Series 1 for first time Lotus buyer
Discussion
First off, hello to everyone!
Second, the reason I am writing this; I am looking to get (in the intermediate future) a series 1 Elise and have a few questions.
How much difference does the model year make? Would a later model be a much better bet than an early one?
When is the best time to buy? Would I be better waiting for the autumn/winter?
What is the deal with the Cat? I have seen adverts for a number that have had them removed/bypassed. Are they neccessary for MOT and how tricky is it to refit them for the MOT?
Sorry to ask so many questions in one go, part of me wants to rush in and buy one now but my head knows I ought to do some research first!
Thanks - Dayks.
Second, the reason I am writing this; I am looking to get (in the intermediate future) a series 1 Elise and have a few questions.
How much difference does the model year make? Would a later model be a much better bet than an early one?
When is the best time to buy? Would I be better waiting for the autumn/winter?
What is the deal with the Cat? I have seen adverts for a number that have had them removed/bypassed. Are they neccessary for MOT and how tricky is it to refit them for the MOT?
Sorry to ask so many questions in one go, part of me wants to rush in and buy one now but my head knows I ought to do some research first!
Thanks - Dayks.
For what it's worth, my opinion would be:
1) Model year isn't that important. The changes were relatively minor, through the S1's production life...some things were improvements, some not (the early cars had technically more advanced and much lighter MMC brakes, for example). I'd buy on mileage and condition more than model year, to be honest.
2) Don't think time of year makes a huge difference to purchase price. Slower market in Autumn/Winter is counterbalanced by the larger number of cars to choose from in Spring/Summer, because most people assume that selling their car in winter will be tricky, so leave it till spring to put it up for sale. This means there is actually a glut of cars to choose from at this time of year!
3) Normally, a cat will be required to pass the MOT. Refitting one isn't difficult, though, provided the bolts that clamp it into place haven't seized. You have to remove the rear undertray, unbolt the cat replacement pipe(CRP) and bolt the cat in its place...3 bolts either end, simple as that. If they have seized, replace them with stainless ones to avoid the problem next time round, and you might need new gaskets, but these are cheap. If you ask nicely on your local forum or club meet, someone will often be able to lend you a cat for a few days for the MOT and you can refit the CRP afterwards.
1) Model year isn't that important. The changes were relatively minor, through the S1's production life...some things were improvements, some not (the early cars had technically more advanced and much lighter MMC brakes, for example). I'd buy on mileage and condition more than model year, to be honest.
2) Don't think time of year makes a huge difference to purchase price. Slower market in Autumn/Winter is counterbalanced by the larger number of cars to choose from in Spring/Summer, because most people assume that selling their car in winter will be tricky, so leave it till spring to put it up for sale. This means there is actually a glut of cars to choose from at this time of year!
3) Normally, a cat will be required to pass the MOT. Refitting one isn't difficult, though, provided the bolts that clamp it into place haven't seized. You have to remove the rear undertray, unbolt the cat replacement pipe(CRP) and bolt the cat in its place...3 bolts either end, simple as that. If they have seized, replace them with stainless ones to avoid the problem next time round, and you might need new gaskets, but these are cheap. If you ask nicely on your local forum or club meet, someone will often be able to lend you a cat for a few days for the MOT and you can refit the CRP afterwards.
Yep, i probably DO want a nice 160. Probably black would be a nice colour for it, maybe with about 31,000 miles on the clock?
I am looking at the "less exclusive" end of the market though; besides, here in Lincolnshire there are so may speed cameras I just wouldn't be able to do full justice to your black beast.
(Unless of course you want to re-think "silly season" offers!)
Cheers, Dayks
I am looking at the "less exclusive" end of the market though; besides, here in Lincolnshire there are so may speed cameras I just wouldn't be able to do full justice to your black beast.
(Unless of course you want to re-think "silly season" offers!)
Cheers, Dayks
Well that depends on how silly, silly is 
Can understand. Were I in your shoes there are some great cars out there at good prices (I believe mine is one of them, but it's not the cheapest, nor will it be). A good 111S or 135 will do you proud and there are several with a few miles on which are keenly priced.
