I wouldn't say I had insecurities about the S2000 mate, but I would strongly object to being overtaken in an S2000 by a Corsa, hence the recent upgrade. I can't remember the last time I had a traffic light GP, but the thought of even being matched, let alone beaten by some chav in an Astra sends shivers down my spine. I suppose if it was an insecurity it was the thought that no matter how much fun I was having, a chav'd up orange Focus could appear from nowhere and hang on to my back bumper and wipe the smile off my face.

My Elise will spend the majority of its time on twisty b-roads, of which there are plenty near me. I can't wait to find out how much more speed I can carry in to corners etc and re-learn my usual stomping grounds. I haven't bought it for standing start stuff, but I wanted to make sure that whatever I did buy would be sufficient if I had one.

As for image, to me and most people I know (including yourself I'm sure), the Elise just means "amongst the best that car handling has to offer". I have yet to read a bad review of the 111R, and thought it might be cool to own one of these types of cars that the press are always raving about. A car I don't have to explain to anyone, in other words. With the increase in power and reliability it was the ideal choice. Many have a misconceived assumption that Elise = fast in corners rubbish in a straight line due to the older ones being pants in that department, and that's fair enough.

 

I think the point most people are trying to make is.....why should a Focus ST keeping up with you wipe the smile off your face?

Is the car fun, or not? The antics of any other cars around don't affect the handling, noise, performance, or any other 'enjoyment' factors of any given automobiles.

Why would you need to 'explain' your car to anyone? I don't, I drive a bmw 316 for god's sake, imagine the image that projects. Do I care? No.

 

I don't understand why it would wipe the smile off your face?

If you're driving at one speed, and a car comes up behind you at another or even overtakes you (shock horror), why would that wipe the smile off your face?

Is it simply a case of just having to be better than everybody else?

 

That's a sensible enough point to discuss.

I'm not sure why it bothers me, I suppose because I work hard and like nice things, that I want a car that reflects that fact. But for a 5 door hatchback which says "I've got 3 kids and f**ked up my life" to be able to keep up with the car I'm driving disturbs me.

As for explaining, I just mean when people naturally ask you what you drive, I dislike having to explain to people what an S2000 is. Even people who're really into cars often don't have a clue what it is. It's been nice when those same people asked me what I'm replacing it with and they instantly said "nice car!". That's just a minor issue though.

 

Nope, they're with yourself. Can you not see the irony in it? You sound exactly like the sort of chav you're trying to elevate yourself above by spending money on something.

If the hot hatches weren't so quick would you be happy with a slower car?

 

As if that is going to happen... what planet do you live on?

In a flat out situation the corsa is not going to get past an S... on the corners or in a straight line, and if it is really that fast and as quick as an S, an ECU remap and it will be the same speed as you Elise!

Have you got issues with being overtaken BB?

 

Suppose I do. Don't think it's ever actually happened though. Can't remember last time anyone overtook me in a race. Maybe an M3 years ago in the VTS.

 

Probably. But I'd still want the 111R out of curiosity though.

 

Get yourself down to Essex, you'd fit right in here