newbie here! - cheapest used S2?

General General Lotus Talk
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Hello.My name is Sally and I’m a sportscaraholic. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] I currently drive a TVR Tuscan (my only car at the moment) but in October I am taking delivery of one of the few Nissan 350Z’s coming into the UK. The Z car will become my daily driver and I am thinking of selling the Tuscan so that I can (a) put a big chunk of cash towards the Z and lessen my monthly payments, and (b) get an Elise as a second car for the (very frequent) times when I want some raw sports car fun.I don’t have the budget to afford a new one, but I really really prefer the look of the Mk2 cars. Not so crazy about the front, but I prefer the back 100% over the Mk1’s. As this is just really going to be a fun car for days out and a daily blast around for grins I can’t really justify any of the more potent versions (111s, etc.), and to be honest after the Tuscan they would all probably seem underpowered anyway - but that’s not why I want one. I understand the Elise is all about handling (which is the Tuscan’s major downfall in my experience), and I will probably get just as many grins from powering through a quick corner as I do rocketing along on straight roads in the TVR.So… my question is this - what year did the Mk2 cars start production (2001?) and what is the most basic version called (presuming that’s the cheapest…) Obviously, if it’s a case of spending �1-2k more and getting a superior car then I’m not ruling out any of the other versions, but it has to be a Mk2.Oh yeah - and general second hand prices…Thanks!Sally

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SallyBet you “Drive like you stole it” [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Excuse the pun, but do you intend to do any trackdays? Most on this bbs get their driving kicks enjoying the “safer” environment of trackdays, & this is where the Elise/Exige really come into their own.Check out the “For Sale” section - RussT’s missus is selling a very nicely specced MK2 Elise.Good luck [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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I will maybe do one or two trackdays, but to be honest I would rather take it for a blast through the countryside. Primarily, this has got to be a car for flinging around B roads rather then a track.I looked at the for sale section before posting, and I actually already contacted Russ about his wife’s Elise, but it may be a bit above my budget. Those leather seats are nice though… Does anyone think I would be better off trying to forget about my opinion of the S1’s rear and put my money in an S1 111s or Sport 135/140 ? I’ve seen a few for under �15k… Cheapest S2 I’ve seen so far was �17k, and that was just a basic model.

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SallyAfter doing your “one or two trackdays”, you’ll be hooked [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]Keep your eye on the http://www.bookatrack.com site & get yourself along to an event (as a spectator)- preferably where there are a few Exiges/Elises booked on track - you’ll find it easy to have a passenger ride if you just ask. You’ll be amazed [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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Oh, I’ve done a few trackdays before - actually my first (and only) drive in a Lotus was a fast passenger lap around Brands Hatch in an Exige. Fun [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] I just find the whole track day experience overpriced and tiring (all those horrible early mornings) and I’m not interested in doing it regularly. I personally have as much fun blasting through our beautiful countryside on a sunny afternoon.

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quote:Originally posted by girlracer:I personally have as much fun blasting through our beautiful countryside on a sunny afternoon. [image]http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Usersmilies/Rafael/02/F1.GIF[/image]

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Sally,we all like that.In fact, tomorrow I’m going to Knockhill, to humilliate [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] some TVR’s, Porsches, Beemers, Mercs and whatever goes there (it’s a Hot Marques event). And I’m doing the long way (through B-roads: Braemar, Glenshee, Pitlochery) down to Dunfermline (Fife) and then do the track session.But the track is safer if you really want to go fast. On the road you must drive at around 80% max. In the track you can go 95% with no concerns, 100% safely, and 110% like you could never in a road.Track!. And B-roads to get there and back! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]Uldis

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try some of the lotus clubs (sites and magazines) there was a fantastic mk1 for sale at the recent lotus show at donnington for around �14k (better than new!!)i reckon you should try a good mk1, either standard and add the right bits or one thaat has been tweaked slightly to improve sound, throttle performance (thats all really) i have a mk1 and yes the mk2 rear is pretty sexy, but the front and plasticky louvres really turn me off the mk 2. the mk 2 is meant not to be quite so sharp in the handling dept. doubt us mere mortals would tell much though. the elise is a great car, few things can make you grin like an elise can.good luck.

