Discussion
I am looking for a 2003 Elise S as a weekend fun car my budget is around £12k, obviously there are not a lot about at that price however i have seen one on www.ebay.co.uk item number 290223979049 It look good reasonable mileage etc. wondering what people thoughts were on it?
One thing that is bothering me is the fact it looks like it was adverise on here but the advert has been removed, not sure why you would remove an advert from here when it's a free ad! http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=elise+s... second item down "elise ruduced for quick sale" is there anyway of finding out why the advert was removed?
One thing that is bothering me is the fact it looks like it was adverise on here but the advert has been removed, not sure why you would remove an advert from here when it's a free ad! http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=elise+s... second item down "elise ruduced for quick sale" is there anyway of finding out why the advert was removed?
Looks like it could be an honest car.
However, you wont get 145hp from one without doing some cylinder head work. You'll never get those gains from an exhaust and filter swap.
It's either been modified more extensively, or it's putting out approx 125bhp!
Good colours and a sound history though. Price would be good at £12,250 IMO. Haggle haggle haggle. Buyers market for these at the moment!
However, you wont get 145hp from one without doing some cylinder head work. You'll never get those gains from an exhaust and filter swap.
It's either been modified more extensively, or it's putting out approx 125bhp!
Good colours and a sound history though. Price would be good at £12,250 IMO. Haggle haggle haggle. Buyers market for these at the moment!
egoold said:
I am looking for a 2003 Elise S as a weekend fun car my budget is around £12k, obviously there are not a lot about at that price however i have seen one on www.ebay.co.uk item number 290223979049 It look good reasonable mileage etc. wondering what people thoughts were on it?
One thing that is bothering me is the fact it looks like it was adverise on here but the advert has been removed, not sure why you would remove an advert from here when it's a free ad! http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=elise+s... second item down "elise ruduced for quick sale" is there anyway of finding out why the advert was removed?
My mate who is a Lotus enthusiast and posts on here is selling a Y Reg one (not sure what year that is) that is in excellent condition for £10950. Its Laser Blue with black wheels and looks great. You could do a lot worse.One thing that is bothering me is the fact it looks like it was adverise on here but the advert has been removed, not sure why you would remove an advert from here when it's a free ad! http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=elise+s... second item down "elise ruduced for quick sale" is there anyway of finding out why the advert was removed?
well after a week of searching I am a bit clearer what i am after. I'm looking for a updated 2003 Elise (electric windows, central locking etc.)
however I now have the dilema of if it's worth spending an extra £750-£1000 for a 111s VVC model, does the VVC enging make a big difference. Is there any thing else to consider between the standard 120bhp engine and the 156bhp with regards to reliability, tunability and servicing etc?
however I now have the dilema of if it's worth spending an extra £750-£1000 for a 111s VVC model, does the VVC enging make a big difference. Is there any thing else to consider between the standard 120bhp engine and the 156bhp with regards to reliability, tunability and servicing etc?
I'd spend the extra. You won't get the standard 120bhp K up to 155/160 bhp for £750-£1,000.
For more power out of the engines check out the DVA website (http://www.dvapower.co.uk/). Many reckon about 160 bhp to be the sweet spot in terms of power/reliability for the 1800 K. Any more than that and you need to start looking at forged pistons, possibly beefing up the block and regular rebuilds.
In your shoes I'd look for a good 111S and then sort the brakes and suspension.
For more power out of the engines check out the DVA website (http://www.dvapower.co.uk/). Many reckon about 160 bhp to be the sweet spot in terms of power/reliability for the 1800 K. Any more than that and you need to start looking at forged pistons, possibly beefing up the block and regular rebuilds.
In your shoes I'd look for a good 111S and then sort the brakes and suspension.
Okay i have seen 2 nice ones, both 53 plates with 23,000 miles roughly, like them both how ever they are both ex lotus Cars ( managers cars) and one is on its 4 th owner which seams quite a few for a 5 year old car, when it comes to resale do people get put off is it's ex lotus and has lots of owners or is this fairly normal for Elises to go through lots of hands.
It's well worth having VVC. The extra 36bhp makes it a far easier car to drive fast and (although it doesn't really feel it) a far faster car flat out. The 111S/111 isn't that much slower than the 111R because it's considerably lighter and it's a far easier car to drive fast than the 120bhp k-series or the 111R. The longer gearbox also makes motorway driving a bit less fraught.
111 Elises are extremely rare but I'd go for the 111S anyway - the extras only add a few kg.
111 Elises are extremely rare but I'd go for the 111S anyway - the extras only add a few kg.
egoold said:
Okay i have seen 2 nice ones, both 53 plates with 23,000 miles roughly, like them both how ever they are both ex lotus Cars ( managers cars) and one is on its 4 th owner which seams quite a few for a 5 year old car, when it comes to resale do people get put off is it's ex lotus and has lots of owners or is this fairly normal for Elises to go through lots of hands.
Manager cars, no. Lots of owners, depends on who they are (i.e. weekend warriors or real enthusiasts), and if the car's been properly maintained.I haven't seen too many 111S's at around the £13k mark, especially with that sort of mileage. Those that I have seen at £13k or below have been highish miles.
Lotus sure know how to give their cars the most confusing model numbers. Surely by changing to yota engines a fresh model structure would have been an idea.
Lotus sure know how to give their cars the most confusing model numbers. Surely by changing to yota engines a fresh model structure would have been an idea.
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