Firt time buyer - S1 elise
Discussion
So i can imagine myself having an S1 elise within the next few years, but even as one or two have tried, being young and owning an elise isnt cheap on the insurance and costs arnt something to smile about
- Whats a good entry model? Is it best to go for then entry level and work my way up from there?
- Who out here is lucky enough to get quite cheap insurance at a young age
- what to look out for - i know the cheapest is never going to be the best, but surely theres some decent bargins out there?
thanks
- Whats a good entry model? Is it best to go for then entry level and work my way up from there?
- Who out here is lucky enough to get quite cheap insurance at a young age
- what to look out for - i know the cheapest is never going to be the best, but surely theres some decent bargins out there?
thanks
I think saying cheap insurance when young is a bit vague. Under 21 and its going to cost a lot probably well over 1k. If you’re over 21 then you should be ok (but might well be over £500 still) and over 25 is no problem and should be fairly cheap (and still fairly young i like to think).
What model you choose will depend on budget and planned use and maybe even what car you are coming from.
I have the basic model which is probably best suited to road use (many of the higher powered models also have a close ratio gear box). Its not slow, but also isn’t that fast above 70mph either.
I think a good base model can be picked up for less than 7k now, cheaper still if you don’t mind it being at cat c or d (these are always worth less). If you want a 111s or 160 or 135r etc then you will need to add between 2 k to 5k to get a good one.
One other bit of advice I got, that I think is fairly true is. Don’t always go for the lower mileage ones assuming they will be better, as often less use means lots of the small niggling issues will not have been fixed. A car that has regular use is often likely to have had a lot more work done and be in better mechanical shape.
Have a look at www.seloc.org for far more info about owning one.
What model you choose will depend on budget and planned use and maybe even what car you are coming from.
I have the basic model which is probably best suited to road use (many of the higher powered models also have a close ratio gear box). Its not slow, but also isn’t that fast above 70mph either.
I think a good base model can be picked up for less than 7k now, cheaper still if you don’t mind it being at cat c or d (these are always worth less). If you want a 111s or 160 or 135r etc then you will need to add between 2 k to 5k to get a good one.
One other bit of advice I got, that I think is fairly true is. Don’t always go for the lower mileage ones assuming they will be better, as often less use means lots of the small niggling issues will not have been fixed. A car that has regular use is often likely to have had a lot more work done and be in better mechanical shape.
Have a look at www.seloc.org for far more info about owning one.
You're planning well ahead
To be honest the answer to your question all depends on what you want to use the car for. Road only, mainly road and the odd track day, track days with a bit of road use etc etc.
In a few years its possible that straight S1s will be more expensive than early S2s. As a rule of thumb buy from either a recognised Lotus specialist or enthusiast. Don't worry too much if the car has been tracked regularly (normally very well maintained) and don't look for the lowest mileage cars. Garage Queens can often prove to be the most problematic cars whereas cars getting regular use can just seem to go on and on.
The K series engine is a reliable lump (despite what many say) and the only real 'worry' is hgf but that'sd only about £500 to sort. For consumables have a look on the Eliseparts and Eliseshop websites to get an idea of prices.
Its also worth bearing in mind that in an Elise the suspension needs maintenance too so bear that in mind.
Interiors are renewable or re-trimmable at reasonable cost (not a lot to trim!).
Basically think of older Elises as like Trigger's broom (if prp[erly looked after).
Can't advise on insurance I'm afraid I've just taken out a car policy with Saga!!!) but Seloc has an insurance page with some recommendations in the wiki.
Best of luck
To be honest the answer to your question all depends on what you want to use the car for. Road only, mainly road and the odd track day, track days with a bit of road use etc etc.
In a few years its possible that straight S1s will be more expensive than early S2s. As a rule of thumb buy from either a recognised Lotus specialist or enthusiast. Don't worry too much if the car has been tracked regularly (normally very well maintained) and don't look for the lowest mileage cars. Garage Queens can often prove to be the most problematic cars whereas cars getting regular use can just seem to go on and on.
The K series engine is a reliable lump (despite what many say) and the only real 'worry' is hgf but that'sd only about £500 to sort. For consumables have a look on the Eliseparts and Eliseshop websites to get an idea of prices.
Its also worth bearing in mind that in an Elise the suspension needs maintenance too so bear that in mind.
Interiors are renewable or re-trimmable at reasonable cost (not a lot to trim!).
Basically think of older Elises as like Trigger's broom (if prp[erly looked after).
Can't advise on insurance I'm afraid I've just taken out a car policy with Saga!!!) but Seloc has an insurance page with some recommendations in the wiki.
