First Time Elise Buyer Advice

[Phil321]

I am considering buying a standard S2 Elise.

I have never driven one but have been a passenger in a couple and find them to be very appealing.

I want to have a test drive and have seen a couple in at Christopher Neil.

Is there likely to be any problem getting a test drive? I am not looking to buy just yet but want to establish if its exactly what I want.

Will they have a problem letting me test drive one? I am only 21 but I am a serious buyer. I currently drive a car of greater value than the Elise (which would be a second car) and I would be looking to pay cash.

The reason I ask is that I found it to be a frustrating experience when buying my current car.

Any advice you could offer would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

[bogie]

I doubt it - usually they qualify you a little bit with a bit of a chat beforehand, just to see how serious you are - bet they must get lots of test pilots turn up - it was the same when we bought a TVR...even though Im mid 30s and have a high powered Elise

[morpheus-95]

i was thinking of getting a standard S2 Elise when i started looking but this weekend i went to castle lotus and put a deposit down on a second-hand 111S it was also my first drive in an Elise and one problem i did find was the pain in my face from all the grinning i was doing while driving the car

Tony

[nightfall111s]

I'm not much older Phil and had no problems with any of the Lotus dealers and specialists (inc. Christopher Neil) when I was looking. Just give them a call before you go so that they are expecting you. Good luck.

[beachbum]

If you decide to go to CNs then ring them and say that you are interested and that the suggestion from PHers was to ring ahead to arrange a drive. That way they can see you are putting time in before you go to them, is shows that you are more serious than the average 21 year old that just goes to look and asks for a drive.

[Davey S1]

Seems to be luck of the draw. I'm 31 and have had an S1 for several years. Despite having my car serviced at a main dealers several times and spending several £thousand£ with them I have nothing but hastle trying to test drive an S2 Exige.

I tried to line it up 3 times but there was always an excuse (ranging from the car needing an Geo to not being there because the Chairman took it out for the weekend despite the fact I had booked a test drive ) Easier to sort it out somewhere else.

My advice would be to wear expensive shoes. (Ferrari dealer told me that was what he based his decisions on)

[wantalotus]

I had no probs at CNs. They even do/did a hire LIZ(111s), I got it for a weekend, and if I bought one from them they would refund the cost of the hire(£450) against the cost. In the end though I did not go this way, as they just did not want to know when I said that I wanted a custom colour. Lotus Sport at Hethel were very helpful, but a tad expensive. But if you want something...............