Discussion
Hello All,
I'm toying with the idea of treating myself to a nice fun car
I don't commute to work so it would be for the occasional blast and wouldn't get much use.
Because of the lack of use, I'm in the awkward position of knowing I don't need a car at all (we have a family car that would need to be used 99% of the time) but in the exciting position that it means it doesn't need to be practical so an Elise is a possibility.
I found lockdown meant a lot of things went up in price a silly about (weights, campers, caravans and bikes) did the same thing happen with the Elise and are they still over inflated prices or are they back to normal?
I'm not rich but have read a few tails from owners where the Elise has cost them less to run over their ownership than any other car as they don't depreciate much (if at all) but that theory only works if you buy at the right time so I'm looking for advice.
Thanks Andrew
I'm toying with the idea of treating myself to a nice fun car
I don't commute to work so it would be for the occasional blast and wouldn't get much use.
Because of the lack of use, I'm in the awkward position of knowing I don't need a car at all (we have a family car that would need to be used 99% of the time) but in the exciting position that it means it doesn't need to be practical so an Elise is a possibility.
I found lockdown meant a lot of things went up in price a silly about (weights, campers, caravans and bikes) did the same thing happen with the Elise and are they still over inflated prices or are they back to normal?
I'm not rich but have read a few tails from owners where the Elise has cost them less to run over their ownership than any other car as they don't depreciate much (if at all) but that theory only works if you buy at the right time so I'm looking for advice.
Thanks Andrew
The older Elises went up in price a lot over the past few years. Not seen that lockdown has affected that too much more. Newer Elises haven’t change much at all in lockdown. So the prices from old to new are in a tight range. Look at Autotrader and, excluding the 149,000 mile car at £10,000 the lowest price car is a lovely red 1999 Series 1 Elise with 70,000 miles on the clock at almost £15,000. Compare that to a stunning 2014 blue Series 3 Elise Club Racer that’s done 16,000 miles at £29,000.
Personally, I’d go for the 2014 car, if budget allows. 15 years newer & much less miles I think would give me less hassles as an ownership prospect for a while (I’ve got a 2015 Elise Cup and that’s basically how I made my decision).
If you want the extra lightness & rawness of the older car, then that’s a great decision too.
You can make a case for them all.
But lockdown doesn’t seem to have affected them too much
Personally, I’d go for the 2014 car, if budget allows. 15 years newer & much less miles I think would give me less hassles as an ownership prospect for a while (I’ve got a 2015 Elise Cup and that’s basically how I made my decision).
If you want the extra lightness & rawness of the older car, then that’s a great decision too.
You can make a case for them all.
But lockdown doesn’t seem to have affected them too much
Personally, I think they all offer a great experience. They all look great too.
As you’re doing, just make sure it’s mechanically sound, suspension etc and the cars not been in a shunt. I wouldn’t be put off by any of the engine variations either. Assume they’ve all been tracked. Don’t let that out you off though, as they’re great track cars and place a lot less wear and tear on the mechanicals than heavier cars.
I think an Elise in any guise, whether it be base S1 or a modern Cup car, looks as cool as any other car on the road, probably more cool than most modern supercars.
Right time of year to buy too. I would think they’ll nudge up in price towards March with summer coming and hopefully better outlook.
As you’re doing, just make sure it’s mechanically sound, suspension etc and the cars not been in a shunt. I wouldn’t be put off by any of the engine variations either. Assume they’ve all been tracked. Don’t let that out you off though, as they’re great track cars and place a lot less wear and tear on the mechanicals than heavier cars.
I think an Elise in any guise, whether it be base S1 or a modern Cup car, looks as cool as any other car on the road, probably more cool than most modern supercars.
Right time of year to buy too. I would think they’ll nudge up in price towards March with summer coming and hopefully better outlook.
Hi AndyDRZ ,
I was in the same position as you this time last year --- didnt need an Elise , but wanted one .
This is my take :
1) Prices have remained pretty stable over the last 24 months .
2) I opted for a higher mileage ( 53,000 mile ) car that had been v well looked after , and bought it from Jamie Matthews at B&C --really brilliant after-sales service .
3) I am not sure that you are right in saying that the more expensive cars are better value -- in fact my feeling was the exact opposite .
4) But you have to be prepared to wait for the right car ( I waited 24 months ) , and then be prepared to act very quickly ( in my case within 15 minutes of the car being advertised on PH ) . Its the perfect car for me , so happy that I waited .
5) Its too early for me to say what the running costs are like , but I too did my research , and the mood music I received was that it very acceptable for a micro-mini-supercar
6) I still cant think of what would be a more useable mini supercar -- its got the low&medium speed performance , the looks and the feel of a supercar , but narrow , small and agile with reasonable ( relatively speaking ) running costs . And mine is just a 10 year old , normally aspirated car .
If you are lucky enough to be able to get one , do it , you wont regret it
7) Buy on condition . Not all cars at B&C are expensive -- speak to Jamie , he's great
Best of luck
I was in the same position as you this time last year --- didnt need an Elise , but wanted one .
This is my take :
1) Prices have remained pretty stable over the last 24 months .
