Buying a high milage Exige

[lazy surf]

Hi All,

Been reading the lotus forum for a while now and I'm considering buying an S2 Exige. One of my colleagues is going to be selling his standard Oct2004 S2 Exige with touring pack. I'm going to view it closely this weekend, but it has done 42k miles.

Searching around this appears quite high for a car of this type. He used it as his daily driver for some time hence the miles.

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on buying a high miler like this? Would I find it hard to sell? Is this an absolute no go for an Exige?

It will have a FSH, and I would be getting it for a decent price.

Cheers,
Doug

[subaqua]

In a month it'll be 7 years old, so that's 6k miles a year. IMO that would only be classed as high mileage on a Ferarri. I took a 1998 S1 from 58k to 94k in two years. I would also bear in mind that garage queens that only come out on occasional sunny weekends also often miss services and may not have the little niggles fixed, because the owner CBA to solve it for a car he gets in once a month... so I prefer cars that are used regularly.

I would have no qualms about the mileage particularly, but as its now 7 years old things like hoses and bushes are likely to start showing signs of wear and tear. Its worth getting it looked over by a specialist before making any offers.

Hands up who has a Lotus with more than 50k miles on it.

Edited by subaqua on Thursday 8th September 13:28

[mr wiki]

As long as the price reflects the mileage and the current adverts I see no issues, there is a few Exige's over 100k now and as Sub says above its not really that high.

I will say though I would never buy a car from a friend/colleague.

[Altrezia]

I find it amazing that people find 40k miles 'high'. All my elises have had double that, and none of them had any real issues (to do with the mileage).

Infact, I've never had a car with less than 50k.

[simpo555]

As Mr Wiki says, I'd be far more concerned buying from a 'friend-colleague' than the mileage. Mileage not an issue, and anyway we're not talking high mileage here. Your friend will soon become an 'ex-friend at the slightest sign of a problem. Up to you.

[worldwidewebs]

It's a Toyota engine carrying a little car. It's still low mileage

[400SE Dave]

That is not high miles. A good friend of mine has a 111r (same engine) that has passed 130k and it is tight as ever.

Even 1.0 Corsa's do 100k now!!

[doggydave]

I wouldnt worry about that mileage at all as long as the price reflects it. Just make sure its a straight car, which it should be if you are buying it from a mate. Good luck.

[MoonMonkey]

Since when has 42k miles been high mileage...??

[Jezz172]

worldwidewebs said:

It's a Toyota engine carrying a little car. It's still low mileage

+1 as long as it's not been moded on the cheap these engines go for ever
My Exige had 26k when I sold it and the engine sounded and felt brand new
Just make sure it's had regular oil changes

[lazy surf]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Just about all my cars have had over 50k when bought, but they have all been bmw's/Porsche so have a reputation/image for being able to last the distance.

Not had any experience with Lotus, so all your thoughts are great.

It's a good point made about buying off a friend/colleague. I'd say we are pretty sensible, so I don't think there will be any friction if something goes wrong.

[The Bandit]

MoonMonkey said:

Since when has 42k miles been high mileage...??

Exactly,I opened this thread and thought i'd see 80k miles on the car!
The key as ever is maintenance, make sure its had its 9k miles/1yr services and brake fluid changes done every year plus checking all the other usual consumables.
Mine's 3 1/2 yrs old and is at 36k(all me)

[lazy surf]

400SE Dave said:

That is not high miles. A good friend of mine has a 111r (same engine) that has passed 130k and it is tight as ever.

Even 1.0 Corsa's do 100k now!!

130k - wow nice going!

[bordseye]

but at 7 years you can expect some issues.

lazy surf said:

Thanks for the opinions guys. Just about all my cars have had over 50k when bought, but they have all been bmw's/Porsche so have a reputation/image for being able to last the distance.

Not had any experience with Lotus, so all your thoughts are great.

It's a good point made about buying off a friend/colleague. I'd say we are pretty sensible, so I don't think there will be any friction if something goes wrong.

You would be buying privately so the only come back is if he misleads you about a specific issue. If he says nothing and the engine blows up the day after, its your problem.

Not that its likely to do that on the toyota engined cars anyway. However the rest of the car is Lotus and lightweight at that so dont expect Porsche levels of reliability / quality. Things like the electrics and the plumbing and seats and rubber seals and suspension are all Lotus quality rather than Porsche quality. Dont get me wrong - the quality is not bad but at 7 years old you can expect some issues. Worth it for the fun though.

[lazy surf]

Well I took it for a test drive on Saturday, then picked it up Sunday afternoon :-)

Bit of an impulse buy but I love it! Needs a little TLC. Brakes need a refresh (discs, pads, fluid) and there is a slight knocking on the steering as you turn the wheel, otherwise in great condition.

[mr wiki]

lol!

It need pads, disks and fluids and has a knocking sound.

£££

[subaqua]

Mmm... well pads and discs (if it does need discs) might cost up to 500 quid if you do it yourself. Nothing to worry about its just consumables.

Knocking from the steering is less good. If its just a low speed issue, it could just be the brake pads rattling in the calipers... lots of cars have this however Elise steering racks tend to need regular maintainance... could well need a refurb.

[Altrezia]

I'd do ARB Bushes, Drop links, and then UJ's before doing the steering rack!

[lazy surf]

Ok on closer inspection this weekend, discs don't need doing, just a little rusty round the edges. Rear discs have no lip whatsoever and the fronts only have the faintest impression. Going to change pads all round, arb and drop links look like they could do with refreshing as suggested.

I'll check the UJ. Read on another post that the retaining clamps/bolts can work loose.

[herebebeasties]

lazy surf said:

I'll check the UJ. Read on another post that the retaining clamps/bolts can work loose.

They've done that on both the Elises I've had.