Elise SC Jim Clark
Discussion
Stephanie Plum said:
Anybody buying one of these and hoping it is going to start appreciating is sadly delusional. It's a limited edition with a few extra bits on it, Lotus have made loads, it isn't going to go up in value, not for a long time if at all - it might hold it's value slightly better than standard cars, but no more imho.
As with everything its supply and demand + condition. Car looks terrific so IMHO the owner can realistically consider it will at least hold its value which in todays world represents no mean feat. Appreciate in value, perhaps not, but who knows. Lots of dross out there and lots of dead plain so why not (generally speaking-all makes included, no attack on other Lotus owners and their cars implied or meant)
LRGS2 said:
Mine is #007. Hoping values will start appreciating sometime soon as there are only 25 in the UK!
Been to see the car today the issue number is 15.This car is like new with only 3085 miles on the clock.
I'm not too worried about the car appreciating; it just looks and drives beautifully.
OK not as quick as the Noble M12 but the Elise SC is still a very quick car.
Bought the car and decided to keep the Noble as well.
TOENHEEL said:
Good Luck with the Lotus! Looks nice, I sold a Noble 3R and went back to an Exige S, love it!!!
Thanks Phil,I'm looking forward to getting the Lotus, it will take 2 -3 weeks before I can pick it up, I have to wait for the cherished number transfer and the road tax so probably be beginning of March.
I’m very happy with the Noble, it’s a rocket ship, so I decided to keep it for now and keep my eyes open for a nice Noble M400 or a Lotus Exige Cup 260.
I was just browsing the forum when I stumbled on this thread.
I thought I had bought number 7 - saw it when driving past Stratton Motor Company and placed an order the following day, but I asked Guy to remove the white spot on the doors. When I collected the car a couple weeks later I found it was number 23. Stratton had ordered another car from the factory without the white spot - I guess that was easier than trying to peal it off. Great car, has done 7,600 miles and I've since had the Lotus Stage 3 exhaust plus TRD air box fitted - would recommend both upgrades. But by far the best upgrade was having the suspension fettled by Steve Guglielmi - now it just grips and grips and grips . . . . Lotus Motorsport don't like the settings but I do.
Only one problem: I discovered after a year that the wishbones on all four wheels had rusted - not just a little rust but really bad. After some arguing, Lotus agreed to replace under warranty but without admitting liability. My guess is there had been a faulty batch of components from Lotus's supplier and the wishbones hadn't been treated. I've since heard of at least one other owner (not a T25) who bought his car around the same time and had the same problem.
Will the car appreciate in value. No, but all late model SC's should hold their value better because they are great cars and are no longer being made - the last RGB cars are another example. No one should buy a Lotus with long term investment in mind - I should know having sold my 340R at the bottom of the market! Just buy, drive and enjoy . . .
I thought I had bought number 7 - saw it when driving past Stratton Motor Company and placed an order the following day, but I asked Guy to remove the white spot on the doors. When I collected the car a couple weeks later I found it was number 23. Stratton had ordered another car from the factory without the white spot - I guess that was easier than trying to peal it off. Great car, has done 7,600 miles and I've since had the Lotus Stage 3 exhaust plus TRD air box fitted - would recommend both upgrades. But by far the best upgrade was having the suspension fettled by Steve Guglielmi - now it just grips and grips and grips . . . . Lotus Motorsport don't like the settings but I do.
Only one problem: I discovered after a year that the wishbones on all four wheels had rusted - not just a little rust but really bad. After some arguing, Lotus agreed to replace under warranty but without admitting liability. My guess is there had been a faulty batch of components from Lotus's supplier and the wishbones hadn't been treated. I've since heard of at least one other owner (not a T25) who bought his car around the same time and had the same problem.
Will the car appreciate in value. No, but all late model SC's should hold their value better because they are great cars and are no longer being made - the last RGB cars are another example. No one should buy a Lotus with long term investment in mind - I should know having sold my 340R at the bottom of the market! Just buy, drive and enjoy . . .
Yes, that's mine on the rolling road. If you have rusty wishbones then you should definitely get them checked out. Lotus first said my car must have been stored in a damp environment - not true as I have a dehumidifier in the garage. Eventually they agreed that, although not covered under warranty, the would not expect to see this degree of surface corrosion, so all four were changed at no cost. Picture of mine below:
AverageMPH said:
Thanks Phil,
I'm looking forward to getting the Lotus, it will take 2 -3 weeks before I can pick it up, I have to wait for the cherished number transfer and the road tax so probably be beginning of March.
I’m very happy with the Noble, it’s a rocket ship, so I decided to keep it for now and keep my eyes open for a nice Noble M400 or a Lotus Exige Cup 260.
Happy days! Yeah I miss the acceleration from my Noble very quick cars! Enjoy!I'm looking forward to getting the Lotus, it will take 2 -3 weeks before I can pick it up, I have to wait for the cherished number transfer and the road tax so probably be beginning of March.
I’m very happy with the Noble, it’s a rocket ship, so I decided to keep it for now and keep my eyes open for a nice Noble M400 or a Lotus Exige Cup 260.
I can't help but feel that anyone who thinks they're going to appreciate any time soon is going to be decidedly disappointed. There's so many special edition Elises, that I sometimes wonder if a non-special edition is more special than a special edition. I'd imagine they'll ultimately bottom out at somewhere around 10k like all the other special editions. Maybe they'll hold on a little better given that it looks like the S3 is going to be a rather different type or car, but I'd be astounded if they never drop under 15k.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 16th February 13:38
kambites said:
I can't help but feel that anyone who thinks they're going to appreciate any time soon is going to be decidedly disappointed. There's so many special edition Elises, that I sometimes wonder if a non-special edition is more special than a special edition. I'd imagine they'll ultimately bottom out at somewhere around 10k like all the other special editions. Maybe they'll hold on a little better given that it looks like the S3 is going to be a rather different type or car, but I'd be astounded if they never drop under 15k.
Values might rise, in about 40 yearsEdited by kambites on Wednesday 16th February 13:38
AverageMPH said:
Who cares? not me.
I bought the car because I like the Elise SC and the Type 25 looks great.
Couldnt agree more. More photos required just to emphasise the reasoning behind your choice? Looks fab and who cares if it doesnt go up in value. Whatever the case it wont depreciate like your everyday run of the mill BMW or Ford. Long live decisions based on affairs of the heart and good riddance to those that see otherwise. Stonking
I bought the car because I like the Elise SC and the Type 25 looks great.
Couldnt agree more. More photos required just to emphasise the reasoning behind your choice? Looks fab and who cares if it doesnt go up in value. Whatever the case it wont depreciate like your everyday run of the mill BMW or Ford. Long live decisions based on affairs of the heart and good riddance to those that see otherwise. Stonking
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