Looking for a good low mileage Elise S1

[lightspear27]

Hi,

As title says ... I'm looking for a good low mileage Elise S1 (with a max of +/- 30000 miles).

Already looked at the classifieds on Pistonheads.

If you have one for sale or can point me in the right direction ... any usefull information is welcome.

Thanks,

[Hollywood Wheels]

It's been said countless times on here by people who know...........don't buy an Elise on mileage! You're massively limiting your search, and may end up with a car that needs work done. Look for a cared-for car, whatever the mileage may be...

[jons_s3]

I would also add that finding one with 30k miles might be tricky, as even the latest S1 cars will be getting on for 8(?) years old now

[lightspear27]

Thanks for the comments ... just tried to widen the choice.

I also think a well cared after car is better than a simply low mileage car.


Do you know a good place (or site) other than Pistonheads that sells s1 Elises?

[SeanyD]

Where else but autotrader? Also set up and account with them so you can put in full search criteria, that way you can fiddle with mileage v age v any other criteria until you've found the right beastie.

[Gad-Westy]

Also keep an eye on Ebay and SELOC classifieds. Echo what's been said about mileage, altough I would say that as I'm on 70,000 now.

[chris7676]

Pistonheads or Autotrader, ocassionally ebay. SELOC doesnt have many Elises in classifieds (maybe 3 a week?) but is a good source of information (or misinformation occasionally;)

[Mayboy]

Hi

Shameless plug but my S1 is for sale. Mileage is 46k but a lot of parts have been replaced/upgraded.. S2 Bilsteins, balljoints, steering rack, rad etc.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/594374.htm

Cheers
Alex

[TIPPER]

I wouldn't want a low mileage car: Take a drive along the M5 southbound at this time of year and notice all the nice shiney low mileage cars (of all types) broken down on the hard shoulder as they can't cope with their one decent run out of the year to Cornwall.
The car that's used every day and has a good few miles under its belt does it without a murmer of course.

[chucklebutty]

My 98 one was on the last episode of 5th Gear and has 24k on the clock. Johnny commented it was like driving a brand new car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=057nzTNDqp0

And it hasn't broken down - yet.

:-)

[Mr_C]

Mines on 55k and is used every day.

Drives lovely, although the anti roll bar is knocking.

[chris7676]

Some good advice. Mind you on Ferrari forum someone was worried about getting a "high" mileage 360 with 25k miles...

[TheLemming]

I have to echo the comments that "well cared for" is much preferable to "barely used".

Although I havent an Elise of my own *sob* Dad has had one since '98.

The amount of work done on the car over the years is suprising. The first 50k needed the most, some of this is upgrades, the majority preventative maintenance and replacement / repairs.

Currently with 75k on the clock and judicious replacement and upgrading of replacement bits needed (ie S2 rather than S1 shocks when they needed replacing, close ratio steering rack, quickshift, head gasket replacement with strengthened bolts to prevent recurrence etc, fastenings replaced with stainless steel... etc) it feels better than when it was 6 months old and will probably need less work over the next couple of years (then again it's had a hell of a lot done over the last 18 months - shocks / retrim and head gasket). Now I think about it there isnt a single area of the car I think we HAVENT worked on.

When I'm able to get mine (I've NEEDED one for the past 10 years but it just hasnt happended...) I will be after the best looked after machine I can find. Condition is everything and a car that's been looked after properly and maintained as someone's pride and joy will serve you better and likely cost a lot less to run than a garage queen.

[Incredible Sulk]

TIPPER said:

I wouldn't want a low mileage car: Take a drive along the M5 southbound at this time of year and notice all the nice shiney low mileage cars (of all types) broken down on the hard shoulder as they can't cope with their one decent run out of the year to Cornwall.
The car that's used every day and has a good few miles under its belt does it without a murmer of course.

Depends. I bought my '99 S1 last year with 1400 miles on the clock. When I bought it it had never been serviced. 'C' service + cam belt change and it hasn't missed a beat since. And, yes, I do drive it.


Mine also goes better with the murmers fitted.