What's it Worth?????
Discussion
I am looking to buy an early S2 but because there are so many variations i don't know what they are worth It's difficult finding other examples as they are all touted as different names.
I'm looking at a 02plate Lotus Elise Sports Tourer. 1800cc K series engine.
unmodified other than Touring pack i presume, given it has leather seats etc.
Standard Fog lights fitted.
Light Blue colour
Low, 16,000 miles, 2 owners.
How much do you think because websites given these details give guidlines of anything from 11>15k????????????????????
Thanks in advance for your expertise.
I'm looking at a 02plate Lotus Elise Sports Tourer. 1800cc K series engine.
unmodified other than Touring pack i presume, given it has leather seats etc.
Standard Fog lights fitted.
Light Blue colour
Low, 16,000 miles, 2 owners.
How much do you think because websites given these details give guidlines of anything from 11>15k????????????????????
Thanks in advance for your expertise.
www.elises.co.uk for info on versions ...most of them are just trim level/colour even until the 111S came out with 156bhp engine...basically the Sports Tourer (has trim) or the Race Tech (stripped out) etc then a few special editions like Type 72 (JPS stylee)
other than that then the next big jump was to the Toyota engine in the 111R ......
other than that then the next big jump was to the Toyota engine in the 111R ......
Check the service record carefully - make sure it's been done regularly, especially the C-Service/cambelt replacement. Also check the tyres, if they're original/old then junk them for a new set (factor in a cost of c.£550 for some new Yokohama Advans). Check condition of all fluids, brake pads & discs, exhaust system, all electrics (especially heater & blower).
Cheers SWorks,
I have verbally checked the C service has been done, will check book.
I know the aircon if it's got it blows hot at all times sometimes,right?
I don't think it has aircon though.
Where on the exhaust is prone to wear/rust etc?? I have mostly had new cars other than a mint mk1 golf gti Rivage. Why are Elise exhausts prone to deterioration so much, all other cars I have had have been fine for many years.
Given the info I have provided, what would you expect to pay???
Given the amount of posts you have made you must have a fair amount of knowledge.....much appreciated.
Graham
I have verbally checked the C service has been done, will check book.
I know the aircon if it's got it blows hot at all times sometimes,right?
I don't think it has aircon though.
Where on the exhaust is prone to wear/rust etc?? I have mostly had new cars other than a mint mk1 golf gti Rivage. Why are Elise exhausts prone to deterioration so much, all other cars I have had have been fine for many years.
Given the info I have provided, what would you expect to pay???
Given the amount of posts you have made you must have a fair amount of knowledge.....much appreciated.
Graham
it wont have aircon, its too early a car for that - didnt become an option until a year or so later IIRC
its very low mileage, so i think the main problem there is that its not been used, therefor nothing has wornt out and been replaced - it may all be original ...i.e. tyres, bushes etc may have perished in 6 years and certinly will want some new ones !
Other than that, it should all be in great condition for that mileage and the bottom end for a 2002 is about £10K I think, so you could pay £10-12K for it I guess...so much depends on condition when they are 6 years old, and any upgrades/replacement bits it may have, but as mention, low milers like this are usually garage queens so likely its stock everything and nothing ever touched. Id sure be checking its had a yearly service (rather than every 9k)
its very low mileage, so i think the main problem there is that its not been used, therefor nothing has wornt out and been replaced - it may all be original ...i.e. tyres, bushes etc may have perished in 6 years and certinly will want some new ones !
Other than that, it should all be in great condition for that mileage and the bottom end for a 2002 is about £10K I think, so you could pay £10-12K for it I guess...so much depends on condition when they are 6 years old, and any upgrades/replacement bits it may have, but as mention, low milers like this are usually garage queens so likely its stock everything and nothing ever touched. Id sure be checking its had a yearly service (rather than every 9k)
Pay heed to bogies post above - the service schedule is AABAAC and must be done yearly or every 9k miles, whichever is sooner.
Whilst cosmetically it may appear to be in good nick, I'd have it checked over by a specialist if I were you. They look at things which the likes of you and I may not notice. bogie's particularly right about things perishing over time.
As for your comment about exhausts etc. The standard ones are mild steel, which as I'm sure you know rots over time. As the Elise engine bay and exhaust are very exposed, they end to get wet a lot in our climate, plus the shape and routing of the exhaust means that any condensed water can sit in the system and rot away from the inside. S/S all the way for any replacements
Re: # of posts. That means nothing mate. Just that I bulls
t on here more regularly than others
Whilst cosmetically it may appear to be in good nick, I'd have it checked over by a specialist if I were you. They look at things which the likes of you and I may not notice. bogie's particularly right about things perishing over time.