Best of luck, make sure you get anything checked out by a specialist before you hand over your hard earned
Can understand. Were I in your shoes there are some great cars out there at good prices (I believe mine is one of them, but it's not the cheapest, nor will it be). A good 111S or 135 will do you proud and there are several with a few miles on which are keenly priced.
Best of luck, make sure you get anything checked out by a specialist before you hand over your hard earned
My 2p worth Dayks... SWorks is a top bloke (he'll thank me for that!) and if he is anything to go by, his 160 would be exactly the kind of car you want to land!
I don't mean that in a hard-sell way... but if you can get one from a very enthusiastic enthusiast then the job's a good 'un! (Note: big difference between 'enthusiast' and complete loon!)
You are right about there being 'something to this ownership lark'... there are many, many sides to said lark!
Welcome to PH by the way
P.S. Have you looked at Lotustuart's car? (Not going to tell ya which side of enthusiast/loon he is! Top fella too though... and lots of bucks spent recently) www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/73568.htm
>> Edited by Janitor on Tuesday 9th May 01:04
I don't mean that in a hard-sell way... but if you can get one from a very enthusiastic enthusiast then the job's a good 'un! (Note: big difference between 'enthusiast' and complete loon!)
You are right about there being 'something to this ownership lark'... there are many, many sides to said lark!
Welcome to PH by the way
P.S. Have you looked at Lotustuart's car? (Not going to tell ya which side of enthusiast/loon he is!
Top fella too though... and lots of bucks spent recently) www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/73568.htm >> Edited by Janitor on Tuesday 9th May 01:04
I can vouch for both S Works and Lotustuart's cars. They are the finest examples of the breed that you will find. Because they are owned by true enthuiasts, they have been approached with the "money no problem" attitude.
I would be very wary of buying a cheap car because you can generally buy a poorly running project instead of a dream car.
I would be very wary of buying a cheap car because you can generally buy a poorly running project instead of a dream car.
I must admit, I have noticed the difference in the amount of detail that goes into some adverts compared to others. Most of the good ones seems to have a blue member name in the contact details!
Lotustuart's car is more in my price range...
... and my sister-in-law lives down that way, Hmmm maybe a family visit could be in order!
Haha, just read comments on Lotustuart's thread
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?f=15&h=&t=261753
- not sure I would want to see a 4-door Elise!
>> Edited by dayks on Tuesday 9th May 17:38
>> Edited by dayks on Tuesday 9th May 19:18
Lotustuart's car is more in my price range...
... and my sister-in-law lives down that way, Hmmm maybe a family visit could be in order!
Haha, just read comments on Lotustuart's thread
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?f=15&h=&t=261753
- not sure I would want to see a 4-door Elise!
>> Edited by dayks on Tuesday 9th May 17:38
>> Edited by dayks on Tuesday 9th May 19:18
If you're at that kind of price range you'd be daft not to look at Stuarts car.
Don't be put off by higher mileages, there are Elises out there which have done more than double the mileage on Stuarts and others, and are still going strong because they have been well maintained by the owners and have been cared for properly (i.e. not ragged when cold etc.).
Remember, average miles on an Elise are low anyway, so a '98 car with 53k miles has only done about 6k a year. No distance at all really.
If it's also had replacement clutch, head gasket, suspension, new tyres, the C service and belts replaced, top quality pads etc. then you're not likely to be staring down the barrel of a big bill anytime soon. Go take a look, you'll see what you're getting from a real enthusiast rather than someone who's had it as a 3rd car and let it fester in a garage instead of using it. The ones to avoid are the ones which don't get used!
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 9th May 22:55
Don't be put off by higher mileages, there are Elises out there which have done more than double the mileage on Stuarts and others, and are still going strong because they have been well maintained by the owners and have been cared for properly (i.e. not ragged when cold etc.).
Remember, average miles on an Elise are low anyway, so a '98 car with 53k miles has only done about 6k a year. No distance at all really.
