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That seamless bit of Lotus Elise history for ten minutes straight while driving, with no umms or ahhs, interjected with your own toughts and observations with descriptive prose is next level journalistic stuff. Well done James. Smack in the middle of early Clarkson and anytime Catchpole.
Cracking car. That roll bar bought back some memories. I did work experience as a spotty 16 year old at the factory in the special vehicle department, best week of my college life. I got to help convert a 190 and then we track tested it, I can confirm it had carbon body panels. Got pictures of it somewhere. The 190 was faster round the old test track than the v8 esprit.
Yeah that's pretty tough to beat. I currently have the poor man's version of that. A 1993 Miata (unmodified and red of course) and a 1998 540i (manual and silver, becoming increasingly difficult to find now).
I owned a 160BHP S1 for 2 years (All be it a fake DVA power car). It was seriously the best car I have ever owned and driven, in terms of being a drivers car (there is one as good but it costs ££££££ more). The weight, steering, amount of power suspension and everything about it made it a true 10/10 car. There isn't a car at ANY price that has the steering feel and tactility of one of these. Pure motoring magic. You also mentioned the S3 not rev matching when heel and toeing, that was one of the main reasons I sold mine. I would have my £15k (at the time) 160 over my £100k+ 430CUP any day. I just love the S1, only car I have ever specified myself, waited for ( 3 years) and bought new, in 1998 after seeing it at the motor show in 1995. Great Vid, so good I watched twice, thanks James :-)
I also put a deposit down in ‘95, but waited only 18 months. The handling of the car was so perfect it was like it had been designed personally for my driving style. But actually, it was just perfectly setup to be the best handling mid engined car, at any price.
I also put a deposit down in ‘95, but waited only 18 months. The handling of the car was so perfect it was like it had been designed personally for my driving style. But actually, it was just perfectly setup to be the best handling mid engined car, at any price.
I did all the detailing, PPF, badge fitting and finishing on this Elise after having quite a bit of work done. An absolute pleasure to put the finishing touches on this car, it's a very special thing and it's very noisy 😂 The owner James is a great guy and it was really interesting hearing the history of the car when he was here. Great to see it looking well on your chanel Jay! P.S. its L.E Detailing and PPF Studio 😜👍
Your early Elise/Lotus videos helped me decide to buy a Rover powered S2. Had it 4 years now. I bought my dream car (964) 15 years ago, which I still have. But if I had to let one go, I think I would say goodbye to the Porsche. The Elise is such pure joy to drive
@@paul_k_7351 to be honest, I have only drove my own car (Elise). S2 Long tail, refreshed suspension original spec, spicy cams, upgraded exhaust, hurricane induction and bell discs/performance pads. Fastest thing on the road or track, no, not at all, but maximum smiles per mile, it would take a lot to beat in my opinion. Well happy
I have owned a 111s from new & having owned and still do 911s also, I have to say it is the lotus I will be keeping. The engagement & joy of driving on normal roads is exponentially better than many cars that dont give any joy on normal roads within legal limits
Of 8+ motorcycles I’ve owned, the one that gives the most enduring pleasure is my 1977 Suzuki GT380B. It’s not fast, it doesn’t handle particularly well, it’s brakes are so-so. But it’s smaller and lighter than my much more valuable GT750A (aka “Kettle”) It’s six speed gearbox is sweet, the clutch is light, it’s carburettor fuelling is absolutely spot on, it sounds fantastic as two stroke triples, running up under load do and, to my eyes, it’s so good to look at, with its four chromed exhausts, the exaggerated proportions of the motor (due to a purely decorative “Ram Air” cover), and all the period details. Enjoyment of our machines is a very personal thing, I find. One thing that I particularly dislike, on balance, despite acknowledging the many virtues and conveniences of a wholly digital dashboard, is the tendency of new cars to be almost overwhelmed by “tech”. I’m now in a position that I never expected, the ability to buy almost anything I want in the non-collectors automotive market. However, there’s nothing new on sale today or in the last 2-4 years that I would consider. I consider myself blessed to own a 20 year old 911. I even tried out late letter 911s & decided they were not for me. Too much everything.
@@GT380man I agree. We are in a similar position. I like to interact physically not digitally with my car - the latest 911 etc is just not analogue enough for me including the interior touch points. I think the most recent Porsche I enjoyed driving was the 4.0 cayman GTS which was quite engaging; otherwise I will stick with 997 and earlier. Also ride and own a Ktm 990 super duke but don’t get out on it much. I have to be honest and find electric cars dull; I have driven a few including taycan and great on motorway buy breaks just aren’t there for me on b roads; they are just too heavy !
I remember watching a documentary about the development of the car. Lotus collaborated with a major adhesives manufacturer to develop the bonding material for the chassis to avoid the need for welding it. It was impressive. They showed destructive testing, in which the aluminium was badly damaged, but the adhesive remained intact.
