high mileage example, anyone know it?

[sramdeen]

going to have a look at an Elise (EU54 AAZ) with 49,000 miles on the clock. The dealer says it's just about to have an A service done before sale, which, if I read the service schedule correctly, is a few thousand miles late.
It's up for just under 15k. It's got: A/C, hard top, storm titanium. Is this a good price, considering it will need a 'C' service in a few thousand miles and it's high mileage for the yar? Does anyone know anything about the car?

What checks would fellow Elise owners recommend? Is the HPI check all its cracked up to be? Will that definitely show if its been Cat D'd or worse?

Off to re-read the buyers' FAQ AGAIN AND AGAIN

Many thanks, it's starting to get exciting!

Stu

[TonyHetherington]

The sevice schedule could be a bit mis-leading; for example I've serviced mine early a couple of times (pre-big trips) and so you end up out of sync with the 9/18/27/36 theory, or of course if the car's done less than 9k a year (which doesn't stack up for the 49k 54 plate).

So long as the schedule goes AABAAC it's fine

[kevin ritson]

Ask to have a look at the log book for the service history and compare.

Also bearing in mind your location see if Lakeside can give it the once over, I think Steve Williams may have a lot on his plate. I wouldn't pay the AA or RAC to do this, the car is far too specialised despite it's humble running gear.

[S Works]

Kevin and Tony's advice is spot on, especially the getting the car checked by a specialist bit. If you do nothing else, that is the one thing you should do for peace of mind.

P.S. Yes, HPI is worth it. It will show if it's on the register, and will show if there's any outstanding finance against it.

[sramdeen]

cool! Going to see it tomorrow evening, will give Lakeside a bell in the morning. Fingers crossed they can squeeze me in sometime. Failing that, I'll ask on here again for another well-known inspector that could get to the car (it's in central London).
Cheers!
Stu

[sramdeen]

well, the dealer has cancelled on me twice and ignored my phone calls this evening, so I'm taking that as a sign that I'm not meant to buy this car. I've now seen other 111Ss with A/C for only a grand more with half the mileage, so I don't think it was actually such a great price. On with the hunt!

[TonyHetherington]

My car's up for sale now (a/c 111S with hard top)....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/242288.htm

[sramdeen]

I know! I saw it and it looks bloody lovely! A tad over my price range, however (15k) and, although my favourite colour is black, I'm not sure if I'd have the discipline to keep it clean! My current (black) car looks like a pile of poo!

Edited by sramdeen on Friday 14th September 09:17

[TonyHetherington]

Thanks

Black, as you say, is notoriously difficult to keep looking spot on but if you do it regularly it's not so bad. It's just that 1 day after awshing it (especially in this climate) it looks dirty again.

Doh!!!