Good reviews again. I've never driven one though toyed with the idea (Exige) a while back and nothing to do with the Lotus went a different direction

It's on the bucket list, whether I should go S2 or S3 I dunno.. easy to sell currently too, prices are a bit strong for sure (S2s are worth more now than they were 10 years ago, S3s fetch more than they originally cost)

 

Yeh I forgot, until I started looking today, that the Elise was discontinued recently, wasn't it. That's probably why prices are strong. But I suspect they won't drop much, as it's an ideal future classic, especially as fuel becomes more expensive! Pretty efficient little thing, being so light.

 

This brings back memories of friends and family R.I.P

 

And this also
Lotus Elise - The Inside Story - Bing video

 

Mmm

S2000 - basic inside but not unpleasantly so.
Elise - barren. loud. rattles. Mahoosive Sill to get over. Fiddly roof. Great FUN.
Exige - more focused but still barren and way more expensive.
Evora - much more pleasant inside.

I've driven both an S1 and an S2 Elise - utterly brilliant to drive but only as a second car and only when it's nice weather. Mate had an Exige but he was 5'0, feather light and a skilled climber - you could see that by his entry/exit speed. Still a huge sill and when that got wet ( weather sealing wasn't its forte) dragging yourself over it is less than pleasant. Same goes for the slightly asthmatic ventilation, once it fogged up, it was an arse to clear. The two Elise i'd driven always had an undertray bolt or two loose - the rattling drove me insane.

Elise(s) are like the Fiesta ST for me, great fun when you're on it but as an every day prospect, ultimately wearing.

If i was replacing cars, it'd be an Evora, if it was second car for weekend fun and occasional hijinx and i had no garage for it, it'd be an Elise / VX220. If i had a garage and a lightly masochistic streak, it'd be something 7'esque.

S2000 still makes a lot of sense doesn't it

 

Prices are impossible to predict but across the board are largely strong atm (some exceptions)

I think you should buy the best experience, as you seem to be doing, what you want rather than trying to choose an investment. £60k plus E30 M3s make me chuckle, I would have an S3 over that every single day

Lotus have gone in a different direction, I wish them success in it but the new stuff isn't that interesting to me. The Emira looks good but that's an expensive toy

 

Agreed. I'm not really buying for investment, but it would be nice not to lose a shed load too!

 

You know what, I hadn't appreciated quite what an impressive balance of features it has until I embarked on this exercise. Comfortable and practical enough to act as a GT, engaging and dynamic enough to be a decent track car and B road blaster, small enough for those B roads too. Simple enough to DIY virtually everything and cheap to run. Good enough noise and characterful enough engine to outdo its meagre inline 4 stereotype with a top notch throttle response and a superb gearbox. Good looks, drop top. If it had decent steering feel and ability to add a bit more power, I don't think another car would get a look in.

As a replacement, I think the Boxster is my last stop, in reality. But it'll have to wow me with the drive and noise to tempt me to part with £30k and get over my Boxster prejudice. I think an additional toy car (Elise or Caterham), or new engine build for the S2000 are looking the most likely choices.

 

^ I'd suggest making sure it's a Boxster S with the sport exhaust that you try out.

 

Yep, only looking at the S. But will try and find one with an exhaust, thanks.
Although I'm more a fan of intake noise than exhaust.