Having driven a Porshe 996 GT3, a Lotus Exige S1, a VX220T( modified) and a Clio Williams, the Lotus and VX220T had the best Steering. The Turn in from the Unassisted Rack was just Pure and Unfiltered! 😊
Thanks for the video. Serial Elise S1 owner here, including 2x Sport 160’s - one of which was the £40k S160 you refer to. It actually has less than a third of the mileage of this one. Great cars but the 111S is a much better ‘factory’ car to own and drive. Oh, and that exhaust really isn’t the standard SVA S160 one at all. Sounds like a Larini to me.
@@flavioc5389 you can feel the additional weight and subjectively, the non-servo brakes of a K series car are better. No right or wrong, just preference
I don’t watch car reviews, I never do. I always find them boring and just someone reading a list of stats. Not you though. I have subscribed and will be watching a lot of your content which, is brilliant by the way I love it. Keep up the good work!
I love the s1 elise still today, really pretty shape. Having worked on the control system for the plant in cardiff where the aluminum extrusions were made its nice to have a connection to it. Love them so much i bought a Chimaera 😂. At least is British and has another legendary rover engine.
My dad had one of those sport 190s, but sold it last year after 24 years of ownership. Getting an MOT for it was always a slightly dodgy process for the reasons you mentioned, but it could be done with a bit of off-the-books persuasion. As far as we’ve found, there are only 6 or 7 of those 190s registered in the UK. His car was featured in an article on piston heads shortly after he sold it, if anyone’s interested in learning more.
Another beauty. (No lift shift is disconcerting for sure! It's REALLY intended for flat foot shifting at WOT. A lightning quick shift at the top of the tach, almost no power interruption, a quick crack and into the next gear. Not something easily or comfortably accomplished in someone else's car for video. Let alone with a shifter you already don't get along with. Really hoping the owner took the good Sir for a proper demonstration.) As usual, a terrific ride along in a car most of us wouldn't get the chance with otherwise. Thanks Jay.
Verde Scandal is a Lamborghini colour. It was introduced with the Miura. In fact, I think whenever someone said Miura my mind always thought of a Verde Scandal Miura. It is still available as Ad Personam paint today, by the way.
It’s amazing how we judge cars years on. I remember nearly buying a late series 1 and the dealer said to wait as the new series 2 was due to be launched and it was a better car in every way. He was right but if I was to buy another one now it would probably be a series 1! Weird.
The obsession with outright speed in a car is destroying the car. Modern cars have such high performance that they are inert to drive thanks to (1) all the nanny systems that are doing most of the driving and (2) the car's performance threshold being so high before any fun can be had. I've owned my Lotus Elise Sport 135 for 18 years and will never sell it, and you can have raucous, visceral fun at 50mph. To have the same sensations in a modern performance car, you need to do double that, and you'll still be nowhere near the Elise for feedback and fun. If I had a penny for every nonce who's ridiculed my car's "slowness" because it doesn't do 250mph in a straight line, I'd be very rich. But if those nonces drove an Elise after getting out of their 2024 BMW M3, they'd realise what they're missing. A modern performance car is a total snorefest. Even the Emira is a snorefest compared to an Elise.
Elise variants are modern classics. I used to live near someone who owned a mid 2000s yellow Elise and they really are incredibly low and small cars, compared to a typical American sedan :) However after driving the turbo Vauxhall VX220 in Forza Motorsport 4, I wonder if those (and Opel Speedsters) are the real gems to pick up now. Apparently while they were somewhat co-designed and produced under agreement of Lotus, many of the parts are not interchangeable (for better or worse) and they used a 2.2 GM Ecotec 4cyl from an Opel Astra. What gets me in Forza is just that already torquey I4 getting breathed on by the turbo. Feels like an Elise with a rocket strapped to it, whereas the Elise Sport 190 in Forza feels that slight bit more response and lighter, classic Lotus. Instant power but never beyond what the car can grip, go-kart like cornering...
I have owned two Elise. The mark 1 bought used and the mark 2 new. Great cars but the thin standard seats uncomfortable and the second one I owned had a disconserting habit of accelerating when slowing down at about 10mph without touching the pedal which is why I sold it.
I used to work at a lotus dealer. The issue you describe was faulty throttle bodies. Original ones were plastic and would warp through heat and then stick. We replaced them with metal ones which were fine
There a great looking sports car, so unique, id say the lotus elise and the fiat coupe are both very unique looking sports cars that stand out among the crowd.
I've never had the privilege of being in a lotus. But in my mind, it was the closest a car could get to a supersport motorbike aside from a kit car. Just an engine, 4 wheels, and good handling.
Engine weight is important, which is why nobody except drag racers use the 2JZ Toyota engine as it's heavier than most diesel engines coming in at a portly 225kgs wet.
@@bzilla-d4i and its an inline 6 so the weight goes really far forward its hard to balance a vehicle when that happens thats why american v8’s are also used as they are compact enough to stuff in really low and far back meaning the weight isnt as much of a negative.
