what car ish sort of thing - S1 elise
Discussion
rightyhothenmotherhubbards...
i am still flipflopflapping around with the idea of a new car or cars.
now i have said before what i think i really want is an aygo and an elise. but i thought this wasn't possible/prudent within budget. so then i started thinking ooh an impreza might be a really nice all rounder (if not over done i love the sound etc etc, am not fussed by chav connotations because well frankly i am not one).
BUT then my grandfather in law opens up the avaneus of buying the grandmother in law's 57 reg aygo blue that's done all of about 3 miles for a reasonable price.... so i could then be in a position to spend my recent savings/share profits(!) on the aygo and just swap my mcs for a 98ish 60kish miles s1 elise.
so i have some questions!
a) what do you reckon to this?
b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment?
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??)
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that?
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK
i am still flipflopflapping around with the idea of a new car or cars.
now i have said before what i think i really want is an aygo and an elise. but i thought this wasn't possible/prudent within budget. so then i started thinking ooh an impreza might be a really nice all rounder (if not over done i love the sound etc etc, am not fussed by chav connotations because well frankly i am not one).
BUT then my grandfather in law opens up the avaneus of buying the grandmother in law's 57 reg aygo blue that's done all of about 3 miles for a reasonable price.... so i could then be in a position to spend my recent savings/share profits(!) on the aygo and just swap my mcs for a 98ish 60kish miles s1 elise.
so i have some questions!
a) what do you reckon to this?
b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment?
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??)
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that?
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK
I find the Impreza/Elise comparison interesting. Whilst both have a lot of enthusiast interest and are fast, they really are completely chalk and cheese. Personally I'd go for the Elise and then buy your small car with whatever you've got left over - there's no real need to spend big money on an A to B car if you're happy with a mundane FWD hatch like the Aygo.
briSk said:
a) what do you reckon to this?
b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment?
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??)
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that?
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK
a) Depends on what you're after.b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment?
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??)
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that?
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK
b) They're unlikely to get much cheaper, but will need a bit of TLC so don't expect to make a profit overall.
c) No idea.
d) Cam belt interval is every four years (they rarely reach the mileage requirement before the time requirement) so a car that old should have had several cam belts. Head gaskets do fail, but it's typically a 500 quid repair and should not go again if fixed properly and not abused. Suspension bushes and shocks typically need replacing every 40-50k miles if you want it to drive right. Geo should be done every year or so if you drive it on pot-holed roads.
e) No idea.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 14th September 14:15
RobM77 said:
I find the Impreza/Elise comparison interesting. Whilst both have a lot of enthusiast interest and are fast, they really are completely chalk and cheese. Personally I'd go for the Elise and then buy your small car with whatever you've got left over - there's no real need to spend big money on an A to B car if you're happy with a mundane FWD hatch like the Aygo.
(i like aygos - genuinely 'honest' sort of a car. plus low enough co2 to halve my station parking - and hence fund most of the depreciation (until the inevitably change the rules but hey ho)- hurrah)i agree entirely on the impreza chalk and cheese thing. the only thing they have in common is their nerdiness (well and their pace i suppose). in my mind they are in no way 'subsitutative' in terms of the way they go about things. but they are in that they have their own character etc etc.
i have already done the evo vs scooby thinking and whilst the evo is way cooler i love the sound of the subaru and they're a bit better in terms of running costs and not being burgled for the keys.
i actually really like the look of the (de-grilled) vx220 but however irrational given that it'd be a longish-term-keeper-classic-car just owning a 'lotus' (albeit the most mass produced one) holds a fair bit more appeal to me.
briSk said:
RobM77 said:
I find the Impreza/Elise comparison interesting. Whilst both have a lot of enthusiast interest and are fast, they really are completely chalk and cheese. Personally I'd go for the Elise and then buy your small car with whatever you've got left over - there's no real need to spend big money on an A to B car if you're happy with a mundane FWD hatch like the Aygo.
(i like aygos - genuinely 'honest' sort of a car. plus low enough co2 to halve my station parking - and hence fund most of the depreciation (until the inevitably change the rules but hey ho)- hurrah)i agree entirely on the impreza chalk and cheese thing. the only thing they have in common is their nerdiness (well and their pace i suppose). in my mind they are in no way 'subsitutative' in terms of the way they go about things. but they are in that they have their own character etc etc.
i have already done the evo vs scooby thinking and whilst the evo is way cooler i love the sound of the subaru and they're a bit better in terms of running costs and not being burgled for the keys.
i actually really like the look of the (de-grilled) vx220 but however irrational given that it'd be a longish-term-keeper-classic-car just owning a 'lotus' (albeit the most mass produced one) holds a fair bit more appeal to me.
