Lotus elise or S2000?

[Donza]

After the Motorshow i am very tempted to either buy a used Elise 111s or S2000.

I am selling my current house and moving back near my folks. SO i have some money to play with.

I am leaning towards the Elise for sheer looks. But the S2000 will be more practical.

Decisions, decisions and more decisions.

Price range 12-13k. 14k at a push!

 

[crockers]

I was hankering after an Elise until I drove one at Silverstone with the hood up. It was hot, humid and claustrophobic - I also found the pedals very close together. But it drives a dream.

Haven't driven a S2000 - but it is the more reliable of the two, but does need to be revved to get the VTEC on song.

Try both .... any excuse for a test drive I say...

 

[jeremytaylor]

If it's only a weekend toy, it's got to be an Elise. Such a purer design.

 

[flango]

driven both of these on track and no contest S2000 everytime, lotus got the pedigree but not got the grunt to match s2000 brings a big grin to my face everytime I get in one but what about vauxhall VX 220 turbo? betterthan both elise or s2000, round Donnington circuit Vauxhall 2 seconds a lap faster than s2000 and nearly 3 second faster than elise. Just a thought?

 

[sweeney]

make sure whichever you opt for it's got the owners manual

 

[Shude]

make sure whichever you opt for it's got the owners manual

I was about to suggest that some checks on the mileage would be a good idea but I'm not sure if that's a safe area for jokes yet.

I'm sure it is though.

 

[fyonn]

can't really give you a lot of help, but I once drove an elise, and to get out, I virtually had to crawl out on my hands and knees... maybe there's a knack to it.

between the two, for a weekend car I'd probably be looking honda's way.

 

[fuseman]

I have an S2000 03 which is a fun car and performs well. I've decided it more sporty than I want though so have bought an E320 cabrio which is totally different but fun in other ways.

No complaints about the Honda though - in many ways a real muscle car with the added bonus of Jap reliablility and build quality. I reckon it's worth about £12k now (44K) but I'll know that in the next few weeks as I'm advertising it.

 

[The G.F.P]

can i say the lotus is ghey without offending people

its a car for old men and slightly effimenant young men (in my view)

i hate the plastic things, it might do 0-60 in half a second but they look rubbish

i prefer big bad cars and the honda is indeed a lovly car

but id get a clk amg 55 for the same or less money and then buy new pants and take that beast out

clarkson loves the s2000

 

[mb240]

S2000, it's a classic shape, and is endlessly (well almost) moddable. It's also probably a better long distance driver.

I will also add that I can barely get into a 111 seat!

 

[verytalldave]

Lotus tend to be made for the under 6' 2" brigade. The Elise is a lovely car and handles better than nearly everything barring a Noble or 430 Scud.
So it depends on your height. If you are 6' 2" or over, then the Elise is automatically discounted. Which leaves you back with the Honda.
Which to be honest, is far better proposition anyway. Shame, because I love all Lotus cars with perhaps the exception of the Eclat/Elite.

 

[Ade B]

I went round the Nurburgring in an Elise S2 as a passenger and then drove back to the UK in it. Its a drivers car and little else. Fantastic acceleration to 120mph, excellent grip and handling. You can't hear the stereo at motorway speeds and with the roof off wind noise is very high. I think there is about an inch of seat adjustment although it was surprisingly comfortable.. Getting in and out was ok (I'm 5'11 and still reasonably fit/flexible)..

I'd have one as a four wheeled motorbike for trackdays and the odd euro jaunt (minus luggage) .. but for anything else its a bit extreme.


Ade

 

[Donza]

Thanks to all who have replied thus far.

The car will be a daily driver alongside the W211.

I was thinkiing about the porsche boxster (Which is a fabulous car). However i know opinions are like the proverbial, but everyone has buy and large rated it as the poor mans 911.

Even though it has consisintly won the best sports car throughout the years.

It is a difficult choice. I might opt for the Porsche. But i would get a S2000 in better nick probably.

 

[verytalldave]

My eldest daughters boyfriend had a Boxster S and traded it in for a Carrera 4 about a year ago - only because he was always getting ribbed at work about "not being able to afford a proper Porsche". So he splashed out the best part of £50K and joined the 911 club.
And you know what.
He prefered the Boxster - even though his 911 is faster and much more powerful. He says the actual driving experience in his Boxster was more enjoyable and fun. He is now on the brink of chopping in the 911 for an R8.

 

[fyonn]

but everyone has buy and large rated it as the poor mans 911.

Even though it has consisintly won the best sports car throughout the years.

I would agree that I think the boxster is a poor mans 911 to some extent, but is that a bad thing? the boxster probably has a better chassis and weight distribution, though not the same range of engines.

still a good car.

besides, what does it matter what other people think as long as you like it?

dave

 

[st4]

Being an MB forum dare I suggest an SLK for Donza if he wants a "daily driver" type sports car. There should be some nice ones in or below his budget.

 

[fyonn]

He is now on the brink of chopping in the 911 for an R8.

obviously the credit crunch and the looming recession are not big factors for him

I've heard it said that the cayman is a better car than the 911 but that the don't give it the same engines so as to enforce the differentiation. that said, I've also heard that the porsche test driver has put a cayman S round the ring faster than any other porsche.

(warning, the above may not be true, it may just be rubbish )

dave

 

[prprandall51]

I have owned both and could not recommend the S2000 to anyone - unless they like looking at the imminent destination through the side windows instead of the windscreen (tail-happy doesn't begin to cover it!).

The S2000 engine, which is a joy above 6000rpm is lifeless below and you spend your whole life thrashing around in the geabox. Overtakes require you to drop two or even three cogs to stir the thing into action, the interior is uninspiring and the body doesn't seem comfortable in its own skin. I could go on....

I assume you mean a brand-new Elise? You do need a good engine to make the Elise fly so beware of the Rover engine unless it is suitably tuned up (150bnp is a minimum). And it is cramped, stuffy and hideously noisy. But it is purer than any other car I have ever driven by a long margin. It is the car I would go and buy tomorrow if I wanted just the pleasure of a great driving experience.

 

[Adam230K]

I'd choose the S2000, its a Honda, and hondas are damn reliable.

 

[prprandall51]

I'd choose the S2000, its a Honda, and hondas are damn reliable.

So are Toyota Land Cruisers.....