@@sythenalpha2037 yep, balance in a race car is vital, a V engine is always the way to go when it comes to creating proper balance, or as in some cases manufacturers like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Subaru go for the low center of gravity approach with a flat layout, which you must really commend Porsche for slinging that engine over the rear and actually making it work for all these years, some serious engineering going on there, BMW too, for being sticklers with their straight 6 layout and actually beating the competition. Commendable efforts.
Jay, the exhaust on the car in the video looks different to the exhaust in the magazine shots - you keep saying "original" but some confusion here perhaps (for me at least). Love all your videos mate, best car reviews on youtube imo. Keep it up.
I'm with you Jay, the S1 Elise I've never found especially pretty. That said, the older I (and it) get, the more I am coming round to it and perhaps even seeing it as better than the S2 Elise. This spec looks cool, great colour too. Is the rear wing / spoiler more upturned on this than normal? Or extra, I feel like it's an extra piece. Improves the side profile no end.
The 111s came with the spoiler as standard. Then for the sport 160 they used the same spoiler but added raiser blocks so it’s about an inch higher than the 111s. It’s a standard item on the car.
The r53 is an amazing car and very underrated by the professional journalists. I had one for six years but now regret selling it. F56 is not half bad either.
I bought an s1 a few years back. I would have liked a 160, but found a car with almost all the factory mids already done. I just added a dva 160 head and the spec is near identical The comment about the nitrons was interesting. Mine has nitrons and I dont like them. Its away at a specialist at the moment having a few little tweaks done and throttle bodies and emerald fitted. Ige asked them to drive it, assess it, and make dome suggestions for the suspension. I hope itll be as simple as changing the springs or bushes. We'll have to see.
Excellent video jay im currently patiently waiting to find the right Elise/exige, interesting comment on the nitrons suspension as I see a lot of adverts boast this. I’m coming from an mx5, should I be looking to purchase a mk1 Elise for that purist experience?
I reckon flat shifting in the context of straight cut gears means using no clutch whatsoever like a motorcycle with a quickshifter. You may have been doing it wrong James, that did sound like the limiter.
I was told that the Sprint became the 111S (one eleven S not Elise S). Mercedes Sprinter van coming to market at the same time made Lotus backtrack and drop the Sprint, to just S.
Ah yes, my spidey senses hone in on those magic words Sport 160. I've had a few, the last one was one of the SVA ones and one of only three in Azure Blue. It's the longest I've owned any car as it was just so damn good. I had to sell it to fund a Porsche (crack out the violins) but I do sometimes wonder if I should've just bought another cheaper car to go alongside it. Mine was stunningly original and to be honest I'd got a bit nerdy and precious about it. It was making my teeth itch looking at all the differences on that one there. I don't regret selling it and missing out on the increase in value, it had already hiked up considerably in the time I owned it and I knew I'd be selling an investment. I'm more into cars than investments though so I'm at peace it was the right choice at the time. Then again I sold my E30 M3 for less than £10k which is laughable now, never take money advice from me. Great to see and hear it on the video. Though it missed one of the 160's key traits, it's lumpily impressive even at idle, purposeful. Cold day in Hell before I'd choose a sewing machine 111S over that.
Got to agree 111s is a tappaty twin cambelt bag of spanner’s . I’m sure it was just done for emissions. Have driven Elise trophy cars with better low down and top end power than the vvc engine.
There's something about an angry little 4-Pot that is such a lovely noise, maybe it's the biker in me but I could have listened to that Elise sing at full chat the whole video and James simply say "I rets my case" at the end. Given that it's quite a special car to start with, add in it being the literal poster-child for the model, I wouldn't blame the owner if they said it was a Never Sell Forever Car, because that is a very, very special little thing. I expect it probably gets forgiven every single vice after just one spirited drive.
I had the head gasket in the elise go cost 100 quid labour and 42 quid gasket....in Australia. It cost 75 - 100 quid a year to service. And there's a problem?
I’m running Nitron street series on my S2, adjusted quite soft but springs do seem really quite stiff - but compared to the original Bilsteins I had the low speed ride is basically the same. I’ve not experienced the ride journalists describe in any Elise I’ve driven…
100% agree with this! The 111S has none of the poor idle/low rev power issues the 160 has (unless DVA etc tweaked). To me the S160 is the most overated model, along with the S1 Exige (sitting in a poor idling sweat box) neither are that much 'fun' to own...... flame suit on!
Yep I’ve had my 111S since 2001. Throw in a nice manifold and exhaust and a decent induction kit and it will make the same BHP as the 160. I have lightened and balanced flywheel and quaife torque biasing diff. Bilsteins springs and shocks from S2 Elise make it perfect.
I have read quite a few reviews where they say that the 135BHP Sport was better than the 143BHP 111S, for various reasons including the fact that the 135 actually had more often than not 145BHP & the power was available far lower down than the 160 or in the higher peak power VVC.
It's got a cute little grin and I'm sure it's really fun to drive. Where I live it would be impossible to get service so I'll stick with my Cayman. I like a roof and it's fairly reliable....so far! When did Lotus start using Toyota engines?
