Hi,

My first post here Hopefully my english is understandable...

First some background info. I'm 31 years old, I live in Trondheim, Norway and I currently have 2001 Lotus Elise S2 Race Tech (european version with Rover engine and around 130 horsepower), laser blue exterior with blue alcantara interior, Hurricane air filter and sports exhaust. This has been my dream car ever since I saw the first pictures of the S1 back in 1995. In June 2005 I finally bought one, and since then I've done around 25k miles using it as my only car for 7-8 months a year. By far the funniest car I've ever driven, I still think it looks better than most cars out there and it turns heads everywhere (at least here in Norway...). That has made up for what it lacks in practicality, comfort and so on. As you might guess by now I don't have either wife/girlfriend, kids or dogs

But although I have loved driving and owning the Elise, it gets a bit annoying as a everyday car sometimes and I'm getting bored of driving around in an old wreck ('86 Ford Sierra...! ) during the winters. So now I'm basically looking for something a bit more practical and usable for everyday use, without sacrifising too much of the driving pleasure. Some say that the S2000 is a natural and sensible step after the Elise and I tend to agree. Before the Elise I've had a '86 Toyota MR2 MK1 and a '92 Honda Prelude, both of which was used and did well as everyday, all-year cars. I like cars that looks like sports cars as well as drives like it, I have never been attracted by GTI-type cars that basically looks like dull family cars (Imprezas etc.).

So here it comes; some questions about the S2K

First one that might generate some discussion I guess... With is the best of the AP1 and AP2 ? Some say that the AP1 with the 2.0 and 9.000 rpm redline is the only "real" and "original" version that is like the japanese wanted it, and that the AP2 is a "softer" version made only to satisfy the american market. But I must say I like the revised exterior, lights etc. which I think makes the car look newer and more modern, and some more Nm at row rpms combined with a bit more equipment and comfort does sound like a good idea in an everyday car. I don't see a 700 rpms lower redline as a problem, but I haven't driven any of them so I really don't know what the differences are and what they mean in real life.

How does it make it as a everyday, all-year car ? Does anyone have experience driving in on snow and ice in cold climates ? As you might be aware we get quite a bit of winter here in Norway so my next car will have to cope with this. But having said that it's not as bad as many think, most of the winter the temperature where I live is around -5 - +5 degrees C (23 - 41 F) and wet asphalt is quite normal. But some days there is a bit of snow and ice on the roads, at least before they cover it salt attempting to make it go away... Sometimes making it even more slippery At the moment (23 PM in the evening) it's -8 C (18 F) and the roads are mainly covered with hard-packed snow, nice driving conditions. Probably a bit icy again in the morning.

How about the costs on servicing, parts and so on ? I've heard a lot of positive things about the reliability and having owned a Prelude for 4 years and 50k miles without any problems at all I don't doubt that. Hopefully the major costs will be servicing and normal issues like changing brake pads/disks, oil changes and so on. Are there any special issues I should be aware of and look for in a potensial car, major work that needs to be done, factory recalls that should have been done etc. ? How does the S2K compare to some other cars that have struck my mind as potential buys, like for example the Porsche Boxster (S), BMW Z4 (2.5-3.0) and Mercedes SLK (2.0) ? (I have even thought about an NSX (91-96), but although I think it's a stunning car I'm kind of past it mainly because of the fear of maintaining costs, it is after all a quite old "supercar" which sounds a bit scary... Not sure about the everyday, all-year capabilities either.)

Are some of the exterior/interior options, extra equipment considered to be more desirable among potential buyers, and if so, which ones ? I'm thinking about the future resell here, don't want to be stuck with a non-sought-after car if/when I would wan't or have to sell the car later on. For example I like the blue ones with blue interior, but I guess that combo might be a bit to much for some tastes. Of course practicality could be a issue here as well, i.e. light-coloured leather being more likely to get dirty that black, black paint being a paint to keep clean etc.

That was about all I can think of by now. Thanks in advance for any replies Feel fire to link to other threads or web sites if similar questions have been answered previously.

 

and welcome....

Monster first post....

 

Thanks. But no more replies, looks like I might have overdone it...

 

i was going to reply earlier but there was just so many topics in the first post i didn't know how to address it.

before i bought the s2000 i was also considering the 05 lotus elise. so, you being a lotus owner looks good in my eyes.

 

Hi and welcome, we're quite close neighbours compared to some here.

 

The S is probably not the most ideal car to drive year round in snow and ice, but there are many people who do. I think as long as you put half way decent snow tires and you are smart about your driving and don't take it 4x4 you would be alright. In terms of maintence, I couldn't think of an easier car. I have owned 17 cars over the past 7 years, and this has been the easiest car to maintain. Also, for the type of car it is, it has a decent trunk, decent gas mileage and easy to drive around town. For me, the AP2 was a better choice.