I'm gonna do it....
Discussion
Right, that's it. After much messing about and a few test drives, I've finally decided to stump up and buy an Elise.
The question is, where from? I've just visited my local Lotus dealer, and as well as being quite expensive, he gave some suspect answers to a few questions I had, namely concerning the performance of P-Zeros on the wet, and likewise for the original MMC brakes.
Given the fact that he was asking at least a good £2k more than a private sale of similar spec, what would you guys suggest? Is the gamble of a private sale worth the risk. I'll give the dealer his due, all the cars were immaculately presented.
How many people here have ventured into private sales?
Cheers
James
The question is, where from? I've just visited my local Lotus dealer, and as well as being quite expensive, he gave some suspect answers to a few questions I had, namely concerning the performance of P-Zeros on the wet, and likewise for the original MMC brakes.
Given the fact that he was asking at least a good £2k more than a private sale of similar spec, what would you guys suggest? Is the gamble of a private sale worth the risk. I'll give the dealer his due, all the cars were immaculately presented.
How many people here have ventured into private sales?
Cheers
James
Right, that's it. After much messing about and a few test drives, I've finally decided to stump up and buy an Elise.
Good Move!
The question is, where from? I've just visited my local Lotus dealer, and as well as being quite expensive, he gave some suspect answers to a few questions I had, namely concerning the performance of P-Zeros on the wet,
P-Zeros in the wet are'nt that bad but the Yokos are better kind of like saying Dannii is rubbish you should have a kylie instead. The biggest issue with PZeros is they don't make them any more so you will have to go across to the TOYO's or the YOKO's - And you can only get YOKO's from Lotus Dealers.
and likewise for the original MMC brakes.
Twit was talking about these the other day - just takes some getting used to apparently...
Given the fact that he was asking at least a good £2k more than a private sale of similar spec, what would you guys suggest? Is the gamble of a private sale worth the risk. I'll give the dealer his due, all the cars were immaculately presented.
How many people here have ventured into private sales?
I bought mine private but if i had'nt known the previous owner and helped him choose the car in the first place I'd have gone to an independant like Paul Matty (www.paulmattysportscars.co.uk) or Adrian Blyth (www.adrianblyth.co.uk)
He didn't say they were good in the wet did he?
Yep, he said "they are a fantastic tyre, and I've never heard of any problems with them in the wet"
I suppose the advantage with buying from a dealer lies in the warranty. Lotus were offering 1yr, allbeit an aftermarket (carplan) job. I just don't fancy taking a risk on a private sale, as I'm sure the average AA / RAC inspector isn't clued up on the Elise. I have read all the buyers guides that are lurking on the web, but I'm still afraid of missing something major.
I suppose it's just a question of how much i want to gamble. I'll have a look round some independents I think.
Cheers Guys
Yep, he said "they are a fantastic tyre, and I've never heard of any problems with them in the wet"
LOL, although opinion is divided on their performance, and it seems generally accepted that they are great in the dry, the vast majority seem to think that they do not disperse water very well in wet conditions (as they are really designed for a heavier car), and as such catch a lot of people out (me for instance), you get used to tons of grip and progressive break away, and then it rains and the first fast roundabout you get to you come off sideways!
.. or you could just ask how come Lotus themselves recommend something else now.
I suppose the advantage with buying from a dealer lies in the warranty. Lotus were offering 1yr, allbeit an aftermarket (carplan) job.
Hmmm, shouldn't a dealer be offering at least the Lotus backed warranty?
Lets face it you could buy the warranty yourself, probably for less.
I just don't fancy taking a risk on a private sale, as I'm sure the average AA / RAC inspector isn't clued up on the Elise. I have read all the buyers guides that are lurking on the web, but I'm still afraid of missing something major.
I suppose it's just a question of how much i want to gamble. I'll have a look round some independents I think.
Sounds a good plan, I guess the main problem is that some things you just ain't going to discover without a bit of expert knowledge...
...best of luck with whatever you go for!
CH
jimbob_s said: I suppose it's just a question of how much i want to gamble. I'll have a look round some independents I think.
You could try Sinclaire's, I think they do an inspection service and they are South East based too. They are Elise experts.
Otherwise, Adrian Blyth (independent) has a good reputation here and prices seem good too.
