Lotus Elise

[Messer]

I am looking to buy a Lotus Elise S1 for the sub 11k mark. I only know a little bit about these so am just looking for any experiences etc on the early P, R and S reg ones. What to look out for and things like that. I will be wanting it for my everyday car (dont worry the Westy is going nowhere! So I was looking for any tips and pointers to note about buying/owning an Elise..

Has anyone had/got one?

[GWatson]

Looked at changing my Westy for one a few months back as a mate was selling his three year one. Hope you've got deep pockets that's all I can say.      Major service is around £450... brake pads around £250, tyres aren't cheap either, cooling problems are common. According to a lot of the posts on the elise forum, its advised to have a suspension rebuild after 25k, otherwise the car can start to handle v poorly.

At least the westie is cheap to run, well if you can leave it standard anyway.

Good fun mind you, just not the same grin factor as the Westie. Get the 111s if you can.

G

[Megablade Paul]

Have a look here, don't need to be a member to post, everything you need to know or ask

http://forums.seloc.org/index.php

I've got S2 and can't really comment on the S1 too much except for usual rules apply

Full service history

Check for crash damage

condition more important than mileage

etc etc

Also service schedule is a a b a a c the c service is a cambelt change and would cost about £700 at a main dealer or about £450 at a lotus specialist, so if you find one that's just had a c service that's good

Insurance will be more than a Westfield I pay circa £800 unlimited mileage with a specialist and I'm an old git

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

and I'm an old git

I'll go along with that    

[Messer]

Insurance not too bad, I am 23 and have got a quote on 12k miles for £661 with A flux.

I have narrowed it down to 3, one is titanium silver with black wheels on a V plate, one Azure Blue on S plate and a green on a P plate.

Just wandering what they are like to live with as i would be using it as my everyday car!

[pistonbroke]

Quote (Megablade Paul @ Sep. 27 2004,15:23)

and I'm an old git

I'll go along with that    

From where your standing thats a debatable point  

[scott beeland]

Bernie is definitely old....except in the Brain

[perksy]

Drove an Elise around mallory park and have to say it handled very well  

Not too sure i could live with it day to day though  

Errr don't the early ones have the engine out of the mgf      

[Megablade Paul]

S2 is supposed to be easier to live with than S1 but it depends on what you're prepared to compromise on. At 23 I'd say you should be able to live with it, dont think you'd be dissapointed and if you are then what the hell you wont loose any money on it. I always say it's better to regret the things you do than the things you dont do.

All Elises have the K series engine in varying forms of tune apart from the the very latest 111R and Exige's which have the Toyota VVTiL engine and 6 speed box.

Bernie, thanks for your reply to very old git Hurdsey you've saved me the job, age is all relative

[BEN99W]

You should be able to live with one as an only car, but be aware that high milage will see its condition and value plummet. The roof leaks if you don't have a garage (unless you fit a hard top) they are very low and the door is small - it you're over 5 10 or are on the portly side you'll quickly find it a chore getting in and out of so be familiar with this before you buy.

Very early ones had Aluminium discs - they last much longer but were discontinued due to production issues.

When looking for one try as many as possible. If it doesn't feel fantastic, then it could have a suspension problem. As with the westy, they need care to remain in top condition but are a fantastic driving experience and hold their value better than almost anything else so anything you do spend on it is worthwhile.

Standard ones are a bit souless enginewise, an induction kit and or sports exhaust improves things considerably.  

[Messer]

I have just tested 'the one' tonight its my favourite colour - Azure Blue and has 36k miles on an s plate. It drove superb, not a knock or bang to be heard and has full lotus history and also has the lotus sports exhaust.

It was either this or an integrale evo, but as I have already had the grale and seen first hand the damage they can do to your wallet I felt the Elise might be the one to go for.

Dont see a big problem with getting in and out as Im about 5'7 and weigh about a stone with three layers on wet through