“Dodgy K series engine”. Really.
Meh. Let’s put it this way - If Colin Chapman was alive and was choosing his car for a Sunday blast, would he pick a 725kg NA S1, or a 930kg SC S2/S3 ? Lightness is everything with these cars. It’s inevitable that they became more lardy over time, but for me the Toyota powered cars, great as they are, detract from the original Elise philosophy a little too much - they simply don’t deliver the same driving purity. It’s just my opinion of course, based on driving around 25-30 Elises in my time.
The K series is a great light engine for the Elise, and if it has been well looked after as has been said, they are reliable and very characterful. I’ve had 10 of them now over 24 years and never had a single engine issue.
Out of the box, with just 118bhp, they are fantastic things. With some sensible, inexpensive modifications they can easily be taken up to 135-140bhp. And if the owner desires, going a bit further to 160-170bhp ish (for example a DVA’d 111S) makes them a very special thing indeed - especially with close ratio box and ideally a 4-2-1 manifold, which can easily be added later.
But, as I’ve said, the standard S1 is a joy to behold - it’s one of those cars that is “just so”.
Head gasket failures are rare nowadays - because almost all cars bar those ridiculously overpriced super low mileage museum pieces with lethal ditchfinder tyres will have had the gasket changed for an upgraded one, and they are no longer an issue.
Jack - if you rule out the S1 then you’re missing out on the original and best Elise of all…..! Buy well, from a proper enthusiast, and you’re getting into something very special that will most likely well and truly get under your skin for many, many years.