should i buy an elise
Discussion
hi all,
im in need of some advise. I currectly own a peugeot 106 gti, not the fastest and most desirable of cars but it was the best car (for the price) that (so far) has been very reliable and a joy to drive. Anyway, it has seen me through my apprenticship and into a posistion where i can afford to buy something a little more expensive. Would it be foolish to suggest an elise as an everyday car...bearing i mind that im only 21 and a harsh ride is the least of my concerns...as i understand it has relitivly good fuel ecomony, road tax prices and of course the legendry handling. Could i rely on one to be run everyday reliably or is there the need (as with many sports cars) to pay extra special attention and keep up with short service intervals?? any help much appreciated!!!
im in need of some advise. I currectly own a peugeot 106 gti, not the fastest and most desirable of cars but it was the best car (for the price) that (so far) has been very reliable and a joy to drive. Anyway, it has seen me through my apprenticship and into a posistion where i can afford to buy something a little more expensive. Would it be foolish to suggest an elise as an everyday car...bearing i mind that im only 21 and a harsh ride is the least of my concerns...as i understand it has relitivly good fuel ecomony, road tax prices and of course the legendry handling. Could i rely on one to be run everyday reliably or is there the need (as with many sports cars) to pay extra special attention and keep up with short service intervals?? any help much appreciated!!!
Pretty cheap to run as long as you don't need bits made by lotus. 35mpg+ if you're kind to them. Insurance and servicing expensive but specialists on both can save you a fair bit.
Do get a quote though - at 21 you'll be paying several thousand I imagine. Std S1 id group 17 all others are group 20. At 26 (5yrs ago) with clean licence and full NCD I paid £1000
Do get a quote though - at 21 you'll be paying several thousand I imagine. Std S1 id group 17 all others are group 20. At 26 (5yrs ago) with clean licence and full NCD I paid £1000
Firstly, the 106 Gti is one of the best hot hatches ever, and certainly one of the best value performance cars ever.
Secondly, plenty of us do use our Elises everyday (I certainly do). The S2 models are most suited to everyday use, specifically the ones with short hoods (quick and easier to get up if it rains). There are also a plethora of options to make your life easier using the car everyday. I actually found that once the car was quitened down a bit I appreciated the driving experience more, but some people feel the opposite is true. People also vary in how much comfort they need. A friend of mine used his bog standard S1 for a motorway commute for years. He ran it up to 52,000 miles in the end and never once complained.
Providing your budget will allow it, I'd recommend getting along to a Lotus dealer to have a sit in a few different cars and try them out. Personally, I ended up deciding on the exact model I wanted quite early on (an S2 111S) and just saving a bit more to get it, which I've appreciated in the long run.
Secondly, plenty of us do use our Elises everyday (I certainly do). The S2 models are most suited to everyday use, specifically the ones with short hoods (quick and easier to get up if it rains). There are also a plethora of options to make your life easier using the car everyday. I actually found that once the car was quitened down a bit I appreciated the driving experience more, but some people feel the opposite is true. People also vary in how much comfort they need. A friend of mine used his bog standard S1 for a motorway commute for years. He ran it up to 52,000 miles in the end and never once complained.
Providing your budget will allow it, I'd recommend getting along to a Lotus dealer to have a sit in a few different cars and try them out. Personally, I ended up deciding on the exact model I wanted quite early on (an S2 111S) and just saving a bit more to get it, which I've appreciated in the long run.
thanks for the feedback...much appreciated.
Insurance is perhaps going to be one of the main concerns, first quick look on moneysupermarket shows the cheapest quote at just under £1800 on a high voluntary excess. The ride quality, like i said is not a main concern, im used to a quite hard ride at the minute which doesnt particulary bother me. I also considered a clio trophy which although having amazing handling, being better equiped and having cheaper insurance premiums, doesnt have the edge on the elise for (proper) driving pleasure. Im also keen to own something with RWD as oppose to the FWD im used to and the elise seemed the perfect car to get to grips with, and to enjoy driving from the rear!
