Best Elise/Exige to "invest" in?

[5er]

Hi all.

I'm currently considering my first Lotus purchase. I'm constantly in the classifieds but I'm starting to get more confused with all the different editions and I'm going a bit advert blind...

I'd like to put my money somewhere safer than I have previously. Ideally I'd like what we'd all like - the holy grail of not losing much, if any value, and maybe even creeping up the other way. At the very least, I'm after glacial depreciation.

I've read that a good S2 SC Exige should be a sound investment, but which S1 Elise variants should be a good bet? I don't really have a particular budget in mind, and I'm open to any/all variants of S1 and S2 Elise/Exige.

Is there a mileage point where depreciation starts/accelerates? Are there "undesirable" variants that simply won't hold value? Is there even such a thing as a depreciation-proof Elise/Exige? I'm not going to park it up and never use it, but I won't do many miles per year.

Apologies if this has been done to death, but any help or pointers appreciated. Thanks.

[5er]

Thank you all for the replies and advice.

I appreciate that cars aren't sound investments, but if I'm going to change again then I might as well try to change into something that's going to be a good choice financially. I always seem to lose loads of money or sell at the bottom of a curve (E36 M3 [and to an extent the E46 M3], DC2) so I'm trying to reduce or eliminate that this time around.

I've no doubt that whichever Lotus I go for, driving pleasure will be a given anyway. I'm yet to drive one of any kind, so I certainly need to try to do that.


An RGB is firmly on my radar. The example for sale at 4 Star Classics seems like a good one, though the missing service is a shame. I'm sure that mechanically it's not caused an issue, but I wonder if it would put people off. It's also lacking the LSD, but I'm assured these cars don't really need them. There are a couple of others currently for sale, too.

I guess 2-3k miles a year on one of those wouldn't hurt value too much?

I'll have a look onto the S1 Sport 160 too.




All food for thought, thanks chaps.


Any other comments and views welcome and appreciated.

[5er]

There is this one for sale:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Looks an absolute beauty!

I'm an hour and a bit from Jon Seal, so I might pop down and have a look at what's on offer there. There's a decent mixture of older and newer stuff there so it'd be a good place to start.

[5er]

Tickle said:

This got posted on SELOC in a recent thread, very desirable colour/spec

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Yep, been looking at that. It's bloody brilliant.

I know it sounds daft seeing as it's only at 58k, which is nothing.... but should I be aiming for a lower mileage car? Given the rarity of the model, the want for static/increasing value, etc?

[5er]

Thanks very much GTRene, I'll have a look at those later.

[5er]

Thanks Darryl. Appreciate the input.

[5er]

Ah... I've spent some time on your site recently!

Shame the green 160 is sold, it's an absolute corker. Would have loved a look round it.


Thanks for your input. I shall be popping over to you at some point very soon for a chat. You're not too far from me (an hour and a half tops).

[5er]

Would the missing service on this car bother anyone? And would it be a genuine negative come resale time?

http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/lotus-exige-...

[5er]

Composite Guru said:

That's a lot of money for an Exige S. The 240's normally go for that money.
After deciding I didn't want to pay £32k for a 10 year old car I bought a 2016 Elise 220 Cup for £37k. I haven't looked back since buying it.

But unless I'm missing something, that's a 260 Cup?

[5er]

fridaypassion said:

It's an RGB 260 amongst the most desirable ones for sure. All of these type of S2 Exiges are also appreciating whereas a new Elise will loose you a significant sum in its first 3 years.

Is the missing service in 2016 an issue in your opinion?

[5er]

fridaypassion said:

You'll never fond a lotus with low miles and a full service book. I have 2 sub 10k Exiges in one has 7 stamps the other 3 they are both very clean cars and will sell. Ove had low mileage cars with 1/2 stamps before. Never an issue.

Cheers. Just realised it was probably you I met today at Jon Seal! Thanks again for the chat if that was indeed your good self

[5er]

240Cup said:

Its an RGB not a 260 Cup.

A 260Cup is even more special...!

Yep, fair point. I've realised that since I posted that comment.

[5er]

I think I used the word "investment" incorrectly. I don't I intend to buy a car and not use it and hope it goes up in value. I'm actually starting to think along the same lines as you, in that I think I'm going off the SC S2 idea somewhat. The difference with me is that I'm considering keeping what I've got (mk3 MX5) and supercharging it. I've driven Corten Miller's 300bhp demo and it's bloody brilliant.

Yep, I've lost money left, right and centre on previous cars, but I think if I properly sorted my Mazda (I'm kinda half way there already) then I'd be more than happy with what I've got and it could be a long term keeper. I've already had it a year, which is quite a long time for me. I do love it, it just needs more grunt. Plus, I do like provoking the rear end of my MX5, and whilst I've read that it's possible to slide about in a Elise/Exige, I'm not sure I'm talented enough for all that.

I say all this as I'm currently in the PH Classifieds' Lotus section