S1 Elise Values

Author
Discussion

highway

Original Poster:

2,351 posts

275 months

Thursday 31st October 2019
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The used and new car market seem glacial. O sold my MMC Elise with 23k and everything done for less than I felt it was worth. My pal got his S1 111S for a good price as well.

I definitely wouldn’t advise anyone to sell in this market.

Seems crazy that Lotus still have 220 Elise marked up at over £40k list when dealers are discounting them new/pre reg for under the £40k envy tax threshold.

Why not reduce rrp ?

highway

Original Poster:

2,351 posts

275 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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How are people feeling the S1 market is currently? Many of the cars for sale a year ago still advertised at much the same money

daveb99

105 posts

193 months

Saturday 29th February 2020
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That’s because all of those particular cars are more than likely over priced or have one or more major negative points about them I suspect.

Everything sells at the right price, to the right buyer, if sellers are realistic. I helped a friend of mine buy an S1 recently with 17k miles, we didn’t pay anything like the £18-£19k being asked for other cars with the same mileage.

Robmarriott

2,915 posts

173 months

Friday 6th March 2020
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highway said:
How are people feeling the S1 market is currently? Many of the cars for sale a year ago still advertised at much the same money
I’m sort of looking at the moment and there’s one MMC braked 118bhp car with reasonable miles and the important bits replaced which has been for sale for ages and the price hasn’t moved.

I like it but it says to me it’s at least a grand over what it should be up for.

What colour/spec is yours?

highway

Original Poster:

2,351 posts

275 months

Friday 6th March 2020
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My current car is silver with blue roof. I’m the 3rd owner in 21 years. Guy I bought it from had it from 2000 till it was mine. It’s only just turned 20k. All standard bar I’ve added some genuine carbon fibre pieces to the interior. The door cards, centre tunnel etc. All in keeping with the ethos of the car and I’ve kept all the original bits. Got a removable wheel as well which has made exit with the roof on easier in my advancing years as well.

I really like it and it’s sorted now but I can’t shake the want for a new/close to new one. It would likely be my last ever new petrol car!

The market does seem flatter than Holland. I’ve got a lovely Boxster S with 18k from new and total provenance. It’s mint but I can’t rehouse it. Hopefully the better weather sees movement.

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

206 months

Friday 6th March 2020
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It does seem only the 'collectors' S1s are up for sale at the moment. A few years back there were quite a few tatty sub-10k examples that are great for the younger drivers, track day people etc.

highway

Original Poster:

2,351 posts

275 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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Having just reinsured my families cars via a multi car policy, the Elise is getting on the most costly of the bunch. Axa were cheap on my Works Mini but wouldn’t offer cover on the Elise on a multi car policy. I don’t think youngsters drive these cars. You can’t link your phone to it, and it’s basic and raw and unforgiving. Not to mention, not fast in a straight line.

A cheap track car is an Mx5 mK 2. Can’t remember the last time I met anyone under 30 who liked cars, who wasn’t aspiring to a Golf R or similar.

Tickle

5,573 posts

219 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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highway said:
Having just reinsured my families cars via a multi car policy, the Elise is getting on the most costly of the bunch. Axa were cheap on my Works Mini but wouldn’t offer cover on the Elise on a multi car policy. I don’t think youngsters drive these cars. You can’t link your phone to it, and it’s basic and raw and unforgiving. Not to mention, not fast in a straight line.

A cheap track car is an Mx5 mK 2. Can’t remember the last time I met anyone under 30 who liked cars, who wasn’t aspiring to a Golf R or similar.
Is it no due to the clam costs for a small bump.

Fully agree with these cars not what young'uns aspire too.

highway

Original Poster:

2,351 posts

275 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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It’s a shame that younger drivers won’t experience the delights an Elise offers. The replacement car won’t be petrol either. Maybe stuffing a carbon chassis with batteries can produce a car that weighs comfortably under 1000kg and can steer with some feel rather than just do whiz bang 0-60

_Marvin

135 posts

116 months

Monday 9th March 2020
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It's not all of us! I was 26 (now 28) when I bought my S1. Only car too.

Twin2

268 posts

137 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
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Same here, 25 when I got mine. Most friends just don't get it though...

BREMBOV6

521 posts

163 months

Friday 24th April 2020
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Afternoon all,

Just looking for some general advice or thoughts. I currently have my Clio V6 (mk1) which I rarely use but would most likely be on the road if we weren't in lockdown given the weather.

I keep changing from buying another car, a small 1.0 cheap to run car, to an VW/Audi A3 auto nice car etc but have now come across a 2000, X plate S1 Elise. I would buy this car to use as my daily, c.8k a year. It's an original standard car and assume the MG engine?

Its done 60k miles, C service done in 2017 so head gasket belts etc. MOT's all tally up, 2 keys and just looks and sounds a good example.

It maybe being stuck indoors but would this be a wise move. I doubt I would own it long maybe a year or so and cant help the money is safer in this than premium bonds! and more fun.

