Looking to buy an Elise
Discussion
colours ie yellow, lime green or orange?Mines a 57k mile S2 111S, no real issues to be honest, the only thing that is starting to wear a bit is that i'm starting to get a bit of play in the steering, not much but it looks like a new rack is on the cards within the next 12 months. Just the usual really. Bumps normally quite visible due to spidering on fibreglass.
Take a look over at www.seloc.org as well. Loads of advice (and the usual forum garbage) on there.
Overall though, good, solid, reliable cars and don't believe half the scare stories you might have heard!
Overall though, good, solid, reliable cars and don't believe half the scare stories you might have heard!
Good effort, shows you enjoy the car lots !
Loudman said:
Mines a 57k mile S2 111S, no real issues to be honest, the only thing that is starting to wear a bit is that i'm starting to get a bit of play in the steering, not much but it looks like a new rack is on the cards within the next 12 months. Just the usual really. Bumps normally quite visible due to spidering on fibreglass.
I'm on 76K on my s2111s 
Had rack refurbed.
New alternator.
brakes all round.
New Rad before I had the car.
HGF before I had the car
Rear shocks before I had the car.
Car could probably do a full suspension refresh at some point now, but drives fine enough for me.
All things to consider as the alts/rack/sus/HGF are all known 'weak points'.
Had rack refurbed.
New alternator.
brakes all round.
New Rad before I had the car.
HGF before I had the car
Rear shocks before I had the car.
Car could probably do a full suspension refresh at some point now, but drives fine enough for me.
All things to consider as the alts/rack/sus/HGF are all known 'weak points'.
Pretty good going, I better use mine more often then - no excuse !stuthemong said:
I'm on 76K on my s2111s
Had rack refurbed.
New alternator.
brakes all round.
New Rad before I had the car.
HGF before I had the car
Rear shocks before I had the car.
Car could probably do a full suspension refresh at some point now, but drives fine enough for me.
All things to consider as the alts/rack/sus/HGF are all known 'weak points'.
Had rack refurbed.
New alternator.
brakes all round.
New Rad before I had the car.
HGF before I had the car
Rear shocks before I had the car.
Car could probably do a full suspension refresh at some point now, but drives fine enough for me.
All things to consider as the alts/rack/sus/HGF are all known 'weak points'.
Suspension is almost a consumable on the Elise
mines 29k Elise S new pads new rear shocks new exhaust... the OEM one weighs a ton and falls apart. Try and get the car with the mods you want already done cheaper that way Elise in Krypton Green are rare (only seen one) same with Chrome Orange seen 2 (own one 
) yellow is a bit more common but not much they tend to be more Exige colours. youre best off looking for the right car in a colour you dont mind than the colour first... you may get lucky like me and get both but it's the driving thats the best part
mines 29k Elise S new pads new rear shocks new exhaust... the OEM one weighs a ton and falls apart. Try and get the car with the mods you want already done cheaper that way
Elise in Krypton Green are rare (only seen one) same with Chrome Orange seen 2 (own one ) yellow is a bit more common but not much they tend to be more Exige colours. youre best off looking for the right car in a colour you dont mind than the colour first... you may get lucky like me and get both but it's the driving thats the best part Stu_00 said:
Always a good excuse to upgrade the suspension then, After speaking to both Plans & Paul at Lipscomb's Ohlins look like the way forward but I need to do some saving !
Umm maybe next year !
Yup, that's the problem with elises.Umm maybe next year !
Break discs gone. Yup, EP ally bells, 1144's and braided. £700 on a £200 job.
Tyres gone. Yup, AD07's. £550 instead of £350 odd for potenzas
Driving light gone? Yup, HIDs. £150 instead of 50p
When I decide the suspension has gone, I fear Mr Nitron may secure another sale.
.... and don't even get me started on DVA for when I think the engine should get a refresh.
I bought this car because it was 'cheap' to run. Only a fool neglects to factor in "elise-upgraditis".
Still it could be worse - lol (I think.....)
AP's Discs look like a good idea.....too
Umm I better stop eating & drinking....
