V88 REG Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 has anyone here got one or had one? im just inquiring about one at a local garage and wondered what their like to live with? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 I used to run a VXR220 which is the same chassis, albeit more like an Exige than an Elise. Rover or Toyota engined? Rover suffers from the infamous HGF issues, the Yota is stronger but a more revvy drive and can suffer from oil starvation on track. Long tail S2 roofs are fiddly and can leak, short tail roofs much less so. They're rattly, cold and noisy, and yet the best handling car you are ever likely to drive. Aircon is almost a must-have, and if a daily drive then I'd want the touring pack as a minimum, and preferably the sports pack too. Super touring and super sports packs were expensive options and are highly desirable IMHO. Stereo will always be rubbish regardless ofwhat you do, however it can be improved. The car will need a thorough checking by a specialist to ensure there's no damage to the chassis and to make sure no repairs have been done to it, once it's damaged you'll need a new one at £15K before labour (so basically a write off). Clams are £2K each (there's two of them) so keep that in mind, insurance fixes can be costly! Very light on brakes and tyres unless being tracked regularly, don't bother with cheapy tyres as you'll kill the handling, budget £600 for a set. It will freeze on the inside in the winter and it'll be freezing cold and blustery when driving with the roof off. All that said, I'd buy another in an instant, they're simply the best driver's cars available and really get under your skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V88 REG Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 blimey, i can gauge that there not a comfort car. theres a black exige sor sale near by but never driven one before. if i get one it seems il always be throwing money at it keeping it in shape etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 They're actually pretty reliable cars underneath, it's all quite basic stuff so few electronics to go wrong. The ally rads are the worst bit, the OEM ones use plastic ends which fail spectacularly but there's a wealth of aftermarket all-ally options out there for the same cost as OEM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozz Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 If you're serious about one, spend some time on http://forums.seloc.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=1&page=2 Great bunch of guys, I spent time on there research which S2 to go for, in the end I went for a zed instead as I'm 6foot4, 17 stone and it was gonna be tight and uncomfortable. Interestingly the k series engine seemed to be popular, but I ran a poll about running costs/reliability and the toyota won hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Never been near one but used to read up on them and salivate a lot - apart from the good points you probably already know about the roof was supposed to be a holy 'mare to put up and didn't seal properly. Not massively reliable and required a swallow dive or commando roll to get into (if you or a passenger has a skirt on apparently you literally will NOT be able to enter or exit the car). So if you don't mind sitting in the rain waiting for a RAC van with no skirt on you should be sound If its a trackday car though I don't believe you can actually get much better bang for your buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 SELOC is awesome, I still read it regularly despite selling the car over 4 years ago. They really know their stuff over there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V88 REG Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 wknd only car for me. i only do a few thousand a year. theres a few i like, but theres also an S3, R32 and maybe a Z4M but a lotus seems a bit more exciting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cragus Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 If you are going for the elise s2, go for one with the toyota engine. Rover K series tends to need more work. A really helpful bunch are the folk at scottishelises - jump on their site if you are seriously looking for some people in the know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 I currently drive a VX220, and im selling at the moment in order to buy a zed lol. Its basically the same as an S2 elise. I have lived with the "quirks" for over 3 years and the chassis is amazing and as others have said handle sooooo well. Thing is they really are barebones as thats the whole point. Take one for a drive and see what you think but they are not fun cars to own during the colder months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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