Thinking of buying S2 Elise - opinions on car please!!
Discussion
Hi
I am currently in the market for either a VX220 n/a or an Elise S2. I have seen a rather splendid looking S2 for sale in the classifieds and wondered what peoples opinions were of the car. Is the price right for a car of this age/mileage? £14k , 2001 Sports Tourer, 36k miles, last serviced at 26k.
Is the fact its got a new front clam a worry at all? Could it suggest a big smash that may have damaged the tub/chassis? It's also up for MOT and service, what sort of cost would these two combined be, would I be looking at a huge bill?
Would an inspection by a Lotus specialist be able to tell me what would need replacing etc for the MOT and service so I could get a accurate cost of how much roughly I am going to need to spend initially?
Lastly Is the long tail version of the soft top a real pain in the butt to put up and down? The VX hood and later S2 one seems a lot neater/easier?
cheers
I am currently in the market for either a VX220 n/a or an Elise S2. I have seen a rather splendid looking S2 for sale in the classifieds and wondered what peoples opinions were of the car. Is the price right for a car of this age/mileage? £14k , 2001 Sports Tourer, 36k miles, last serviced at 26k.
Is the fact its got a new front clam a worry at all? Could it suggest a big smash that may have damaged the tub/chassis? It's also up for MOT and service, what sort of cost would these two combined be, would I be looking at a huge bill?
Would an inspection by a Lotus specialist be able to tell me what would need replacing etc for the MOT and service so I could get a accurate cost of how much roughly I am going to need to spend initially?
Lastly Is the long tail version of the soft top a real pain in the butt to put up and down? The VX hood and later S2 one seems a lot neater/easier?
cheers
I reckon there must be some room for negotiation with the price if its due a service. If its due a cambelt change and C service (and it either should have been done already or needs doing now), that'll set you back £400+ depending where you go.
I've got a long tail roof and its not a problem - marginally more fiddly than the short roof but only in terms of an extra 20 seconds of effort.
New clam could be due to anything from stone chips to a nasty ding - get it checked by a specialist who will also be able to tell you if it needs anything else. If you're based in Essex Sinclaires (www.sinclairebodyshop.co.uk/) will do the job for you - they can give you a full list of things that need fixing and that'll help with price negotiations.
I've got a long tail roof and its not a problem - marginally more fiddly than the short roof but only in terms of an extra 20 seconds of effort.
New clam could be due to anything from stone chips to a nasty ding - get it checked by a specialist who will also be able to tell you if it needs anything else. If you're based in Essex Sinclaires (www.sinclairebodyshop.co.uk/) will do the job for you - they can give you a full list of things that need fixing and that'll help with price negotiations.
It's in need of a C service. This will cost you £350 - £450 at a specialist so that needs to come off the price straight away. Other than that, it seems to be relatively well priced in the market.
It only takes a 5mph parking nudge to need a new clam so this may not be anything to worry about. Easy to check for chassis damage on the front of an Elise - just turn the wheels on full lock and you'll be able to see the front of the tub.
Long roof is nothing to worry about. I think they look more elegant than the short roof. Biggest advatnage of the short roof is that you can remove it sat in the car. But you still need to get out to put it in the boot! As stated, an extra 20 seconds to fit a long roof. More likely to have a leak with a short roof - they need to seal at the back as well as the front. The long roof doesn't need to seal at the back.
Your budget would buy a newer VX but it depends on what you're looking for from the car.
Check out my profile for running costs - it's up to date.
Good luck
>> Edited by MJK 24 on Tuesday 31st January 12:44
It only takes a 5mph parking nudge to need a new clam so this may not be anything to worry about. Easy to check for chassis damage on the front of an Elise - just turn the wheels on full lock and you'll be able to see the front of the tub.
Long roof is nothing to worry about. I think they look more elegant than the short roof. Biggest advatnage of the short roof is that you can remove it sat in the car. But you still need to get out to put it in the boot! As stated, an extra 20 seconds to fit a long roof. More likely to have a leak with a short roof - they need to seal at the back as well as the front. The long roof doesn't need to seal at the back.
