Is The First Lotus Elise The Best? 1999 S1 135 Sport Review

As crazy as it may seem, I have never been a big fan of the original Lotus Elise. The looks never quite sat well with me, I always preferred the S2/S3 models. However, there is no denying the purity of focus in those early cars.

I've only driven one S1 car before, a Honda converted item. Now I am going to drive a car with its original K-Series engine. Not just any old Elise, but the well regarded 135 Sport.

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[ullinjodahmcstea]

I have an early S1 (chassis No 66). The slowest and least capable Elise but it is the only car I have owned for more than a couple of years - 17 years so far. I will never sell it as long as I can get in it.. You can thrash them without risking your licence. Fantastic cars

[augustortiz]

Those driving by shots were amazing. The first gen Elise is one of the automotive greats.

[seany]

Nearly unsubscribed when you say you dont like the looks - its bloody gorgeous!
Its very well proportioned, nicely curved, and has some exotic flair without being garish. Its dated better than the S2 Elise and that shows you what a great design it was from the off

[knutarneaakra]

My first drive in a elise jubileum (number 46 red gold and white) was when i got her, 460 km non stop. Rainy weather i got real wet on my knees by the way. Had her for two years as a daily commuting car summer and winter. Great motor no trubble what so ever. Miss her.

[willb]

Great video James and thanks for the mention! I genuinely think the most fun as a road car is an S1 or S2 with upgraded Rover engine to around 160bhp, close ratio gearbox and upgraded suspension. Budget around £14-17k for a good one, you'll have sooo much fun and it's better than money in the bank! :)

[DoctorJezz]

As below - I bought mine 18 years ago! Meant to drive it for a couple of years, but I've never been able to let it go. Every time I drive it, it makes me smile and stays another ... few ... years ... couple of decades ... still have it. My other car for the last 6 years has had 400 BHP, but this is so special - as is the club you seem to join unwittingly when you own one. There is nothing on the road like it.

[cirian]

4 mods to the K


updated head gasket and steel locating dowels
The strengthened oil ladder on the bottom end
The PRT thermostat kit
An after market low coolant alarm kit


Then reliable as anything else

[marktickle]

Revvy K-series, close ratio box, AD08's, bilsteins and of course an S1...perfect Elise 👌

[tombell]

Forgot to say, compared to the Toyota engine of the S2 onwards, I absolutely love the k series, and whilst it is down over 100bhp on my previous Exige RGB the little S1 feels nippier, more drivable and I'm not so fearful of loosing my license for excessive speed like I was in the Exige. Oh and the price, you get for more bang for your buck with the little S1 in fact my S1 cost a fraction of the price of a late plate S2 exige. And finally James was bang on when he said that if you drive one your want to buy one, I feel in love with my S1 the moment I test drove it. So moving from a Exige S2 260s to a S1 Elise in my case wasn't the down grade I thought it might love driving this car and gelled with it and it's pureness of design immediately. Great review James.

[danielthomas]

Every time I see you in a lotus you look so happy James,

[lotuselise]

Nice that Will and Jamie get a mention, bought my first and only Lotus S2 111R from Will.

[johanlundin]

My ’99 Sport 135 is mustard yellow metallic. And I really like enjoy to drive it.

[tombaker]

Great review James!

‘If you drive it, you’ll probably have to buy it’ < so true!

[boggy]

This is the problem

Every time I see an Elise in a photo, video or on the road I want another!

Badly😔

[willbishop]

The front grill, headlights and front indicator placement resembles that of the lotus europa when viewed head on

[PADABOUM]

Just realised I missed this video from last year. I think the emotion is spot on. That is what I feel when I can take the roof off and just stroll around.

[tombell]

Sold my Exige 260S RGB for one of these and I can say without a shadow of a doubt the little S1 elise knocks the spots off the Exige, the S1 is so drivable, with power so usable at most of the time. As for buying. bought the first one I drove! I just couldn't help myself.

[derekporter]

You and carwow are pretty much the only channels I watch now. Please do not switch to the OMG WOW thumbnails.

[iansimpson]

Whoever is doing the 'drive by' shots, (Dominic?) is absolutely beasting it. The handling looks amazing!

[samueldowney]

Stopped the vid one minute in to say that is the best intro I've seen to a youtube Much better than the weird music previously used.