Things they dont tell you when you SELL an Elise

[simpo555]

In reply to the thread concerning things they don't tell you when you buy an Elise, thought I'd add the other side of the coin.

Having sold my car I'm in pieces. Just can't get it out of my system. Seems like I'm an addict. No matter how much I like my new car, no matter how much more practical, more economical, more comfortable and in some ways more reassuring I just can't get over the sale of my car. I had intended to replace it with another Lotus, but circumstances dictated otherwise and a rather hasty purchase was made. How I wish I could have waited 3 - 4 weeks but it wasn't possible. Just hoping that one day will be able to buy another one although time is not on my side.

[Scrambled]

Less than 24 hours later you start looking at Loti for sale to ease the pain.

[cre8toruk]

I haven't stopped looking even after buying.... Am I being unfaithful ?

[pthelazyjourno]

simpo555 said:

In reply to the thread concerning things they don't tell you when you buy an Elise, thought I'd add the other side of the coin.

Having sold my car I'm in pieces. Just can't get it out of my system. Seems like I'm an addict. No matter how much I like my new car, no matter how much more practical, more economical, more comfortable and in some ways more reassuring I just can't get over the sale of my car. I had intended to replace it with another Lotus, but circumstances dictated otherwise and a rather hasty purchase was made. How I wish I could have waited 3 - 4 weeks but it wasn't possible. Just hoping that one day will be able to buy another one although time is not on my side.

If 3-4 weeks would have been enough, why can't you sell your new car in 3-4 weeks??

Or is it literally a brand new car? Unless we're talking really new or really premium, you shouldn't lose much in a short space of time, so don't see why you can't sell up and buy another Lotus.

What have you replaced it with that's so economical?

I was thinking the other day, as I got to London and back on £20 of petrol, there's not a chance in hell any of my previous cars would have done that trip on anything less than £30 (and as much as £60)..

You'd even have to drive carefully in a diesel to beat it, considering the price difference between petrol and derv.

[simpo555]

Its a new car, Audi A3 convertible-Diesel. Hugely discounted (-30%) but cant envisage selling it for at least 18 months. In France Diesel remains more than 15% cheaper than petrol and consumption is around 35% less compared to the Lotus so day to day running costs are far lower. However, thats slightly missing the point. Its far more about the emotive side allied to the frustration of if only I could have waited, but it just wasn't possible. I'm equally surprised that the level of frustration is so high, as the replacement car is not exactly a shed. However I dreamed of my Lotus for a long time before buying it, nearly six months, loved every minute of its ownership and almost cried when it went. The Audi was an 'off the shelf, impulse purchase which ticked all the right boxes on the day. However it's not a Lotus. The Audi is a very fine car make no mistake, it just doesn't make me feel like a king, it doesn't put that huge smile on my face, not like my Lotus did. Better built, more practical, more comfortable, more economical, four seats, German engineering etc etc and yet I miss my Lotus like crazy. So just a cautionary tail for those of you having thoughts of changing.

[simpo555]

I'll keep my car 18 months and then back to Lotus. Just addicted and can't get it out of my system, no matter hard I try.

[pthelazyjourno]

simpo555 said:

I'll keep my car 18 months and then back to Lotus. Just addicted and can't get it out of my system, no matter hard I try.

What model did you have?

I managed 6 months before buying mine back!!

[oodam]

That's nice to hear Simpo. I kept my S1 in the garage for the last 6 months while I drive my Audi (6 years old) for work but I took the Elise out for a spin today; I was thinking of selling until 1/2 a mile up the road. Reading your post reinforces my decision. Just get another! That said I couldn't have it as my main car now, it, like me is getting a bit long in the tooth and I enjoy the waftyness, discreetness and comfort of the Audi for every day use. I'll be keeping it for as long as I can afford to.

[Arisutea]

I don't think I could ever actually sell mine. I only need to go on holiday for a week before I start to have serious withdrawal symptoms. Stupid wonderful car.

[Captain Muppet]

simpo555 said:

However I dreamed of my Lotus for a long time before buying it, nearly six months...

I dreamed of having an S1 Elise from 1996, when I first saw one, to 2008, when I finally bought one.

12 years. Blimey.

[simpo555]

Funny thing but I'm already dreaming of my next one, but not until 2014.

[simpo555]

More than four months later and its still 'killing' me. I know the only cure is to get another one. My life just seems incomplete without it. Probably makes me a sad git but there we go. Just to add insult to injury went to a national Ford Mustang club meeting at my local track and amongst all the heavy American Metal was a Lotus Exige. The Mustangs were gorgeous, from 1966 convertibles through to Shelby Cobra 500 and more. However, the Exige just seemes right to me. Small, intimate and relatively economical. Don't want to think how much petrol one has to put in a Mustang in normal road use let alone hammering round the track. Mustangs remain iconic but ownership must cost an arm and a leg. Photos to follow

[simpo555]

[simpo555]

[simpo555]

After three months the Audi has to go. Dont know how long it'll take to sell, or how much of a hit I'm going to take but there we go. Life is full of ups and downs. Just can't cope with having what can only be described as a wonderful car that just doesn't inspire me. Its not rational, it's probably not the most sensible thing to do, but from an emotional point of view it just makes sense to get back into a Lotus