Your budget would buy a newer VX but it depends on what you're looking for from the car.
Check out my profile for running costs - it's up to date.
Good luck
>> Edited by MJK 24 on Tuesday 31st January 12:44
get Sinclaires to check it out - costs about £80...but Id make them service it or knock at least £500 off the price otherwise...it could need a fair bit doing to it...which is what the Sinclaires inspection will tell you.
Theres a lot to choose from out there so if you cant come to an arrangement on the service thing then go elsewhere.....
Theres a lot to choose from out there so if you cant come to an arrangement on the service thing then go elsewhere.....
Seems expensive to me (im a novice BTW so that what i say with a pinch of salt!) but i just got my Elise, a 2002 111s for £14k (Was on for £15k). It is red which somepeople dont like but it has similar milage as well as a few extras like a sports exhaust, exige suspension, upgraded breaks, roll bar, harness bar and some other stuff i dont understand.
markizok said:
Seems expensive to me (im a novice BTW so that what i say with a pinch of salt!) but i just got my Elise, a 2002 111s for £14k (Was on for £15k). It is red which somepeople dont like but it has similar milage as well as a few extras like a sports exhaust, exige suspension, upgraded breaks, roll bar, harness bar and some other stuff i dont understand.
That sounds like a very good price. Has it been accident damaged in the past?
dank said:
I am currently in the market for either a VX220 n/a or an Elise S2. I have seen a rather splendid looking S2 for sale in the classifieds and wondered what peoples opinions were of the car. Is the price right for a car of this age/mileage? £14k , 2001 Sports Tourer, 36k miles, last serviced at 26k.
I'd be looking at 13k. Unless it's in perfect nick (including suspension, tyres, exhaust system etc) and the owner gets it serviced first. 14k is about top whack for early S2's now.
dank said:
Is the fact its got a new front clam a worry at all? Could it suggest a big smash that may have damaged the tub/chassis? It's also up for MOT and service, what sort of cost would these two combined be, would I be looking at a huge bill?
Get it checked over, responses above highlight major costs and issues. I'd be asking why the big C service that it was due a thousand miles ago, hasn't yet been done. Is the current owner expecting a big bill beyond the £450ish it will cost without finding any issues?
dank said:
Would an inspection by a Lotus specialist be able to tell me what would need replacing etc for the MOT and service so I could get a accurate cost of how much roughly I am going to need to spend initially?
Yes, any decent specialist worth their salt should do a C-service check plus other major points of failure, wear and tear and likely big issue areas, drawing your attention to any obvious issues. I'd also recommend asking them to do a test drive if they can to identify any handling/engine/transmission issues which won't be found in a static test.
Any owner who knows they are selling a good car should not be surprised that you ask for this to be done (at your expense). Sinclaires quoted me £150 for this about 2 years ago when I bought my first car, and you have to get the car to them.
DO NOT bother with an AA or RAC check - completely worthless.
dank said:
Lastly Is the long tail version of the soft top a real pain in the butt to put up and down? The VX hood and later S2 one seems a lot neater/easier?
It's not a big deal, BUT it is more hassle than the later one. Getting a hardtop will also be more hassle I believe, should you wish to purchase one in the near future.
Short-tailed roof S2's are more desirable come resale time.
MJK 24 said:
Seems expensive to me (im a novice BTW so that what i say with a pinch of salt!) but i just got my Elise, a 2002 111s for £14k (Was on for £15k). It is red which somepeople dont like but it has similar milage as well as a few extras like a sports exhaust, exige suspension, upgraded breaks, roll bar, harness bar and some other stuff i dont understand.
That sounds like a very good price. Has it been accident damaged in the past?
Nope, straight as a nail. One owner from new, full JCT service history. Made all the phone calls, got a HPI and inspection by a lotus dealer and its clear. Guess i was in the right place at the right time!
Very happy with it, the only bug being that the lights dont turn off if its been damp - been checked by Lotus and they say its ok.