As you say, driving one properly will give me an idea of what will be the best option...though driving pleasure has a tendancy to throw common sense right out of the window where my money is concerned. Is that called 'being young'??
Insurance is perhaps going to be one of the main concerns, first quick look on moneysupermarket shows the cheapest quote at just under £1800 on a high voluntary excess. The ride quality, like i said is not a main concern, im used to a quite hard ride at the minute which doesnt particulary bother me. I also considered a clio trophy which although having amazing handling, being better equiped and having cheaper insurance premiums, doesnt have the edge on the elise for (proper) driving pleasure. Im also keen to own something with RWD as oppose to the FWD im used to and the elise seemed the perfect car to get to grips with, and to enjoy driving from the rear!
As you say, driving one properly will give me an idea of what will be the best option...though driving pleasure has a tendancy to throw common sense right out of the window where my money is concerned. Is that called 'being young'??
You'll find the ride quality superb on all Elises to be honest. The everyday useability more concerns the fiddiliness of the hood (which the S2 short tail hood completely solves), and the noise on the motorways (my 111S has sound deadening everywhere as standard to avoid that).
Something else worth mentioning is where it's safe to leave the car as they attract attention from vandals, and you'll probably care about it a lot. I'm guess you're quite young from your posts, so you might like to go out in town at the weekends like I do. I don't leave my car anywhere in the evenings any more since it was vandalised on a Friday night (in a car park awarded an "AA safe car park award"
). This is such a problem I'm currently looking at buying an old BMW that I'm happy leaving places.
Something else worth mentioning is where it's safe to leave the car as they attract attention from vandals, and you'll probably care about it a lot. I'm guess you're quite young from your posts, so you might like to go out in town at the weekends like I do. I don't leave my car anywhere in the evenings any more since it was vandalised on a Friday night (in a car park awarded an "AA safe car park award"
). This is such a problem I'm currently looking at buying an old BMW that I'm happy leaving places.Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 22 November 11:55
As people have said, an Elise is a perfectly usable daily drive and many of us use them every day. Personally I wouldn't buy one at 21 as a first sports car though for various reasons.
1) Leaving an Elise parted on the street can be asking for trouble which makes going round to friend's houses and getting pissed then collapsing on their floor harder.
2) Unless you're very restrained for a 21 year old, the car will end up in a hedge.
3) If you do hit something, it can be a very expensive car to repair. If you damage an expensive car, even if it's a relatively light knock, insurance companies may just laugh at you when you try to re-insure it.
Personally, if I was you I'd get a cheap MX-5 to run for a few years while you get used to the idea of a sports car, then switch to an Elise if you still like the idea.
1) Leaving an Elise parted on the street can be asking for trouble which makes going round to friend's houses and getting pissed then collapsing on their floor harder.
2) Unless you're very restrained for a 21 year old, the car will end up in a hedge.
3) If you do hit something, it can be a very expensive car to repair. If you damage an expensive car, even if it's a relatively light knock, insurance companies may just laugh at you when you try to re-insure it.
Personally, if I was you I'd get a cheap MX-5 to run for a few years while you get used to the idea of a sports car, then switch to an Elise if you still like the idea.
I use an Elise S2 as my daily, and its fine. Space wise, its completely fine provided you can stack the weekly shopping up on the passenger seat. Clearly you're not gonna get much flat pack furniture in there, but typical day to day run around its spot on, great fun, and turns more heads than you can imagine.
Sounds like you're quite budget-concious so just a few things to hilight.
1) Insurance is pretty high, so shop around
2) They might insist on a tracker fitted, cant remember the exact cost but its about 2-300 or so installed and subscribed.
3) Take out a warranty to cover any failures, or its bloody expensive. Some peeps on here rate the AA warranty, I've got one with Olympic - cost is around 200 quid a year, but well worth it, its more then covered its cost so far for bits here and there.
