Detailed Elise running costs?
Discussion
I've wanted an Elise since I was a teenager, but have never quite managed to get there. Right now I'm running a boggo stock MkV Golf GTI and the costs are pretty much at about a level I can bear, though it has definitely eaten into my clothes, holiday and beer budget.
Given that depreciation is now negligable on S1's (and early S2's?) is there anyone out there with fastidious records on running costs? I can manage man maths and running a 1.0 shed for a year to get where I need to for purchase costs but running costs are a huge grey area.
Given that depreciation is now negligable on S1's (and early S2's?) is there anyone out there with fastidious records on running costs? I can manage man maths and running a 1.0 shed for a year to get where I need to for purchase costs but running costs are a huge grey area.
A few people will have detailed costs but the reality is they'll vary massively from car to car. The early cars you're talking about are from 13 to 19 years old now and were not designed with durability at the top of the list. Some will will have nothing to do and some (like mine) will drop a big bill on you every now and then as they're effectively a rolling restoration project. Think of them as like running a modern classic needing a bit of TLC.
The car is pretty basic really though, we're not talking Aston Martin parts bills, but the downside is often the time and skill required to get at things.
The car is pretty basic really though, we're not talking Aston Martin parts bills, but the downside is often the time and skill required to get at things.
Agree it will vary massively. So far, mine has cost very little. The previous owner had replaced most of the suspension parts (including all the ball joints etc) and had a lot of engine stuff done, so all I've done over the last 18 months is a couple of oil changes at £40 a time, fitted new brake pads £100 approx, and replace a wheel bearing for £35. (Parts only) I spent a few hours shortly after buying the car aligning the windows and waterproofing the hood - they can be made water tight, believe it or not. So running costs can be small.
That said, I expect to replace the brake hoses, replace the rubber seals in the rear calipers, get 4 new tyres and replace a noisy bearing in the alternator in the next 6 months. So this year will be considerably more expensive. But it's much cheaper than running a TVR Griffith (or an old Range Rover)
That said, I expect to replace the brake hoses, replace the rubber seals in the rear calipers, get 4 new tyres and replace a noisy bearing in the alternator in the next 6 months. So this year will be considerably more expensive. But it's much cheaper than running a TVR Griffith (or an old Range Rover)
My profile contains the complete running costs of my S2 111S as a low mileage daily driver for the last eight years. It's been self-serviced for the last few years though, which helps keep the costs down.
By means of comparison to your Golf, the Elise has been appreciably cheaper to run than our mk2 Octavia VRS which does a similar mileage although the gap has closed appreciately now the Octavia has very little more to lose in depreciation.
By means of comparison to your Golf, the Elise has been appreciably cheaper to run than our mk2 Octavia VRS which does a similar mileage although the gap has closed appreciately now the Octavia has very little more to lose in depreciation.
Edited by kambites on Monday 25th May 06:48
glazbagun said:
By which I mean this detailed:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Tony Hetherington used to have an Elise so probably has similar data for that, albeit a few years older.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I think it all depends on the car and how you use it. I bought my current S2 111S with 40,000 miles on the clock. After nearly 6 years of driving it daily, I'm now on 107,000 miles! It's not as though it's driven with a light foot either. That said, I've had radiators split (clam off, EliseParts rad on!), one clutch exploded (upgraded to an AP clutch) and two head gasket failures (K-Series), the last of which required a new reconditioned head.
In fact, I've just spent nearly £1600 on engine parts and a cylinder head, as well as £300 on two front AD07 tyres ... and now one of the front shocks has given up!
However when they work, you can forgive all their foibles. Incredibly rewarding to drive, so much fun, and with styling that can induce more attention than a supercar ... for less than a new Fiesta.
Just keep a £1-2K float in your account for any unforeseen repairs, if you plan to use it everyday.
In fact, I've just spent nearly £1600 on engine parts and a cylinder head, as well as £300 on two front AD07 tyres ... and now one of the front shocks has given up!
However when they work, you can forgive all their foibles. Incredibly rewarding to drive, so much fun, and with styling that can induce more attention than a supercar ... for less than a new Fiesta.
Just keep a £1-2K float in your account for any unforeseen repairs, if you plan to use it everyday. Desiato said:
glazbagun said:
By which I mean this detailed:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Tony Hetherington used to have an Elise so probably has similar data for that, albeit a few years older.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Drop him an email.
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