Advice in buying an Elise

[Pork Girl]

Hi all

I'm a bit new to Lotus but before I start hammering at the dealership doors I wondered if I could ask a bit of advice.

Being the comfort hound I am i'm probably looking for an Elise with the touring pack, air con and the radio system with the huge looking speakers so I can actually hear the radio.

I would also be looking for a car with ABS and from what i've gleaned thus far this would mean that i'm looking for an Elise with the Toyota engine. Is this correct and if so, am I looking at cars built from a certain year onwards?

Finally, are the electric windows worth it? I've read a couple of posts about water in the doors after heavy rainfall. Does this short out the electrics?

Cheers for your help

PG

P.S What is the standard warranty on an Elise? 2/3 years?

[bogie]

you want to be looking at early 111R Toyota cars with touring packs from 2004 onwards

wouldnt worry about the water issue - they are designed that way

have a look here for lots of info - www.elises.co.uk

and here for regional club info etc www.seloc.org

[TonyHetherington]

Hi! Firstly, welcome to the lotus 'bit' !

With what help I can be...

pork girl said:

Being the comfort hound I am i'm probably looking for an Elise with the touring pack, air con and the radio system with the huge looking speakers so I can actually hear the radio.

How will you be using your car? It all really depends what you're after - hence the reason Lotus split it down into different 'packs'. Going from a Boxster it is likely that will be your chosen spec - especially if you will be using the car every day. One thing to note, and please don't think I'm being patronising when I say this; even the 'luxury' version of the elise, with electric windows, air con etc. etc. is too raw for some people - so be wary, and if you can test drive one for an extended period.

pork girl said:

I would also be looking for a car with ABS and from what i've gleaned thus far this would mean that i'm looking for an Elise with the Toyota engine. Is this correct and if so, am I looking at cars built from a certain year onwards?

I believe, and someone will be along to confirm, that all 111R's (the Toyota engined one) have ABS, and only 2005 onwards 111S' (the Rover engines one) have ABS. All new cars (the model year '06 cars which if buying new now you would get) have ABS.

pork girl said:

Finally, are the electric windows worth it? I've read a couple of posts about water in the doors after heavy rainfall. Does this short out the electrics?

I have electric windows in my Elise and I like them, and have never had any problems, even after some very heavy rain (once or twice with the roof off too; whoops!). My vote would be definitely go for them. (though I must admit I didn't realise they were an option).

>> Edited by TonyHetherington on Monday 20th February 11:11

[jago]

'04 onwards 111R has the toyota engine... warranty 2 years i believe.

[bogie]

watch out on the warranty front - I think its 2 years/20K miles ! ...so even a year old car can be out of factory warranty....mine ran out in 10 months due to daily use

[Pork Girl]

Many thanks. That's a great start.

I'm hoping to have a really good punt around in an Elise for a weekend and can then make the decision about whether I can use one for an every day car.

I will be using it on a daily basis covering approx 12,000 miles per year.

I hope not to be all questions but did wonder what the servicing intervals on the car were?

Loved the Elise for years but they were always just a little too stripped bare for my liking as far as the interior went. Looked at a couple of Series 2's and they definitely appear to have upped the ante in the interior department.

Just got to find the right car now!

Thanks again

x

[bogie]

service intervals are 9K miles

[GTRene]

Pork Girl said:

Many thanks. That's a great start. I'm hoping to have a really good punt around in an Elise for a weekend and can then make the decision about whether I can use one for an every day car. I will be using it on a daily basis covering approx 12,000 miles per year. I hope not to be all questions but did wonder what the servicing intervals on the car were? Loved the Elise for years but they were always just a little too stripped bare for my liking as far as the interior went. Looked at a couple of Series 2's and they definitely appear to have upped the ante in the interior department. Just got to find the right car now! Thanks again x

reading your thread you definitialy must go for the 111R with hardtop(for colder months and safety) or the Exige with all extra's, those interiors of todays Elise/Exige's are realy great and got me that far to also buy a Exige in the near futere! those are realy good to life with and feel for a lightweight car very comfy and special...go for it
Don't know if you can afford new? but ofcorse just as good as new safes you a lot gbp and most niggles/problems? are worked out!
But if you go for new...and wanted a fixd roof that you also can remove with the softtop option maybe the new Exige S with the comfort options is just the car for you? if you wanted to look like a boyracer
Also welcome to the club,
GTRene