elise s1 wanted

Author
Discussion

sodrisc

Original Poster:

4 posts

269 months

Thursday 27th June 2002
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Hello,

I have just missed out on a s1 elise as I could'nt get the time off to view it before tomorrow and the dealer has flogged it this morning, it would have been my first go in an Elise, you can imagine the dissapointment. Does anyone have a titanium s1 98/99 with no more than 20,000 on the clock and near the Bristol area they would like to sell, subject to a maindealer inspection of the vehicle?? anyone like to discuss how much I should be paying? I thought around 12500 - 1400ish?

cheers,
Steve.

adeewuff

567 posts

277 months

Thursday 27th June 2002
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www.parkers.co.uk

Don't let any private seller fob you off with higher prices either!

NDT

1,766 posts

270 months

Friday 28th June 2002
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but do you really ever see Elises for under 12k?

I'm seriously interested, and at that sort of price it could almost be a second car...

background - I'm opting out of a company car scheme and have 7k per year to spend.

To my simple mind this means one car for 20-25K or 2 cars for a similar amount....
Elise plus a TDi Golf to go to work in!

Back to my first comment though - I never seem to see them that cheap, and if I buy one new and use it everyday (20000 miles per year) the value will go through the floor.

all thoughts / comments appreciated!

PS sorry to hijack the thread!

adeewuff

567 posts

277 months

Friday 28th June 2002
quotequote all
Considering I sold my '97 Elise for £11500 I would say that £12k is still expensive! The older Elises are worth far less than you might expect, the prices are set artifically high because of the owners overvaluing their vehicles and refusing to accept the inevitable depreciation.

Give it another year and I'd expect the prices will dip below £10k for an older model. Incidently I would wait until the end of the summer season if you want to get a good deal on an Elise.

>> Edited by adeewuff on Friday 28th June 10:52

sodrisc

Original Poster:

4 posts

269 months

Friday 28th June 2002
quotequote all
I have a dealer coming around this afternoon with a R reg elise with 40,000 on the clock, I reckon he wants around 13k for it, advice would be appreciated, are the miles a bit on the high side?? should I insist on a lotus dealer/AA inspection, or just settle for a good warrnaty and a HPI check, questions, questions, Im just a little nervous as I have never spent this much on a car before, answers ASAP appreciated.

>> Edited by sodrisc on Friday 28th June 11:50

adeewuff

567 posts

277 months

Friday 28th June 2002
quotequote all
This lists some of the common problems on the S1 Elise, have a look through and just be aware of them.

www.elises.co.uk/problems/s1/index.html

OK, check the exposed chassis hasn't got any scuffs or scratches in it, quite simply you can't get rid of them. See how the steering feels, is it pulling from one side to the other?

Does the steering feel vague just off centre at low speeds and then liven up at higher speeds? If it does then have a look at the tyres, and see if they are wearing evenly and also get the tracking checked.

Make sure first to second gear is a clean change, if it's been thrashed you'll feel it.

Also check the condition of the poppers on the roof, they can get knackered after a few frustrated fitting sessions!

Apart from that just the normal things really, any accident damage/repairs. Check the service history has it had the expensive C service involving the cambelt change? Where was the last owner located? Was it garaged? Have a look under the car and see if there are any scrapes or damage to the undertray.

If you get a bad vibe about it back off and look at another one, there are certainly more out there for the same price. I hope it all goes well.

>> Edited by adeewuff on Friday 28th June 15:31

sodrisc

Original Poster:

4 posts

269 months

Friday 28th June 2002
quotequote all
can get the car for 12.5k, but it has 50,000 on the clock, has a HPI and has just been serviced and inspected by a Ferrari delaership/garage and there are no problems and it does not appear to have ever been crash damaged, it was in good nick from what I could tell and drove like a dream, but as it was my first go behind the wheel of an elise I suppose even if it was a bit iffy the rose tinted glasses would have filtered it out, does need a C service next service, the guy I would buy it from supplies dealerships so it would not come with any warranty, god the decision is killing me, but im erring on waiting for something around the 20k miles mark, I think, but then again ......................

DanL

6,437 posts

272 months

Friday 28th June 2002
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quote:

can get the car for 12.5k, but it has 50,000 on the clock


The price is tempting I guess, but 50k is huge mileage for an Elise. You could take that two ways though

a) It's knackered.

b) It's been a daily drive for someone and is totally sorted.

If it looks like option b then it sounds alright, but the C service is the expensive one... Personally I'd spend 1k more and get one with lower miles, as there seem to be plenty about. If it's also going to be a daily car for you then the mileage will be truly huge when you come to sell it and this will really count against it.

Dan

smeagol

1,947 posts

291 months

Friday 28th June 2002
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£12.5k sounds a lot for 50,000 and C service not done. One haggle could be you'll have the car for £12.5k but throw in the C service. I've found dealers quite like that kind of negotiation.

sodrisc

Original Poster:

4 posts

269 months

Friday 28th June 2002
quotequote all
thanks for the responses they have been a great help in me deciding not to buy the car, I have found the car online and it is on the forcourt for 14995!