Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2004
- Posts
- 7,053
Thinking of buying one! Anyone own one of these, around 98-99 reg and have any opinions of them for everyday use? How are they to drive and whats the reliability like? Any advice would be great!
Lotus Elise
- Thread starter Lord-Jaffa
- Start date
Soldato
Unless you absolutely must have a LOTUS badge I'd recommend the VX220 over an Elise.
The VX would be cheaper to insure and service than an Elise. The VX has a much better engine which develops more torque than the Elise too.
The VX would be cheaper to insure and service than an Elise. The VX has a much better engine which develops more torque than the Elise too.
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2004
- Posts
- 7,053
Must say i do like the VX220 however my upper limit is 10k and im not sure i can find one for that! Also i think the Elise looks somewhat better in the styles department!
My brother wanted to take his girlfriend away for a weekend in his... She ended up having to carry 2 bags in the passenger footwell/lap as the boot could only hold one bagLord-Jaffa said:
To drive, I didnt spend too long behind the wheel but was still pretty impressed. Loved it actually. Perhaps not a rocket in a straight line (entry level engine), but the power delivery was instant compaired with my turbo - as expected - and with the close low gearing pretty darn addictive. Lovely short throw gear leaver (not standard?) too.
Heavy non powered stearing, but so precise it makes my 200sx feel lardy (again as expected) and lumbering unless I were to turn my dampers up to manical levels.
Naff brakes, but I think there was something wrong with them and hes probably sorted that by now.
I'd love one - and I dont really need the practicality myself. But impossible for without a garage
Cost not too bad on the old ones, though still too much imho for what they are. At least the lower track day running costs, mpg and overall maintenance* would partially make up for that.*Only regarding older ones where you can self maintain (not commiting resale value suicide without dealer stamps etc).
Soldato
I would love one, when I sat in one just under 6months ago I couldn't get out of the car as it was soo low
Soldato
ConfusedTA said:You got a laptop/wifi in there?
???
Soldato
I still don't get it 
Soldato
ConfusedTA said:You got a laptop/wifi in there?
OMG!
Even better he dont get it! Maybe it just doesnt work for him yet?
Soldato
Oh ha! ha! ha! all laugh at me now!! 
Please don't
Please don't
Soldato
http://www.elise-faq.info/
Just remember they're getting on a bit now - although they tend to be well looked after. Buy one off SELOC, Pistonheads or similar rather than off Autotrader as the owners tend to be more religous about maintenance.
Not cheap to insure but relatively cheap to run, good on petrol. Everyday use isn't a problem - I used mine daily for two years in all conditions without any problems, and it was the more 'compromised' Sport160.
Summers are fantastic, but winters can be a pain. Leaky, cold, loud and skittish in the wet - most people garage em in winter.
Reliability wise, no doubt someone will say "omg, HGF ***, avoid" etc etc. Fact is, its damn rare. Correctly looked after and correctly driven from cold it shouldn't be an issue. Servicing is cheap from specialists (avoid Dealers unless you have too - specilists are just as good) and they're easy to work on. Just try not to damage the bodywork - new clams cost £2500k each.
But they're joyous to drive, and summers just feel fantastic in an Elise. Miss mine terribly. Just look at lots, take your time and don't rush in and buy the first one you see.
Just remember they're getting on a bit now - although they tend to be well looked after. Buy one off SELOC, Pistonheads or similar rather than off Autotrader as the owners tend to be more religous about maintenance.
Not cheap to insure but relatively cheap to run, good on petrol. Everyday use isn't a problem - I used mine daily for two years in all conditions without any problems, and it was the more 'compromised' Sport160.
Summers are fantastic, but winters can be a pain. Leaky, cold, loud and skittish in the wet - most people garage em in winter.
Reliability wise, no doubt someone will say "omg, HGF ***, avoid" etc etc. Fact is, its damn rare. Correctly looked after and correctly driven from cold it shouldn't be an issue. Servicing is cheap from specialists (avoid Dealers unless you have too - specilists are just as good) and they're easy to work on. Just try not to damage the bodywork - new clams cost £2500k each.
But they're joyous to drive, and summers just feel fantastic in an Elise. Miss mine terribly. Just look at lots, take your time and don't rush in and buy the first one you see.
see my post in t'other "cars you missed thread"
heres mine in her element
and then a few months later (winter)
this
A rogue pesky dual carriage way gaurd rail jumped out from nowhere and did this to mine, no really
FYI, that repair cost.......................................
wait for it.........................
£3600
heres mine in her element
and then a few months later (winter)
this A rogue pesky dual carriage way gaurd rail jumped out from nowhere and did this to mine, no really
FYI, that repair cost.......................................
wait for it.........................
£3600
Soldato
Didn't Lotus make the VX220 anyway? It is basically just an Elise underneath?
I don't think I could drive around in one those. I mean not only is a Vauxhall. But also a "fake" Lotus. I believe Jeremy Clarkson once described the Porsche Boxster as a "car for those who didn't quite do well enough in life to afford a proper 911". TBH the same applies to the VX and Elise here.
I don't think I could drive around in one those. I mean not only is a Vauxhall. But also a "fake" Lotus. I believe Jeremy Clarkson once described the Porsche Boxster as a "car for those who didn't quite do well enough in life to afford a proper 911". TBH the same applies to the VX and Elise here.
Soldato
Well yes the VX is the majority Lotus, but the VX has the better engines and cost less. Also the looks once the grille has been cleaned up etc makes it much nicer.
mmmmmm, lovely.
mmmmmm, lovely.
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Soldato