S2 Elise Race Tech - Prices?

[Bingoid]

All,

Need a bit of advice - I'm test driving a 2002 S2 Race Tech equipped Elise from Westover's in Poole tomorrow.

Its up for £17,495, which is more than I wanted to spend....

Is that a good price? I've see a private sale for £14k on exactly the same age, mileage, equipment etc.

Is a years warranty, Service A and a valet really worth the extra £3.5k?

[MJK 24]

What's the mileage?

It does sound expensive in all honesty, and as you point out, there's a few about at £14k which seems to be the going rate.

As a point of reference, I bought my Race Tech in Nov 04. It's an early 2000 X reg model, 18k miles, FSH, HPi clear and I paid £13,500 private.

[Bingoid]

It's done 32k miles.

I think I'll use it more as a guide to how a straight one feels.

I'll probably go private, get a two year warranty, and still save money!

What do you think I should be paying at a main dealer for that?

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?

[hbaumhardt]

Whsy not prepare a state of the market page by collecting prices for smilar spec cars private and trade from PH, SELOC, at etc and after the drive discuss your findings with the sales guy. If he wants to shift the tin he may deal, if not saves messing about.

[nobbles]

Far too expensive... 13- 14k is my guess. I was offered PX for my sept 01 S2 sports tourer 24,00 miles of 12,250 GBP

[MJK 24]

Bingoid said:

It's done 32k miles. I think I'll use it more as a guide to how a straight one feels. I'll probably go private, get a two year warranty, and still save money! What do you think I should be paying at a main dealer for that? http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?

That's way way over the top price wise. You could have a 111s and a load of change. I thought at that price it may be sub 10k miles or something. When I was looking I kept a small spreadsheet with specs, mileages, prices etc.

[Bingoid]

That's kind of what I was thinking of doing - unless he's prepared to drop the price AND add in two years warranty and servicing for free, it will be a big NO!!!

111S's are about 17-18k - would I be better off going for one of those with the increased engine reliability?

[MJK 24]

Bingoid said:

That's kind of what I was thinking of doing - unless he's prepared to drop the price AND add in two years warranty and servicing for free, it will be a big NO!!! 111S's are about 17-18k - would I be better off going for one of those with the increased engine reliability?

The 111s engine is just a variation on the standard K series engine. Basically, it has a different cylinder head with some clever valve timing. Neither is more or less reliable than the other.

The standard cars have 120bhp. The 111s models have 155bhp.

The standard cars have a close ratio (CR) gearbox that's ideal for acceleration. The 111s models have a 'normal' gearbox that's not so great for acceleration, but is much more suited to motorway cruising. Despite the gearing, the 111s is still quicker as it's a lot more powerful.

If you're looking to spend around £17.5k, you'll have no trouble finding a nice 111s. You may well end up with a car with a hard top and air con.

A 111s will be more desirable to sell in the future and is likely to hold its value more.

If you're after a standard car, great, but I'd budget £14k private and £15,250 dealer tops.

[Bingoid]

I was only looking to spend about 15k, but I could push the boat out if its a better spec...

Does the Elise need aircon?

I can imagine it gets a bit warm in the cabin in summer, and I'm having enough problems with the missus, without the "It doesn't even have aircon!!??" conversation!!

[MJK 24]

Bingoid said:

I was only looking to spend about 15k, but I could push the boat out if its a better spec... Does the Elise need aircon? I can imagine it gets a bit warm in the cabin in summer, and I'm having enough problems with the missus, without the "It doesn't even have aircon!!??" conversation!!

If you;re looking to spend about £15k, then realisitcally, you're not going to get a 111s this year.

The models you'll be looking at are either Race Techs or Sport Tourers. There's a lot more ST's about as they were a more popular choice when new. Some ST's were spec'd with air con when new.

I don't have air con in mine and I can live with that. To be honest, you'll not need it so much in the summer as in the winter. The standard heater is poor. With air con, the heater is much better and will demist the windscreen promptly on a cold day. In the summer you'll likely have the roof off anyway so air con wont appeal to much then.

[Bingoid]

Thanks for the advice - luckily, I have underground parking so no need to demist/deice, although I guess this may hit residuals as aircon equipped cars drop in price?

I did want to spend some money on bits (Alpine iPod headunit, uprated brakes) and a warranty if I buy private - I guess you pays your money etc!

[Bingoid]

Has anybody dealt with Speedwell automotive in Ringwood - they seem to have a good stocklist of Elises?

www.speedwellautomotive.com/index.php

[delivery dave]

Bingoid

first you should read this thread
GONE AND DONE IT..? ME TOO!!
then you should kiss and tell how you got on with the test drive
then you should buy an elise