I agree entirely. I wasn't running the Aygo down, they're great cars, but they are A to B transport though, and it would be a bit weird for an enthusiast to spend so much on a FWD A to B hatchback that he was limiting his choice of an interesting car. Personally, I couldn't stand driving a mundane FWD hatchback everyday, so I've always tried to go for something like an old BMW as my everyday hack.I also agree about the Impreza and Elise - both great cars, but in totally different ways. Performance cars aren't actually about performance
I currently run an S2 Elise and a Ka, so not a million miles from your suggestions.
Although both fun in their own way, they are a complete contrast to drive which hightens your apprecation of each.
On the motorway I would say they are both as noisey as each other, and deliver almost identicle fuel consumption so if that is your intention for the Aygo you would probably be better of with something larger instead?
Although both fun in their own way, they are a complete contrast to drive which hightens your apprecation of each.
On the motorway I would say they are both as noisey as each other, and deliver almost identicle fuel consumption so if that is your intention for the Aygo you would probably be better of with something larger instead?
briSk said:
a) what do you reckon to this?
b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment?
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??)
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that?
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK
a) I'm about to do a similar thing, but with a honda'd elise and a 530d.b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment?
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??)
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that?
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK
b) As others have said, they have lost as much as they are likely to lose via depreciation.
c) No idea.
d) the only big job really is the cambelt. Everything else is odds and sods. *BUT* plan for repairs - radiators and things like that.
e) A bit of a trek, but I'd probably take it to Maidenhead (Steve Williams) http://www.swlotus.com/
C
a) what do you reckon to this? I doubt you'll ever regret it!
b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment? I'm not up to date on prices right now but £8k is exactly what I sold my '99 111s for in Novemeber 09. It had 70,000 miles on and the driver's seat needed a retrim but was otherwise very good. I guess prices are slightly higher right now but winter normally brings out some bargains. I didn't lose a penny in terms of value in the 2 years I had mine and I can't see that situation changing any time soon.
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??) I wouldn't worry about classic insurance. You'll get cheap specialist insurance anyway on a second car. I recommend you try Footman James and Chris Knott. I've had good experiences with both.
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that? The service schedule used to be AABAAC. A was a fairly basic oil change affair. B included spark plugs and some other bits. C included the cambelt. I think intervals were 8000 miles or annual. Since then Lotus revised the cambelt schedule and I can't for the life of me remember what it was. If it were my car, I think I'd do it straight away and then every 30,000 miles or two years or so. It's only a £200 job on its own. If the HG hasn't gone, I wouldn't touch it. If it's gone in the past and been properly repaired, it may never go again. I don't think I'd worry either way, just don't buy a car that is showing signs of imminent failure. If it does go down the line, £5-600 should be sufficient for a specialist to sort it. Otherwise servicing is quite reeasonable. Niggly faults can add up but the cars are fairly robust and simple. You will find they eat suspension components though. After about 40,000 miles just about everything will have needed replacing and it's not as cheap as you might expect.
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK It's not on your doorstep but my friend used to use GST in Newmarket. Its run by a guy called Gerald and he does seem to have a very good reputation.
b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment? I'm not up to date on prices right now but £8k is exactly what I sold my '99 111s for in Novemeber 09. It had 70,000 miles on and the driver's seat needed a retrim but was otherwise very good. I guess prices are slightly higher right now but winter normally brings out some bargains. I didn't lose a penny in terms of value in the 2 years I had mine and I can't see that situation changing any time soon.
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??) I wouldn't worry about classic insurance. You'll get cheap specialist insurance anyway on a second car. I recommend you try Footman James and Chris Knott. I've had good experiences with both.
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that? The service schedule used to be AABAAC. A was a fairly basic oil change affair. B included spark plugs and some other bits. C included the cambelt. I think intervals were 8000 miles or annual. Since then Lotus revised the cambelt schedule and I can't for the life of me remember what it was. If it were my car, I think I'd do it straight away and then every 30,000 miles or two years or so. It's only a £200 job on its own. If the HG hasn't gone, I wouldn't touch it. If it's gone in the past and been properly repaired, it may never go again. I don't think I'd worry either way, just don't buy a car that is showing signs of imminent failure. If it does go down the line, £5-600 should be sufficient for a specialist to sort it. Otherwise servicing is quite reeasonable. Niggly faults can add up but the cars are fairly robust and simple. You will find they eat suspension components though. After about 40,000 miles just about everything will have needed replacing and it's not as cheap as you might expect.
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK It's not on your doorstep but my friend used to use GST in Newmarket. Its run by a guy called Gerald and he does seem to have a very good reputation.
CraigyMc said:
TTwiggy said:
Are you stuck on the idea of an S1? Because S2s are well within budget. Slightly more creature comforts and look 'newer' as the model is still (essentially) current.
But <OH NOES> the Understeer and additional flab!!(just kidding, mostly)
i am not stuck on the idea of an s1, no. in fact the vx might still just about stand a chance. and the vx and s2 are less likely to result in me coming a cropper...
..if i could find a straight 111s in a decent colour with non-brown/kreme interior and okay miles i'd definitely consider it...esp if true about specialist low miles insurance being similar to classic policy on these cars.
