Decision day...
Discussion
Following the arrival of the little fella the decision I have been putting off for ages finally has to be made
We need something more family friendly (i.e. with more seats & boot space) and I just can't afford to own the Elise and buy another newish car. But normal cars are sooooooooo boring!
So - my dilema, do I buy an old banger & run the family around in that - or sell my Elise - on the strict understanding with the other half that I will be getting another 'Lis as soon as circumstances permit!
It's a really tough call, but it's amazing how your perspective on old bangers vs. modern machines (with lots of airbags & 5*NCAP scores) changes on the arrival of a baby! I think I'm going to have to sell the Lotus & buy something sensible.
Why don't Lotus make an new version of the Excel with Elise chassis technology... that would be my perfect car! Great for maintianing & migrating their existing customer base onto a new product too... Maybe I should opt for a Porsche 928 in the mean time? - still fun & looks a bit more parctical in the seating/boot space dept...
If you want to go the Porsche route, a 968 or 968CS must surely be the way to go. More modern than the 928 and a 'drivers Car' it wont handle like a battleship in comparrison to the Elise like the 928 would. 968 has a big boot too, my mate had one for a while and loved it. 968 is cheaper to run too.
Good luck with the choices ahead of you!
Good luck with the choices ahead of you!
I know the feeling. Two boys (14 months and 3 year old) Had the Elise for nearly five years. The pressure in mounting but I stand firm.
The plan is to change the wife's car next for A4 Avant or an L200 double cab.
A short term option I may take though is to buy an old Police estate
T5 or Omega 3.0. The following link is for West Oxfordshire Car Auction:
www.womauctions.fsnet.co.uk/info.htm
I believe it is easier to retain an Elise than to argue to buy another one a few years down the line.
Good luck keep the faith.
Gary
>> Edited by GaryDVO on Tuesday 31st August 17:08
The plan is to change the wife's car next for A4 Avant or an L200 double cab.
A short term option I may take though is to buy an old Police estate
T5 or Omega 3.0. The following link is for West Oxfordshire Car Auction: www.womauctions.fsnet.co.uk/info.htm
I believe it is easier to retain an Elise than to argue to buy another one a few years down the line.
Good luck keep the faith.
Gary
>> Edited by GaryDVO on Tuesday 31st August 17:08
What budget for a bangor?
I went through a similar experience 14 months ago, followed by recent redundancy.
But throughout all the Elise remains. I hear what you're saying about old cars and kids. But there are some excellent cars out their for very little money which are only 1 generation old so you're not really compromising on safety.
Congratulations by the way, kids are great!
Regards, Neil
PS Useful tip to justify keeping the elise, promise it to your offspring as a family airloom
I went through a similar experience 14 months ago, followed by recent redundancy.
But throughout all the Elise remains. I hear what you're saying about old cars and kids. But there are some excellent cars out their for very little money which are only 1 generation old so you're not really compromising on safety.
Congratulations by the way, kids are great!
Regards, Neil
PS Useful tip to justify keeping the elise, promise it to your offspring as a family airloom
Keep the Elise, the kid will love it and the Missus surely knows how much it means to you.
For a few grand you could get a used Mundano or 306 diesel which will suffice as a cheap runabout and keep the nipper safe.
You know it makes sense
!
P.S. We can help you - let us know your budget and I'm sure we'll come up with something suitable via classifieds and Autotrader.co.uk
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 31st August 20:44
For a few grand you could get a used Mundano or 306 diesel which will suffice as a cheap runabout and keep the nipper safe.
You know it makes sense
! P.S. We can help you - let us know your budget and I'm sure we'll come up with something suitable via classifieds and Autotrader.co.uk
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 31st August 20:44
GaryDVO said:
I believe it is easier to retain an Elise than to argue to buy another one a few years down the line.
NJS25 said:
PS Useful tip to justify keeping the elise, promise it to your offspring as a family airloom
S Works said:
Keep the Elise, the kid will love it and the Missus surely knows how much it means to you.
Cheers guys - this advice has swung the debate - the Elise is staying! And I've found an ideal banger. From now on, when I'm not hooning round in the 'Lis I shall be invisible in, erm - this isn't very inspiring now - so don't laugh - a Toyota Carina Estate
Other half even said she might have to drive the Elise more...
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