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thanks everyone! I know you’re right - I will be hooked… Just don’t want to buy a car for track first and road second.Mrs Pesky - if they could do animated tattoos I think I’d have that one [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Misterpink - my head agrees with you 100%. I could get a fantastic S1 for relative peanuts, but to be honest I had never even considered an Elise until I saw the S2’s rear! I just really didn’t like the look of the S1, and I know you don’t see it when you’re driving it (well, not unless things get reeeally hairy!), but the S2 is in my dreams. I actually followed one home through Notting Hill today (nice black S2) in my Tuscan, and I couldn’t take me eyes off it. I took a mad detour just so I could get a closer look, but it got away from me overtaking a parked bus. Man, those things are SO nimble. Embarrassing that my 180mph supercar lost it!I am going to Bell & Colvill tomorrow to test drive my first Elise. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

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quote:Originally posted by girlracer:Mrs Pesky - if they could do animated tattoos I think I’d have that one [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image] [image]http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/guitarist.gif[/image] SallyJust between you & me, Mr Pesky says that my tattoo occasionally becomes animated - can’t for the life of me remember when though [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image] I think he’s been watching too much of “Men & Motors”, & got carried away [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] Have a good day at B&C - hope the weather is kind [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]PS Ditch the TreVoR [image]http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Usersmilies/Rafael/02/Epoca.gif[/image] [This message has been edited by Mrs Pesky (edited 28 April 2003).]

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Had my test drive in a ruby red 135 S2. Not really what I expected. A lot more bone shaking and noisy (not complaing - it sounded great!), and, fantasically, a PERFECT fit for me [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] . It felt like it was custom built around me. But the thing that really surprised me was how much hard work was required to keep the thing in a straight line. I felt like I was fighting with the steering wheel all the time - it was constantly quivering about. I suppose that’s literally ‘feedback’, the car reading every bit of the road surface, but it didn’t inspire confidence, it felt skittish. Obviously it’s far from that - it was very planted in corners (as the dealer proved when he blasted us through one at speeds I thought would kill us), but it ‘felt’ twitchy, and before I even got to drive I noticed that the dealer looked like it was hard work to drive the car that way. His hands were clutching the steering wheel really hard.Is this something that you eventually see as a good thing?Don’t get me wrong - the car is obviously incredible, I guess I was just a bit surprised at the shaky steering wheel thing. Anyone know how I could go about getting a 24 hour test drive? I really want to get to know this car.[This message has been edited by girlracer (edited 30 April 2003).]

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Sally,before I bought the Exige, I went to a Lotus-organized trackday where I could drive different cars in the track.I had the same feelings as you on the (standard) S2: suspension not sorted.Then I went out on a 111S (S1) and it was a world of difference suspension-wise.So I told that to the salesman and the fact that I liked also the looks of the model with the roof.He osntioned that it was because the 111S had the sports suspension (and a bit more power).Guess what, the Exige also has the sports suspension and more power again.So, if you are hell-bent into getting the S2 and are not afrais of upgrading, buy the S2 and fit Niron shocks. And of course, if the car is used make sure it goes through a thorough bushings/steering rack revision.You could have your cake and eat it too… [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]Uldis

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Hi Uldis,Thanks for the advice. I really just thought it was me, not being used to the car. But having been led to believe that I was driving one of the best handling cars ever it seemed odd that I would feel so unconfident driving it… So it’s just the 111S’s (and Exiges obviously [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image] )that have the suspension set up I want? Still, with Nitrons at under �1k I suppose I could upgrade whichever car I bought.One more question - Lotus organised trackday??! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/shocked.gif[/image]Cool! Anyone know where/when/how I could experience something similar?Thanks againSally

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You have to be on the look.Ask your closest Lotus dealer, tell them you’re interested in buying an Elise, but first need to drive it on the track, they’ll put you on the list and call you when they know of one. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]Uldis

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quote:Originally posted by girlracer:But the thing that really surprised me was how much hard work was required to keep the thing in a straight line. I felt like I was fighting with the steering wheel all the time - it was constantly quivering about. I suppose that’s literally ‘feedback’, the car reading every bit of the road surface, but it didn’t inspire confidence, it felt skittish. , but it ‘felt’ twitchy, and before I even got to drive I noticed that the dealer looked like it was hard work to drive the car that way. His hands were clutching the steering wheel really hard.Is this something that you eventually see as a good thing?Anyone know how I could go about getting a 24 hour test drive? I really want to get to know this car.(edited 30 April 2003).]WHen I tested an S1 elise and my exige for the first time I didn’t really notice the twitchiness you mention, but was very aware of the direct-steering-to-wheels connection (as a result of no servo assist etc) also they are pretty ‘crashy’ over potholes and the like.However, when I actually took ownership of my exige - i got the same worries you mention… thinking … this thing doesn’t do what it says on the tin… it was especially obvious at speed in a straight line, but wondered if it was just me not being used to it, but I was still pretty worried that there was a problem with my car.Anyway, I swapped cars with Uldis at a track day and his was the same. THen talked to some others and find that what you experience is probably due to the amount of negative camber and direct connection of the steering - also the car is very light and probably gets pushed around a little easier than a TVR. THis makes for a car which is quite busy at the front-end.Another thing is that I find the exige is pretty sensitive to tyre pressures and tyre types - more so than anything else I have ever driven.When you get used to it and become confident that its not adversley affecting the handling you forget about it, in fact it can be pretty much dialed out of your mind altogether when you get the correct tyres and pressures sorted and come to terms with the light weight and direct-connect-steering. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]These cars ROCK…