I had my S1 111s for a year (a few years ago now) and would totally agree with the above. Hard top, if not fitted especially well, could leak as much as the soft top. It did have its uses though; it made a great two seater sledge!, and could then be refitted to the liz. Now try storing any other sledge in/on an elise.Titanium S1 111S (gla) wrote:Tom,
I've had an S1 111s for a year almost to the day and went through all the issues you have with the exception of all S2 issues. They were simply more than I had to spend a year ago although a good bit cheaper now.
I thought a hard top was an absolute necessity and got one which has been under my bed since the day I got the car. Not on once. I recon it was a waste of money and I keep stubbing my toe on it which is quite painful. I keep the car outside and while you get an odd leak when the rain is coming sideways it's nothing a wipe over with the towel which lives behind the seat doesn't take care of. The hard top also keeps all the noise in, the Elise is a convertible and I recon you should drive it with the roof off unless its actually raining (hard).
The 111s has a bit more power than the std and that extra power is very useable right though the rev range. The C/R box is also a big improvement on the standard one for everything except motorway cursing. I recon the 111s is a good option for an S1, as many have said the 160 is the prize, but has problems which the 111s does not.
The S2 is undoubtedly a better car but is probably not a better Elise if you want less noise, sturdyer build quality and less acrobatic access then go for the S2.
Just though I’d get my say in since everyone else has, if you want a shot in a 111s give me a shout.
Graham
I would not bother too much about the hard top. It is not even necessary from a security piont of view;- when did we last hear of a soft top getting vandalized?
Dominic