Future owner saying hello

[David85]

Hello all,

Just thought I'd introduce myself...

I'm David, 33, UK (South Yorkshire for home, Bedfordshire for work during the week).

Dreaming of being an Elise or Evora owner in the mid-term. 

I've wanted an Elise since I was about 16, the shape, size, everything about the car appeals to me. As I now have a wife and daughter, if I had the money today I'd probably lean towards an Evora 2+2 in order to share the fun with my family. I wish I'd bought an Elise in my early twenties as I seem to remember them being a lot cheaper! I have driven one on a track experience and it was fantastic but short lived.

Realistically I don't have the budget in the near term to afford either, and whatever I got would be a daily driver. 

I'm looking at a head-mark of 2023 when I am due some money from work which I could use to buy a low end Evora (price-wise). Yes that's a long way off lol, I could probably stretch to monthly payments for a cheap Elise but that doesn't suit the family factor now.  I've only ever seen 3 Evora's on the road, and there's one I know of in my home town (Doncaster), incredible looking car.

Quite interested in researching the cost of ownership for both cars. Basically so I can budget for any capital pay-off along with running costs.

Anyway I'll just sit here jealousy looking at your cars until I can join the club!

 

 

Edited June 6, 2018 by David85

[Cdm2018]

Hi and welcome David

i guess it’s difficult to predict prices in two-three years time but non 400 Evoras will likely see little changes in real term prices 

in addition you have to gauge that the choice of cars will be limited ? I am a recent buyer and bought over the winter period thinking prices would be lower howler not the case and prices stayed stable 

I guess you will be looking at a seller who has had their fill or upgraded but then you might find current owners happy to keep for as long as they can ? 

Personally I would buy now ? But you can do what your financial abilities allow 

good luck 

[C8RKH]

Hi @David85 and welcome to the club.  Keep on dreaming and working and you'll indeed get there and if we can help you along the way we will!  I take it your were born in 85, so that makes you around 32/33?  I started working full time (had been working part time for a few years before) in 1985 and it took me till I was 49 and the kids had finally got through uni etc. before I could buy my dream Evora. Still, I'm on my second now and not looking back.  So, if you do it in your timescale you'll have done better than me so go for it!  Good luck and happy researching.

[David85]

Thanks for the welcome and words of encouragement. My current job (military) will make me pensionable at 38 (2023), so I plan to use that for a car and earn my fortune as a Chartered Engineer on the outside. That's the plan anyway lol. 

Look forward to your words of wisdom! Thanks. 

 

[TomE]

Welcome David and we've all had our dreams about one day owning a Lotus.  For some older folks like me it was seeing the JPS-liveried F1 cars that first sparked my interest, then the Bond Esprit of course.  It took me 10 years to save for my first Lotus (an Elan) and another 10 years to save for the Evora (I got diverted by an Elise in between!).

Remember you're welcome along to events as a non-owner too, so plenty of opportunity to get to know more and do research.  You'll find plenty who have owned both Evora and Elise who can talk about comparisons.  If you're down this way I'm happy to talk about my Evora and Elise ownership experiences and running costs.

[Bibs]

Welcome to TLF David. 

Oh, and you just got a free upgrade 👍

 

[David85]

Thank you Tom. Bibs that's very kind, thanks.

 

I'm a RN Weapon Engineer Officer. Previous ships include Cumberland, Ocean, Illustrious, Dauntless, Defender and recently HMS Queen Elizabeth. I now work in a Joint intelligence role. 

 

Thanks again. 

[EGTE]

Welcome, David.

I think the cost of ownership really isn't that bad. Fuel economy/road tax/servicing all pretty cheap, if you ask me. 

The big problems (as you well know) are rarity and desirability, both of which lead to strong residuals. This is however a good thing, as it means low depreciation, which means good cost of ownership.

Great that you've got a long-term plan and I can highly recommend you stick to it; it will be worth the wait!

[TomE]

16 hours ago, David85 said:

Thank you Tom. Bibs that's very kind, thanks.

 

I'm a RN Weapon Engineer Officer. Previous ships include Cumberland, Ocean, Illustrious, Dauntless, Defender and recently HMS Queen Elizabeth. I now work in a Joint intelligence role. 

 

Thanks again. 

Interesting job.  My father in law is an ex RN WEO on the boats out of Faslane.  I started out in defence engineering, mainly naval electronic warfare systems including the Type 23s and similar kit we sold to navies in Scandinavia and Australia/New Zealand for surface and subsurface EW.  Also involved with upgrades on Phalanx and Goalkeeper CIWS plus a bit of airborne maritime surveillance.  Then worked for MOD on restructuring the research functions into what became Qinetiq.  It's a long time ago now and it's a convoluted story on how I've then ended up in financial services technology!

[David85]

That's interesting Tom. I've always had more of an interest in the "go bang" equipment, but have been streamed down the CIS route. I joined as an Artificer Apprentice back when they existed and Commissioned half-way through my career.

 

[Kimbers]

Welcome Tom, thats a great set of ships to work on! My Grandfather was in the Navy and he always said "The thing about Military intelligence is they don't have any" though that might be because they sent him off to North Africa

Many of us have been in the situation you are in. I have had to sell 2 of my Lotus's in the past to concentrate on family matters.

[ramjet]

Welcome to TLF David.  

Another one here that joined TLF (then LEF) without a Lotus. I was looking at the time and had not got on very well with it. Then the S4 that I have now came up, I bought it and have never regretted it. It goes on the market soon and that will be the end of my Lotus ownership unfortunately (health) but I more then likely will stay on here.

Best of luck with finding yourself the right car.

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