Advice on buying

[grumpy]

I been offered an Elise on an 03 plate. The problem is at the moment the garage doesn't have all the paper work, they say it's a 111 which is the model I want.
The car is badged Elise s, It has cl & ew.
I thought 111's had 8 spoke wheels this car has 6 spoke.
The 111 has the VVC engine right? Visually this must be different to the standard engine so if I knew what to look for this would be the best way to check.
The cars on sale at £17k and has done 20,000 miles.
Any thoughts or help on identification would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Doh! try again.

Dave.

[ameyc]

Hi Dave
You are right a 111S will have eight spoke wheels not six. It will have a three piece rear diffuser. It sounds as if the car you are looking at is indeed an S (120 bhp) and not a 111S(160 bhp). Where is the car advertised? If you get me a reg number I will tell you definitively.
Chris

[Esprit]

Often confusing for the new-to elisers.... the "Elise" by its Lotus Model designation is a "Lotus 111" (this includes all elises, S1 or S2)

Now in S1 speak, a standard S1 is a 111 (although almost enver called that) ... with the VVC variant being a "S", hence making its model designation a 111S.

For the S2s, it should be the same really with the standard 120bhp elise being a "111" with the VVC version being a "111S" and the Toyota engined variant being a "111R" ... the confusion comes in as they made variant of the S2 called an "Elise S" which was the standard 120bhp elise with a few sporty bits on it... since it's still a "111" some people could get confused by it kinda being a "111-S" ... make sense? It doesn't stop there with Lotus confusing the mix by adding a "Elise 111" which was the same as the 111S (vvc) but without some of the luxo goodies... this sold in far smaller numbers.

To add confusion to the mix there's also the "Sport 111" spec, which is a VVC variant but more stripped out than the "111S" with lighter multispoke wheels etc.

I suspect that if it's got 6-spoke wheels it's just the 120bhp version but is an "Elise S" which comes with a few sporty goodies over the standard model.

Them calling it an "Elise 111" is wrong as this should be the VVC model when it doesn't sound like it is. If it's a 111S it should have the 8-spokers. Of course it COULD be a genuine "Elise 111" (VVC) where someone has substituted the wheels for a set off a standard S2....

Check here: www.elises.co.uk/models/ <---- all the models explained.

Confused? I know I am

>> Edited by Esprit on Saturday 12th November 09:30

[DPR]

Esprit said:

Them calling it an "Elise 111" is wrong as this should be the VVC model when it doesn't sound like it is. If it's a 111S it should have the 8-spokers. Of course it COULD be a genuine "Elise 111" (VVC) where someone has substituted the wheels for a set off a standard S2....

ummm, I dont think you can do that (standard S2 wheels on a 111S) because of the extra weight of the vvc engine you need the better 8 spoke wheels. I think the 6 spoke wheels aren't strong enough.

Best thing to do is run the VIN through lotus' recall checker, that should tell you the model number. Or you could just call lotus and find out (dont have the details, sorry)

[grumpy]

Thanks all, Had another look at the car it has a 3 piece rear defuser but I suspect it's a 120 BHP model.
BTW AMEYC the reg is WU03 ANR I would be greatful if you could check it out for me.
Any thoughts on the price? Too much for the 120 BHP "on the money" for a 111s I thought.
Dave.

[RobM77]

The RAC website do a registration check, and it comes out as a "2003 Lotus Elise S".

I have often been amazed at the lack of knowledge of some independants - so do your homework and go on your own knowledge.

I don't know if the S had this, but the 111S had a thermally insulated hood, extra sound deadening, carpets etc. They appear about 30% quieter at speed than the standard S2. It is the model I'm looking for for my daily drive.

Most of the 111S models that I've seen have '111S' written on the side behind the front wheels.