Elise S - Where and How to Buy?

[atomicpunk]

Having owned an S1 and an Esprit in the past few years, I'm looking to get back into the Lotus fold with a new Elise S

Having looked at the various dealer sites and the ads on Pistonheads, I'm getting increasingly confused; and the Lotus site isn't helping at all as the information available appears basic at best!

Deep breath..... My questions are:

1. What are the best finance deals available at the moment (I'm looking for a deal with 36 monthly payments followed by a balloon payment)? I saw that there were some finance offers advertised by most of the dealers before Christmas but these don't appear to be around any more.

2. Is it worthwhile going for one of the 07 model year cars that are around at a cheaper price, as opposed to the 08 models with the federal dash? Or will the relative depreciation cancel this out pretty quickly?

3. Should I be wary of ex-demo models as I've seen quite a few available at good discounts? I'm thinking they might have been, erm, thrashed a bit! I've been thinking about these, for example:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/216623.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/216433.htm

4. Any colours to avoid? I'm really tempted by white, but will it kill the resale value later on?!

4. Any recommendations for a dealer? I've dealt with Bell & Colvil in the past as they're the most local but am willing to venture further afield for the best deal.

Any advice welcome!

Thanks.

[Stephanie Plum]

I can't answer the finance questions, but in terms of which dealer, I would vote for B&C every time - I have bought three cars from them so they must be doing something right

Also on the ex demo question - I also wonder whether they've been thrashed or not, but today Scott at B&C chucked me the keys for his new SC Elise demonstrator and suggested I might put some miles on it for him

I drove off with his request to keep it under 4000/4500 revs ringing in my ears. If he's that careful running it in, it bodes well for how they treat their demos I suspect....?

Have fun - whatever you buy

(edited cos I can't spell)

Edited by Stephanie Plum on Sunday 27th January 22:17

[Chris49]

Just stunning!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/216433.htm

[Twit]

Finance, no idea, but seeing as Lotus run their own finance schemes I'm sure any dealer can give a quote.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a demo as I know how I've driven demo cars and I'm sure I'm not that different to anyone else!

Colours, go for what you want. I think white is awesome and love white cars. But, the colour is very current, in three years time it may not be as trendy and I guess could be iffy from a value point of view. I know Porsche dealers still say white will knock value...

Dealers, not Been to B and C, but have dealt with Hadley Green in Barnet and found them really good.

[atomicpunk]

Yep, I'm really leaning towards that white one at the moment!

[riwiho]

Chris49 said:

Just stunning!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/216433.htm

I have actually driven that car. Its a great great car. In terms of a white Elise I personally think they look fantastic (get some black wheels on that white S and it would look very menacing) but its a personal thing and when it comes to resale it may be a little harder to sell than a black vehicle, for example, as white is a marmite color.

I can recommend Christopher Neils (CN), they were very helpful with all questions and multiple visits, test drives I had before I finally settled on my car.

CN were very accommodating on the finance and did me a brilliant package similar to the one you are looking for. As a main dealer they are also willing to negotiate on all variables such as:

- services
- API on the finance
- actual price (obviously)
- fuel
- black wheels perhaps?

[atomicpunk]

Brilliant, thanks for that info. I'll definitely be giving them a call tomorrow to see what they can do for me. Watch this space!

[TIPPER]

Loving that white car. Looks great.

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Found CNs very helpful as well, so helpful that I bought my R from them, it was up for same money as that S is going for, but with 3.5k on the clock (55 plate)

[London Lotus]

atomicpunk said:

Having owned an S1 and an Esprit in the past few years, I'm looking to get back into the Lotus fold with a new Elise S

Having looked at the various dealer sites and the ads on Pistonheads, I'm getting increasingly confused; and the Lotus site isn't helping at all as the information available appears basic at best!

Deep breath..... My questions are:

1. What are the best finance deals available at the moment (I'm looking for a deal with 36 monthly payments followed by a balloon payment)? I saw that there were some finance offers advertised by most of the dealers before Christmas but these don't appear to be around any more.

2. Is it worthwhile going for one of the 07 model year cars that are around at a cheaper price, as opposed to the 08 models with the federal dash? Or will the relative depreciation cancel this out pretty quickly?

3. Should I be wary of ex-demo models as I've seen quite a few available at good discounts? I'm thinking they might have been, erm, thrashed a bit! I've been thinking about these, for example:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/216623.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/216433.htm

4. Any colours to avoid? I'm really tempted by white, but will it kill the resale value later on?!

4. Any recommendations for a dealer? I've dealt with Bell & Colvil in the past as they're the most local but am willing to venture further afield for the best deal.

Any advice welcome!

Thanks.

We have an Elise S in Ice White (Premium Paint) with Air Conditioning and Touring Pack (Black Leather) in physical stock: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/333491.htm.

For your information also we are running a finance campaign with Lotus at the moment called the Great Escape. Low rate Hire Purchase and Lease Purchase deals.

If you want to give us a call, we have an Elise S you could drive and we could discuss the best deal and finance options

[jb111s]

Don't bother with the finance deals. For 20k get yourself a decent low milage 1-2 year old R with aircon & all the fancy bits like hardtop & touring pack & just take out a 3 or 4 year bank loan. You get a better car for the price & you own it outright after 3/4 years without having a balloon payment at the end.

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Depends how much you can afford to spend each month though doesn't it?

[hueandcry71]

I found Christopher Neils to be very good as well and the service department is superb.I also found London Lotus to be excellent when i bought my current car.Almost bought one from Lipscombe and they too were very helpful.

[atomicpunk]

The deal is done!

Picking up next Tuesday. Jeff at CN was massively helpful and gave me what I think was a really good deal; also, the car is being supplied with black R wheels....

Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice.

Photos will be posted next week!!

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Mmmm, black wheels. Was tempted for mine, but I think they look best on the lighter colours, don't look so good on Mag Blue, compared with White, Orange or Solar.

[riwiho]

atomicpunk said:

The deal is done!

Picking up next Tuesday. Jeff at CN was massively helpful and gave me what I think was a really good deal; also, the car is being supplied with black R wheels....

Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice.

Photos will be posted next week!!

You legend. That sounds the muts nuts. Its going to be a shame to see that white Elise go as I pass by 3/4 times a week, with the black wheels it should look the bees knees and I hope Jeff managed to get the wheels done as part of the package as I suggested?

Congrats and make sure you get some pictures up

[atomicpunk]

Yep, the wheels were part of the deal. Thanks again for the advice and look out for me next Tuesday!

[riwiho]

atomicpunk said:

Yep, the wheels were part of the deal. Thanks again for the advice and look out for me next Tuesday!

Time you picking her up? I would love to see it all nicely done up with the black wheels.

[hueandcry71]

atomicpunk said:

Yep, the wheels were part of the deal. Thanks again for the advice and look out for me next Tuesday!

Congratulations, you now need to start saving for a hard top to really finish the appearance off!!

[atomicpunk]

Due to pick up mid-morning. More than happy for you to swing by and check it out!