Buying first Lotus

[matt3001]

I'm considering buying my first ever Lotus (I was considering a 340R anc changed my mind) and I have been looking at the S2 111R's (pref a yellow one), budget is 15-17k.

However i'm under 25, so I think that I may get my trousers pulled down come insurance time, anyone recommend a company that may be competitive for a young lotus owner. This would also be a 2rd, possibly 3rd car if that helps with more specialist companies and wouldnt be the day to day work hack

[Boggy]

matt3001 said:

I'm considering buying my first ever Lotus (I was considering a 340R anc changed my mind) and I have been looking at the S2 111R's (pref a yellow one), budget is 15-17k.

However i'm under 25, so I think that I may get my trousers pulled down come insurance time, anyone recommend a company that may be competitive for a young lotus owner. This would also be a 2rd, possibly 3rd car if that helps with more specialist companies and wouldnt be the day to day work hack

Check the thread above buying guide very useful, I don't think you'll get any change from £1500 for fully comprehensive.

You'll get an early 111R for that money 53 - 54, My first S2 was a 04/54 111R cracking bit of kit

Boggy

[kambites]

If you can't afford an Elise, the VX220, even the turbo, is significantly cheaper to insure.

[matt3001]

£1500 isn't that offensive given my age and the car. If I was looking for a sub 25k millage 54/05 111R with a touring pack i'm guessing i'd have to up the budget to 18-20k?

[Fidgits]

my advice, aim to find a good one rather than a cheap one...

it will make more sense in the long run..

[Boggy]

Fidgits said:

my advice, aim to find a good one rather than a cheap one...

it will make more sense in the long run..

Agree 100%,

You'll get a good R 54 plate for around 17k

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/824905.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/941521.htm

Don't buy one that's cheap, buy one that's right I'd go to a Lotus dealer now as prices are reasonable and you can always negotiate

Boggy

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Insurance - Try Elephant, they tend to be waaaaaaay ahead of anyone else for pricing when you're young and want an Elise. Once you've got a year or two NCB with the Elise then try someone like A-Plan (it's what I did, Elephant were £1100 cheaper than the next best quote).

[boomshanks]

Reckon you can pick up a good pre 06 face lift 111r for around about £17k - I did just that only a month ago (well, a bit more than that, but not enough to break the bank). From other chats on here and other forums, a few other newbies have done similar deals in the last few months.

As for insurance, I paid only £800 without no claims and I'm 29. That was with Admiral who were a good £300 cheaper than others, even "specialists". Others on here seem to have similar experiences with various other insurers - just shop around, use all the comparison websites etc. About 50% wouldn't touch mine without a tracker though, so maybe worth looking at that as an option if you are really being bent over.

b

[calvert86]

I'm currently with Admiral and were the cheapest by far for my exige S.
Had the vx220 turbo when i was 19 used Bell then and to be fair they weren't bad either...lots of shopping around and blagging prices and you'll find one!
Good luck!

[boomshanks]

There is a yellow 111r at lotus main dealer in Leeds which I test drove - it was pretty good but wrong colour for me. It's 2006 on a MY55 plate, quite high mileage at 28k, but is a v. early 2006 faclift model (passenger airbags, engine start button etc). They have it up at £17,995 - bet they'd snap your hand off at £17k, it's been there a while. With a main dealer warranty, it's worth a look?

b

[steveott]

Hi.

Im 23 and own a 52 plate 111s.

I use it as an everyday car and my insurance was around 750 quid with two years no claims bonus - with Bell.