Break discs gone. Yup, EP ally bells, 1144's and braided. £700 on a £200 job.
Tyres gone. Yup, AD07's. £550 instead of £350 odd for potenzas
Driving light gone? Yup, HIDs. £150 instead of 50p
When I decide the suspension has gone, I fear Mr Nitron may secure another sale.
.... and don't even get me started on DVA for when I think the engine should get a refresh.
I bought this car because it was 'cheap' to run. Only a fool neglects to factor in "elise-upgraditis".
AP's Discs look like a good idea.....too
Umm I better stop eating & drinking....
stuthemong said:
Stu_00 said:
Always a good excuse to upgrade the suspension then, After speaking to both Plans & Paul at Lipscomb's Ohlins look like the way forward but I need to do some saving !
Umm maybe next year !
Yup, that's the problem with elises.Umm maybe next year !
Break discs gone. Yup, EP ally bells, 1144's and braided. £700 on a £200 job.
Tyres gone. Yup, AD07's. £550 instead of £350 odd for potenzas
Driving light gone? Yup, HIDs. £150 instead of 50p
When I decide the suspension has gone, I fear Mr Nitron may secure another sale.
.... and don't even get me started on DVA for when I think the engine should get a refresh.
I bought this car because it was 'cheap' to run. Only a fool neglects to factor in "elise-upgraditis".
Thanks for all the advice so far.
Well my first day Elise hunting wasn't much of a success. 2 from dealers had been sold - why can't they be bothered to remove the ads
Went to see one in Kent (280 mile round trip) for sale on Autotrader from 'W G'. Both front tyres were bald, with the offside one being more worn on the inner edge - a bit of tyre-black doesn't hide such sins The front bumper was cracked under the number-plate and had been repaired (plus paint runs) at some stage. Someone had tried to get in the passenger side using a screwdriver and the key wouldn't work in the lock. Both rubber seals where the hood fits were perished. Various bits of interior trim and carpet weren't fitted properly. There was condensation in 2 of the lights, long scratches on the front and a bit of trim was hanging off the bumper. I didn't even bother to start it up. This was after their thorough pre-sale check, I hate to think what it was like before-hand.
Well my first day Elise hunting wasn't much of a success. 2 from dealers had been sold - why can't they be bothered to remove the ads
Went to see one in Kent (280 mile round trip) for sale on Autotrader from 'W G'. Both front tyres were bald, with the offside one being more worn on the inner edge - a bit of tyre-black doesn't hide such sins
The front bumper was cracked under the number-plate and had been repaired (plus paint runs) at some stage. Someone had tried to get in the passenger side using a screwdriver and the key wouldn't work in the lock. Both rubber seals where the hood fits were perished. Various bits of interior trim and carpet weren't fitted properly. There was condensation in 2 of the lights, long scratches on the front and a bit of trim was hanging off the bumper. I didn't even bother to start it up. This was after their thorough pre-sale check, I hate to think what it was like before-hand. willld said:
Thanks for all the advice so far.
Well my first day Elise hunting wasn't much of a success. 2 from dealers had been sold - why can't they be bothered to remove the ads
Went to see one in Kent (280 mile round trip) for sale on Autotrader from 'W G'. Both front tyres were bald, with the offside one being more worn on the inner edge - a bit of tyre-black doesn't hide such sins The front bumper was cracked under the number-plate and had been repaired (plus paint runs) at some stage. Someone had tried to get in the passenger side using a screwdriver and the key wouldn't work in the lock. Both rubber seals where the hood fits were perished. Various bits of interior trim and carpet weren't fitted properly. There was condensation in 2 of the lights, long scratches on the front and a bit of trim was hanging off the bumper. I didn't even bother to start it up. This was after their thorough pre-sale check, I hate to think what it was like before-hand.
that's shocking...Well my first day Elise hunting wasn't much of a success. 2 from dealers had been sold - why can't they be bothered to remove the ads
Went to see one in Kent (280 mile round trip) for sale on Autotrader from 'W G'. Both front tyres were bald, with the offside one being more worn on the inner edge - a bit of tyre-black doesn't hide such sins
The front bumper was cracked under the number-plate and had been repaired (plus paint runs) at some stage. Someone had tried to get in the passenger side using a screwdriver and the key wouldn't work in the lock. Both rubber seals where the hood fits were perished. Various bits of interior trim and carpet weren't fitted properly. There was condensation in 2 of the lights, long scratches on the front and a bit of trim was hanging off the bumper. I didn't even bother to start it up. This was after their thorough pre-sale check, I hate to think what it was like before-hand. keep looking, there are decent cars out there....
