Anyone know this car? (purple S1)

[Robmarriott]

Can't remember where I saw it advertised before but the previous advert said it was ordered new in Lamborghini Viola with the blue suede interior to match the original owner's Diablo SE30. Quite the combo!

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1998-lotus-...

MOT history and the odometer both match the claim of it having done 6800 miles but the overall condition seems suspicious to me. It just looks a bit grubbier than I'd expect at that mileage and the suspension in particular looks horrendous if that's accurate. Or is that normal?

[John D.]

Crusty wishbones is quite normal I think.

I don't like the colour at all personally. It may well look better in the flesh.

[LostCockney]

The mileage is likely to be correct , however the advert states that it is has been kept under a cover and "has clearly been looked after" . IMHO leaving a car under a cover ( probably in damp conditions for a long period of time ) is not looking after a car . This is confirmed by the crusty suspension and the fact that the car could do with a really good clean.
However if the price was right and you are willing to spend a few quid to recommission the Elise it could be a very good car. There cannot be many original Elises left with this sort of low mileage.

[kambites]

If that's been kept outdoors, the condition of the suspension is not surprising, even at 6k miles. Especially if most of those 6k miles were done early in the car's life. The suspension is mild steel painted with something roughly the consistency of Philadelphia and it gets hit by every stone the wheels pick up; once the paint is chipped it will start to rust just from ambient moisture. It's probably not an issue, although a wire brush and tin of Hammerite or similar wouldn't go amiss. If it's been kept garaged, I suspect the garage in question wasn't particularly dry.

The paintwork isn't great for a 6k mile car, but it doesn't make much to chip/scuff Lotus's paint.

Personally I wouldn't pay a premium for the low mileage, but I wouldn't particularly doubt it either.

Edited by kambites on Monday 21st April 19:26

[Robmarriott]

The miles were definitely done when it was newer. HPI has 6 MOT entries;

2006 - 5868 miles
2007 - 5938
2010 - 6142
2023 - 6799 (twice, failed the first time for a pair of number plate and a sidelight bulb)
2024 - 6804
now showing 6808

So 940 miles in the last 18 years.

I'm keeping an eye on it and will bid if it's cheap enough, but I'm not getting drawn in just because of the colour, however much I like it.

[kambites]

Be aware that it will almost certainly be on its original suspension consumables and it clearly hasn't been kept in the best of conditions. If you want it to drive right it will need all the suspension bushes replacing at a bare minimum; I would say it's odds on that the dampers are for the bin after so long with so little use as well and those springs might as well be replaced while you are it - basically it will need a full suspension rebuild.

I wouldn't be surprised if the brake calipers aren't in the best of condition either after so long with so little use and the rears, in particular, are difficult to rebuild and expensive to buy. The tyres are probably ancient and in need of replacement too.

Cars generally don't like not being used for so long, and whilst the Elise is simpler than most, it's not really any different in that regard.