I bought from Bell & Colvill in West Horsley near Guildford. They are a franchised dealer but some prices did not seem too bad. Like you I went for a dealer rather than private as I could not afford to buy a bad one. They had a selection of S1's and S2's for sale.
Ok I paid a little more, but full 12 month warranty, refurbished alloys (like new), all stone chips done, service done (even though it was nowhere near due). Also gives me someone to aim Mrs CVP at if it goes bang in a big way
As Bonce said, you pays your money....
Seriously though,
DO IT As the Hagen Das advert tells you, "you can rediscover your joy"
Chris
[qoute] Hmmm, shouldn't a dealer be offering at least the Lotus backed warranty?
Lets face it you could buy the warranty yourself, probably for less.
That's what I thought, but he claimed that the Lotus warranty wasn't very good, as Lotus tried to wangle out of most of the warranty claims. Still strikes me as dubious.
I also asked him if the P-Zeros were great in the wet, how come they aren't used on the S2 Elise. That was for a "different" reason apparantly....
Thanks for the advice guys, I'll let you know how I get on....
James
Lets face it you could buy the warranty yourself, probably for less.
That's what I thought, but he claimed that the Lotus warranty wasn't very good, as Lotus tried to wangle out of most of the warranty claims. Still strikes me as dubious.
I also asked him if the P-Zeros were great in the wet, how come they aren't used on the S2 Elise. That was for a "different" reason apparantly....
Thanks for the advice guys, I'll let you know how I get on....
James
Well pzeros were swapped for bridgestones on the S2 as bridgestone were willing to develop a tyre specifically for the Elise.
I bought my S2 privately because it was immaculate saved me a couple of g, and by all accounts the warranty is pretty hopeless.
Its a fairly simple car, and not that expensive to maintain, but if you are buying an older one you need to be careful of worn parts etc (e.g. steering racks, dampers etc.) as they get a hard life in the Elise so do need to be changed after a while.
Your choice in the end
I've not regretted buying mine privately though.Jimbob - definetly get one!
I have just got mine, bought it from Adrian Blyth - recommended! And I am loving it! I am still a bit paranoid about everything and I am monitoring the coolant level daily.... But it is great fun.
My advice would be, go on condition not age and don't get to hung up about low mileage etc. The engine itself is rock solid it's the consumables that seem to go, if you find a five year old car with 5000 miles I would think that used regularly it would need more doing in the first six months than one that is already used regularly. My biggest fear was / is the same as everyone else - head gasket failure! I have put enough away so that I could cope with that happening. And, as I said I am monotoring the fluid carefully!
The MMCs are really not a problem. I have driven a fair bit in the wet now and I have not had a problem, they seem fine. Just leave a gap in front of you and be prepared to hit the brakes, come off and on again. In the dry they are fantastic and bite really well. The only annoying thing is the squeak when they are cold... Bit like chalk and blackboard, not nice!
As for private vs dealer, it depends on the car, look at both. On the BBS board there is a thread about the lack of good quality S1s about actually pushing S1 prices up, that seems about right!! Dealer will give a warrenty but private will be cheaper...
Even the hoods are not the horror I thought it may be. The first rain poured in but after recentring the hood and half a can of scotchgard it has not leaked at all, not a drop... Even today when it lashed down.
All in I am well chuffed, I am usding the elise everyday and all seems well!!
Twit
I have just got mine, bought it from Adrian Blyth - recommended! And I am loving it! I am still a bit paranoid about everything and I am monitoring the coolant level daily.... But it is great fun.
My advice would be, go on condition not age and don't get to hung up about low mileage etc. The engine itself is rock solid it's the consumables that seem to go, if you find a five year old car with 5000 miles I would think that used regularly it would need more doing in the first six months than one that is already used regularly. My biggest fear was / is the same as everyone else - head gasket failure! I have put enough away so that I could cope with that happening. And, as I said I am monotoring the fluid carefully!
The MMCs are really not a problem. I have driven a fair bit in the wet now
and I have not had a problem, they seem fine. Just leave a gap in front of you and be prepared to hit the brakes, come off and on again. In the dry they are fantastic and bite really well. The only annoying thing is the squeak when they are cold... Bit like chalk and blackboard, not nice! As for private vs dealer, it depends on the car, look at both. On the BBS board there is a thread about the lack of good quality S1s about actually pushing S1 prices up, that seems about right!! Dealer will give a warrenty but private will be cheaper...
