I'm looking at Elises.....

[hopo]

Ive now looked at a couple of elises and think im going to take the plunge. Im after an S1 specifically.

 

The dilemma is thus; I sold the Esprit to facilitate a house purchase which has not happened, we are still house hunting but as yet no luck. I have a fair bit of savings just sat there doing nothing. Im thinking buy an elise run it for a bit then as soon as I find a house get rid of it.

 

so I need to buy well. I wouldn't mind one at 12k so long as I get 12k back, ive seen cars at varying price ranges. 11k minters 6k sheds etc....

 

I have found a few nice cars one of which does not have a full service history. 50k miles though and its loverly...... priced high though. Ive also been offered one for 6.5k which is a little tatty, has 100k on the clock but the service history and checks looks like the encyclopaedia Britannica

 

what should I go for?

 

I obviously want to pay as little as I can but my real aim is to not loose anything when selling it on.

 

would a leggy/high mileage car for around 6.5K hold value versus one that is immaculately beautiful with half the miles for just 8.5k?

 

what are peoples thoughts?

 

regards,

 

Jon

[Bibs]

Low mileage and history holds its value mate. Mine's mid-60's with a mainly main dealer history, will be a sinch to sell whereas a leggy or doggy one would turn lots of people away.

[Bazza 907]

Agree with Bibs.

There is a cracking looking one on ebay - same colour as ours/Bibs with magnolia leather. I can't post a link however

 

 

I'd look to spend £8-£9k on one that has lower miles and still been well serviced/looked after. 

 

BTW you will absolutely love it

[hopo]

Thought as much. The issue is that one car is immaculate but has sporadic service history having been maintained by a mechanic for a stretch of its life... Rather lovely though.

The other has much higher miles but a very very detailed history

[Bazza 907]

I think that the service history is much more important in buying an Esprit than it is with an Elise. Stating the obvious but there is relatively little to go wrong with an Elise in that it's basically an engine and a large go kart. For example the front and rear clams come off relatively easily for repair or re spray.  

[hopo]

Rather annoyingly this car has been purchased from under my very nose.... little bit gutted about that. ah well

[Advantage]

Can I be your Dad for a moment?

 

Keep the money in the bank for the house. Elises can be very season dependent unless priced very keenly and in tip-top condition with a host of Lotus Community Approved modifications and upgrades.

So your idea of being able to off load it when you need the funds to finance your new home might not be as quick as you'd like, let alone retaining an acceptable percentage of the initial outlay. Autumn is coming and potentially you could be looking for a quick sale for your summer toy in the depths of January.

 

 

(I've always preferred an Azure blue with mag leather 111S.)

[pete]

Can I be your Dad for a moment?

 

Keep the money in the bank for the house. Elises can be very season dependent unless priced very keenly and in tip-top condition with a host of Lotus Community Approved modifications and upgrades.

So your idea of being able to off load it when you need the funds to finance your new home might not be as quick as you'd like, let alone retaining an acceptable percentage of the initial outlay. Autumn is coming and potentially you could be looking for a quick sale for your summer toy in the depths of January.

 

 

(I've always preferred an Azure blue with mag leather 111S.)

Jon have to say i totally agree with above .might think different if you didn`t already own an esprit.Talking of which is it back on the road yet

[pete]

if you are still looking this looks nice

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s1/lotus-elise-s1-with-new-hood/2660579

[hopo]

Hi Folks,

 

Many thanks for the advice...

 

Advantage I know your right... winter is not the time to be selling an elise. I really need to scratch the itch, especially not having driven mine for so long. my thinking is that if I can buy well. i.e a high mileage car for dirt cheap just to run and then shift or a decent car bought for a steal then my plan could work. after all if I was thinking rationally I would certainly not buy a Lotus!

 

Pete ive been pouring over that advert, the car has further been reduced in price now to £7900 now:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s1/lotus-elise-s1-with-new-hood/2660579?isexperiment=true

Quite like to look of this too;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311220084065/sort/default/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/2/advert-type/Classified/postcode/w53sl/quicksearch/true/make/lotus/usedcars/radius/1500?logcode=p

and this: flog the hardtop and you've instantly got £400 back against your purchase:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s1/lotus-elise-elise------------------1997/2729519

any thoughts/

[Bibs]

I've got a hard top and I understand they're pretty useful over the winter, you'll want to hang on to it

[hopo]

Yea but I'm not a woofter.....

[pete]

how about this one 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elise-1-8-111S-John-Player-Special-in-Black-with-Gold-Alloys-amp-Grills-/121420431692?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

[hopo]

That's like 5k over my budget! Black cars are a b1tch to look after too pal.... Very tempted by the silver one above, need to go have a look at it.

[pete]

nice in yellow

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s1/lotus-elise-s1-in-spice-yellow/2375985