Would welcome thoughts from owners or anyone else on this.


Tickle

5,573 posts

219 months

Friday 24th April 2020
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BREMBOV6 said:
Afternoon all,

Just looking for some general advice or thoughts. I currently have my Clio V6 (mk1) which I rarely use but would most likely be on the road if we weren't in lockdown given the weather.

I keep changing from buying another car, a small 1.0 cheap to run car, to an VW/Audi A3 auto nice car etc but have now come across a 2000, X plate S1 Elise. I would buy this car to use as my daily, c.8k a year. It's an original standard car and assume the MG engine?

Its done 60k miles, C service done in 2017 so head gasket belts etc. MOT's all tally up, 2 keys and just looks and sounds a good example.

It maybe being stuck indoors but would this be a wise move. I doubt I would own it long maybe a year or so and cant help the money is safer in this than premium bonds! and more fun.

Would welcome thoughts from owners or anyone else on this.
C service doesn't include head gasket replacement, although doing a C service when the head gasket is getting done is a good idea.

There is a list of things that should have been replaced on an S1, worth checking. Also look at the maintenance history and receipts. FSH by a generic garage won't always cover what's needed on a Lotus (geometry for instance).

BREMBOV6

521 posts

163 months

Friday 24th April 2020
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Tickle said:
C service doesn't include head gasket replacement, although doing a C service when the head gasket is getting done is a good idea.

There is a list of things that should have been replaced on an S1, worth checking. Also look at the maintenance history and receipts. FSH by a generic garage won't always cover what's needed on a Lotus (geometry for instance).
Thanks for this, any pointers on the list of items which should have been replaced?

highway

Original Poster:

2,351 posts

275 months

Friday 24th April 2020
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You could daily an S1 like you could ride a BMX to work. Why would you want to?

BREMBOV6

521 posts

163 months

Friday 24th April 2020
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highway said:
You could daily an S1 like you could ride a BMX to work. Why would you want to?
Why not? some more info would be helpful here. I only travel about 7/8 miles one way and occasionally cycle....not a BMX

highway

Original Poster:

2,351 posts

275 months

Friday 24th April 2020
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I’m a big fan of the S1. Incredible driving experience. In the summer I’m sure commuting doable. The poor demisting, weak headlights, lack of heated rear window, leaks and skittishness in the wet mean I wouldn’t want to use everyday. Getting into it with the roof on is akin to entering your home through a window as well.

Stu-C123

322 posts

106 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
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I used an S2 as my daily for a while. Being a bit newer and with the Toyota engine, it was fine. I now have an S1 and I wouldn't have it as my only car. Fine for the summer but not so good in the winter.

The paintwork really doesn't like frost, the roof leaks and the standard headlights are pretty bad. I feel quite vulnerable driving mine in bad weather when the visibility is poor. As has been mentioned already, you're so low to the ground that oncoming cars lights can be quite dazzling.

They're now > 20 years old and they do require regular love and attention.

It's a brilliant car that I love. The driving experience for me is unmatched and the occasional trip to work in it really brightens up my day but as a daily? If the car has been well looked after, it's probably do-able but I guess it depends on what you're prepared to put up with.

56Lotus

240 posts

169 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
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I have a S1 111s and have been using it as a daily for three years. Yes there are compromises, the lights are rubbish, but there are sensible upgrades available. Luckily for me my commute is over fantastic rural roads and is the best 25 min each way of the day. Not sure I'd use one commuting in heavy traffic. If your careful fitting a hard top they don't leak, getting in and out keeps me thin but the radio is rubbish.

As with most cars the more you use them the better they get but reliability does cost, recently it been ball joints and wheel bearings.

People think I'm slightly strange/mad but I wouldn't change it, but then I have commuted for a week in my 1956 Eleven because the Elise was having its head rebuilt!

Jon

BREMBOV6

521 posts

163 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
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Thanks for all comments. I went to view the Lotus this morning. Keeping distance etc!

Have to admit I am a fan. It looks very clean indeed considering its a 2000 plate car, on just over 60k. Only has a few stamps in the small Lotus book, recall up to around 16/20k does have an invoice in 2017 for full belts/head etc at a cost of c£1200. Would liked a bit more history if I'm honest but the one from 2017 I guess is a biggy and a bit more reassuring. Rear shocks recently replaced too.

Car itself is clean very little marks on the front and it all looks original, red sealant around the car which I think is normal? 2 keys has an after market exhaust, looks to have been on for some time. Only negatives I could see where the inside of the headlight was slightly rusty. Its had 9 owners which I guess for a car like this is expected or I assume so. No alarm or immobiliser....sure the insurance company will love this :/

What would you expect to pay for a car like this roughly? Its being sold by a garage. I didn't get to drive but have been assured it drives spot on. Will be driven prior to purchase if I do buy.

Will be very much weighing it up, if I can own for it a year or so and not loose much I will be happy! appreciate I will never know how this work out but its a lovely and very iconic looking car these days.