buying a 111S S1
Discussion
Hi guys this is my first post on hear so be gentle. Im planing on buying an used 111s/Standard S2 elise in the next few weeks. I'm due to test drive a w plate 111s this friday at my local dealer, not yet driven one so looking forward to it, but I have been looking at the prices of used cars out thier and the dealer option looks exspensive. I have a few questions if you could help I would be very grateful. Would you lot advise anyone to buy an Elise privately? What kind of running cost can I exspect? Do any of you run yours as an every day car if so how do you find it?
any info would be much apricated.
any info would be much apricated.
I bought my first elise privately and my current 1-11 from a dealer. My thoughts on this car are the same as any other. Look at as many as you can till you get bored. People have differing views on ultra low mileage cars, but low owners (pref one) and FLSH are a must. Always HPI. Form a view on the seller as well as the car.
The majority of elises are fastidiously looked after and it shows on the right car. Most sellers are upright citizens who would not tell too many porkies. Best avoid cars approaching third birthday as the big service/MOT/tax combo can hit four figures. Would prefer as new as you can afford or just over three years (low mileages are serviced on 12 months not the mileage)
As no doubt you are interested I bought from a dealer as the car in question had been in stock for his maximum period over Christmas and was sold to me for bottom book. I got a 12 month warranty as well but you can buy these seperately if you wish. The car is f*ing brilliant and I'm off to Le Mans on Thursday.
Apart from known foibles (boot releasd on both (£15 and one hour DIY)) the only non scheduled costs I have hit have been entirely self inflicted.
If you have any other questions I'll do my best to answer.
Go for it!
The majority of elises are fastidiously looked after and it shows on the right car. Most sellers are upright citizens who would not tell too many porkies. Best avoid cars approaching third birthday as the big service/MOT/tax combo can hit four figures. Would prefer as new as you can afford or just over three years (low mileages are serviced on 12 months not the mileage)
As no doubt you are interested I bought from a dealer as the car in question had been in stock for his maximum period over Christmas and was sold to me for bottom book. I got a 12 month warranty as well but you can buy these seperately if you wish. The car is f*ing brilliant and I'm off to Le Mans on Thursday.
Apart from known foibles (boot releasd on both (£15 and one hour DIY)) the only non scheduled costs I have hit have been entirely self inflicted.
If you have any other questions I'll do my best to answer.
Go for it!
I've only had my 111s for six weeks so am no expert. I also broke all the "rules" in buying it (first car I saw, only test drove that one etc etc) - I just fell in love with it. But I have no regrets whatsoever.
I bought mine from a independent(Adrian Blyth) rather than a dealer, but as many people on here will confirm, Adrian's a good guy and as I didn't know anything about Loti (or cars) I didn't want to get stung by buying privately. I expected to pay a good price for a good car - and I hope/think that's what I got.
The only advice I have (and this is without knowing your experience) is once you've got the car, get some training on how to maximise your fun in it. Many people seem to stuff their Elises within a few weeks of owning them and then blame the car for being unstable. (I've just done mine today with Andrew Walsh - 1st Lotus - and it was worth every penny for the confidence it inspires)
I can't tell you what the running costs are - I haven't had it long enough - but it does do nearly 40mpg on a long run if you're interested in fuel economy.
Other than that, I agree with everything Andy says above except for one small point - the bit about FLSH. As I guess with many dealers, there are good ones and there are bad ones. Just because a car doesn't have a FLSH, don't discount it if it has a FSH from a reliable independent.
Anyway, just get one - you'll love it !
HTH,
David L.
I bought mine from a independent(Adrian Blyth) rather than a dealer, but as many people on here will confirm, Adrian's a good guy and as I didn't know anything about Loti (or cars) I didn't want to get stung by buying privately. I expected to pay a good price for a good car - and I hope/think that's what I got.
The only advice I have (and this is without knowing your experience) is once you've got the car, get some training on how to maximise your fun in it. Many people seem to stuff their Elises within a few weeks of owning them and then blame the car for being unstable. (I've just done mine today with Andrew Walsh - 1st Lotus - and it was worth every penny for the confidence it inspires)
I can't tell you what the running costs are - I haven't had it long enough - but it does do nearly 40mpg on a long run if you're interested in fuel economy.
Other than that, I agree with everything Andy says above except for one small point - the bit about FLSH. As I guess with many dealers, there are good ones and there are bad ones. Just because a car doesn't have a FLSH, don't discount it if it has a FSH from a reliable independent.
Anyway, just get one - you'll love it !
HTH,
David L.
I have had my 111s for about 8 weeks now...
i looked for as much info as i could for most of the winter and when i thought i knew what i was letting myself infor i saw a car (main dealer birmingham) and now it lives in my garage.
the 111s as a CR gearbox which i love it just pulls in any gear ,also it will have a few more "add on's"that you will not get on a "normal s1" so if your like me and dont want to spend what money you have left on upgrades the 111s is the car to go for,i have just fitted a janspeed exhaust and a K&N panel filter and thats all it will get!!!
oh the radiator hose did fall of last week but the AA saw to that and all is fine now...touch wood..
but all i will say is "go for it "
i did and i love the car and im off to Scotland in a few weeks ,i just hope all my stuff fits in
Wats
i looked for as much info as i could for most of the winter and when i thought i knew what i was letting myself infor i saw a car (main dealer birmingham) and now it lives in my garage.
the 111s as a CR gearbox which i love it just pulls in any gear ,also it will have a few more "add on's"that you will not get on a "normal s1" so if your like me and dont want to spend what money you have left on upgrades the 111s is the car to go for,i have just fitted a janspeed exhaust and a K&N panel filter and thats all it will get!!!
oh the radiator hose did fall of last week but the AA saw to that and all is fine now...touch wood..
but all i will say is "go for it "
i did and i love the car and im off to Scotland in a few weeks ,i just hope all my stuff fits in
Wats
You can buy my 2000W 111S. Its been very well looked after, only done 11k miles and has just had a service and new tyres. Its deep purple and has the full magnolia leather, including leather door panels with the alloy pack. Also it has a hard top which is essential (and expensive) if you are going to use the car everyday. Other options include a sports exhaust, Kenwood CD and Alpine speakers, clear indicator lenses and spot light protectors. A snip at £18,000.
>> Edited by manhoos on Friday 14th June 12:52
>> Edited by manhoos on Friday 14th June 12:52
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff