Standard S2 vs standard S1

lowlander · Post by **lowlander** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:04 am

Hello there,

I'm thinking about getting an elise when I get back to the UK.

Can someone advise on the differences between the S2 and the S1. I'll be looking for a standard car (118 / 120 bhp)

Also what insurance group is the Elise?

Thanks.

Martin.

Post by **Shug** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:16 am

Oooooh, can o worms there!

Still, you didn't ask which was better, so that's a plus!!

Anyway. To answer your questions...

Standard S1: 720kg for early ones, group 17

Standard S2: over 800kg (depends who you ask and how old it is) group 20 (I think?)

My take on it is that the S2 is the more polished car, but loses some of the raw appeal of the S1. You also have to mess with the geometry of the S2 and fit wider front tyres to stop it understeering, which they added as a 'feature' to stop idiots spinning them into hedges. Which means, yes, the S1 is trickier on the limit.

Price differences are I think about 4K between a tidy low milage S1 and S2. Obviously, the S1 will be older, but maintenance is the key - both will be reliable (barring wee niggles) if kept well.

This is a personal view - for more straight info, Rob Collingridge's site is a must

http://www.elises.co.uk

Any other questions, feel free to ask!

(I'm a hardcore S1 owner, by the way

)

Post by ed » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:12 pm

Id say go for a S2 but i havent got mine yet!.. and ive never driven an S1. Dont think the standard S2 is 20

Thought it was a wee bit less but am prob wrong

Less chance of putting it in a hedge works for me!!

That website is definently worth a look! Loads of usefull stuff!

Post by **simon** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:27 pm

A std S2 is meant to be group 17 and the 111S is 19.
According to Lotus, a basic S2 with no options and a full tank of fuel weighs 785kg
http://www.grouplotus.com/car/car_tech_specs.php?id=1

It really depends what you want the car for.
If you want the car as a daily driver then the S2 is definitely better I reckon.
For a pure weekend/track toy, the S1 is probably better suited.
Saying that, I much prefer the looks of the S2 so I'd pick that every time and put the wider tyres etc. on if I felt the need

lowlander · Post by **lowlander** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:28 pm

I should point out that the elise will be my only car and wil be used everyday for commuting. Although the S2 will be more expensive it might be slightly more refined for the daily use.

Martin.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:36 pm

lowlander wrote:I should point out that the elise will be my only car and wil be used everyday for commuting. Although the S2 will be more expensive it might be slightly more refined for the daily use.

Martin.

You have answered your own question then.
At the time I could not afford an S2 so therefore I bought a S1.
Now, the S2 was never the reason I bought an elise. I had always wanted an elise from the 1st time I saw one back when I was a young un!

Now, if I was to choose again, I would still buy my S1.
It's more raw and race car like.
THe S2 is too similiar to the VX220 - not that's really a problem.
S1 is a modern day classic.

Only way I would buy a S2 is if it was a 111S, 111R, 135R or Exige. Would never buy a standard one.

It's all down to personal choice.

Rag_It · Post by **Rag_It** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 12:07 am

THe S2 is too similiar to the VX220 - not that's really a problem

Oh no Ed, you sure you want a car that is vaguely similar to my VX!!!!

Dave

Post by **Shug** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:12 am

A std S2 is meant to be group 17 and the 111S is 19.
According to Lotus, a basic S2 with no options and a full tank of fuel weighs 785kg

Alright, way out on the insurance

- although I think that's changed. I'm sure it was 20 a few years ago... Plus the S1 111s was 20 at one point, in fact anything but a boggo S1 was 20. Again, haven't looked in a while, 'cos you can bet yer ass mine is 20!!! Anyway, those numbers are really just loose guidelines...

As for the Lotus published weights, pinch o salt? They are for a standard, stripped car (ie, neither Race Tech or Sports Tourer trim) how many of those have you seen? Empty your car, blag a go on Lawrences scales and see what you come up with.

If the car is for everyday use, I'd have to lean on the side of an S2 (can't believe I'm saying that) It is a more polished car with less little niggles (although it's far from perfect!)

HTH

Shug

Post by **Shug** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:15 am

Oh, and Simon, the only reason you prefer the S2 looks is 'cos you're too young to get the classic beauty of the S1 design cues.

Soz, but S2 looks like it came out of a japanese factory (not a good thing...)

Shug