Help and advice needed for complete newbie

[perplexcity]

Hi All

Having read lots of your posts am about to realise my dream and purchase a Lotus Elise - however I have a few questions that I hope you can help with :-).

1. Hubby thinks I'm mad ... am I!!!!
2 I have between 10 - 11k to spend - what should I look for regarding value for money - have seen this a couple here www.speedwellautomotive.com/cars.php?show=LOTUS what do you think - the owner of the business seems lovely and helpful by the way :-)
3. Am I better off buying a private sale - just worried that I don't know enough to spot an iffy car

Now I know I want an Elsie having had a track day for a birthday pressie one year - just not sure on the best approach - hope you can help

Jean

[bogie]

Welcome

1. We are all mad too
2. Which car - there are lots on that link
3. Dealer sale is a safe bet, think the min warranty they have to give is 3 months - try to get more...its nice if you can find somewhere local where you can build up a good relationship with - makes all the difference

You should find a nice clean one for £10-11K easy enough - theres plenty to choose from in that range particularly for the std 120bhp model

also look at www.elises.co.uk for info and www.seloc.org for regional club meets in your area

cheers

bogie

[stuartb]

You pay a premium at dealers, but you do get a warranty and that can give you piece of mind. Some dealers are better than others as you might imagine.

If you are going to buy privately then it isn't a bad idea to consider one from somebody who posts on the forums a lot and you know would have taken pretty good care of it, like this one
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&

If you want it for track days then you are better buying a pre-modfied one..
www.pistonheads.com/sales/51151.htm

[rixge]

Welcome to our site ! We are all passionate about our cars , and therefore here to give you our knowledge and feedback , from all matters Lotus and beyond !There will be the unscruplous sellers out there that are out to rip you off, that unfortunately is life. But i think most people would be behind me in agreeing that the lotus people here are 100 % above board and genuine in their desire to push the Lotus name.
Good luck in your hunt for your perfect Lotus, there are many out there which you will find to your liking, just enjoy our passion and go for it.

Rick

[beachbum]

The greatest piece of info I have obtained in my 16months of Elise ownership is that the power of the car, comes way behind the ability of the Driver.

I recently did a Walshy airfield day with 19 others. A standard 120bhp Elise was clocking times, consistantly faster than all but one. I am now wondering why I paid a premium to get a 111R, when the 1000s saved could have been spent on driver training and still have change.

The moral is get the car that is in the best condition you can, worry about power in years to come, when you hopefully have the skill to make use of it.

[perplexcity]

Thanks all - your help is hugely appreciated - and its great to hear I'm not alone in my madness !!!

Now all I need to do is watch and wait for the right car - not sure about the track thing!! - hubby seems to think they will have been hammered - my arguement is they will have had better care and more regular oil changes etc - any one have any thoughts on this aspect.

Also if you were buying second hand what would be the one upgraded you would really like to have included in the sale - am a bit over whealmed with some of the cars and the extras they come with - apologies all the technical terms are slightly outside of my comfort zone at the mo - lol

Finally - does anyone know of a specialist or kind Lotus mechanic - who could have a look at any car we were going to purchase - we would pay - but it would help ease the mind a wee bit - we are in Horsham West Sussex - and ideally would be looking for cars in the South East

Thanks again - you are indeed a very friendly bunch - was'nt sure what sort of reception I would get as the forum seems very "chap" dominated - lol - and figured a girlie owning an Elise maybe a cardinal sin!!! - sorry!!

Jean

[perplexcity]

Thanks beechbum - that was indeed something I have been getting hung up on - what spec, model etc - and that insight helps hugely - much appreciated

Jxx

[junks]

Very good choice

If you find one around suffolk/essex borders I'll gladly look for you, other than that Sinclaires in Romford do an inspection service or put a post on Seloc as there are members all over the south east who would be willing to help

[perplexcity]

Thanks Junks - much appreciated - will let you know if we find anything your way that you might be happy to look at with us :-)

Jxx

[beachbum]

Miles at Fibreglass Services, telephone on 01243 554422, is considered one of the best around here. Think he does inspections. Also VERY good for servicing. My last A service cost £120, all in.

Sorry should have said, he is located at Walberton, Nr Arundel, West Sussex

>> Edited by beachbum on Saturday 4th February 09:05

[hbaumhardt]

perplexcity said:

not sure about the track thing!! - hubby seems to think they will have been hammered

An easy mistake to make. Yes some track cars will be "hammered" and others will be maintained with no expense spared; better than some cosmetic trophy thats been sitting around for a years with internals rotting away. An £80 independent inspection by a sepcialist who knows this stuff is mandatory (NOT the AA or RAC). Good luck !

[tanman]

Look forward to you joining the gang.
When i was looking for my first Elise Topcat advised me not to go for a car with very low mileage, this shows the car has not been driven and the Elise likes to be driven! I dont know if this was coincidence but when i had a couple of accidents (to myself, not the car) last year and could not drive, the alternator packed up.
I was also worried about having a car that had been tracked, i found one that hadn't, but i wouldn't let this put you off, like many of the guys say (on here) they will more than likely be very well looked after with regular oil changes etc.
I still view myself as a bit of a newbie, but looking at this site Miles has an outstanding reputation and it may well be worth the drive to see him when you get your Elise/ get him to check one over for you. Just don't let the AA/ RAC do a check- get a specialist/ main dealer to check one over. They will know far more about the car and they are cheaper for the check over.
Good luck with your search and don't let the husband put you off, the Elise is an amazing car and i bet he will want to take it for a drive. Don't let him though- you'll never get the keys off him again!
Let us know how you get on
Tanman

[beachbum]

Once you have got one, Pictures are mandatory

[perplexcity]

Pictures - for sure - lol - have been keeping an eye on the s/hand ones on here - just seem to keep missing being the first to look - lol. Will be letting you all know loudly once I get my little ol Elise

Thanks again - all your friendliness, advice and help has been much appreciated

Jxx

[jcb156]

Hi Perplex,

I'm only a few months into my ownership experience and have to say I am completly hooked. I paid a bit extra to buy from a dealer and got a 12 month warranty which I feel very reassured by (Adrian Blyth do their own warranty and its v. good)

My car (Standard Silver S1) came with a beautiful wedge of bills and history, I was a little wary of this at first (expected to only see a few stamps in service book) but I now appreciate the the previous owners *really* looked after the car. I'd re-iterate what previous posters have said, the else loves to be driven and given attention. I'd buy a 30K mile track car over a 5K bank-holiday-runner every time.

Enjoy looking

J