Elise S2 - Is HGF still an issue?

penski · 17 Apr 2006 at 12:53

NathanE said:
Apparently those two twits missed it.

Oh do put the handbag down. Please.

*n

Matmulder · 17 Apr 2006 at 12:53

Oh please, the Elise/VX discussion is old - its personal preference. If you want to **** off the VX, I suggest you head over to SELOC :rolleyes:

Back to the original posters question:

HGF is rare. Yes, be aware that it can happen. Keep an eye on your coolant levels, oil levels and check for 'mayo' around the oil filler cap. Keep an eye on the temp on the stack too - IIRC on my S160 it used to sit on the same temp, maybe +/-1 - and it used to drop about 5 degrees when you nailed the throttle

but other than that it should be stable.

Any unusual increases can be a sign of impending HGF.

If you catch it before it happens, its pretty cheap. Just keep an eye out during your normal maintanence.

As for 111S/111R...Never driven the 111R, so couldn't comment. I'm sure whichever you choose, you'll have a ball :cool:

NathanE · 17 Apr 2006 at 12:55

gurdas said:
So you resort to personal attacks on members for making our own valid opinions?

"twit" is a personal attack? Spare me...

The problem here is that you are discounting his opinion simply because he owns a car that in your opinion is ugly. Snakes & ladders...

Oh please, the Elise/VX discussion is old - its personal preference

Yup but apparently these guys are blood thirsty for Part Deux

eidolon · 18 Apr 2006 at 14:46

Now now children, stop the bickering please!

Personally I love the looks of the Elise, but I can't help but be drawn to the power of the VX220 turbo. Lately though I'm starting to question how important loads of power is, I rarely get to use the power of the MR2 nevermind a VXT which is why I've arranged a test drive of the Elise 111S. On Saturday I'll let you know whether I think it's too gutless or not.

Muncher said:
Steve, I went out in a 2.2 yesterday with Nitrons, 16/17" alloys (Exige Setup) and Toyo R888 semi slicks. The level of grip was absolutely sublime, every bend just 20mph faster with ease.

But by the time I added Nitrons, the 16/17" alloys and geo I won't have much change left from £2500 which defeats the purpose of getting a VXT

Nozzer · 18 Apr 2006 at 14:52

I have Nitrons and, to be honest, get nowhere near their worth on the road. Yes it's a smoother ride but unless you track the car regularly, there's little point in having them. Get some decent tyres and spend the other £1300 in the pub or something...

Matmulder · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:12

Agreed on the Nitrons or Ohlins - only really needed if you do a lot of track work, although they are superb.

On the Elise, the S2 gear with a good geo setup was meant to be the ideal road setup (many S1 owners switch to S2 stuff) - not sure what the option are on the VX mind?

TBH I reckon the standard 150-160bhp offered by a VX or 111S is more than enough for most people to begin with. Buy a standard one, do some driver training, then go from there

Del Lardo · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:27

HGF has always been much less of an issue on the Elise than you would be lead to believe. Warming the engine properly and proper servicing will help prevent it happening and when it does £60/year for AA Parts and Labour cover will pay for the first £475 worth of damage so repairs are cheap.

Whilst I yearn for more power (mmm Honda) I know that my mere 144bhp is enough to get me into plenty of trouble on the road and to get the most from a more powerful car I would need to track it on a regular basis.

Oh and next time someone asks a question about the Elise/VX can people please refrain from bashing either car because of their looks. It's getting really boring.

Noxis · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:51

penski said:
Sorry...I just refuse to believe anything an RX-8 owner says about a cars' looks.

*n

I think some of that mustard has gone in your eyes

As I personally find the RX8 one of the sexiest looking cars on the road. Along with the S2000, Lotus Elise and some Ferrari's.

Noxis · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:54

Del Lardo said:
Oh and next time someone asks a question about the Elise/VX can people please refrain from bashing either car because of their looks. It's getting really boring.

It may be boring but it is a MAJOR factor in choosing between them, considering the lines and grace of the Lotus compared to the down right uglyness of a VX220.

JollyGreen · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:57

Noxis said:
It may be boring but it is a MAJOR factor in choosing between them, considering the lines and grace of the Lotus compared to the down right uglyness of a VX220.

