cheap as chips?

[w00dy]

I'm still on the look out for an elise, and found this a bit, but too much over budget. Cheapest local S2, what do you reckon? Its got reasonable miles, and is in the right color.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=LOTUS&model=ELISE&variant=&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=15000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=ka18+1hj&miles=60&max_records=50&source=0&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=7&distance=44&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200439163286127


>>> Edited by w00dy on Monday 4th October 23:43

[Davey S1]

Looks ok to me.

[steff]

Cheap yes but I'd get it checked out by a Lotus specialist just to be on the safe side.

[garydvo]

Take Lawrence5's advice and have a browse hear before you go:

www.elise-faq.info/content/buying/index.php

Also to ensure the car is worth paying a specialist to look at here is some advice I picked up from various sources:

1) Check the cooling system is working. With the engine cold (say you will be at 10:00 and turn up at 09:00) start her up and let her tick over. Meanwhile go round the car & Check:

2) Tyre tread depth (27,000 may be on original fronts and the second set of rears may be gone or going)

3) Steering wheel and Clutch, pedal, brake pedal and accelerator for wear. Excessive wear or shiny steering wheel may indicate incorrect mileage.

4) Paintwork for overspray.

5) Engine for oil leaks

6) Note the temp when the fan cuts in to cool the car. Note the temp when the Fan cuts out. Let the cutting in and out cycle continue for as many times as you want. Do not let the Vendor turn the engine off. Tell him what you are looking for. If the engine stalls during this cycle note the temp and look in the engine bay.

7) When you are happy with the warming up & cooling. Stop the engine remove the oil filler cap and look at the inside of the filler cap. If it looks like mayo or the froth of Guinness water is in the oil.

Make a note of all your findings and call the specialist and tell him what you found. Listen to the man to see if it’s worth checking out.

If the Garage will let you could always take it for an MOT as well, not a bad check for the price.

Good luck.

Regards

Gary

[StuartB]

At that price, it wouldn't be a surprise if that was a CAT D write off that had been put back on the road. All you need do is ask the dealer, he is oblidged to tell you everything - he will not volunteer it for obvious reasons, you *have* to ask

[xxplod]

Tyres well worth checking, but at 27K it may be on its original fronts (mine is at 28K) but it definately will not be on the original rears. I got 17K out of mine, and mine is not tracked or thrashed, just used daily.

Bear in mind, you really don't want any less than 2mm of tread on the rears. In the wet the car becomes very twitchy with low tread, as the light weight of the car means it will aquaplane easily.

Budget on circa £250 for a pair of rears.

[Nightmare]

apparently it has power assisted steering....! hmm.....

looks okay, but is too cheap for a dealer to be selling unless its had major rpevious damage I would guess.....though it is Xmas I spose!

[S Works]

Sounds like cobblers if you ask me.

- Manual 4 speed... er?
- Colour Coded Bumpers... er?
- PAS... er?

[Chris_w]

And the fire extinguisher (and replacement steering wheel) might point towards it having spent time on track.

Looks nice though.