As for your comment about exhausts etc. The standard ones are mild steel, which as I'm sure you know rots over time. As the Elise engine bay and exhaust are very exposed, they end to get wet a lot in our climate, plus the shape and routing of the exhaust means that any condensed water can sit in the system and rot away from the inside. S/S all the way for any replacements
Re: # of posts. That means nothing mate. Just that I bulls
t on here more regularly than othersWhat you're describing is new enough identical to my elise, and the price sounds about right (a tad low, but given the current market, not suprising).
I'd get a proper inspection done if I were you to check all parts, consumables etc, either AA, or better still if you could nab a Lotus qualified mechanic for an hour or so.
Fingers crossed for you everything works out, mines got FSH and its rock solid still.
If you do get it remember to let the K series warm up gently !!
I'd get a proper inspection done if I were you to check all parts, consumables etc, either AA, or better still if you could nab a Lotus qualified mechanic for an hour or so.
Fingers crossed for you everything works out, mines got FSH and its rock solid still.
If you do get it remember to let the K series warm up gently !!
Buy on condition, not on mileage. Having said that...
My S2 (2004, 'S' trim, 33k miles) with loads of upgrades (brand new Nitron Racing Reds, Larini Clubsport, induction kit, splitter, front respray + armourfend, hardtop, 111s diffuser, short shifter, gear linkage upgrade etc etc etc), full service history plus cam belt recently changed, is probably only worth about 13k-ish (maybe less), so an early low mileage S2 will probably set you back 11-12k-ish. It just goes to show that low mileage will often push the price up whereas thousands spent on a 'high' mileage example won't fetch what it's probably worth. People will skim past my advert because my car's done over 30k miles whereas a 'low' mile car will garner interest.
My S2 (2004, 'S' trim, 33k miles) with loads of upgrades (brand new Nitron Racing Reds, Larini Clubsport, induction kit, splitter, front respray + armourfend, hardtop, 111s diffuser, short shifter, gear linkage upgrade etc etc etc), full service history plus cam belt recently changed, is probably only worth about 13k-ish (maybe less), so an early low mileage S2 will probably set you back 11-12k-ish. It just goes to show that low mileage will often push the price up whereas thousands spent on a 'high' mileage example won't fetch what it's probably worth. People will skim past my advert because my car's done over 30k miles whereas a 'low' mile car will garner interest.
Edited by Trixster on Friday 13th June 15:05
I'm not worried Bogie becuase I don't plan to sell it! 
I'll finish paying her off later this year so it'll be time to start upgrading again.... complete suspension refresh and a full respray perhaps, or maybe an engine conversion....... Arrgh, I'm doing it again, can't stop spending cash on her!!!!
I'll finish paying her off later this year so it'll be time to start upgrading again.... complete suspension refresh and a full respray perhaps, or maybe an engine conversion....... Arrgh, I'm doing it again, can't stop spending cash on her!!!!
Cheers for the responses,
Got me thinking now though, will some of the items not be picked up by the yearly services??? Bushes etc
Tyre's are a visual, but i couldn't tell you if the bushes were worn, guessing a knocking noise from suspension??
May look into an inspection. How does that goif I get an inspection done, probably when i'm not there as i'm 150miles away from the seller. Any chance of the AA guy being swayed by the owner to ignore little items??
Got me thinking now though, will some of the items not be picked up by the yearly services??? Bushes etc
Tyre's are a visual, but i couldn't tell you if the bushes were worn, guessing a knocking noise from suspension??
May look into an inspection. How does that goif I get an inspection done, probably when i'm not there as i'm 150miles away from the seller. Any chance of the AA guy being swayed by the owner to ignore little items??
ROSSGR said:
Cheers for the responses,
Got me thinking now though, will some of the items not be picked up by the yearly services??? Bushes etc
Tyre's are a visual, but i couldn't tell you if the bushes were worn, guessing a knocking noise from suspension??
May look into an inspection. How does that goif I get an inspection done, probably when i'm not there as i'm 150miles away from the seller. Any chance of the AA guy being swayed by the owner to ignore little items??
you might not tell the bushes unless you actually drove it.Got me thinking now though, will some of the items not be picked up by the yearly services??? Bushes etc
Tyre's are a visual, but i couldn't tell you if the bushes were worn, guessing a knocking noise from suspension??
May look into an inspection. How does that goif I get an inspection done, probably when i'm not there as i'm 150miles away from the seller. Any chance of the AA guy being swayed by the owner to ignore little items??
A good specialist would have picked them up at service time...but not to say theyve been changed (expensive)
AA are honest enough, but not usually specialist enough, better than nothing though.
You really want to chat to the seller and see what sort of owner they are...also have a good look around the car yourself.
See if the original Bridgestone tyres are still on it or some cheap, non-Elise specific alternatives...the latter would indicate to me that its owned by someone cost-concious (or skint!) so it may have corners cut elsewhere e.g. if bushes were dodgy when took in for a £150 yearly service, a skint owner wouldnt be wanting to pay out £1000 to get them changed etc
Its all about building up the big picture about the cars life, and its all round condition........
yes nice tight one every time m8 
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