Discussion
After going through a million and one options for cars I have finally settled on an S1 Elise and with this have started looking around at what is on offer. I hope to be able to buy within four weeks. My budget is 15K but I am looking to buy at a dealer as £3500 is tied up in my existing car which will be part ex'd. I have looked through all the threads on here about buying and have a couple of questions... Sorry if they have been dealt with before!
1. Has anyone any specific experience with dealers? And any recommedations. I went to Adrian Blyth to look at a nautalus blue elise and was really impressed and had I had the cash I would have bought it there and then! They have sold it now, anyone here?... I am thinking I would just go back and spend my cash with them but any other places to look would be appreciated!
2. What sort of spec age do people think I could get for the cash? Bearing in mind dealer prices!
3. Insurance! My current insurer has given me a reasonable quote (age 32, 2 years no claims, no points etc). They want a CAT 1 or 2 again no problems but but thay also want a tracker. I have my doubts about trackers and their worth but is this a common request or should I move companies?
Thats about it! Any advice etc is much appreciated!
Cheers
Twit
1. Has anyone any specific experience with dealers? And any recommedations. I went to Adrian Blyth to look at a nautalus blue elise and was really impressed and had I had the cash I would have bought it there and then! They have sold it now, anyone here?... I am thinking I would just go back and spend my cash with them but any other places to look would be appreciated!
2. What sort of spec age do people think I could get for the cash? Bearing in mind dealer prices!
3. Insurance! My current insurer has given me a reasonable quote (age 32, 2 years no claims, no points etc). They want a CAT 1 or 2 again no problems but but thay also want a tracker. I have my doubts about trackers and their worth but is this a common request or should I move companies?
Thats about it! Any advice etc is much appreciated!
Cheers
Twit
Try Direct line for insurance, i'm 22 with an elise s1 and they the best quote i could find, it worked out only 100 pounds more than my previous car the year before, and that was an m reg rover 214!!!
I got mine from Chris Neil, and are glad i bought from a dealer as it has been back a good few times. I probably paid slightly more than i could have privately but the come back a garage gives is invaluable, and with a years warranty it gives you the chance to get a lot of things sorted out.
I would also advise you to try and sell your car privately rather than a part ex if you go to a sports car dealer, the garage would give you buttons as a dealer will only want to take sporty cars.
I got mine from Chris Neil, and are glad i bought from a dealer as it has been back a good few times. I probably paid slightly more than i could have privately but the come back a garage gives is invaluable, and with a years warranty it gives you the chance to get a lot of things sorted out.
I would also advise you to try and sell your car privately rather than a part ex if you go to a sports car dealer, the garage would give you buttons as a dealer will only want to take sporty cars.
Wotcha Twit!
What's been said seems to be right, Direct Line, Tescos and other Royal Bank of Scotland companies now apparently insist on a tracker being fitted for new policies, although I guess it might be worth arguing with your current insurer, I mean a tracker on a 15k car (do they also want one on a Mondeo?).
- No offence, I reckon that's what my s1 is worth!
At my dealers for a service at the weekend and talking to one of the directors, he reckons that s1 prices are pretty good for buyers cos more s2 are coming in, winter is here, so you should be able to get a pretty good one for in the region of 15k.
Not sure where you are, but Motorway Sports in Canterbury, has a 99/t 8.5k 111s in nautilus blue for £16.5k IIRC, might be a bit more than you wanted to spend, but that's a good indication that you could get a standard car for the 15k you were thinking of from a main dealer.
Hope that helps, might be worth phoning around a few dealers, the time of year means that they probably are willing to do to a deal on a car, especially if they already have had it a few months.
Personally I agree with the peace of mind that you get buying main dealer (especially after a bad experience with my SO s car from an independant), although if the saving was significant, it might be worth getting and independant specialist check done and save the money for repairs / upgrades and insurance!
Hope this Helps, all imho of course CH!
What's been said seems to be right, Direct Line, Tescos and other Royal Bank of Scotland companies now apparently insist on a tracker being fitted for new policies, although I guess it might be worth arguing with your current insurer, I mean a tracker on a 15k car (do they also want one on a Mondeo?).
- No offence, I reckon that's what my s1 is worth!
At my dealers for a service at the weekend and talking to one of the directors, he reckons that s1 prices are pretty good for buyers cos more s2 are coming in, winter is here, so you should be able to get a pretty good one for in the region of 15k.
Not sure where you are, but Motorway Sports in Canterbury, has a 99/t 8.5k 111s in nautilus blue for £16.5k IIRC, might be a bit more than you wanted to spend, but that's a good indication that you could get a standard car for the 15k you were thinking of from a main dealer.
Hope that helps, might be worth phoning around a few dealers, the time of year means that they probably are willing to do to a deal on a car, especially if they already have had it a few months.
