Newbie Hello + buying advice

[jcb156]

Hi all,

Just saying hello - I've been peaking into the forums for a while now whilst considering my purchase and I've found you all very helpful. I've learnt heaps from reading your posts and I'm confident that when I go shopping in the next few weeks I'll be making an informed decision.

I've driven a few elises before but always managed to end up spending the cash on something else (houses and large saloons - which my other half thinks are as important as quick two seaters!) I'm looking to buy an elise as a second car, for fun and some commuting. My budget is 13K.

A few questions which I'd appreciate any help with:

Dealers - I've visited Bell and Colvill and SGT before and always been impressed with the cars they have, is there a benefit from buying from these guys as apposed to from the classifieds? They do charge quite a premium.

Insurance - I've got a full set of no-claims on my family motor, can I get this taken into account anywhere on a second car? Or will I need to start a new policy from 0 NCB years?

Running costs - How much do things cost - services/tyres/discs&pads etc.

Thanks

Jcb

[frizzer]

Hi!
I ended up buying mine privately from WillB on SELOC. As a guide I paid £11995 for a 2000 X-reg with 45K on the clock. It's worth having a look around privately and once you find one you like post a message on here and SELOC to see if anyone knows any history on the car.
Also don't bother with an AA inspection, get a specialist to check it out for you.

As for insurance, I went with Elephant and they took my NCB into account. It also made it cheaper if I added my wife onto the policy as well, not that she drives it much!

As a guide to serviceing, I take mine to Miles at Fibreglass Services near Arundel. It actually went in last week for a B service and needed new front pads as well. All this cost me the princely sum of £277 - a right bargain when compared to the main dealers, plus you still get a Lotus stamp in your book. The previous service was an A but I also needed to get the cam belt done and a new rear wheel bearing and even so it still only came to about £400.

[jcb156]

Thanks, servicing sounds v. reasonable. Fantastic when compared to what I get charged as Audi

Also meant to mention - I live in herts - any good dealers/garages/specialists I should know about?

J

[jcb156]

I'm looking at the S1 at B&C - 1999 Azure S1.

Any comments?

[boggy]

jcb156 said:

I'm looking at the S1 at B&C - 1999 Azure S1. Any comments?

Hi there, see attached link it's on the Piston head's classifieds

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=39930&s=12

It's Dave's car he post's regularly and has been very well looked after If I were to buy an S1 it would be his



Boggy

[Davey S1]

Cheers for the plug mate but its been sold! Bought by the first guy who came to see it on Sunday.

Transfer of cash is being done this week and it should be gone by the weekend

Still he house sale should go through in the next few weeks and I can then go Exige shopping

[boggy]

boggy said:

jcb156 said: I'm looking at the S1 at B&C - 1999 Azure S1. Any comments? Hi there, see attached link it's on the Piston head's classifieds www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=39930&s=12 It's Dave's car he post's regularly and has been very well looked after If I were to buy an S1 it would be his Boggy

I told you it was a Good Car

Boggy

[boggy]

Davey S1 said:

Cheers for the plug mate but its been sold! Bought by the first guy who came to see it on Sunday. Transfer of cash is being done this week and it should be gone by the weekend Still he house sale should go through in the next few weeks and I can then go Exige shopping

Dave

there's some Wicked deal's to be done at the moment, I spoke to Guy at Stratton's the other Day and if you've got Cash I think he might be un-beatable

www.strattonmotorcompany.com/LotusFrame-Welcome.htm

Boggy

[Davey S1]

Thanks for the link mate.

I am currently tracking a few cars at the moment. There is a very nice graphite gray one at a main dealers and a nice red one in the classifieds on here.

Watch this space.

[boggy]

Davey S1 said:

Thanks for the link mate. I am currently tracking a few cars at the moment. There is a very nice graphite gray one at a main dealers and a nice red one in the classifieds on here. Watch this space.

RED ! Buy RED !

[beachbum]

Krypton Green, only cos the Chrome Orange, seems to popular

[garyDVO]

Find a few take your time. The Elise comes with a free option the grin.

Runnig cost are dependant on use. If used every day go for a hardtop.

For insurance search www.seloc.org forum.

Good luck

Gary

[jcb156]

Thanks all,

Don't think I'm quite ready for the exige yet (my wallet might need some time to get used to the idea too!)

I can feel some driving coming on, but I'm away this weekend so it'll have to be next week/bank holiday weekend.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Did I mention I was in Herts - anything I shoud know lotuswise in my area?

J

[GCCK]

Make yourself known on SELOC (free to register) to this lot:
http://forums.seloc.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=84
Monthly runs & meets in your area.

Buying privately is significantly cheaper than going through a dealer. Meet some existing owners and they'll be able to advise you. For £13K you'll get a nice S1 with useful upgrades done (Elise is a low-volume car and as such, certain things wear out sooner than they should) as distinct from lary performance upgrades. Could get into a 111s for that money too, but will have more miles and perhaps less good condition.