4) Various options/models to consider but be aware of the potential Rover K series Head Gasget Failure issue. I dont want to get into the debate here, some say its a problem, some disagree, but either way read up on the subject. Mines got this engine and I've had one HGF in the last 18 month. Hence the fact I recommend a warranty.
5) Servicing can be expensive so check where the schedule is up to. Servicing runs AAB AAC, C service could cost almost a grand a pop, so make sure you're aware of where its up to.
Go ahead and make the leap - you'll not be disappointed - fantastic cars for the money.
PS Clio Trophy is also a good car, I used to have a 182 and loved it also. Main difference is the head-turning the Elise has compared to any other car I've owned !!
HTH
Sounds like you're quite budget-concious so just a few things to hilight.
1) Insurance is pretty high, so shop around
2) They might insist on a tracker fitted, cant remember the exact cost but its about 2-300 or so installed and subscribed.
3) Take out a warranty to cover any failures, or its bloody expensive. Some peeps on here rate the AA warranty, I've got one with Olympic - cost is around 200 quid a year, but well worth it, its more then covered its cost so far for bits here and there.
4) Various options/models to consider but be aware of the potential Rover K series Head Gasget Failure issue. I dont want to get into the debate here, some say its a problem, some disagree, but either way read up on the subject. Mines got this engine and I've had one HGF in the last 18 month. Hence the fact I recommend a warranty.
5) Servicing can be expensive so check where the schedule is up to. Servicing runs AAB AAC, C service could cost almost a grand a pop, so make sure you're aware of where its up to.
Go ahead and make the leap - you'll not be disappointed - fantastic cars for the money.
PS Clio Trophy is also a good car, I used to have a 182 and loved it also. Main difference is the head-turning the Elise has compared to any other car I've owned !!
HTH
Edited by whygee02 on Thursday 22 November 12:32
They should be fine to use every day.
I dont though.
I *could* use mine everyday, but I want to keep it in the best condition possible. But my main reason has been the worry that if I use it everyday, it wont be as special when I do go out for a "proper" drive.
so I use a banger daily!!
I dont though.
I *could* use mine everyday, but I want to keep it in the best condition possible. But my main reason has been the worry that if I use it everyday, it wont be as special when I do go out for a "proper" drive.
so I use a banger daily!!
Service intervals are either 6k/9k or yearly (which ever is sooner). The mileage 6k or 9k is dependant on the model.
Chadders said:
my main reason has been the worry that if I use it everyday, it wont be as special when I do go out for a "proper" drive.
It just means everyday its a special drive!Edited by Paul RN on Thursday 22 November 13:21
Paul RN said:
Service intervals are either 6k/9k or yearly (which ever is sooner). The mileage 6k or 9k is dependant on the model.
Chadders said:
my main reason has been the worry that if I use it everyday, it wont be as special when I do go out for a "proper" drive.
It just means everyday its a special drive!Edited by Paul RN on Thursday 22 November 13:21
I relish every drive in mine, and it's been my daily driver for nearly two years now 
I have had my Elise from new (1999)!! Absolutely love it, use it every day and would not swap it for anything apart from the same with comfier seats!! It is reliable, cheap to run and above all great fun to drive. I can not imagine driving anything else. p.s. i am 50 and female!!However I am also looking forward to my better half getting his Aston Martin Vantage. As a second car, of course!!
spiralp said:
I have had my Elise from new (1999)!! Absolutely love it, use it every day and would not swap it for anything apart from the same with comfier seats!! It is reliable, cheap to run and above all great fun to drive. I can not imagine driving anything else. p.s. i am 50 and female!!However I am also looking forward to my better half getting his Aston Martin Vantage. As a second car, of course!!
Get your better half to buy you some new probax seats from Lotus for Christmas. Chuck in a new pair of matching sill covers and steering wheel and you'll feel like you've got a new (and much more comfy) car.I'm the same age and fitted a set of S2 seats to mine. Last weekend I covered a 600 mile roundtrip to Bedford and put in a day on track in-between. No discomfort at all.