Personally I agree with the peace of mind that you get buying main dealer (especially after a bad experience with my SO s car from an independant), although if the saving was significant, it might be worth getting and independant specialist check done and save the money for repairs / upgrades and insurance!
Hope this Helps, all imho of course CH!
You might also want to check out british-cars.co.uk if you aren't dead set on dealer.
There is a guy who is selling his 111s w/ LLS, hard & soft top, etc. Indicated the dealer offer is 13,750, and would prefer to sell to another enthusiast. This is a lot more car than you will get from a dealer for that cost.
There is a guy who is selling his 111s w/ LLS, hard & soft top, etc. Indicated the dealer offer is 13,750, and would prefer to sell to another enthusiast. This is a lot more car than you will get from a dealer for that cost.
Thanks guys!
I'd rather buy from a dealer as it is easier to part x my car than sell it privately, my car as the moment is not bad at all (alfa 145 cloverleaf) but as it is an Alfa it is not worth much, £3500 is published trade price and is what I'll get. Also as has been said buying from a dealer should give me some kind of warranty should things go wrong!
In terms of dealers I never considered going to main dealers as I didn't think they would have a lot, I'm a bit ignorant as to where my nearest main dealers are, I live near Oxford, can anyone advise?!? I'll do the rounds and see what there is.
I'll be happy with a standard S1, the ones I have tested were great and it seems to make it much easier to insure. From waht I can see I can easily upgrade the engine later if want. As far as the tracker is concerned I don't really get it, as has been said the car is only worth 15K and i don't really want to spend to get one put in. I reckon they are a complete waste of time it smacks of an inside cartel between insurers and the tracker companies... I have never heard of any car being recovered due to them apart from on the tracker adverts you see in the toilets at service stations!!!
If anyone has any web links to dealers etc that would be great!
Cheers
Twit
I'd rather buy from a dealer as it is easier to part x my car than sell it privately, my car as the moment is not bad at all (alfa 145 cloverleaf) but as it is an Alfa it is not worth much, £3500 is published trade price and is what I'll get. Also as has been said buying from a dealer should give me some kind of warranty should things go wrong!
In terms of dealers I never considered going to main dealers as I didn't think they would have a lot, I'm a bit ignorant as to where my nearest main dealers are, I live near Oxford, can anyone advise?!? I'll do the rounds and see what there is.
I'll be happy with a standard S1, the ones I have tested were great and it seems to make it much easier to insure. From waht I can see I can easily upgrade the engine later if want. As far as the tracker is concerned I don't really get it, as has been said the car is only worth 15K and i don't really want to spend to get one put in. I reckon they are a complete waste of time it smacks of an inside cartel between insurers and the tracker companies... I have never heard of any car being recovered due to them apart from on the tracker adverts you see in the toilets at service stations!!!
If anyone has any web links to dealers etc that would be great!
Cheers
Twit
I am insured with AXA, via Auto Torque, and they do not require a tracker. Only proof of alarm / immobiliser.
Personally, not sure of the real benefits of the tracker system, does not stop the car being stolen in the first place does it! If the car was stolen for 'fun' my assumption is it will get razzed by someone else, and therefore not sure I really want it back. I doubt the Elise falls into the 'stolen to order' bracket, because as great as the car is, you can get one for the price of a family hatchback. (just my thoughts).
Might be a bit of drive for you, but Haydons in Salisbury, usually have a good selection of used Elise. Pretty sure they would take your Alfa also.
They used to be an authorised dealer, but are now a 'specialist'. But I beleive they have an agreement to do warranty work for Lotus, so hence can probably offer you the same backup as any aurthorised dealer.
>> Edited by 135sport on Thursday 21st November 10:36
Personally, not sure of the real benefits of the tracker system, does not stop the car being stolen in the first place does it! If the car was stolen for 'fun' my assumption is it will get razzed by someone else, and therefore not sure I really want it back. I doubt the Elise falls into the 'stolen to order' bracket, because as great as the car is, you can get one for the price of a family hatchback. (just my thoughts).
Might be a bit of drive for you, but Haydons in Salisbury, usually have a good selection of used Elise. Pretty sure they would take your Alfa also.
They used to be an authorised dealer, but are now a 'specialist'. But I beleive they have an agreement to do warranty work for Lotus, so hence can probably offer you the same backup as any aurthorised dealer.
>> Edited by 135sport on Thursday 21st November 10:36
Thanks for the endorsement Richard.
NB - None of our customers have had to fit Tracker as an insurance requirement (thus far) - check out our Useful Info insurance section on the website also contact Esteem in Woking, Surrey - ring at least half a dozen.
www.adrianblyth.co.uk
Apprentice
NB - None of our customers have had to fit Tracker as an insurance requirement (thus far) - check out our Useful Info insurance section on the website also contact Esteem in Woking, Surrey - ring at least half a dozen.
www.adrianblyth.co.uk
Apprentice
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