Mk 2 elise V 964

[steve1968]

Got my next car shortlist down to 2 but not sure which way to go .

Had a 1988 911 and elan turbo in the past so sort of know what i'm looking at, 14k ish max is my budget .

Only do about 4k miles a year , mostly over winter as use ktm when gritters are not out.

Which car is going to cost the least in terms of depreciation , servicing, tax , insurance etc ?

Anyone owned both ?

Driving 325 sport compact {03} at moment .

Any advice welcome

Thanks steve

[TIPPER]

I don't suppose either is the ideal winter car. The Elise certainly isn't: you'll be using it when many of us choose to leave them at home. The Elise would almost certainly be cheaper to run and I'd like to think that prices have bottomed out but I'm not too sure. I reckon minters may be turning the corner but I'm not too sure about cars that are enjoyed although well cared for. Scabby ones will probably keep going down towards the £5k level. (IMO of course).
I don't suppose a good 964 has any further to fall but it could be expensive to run in comparison to the Elise.
I'd take the Porker.

[Gad-Westy]

steve1968 said:

Which car is going to cost the least in terms of depreciation , servicing, tax , insurance etc ?

Anyone owned both ?

I don't think you could buy a £14k Elise that'll depreciate less than a 964, mainly because I doubt the 964 will depreciate at all if you look after it. That said, if one crept under budget, something like an S1 Exige may hold its value better than a more common S2 derivative. I'd be very surprised if there was much cost difference in terms of routine servicing. There are plenty of Porsche specialists around so labour rates should be competitive. No idea about tax. My S1 costs me £180 per year. Can't see the porsche being much different. At 4k miles per year, assuming you're not particualrly young, insurance should be very reasonable on either car. Are you going to be insuring it on classic/second car policy or would this be your only car?

So there you go, I seem to be recommending the Porsche on a purely financial basis but which one is actually pulling at your heart strings? Have you driven both? Surely this is what you'll base your decision on ultimately.

[Paul RN]

Independant Lotus Specialist hourly labout rate tends to be aroun £45ph inc VAT. Not sure what a Porsche independant specialist would be charging, I'd guess at more.