Been to see an early S2 - expectations?
Discussion
Been wondering about an Elise for ages and finally in a position to buy - at the cheap end of the market. I'm looking for an early K series S2 (having originally thinking I wanted an S1, but the later car actually makes more sense for me as one to regularly use).
I viewed my first car this weekend - bear in mind I am perfectly savvy mechanically etc however have zero experience with Lotus (never even sat in one before). It was private sale, up for £15k, probably room for a bit of a deal.
Spec wise the car was what I think will work for me - early long roof S2, few mild mods (Nitrons, induction etc). I specifically want a car for regular road use and the odd trackday - so not an ultra raw or heavily modded car with harnesses, very low etc.
Now I think having viewed one car its made me decide I really want one, but perhaps not that one. The car was on 90k, mechanically sound, knowledgeable owner and lots of maintenance and love. But the bodywork was poor, which I didnt expect. There were bits of damage all over, chips, cracks etc, the front moulding lines around the headlights were all bubbling up, sills had bits of damage etc. The gearshift in particular felt very, very loose.
(Which concerned me as a poor cable actuated gearshfit is a real no-no having been extremely disappointed with my Boxster after owning lots of MX-5s, which other Boxster owners thought was a good shift!)
I am not daft, i've owned many, many older cars, always buy cheaper/older, however spending this much on an Elise will be comforably the most expensive car I've ever bought, I'm looking for a potential forever car and if I'm not going to find one that is going to look as good as I want, I'm perhaps barking up the wrong tree.
There are a number of other cars that have sold recently in the 16-17k market VERY quickly and this is top budget for me so I'm a bit conflicted as to what to do - Are my expectations too high? The prices are climbing all over (some cars listed in February/March are now advertised at £2000 more in May!) and I worry I'm going to be priced out and miss the boat to ever own a Lotus. I understand the seasonal variation but overall its all going one way. I'm not looking for an investment or jumping on a bandwagon either - I'm in it for the driving.
The car I saw would be great for someone for whom its a cheap purchase and wants to track it etc, for me, I dont think it was right.
Not sure what to do!
I viewed my first car this weekend - bear in mind I am perfectly savvy mechanically etc however have zero experience with Lotus (never even sat in one before). It was private sale, up for £15k, probably room for a bit of a deal.
Spec wise the car was what I think will work for me - early long roof S2, few mild mods (Nitrons, induction etc). I specifically want a car for regular road use and the odd trackday - so not an ultra raw or heavily modded car with harnesses, very low etc.
Now I think having viewed one car its made me decide I really want one, but perhaps not that one. The car was on 90k, mechanically sound, knowledgeable owner and lots of maintenance and love. But the bodywork was poor, which I didnt expect. There were bits of damage all over, chips, cracks etc, the front moulding lines around the headlights were all bubbling up, sills had bits of damage etc. The gearshift in particular felt very, very loose.
(Which concerned me as a poor cable actuated gearshfit is a real no-no having been extremely disappointed with my Boxster after owning lots of MX-5s, which other Boxster owners thought was a good shift!)
I am not daft, i've owned many, many older cars, always buy cheaper/older, however spending this much on an Elise will be comforably the most expensive car I've ever bought, I'm looking for a potential forever car and if I'm not going to find one that is going to look as good as I want, I'm perhaps barking up the wrong tree.
There are a number of other cars that have sold recently in the 16-17k market VERY quickly and this is top budget for me so I'm a bit conflicted as to what to do - Are my expectations too high? The prices are climbing all over (some cars listed in February/March are now advertised at £2000 more in May!) and I worry I'm going to be priced out and miss the boat to ever own a Lotus. I understand the seasonal variation but overall its all going one way. I'm not looking for an investment or jumping on a bandwagon either - I'm in it for the driving.
The car I saw would be great for someone for whom its a cheap purchase and wants to track it etc, for me, I dont think it was right.
Not sure what to do!
Thanks all. I've got a couple more lined up to see now, so fingers crossed.
Cheers - owned lots of older lower cars so aware of this, but the more I think about it having 'left the scene', the car I saw was in poor condition bodywise.
This one - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11365543 has just sold unfortunately! However now my mind is up I can act quickly if the right car comes up.
kambites said:
it will pick up stone chips etc.
Cheers - owned lots of older lower cars so aware of this, but the more I think about it having 'left the scene', the car I saw was in poor condition bodywise.
kambites said:
Gear shift stuff
I've done a bit more reading/research and it seems like I'll just have to spend a bit more on new/refreshed parts to get the shift 'acceptable' or as it was when new, and accept it'll never match some of the others as you say.SeanyD said:
Have a chat with Will Blackham.