I’d like to see JM get in and out of said Elise. I’m little over 6 ft and remember the contortions necessary to get in and out of one at our local dealer.
I'm the happy owner of a standard Elise S1. Due to personal reasons, I'm considering selling it. Do u think it will increase in value in the coming years?
Please stop this James, I can't buy another Lotus, my brain/ wallet just can't cope! I also love the way the car died on you as you said 'Better behaved'. They genuinely have personalities.
Considering the power to weight ratio, the Elise here is in the same ballpark as my 996 40AE. And that’s enough. Even the narrow body 911 is large compared with this Elise. I don’t know why i didn’t have this on my shortlist before selecting the Porsche. What could I purchase for £40-£50K? It’s also physically a smaller car, I expect.
😀...funny frog! ...and when "walking"....doing so like a duck...LoL! But entertains pretty exciting when stretches its legs :) But you know what.... some AC Cobra replica...is somehow.... a bit more... in some way...nevertheless it is upon everyones taste...Next to this Lotus toycar... I would also test drive some Donkervoort, Wiesmann and possibly even first gen Viper before final decision.... I think here on old continent... we need toycars for Sunday drive which are strongly exciting even within legal speed limits...just cruising.... BTW what type of Lotus was that stunning blue one in chace sequence of movie Red 2 ?
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That seamless bit of Lotus Elise history for ten minutes straight while driving, with no umms or ahhs, interjected with your own toughts and observations with descriptive prose is next level journalistic stuff. Well done James. Smack in the middle of early Clarkson and anytime Catchpole.
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it. More Elise content coming soon
Well said John !! There isn't ANYONE doing it like this guy right now. Top of the RUclips tree.
Cracking car. That roll bar bought back some memories. I did work experience as a spotty 16 year old at the factory in the special vehicle department, best week of my college life. I got to help convert a 190 and then we track tested it, I can confirm it had carbon body panels. Got pictures of it somewhere.
The 190 was faster round the old test track than the v8 esprit.
This and an E39 M5 would be a pretty top-notch 90s two-car garage.
Agreed😎
A man of culture
Yeah that's pretty tough to beat. I currently have the poor man's version of that. A 1993 Miata (unmodified and red of course) and a 1998 540i (manual and silver, becoming increasingly difficult to find now).
And a Clio Williams or an Integra TypeR with the B18😊
@@markwalton8644I would cross the jap rotbox off and replace it with a BMW 530 MLE
I owned a 160BHP S1 for 2 years (All be it a fake DVA power car). It was seriously the best car I have ever owned and driven, in terms of being a drivers car (there is one as good but it costs ££££££ more). The weight, steering, amount of power suspension and everything about it made it a true 10/10 car. There isn't a car at ANY price that has the steering feel and tactility of one of these. Pure motoring magic. You also mentioned the S3 not rev matching when heel and toeing, that was one of the main reasons I sold mine. I would have my £15k (at the time) 160 over my £100k+ 430CUP any day. I just love the S1, only car I have ever specified myself, waited for ( 3 years) and bought new, in 1998 after seeing it at the motor show in 1995. Great Vid, so good I watched twice, thanks James :-)
What is that second drivers car? @bispal
@@dadogacesa3877 675LT 👍🏻
I also put a deposit down in ‘95, but waited only 18 months.
The handling of the car was so perfect it was like it had been designed personally for my driving style. But actually, it was just perfectly setup to be the best handling mid engined car, at any price.
I also put a deposit down in ‘95, but waited only 18 months.
The handling of the car was so perfect it was like it had been designed personally for my driving style. But actually, it was just perfectly setup to be the best handling mid engined car, at any price.
@@dadogacesa3877 675LT 👍🏻
the symphony between transmission whine, engine sound and exhaust sound is pure art 😩👌
A JayEmm Lotus video? I couldn't click fast enough!
That sound is absolutely *glorious,* especially the flat-foot shifting.
Love the reg, a proper nod to the late great Murray Walker.
Unless you're very much mistaken. 😅
And now, excuse me while I interrupt myself.
Looks like it’s on the bottom of rear plate
You gave me an advice a few years ago. I followed it last summer and got an early '01 S2.
Now I understand. Thank you.
I did all the detailing, PPF, badge fitting and finishing on this Elise after having quite a bit of work done. An absolute pleasure to put the finishing touches on this car, it's a very special thing and it's very noisy 😂 The owner James is a great guy and it was really interesting hearing the history of the car when he was here.
Great to see it looking well on your chanel Jay!
P.S. its L.E Detailing and PPF Studio 😜👍
Your early Elise/Lotus videos helped me decide to buy a Rover powered S2. Had it 4 years now.
I bought my dream car (964) 15 years ago, which I still have. But if I had to let one go, I think I would say goodbye to the Porsche. The Elise is such pure joy to drive
I thought my 964 was a car for life (having had it 12 years)...until I bought my Elise
Which variant of Elise do you have / would you recommend?