Even the hoods are not the horror I thought it may be. The first rain poured in but after recentring the hood and half a can of scotchgard it has not leaked at all, not a drop... Even today when it lashed down.
All in I am well chuffed, I am usding the elise everyday and all seems well!!
Twit
Have a loot at these sites
www.elise-faq.info - buying section
www.elises.co.uk - generally
mucho usefull info . . .
Fd
www.elise-faq.info - buying section
www.elises.co.uk - generally
mucho usefull info . . .
Fd
Two months ago, bought privately after knowing nothing about Elises other than that they looked and sounded cool and I wanted one. Got seller to take car to Bell and Colville where I paid £110 for the most unbelievably thorough check.
Two months later, no serious problems at all, and the novelty has still not worn off. I have MMC discs - nearly shat myself two or three times in the wet, but I am learning!.
JB
Two months later, no serious problems at all, and the novelty has still not worn off. I have MMC discs - nearly shat myself two or three times in the wet, but I am learning!.
JB
Well what do you know - a good 18 months or so after saying I'll get one.... I actually have
I have to confess to bottling out last time and buying a more practical car. I was all set to do the same again, but I realised that I wouldn't be happy until I finally had one of Hethel's finest.
So I now have a shiny Azure Blue S1, ready for the spring. Many thanks to Peter at Adrian Blythe for the helpful and friendly service - if I ever need another one (an S2 one day, perhaps
) I know where to go.
James
I have to confess to bottling out last time and buying a more practical car. I was all set to do the same again, but I realised that I wouldn't be happy until I finally had one of Hethel's finest.
So I now have a shiny Azure Blue S1, ready for the spring. Many thanks to Peter at Adrian Blythe for the helpful and friendly service - if I ever need another one (an S2 one day, perhaps
) I know where to go. James
Sinclaires have a few cars for sale too...did you try youre local dealer - or was that who you was on about?
I found the local dealer very knowledgeable and great to buy a car from, good aftersales too...been going to Sinclaires since the car was out of warranty though.
What are you lookinng at? S1 or S2? you know you can buy a warranty yourself for a private sale - same as the warranty they are offering - try www.warrantydirect.co.uk, RAC and the AA for aftermarket 'mechanical breakdown insurance; would be the term.
Just bear in mind - a dealer official warranty generally covers everything..as per a new car...on aftermarket jobbies they vary - read the wording carefully.
cheers
bogie
ps - and get along to one of your local lotus meets - details on www.seloc.org - twice monthly
I found the local dealer very knowledgeable and great to buy a car from, good aftersales too...been going to Sinclaires since the car was out of warranty though.
What are you lookinng at? S1 or S2? you know you can buy a warranty yourself for a private sale - same as the warranty they are offering - try www.warrantydirect.co.uk, RAC and the AA for aftermarket 'mechanical breakdown insurance; would be the term.
Just bear in mind - a dealer official warranty generally covers everything..as per a new car...on aftermarket jobbies they vary - read the wording carefully.
cheers
bogie
ps - and get along to one of your local lotus meets - details on www.seloc.org - twice monthly
Bogie - I looked at Wilsons, but they didn't have anything in my price range. I live 5 mins walk from Wilsons, and about 10 mins drive from Sinclaires, so I have plenty of choice for servicing
S_works - She came with some nice Yoko LTSs already on
I'll take a look at SELOC wrt to some meets.
S_works - She came with some nice Yoko LTSs already on
I'll take a look at SELOC wrt to some meets.
Jim,
Don't rule out private sellers. In my experience, for the most part, elise owners are a great bunch of guys and girls and are unlikely to try and con you. The elise, because of it's very nature, tends to attract enthusiasts - not the sort of people that would try and sell a dodgy motor.
Last year, when looking for my S1 I checked out many private deals, purely because I wanted the best spec motor for my budget. Every owner I came across was decent, helpful and gave me confidence that I was not being "worked over".
At the end of the day, the elise is a simple motor mechanically speaking. If you can find a well looked after, low milage example with good history then there really isn't a lot to go wrong. Try and find one that's had a grand or so spent on a recent "c" service, if not, like any potential work needed, use it as a bargaining point.