Best of luck
Cheers for the pointers guys, ive had an 05 plate fiesta for about a year and a bit now and within the next few years a house also has to come into play, so whether or not i could use it for an everyday car ( im sure alot of you do) then i wouldnt mind. Ive been watching over them on the ph classifieds for about a year or so and they have all dropped considerable amounts but looks like theones that sit under about 10k look in quite good shape.
If its any more to ask what are the major differances between a " standard " s1 / 111S and the 135?
If its any more to ask what are the major differances between a " standard " s1 / 111S and the 135?
You will get the best insurance quotes if the car is standard and unmodified....which may be a bit difficult to find!
Some insurers still demand trackers, apparently unaware that the cost of having and keeping one on an early car far outweighs the paltry discount they give for it.
Also, try to keep your license clean.
Some insurers still demand trackers, apparently unaware that the cost of having and keeping one on an early car far outweighs the paltry discount they give for it.
Also, try to keep your license clean.
When I got my first Elise ('99 111s) at 28 years old (licence for ten years, no accidents, no claims), it cost me £980 for a year, fully comp with £450 excess. However, it only cost me an extra tenner (!) to add a 1.3 Polo.
Costs vary wildly depending on location. Having done quotes online, I know that I would nearly halve my insurance by moving out of a central London Borough to somewhere that's a bit 'quieter'.
Costs vary wildly depending on location. Having done quotes online, I know that I would nearly halve my insurance by moving out of a central London Borough to somewhere that's a bit 'quieter'.
To be honest the Elise in standard guise is pretty quick, especially if you're new to performance RWD cars It'll dispatch 0-60mph in approximately 5.5 seconds and won't drink an entire tank of fuel whilst you do it. With a heavy right foot I manage around 37mpg, so you won't be spending all your money on fuel ... Well, I lie ... You'll become so addicted to driving the Elise you will find reasons to go out driving and you will always opt for the longest route home. So you will go through a fair bit of fuel
I decided to buy mine at the age of 21, after only a year of driving. Insurance was always going to be an issue! Fully comp cover in a decent postcode was £2,700 and this year I paid £1,700 - Definitely worth the cash, but still expensive
A 111S and 135R will be a hike in price and a Sport 160 will be reet expensive!
Subtle differences between the standard S1 and 111S - The 111S has 6 spoke wheels, the Rover VVC engine with 143bhp, carbon-effect trim, spoiler, close-ratio box and wider rear tyres. The Sport 135R has a sports exhaust, Corbeau sports seats, drilled discs and close-ratio box from new.
Most cars have been modified to some degree though ... One of the best modifications to look out for on the S1 is the Bilstein S2 suspension upgrade. It stiffens the car up, improves cornering and the shocks are much quieter over bumps. Also a sports exhaust is always nice
Be sure to allocate a good £1-2K per year for consumables depending on how much you're planning on using your Elise. I, like many others, use their S1 everyday so parts become worn more quickly.
Also if you're new to RWD, be careful in the wet! The Elise can bite hard! They also aquaplane easily too, what with large tyres and being lightweight ... Just be easy on the throttle and perhaps get some driver days in
Have fun searching for 'the one'!
It'll dispatch 0-60mph in approximately 5.5 seconds and won't drink an entire tank of fuel whilst you do it. With a heavy right foot I manage around 37mpg, so you won't be spending all your money on fuel ... Well, I lie ... You'll become so addicted to driving the Elise you will find reasons to go out driving and you will always opt for the longest route home. So you will go through a fair bit of fuel I decided to buy mine at the age of 21, after only a year of driving. Insurance was always going to be an issue! Fully comp cover in a decent postcode was £2,700 and this year I paid £1,700 - Definitely worth the cash, but still expensive
A 111S and 135R will be a hike in price and a Sport 160 will be reet expensive!Subtle differences between the standard S1 and 111S - The 111S has 6 spoke wheels, the Rover VVC engine with 143bhp, carbon-effect trim, spoiler, close-ratio box and wider rear tyres. The Sport 135R has a sports exhaust, Corbeau sports seats, drilled discs and close-ratio box from new.
Most cars have been modified to some degree though ... One of the best modifications to look out for on the S1 is the Bilstein S2 suspension upgrade. It stiffens the car up, improves cornering and the shocks are much quieter over bumps. Also a sports exhaust is always nice
Be sure to allocate a good £1-2K per year for consumables depending on how much you're planning on using your Elise. I, like many others, use their S1 everyday so parts become worn more quickly.
Also if you're new to RWD, be careful in the wet! The Elise can bite hard! They also aquaplane easily too, what with large tyres and being lightweight ... Just be easy on the throttle and perhaps get some driver days in
Have fun searching for 'the one'!
My insurance at 21 was circa £1300, £900 at 22 and this years £600 at 23.
That's with a clean license and driving record in a moderate risk area.
