Lotus Elise S1 review: this might be the BEST driver's car ever made - Auto Express 4K
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I'm in my mid sixties now and plan to keep mine forever then pass it to my kids. Probably the last car of its kind given where technology is headed. If you love cars, try to find one to test drive and treat yourself to a unique experience.
Date: 2022-04-17
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Comments and reviews: 9
Steve
Spot on review. I-ve had my S1 111S in Nautilus Blue for over twenty years. The car is still on it-s original head gasket. The key to that was early fitment of Elise parts remote thermostat which prevents the heating and cooling cycling which softens the heads. Now have the Rover pressure and temp stat in it-s place. Quaife torque biasing diff sorts any twitchiness and may just save your life. Lights on alarm is a must and an easy fit - flat battery is very uncool. Lightened and balanced flywheel makes the car very lively but hard to maintain a steady speed on the boring roads between the twisties. Enjoy
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Spot on review. I-ve had my S1 111S in Nautilus Blue for over twenty years. The car is still on it-s original head gasket. The key to that was early fitment of Elise parts remote thermostat which prevents the heating and cooling cycling which softens the heads. Now have the Rover pressure and temp stat in it-s place. Quaife torque biasing diff sorts any twitchiness and may just save your life. Lights on alarm is a must and an easy fit - flat battery is very uncool. Lightened and balanced flywheel makes the car very lively but hard to maintain a steady speed on the boring roads between the twisties. Enjoy
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tony
Yousuf, great review. I bought a new S1 when they first came out in 96. Always loved the Dino, and GT40 and the 916. The S1 combined styling from all three. Sadly had to sell the car. Ten years ago I got into Caterhams and had 6 Caterhams but I never truly loved the car, so last December I bought an Elise and fell in love with car. My car is a '98 car with the MMC brakes, it's been meticulously maintained, with some nice upgrades including LLS S2 suspension, 111S close ratio gear box, short shift gear change, a 160 spec engine, that pops and bangs and uprated seats.
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Yousuf, great review. I bought a new S1 when they first came out in 96. Always loved the Dino, and GT40 and the 916. The S1 combined styling from all three. Sadly had to sell the car. Ten years ago I got into Caterhams and had 6 Caterhams but I never truly loved the car, so last December I bought an Elise and fell in love with car. My car is a '98 car with the MMC brakes, it's been meticulously maintained, with some nice upgrades including LLS S2 suspension, 111S close ratio gear box, short shift gear change, a 160 spec engine, that pops and bangs and uprated seats.
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PBO
The Caterham 420R is the best drivers car.
The Elise is a sports car. The Seven is a racing car.
I had a S1 Exige which was a masterpiece. I loved it but the Seven is in another league.
Usability is an entirely different issue. However the title is -might be the best drivers car-
The Elise is one of the greats but the best driving machine is the Seven. Period!
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The Caterham 420R is the best drivers car.
The Elise is a sports car. The Seven is a racing car.
I had a S1 Exige which was a masterpiece. I loved it but the Seven is in another league.
Usability is an entirely different issue. However the title is -might be the best drivers car-
The Elise is one of the greats but the best driving machine is the Seven. Period!
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Steve
Nice review, thanks! - I'm lucky enough to have one of these ('99 111s - 8k miles) - made the mistake of replacing the tyres with Toyo Proxes which were cheaper than the alternative Yokohamas but a little flaky/vague on turn in - would suggest anyone thinking of replacing tyres on these avoid the Toyos
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Nice review, thanks! - I'm lucky enough to have one of these ('99 111s - 8k miles) - made the mistake of replacing the tyres with Toyo Proxes which were cheaper than the alternative Yokohamas but a little flaky/vague on turn in - would suggest anyone thinking of replacing tyres on these avoid the Toyos
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John
It really does ruin modern cars. I agree 100% with this. I have an Elise S2 111R (they never sold S1s here and importation seems difficult so I bought an S2. It is just so much fun to drive! So involving and so agile. I have literally 0 desire to ever replace it with another sports car. Great review!
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It really does ruin modern cars. I agree 100% with this. I have an Elise S2 111R (they never sold S1s here and importation seems difficult so I bought an S2. It is just so much fun to drive! So involving and so agile. I have literally 0 desire to ever replace it with another sports car. Great review!
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Kaczynski
The most talked thing about like cars is having good power with not massively strong engine but the real point is having great WEIGHT/TRACK WIDTH ratio. Sure nowadays you can add like infinite tires, brakes and power (expensive) to balance things out but you can only make a road car so wide.
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The most talked thing about like cars is having good power with not massively strong engine but the real point is having great WEIGHT/TRACK WIDTH ratio. Sure nowadays you can add like infinite tires, brakes and power (expensive) to balance things out but you can only make a road car so wide.
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JLuc
Why -might be-? -IT IS the best sport car EVER made.
A razor blade, the only car you could enjoy in same way when you climb or you down a mountain pass.
And this, is really a advantage, because during a road trip with friends, you enjoy, at least, 2 times more -
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Why -might be-? -IT IS the best sport car EVER made.
A razor blade, the only car you could enjoy in same way when you climb or you down a mountain pass.
And this, is really a advantage, because during a road trip with friends, you enjoy, at least, 2 times more -
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Tom
The K series is a very fun and revvy engine to drive, They make great power for what they are too. Loads of people write them off with headgasket comments but as long as it-s been fixed properly it shouldn-t be a problem and they-re reliable apart from that
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The K series is a very fun and revvy engine to drive, They make great power for what they are too. Loads of people write them off with headgasket comments but as long as it-s been fixed properly it shouldn-t be a problem and they-re reliable apart from that
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Ratcat
Mine is the same colour, except S2. and yeah, I love mine as well. Carbon fibre interior, Quantum one Coilovers, Rear toe link kit, Oz racing wheels, Racetech quick release steering wheel. 72 degree cams and Kent sprockets, the list goes on.
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Mine is the same colour, except S2. and yeah, I love mine as well. Carbon fibre interior, Quantum one Coilovers, Rear toe link kit, Oz racing wheels, Racetech quick release steering wheel. 72 degree cams and Kent sprockets, the list goes on.
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