@@paul_k_7351 to be honest, I have only drove my own car (Elise). S2 Long tail, refreshed suspension original spec, spicy cams, upgraded exhaust, hurricane induction and bell discs/performance pads. Fastest thing on the road or track, no, not at all, but maximum smiles per mile, it would take a lot to beat in my opinion. Well happy
160 and a 964 owner here - happy days, but never ending maintenance!
Maintenance on the lotus or the 964?
I have owned a 111s from new & having owned and still do 911s also, I have to say it is the lotus I will be keeping. The engagement & joy of driving on normal roads is exponentially better than many cars that dont give any joy on normal roads within legal limits
Of 8+ motorcycles I’ve owned, the one that gives the most enduring pleasure is my 1977 Suzuki GT380B. It’s not fast, it doesn’t handle particularly well, it’s brakes are so-so.
But it’s smaller and lighter than my much more valuable GT750A (aka “Kettle”)
It’s six speed gearbox is sweet, the clutch is light, it’s carburettor fuelling is absolutely spot on, it sounds fantastic as two stroke triples, running up under load do and, to my eyes, it’s so good to look at, with its four chromed exhausts, the exaggerated proportions of the motor (due to a purely decorative “Ram Air” cover), and all the period details.
Enjoyment of our machines is a very personal thing, I find.
One thing that I particularly dislike, on balance, despite acknowledging the many virtues and conveniences of a wholly digital dashboard, is the tendency of new cars to be almost overwhelmed by “tech”. I’m now in a position that I never expected, the ability to buy almost anything I want in the non-collectors automotive market. However, there’s nothing new on sale today or in the last 2-4 years that I would consider. I consider myself blessed to own a 20 year old 911. I even tried out late letter 911s & decided they were not for me. Too much everything.
@@GT380man I agree. We are in a similar position. I like to interact physically not digitally with my car - the latest 911 etc is just not analogue enough for me including the interior touch points. I think the most recent Porsche I enjoyed driving was the 4.0 cayman GTS which was quite engaging; otherwise I will stick with 997 and earlier. Also ride and own a Ktm 990 super duke but don’t get out on it much. I have to be honest and find electric cars dull; I have driven a few including taycan and great on motorway buy breaks just aren’t there for me on b roads; they are just too heavy !
I remember watching a documentary about the development of the car. Lotus collaborated with a major adhesives manufacturer to develop the bonding material for the chassis to avoid the need for welding it. It was impressive. They showed destructive testing, in which the aluminium was badly damaged, but the adhesive remained intact.
It might be this one: ruclips.net/video/a-TiFKr2yb0/видео.html
The tub was developed at TWI.
Was the “major adhesives manufacturer” copydex?
@@Fozzymandeus Hilarious. have you considered a career in comedy?
@@laurieharper1526 glad you enjoyed it.
It was S1 Elises that got me started doing MG Rover diagnostics.
Having driven a Porshe 996 GT3, a Lotus Exige S1, a VX220T( modified) and a Clio Williams, the Lotus and VX220T had the best Steering. The Turn in from the Unassisted Rack was just Pure and Unfiltered! 😊
Thanks for the video. Serial Elise S1 owner here, including 2x Sport 160’s - one of which was the £40k S160 you refer to. It actually has less than a third of the mileage of this one. Great cars but the 111S is a much better ‘factory’ car to own and drive.
Oh, and that exhaust really isn’t the standard SVA S160 one at all. Sounds like a Larini to me.
Isn’t the Toyota-engined S2 better still?
@@flavioc5389 Define better! Later cars (s2/s3) are better at being a car. Not necessarly better at being Elise.
Agree, 111S (known as one eleven S, not Elise S Jayemm). The VVC and short box are just fantastic together.
@@flavioc5389 you can feel the additional weight and subjectively, the non-servo brakes of a K series car are better. No right or wrong, just preference
@@marktickle8480 Thanks!!
I don’t watch car reviews, I never do. I always find them boring and just someone reading a list of stats. Not you though. I have subscribed and will be watching a lot of your content which, is brilliant by the way I love it. Keep up the good work!
I love the s1 elise still today, really pretty shape. Having worked on the control system for the plant in cardiff where the aluminum extrusions were made its nice to have a connection to it. Love them so much i bought a Chimaera 😂. At least is British and has another legendary rover engine.
My dad had one of those sport 190s, but sold it last year after 24 years of ownership. Getting an MOT for it was always a slightly dodgy process for the reasons you mentioned, but it could be done with a bit of off-the-books persuasion. As far as we’ve found, there are only 6 or 7 of those 190s registered in the UK. His car was featured in an article on piston heads shortly after he sold it, if anyone’s interested in learning more.
I'm not even a Lotus fan as such, but that was a great video !
That car looked absolutely raring to go at all times ! Sounded fantastic as well
Love your review and enthusiasm of my dream car. Makes me want one even more. This will be rewatched.
I can’t get over how much you know Jay on a whole range of cars. History, specifications, backstories Terrific !
This must have been one of the best cars you've ever reviewed, even trees fell for it :)
I agree!
