Looking to buy a S1 Elise …
Discussion
Looking to buy a S1 Elise …
I’m regularly going through the classified but thought I would also ask here…
I’m looking to buy a S1 Elise, my budget is around £7250 and I’m hoping to find something like a 97/98 MY FSH under 65.000kms 3 owners or less, HPI clear, don’t mind a little wear and tear if it reflects an original, looked after car.
Ideally one of the darker colors, Green, Blue dark Silver…
I’ve just sold a lotus éclat to part fund it…….
Please feel free to email me if you’re thinking of selling and haven’t yet put it in the classified… I’m a serious lotus enthusiast, not a trader….
Many thanks
Matthew
Matthew.Mason@skynet.be
I’m regularly going through the classified but thought I would also ask here…
I’m looking to buy a S1 Elise, my budget is around £7250 and I’m hoping to find something like a 97/98 MY FSH under 65.000kms 3 owners or less, HPI clear, don’t mind a little wear and tear if it reflects an original, looked after car.
Ideally one of the darker colors, Green, Blue dark Silver…
I’ve just sold a lotus éclat to part fund it…….
Please feel free to email me if you’re thinking of selling and haven’t yet put it in the classified… I’m a serious lotus enthusiast, not a trader….
Many thanks
Matthew
Matthew.Mason@skynet.be
Hello and welcome to the fold.
You're probably buying at quite a good time at the moment. Prices don't seem to have started creeping up for summer yet. Your budget is at the lower end of the market but there are still plenty of cars around at this price.
Contrary to probably everything you've been told, head gasket failure should not be your primary concern. On the S1, by far the most expensive repair is likely to be suspension. A full overhaul at a dealer could leave you £3k lighter. Even doing everything yourself would cost £1k+. Therefore concentrate your search on cars that have had some attention in this area. Particularly dampers, steering rack, toe links, drop links, bushes, ball joints, bearings etc (you get the picture). These are where expenses lie on Elise and any S1 is likely to be at a mileage where things are starting to wear. Nearly everything else is very simple and therefore not too expensive to keep on top of. Even the dreaded head gasket failure is only around £500 to repair at a garage or less than £100 yourself.
Other common faults are leaking radiator or waterpump so keep an eyeout for leaking coolant. The seats wear but can be trimmed economically by Lotus themselves. Same goes for the hood. Check the cam belt has been changed recently, that can be costly. Brake components, particularly discs can be expensive so check these aren't wearing thin.
There are a few desirable options to look out for. S2 suspension is one. Sports exhaust and induction kit to jazz up the noise a little. An audible stereo.
You're probably buying at quite a good time at the moment. Prices don't seem to have started creeping up for summer yet. Your budget is at the lower end of the market but there are still plenty of cars around at this price.
Contrary to probably everything you've been told, head gasket failure should not be your primary concern. On the S1, by far the most expensive repair is likely to be suspension. A full overhaul at a dealer could leave you £3k lighter. Even doing everything yourself would cost £1k+. Therefore concentrate your search on cars that have had some attention in this area. Particularly dampers, steering rack, toe links, drop links, bushes, ball joints, bearings etc (you get the picture). These are where expenses lie on Elise and any S1 is likely to be at a mileage where things are starting to wear. Nearly everything else is very simple and therefore not too expensive to keep on top of. Even the dreaded head gasket failure is only around £500 to repair at a garage or less than £100 yourself.
Other common faults are leaking radiator or waterpump so keep an eyeout for leaking coolant. The seats wear but can be trimmed economically by Lotus themselves. Same goes for the hood. Check the cam belt has been changed recently, that can be costly. Brake components, particularly discs can be expensive so check these aren't wearing thin.
There are a few desirable options to look out for. S2 suspension is one. Sports exhaust and induction kit to jazz up the noise a little. An audible stereo.
This has been on here a while now. Might beable to get it cheaper than advertised.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/741570.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/741570.htm
goodwoodweirdo said:
Many thanks Gad Westy, I'll keep you all informed...
I'm planning on viewing the S1 pure-lotus have for sale, its certainly a good price and clear of the dreaded HPI... sounds like a nice car.. anyone know it ? PO maybe or that would be just ot jammy !!!
Kind regards
Matt
Which one,they have about twelve ads going at the mo I'm planning on viewing the S1 pure-lotus have for sale, its certainly a good price and clear of the dreaded HPI... sounds like a nice car.. anyone know it ? PO maybe or that would be just ot jammy !!!
Kind regards
Matt
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