You can't /really/ say one car is ugly and one car is beautiful, especially with two such highly designed machines as the VX220 and the Elise.

Degustibus Non Disputamus as they say
Or roughly translated "No point arguing over matters of taste".

Muncher · 18 Apr 2006 at 17:06

eidolon said:
Now now children, stop the bickering please!

Personally I love the looks of the Elise, but I can't help but be drawn to the power of the VX220 turbo. Lately though I'm starting to question how important loads of power is, I rarely get to use the power of the MR2 nevermind a VXT which is why I've arranged a test drive of the Elise 111S. On Saturday I'll let you know whether I think it's too gutless or not.

But by the time I added Nitrons, the 16/17" alloys and geo I won't have much change left from £2500 which defeats the purpose of getting a VXT

Steve, why don't you go for a 2.2?

Pros:

Cheaper than a 111S
Cheaper than a VXT
More power than a 111S
More nimble and direct than a VXT

Personally I prefer the directness and nimbleness of the 2.2 over the softer but faster VXT.

siztenboots · 18 Apr 2006 at 17:51

My personal choice, I want the VXR220. Elise's, see them everywhere. The VXR is Lotus enough, but without many of the Lotus owning experiences. Insurance is sensible for me, but crazy on any Lotus !?

Stonedofmoo · 18 Apr 2006 at 17:57

Noxis said:
VX220's are ugly cars - in fact a VX220 could be the best performing car on the planet but the fact that its made by Vauxhall (well makes me doubt that) and the fact its ugly would deter me from ever having one.

Lotus all the way.

That's so retarded :rolleyes:

siztenboots · 18 Apr 2006 at 18:02

eidolon said:
On Saturday I went to test drive an Elise at my local Lotus dealership. Unfortunately there wasn't time to drive the 111S and the 111R so I just went out in the 111R for now (and booked a test drive in the S for next week)

I thought the 111R has the Toy engine, and is heavy – 127kg, dry as opposed to 82kg for a dry VHPD, whereas the 111S is the K VVC

siztenboots · 18 Apr 2006 at 18:05

Stonedofmoo said:
That's so retarded

Indeed they go down the same production line ( or did ) at Hethel. Most of the money VX spent on the development was on improvements to new suspension and improving chassis from the S1 base to a new S2 type. Engine/drivetrain had a tune from Lotus engineers. The base of the VX220 was then adopted for the later S2, IIRC.

eidolon · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:53

Muncher said:
Steve, why don't you go for a 2.2?

I might try to arrange a test drive of a NA VX but the problem I'm finding is that VXs are too rare and trying to find the right spec, at the right price, within 100 miles is damn hard. I just missed out on a blue VXT the other day, it sold on the morning I was gonna go view it (it was still a 3hr drive away from me).

The Elise on the other hand is more popular and hence easier to find the right one without scouring the globe. I've even got a Lotus dealer not 3 miles from my house that have dozens of them in stock, the nearest VX in a garage is 40 miles away and the nearest VXT is 60 miles away and it's £28k

I haven't made any decisions yet, I need to test drive the 111S first and see if it's gonna be too slow for my liking.

Stonedofmoo · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:09

My house mates is for sale at 20 odd grand and it's a beauty, plus stage 3 tuned. And if your in bristol thats only about 70-80 miles.

eidolon · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:30

Stonedofmoo said:
My house mates is for sale at 20 odd grand and it's a beauty, plus stage 3 tuned. And if your in bristol thats only about 70-80 miles.

Yeah, but I know how much he paid for it

Stonedofmoo · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:37

What he paid for it is irrelevant, it's what it's worth. The previous owner was forced to sell it quickly due to needing money for his house deposit.

Under those circumstances he was forced to take a drop to ensure the sale, that doesnt mean the car has somehow lost value.

eidolon · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:44

It's only worth what somebody will pay for it and seeing as he's had it advertised twice now, dropping the price each time it looks like he might have to accept the same price he paid for it if he wants a sale.

It doesn't matter anyway as I've sworn that my next car won't be a black one (last 3 have been black, my polishing arm needs a rest now!)