Some sort of major prang is the only thing to really look out for and an HPI check will tell you that. For peace of mind you could get things checked over by a specialist, but most other faults tend to be minor wear and tear type issues and generally not too costly to put right. If you can put up a set of IKEA shelves you probably have all the skills you need to do most of it yourself!
I found that I got a really good "feeling" from the guy I finally bought my car from and since then the car has been fantastic. Failed her MOT on disks and pads, but the guy I bought it off told me all about them and we reached a sale price taking the work into consideration. There are nice guys (and girls) out there!
Hope it helps.
By the way, P zeros are a great tyre - some argue they handle better on the limit than Advans. The problem is, cars running them tend to have had them on for a few years and the rubber starts to go off. As others have said, they weren't designed for cars as light as the elise so they don't like standing water or greasy roads. In "damp" driving conditions they are fine, providing you don't drive like a chav in ASDA's carpark.
Cheers Dunc
Don't rule out private sellers. In my experience, for the most part, elise owners are a great bunch of guys and girls and are unlikely to try and con you. The elise, because of it's very nature, tends to attract enthusiasts - not the sort of people that would try and sell a dodgy motor.
Last year, when looking for my S1 I checked out many private deals, purely because I wanted the best spec motor for my budget. Every owner I came across was decent, helpful and gave me confidence that I was not being "worked over".
At the end of the day, the elise is a simple motor mechanically speaking. If you can find a well looked after, low milage example with good history then there really isn't a lot to go wrong. Try and find one that's had a grand or so spent on a recent "c" service, if not, like any potential work needed, use it as a bargaining point.
Some sort of major prang is the only thing to really look out for and an HPI check will tell you that. For peace of mind you could get things checked over by a specialist, but most other faults tend to be minor wear and tear type issues and generally not too costly to put right. If you can put up a set of IKEA shelves you probably have all the skills you need to do most of it yourself!
I found that I got a really good "feeling" from the guy I finally bought my car from and since then the car has been fantastic. Failed her MOT on disks and pads, but the guy I bought it off told me all about them and we reached a sale price taking the work into consideration. There are nice guys (and girls) out there!
Hope it helps.
By the way, P zeros are a great tyre - some argue they handle better on the limit than Advans. The problem is, cars running them tend to have had them on for a few years and the rubber starts to go off. As others have said, they weren't designed for cars as light as the elise so they don't like standing water or greasy roads. In "damp" driving conditions they are fine, providing you don't drive like a chav in ASDA's carpark.
Cheers Dunc
Just bought my first Elise privately.
My tips....
1)Never get carried away when you see it - they look fantastic, you really want one, but remember how much you've had to work for the cash to pay for it....
2)Always get a HPI check done
3)Ensure the VIN/Engine No's etc tie up with the V5
4)Test drive(or get driven in) a few to get used to what they should sound like
5)ALWAYS go to the address on the V5 and inside - be sure they're who they say they are !
6)Check the colour of the paint and panel fit all over
7)Check any documentation carefully and phone the garage where it was last serviced to cross check the details if possible - they will usually oblige
As has been said, most Elise owners love their cars, but use your common sense and above all be sure that all the 'pieces' fit and that you trust the seller.
£2-3k is a lot to pay on top just for a dealer, but bear in mind they are taking the risk on your behalf.
Hope you get a good one.....ENJOY
>> Edited by sketchytrail on Thursday 20th January 16:07
My tips....
1)Never get carried away when you see it - they look fantastic, you really want one, but remember how much you've had to work for the cash to pay for it....
2)Always get a HPI check done
3)Ensure the VIN/Engine No's etc tie up with the V5
4)Test drive(or get driven in) a few to get used to what they should sound like
5)ALWAYS go to the address on the V5 and inside - be sure they're who they say they are !
6)Check the colour of the paint and panel fit all over
7)Check any documentation carefully and phone the garage where it was last serviced to cross check the details if possible - they will usually oblige
As has been said, most Elise owners love their cars, but use your common sense and above all be sure that all the 'pieces' fit and that you trust the seller.
£2-3k is a lot to pay on top just for a dealer, but bear in mind they are taking the risk on your behalf.
Hope you get a good one.....ENJOY
>> Edited by sketchytrail on Thursday 20th January 16:07
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