If you can manage the insurance and the fact that older Elises need a fair bit of tlc to keep them in top shape then go for it. Servicing isn't particularly expensive if you use a specialist rather than Lotus dealer and on the road 35-40 mpg is normal for k series engined cars.
The thing to bear in mind with the Elise is that suspension components that wouldn't be regarded as consumables on Euroboxes are on the Elise. I'm spending over £1300 on parts refreshing the suspension on my 60k miles S1 this winter. The shocks and ball joints have already been replaced at least once. (Labour for the work would be of the order of £2k).
Best advice is decide on a budget (allowing £1000 cash in pocket as a slush fund) and have a look through the buyers guide. Don't worry about performance differences at the mo - they'll all feel very fast after your pug - and on the road there's not that much between different models.
Also allow some money for a Walshy day or two (see carlimits.com). With the greatest respect, at your age I'd have had an Elise through a hedge backwards within a few days/weeks. Mid engines cars have fantastic handling and the Elise especially so but they can and do bite big time if you get it wrong. Its not just age related either - we all like to think we can drive, its just very few of us are any good.
Being old and therefore boring
I'd suggest the MX5 route. Thats a cracking sports car and is a forgiving rear driver. It'll also probably cost a lot less for a nice one.
Whatever you decide happy hunting.
The thing to bear in mind with the Elise is that suspension components that wouldn't be regarded as consumables on Euroboxes are on the Elise. I'm spending over £1300 on parts refreshing the suspension on my 60k miles S1 this winter. The shocks and ball joints have already been replaced at least once. (Labour for the work would be of the order of £2k).
Best advice is decide on a budget (allowing £1000 cash in pocket as a slush fund) and have a look through the buyers guide. Don't worry about performance differences at the mo - they'll all feel very fast after your pug - and on the road there's not that much between different models.
Also allow some money for a Walshy day or two (see carlimits.com). With the greatest respect, at your age I'd have had an Elise through a hedge backwards within a few days/weeks. Mid engines cars have fantastic handling and the Elise especially so but they can and do bite big time if you get it wrong. Its not just age related either - we all like to think we can drive, its just very few of us are any good.
Being old and therefore boring
I'd suggest the MX5 route. Thats a cracking sports car and is a forgiving rear driver. It'll also probably cost a lot less for a nice one.Whatever you decide happy hunting.
spiralp said:
I have had my Elise from new (1999)!! Absolutely love it, use it every day and would not swap it for anything apart from the same with comfier seats!! It is reliable, cheap to run and above all great fun to drive. I can not imagine driving anything else. p.s. i am 50 and female!!However I am also looking forward to my better half getting his Aston Martin Vantage. As a second car, of course!!
It's always nice to hear of other women who drive S1s. I've been using mine every day for the last three weeks because I've changed jobs and no longer wear skirts and heels to work. I'm quickly getting used to the idea of using her everyday, except I found out today that the radiator needs replacing, so she's off the road until it's fixed 
Edited by Mrs Trackside on Thursday 22 November 23:44
Mrs Trackside said:
spiralp said:
I have had my Elise from new (1999)!! Absolutely love it, use it every day and would not swap it for anything apart from the same with comfier seats!! It is reliable, cheap to run and above all great fun to drive. I can not imagine driving anything else. p.s. i am 50 and female!!However I am also looking forward to my better half getting his Aston Martin Vantage. As a second car, of course!!
It's always nice to hear of other women who drive S1s. I've been using mine every day for the last three weeks because I've changed jobs and no longer wear skirts and heels to work. I'm quickly getting used to the idea of using her everyday, except I found out today that the radiator needs replacing, so she's off the road until it's fixed Edited by Mrs Trackside on Thursday 22 November 23:44
Edited by boobles on Friday 23 November 07:53
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