I have to say I was dismayed at the state of most of the cars I looked at, but that does sound very poor. What really got me was cars with 'FSH' that hadn't been serviced for 2 years! And then the dealer would deny a cambelt was due even though the car was 5 years old!
Alarm bells always ring when I see or hear a car described as 'mint' or 'like new'. No five year old car is either of those.
Anyway, damage under the number plate is all too common. all I can say is don't let it put you off unless it's more than cosmetic, or as you describe is unacceptable.
Keep looking, the right car will turn up. Mine did - literally at the gates of my work!
Alarm bells always ring when I see or hear a car described as 'mint' or 'like new'. No five year old car is either of those.
Anyway, damage under the number plate is all too common. all I can say is don't let it put you off unless it's more than cosmetic, or as you describe is unacceptable.
Keep looking, the right car will turn up. Mine did - literally at the gates of my work!
Yellow ones are the fastest.
Also, I'll reiterate what's already been said regarding 'upgrade-itis' - if you have even the smallest percentage of car modifying in your genes, then try to find a car where most of what you'd do has already been done. It'll save you a fortune.
Things like seats with harness cut-outs, suspension mods and lightweight wheels cost a lot more to do yourself - especially the seats (as I've found out to my cost). If you're going to do lots of trackdays then don't sweat the brakes and tyres (maybe look for something with decent suspension) as you'll be changing them regularly anyway. I even bought a VXT with EBC Greenduff pads (even though I really don't like their Green pads) because the rest of the car was perfect - a new set of proper pads isn't too expensive (unless you like Pagid, which *are* expensive)...
Also, I'll reiterate what's already been said regarding 'upgrade-itis' - if you have even the smallest percentage of car modifying in your genes, then try to find a car where most of what you'd do has already been done. It'll save you a fortune.
Things like seats with harness cut-outs, suspension mods and lightweight wheels cost a lot more to do yourself - especially the seats (as I've found out to my cost). If you're going to do lots of trackdays then don't sweat the brakes and tyres (maybe look for something with decent suspension) as you'll be changing them regularly anyway. I even bought a VXT with EBC Greenduff pads (even though I really don't like their Green pads) because the rest of the car was perfect - a new set of proper pads isn't too expensive (unless you like Pagid, which *are* expensive)...
Hi, i am considering on selling my lotus Elise 111s on a 52 plate, it is in beautiful lightning yellow, it has 6,400 genuine miles and looks and drives like it's brand new, the wheels are unmarked and it comes with a softtop and a colour coded hardtop, it is stunning believe me. i have one photo of it on my pistonhead member profile. I will be gutted to sell but my work commitments mean it's just not getting driven as the milage suggests, if you are genuinly interested then give me a Email back and i will either call you or give you my mobile number. Yours in Lotus sport. John (recky2000).I have just read a few of the replies you recieved and thought i would add that my lotus had a full cambelt service at 5,000 miles, i had that done for peace of mind.
Edited by recky2000 on Thursday 26th March 01:55
John
Thanks for your message.
Unfortunately, as part of my purchase will be paid for by a credit card, I'm pretty much limited to buying from a trader.
In the cases where a private seller could process cards through their business or a colleague's business they're probably not going to be as flexible on price as they would be with a cash buyer, due to the additional costs involved with processing card payments.
Thanks for your message.
Unfortunately, as part of my purchase will be paid for by a credit card, I'm pretty much limited to buying from a trader.
In the cases where a private seller could process cards through their business or a colleague's business they're probably not going to be as flexible on price as they would be with a cash buyer, due to the additional costs involved with processing card payments.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff