Buying in Cornwall
Discussion
Hi all, i'm trying to get an S1 Elise in Cornwall for 9k or thereabouts. There are very few good looking cars about it seems, let alone within my budget! All seem to be 100s of miles away - if anyone knows of any enthusiasts selling up soon in Cornwall please let me know!
Anyway, I was wondering if I do ever manage to find a car, does anyone know of a specialist that would be willing to check the car over for me? I've been doing a lot of research online but still have yet to test drive one, any suggestions to solve that problem appreciated too! I'm worried that garages like Peninsula wouldn't even give me the time of day as i'm only 21 and currently drive a 12 year old Fiesta, still, may take a trip over there at the weekend.
Any help appreciated.
Anyway, I was wondering if I do ever manage to find a car, does anyone know of a specialist that would be willing to check the car over for me? I've been doing a lot of research online but still have yet to test drive one, any suggestions to solve that problem appreciated too! I'm worried that garages like Peninsula wouldn't even give me the time of day as i'm only 21 and currently drive a 12 year old Fiesta, still, may take a trip over there at the weekend.
Any help appreciated.
ChriX said:
Anyway, I was wondering if I do ever manage to find a car, does anyone know of a specialist that would be willing to check the car over for me? I've been doing a lot of research online but still have yet to test drive one, any suggestions to solve that problem appreciated too! I'm worried that garages like Peninsula wouldn't even give me the time of day as i'm only 21 and currently drive a 12 year old Fiesta, still, may take a trip over there at the weekend.
Hi ChriX, wherabouts in Cornwall are you? Laurence Bray in Helston is a well respected independant and Lotus Enthusiast who services many local cars (mine included). Further East there is The Lotus Centre just over the border in Devon at Lifton; a colleague at work uses them for his servicing and rates them highly - owned by ex Lotus race engineer.
A friend spotted an S1 for sale just to the East of Truro last week, don't know the price or exact location but if you are interested I will gather some more info.
There seem to be plenty of Elises down here but very few frequent PH.
A friend spotted an S1 for sale just to the East of Truro last week, don't know the price or exact location but if you are interested I will gather some more info.
There seem to be plenty of Elises down here but very few frequent PH.
I'm in Bude, right at the top, so Lifton isn't too far for me to go. I'll go over and have a chat with them at some point.
Very interested in more details about the Truro one if it's not too much trouble! I'm off to see one near Wadebridge this evening, it seems good but the bloke said he's not replaced anything on it in 3 years of ownership, which says to me that its about to cost loads.
Very interested in more details about the Truro one if it's not too much trouble! I'm off to see one near Wadebridge this evening, it seems good but the bloke said he's not replaced anything on it in 3 years of ownership, which says to me that its about to cost loads.
ChriX said:
very interested in more details about the Truro one if it's not too much trouble!
I'll try and get some more details tonight.
Be patient, keep an eye on the various classifieds, drive a few and buy on condition. One that has been owned by an enthusiast and driven enthusiastically will probably have been very well looked after and will have had all the right bits replaced/upgraded. Trawl back through here, stacks of advice on similar threads.
Oh, and well worth budgeting for some driver training if you have never driven a mid engined rear wheel drive car before. This is not being patronising but there are plenty of posts on here from new owners who've left Elise shaped holes in hedges soon after picking their cars up, and plenty of more experienced owners who have had 'MOMENTS'. Once you understand the dynamics there is little to touch the Elise for rewarding the driver, the only thing I've regretted is not buying one much sooner.
Thanks Turnamere.
I understand what you're saying with the driver training, will see about doing a carlimits day.
I missed out on seeing this car a couple of weeks ago but the owner has just e-mailed me to say it's back up for sale, so am going to have a look at it in the morning. Does anyone know/recognise it or would like to give me some advice? www.pistonheads.com/sales/73729.htm
Thanks again all.
I understand what you're saying with the driver training, will see about doing a carlimits day.
I missed out on seeing this car a couple of weeks ago but the owner has just e-mailed me to say it's back up for sale, so am going to have a look at it in the morning. Does anyone know/recognise it or would like to give me some advice? www.pistonheads.com/sales/73729.htm
Thanks again all.
Hi Chris, I'd second all of the above.
As you say Elises don't often come up for sale in this part of the world so you may have to be prepared to travel. That said the one you've highlighted looks like a goody (don't know it tho'). I'd take a trip along to Lifton and have a chat with them and see if they'll check the car over for you before parting with cash - they'll probably find you enough value in bargaining chips to pay their fee. I found them a very helpful bunch with lots of advice when I was looking to buy my car - I'll deffo be going there when my recently acquired car needs its next service.
The only issue I'd maybe have with this car is the AVO dampers. Don't know anything about them and the most common suspension upgrade for the S1 is to go with the S2 Bilstiens. I'm sure the guys at the Lotus Centre will advise on that.
I often get up to your part of the world with the liz when I'm working so I'll keep my eye out for you.
Happy Hunting and let us know how you get on.
As you say Elises don't often come up for sale in this part of the world so you may have to be prepared to travel. That said the one you've highlighted looks like a goody (don't know it tho'). I'd take a trip along to Lifton and have a chat with them and see if they'll check the car over for you before parting with cash - they'll probably find you enough value in bargaining chips to pay their fee. I found them a very helpful bunch with lots of advice when I was looking to buy my car - I'll deffo be going there when my recently acquired car needs its next service.
The only issue I'd maybe have with this car is the AVO dampers. Don't know anything about them and the most common suspension upgrade for the S1 is to go with the S2 Bilstiens. I'm sure the guys at the Lotus Centre will advise on that.
I often get up to your part of the world with the liz when I'm working so I'll keep my eye out for you.
Happy Hunting and let us know how you get on.
01326 is Helston/Falmouth so right on my doorstep, I'm pretty sure that Laurence Bray (01326 573500) would look it over for you for a small fee if you were able to view it during the week. If not I might be able to help, no expert mind just a keen owner who's replaced a few bits on mine. As TIPPER said though looks tidy, and I wouldn't worry about the AVOs, improvement over red Konis, just not sure where they sit in the heirachy of upgrades but another local owner had them and was pretty quick.
Well, went to see it this morning, got there at 8:20!
I thought it was great compared to the one I saw last night. The seller and his wife seemed genuine, I had made a list of things to look at and he managed to name the website I got it from! Anyway, I couldn't see anything wrong with it and it had a huge pile of receipts and general history so I took the plunge and gave him a deposit subject to a test drive which he is convinced I will love.
Tell me if this sounds stupid of me but it 'felt' right, hence me making a deposit without getting it checked by a specialist, which I still don't know if I should do or not. Whereas the one last night definatley made me feel like someone should check it for me. It was already sold once but the buyer pulled out due to unforseen circumstances... make of that what you will!
Chris
I thought it was great compared to the one I saw last night. The seller and his wife seemed genuine, I had made a list of things to look at and he managed to name the website I got it from! Anyway, I couldn't see anything wrong with it and it had a huge pile of receipts and general history so I took the plunge and gave him a deposit subject to a test drive which he is convinced I will love.
Tell me if this sounds stupid of me but it 'felt' right, hence me making a deposit without getting it checked by a specialist, which I still don't know if I should do or not. Whereas the one last night definatley made me feel like someone should check it for me. It was already sold once but the buyer pulled out due to unforseen circumstances... make of that what you will!
Chris
It's no concrete recommendation of course and there are a million reasons why it's wrong, but I've ALWAYS bought on 'feel'
Never bought a true dud and have walked away a few times, so I guess there's something in it! Also, it can be checked high and low but the next day have all the usual things that go wrong go wrong!
Must admit though that personally 9 - 10k never got handed over without warranty / comeback
Fingers crossed then fella! Sounds like he's an enthusiast too which counts for a lot :thumbub:
Never bought a true dud and have walked away a few times, so I guess there's something in it! Also, it can be checked high and low but the next day have all the usual things that go wrong go wrong!
Must admit though that personally 9 - 10k never got handed over without warranty / comeback
Fingers crossed then fella! Sounds like he's an enthusiast too which counts for a lot :thumbub:
Did that with mine Chris but it was coming with dealer backup. The car has been totally reliable but I'm glad I had the back up as it saved me about £800 in getting some peace of mind work done.
If you've given them the deposit you've effectively agreed the deal.
She sounds like a beauty in the ad and I'm sure you'll have lots of fun together. Look forward to meeting you and your new toy.
If you've not got an insurance quote yet I got a v good one from Autotorque (although I'm a little older than you).
One more thing - don't get too carried away at first. The Elise handles superbly but the charecteristics of a mid engined rear driver are very, very different to front wheel drive. Take extra care in the wet - drive like your Granny. Oh and ignore the chavs in their Novas etc. You and your car have nothing to prove.
Have fun
If you've given them the deposit you've effectively agreed the deal.
She sounds like a beauty in the ad and I'm sure you'll have lots of fun together. Look forward to meeting you and your new toy.
If you've not got an insurance quote yet I got a v good one from Autotorque (although I'm a little older than you).
One more thing - don't get too carried away at first. The Elise handles superbly but the charecteristics of a mid engined rear driver are very, very different to front wheel drive. Take extra care in the wet - drive like your Granny. Oh and ignore the chavs in their Novas etc. You and your car have nothing to prove.
Have fun
Oh no! Rough break mate 
Actually, I was at the Dealership were I got mine the other day - the same one you've mentioned - and we were talking sales business and I commented that someone suggested they'd perhaps be a little reluctant to head there for fear of not being taken seriously. The conversation meandered through how you learn to differentiate (sometimes right, sometimes wrong!) between customers and joyriders
His closing comment centred around insurance really. He suggested that younger guys should check out cost and whether or not they can actually get insurance on such a car - if yes, then they're more likely to be serious, if no then there's little point going any further of course
Best of luck with the search and I really hope I haven’t come across the slightest bit condescending - certainly not intended
Actually, I was at the Dealership were I got mine the other day - the same one you've mentioned - and we were talking sales business and I commented that someone suggested they'd perhaps be a little reluctant to head there for fear of not being taken seriously. The conversation meandered through how you learn to differentiate (sometimes right, sometimes wrong!) between customers and joyriders
His closing comment centred around insurance really. He suggested that younger guys should check out cost and whether or not they can actually get insurance on such a car - if yes, then they're more likely to be serious, if no then there's little point going any further of course
Best of luck with the search and I really hope I haven’t come across the slightest bit condescending - certainly not intended
Edited by Janitor on Monday 19th June 22:36
Hi Chrix, what happened?
Saw a yellow 51 plate S2 at a Merc dealers today down Truro way. Not sure of miles etc but the car is being sold as Merc approved. Perhaps a bit overpriced at either £14 or £15k.
I'm down that way again over the next few days so will get more details and kick the tyres if you're interested.
Sorry to hear about the other car.
Cheers, Tim.
Saw a yellow 51 plate S2 at a Merc dealers today down Truro way. Not sure of miles etc but the car is being sold as Merc approved. Perhaps a bit overpriced at either £14 or £15k.
I'm down that way again over the next few days so will get more details and kick the tyres if you're interested.
Sorry to hear about the other car.
Cheers, Tim.
They have just decided to keep the car, which I suppose is fair enough as it is a really nice example from what I saw, but still, i'm gutted. Am planning on heading over to Peninsula at the weekend so will bear in mind what you said Janitor.
14-15k is a bit much for me Tim, but thanks anyway! I guess i'll have to be prepared to travel a bit now if I want one within a decent amount of time.
14-15k is a bit much for me Tim, but thanks anyway! I guess i'll have to be prepared to travel a bit now if I want one within a decent amount of time.
Edited by ChriX on Monday 19th June 23:05
ChriX, as far as I can recall the car my friend saw was at a garage in Probus (about 5 miles east of Truro), don't know any more yet but Probus is only small and the only listings I can find are:
Garage Name: Peschkes W
Telephone: 01726 882786
Address: Thrift Cottage/The Green, Probus, Truro, TR2 4LP
Garage Name: Collins Roger
Telephone: 01726 882875
Address: The Green, Probus, Truro, TR2 4LP
As you can see they both have the same adress so it should be easy to track down and the B3275 from Tresillian (A390) to Fraddon (A30) is a good Elise road when it's clear.
Unfortunately I'm a bit pulled out at work and at home at the moment so won't be able to swing by for a look........
Unless we run out of milk at home
Be patient, the right one will come along.
Edited to Add: Interesting one on Autotrader at the moment:
1998 LOTUS ELISE Elise 2dr Convertible,
20,000 miles, aubergine 165 bhp mot fsh alarm/immobiliser rear spoiler s/s exhaust one previous owner excellent condition. £10,250. onoTelephone: 01326 372215
Price: £10,250 ono
And a couple of S1s listed at Peninsula.
Good Luck.
Garage Name: Peschkes W
Telephone: 01726 882786
Address: Thrift Cottage/The Green, Probus, Truro, TR2 4LP
Garage Name: Collins Roger
Telephone: 01726 882875
Address: The Green, Probus, Truro, TR2 4LP
As you can see they both have the same adress so it should be easy to track down and the B3275 from Tresillian (A390) to Fraddon (A30) is a good Elise road when it's clear.
Unfortunately I'm a bit pulled out at work and at home at the moment so won't be able to swing by for a look........
Unless we run out of milk at home
Be patient, the right one will come along.
Edited to Add: Interesting one on Autotrader at the moment:
1998 LOTUS ELISE Elise 2dr Convertible,
20,000 miles, aubergine 165 bhp mot fsh alarm/immobiliser rear spoiler s/s exhaust one previous owner excellent condition. £10,250. onoTelephone: 01326 372215
Price: £10,250 ono
And a couple of S1s listed at Peninsula.
Good Luck.
Edited by Turnamere on Tuesday 20th June 10:40
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