2) I opted for a higher mileage ( 53,000 mile ) car that had been v well looked after , and bought it from Jamie Matthews at B&C --really brilliant after-sales service .
3) I am not sure that you are right in saying that the more expensive cars are better value -- in fact my feeling was the exact opposite .
4) But you have to be prepared to wait for the right car ( I waited 24 months ) , and then be prepared to act very quickly ( in my case within 15 minutes of the car being advertised on PH ) . Its the perfect car for me , so happy that I waited .
5) Its too early for me to say what the running costs are like , but I too did my research , and the mood music I received was that it very acceptable for a micro-mini-supercar
6) I still cant think of what would be a more useable mini supercar -- its got the low&medium speed performance , the looks and the feel of a supercar , but narrow , small and agile with reasonable ( relatively speaking ) running costs . And mine is just a 10 year old , normally aspirated car .
If you are lucky enough to be able to get one , do it , you wont regret it
7) Buy on condition . Not all cars at B&C are expensive -- speak to Jamie , he's great
Best of luck
I've had a supercharged S2, an S2 Exige S and I now have a "standard" S1. It's my favourite of the three as I think it offers the purest driving experience. It's a great wee car and its light weight masks any performance deficit.
For £15k-ish you can still get a well cared for example. They seem to be at least holding their values and they're not expensive to run. The Rover K series has a rep for head gaskets but I think it's not as big an issue as has been made out, especially if you get a well looked after car. Higher mileage is not an issue if the condition of the car is good.
Would recommend getting in touch with someone like Will Blackham to register interest and let you know when he has something coming up that might suit. As has been mentioned, hold your patience for the right one!
For £15k-ish you can still get a well cared for example. They seem to be at least holding their values and they're not expensive to run. The Rover K series has a rep for head gaskets but I think it's not as big an issue as has been made out, especially if you get a well looked after car. Higher mileage is not an issue if the condition of the car is good.
Would recommend getting in touch with someone like Will Blackham to register interest and let you know when he has something coming up that might suit. As has been mentioned, hold your patience for the right one!
I'm in a similar position to you, OP; I fancy a fun car that can live in my garage and won't cost a fortune to run, including depreciation. A S3 Elise ticks those boxes for me.
A question for the Lotus gurus on here: is the gearshift on a 2016 car as good as the current "open gate" one? If not, how inferior is it? All the reviews I've seen of the open gate S3's are complimentary about the gear change, but is it night and day better than previous versions?
A question for the Lotus gurus on here: is the gearshift on a 2016 car as good as the current "open gate" one? If not, how inferior is it? All the reviews I've seen of the open gate S3's are complimentary about the gear change, but is it night and day better than previous versions?
I’ve a 2015 S3 Elise and have had a new “open” shifter in an Exige. I really wouldn’t know the difference apart from the looks. Of course the new one looks great.
But it really wouldn’t be a reason for me to stretch a budget unnecessarily. Test drive each car you’re thinking of buying and check for yourself.
People I know with S1 Elises wouldn’t have a later car.
But it really wouldn’t be a reason for me to stretch a budget unnecessarily. Test drive each car you’re thinking of buying and check for yourself.
People I know with S1 Elises wouldn’t have a later car.
Just do it, the Elise has been the most fun car I've owned and also the cheapest when you factor in all the running costs and depreciation. The early cars are getting on a bit now and there will be age related jobs on both high and low milers but as long as the chassis is undamaged and not badly corroded the rest of the parts are easily repaired or replaced.
I am thinking of selling one of mine to buy something a little different so drop me a PM if you want the details.
Brave Fart said:
I'm in a similar position to you, OP; I fancy a fun car that can live in my garage and won't cost a fortune to run, including depreciation. A S3 Elise ticks those boxes for me.
A question for the Lotus gurus on here: is the gearshift on a 2016 car as good as the current "open gate" one? If not, how inferior is it? All the reviews I've seen of the open gate S3's are complimentary about the gear change, but is it night and day better than previous versions?
I bought an S3 Elise on Saturday. Early days with it, but enjoying so far. My other nice car is a Cayman GT4, and I wanted something that would be a bit of a different driving experience. The Elise is certainly that, and most impressive thing so far is how well it rides - makes it a more enjoyable drive on bumpy roads than the GT4.A question for the Lotus gurus on here: is the gearshift on a 2016 car as good as the current "open gate" one? If not, how inferior is it? All the reviews I've seen of the open gate S3's are complimentary about the gear change, but is it night and day better than previous versions?
Mine has the open gate shift - don't have experience of the older one, but this is certainly a really nice shift.
I spent 25k on a 6 thousand mile from new 2014 1.6 Elise S3. Top money, but it’s virtually as new.
Deliberately bought the 134 bhp version as I wanted to be able to stretch it on public roads without being ridiculously illegal.
Absolute love it, even more so after changing the exhaust. Definitely a keeper.
Deliberately bought the 134 bhp version as I wanted to be able to stretch it on public roads without being ridiculously illegal.
Absolute love it, even more so after changing the exhaust. Definitely a keeper.
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