Having seen this car in person on a couple of occasions, I do agree it's a very nice car,
Another beauty. (No lift shift is disconcerting for sure! It's REALLY intended for flat foot shifting at WOT. A lightning quick shift at the top of the tach, almost no power interruption, a quick crack and into the next gear. Not something easily or comfortably accomplished in someone else's car for video. Let alone with a shifter you already don't get along with. Really hoping the owner took the good Sir for a proper demonstration.) As usual, a terrific ride along in a car most of us wouldn't get the chance with otherwise. Thanks Jay.
18:26 straight out of Top Gear. Never change, James!
Love the plate. 6060 GO, so on point for such a special car.
Verde Scandal is a Lamborghini colour. It was introduced with the Miura. In fact, I think whenever someone said Miura my mind always thought of a Verde Scandal Miura. It is still available as Ad Personam paint today, by the way.
Good to see you back in a Lotus! Thanks again for sharing
It’s amazing how we judge cars years on. I remember nearly buying a late series 1 and the dealer said to wait as the new series 2 was due to be launched and it was a better car in every way. He was right but if I was to buy another one now it would probably be a series 1! Weird.
Loved mine. Loved it even more with Honda K20a conversion from Maidstone Sportscars.
Love my Elise S1 turbo technics 190 - she’s a keeper
The obsession with outright speed in a car is destroying the car. Modern cars have such high performance that they are inert to drive thanks to (1) all the nanny systems that are doing most of the driving and (2) the car's performance threshold being so high before any fun can be had. I've owned my Lotus Elise Sport 135 for 18 years and will never sell it, and you can have raucous, visceral fun at 50mph. To have the same sensations in a modern performance car, you need to do double that, and you'll still be nowhere near the Elise for feedback and fun. If I had a penny for every nonce who's ridiculed my car's "slowness" because it doesn't do 250mph in a straight line, I'd be very rich. But if those nonces drove an Elise after getting out of their 2024 BMW M3, they'd realise what they're missing. A modern performance car is a total snorefest. Even the Emira is a snorefest compared to an Elise.
So true, but not many get it.
Elise variants are modern classics. I used to live near someone who owned a mid 2000s yellow Elise and they really are incredibly low and small cars, compared to a typical American sedan :)
However after driving the turbo Vauxhall VX220 in Forza Motorsport 4, I wonder if those (and Opel Speedsters) are the real gems to pick up now. Apparently while they were somewhat co-designed and produced under agreement of Lotus, many of the parts are not interchangeable (for better or worse) and they used a 2.2 GM Ecotec 4cyl from an Opel Astra. What gets me in Forza is just that already torquey I4 getting breathed on by the turbo. Feels like an Elise with a rocket strapped to it, whereas the Elise Sport 190 in Forza feels that slight bit more response and lighter, classic Lotus. Instant power but never beyond what the car can grip, go-kart like cornering...
What a great looking sports car,the side profile is perfect with the front to the finishing up swep of the rear spoiler😊
I have owned two Elise. The mark 1 bought used and the mark 2 new. Great cars but the thin standard seats uncomfortable and the second one I owned had a disconserting habit of accelerating when slowing down at about 10mph without touching the pedal which is why I sold it.
I used to work at a lotus dealer. The issue you describe was faulty throttle bodies. Original ones were plastic and would warp through heat and then stick. We replaced them with metal ones which were fine
There a great looking sports car, so unique, id say the lotus elise and the fiat coupe are both very unique looking sports cars that stand out among the crowd.
I have one - it’s fantastic!
I've never had the privilege of being in a lotus. But in my mind, it was the closest a car could get to a supersport motorbike aside from a kit car. Just an engine, 4 wheels, and good handling.
dont forget the rover k series is 96kg wet compared to a honda k series which is 125kg
are the two k series engines of the same design? (rover/ honda) 👍
@@ravenmaster6364 nope, completely different.
Engine weight is important, which is why nobody except drag racers use the 2JZ Toyota engine as it's heavier than most diesel engines coming in at a portly 225kgs wet.
@@bzilla-d4i and its an inline 6 so the weight goes really far forward its hard to balance a vehicle when that happens thats why american v8’s are also used as they are compact enough to stuff in really low and far back meaning the weight isnt as much of a negative.
@@sythenalpha2037 yep, balance in a race car is vital, a V engine is always the way to go when it comes to creating proper balance, or as in some cases manufacturers like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Subaru go for the low center of gravity approach with a flat layout, which you must really commend Porsche for slinging that engine over the rear and actually making it work for all these years, some serious engineering going on there, BMW too, for being sticklers with their straight 6 layout and actually beating the competition. Commendable efforts.
Jay, the exhaust on the car in the video looks different to the exhaust in the magazine shots - you keep saying "original" but some confusion here perhaps (for me at least).
Love all your videos mate, best car reviews on youtube imo. Keep it up.
I am going on what the owner told me
@@JayEmmOnCars fair enough. Thanks for the response 👍🏼
Time you did an Exige S1 review James. You can have mine if you fancy a holiday in NZ :)
Best Lotus reviewer. Ever. Thanks James.
