new boy! insurance, reliability

[tanman]

Hi i'm new to this so please bear with me!
I'm currently looking for an S2 but my first question is what is the insurance like for the S2 sports tourer/ maybe 111s? i'm 32 (going grey), full no claims, live in a low risk area (devon but don't have 6 fingers), teacher and car would be parked outside. any ideas on figures - i would be grateful.
Second question- reading some of the news from you guys i'm a little worried about the reliability issue, are they that bad? i still don't think it will put me off but would like to know.
Test drove the 111R at the local dealership, what a beast! Better buy a few hundred lottery tickets.
Thanks
Tanman

[mustard]

Firstly Insurance will be more than your MR2 (but i cant see given your circumstances it being that bad), Secondly dont expect Toyota 'domestic appliance' reliabilty, having said that they are on the whole pretty reliable (especially compared to the horror stories you hear on TVR's)

Only issues really, which are just areas to be aware of are 1. Possible Head Gasket Failure, 2. Raditators can leak with age (not really going to be a problem on an S2) 3. Just general fit and finish (buy with care and this wont really be an issue).

Parts and servicing will be a bit priceier than the MR2, but again we are not talking vasts amounts.

Recommend you decide what your budget will stretch to (Sports tourer or 111S... well worth the extra if you can!) and then test drive the relavant one, because they do drive quite a bit different than 111R.

Take your time follow this forum espec. Lotus side and SELOC and I'm sure you wont regret your decision



>> Edited by mustard on Thursday 16th September 20:56

[S Works]

They're brilliant - drive a few like mustard says, read the Elise forum and search the archives, check out www.elises.co.uk and www.elise-faq.info for hints n tips.

Brilliant, brilliant cars - I love my S1 to bits.

Insurance shouldnt hurt you too much - play around on elephant.co.uk for an indicative quote.

Tim

>> Edited by S Works on Friday 17th September 00:17

[tanman]

Cheers guys for letting me know a few details and further web sites. i have one other question i'd like to ask as you both seem to be in the know. when i finally find the elise of my dreams do you think it is best to have an inspection carried out by someone like the RAC/ AA or ask the person to drop the car into a local lotus dealer and get them to look over it for me? i'll be looking at around 150-200 quid for RAC/ AA and i don't think a lotus dealership would be much more, (not 100% sure) would the lotus boys be much better at finding fault than the other guys?
I appreciate your knowledge.
Tanman

[tupolev]

the concensus of opinion seems to be to get a specialist to look it over.

however, although the elise is a 'specialist' car, i would have hoped the average AA monkey could identify clam repairs, bent chasis, ed up suspension or a shagged rover engine.

cheers

tup

[Martin_S]

Insurance should be pretty reasonable at your age, given the car's performance.

Reliability is very good. Don't worry about it! The Elise is actually a very simple car, too, so there's really very little to go wrong with it. The only bits which tend to fail expensively are the Rover parts (ie. engine/engine management - head gaskets are a potential weak spot as others have noted, but tend to be blown out of all proportion, IMHO).

Best driver's car on the market at the moment, so take the plunge and enjoy!

[_topcat]

Hi Tanman, i too live in devon(only 5 fingers per hand) and am waiting to pick up my S2 Exige later this week. I have a policy running with tesco and to add the Exige to it the premium looks to be about £850 but i had a quote from elephant at £690. Im 26(just) and have full ncb.
As far as reliability go, if you plan to use the car a lot then you wont have any troubles, the problems occur mainly whent the cars arent used for quite a while. as for an inspection, why not buy from Peninsula and you can always shout at them if things arent to your liking, other than that there is plenty of good advice on here. search for buying guides and you should be ok.
PS. you dont happen to go to Steves Gym do you?

[S Works]

tanman said:

Cheers guys for letting me know a few details and further web sites. i have one other question i'd like to ask as you both seem to be in the know. when i finally find the elise of my dreams do you think it is best to have an inspection carried out by someone like the RAC/ AA or ask the person to drop the car into a local lotus dealer and get them to look over it for me? i'll be looking at around 150-200 quid for RAC/ AA and i don't think a lotus dealership would be much more, (not 100% sure) would the lotus boys be much better at finding fault than the other guys? I appreciate your knowledge. Tanman

Absolutely get it done by a Lotus specialist. They should carry out a similar check to that done before/during a major service I believe (correct me if wrong someone) checking all major potential problem points...

tupolev said:

the concensus of opinion seems to be to get a specialist to look it over. however, although the elise is a 'specialist' car, i would have hoped the average AA monkey could identify clam repairs, bent chasis, ed up suspension or a shagged rover engine. cheers tup

...tup, you'd like to think so mate but when you actually read what the RAC/AA inspections cover it's pretty much nothing that will help you. Specifically IIRC they won't put it on a ramp, they won't be able to do wheel alignment checks etc. etc. all of which your Lotus specialist should.

Seriously, the money is best spent with those in the know. If you want tips on who's good in your local area post in the Elise forum and I'm sure you'll get a rousing response.

Tim

[Davey S1]

Tanman

For insurance try Esteem who are good and dont charge you extra for mods. They also do trackday cover for about £25 per day (although they wont cover you for your first trackday).

Give Sam Aslett (as in Samuel, not Samantha) a bell on 01483 706051

Happy hunting

[VFX]

They charged me extra for my PTP165 mod and didn't reduce it when I had back to standard!