Mark
I don't like the sound of the missing the C service because of a big bill. I am also not keen on any services being missed really, in any car I buy, esp specialist cars such as these. You could understand maybe missing it by a 100 miles or so, ie. been meaning to get done but have to work all week, take it in for service at weekend, so put on 1 weeks worth of miles, but 1000 miles, that does suggest maybe neglect or some other more sinister reason!?
should I be worried?
should I be worried?
My B service is due at 27K. My first MOT is due end March. Previous owner had it serviced at Westovers in August, then I got Miles to do an interim (another A basically) at XMas.
I'm getting the B done when the MOT gets done, by which point I may have gone over by 2 or 3 K miles. But I intend to do it. If I was selling it, I wouldn't hesitate getting it serviced, even for a C service, to be able to sell it. Make sure its done
I'm getting the B done when the MOT gets done, by which point I may have gone over by 2 or 3 K miles. But I intend to do it. If I was selling it, I wouldn't hesitate getting it serviced, even for a C service, to be able to sell it. Make sure its done
As said, the service interval is 9K it is over by 1K.
Make a condition of sale:
1) Service including Cam belt if not already changed in 2005 (Lotus now state - 4 years or 40K miles which ever is first)
2) Full MOT or the owner takes to MOT station and you pay for the MOT but if the car fails you will not buy it.
3) Inspected by a specailist (Sinc's for eg) on reciept of a non damaging report you will buy.
Its your cash the seller wants.
Make a condition of sale:
1) Service including Cam belt if not already changed in 2005 (Lotus now state - 4 years or 40K miles which ever is first)
2) Full MOT or the owner takes to MOT station and you pay for the MOT but if the car fails you will not buy it.
3) Inspected by a specailist (Sinc's for eg) on reciept of a non damaging report you will buy.
Its your cash the seller wants.
markizok said:
Seems expensive to me (im a novice BTW so that what i say with a pinch of salt!) but i just got my Elise, a 2002 111s for £14k (Was on for £15k). It is red which somepeople dont like but it has similar milage as well as a few extras like a sports exhaust, exige suspension, upgraded breaks, roll bar, harness bar and some other stuff i dont understand.
That sounds like a very good price. Has it been accident damaged in the past?
Nope, straight as a nail. One owner from new, full JCT service history. Made all the phone calls, got a HPI and inspection by a lotus dealer and its clear. Guess i was in the right place at the right time!
Very happy with it, the only bug being that the lights dont turn off if its been damp - been checked by Lotus and they say its ok.
Mark
Fair play that's an excellent price. Good on you
dank said:
I don't like the sound of the missing the C service because of a big bill. I am also not keen on any services being missed really, in any car I buy, esp specialist cars such as these. You could understand maybe missing it by a 100 miles or so, ie. been meaning to get done but have to work all week, take it in for service at weekend, so put on 1 weeks worth of miles, but 1000 miles, that does suggest maybe neglect or some other more sinister reason!?
should I be worried?
Chill - 1000 miles past the service is no big deal, not everyone lives just round the corner from a Lotus dealer/specialist. Why not call/email the owner rather than implying on a public forum that there's something wrong with his car?
If I had a car that was due a service and I wanted to sell it, I'd have it up for sale without the service but be prepared to have most of the value of the service knocked off the price.
If you have the car inspected , the faults will show up and you can negogiate from there.
Edit > Assuming this is the car www.pistonheads.com/sales/63661.htm then the new clam was after a car park incident. With a sports exhaust and a couple of other goodies, £13.5k is probably fair and is probably what the owner is looking for.
>> Edited by cuzza on Wednesday 1st February 09:28
Hey! No offence intended to anyone, or the owner, and I didn't mean to imply that there may be something wrong with the car!!! 
Just wanted some expert opinions before I decide to take the long drive down to see the car in the metal, always good to arm yourself with some knowledge.
The car in question looks fantastic!
Just wanted some expert opinions before I decide to take the long drive down to see the car in the metal, always good to arm yourself with some knowledge.
The car in question looks fantastic!
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