______
oh and other question - a couple in the classifieds have Rota type jap looking wheels - this will feck the handling non?
..if i could find a straight 111s in a decent colour with non-brown/kreme interior and okay miles i'd definitely consider it...esp if true about specialist low miles insurance being similar to classic policy on these cars.
______
oh and other question - a couple in the classifieds have Rota type jap looking wheels - this will feck the handling non?
Why do you need the Aygo aswell?
Sports cars dont nessecarily blow up just becasue you dont have another car?
Is there a specific requirement to needing a boring car aswell?
Anything that cna be answered with 'hire a van for the day' or 'get someone esle to drive' or 'use a bike rack' is not a valid excuse!
I jest - but what I mean is, I thought I needed a sports car and a 'normal' car. After 6 months I found myself driving around in said boring normal car thinking 'why the flip is my sportscar at home, I wish i was driving it right now'.
Sports cars dont nessecarily blow up just becasue you dont have another car?
Is there a specific requirement to needing a boring car aswell?
Anything that cna be answered with 'hire a van for the day' or 'get someone esle to drive' or 'use a bike rack' is not a valid excuse!
I jest - but what I mean is, I thought I needed a sports car and a 'normal' car. After 6 months I found myself driving around in said boring normal car thinking 'why the flip is my sportscar at home, I wish i was driving it right now'.
briSk said:
a) what do you reckon to this?
Great idea - go for it! 
briSk said:
b) are £8kish elsies generally a fair investment?
I don't know, but I don't see why not. It's not bottom of the market, but not so high that you'll lose much.briSk said:
c) how old would an elise be before i could insure as a classic? (i guess i am looking at a 12 year old car - 97R-99T ??)
Depends on different insurers, some will do it for 15 year vehicles, others 20 years or other criteria. Phone around and see what you get. Being a member of an owners club might get you a better deal too.briSk said:
d) at what miles do they need big things doing? could i get a new cambelt/HG fitted as a precaution and how much is that?
Cam belt yes. But personally I wouldn't do a HG unless it needs it. Lets face it, if it goes it is exactly the same work. So doing it in advance won't save you any money. And I'm of the view "don't fix what ain't broke".If you do replace it, there have been some updates, so research it. Different T-stat, different gasket, different head bolts, different dowels and I think a different fuel rail.
briSk said:
e) any recommendations of specialists around MK
Their used to be a Lotus place just the other side of St Albans at the bottom of the M10, haven't been there for a few years so don't know if its still there.And while I agree knowing a specialist is good, it's also worth remembering that almost all the major components on an Elise are from Rover/Ford/GM or whoever. This means they aren't as complex or specialist as they may first appear.
snotrag said:
Why do you need the Aygo aswell?
Sports cars dont nessecarily blow up just becasue you dont have another car?
Is there a specific requirement to needing a boring car aswell?
Anything that cna be answered with 'hire a van for the day' or 'get someone esle to drive' or 'use a bike rack' is not a valid excuse!
I jest - but what I mean is, I thought I needed a sports car and a 'normal' car. After 6 months I found myself driving around in said boring normal car thinking 'why the flip is my sportscar at home, I wish i was driving it right now'.
well i don't suppose i need two cars no!Sports cars dont nessecarily blow up just becasue you dont have another car?
Is there a specific requirement to needing a boring car aswell?
Anything that cna be answered with 'hire a van for the day' or 'get someone esle to drive' or 'use a bike rack' is not a valid excuse!
I jest - but what I mean is, I thought I needed a sports car and a 'normal' car. After 6 months I found myself driving around in said boring normal car thinking 'why the flip is my sportscar at home, I wish i was driving it right now'.
BUT
this is the sort of 'logic' i am using:
- parking goes from £1000 (and growing!) pa down to £500 pa if i have a low co2 car
- aylesbury vale didn;t grit last winter and even my bini was a bit sketchy to drive
- it would be super reliable and cheap and useful for 'low profile' trips
to help it be a bit more 'what car'y i also identified that the arosa diesel is 119co2s and i could get a 'roulette' one of those for £1.5k if i could find one. then i could spend more on the other car. but especially if the 'family' aygo came available i know this would easily last the wife and i for ages with few problems...
or i could keep procastinating!
briSk said:
oh and other question - a couple in the classifieds have Rota type jap looking wheels - this will feck the handling non?
You mean these?http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/79/494/s1-...
They're pretty desirable as modifications go. Should improve the handling as they're substantially lighter than standard wheels. Just depends how you feel about non standard appearance.
Gad-Westy said:
briSk said:
oh and other question - a couple in the classifieds have Rota type jap looking wheels - this will feck the handling non?
You mean these?http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/79/494/s1-...
They're pretty desirable as modifications go. Should improve the handling as they're substantially lighter than standard wheels. Just depends how you feel about non standard appearance.
they're similar but the ones i am talking about are less motorsporty. hang on a mo..!
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff