Got back from sunny UK late last night. After giving it much thought I decided that I had to take the opportunity of this trip to have a look at an aero. So yesterday once the elise S1 111S was collected from a car seller (and a good one at that, denton motors in leeds)we set our sight to Reading were an aero S1 is available.
The drive down was boring but at least it's still possible to move at a descent pace in your country
Then began the search. GPS didn't locate the address so it was the back up plan (mappy print out) that got us there. What a place, Richard Thorne garage was for us something unseen before. The set up is just great. Once in, unannounced (I didn't even call before) we were welcomed in by Helen. After some quick explanations regarding what brought us here (not to buy a car just wanted to see an aero in the flesh to see what I would "feel" in front of the car), we proceeded to the workshop were the S1 was. quickly uncovered it looked just like I thought. Luckily enough there was a later model just beside it so I could easily compare the two cars.
Verdict is, S1 does it for me for a few reasons (not by order of importance):
-no radio on the dash
-I prefer the original headlights
-the boot line is nicer
-the wheels with the center nut (praticallity aside)
-the outside door handle
-roof line
What I like from the S2:
-doorcard looks nicer
-the dash going all accross the car and the morgan sign in front of the passenger
Regarding the interior space, I was confortable enough in the S1 even though the extra space in the S2 was nice too. I was suprised also by the room behind the seats, many things can be put there. I was so much into the moment and enjoying the vision of these cars, I completely forgot about looking at the the boot space, I'll have to go back
A special thanks to Helen who has been a great host for us and who spent over an hour with us even though she knew from the start I wouldn't be an immediate buyer. If more professionnal were like her it would be great.
Off the 3 aeros there, the one I prefered the most was a customer one, a stuning dark grey with red top
So now for me it is just a matter of time and opportunity. First thing to do, sell the Elise S2 111S and the M3, having another period working abroad would help too.
PS: was it anyone from here driving an aeromax by leeds airport early on saturday morning, around 9.00?