

If i really wanted a drivers car, id go for a caterham, or an mk indy with a hayabusa engine in. They feel really quick, and with a high revving bike engine would sound heroic too!

 

[beanie]

You would have a lovely problem then indeed. I love the look and idea behind these cars but I fear the ride will be a bit harsh for my old bones.

I think you might be surprised. I drove a virtually new 111s many years ago and one of the things that struck me was just how complaint the ride was. It was far better at dealing with a British B-road than my Z4 yet gave a level of feedback and connection that our cars can only dream of.

That said, I did drive a couple of more well used examples which didn’t feel quite as solid and composed-I seem to remember something regarding the wear rate of ball joints or track rod ends being a common cause of complaint but it’s been a long time sine I was looking at these cars. Either way, it would be worth keeping the suspension in tip top shape as it really is part of the reason for them being so capable.

 

[scootr]

Check this 2005 Elise out. She looks like a 2 meter blonde in stiletto heels :rofl:

 

[Smartbear]

Check this 2005 Elise out. She looks like a 2 meter blonde in stiletto heels :rofl:

Hard top as well
Rob

 

[scootr]

No fake vents there !

 

[M1k3yC]

A big factor for me was the price. The dark red one that I was interested in didn't meet my expectations of a £30k car and a newer one at more like £40k seemed even harder to justify, although it was a better vehicle. The real kicker is you can buy two Mazda MX-5s (Mk4) for the same price. Slower, but very involving, a nicer place to be, and more usable on a regular basis. If the Mazda isn't fast enough for you, you can take it to BBR GTi, throw a few thousand pounds at it, and still have change compared to buying a Lotus.

 

[Smartbear]

A big factor for me was the price. The dark red one that I was interested in didn't meet my expectations of a £30k car and a newer one at more like £40k seemed even harder to justify, although it was a better vehicle. The real kicker is you can buy two Mazda MX-5s (Mk4) for the same price. Slower, but very involving, a nicer place to be, and more usable on a regular basis. If the Mazda isn't fast enough for you, you can take it to BBR GTi, throw a few thousand pounds at it, and still have change compared to buying a Lotus.

You can’t compare them, the Mazda is a mass produced car opposed to the hand assembled Lotus-economies of scale mean the Lotus is never going to be a cheap car like an mx5.
Rob

 

[abar121]

I have to agree with the OP, Elises, in fact all Lotuses are a tough sell these days.

It pains me to say that, as I have a long background in Elises, back to the S1 and love them to pieces.

Expectations have moved on and unfortunately they have been left behind. All the more so with the elevated price tags.

I recently drove a new Elise Sport 220S and whilst good fun, it is missing a lot of the thrill that the earlier cars gave. Heavier, softer and there is no hiding that basement Toyota shopper engine at that price point, even with the supercharger.

I'd still love a slightly tweaked K series Elise though. ~750kg, 170bhp with a DVA head. So much character and you can feel the lack of weight immediately. The throttle response feels fantastic too, being cable. Not great as your only car, but there you go

 

[beanie]

There’s a recent article on PistonHeads about the BBR ITB setup for the 3rd gen mx5 and I think if I had one I’d have a hard time resisting it.

The standard NC is pretty well judged as a car for uk roads but a bit more poke and drama would make it brilliant. Sure, it will never be a lotus but that’s both a bad and a good thing!

Abar- I much preferred the K series to the Toyota lumps. A sorted sport 160 S1 would have made a great buy some years ago before the prices started climbing.

 

[Ilogik]

You’re paying for the name, give me a VX220 over the Elise, front ends far more sexy than the Elise, rear ended Elise wins hands down.

 

[scootr]

You’re paying for the name, give me a VX220 over the Elise, front ends far more sexy than the Elise, rear ended Elise wins hands down.

Very little is more desirable than a good rear end

 

[Ole gits rule]

Late to this thread but I had a series II standard car at 115bhp and it was a hoot to drive, light nimble and far better than an mx5, would do 35mpg with ease while adding a grin to my face - still regret selling mine to this day.

Buy an early series II would have been the way to go - sold mine for £12K 10 years ago and now they are more expensive.

Major issue is service costs for me as it was a K series engine with Porsche service costs from a limited dealer network.

 

[scootr]

There are some really good mid-engine sport cars in this class. The Lotus is an iconic less is more roadster. While I totally appreciate both the concept and the execution I'm too old to drive it much. The E89 is in my opinion a lovely Sunday roadster. It is very comfortable and a fairly capable car. But that left me a wanting more capable car I could push harder and faster through the canyons. Hence the Boxa S. With a few tweaks the little car is both compliant and seriously aggressive. :driving:

 

[M1k3yC]

In the end I bought an MX-5 and have no regrets a few months on. I will investigate the BBR route to up the power next spring I think, funds permitting.