Is it wrong to lust after an Elise-based Opel Speedster?
Image: OpelCarsWalls
Oh Hell, Opel
About
-
Depends, are the engines any good compared to the Rovers and Toyotas you find in the Elise? Because brand image wise I’d rather have a Lotus than Germany’s eternal second place at everyman cars.
-
second place? Number five in Germany, please!
1.VW; 2. Mercedes; 3.Audi; 4.BMW; 5.Opel(GM). -
I think the Turbo had more power than the contemporary Elise, and as we all know more is better.
-
Here’s Tiff Needell working the Lotus vs Speedster question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L3XJAJc1tg
-
-
The Ecotec 2.2 isn’t a bad engine at all, think of it as an Elise 1.5. It’s not as rev happy or light as the K-Series but you won’t be blowing head gaskets either and there’s more power either naturally aspirated or turbo. The S2 Elise got Toyota 2ZZ units, which claim 190bhp NA and I think a supercharged toyota exige is the sweet spot, you get extra shove (not that the NA car is short on speed or excitement), but more linearity on track than a turbo VX220/Speedster. The ideal combo was never actually made, but often converted – S1 Elise and Honda K20.
There’s more to it than engine choice though, the VX220 is more accomodating than the S1 Elise in terms of interior room and lower sills making getting in and out easier, in some ways it’s a bit more like the forgotten Europa, which recieved a lukewarm reception at the time, but now, I think might make a brilliant used buy.
http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/gallery/LOTUSEuropa-3342_4.jpg
-
-
O hell, I looked into my christal ball just the other day and suspect Opel to be one of the investors the Sauber formula 1team is talking with, exactly because we all prefer a Lotus.
-
Now that Renault absorbed Lotus?
-
-
To answer the original question: no, there’s nothing wrong with drooling over them. I’ll admit to having had similar thoughts at times.
But Elises aren’t hard to find, and that’s where I kind of get stuck on them. -
No less desirable with a Daewoo badge on it. http://www.lotuscars.se/type116/rbf/styling/daewoo4.jpg
-
Ah, GM, always true to itself, ready to create a rebadging mess.
-
-
We didn’t get those in the United States but if they were offered here….if buy one in a second. That was an awesome sports car. Definitely one of my European only sports cars. Buy with confidence.
-
There’s only 52 Speedsters for sale in Europe says Autoscout, many are RHD, prices are very similar comp. to Elise (14-15k eur+), but you get tens of hp’s more for the same money in Opel.
IMHO both S1 Elise and Opel haven’t aged well, so I’d buy S2 Elise with the Toyota motor, maybe something like this, if it can be registered for road use (maybe it already is). Track days, yay! : https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/-272192968-
Cheap Lotus is usually RHD in Europe (outside UK), here’s one orig. LHD, reg. for street use. Rover engine, though. https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/-288092144
-
-
Or how about Caterham’s Lotus 7 clone but with the proper body?
https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/-287555228
https://secure.pic.autoscout24.net/images-big/228/555/0287555228001.jpg?3f627f3d2a02c28de5cda3bdf683ecdf
Leave a Reply