I'd been longing for one well before I could drive, I must have been around 11 or 12. The insurance only became bearable at 21. If your a sensible driver I would recommend one!
That's with a clean license and driving record in a moderate risk area.
I'd been longing for one well before I could drive, I must have been around 11 or 12. The insurance only became bearable at 21. If your a sensible driver I would recommend one!
Edited by Tyrant on Thursday 20th November 16:09
dss123 said:
The Bandit said:
I think its more like £2k+ if under 21,under 30 and its still close to £1k.
Im 37 with 8yrs NCB and its still £600
Jeez Bandit - you're being robbed!Im 37 with 8yrs NCB and its still £600
Where do you live? Many points on your licence??
Dunc
Could have got it down to £480,but would have had an £800 excess :O so went with Admiral in the end.
Looking to go with Richard Egger or CCI next year as want to include trackdays
I think 1st time Elise owners get hammered for the 1st year of ownership for obvious reasons.
Sorry buys but something also popped into mind, althought it should have been one of the things to think abot first
i can imagine maintenance varies between owners as some could just do the year round service and some people could never stop with the repairs, so whats an average on here that someone spends on keeping things up to speed?
Cheers
i can imagine maintenance varies between owners as some could just do the year round service and some people could never stop with the repairs, so whats an average on here that someone spends on keeping things up to speed?
Cheers
The first thing you need to bear in mind is that the earliest cars are soon going to be 12: that's an old car and will require appropriate maintenance. The Elise isn't like the MX5: it wasn't designed for the mass market and components weren't engineered to last a lifetime. It was originally designed as a track day car that could be driven to the circuit: Its success as a road car took Lotus by surprise! Therefore bear in mind it was designed with the enthusiast market in mind, not the average housewife who fancied a sports car.
Engines are strong: sure the K series can suffer from HGF but that's not expensive to sort. Have a look on Autotrader and see the sort of mileages the same engine achieves lugging around Freelanders, so not really much to worry about there.
There's a thread been running on here recently about suspension refreshes: a lot of cars are now going to be overdue some attention in this area and you're looking at £1k for parts (excluding dampers). Eventually the wishbones may need replacing too (they are only 2mm walled tubes and rust will take its toll) and thats over £1k a set.
Servicing costs are reasonable if you diy or stay away from main dealers. I think the Seloc techwiki gives an idea of what to expect: bear in mind though that an older car will always throw up the odd 'surprise'. As you might expect an older car will also give the occasional niggling problem and these can be difficult to track down although the forums are a great source of help.
I should imagine it would be very difficult to find an early Elise that hasn't had some sort of minor bump. That's not a problem but just beware poor repairs and you need to make sure there is no chassis damage.
All in all the Elise is intrinsically a relaible car: early ones will need tlc commensurate with their age and your use.
Engines are strong: sure the K series can suffer from HGF but that's not expensive to sort. Have a look on Autotrader and see the sort of mileages the same engine achieves lugging around Freelanders, so not really much to worry about there.
There's a thread been running on here recently about suspension refreshes: a lot of cars are now going to be overdue some attention in this area and you're looking at £1k for parts (excluding dampers). Eventually the wishbones may need replacing too (they are only 2mm walled tubes and rust will take its toll) and thats over £1k a set.
Servicing costs are reasonable if you diy or stay away from main dealers. I think the Seloc techwiki gives an idea of what to expect: bear in mind though that an older car will always throw up the odd 'surprise'. As you might expect an older car will also give the occasional niggling problem and these can be difficult to track down although the forums are a great source of help.
I should imagine it would be very difficult to find an early Elise that hasn't had some sort of minor bump. That's not a problem but just beware poor repairs and you need to make sure there is no chassis damage.
All in all the Elise is intrinsically a relaible car: early ones will need tlc commensurate with their age and your use.
Insurance for me at 32 on a standard S1 is approx £600 fully comp. If you use it as your daily drive it will need slightly more TLC than most cars (I used mine for 18 months every single day) & they do require more attention than other (safe) cars! Some say you should allow approx £1000 per yaer for servicing etc but i didnt spend anywhere near that but i guess i was lucky. There are some great examples out there but also some real stonkers & i wouldnt buy the cheapest you can lay your hands on.
On the road the standard S1 is easily quick enough in my opinion - not to say I'm not WANTING more power but suspension upgrades are higher on the list for me
I paid £870 this year, 1998 S1 with modified brakes, exhaust and intake all declared. They can be pricey to run like any car if a lot needs replacing at once, but in general no parts are mega money.
I paid £870 this year, 1998 S1 with modified brakes, exhaust and intake all declared. They can be pricey to run like any car if a lot needs replacing at once, but in general no parts are mega money.
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