flukey-lukey Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 Just womdering if any members have owned/driven an Elise? I quite like the look of them and if a really decent one cropped up for sale somewhere I might be tempted to do the unthinkable and sell the supra So S1 or S2? whats the difference? Are they all 1.8 16v? Are they quick/fun to drive? Is there a turbo model available, or can a conversion be done? Are there any common issues with them? Just looking for a general opinion from people who have had experience, any input welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesG Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 There's a vast amount I could write to sum up the differences! Here's an overview: S1's are lighter, potentially better handling, less understeer. They are less comfortable and less reliable. It helps if you're handy with a spanner. S2's are better built and more practical if it's your only car. I think they look a little better, but there's not much in it. The later Elises (roughly 2005 onwards) have Toyota engines. The earlier ones have Rover K-Series engines. They are all 1.8 litres. The Rover engine is really nice, very light but prone to head gasket failure. Later ones are more reliable, and all are less likely to fail if you warm them up before driving hard. There are some popular engine conversions to Honda and Audi engines. But it's probably something to do once you've had the car for a while. Little cars don't need a lot of power to have fun in. My Elise is about 160bhp and, to be honest, that's more power than it needs. Probably best to drive some and see what you think. They are *very* different to Supras. As far as I'm concerned, the Supra is a better all round car, with more power and more grip. But the Elise has absolutely magical go-kart handling and is utterly fun to drive in a way that the Supra cannot touch. I almost always drive my Elise in preference to the Supra, and if I had to sell one I'd sell the Supra in an instant. Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 its a rover engine, so i would have thought a turbo conversion can be done (some of the kseries rovers had turbos, they are based on the kseries engine afaik All the 1.8 16v DOHC engines again, afaik Im sure some of the newer ones have toyota engines tho? Edit, snap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flukey-lukey Posted June 30, 2007 Author Share Posted June 30, 2007 Thanks JamesG thats just the kind of reply I was looking for no sarcasm for once! I've had a little look on pistonheads and it seems a 2002 model (S2) range from £11k + and obviously a 2005 model with the better engine would be out of my price range. Theres no way I want one with a k-series engine, they're shite! (wasn't the k-series engine used in the MG TF 1.8?) Damn, nice looking car. shame I can't afford a newer one with a Toyota engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 why an elise? what about the exige? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 What about a Lotus 2eleven? I love the Elise, would have to be an S2 though, not bothered about the K-series as I've owned 2 of them before and they're brilliant little engines. Obviously it'd be an Exige if I had the cash though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockys96 Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 ask again. rover or toyota engine. s1 looks s2 looks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 There is a supercharged version of the Elise, IIRC. Would seem much better for the sort of 'point and squirt' driving the Elise is good at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 I thought the exige was the only one that was supercharged out of the box. Might be wrong though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 I thought the exige was the only one that was supercharged out of the box. Might be wrong though. I reckon I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 Exige was the only one supercharged from factory. I would go with a Toyota engined Elise over a KSeries, although I do have a dyno proven 220hp Rover Tomcat engine sitting around doing nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 And I got a decentih quote for a rolling chassis, if anyone wants to build a special one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 And I got a decentih quote for a rolling chassis, if anyone wants to build a special one I have engine, gearbox with Helix clutch and custom lightened flywheel too, its all together as it came out of my old motor Also kept the ECU and wiring loom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 almost a complete car there, would make quite a nice project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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