Will do SeanyD said:
For what its worth, the early long tail 120 bhp K series Elise S2 is probably my favourite Lotus, having owned various up to my last Exige S. It wasn't the quickest or best spec by any means, but the most enjoyable and fun to live with daily. Enjoy.
That is good to know and matched both my research and also my experience of other cars - It will get used on the road, 2 or 3 trackdays at most a year, and I've been down the road of too focused/highly modified/too extreme before. This one - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11365543 has just sold unfortunately! However now my mind is up I can act quickly if the right car comes up.
STattam said:
I will get my coat after I have said this but... if you are at the top of your budget here have you considered a vx220?
Yes, I have. It is an obvious question. I even briefly looked at VX220s years ago when they were about 6 grand. If I was looking for a a bit of a track hack, or a project for lots of modding or an engine swap, or it was to sit in a collection alongside my 911s and Ferraris etc, then yes, a VX220 makes a lot of sense. I've even owned one of the VXR branded cars that was much denounced but actually a much better car than some less informed might think, so I'm not adverse to the badge.However, this will be by a significant margin the most expensive thing I've ever bought bar my house. i've had all the usual cheap sportscar options. I've got a garage for the first time ever, which I've been specially preparing to make a home for something special. I just want a LOTUS thats all.
There doesnt actually seem to be that much of a price difference any more anyway really!
Well the plan changed a little - the car i wanted, but had sold - came back into stock as the original buyer had ACTUALLY wanted a later Toyota engined car and had a bit of buyers remorse.
So I ended up with the Red one, and I'm really happy - used but not worn out at 56k, its got short roof, probax seats, just had a full suspension rebuild with bushes/bolts/hardware/Bilsteins etc, full Stainless exhaust from head to tips.
It was advertised as Calypso Red but according to the code its Ardent Red - an early one I think. And I love Red cars!
A few jobs to do such as changing out the horrendous rock hard engine mount, but i'm chuffed to bits!
So I ended up with the Red one, and I'm really happy - used but not worn out at 56k, its got short roof, probax seats, just had a full suspension rebuild with bushes/bolts/hardware/Bilsteins etc, full Stainless exhaust from head to tips.
It was advertised as Calypso Red but according to the code its Ardent Red - an early one I think. And I love Red cars!
A few jobs to do such as changing out the horrendous rock hard engine mount, but i'm chuffed to bits!
Thanks all! A few people have said the same about the spec and I know that 'Elise' covers a real broad range of cars but it really does seem right.
I've not driven it much yet (picked it up in the pouring rain!) but you can definitely tell there is a point once youve got it rolling and it seems to just pick itself up, and what felt like quite a basic, rigid suspension setup all of a sudden starts to glide - its supple, the damping feels brilliant, it doesnt roll much yet it doesnt bang or crash at all. Its also even smaller than my MX-5s so you have more road to play with!
K series is lovely - I like the engine from experience before in MGs etc, but in the Elise it really does feel particularly rorty, and I am so far really pleased with how tractable and torquey it seems low down and through the usable middle range - obviously helped by low mass and short gears!
There are faint beginnings of that lovely induction noise over my left shoulder (reminds me of how they sound in a Caterham), its currently got the original (rover?) black plastic intake box but a full exhaust system, I suspect in the future I'll go for more induction noise and less exhaust.
I've not driven it much yet (picked it up in the pouring rain!) but you can definitely tell there is a point once youve got it rolling and it seems to just pick itself up, and what felt like quite a basic, rigid suspension setup all of a sudden starts to glide - its supple, the damping feels brilliant, it doesnt roll much yet it doesnt bang or crash at all. Its also even smaller than my MX-5s so you have more road to play with!
K series is lovely - I like the engine from experience before in MGs etc, but in the Elise it really does feel particularly rorty, and I am so far really pleased with how tractable and torquey it seems low down and through the usable middle range - obviously helped by low mass and short gears!
There are faint beginnings of that lovely induction noise over my left shoulder (reminds me of how they sound in a Caterham), its currently got the original (rover?) black plastic intake box but a full exhaust system, I suspect in the future I'll go for more induction noise and less exhaust.
Absolutely - 111s (VVC) out of budget these days though, but of course the bonus of the K is that it is so easily and cheaply tunable (unlike the Toyota).
In a year or so its highly likely mine will get some DIY engine work, cams etc. For now though, it goes pretty well, certainly in the mid-range.
In a year or so its highly likely mine will get some DIY engine work, cams etc. For now though, it goes pretty well, certainly in the mid-range.
The first one was yes, I saw it later appeared on ebay. As I said, seemed to be in good mechanical fettle but body a bit tatty for me - a little more money got me in one with much lower miles and better body. It would make a good track car for someone who knows them I bet, and maybe it would depend on how hard you can hallge with the seller.
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