Scottish Elises

Lo!

Looking at the Elise afresh, which one do you like better?

The s1 or the s2?

I know there are lots of versions in each series, but still

And why?

. . .

Phil,

There are only a few folk on here that can properly give you their opinion on this (those who have owned both)


S2's are more comfortable, and have an interior but the drive is, in my opinion, less involving, it's just slightly bland in comparison.

On the other hand, the S1 is harder to get in and out off, the roof takes an age to get on and off, and is generally less water tight than the S2.

The S1 does on the other hand have a tremendous heater, so if you can get the car watertight then there's no reason why you can't use the car everyday of the year.


Being a bit of a lard arse - I would always go for an S2 for the easy of entry and for the interior finish.

From a pure drivers point of view - I prefer the S1.


horses for courses I suppose


Mac

Having owned both...what mac said.
Don't think I could go back to a standard S1.

s2 although the s1 if it had a honda!

Get a S1 160

S1 160. Looks awesome, goes like stink, looks awesome, great residuals, pretty exclusive, looks awesome. Downsides are the lumpy idle, but I believe there's a map to fix that? Or a change in the cam timing?

S1 Exige - all of the above, but faster and rarer. Shame you can't take the roof off!

I'm not an S2 fan. Could've bought one, but preferred the S1 driving experience. The S2 was too inert for me

mac wrote: the roof takes an age to get on and off,

Just to say, once you're used to it - it takes about 2 minutes tops

which is still about twice as long as it takes for an S2 (and the later S2's would be even quicker)


Mac

I think the S2 is a much better looking car, IMHO.

Never driven an S1, so can't comment on driving experience, but would always take an S2 regardless, due to the looks of the car. (yes, I am that superficial!! )

For those that are commenting on the driving experience of an S2, is it just Rover-engined S2s you are referring to or do your comments include the Toyota-engined cars? Just curious!

Dezzy,

I'm going on my modded K-Powered S2. But to be honest I don't think the power plant makes much of a difference to the driving experience of the elise - it's more the corners than the straights


Mac

I prefer the looks of the S1 & with the roof off i think it looks more finnished than the S2.
The S1 is moe curvey and looks smaller than the S2, just a trickof the eye.
I would go fot the 130 or the 111s, more power than standard but without the idle problems of the 160.

Stephen wrote:I prefer the looks of the S1 & with the roof off i think it looks more finnished than the S2.
The S1 is moe curvey and looks smaller than the S2, just a trickof the eye.
I would go fot the 130 or the 111s, more power than standard but without the idle problems of the 160.

Ditto

Why do I think I've just missed a gilt edge selling opportunity?


Mac

with the s1 - wasnt the front tyre size set the way it was coz there wasnt the ideal available?
so the handling was abit too biased to the nose?

and the s2 standard was set too safe (to the rear).
and the exige suspension on the s2 is the better bet?

/throws petrol on the fire

Think I'll go with the S2.

Had an original S1 in '96 bought from George at MMC when they had a Glasgow city centre showroom on North Street. I still remember the test drive - unlike anything else I'd ever driven!! Traded that in 2000 for an S1 111s; much better especially in the wet. Think there had been subtle suspension changes by then and it wore the wider rear boots. That one sounded fantastic with sports exhaust and CRP and was the quickest of the three. Finally, went for the S2 at the end of 2001. A more grown-up car with less of a kit-car look. Certainly a lot more forgiving at the limit than the S1. Also a lot easier to live with and, when you're my size, easier to get in and out of!!

Still think my '91 Elan SE that I traded for the 1st Elise was a great car, a quick easy drive that you could cross continents in comfort. A completely different car to the Elise, but no less great in my eyes!