Honestly, my dream car.
Ideally in BRG.
Beautiful from every angle.
Absolute dream car 💚
my dream elise, the exhaust note is just so nice and pleasing to hear
I was the second owner of this car and not a day goes by that i regret selling it
You mean that you don't regret selling it 🤔
As the saying goes… never sell a Lotus. I’ve had mine 25years and counting
I had it around 2008/2009 also.
I'm with you Jay, the S1 Elise I've never found especially pretty. That said, the older I (and it) get, the more I am coming round to it and perhaps even seeing it as better than the S2 Elise. This spec looks cool, great colour too.
Is the rear wing / spoiler more upturned on this than normal? Or extra, I feel like it's an extra piece. Improves the side profile no end.
The 111s came with the spoiler as standard. Then for the sport 160 they used the same spoiler but added raiser blocks so it’s about an inch higher than the 111s. It’s a standard item on the car.
@@jamesS1OWO ah thanks
Still have my S160 bought it new in 2000. What a car !
James must be a happy chap owning this 👍
Honestly the driving experience in this video seems so similar to that of my R53 Mini. A lot of rough edges but the fun is worth it.
The r53 is an amazing car and very underrated by the professional journalists. I had one for six years but now regret selling it. F56 is not half bad either.
I bought an s1 a few years back. I would have liked a 160, but found a car with almost all the factory mids already done. I just added a dva 160 head and the spec is near identical
The comment about the nitrons was interesting. Mine has nitrons and I dont like them. Its away at a specialist at the moment having a few little tweaks done and throttle bodies and emerald fitted.
Ige asked them to drive it, assess it, and make dome suggestions for the suspension. I hope itll be as simple as changing the springs or bushes. We'll have to see.
I enjoyed this video very much.
Excellent video jay im currently patiently waiting to find the right Elise/exige, interesting comment on the nitrons suspension as I see a lot of adverts boast this.
I’m coming from an mx5, should I be looking to purchase a mk1 Elise for that purist experience?
The best Elise and in scandal green (or krypton?) legendary. Never got low enough in price for me and sure it will keep going up now!
Lovely color for an iconic car.
I like lotus. Great concept. Who needs a rari.
I used to own one of the other scandal green sva sport160 from 2000-2008, was interesting at mot time.
I reckon flat shifting in the context of straight cut gears means using no clutch whatsoever like a motorcycle with a quickshifter. You may have been doing it wrong James, that did sound like the limiter.
I was told that the Sprint became the 111S (one eleven S not Elise S). Mercedes Sprinter van coming to market at the same time made Lotus backtrack and drop the Sprint, to just S.
Ah yes, my spidey senses hone in on those magic words Sport 160. I've had a few, the last one was one of the SVA ones and one of only three in Azure Blue. It's the longest I've owned any car as it was just so damn good. I had to sell it to fund a Porsche (crack out the violins) but I do sometimes wonder if I should've just bought another cheaper car to go alongside it.
Mine was stunningly original and to be honest I'd got a bit nerdy and precious about it. It was making my teeth itch looking at all the differences on that one there.
I don't regret selling it and missing out on the increase in value, it had already hiked up considerably in the time I owned it and I knew I'd be selling an investment. I'm more into cars than investments though so I'm at peace it was the right choice at the time. Then again I sold my E30 M3 for less than £10k which is laughable now, never take money advice from me.
Great to see and hear it on the video. Though it missed one of the 160's key traits, it's lumpily impressive even at idle, purposeful. Cold day in Hell before I'd choose a sewing machine 111S over that.
Got to agree 111s is a tappaty twin cambelt bag of spanner’s . I’m sure it was just done for emissions. Have driven Elise trophy cars with better low down and top end power than the vvc engine.
There's something about an angry little 4-Pot that is such a lovely noise, maybe it's the biker in me but I could have listened to that Elise sing at full chat the whole video and James simply say "I rets my case" at the end.
Given that it's quite a special car to start with, add in it being the literal poster-child for the model, I wouldn't blame the owner if they said it was a Never Sell Forever Car, because that is a very, very special little thing. I expect it probably gets forgiven every single vice after just one spirited drive.
Is it the pg1 gearbox in these?
If so explains the reverse issues.
Even my TF le500 doesn't like to go into reverse
So which suspension does it have then? Told us it didn’t have nitrons but omitted to say what it does have …??
wondering if you will review analogue elise in the future
I would like one owner to post a video of getting in and out of these cars, please.
I owned a S1 Elise sold it for a Boxster mainly for the practicality wish I hadn't.
I love the GO GO GO license plate
James, at low speeds, that car sounded a little like a motorcycle departing pit lane with a speed limiter engaged.
I had the head gasket in the elise go cost 100 quid labour and 42 quid gasket....in Australia. It cost 75 - 100 quid a year to service. And there's a problem?
What suspension does this one have? I'm also wary of Nitrons ruining the ride. Is it the S2 Bilsteins?
