I saw that one the other day, I reckon a chilli red exige s would be sweet.

Just put new tyres all round and some new rear pads on and the car feels unbelievable. So much grip in torrential weather today, the grippiest car I've ever owned, in every condition. Even with shagged Yokohama's it still gripped like a bastard!

The drive home was really comfortable, it's amazing how much a few mm of extra tread can make a car ride so much better.

 

Elise grip IS amazing and when you come unstuck and spin you
do it on the spot unlike the S2000

Russ.

 

I came close today in a straight line, but that's because I was at 8300rpm in 2nd on brand new (cold) tyres in pissing rain. But despite the loss of traction the little bugger stayed controllable enough for me to dodge a drain cover and let me change up to 3rd and do it all over again.

 

I think it's more to do with the resilience of the sidewalls - they tire & collapse slightly over time. The S suffers the same phenomenon.

Think that's happening to the rear Bontrager on my Trek, too! Now feels 'softer' than the front at the same pressure.

 

Yep, I hated the S for the same thing. New tyres and it was a different car and I was in love again.

 

Whats the major differ between a 111r and a 111s?

Is it purely engine?

 

Pretty much Col, and a few grand in between. SOme are saying that the Elise S is a more refined sports car as the power delivery is more linear, just there isn't that much of it compared to the Elise R.

Lotus Less is More

 

I'm off to look at a 111s tomorrow, even though I have to get another two seats really

 

A 111s is gonna have the 160 bhp VVC rover engine in it.

Unlike a VTEC it's continously variable so you don't get a step, but a nice flat torque curve.

Strangely in the S2 you don't get the CRG the S1 111s had with it's 144 bhp engine so it's no faster but I think the idea was a leggier more relaxed drive.

As for reliability the VVC don't suffer from HGF as much as other K series but it's still there. Ultimately though it's going to happen, good side is it's a very cheap motor to keep going as parts are ten a penny and leaving aside the odd HGF they are reliable. They do sound like a bag of old nails though.

I can't wait for my next Lotus but in all honesty if you've been lookong at an R32 I doubt very much an Elise is for you...

 

Col, you should try a 111R while you're there.

I think you might enjoy how it behaves above 6500rpm.