Looking for some feedback on ...

[miro]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/234757.htm

not seen alot of Elise S about so not sure whats a good deal or not. Thinking about going Dealer over private as selling then buying compared to part ex is a pain in the arse. looking at 2-3 year ownership so thought I would go fishing for advice in the best place

[riwiho]

Having looked into Elise S's alot I would say that is an ok buy (the color and wheels are awesome) however it really depends on what you want.

If you are very keen on this color then I would go for this as they are not going to come up very often however if you can live with another color then shop around as there are more and more examples coming up around that price with lower miles or on a newer plate, considering you may well own this car for 2ish years the more of the Lotus warranty the better.

Also keep you eyes peeled for cars bought last Christmas under the 'More is Less' deal from Lotus where new car buyers could buy large option packs for heavy discounts.

There is no reason why you could not have a haggle with the dealership and see what you can achieve.

Also you can get a great R for this money. Have you driven both? Both provied very different types of fun.

Edited by riwiho on Wednesday 19th September 18:48

[fatwomble]

Does look fantastic in that colour scheme.

People seem to have a bit of a downer on the S, but it's no different than having a standard S1 rather than a 111S or more powerfull model.

I doubt it would be noticeably slower on the road than an R. In the back of you mind however there may always be that nagging doubt.

[21TonyK]

fatwomble said:

Does look fantastic in that colour scheme.

People seem to have a bit of a downer on the S, but it's no different than having a standard S1 rather than a 111S or more powerfull model.

I doubt it would be noticeably slower on the road than an R. In the back of you mind however there may always be that nagging doubt.

I was genuinely surprised at how quick the S I had was compared to my Exige. Not as planted or sharp but on the road was more relaxing and "easier" to drive. Almost felt like a GT by comparison! If I was after a car as a daily driver then it would be a hard choice. As it is, it's not, I'll keep my Exige

[miro]

I think i may need another go in an R i think it was the first Elise i drove and as such perhaps i didnt give the power the consideration i should have .. more in awe of the car .. and a litle scared a life of hatchbacks can do this to you. Love the colour but im totaly useless with haggling as i dont know where to start just want a good deal but have no comprehension of value this is a BIG deal for me so id like to get it right. At least know that i got a good deal and that in 2-3 I can sell it on for a fair price.

Plus the dealer is 2 hours away so i cant just pop in. and i dont even know if theyre any good. that and i have to decide on price etc before i go see and then be armed with all the advice so i can join the lotus community properly .......im sure you all see this often with new buyers but i feel like a kid. Its starting to get obsessive If it werent for some of the helpfull people on here i think i would have paid 3k over the odds already.

I think i suffer from a total lack of objectevity i fall in love with a car then end up paying too much. like to avoid that if possible this time

[DucatiGary]

21TonyK said:

I was genuinely surprised at how quick the S I had was compared to my Exige. Not as planted or sharp but on the road was more relaxing and "easier" to drive. Almost felt like a GT by comparison!

quick ?

I know my S1 elise is not exactly standard but the 56 plate S2 elise S i had for 3 weeks was positivly slow in comparrison.

agree on the GT part though but thats not what the elise is all about.

if you buy it then drive a S1 of any kind after you'll sell it straight away.

[riwiho]

DucatiGary said:

21TonyK said:

I was genuinely surprised at how quick the S I had was compared to my Exige. Not as planted or sharp but on the road was more relaxing and "easier" to drive. Almost felt like a GT by comparison!

quick ?

I know my S1 elise is not exactly standard but the 56 plate S2 elise S i had for 3 weeks was positivly slow in comparrison.

agree on the GT part though but thats not what the elise is all about.

if you buy it then drive a S1 of any kind after you'll sell it straight away.

Well its not exactly slow in comparison to other road cars, its just slow when compared to most of the Elise range.

Any car that is sub 6 seconds is fast.

[kevin ritson]

fatwomble said:

People seem to have a bit of a downer on the S, but it's no different than having a standard S1 rather than a 111S or more powerfull model.

Not quite - the CO2 figures for that engine (196 g/km) are terrible considering its output and I wouldn't be surprised if the fuel economy would reflect this too.

The beauty of a K-series is that it was light, and the economy and emissions were excellent. I just feel that if you're not getting a benefit from this then you might as well go for the R.

But if the S is what you want, go for it. It's still a very nice car.

Edited by kevin ritson on Thursday 20th September 14:30

[kambites]

kevin ritson said:

fatwomble said:

People seem to have a bit of a downer on the S, but it's no different than having a standard S1 rather than a 111S or more powerfull model.

Not quite - the CO2 figures for that engine (196 g/km) are terrible considering its output and I wouldn't be surprised if the fuel economy would reflect this too.

The beauty of a K-series is that it was light, and the economy and emissions were excellent. I just feel that if you're not getting a benefit from this then you might as well go for the R.

But if the S is what you want, go for it. It's still a very nice car.

Ah but the 111S was actually better fuel economy and emissions-wise than the standard K-series engined car. Which surely makes the standard car look even more pointless than the S?

I'd buy an older 111R though.

[miro]

all good info . but i am teetering on the verge of buying. If only the dealer would offer some sort of clincher

[riwiho]

miro said:

all good info . but i am teetering on the verge of buying. If only the dealer would offer some sort of clincher

If you dont ask you will never know.

He is not exactly going to turn round and say 'thanks for buying the car have 2k off'

[21TonyK]

DucatiGary said:

21TonyK said:

I was genuinely surprised at how quick the S I had was compared to my Exige. Not as planted or sharp but on the road was more relaxing and "easier" to drive. Almost felt like a GT by comparison!

quick ?

I know my S1 elise is not exactly standard but the 56 plate S2 elise S i had for 3 weeks was positivly slow in comparrison.

agree on the GT part though but thats not what the elise is all about.

if you buy it then drive a S1 of any kind after you'll sell it straight away.

TBH I think it felt quick because I was able to drive it quickly. H&T position (which is very important to me) was spot on and the brakes inspired confidence, plus the throttle response was better than my Exige. (Yes I know it's FBW but it was a sharper pickup, largely attributed to the exhaust). Plus the torque lower down made it feel more responsive. If I was looking for a non-track, every day car for spirited driving on the way too and from work the an Elise S with air-con, touring pack and a decent ICE system would fit the bill quite nicely.

As it is I don't so the S2 Exige is a better option for me , and I am too wimpy for an S1.