Poll:

[Kimi]

Hello everyone,

Can you advice me what car is better (very important to me is reliability, performance, low maintenance). My favorite choices are:
Honda S2000

Elise

Will be grateful for the advice.
Kimi

[Tracktimeplz]

I sold my elise for an S2000, but only because I couldnt afford a nice daily car + the Elise.

If its a weekend car, take the Elise, you wont regret it, but IMO, for daily use, the elise is too harsh.

Many on here daily their Elise, I just couldnt do it, My legs are wider than the seat =(

[mrcarcrazy]

Well both have their issues. both are generally reliable, fuel efficient, quick.

I've owned both and by far preferred the Elise. Why? its more "back to basics", mid engine, and too sexy for words.

I daily drove the Elise for a few months without any trouble. now I drive it most days, but not to work. (evil parking lot).

drive them both and see which you like better.

[kestrel74]

If this is Kimi Raikkonen, Get the Elise.

[RichS]

Question: Do you like driving more than you like anything else associated with getting from one place to another inside a car? If so, get an Elise. If not (i.e.: words like comfort, noise, etc. enter the conversation before 'driving') get the S2000.

[wings & wheels]

Kimi,

the key question here is how do you plan on using the car, as a second (or third) car, or a daily driver?

I sold an early S2000 to buy my Elise and while I am very happy with the Elise, it does make me admire the S2000 even more. By that I mean that the S gives you a very pure and enjoyable driving experience that while not as "pure" as the Lotus, comes with Honda build quality, reliability and ease of ownership.

In the 18k miles I drove my S2000, aside from a few service bulletins, some of which I took care of myself, there were no major issues. In contrast, in 4,400 miles, my Elise's vent and recirc controls failed, the power door locks stopped working, coolant "u" tube had to be wrapped to prevent it from chafing on the oil lines (do a search here) and a rivet on the shift bracket failed. Not that I am unhappy with the Lotus, just the opposite, I truly enjoy the car, but you have to recognize what it is, a hand crafted niche car.

Good luck. w

[kestrel74]

wings & wheels
Hijack: Looks like 4L in KBOS !

[wings & wheels]

Kestrel, to further the hijack,yes it is KBOS. i was doing an Angel Flight in my Dakota..and coming in high to avoid an A330's wake.

[SweetDaddyD]

Reliability and Maint: Edge to S2K

Performance: Elise

Depends what your criteria and your importance on them are. Personally despite what some may pick as shortcomings I'd still gladly take the Lotus. Any tradeoffs are worth it for me. Yes it costs more, but it's more fun, more unique, etc- and those are greater priorities for me.
Maint. costs have been very low for me as I've done everything myself and the car is easy to work on.
Reliability for me has exceeded my expectations- and I am one of the people who drive my car. 51K miles and counting and several track days. Long out of warranty and nothing since the warranty has expired has required a trip to the dealer yet.

[RENDERMAN]

Kimi, I come from an S, I say the S is better for you, just buy some seat locks!!

[lwein]

If you have to ask,get the Honda. Make sure it is the latter one with the glass rear window. The earlier ones were "exciting" to drive,later one had susp improvements to correct this---------
I had both------the Honda is bullet proof,top opens in less than 8 seconds,no **** I timed it,everything always works. Very quick,the car Lotus should have built(minus about 800 lbs) instead of the FWD Elan Has a useable trunk and a spare tire. IMHO,better everyday driver,but it ain't no Lotus.
An interesting sidenote-----check the passenger capacity[weight] in the S2000. It is about 200 lbs Less than the Elise. My nephew and I easily exceeded it!

[kmt63]

i also sold my s2000 to purchase an elise.i loved the s2000 but the real reason that i got the lotus was the weight difference and mid engine.i had thought about modding the s2000 to bring the performance closer to a lotus.but that would have been a lot of money.plus the lotus has a much better chassis.