+1 on the suspension query? I've nitrons in mine and have to decide on a rebuild or a different set up (off the road 14 years)
I’m running Nitron street series on my S2, adjusted quite soft but springs do seem really quite stiff - but compared to the original Bilsteins I had the low speed ride is basically the same. I’ve not experienced the ride journalists describe in any Elise I’ve driven…
Long term Elise S1 Owner here. In my view S160 is not the best Version. 111S is. Shorter Gearing, Engine which is more flexible, etc..
100% agree with this! The 111S has none of the poor idle/low rev power issues the 160 has (unless DVA etc tweaked). To me the S160 is the most overated model, along with the S1 Exige (sitting in a poor idling sweat box) neither are that much 'fun' to own...... flame suit on!
Agree, I worked at Lotus and have owned most of the Elise and Exige models, including a Vx220. My favourite was always the S1 111S
Yep I’ve had my 111S since 2001. Throw in a nice manifold and exhaust and a decent induction kit and it will make the same BHP as the 160. I have lightened and balanced flywheel and quaife torque biasing diff. Bilsteins springs and shocks from S2 Elise make it perfect.
I have read quite a few reviews where they say that the 135BHP Sport was better than the 143BHP 111S, for various reasons including the fact that the 135 actually had more often than not 145BHP & the power was available far lower down than the 160 or in the higher peak power VVC.
TY J! 🙏🙏. All S1's have cult status by now.
It's got a cute little grin and I'm sure it's really fun to drive. Where I live it would be impossible to get service so I'll stick with my Cayman. I like a roof and it's fairly reliable....so far! When did Lotus start using Toyota engines?
2004
Great video
tuff…tuff….tuff…. "This is the best car ever!!!"…tuff..brrrtt….
Ahh I wondered If you were hitting the rev limiter.
Really fef-f-fined
This is the ultimate Elise S1
I’d like to see JM get in and out of said Elise. I’m little over 6 ft and remember the contortions necessary to get in and out of one at our local dealer.
Try one with a 250bhp Duratec on throttle bodies. Way nicer. And yes I’ve owned a sport 160!
Any chance you could add some footage of you getting in and out with the roof on..?
ruclips.net/video/5c1KgeUdrZc/видео.htmlsi=IVVAoA_mn3cnmCn7
Apologies, I should have known you’d have it covered! Fell out of a series one in Cheltenham once trying to look cool. Mistake.
Got a S1 with the Bell & Colvill 160 conversion. Pretty sure they never made 160, but it kangaroos too.
I'm the happy owner of a standard Elise S1.
Due to personal reasons, I'm considering selling it.
Do u think it will increase in value in the coming years?
Awesome video, a real petrol head. Who cares its not rapid, modern cars are to quick and boring compared to that thing
So what aftermarket suspension is this using if it rides that well? That's a problem I never fully solved in my S2.
Talking of sportscars, have about doing a follow-up story on whatever happened to your old blue Lamborghini Gallardo FA53CUH ??
I think he returned it
@@taotoo2 What do you mean?
@@Adrianmazda6 Gave it back to the company he bought it from I think. This video no doubt clarifies it ruclips.net/video/xV4x6ytILxE/видео.html
Please stop this James, I can't buy another Lotus, my brain/ wallet just can't cope!
I also love the way the car died on you as you said 'Better behaved'. They genuinely have personalities.
The roads you select will dictate your conclusions.
Considering the power to weight ratio, the Elise here is in the same ballpark as my 996 40AE. And that’s enough.
Even the narrow body 911 is large compared with this Elise.
I don’t know why i didn’t have this on my shortlist before selecting the Porsche.
What could I purchase for £40-£50K?
It’s also physically a smaller car, I expect.
The want is strong with this one
😀...funny frog! ...and when "walking"....doing so like a duck...LoL! But entertains pretty exciting when stretches its legs :)
But you know what.... some AC Cobra replica...is somehow.... a bit more... in some way...nevertheless it is upon everyones taste...Next to this Lotus toycar... I would also test drive some Donkervoort, Wiesmann and possibly even first gen Viper before final decision.... I think here on old continent... we need toycars for Sunday drive which are strongly exciting even within legal speed limits...just cruising....
BTW what type of Lotus was that stunning blue one in chace sequence of movie Red 2 ?
I had one of these. It was a tad slow so I put a Bugatti Chiron engine in it. Made a big difference.
I knew it was good when you pulled out of the carpark and before you were even up to 3000rpm you were already stage left
Are those Citroen wing mirrors?
so when you change and modify everything, it is a good car !
Plonk in a K20A and off we go!
How do you live with the fear of head gasket failure looming? just proactively replace it every Xk miles?
best lotus in best color.
In my part of Europe you cant buy a single Lotus...so how to buy this one?? 😅
Where do you reside mate?
@@lillexus5589 Slovakia
One day I'll own an Elise. One day.
How tall are you? Want to know if I would fit in one
Elise seller's remorse gets more real as time passes...