Elan or Plus 2 ?

[JohnH20]

I am a relative newcomer on this site looking for an Elan or Plus 2, not sure which. I have not found any direct comparisons from people who have experience of both. Occasional comments along the lines that the Plus 2 is more stable or less twitchy are all that I have found. I am really only interested in the dynamic differences . As a reference I am a current S2 Elise owner. Any advice appreciated

[StressCraxx]

Wecome, John,

The absolute best way to decide is to meet owners of stock or nearly stock cars nearby, look them over and take a ride. They are totally different than an Elise, though the Elise is a true Lotus.

The Elan is more direct and very nimble, softly sprung and very well damped with lots of body roll but amazing grip on skinny tires. It's amazing charging round the country lanes and "B" roads.

The +2 is more an upscale GT with more refinement, comfort and perhaps even more ultimate grip.

Either car has a rifle bolt gearchange and the most light and direct feeling steering of any car I've ever driven.

[alan.barker]

Hi John20,
First what do you want to use the car for.
The answer is there in your reply
Alan

[atthelimit]

Hi John,

I think as you are a current Elise owner you will find the driving experience is much closer to the Elan than a +2. They are both more practical than an Elise, more boot space, easier to get in and out of etc. If you are looking for even more boot space and a more relaxed drive more like a tourer then a plus 2 with a 5 speed gearbox would be the way to go. The 4 speed box in 99% of small Elans is a great gear change but as we have all become used to 5, 6 or more gears you will notice the difference, it’s not a good cruiser on motorways/long distances where as the +2 is better in this area. The +2 is only really a 2 seater and you would be surprised how much you can get into the small Elan so if space is not the deciding factor then personally it would be the Elan. The Elan is a more rewarding drivers car, they are not twitchy and they communicate what they are doing very well and they won’t bite you like an Elise can. Don’t get me wrong the +2 is still a good car great in all areas but perhaps just not quite as sharpe, not quite as nimble etc. It was marketed as a more grown up car, one that you can put small kids in the back and for a new dad not wanting to give up his sports car it was great.

Early Lotus cars were in constant development, more so than todays models so I would say look at the later cars of both examples as they improved considerably over their production life. Both cars are easy to maintain, mechanically they are almost the same, parts supply is good for both.

It really depends what you want out of the car, you don’t say if you are hanging onto the Elise but neither the Elan or +2 will be as dynamic as the Elise but you would expect that with 50 years of Lotus developement built into the Elise. It’s nice to hear of a newish Lotus owner considering an older Lotus, so when and if you buy one, please let the forum know what you get and what forced the decision.

I still own an Elan, but sold the +2 because I did not need the extra space and in my opinion (which I’m sure some will disagree with) the small Elan is a more spirited car. Thats perhaps why it has been raved about over the years and is still written about today and is why it has become something of an icon.

[alan.barker]

Keep the Elise for spirited driving and buy a +2 (5 speed) for W/Es away.
Alan

[trw99]

The Elan is a drivers car. It remains one of the top ten best handling cars of all time.

As an Elise owner I’d assume you’d enjoy the dynamics of the Elan better than the +2, good car that it is.

Tim

[shynsy]

My experience of a +2 is that it is a very usable car. The ride is excellent and the road holding fab. We used it as one of our family cars for 5 years in the naughties kids could ride in the back until they were 8 ish. We used to go to Sainsbury's every week and there was plenty of space for the weekly shop. They are very light to drive (certainly compared to others in the same era e.g. TR6s) and definitely a car you can drive with your fingertips. I like the coupe style as it is warm and pretty low noise (I have other cars for blasting around top down).
The only issue I had with it was the lack of a 5th gear so this time I have the lotus 5 speed with a type 9 which I can drop in if I don't like the change.
Tim

[elan66]

Plus 2 with a zetec and you have a car that's as quick as an Elise and a very involved drive
( Runs for cover )

[JohnH20]

Thank you guys for your input. I am predisposed to an Elan but have found less relevant info on the Plus 2 hence my question. Unfortunately having recently moved house I now only have room for one 'fun' car . At the moment I have a self built kit car for track use in addition to the Elise. At nearly 80 I think my track days are probably over so I was thinking an Elan for road use would be a good all rounder that retains much of the Elise character while allowing me the opportunity to exercise my tools in the garage. ( Unless you are into heavy mods the Elise just needs an annual ( DIY ) service ). It also has the advantage of easier entry and exit than the Elise - I can cope now but for how much longer? So I am starting the hunt for a Sprint FHC at a sensible price. Does such a thing exist?

[512BB]

I have a fixed head Sprint that I bought and drove home a couple of years ago with a full MOT carried out for the sale. £25k. They don't come much more sensibly priced than that.

Leslie

[alan.barker]

Ok for easier entry into Elan than Elise.
But imho if you are the one doing the tinkering/servicing you're going in the wrong direction.
If you want an Elan with normal regular serving only and no rebuild, you will need to pay a higher price. The Seats in an Elan after 100 kms or so are not that comfortable. In a +2S they are comfortable.
Alan

[512BB]

I don't think my post was very clear. The car is for sale.

Leslie

[elan66]

Better put some pics up Leslie so everyone can give some helpful advice to John as to whether he should buy it

[Sadbrewer]

Ok for easier entry into Elan than Elise.
But imho if you are the one doing the tinkering/servicing you're going in the wrong direction.
If you want an Elan with normal regular serving only and no rebuild, you will need to pay a higher price. The Seats in an Elan after 100 kms or so are not that comfortable. In a +2S they are comfortable.
Alan

Seat comfort might depend on your own physiology Alan...I genuinely find my S4 Elan the most comfortable seats of any car I've ever owned....softer, more padded ones cripple me.

[Davidb]

I agree that the seats in an Elan can be very comfortable-500 miles in one day is not unknown in my car and after that my co-driver and I still feel we could keep going. However, I did add dense foam lining over the seat springs and under the seat padding. Without that it was not good. This material is intended for use under gym equipment to protect flooring. It is 5mm 3/16 thick. It stops the seat springs from imprinting on your buttocks! I did not like it fitted in the back of the seat-you need to sink in-but in the seat squab it is brilliant.

I agree that you need to drive both-but you need a Long drive-no round the block stuff. I have very little time in a Plus 2 but agree that it is more of a GT and you are justified in fitting a five speed. The rifle bolt gear change of the Elan is part of its appeal and not to be missed. I fitted a Big muffler/silencer to keep the noise down.