Lotus Elise (1996 - 2000) Sport 160 2d (2000/X) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That you really, really enjoy driving.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

My Girlfriend Doesn't really understand it, my dad and brother think its fantastic. Its a car for petrolheads only really.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes. But that would mean having to sell it in the first place, which isn't going to happen for a long time.

What are you likely to buy next?

Ultima GTR or Noble M12

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£13,295

When did you buy the car?

May 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

Not especially, it wasn't cheap, it wasn't expensive. But then again it was one of only 2 on sale in the country at the time.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I had a budget of 13k and had decided on an Elise after driving one at Silverstone. So I had an option of a cooking Series 2 Elise, or a slightly mad Series 1 Elise. I went Mad.

What was the dealer like?

Very helpful and informative having spent most of his working life flogging people Elises.

What's it like to drive?

Where do I start? Actually, lets start with starting it. To start it you turn the ignition on and off a few times to prime the fuel pump, then pump the throttle a few times, turn the key and hope. It will always come to life, but whether or not it wants to stay at idle is a different matter. Usually within a couple of minutes its fine though. Then in traffic, the lack of a proper ECU map becomes apparent, at low revs lots of clutch slipping is needed to stop you from kangarooing along the road like a learner. However, then you get it out of the town and on to some proper roads and suddenly any problem you had with it disapeers entirely. Rev it hard and the engine note changes from a growl at low revs to a high pitched wail when you get it "on cam" at 5000 revs. Whilst you are busy listenin

What's it like to park?

Visibility from both the side mirrors is very good, however the spoiler renders you rear view mirror pretty much useless.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The Heater matrix needs replacing and the Fan switch failed which led to much nervousness in traffic jams coming back from Le Mans.

What's most practical about your car?

Not a great deal to be honest.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?