If it's also had replacement clutch, head gasket, suspension, new tyres, the C service and belts replaced, top quality pads etc. then you're not likely to be staring down the barrel of a big bill anytime soon. Go take a look, you'll see what you're getting from a real enthusiast rather than someone who's had it as a 3rd car and let it fester in a garage instead of using it. The ones to avoid are the ones which don't get used!
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 9th May 22:55
Seeing as you are all being so helpful I have yet another question.
Are hard tops worth getting? Should I get an Elise (and I know I _should_)I would be using it pretty much all year around, leaving my wife with the 'sensible' car.
If they are worth having, how tricky is it to track one down and how much would I be looking to pay?
Cheers all,
Dayks.
Are hard tops worth getting? Should I get an Elise (and I know I _should_)I would be using it pretty much all year around, leaving my wife with the 'sensible' car.
If they are worth having, how tricky is it to track one down and how much would I be looking to pay?
Cheers all,
Dayks.
That's all down to personal taste & requirement mate
I have one and wouldn't be without it. The love the way that it completes the look of the car... but also that I can have rag-top or no top at all is just a great resultant bonus of having such a tremendous car!!
I've packed the top away in it's bag now for a few months - topless with raggy in the boot is very much the order of the day... but there's no question that come Sept/Oct, the lid will be back on. It's not much effort on mine to remove and refit
Of course all my comments relate to an S2 SportsRacer not an S1, so I can't speak from that point of view. Just offering my own personal thoughts
If you want to and can, then do!
I have one and wouldn't be without it. The love the way that it completes the look of the car... but also that I can have rag-top or no top at all is just a great resultant bonus of having such a tremendous car!!
I've packed the top away in it's bag now for a few months - topless with raggy in the boot is very much the order of the day... but there's no question that come Sept/Oct, the lid will be back on. It's not much effort on mine to remove and refit
Of course all my comments relate to an S2 SportsRacer not an S1, so I can't speak from that point of view. Just offering my own personal thoughts
If you want to and can, then do!
Hi Dayks, life is too short, just go for it!!!! you will not be disappointed. I have an S2 and have never driven an S1 but every day I love it more and more (had mine about 20 months now). Take the advice of the guys on here- they really know their stuff and top blokes/ girls at that. Wouldn't worry too much about mileage, as some state its better to get an Elise that has been driven as they do not like sitting around (just check its been serviced and specialist is fine, if not better sometimes). Had the roof off today, both windows wound down, breeze around my ************** LOVELY, HMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
Tempted yet?
Tanman
Tempted yet?
Tanman
dayks said:
I must admit, I have noticed the difference in the amount of detail that goes into some adverts compared to others. Most of the good ones seems to have a blue member name in the contact details!
Lotustuart's car is more in my price range...
... and my sister-in-law lives down that way, Hmmm maybe a family visit could be in order!
Haha, just read comments on Lotustuart's thread
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?f=15&h=&t=261753
- not sure I would want to see a 4-door Elise!
>> Edited by dayks on Tuesday 9th May 17:38
>> Edited by dayks on Tuesday 9th May 19:18
I can assure you its NOT a 4 door!!
Come on down for a test drive, before she goes. You`d be made to miss it .Come on Stuart... you can do better than that mate... shouldn't it go like:
"Toooofffffff (sharp intake of breath), I've got someone else really hot on it right now. He wants to come by tomorrow and put a deposit down"
"Toooofffffff, can't drop the price any lower, I've got no money in the car mate. I'm doing you a favour at this price!"
"Toooofffffff, well it'll sell anyway... no problem"
...oh, and then I'll call you in a week
"Toooofffffff (sharp intake of breath), I've got someone else really hot on it right now. He wants to come by tomorrow and put a deposit down"
"Toooofffffff, can't drop the price any lower, I've got no money in the car mate. I'm doing you a favour at this price!"
"Toooofffffff, well it'll sell anyway... no problem"
...oh, and then I'll call you in a week
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