Would buying an Elise be a really stupid idea?
Discussion
Hi,
please bear with me, this may be a bit of a rambling post...
I've been thinking more and more about buying an Elise and have been reading these pages and looking at the classifieds here on PH more and more over the last few weeks. I've previously test driven one twice but each time never actually went through with the purchase, buying something else instead.
I could do with another car, but what I really need is something practical that I can use daily for short trips and will be easy to live with. More seats and luggage space are always useful but not necessary. What I want though is an Elise but I'm not sure it really fits what I need, but perhaps I won't care?
I should clarify that it would be an additional car (I have a Z4MC and use of my wife's Mini Cooper S)... To complicate things further.... I've been banned (by family rather than doctors/DVLA) from motorbikes and I do miss it somewhat and I was thinking perhaps an Elise would let me get back some of that fun.... And for it was as much about the sound as anything else so I'm thinking a nice exhaust would be fairly essential.
So am I mad, should I just be sensible and buy myself an Abarth 500 or would an Elise be a good move?
I've been looking at cars at around the £12k mark but I guess that budget isn't set in stone.... Oh also I'm looking to buy a house at some point (when I find one I like... Bit fussy) so its quite possible the Elise would have to go (maybe the Z4MC too) should I find one and need to raise funds for the deposit. I appreciate I'd probably lose some money in the process but hey... It's not exactly making me anything sat ion the bank.
please bear with me, this may be a bit of a rambling post...
I've been thinking more and more about buying an Elise and have been reading these pages and looking at the classifieds here on PH more and more over the last few weeks. I've previously test driven one twice but each time never actually went through with the purchase, buying something else instead.
I could do with another car, but what I really need is something practical that I can use daily for short trips and will be easy to live with. More seats and luggage space are always useful but not necessary. What I want though is an Elise but I'm not sure it really fits what I need, but perhaps I won't care?
I should clarify that it would be an additional car (I have a Z4MC and use of my wife's Mini Cooper S)... To complicate things further.... I've been banned (by family rather than doctors/DVLA) from motorbikes and I do miss it somewhat and I was thinking perhaps an Elise would let me get back some of that fun.... And for it was as much about the sound as anything else so I'm thinking a nice exhaust would be fairly essential.
So am I mad, should I just be sensible and buy myself an Abarth 500 or would an Elise be a good move?
I've been looking at cars at around the £12k mark but I guess that budget isn't set in stone.... Oh also I'm looking to buy a house at some point (when I find one I like... Bit fussy) so its quite possible the Elise would have to go (maybe the Z4MC too) should I find one and need to raise funds for the deposit. I appreciate I'd probably lose some money in the process but hey... It's not exactly making me anything sat ion the bank.
Exactly how much luggage space is required.?
You can't get suitcases in, bet let us know what you'd like to carry and we'll tell you what will fit! You will be surprised.
To kick off, two sets of golf clubs (26 clubs, the woods go behind the seats), two pencil bags, clothes and shoes for golf, leather jacket and the roof will all fit in the boot!
You can't get suitcases in, bet let us know what you'd like to carry and we'll tell you what will fit! You will be surprised.
To kick off, two sets of golf clubs (26 clubs, the woods go behind the seats), two pencil bags, clothes and shoes for golf, leather jacket and the roof will all fit in the boot!
As a practical motorbike alternative an Elise is perfect. Also chances are it won't lose you much, if any, money. An S1 might be less of a financial risk, but I'm just saying that because I've got one.
I bought my Elise to use for a year of short b-road commuting, but it's done it so well I've had it for 5 years now, with no plans to sell it ever.
I can fit more food in the boot than we can eat in a week, so that is as practical as I need it to be.
I bought my Elise to use for a year of short b-road commuting, but it's done it so well I've had it for 5 years now, with no plans to sell it ever.
I can fit more food in the boot than we can eat in a week, so that is as practical as I need it to be.
Don't assume you'd lose money, a 12k Elise is unlikely to fall much further, if at all, and a lot less than most other cars.
Plenty of info on which model and variation, on PH and SELOC, a subject which has been done to death, and I'm guessing will be your next question.
Sample weekly shop managed in the Elise...
Plenty of info on which model and variation, on PH and SELOC, a subject which has been done to death, and I'm guessing will be your next question.
Sample weekly shop managed in the Elise...
Edited by SeanyD on Tuesday 4th June 09:38
but I could live with it)
www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/el...
Thoughts? Seems reasonably priced, not sure what the history on it is like though, will find out.
www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/el...
Thoughts? Seems reasonably priced, not sure what the history on it is like though, will find out.
hamzamian said:
but I could live with it)
www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/el...
Thoughts? Seems reasonably priced, not sure what the history on it is like though, will find out.
Sweet, 111s is a good choice, especially if the head gasket is already sorted. Worth checking suspension and discs, as that age/mileage could be due a refresh, and not cheap to do.www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/el...
Thoughts? Seems reasonably priced, not sure what the history on it is like though, will find out.
hamzamian said:
Hi,
I've been banned (by family rather than doctors/DVLA) from motorbikes and I do miss it somewhat and I was thinking perhaps an Elise would let me get back some of that fun.... And for it was as much about the sound as anything else so I'm thinking a nice exhaust would be fairly essential.
Been there got the T shirt and as a result now have the Elise AND a bike. I sold my bikes after an RTA and under family pressure, so I went and bought a new 111R Elise as a substitute. Its a wonderful car and even a 911 that I tried recently doesnt match it for driving pleasure, but it isnt a bike and it doesnt fill that gap. Driving a fast car on UK roads is an exercise in frustration even here out in SE Wales. Out in the Elise this afternoon I was stuck several times behind ques of 3 or 4 cars / vans and unable to get past for ages whereas in a bike I would have been off and away. The consequence is that when you do get past / they peel away, you tend to drive too fast to make up. I've been banned (by family rather than doctors/DVLA) from motorbikes and I do miss it somewhat and I was thinking perhaps an Elise would let me get back some of that fun.... And for it was as much about the sound as anything else so I'm thinking a nice exhaust would be fairly essential.
Abarth? Do you really want Italian quality? My Lotus has been 100% relaible - the FIAT I had a few years back was an out and out disaster.
Oops it seems to have lost half my reply in my previous post.... Let me see if I can remember what I said...
In terms of space, to be honest 95% of the time there is nothing more in the car than me and perhaps a bag so it's probably, though part of the justification for another car was that 1) I wouldn't have to steal my wife or my parents cars in those situations and 2) I can park the Elise at my flat (I can't park the Z4MC outside as some low life keeps trying to steal the wheels! So it lives at my parents house about 5mins away which isn't too convenient and as a result doesn't get as much use as it might). I guess the Elise at least solves one of those two so that's not bad right
I'm encouraged by the statements about the depreciation as again part of the reason for an Elise would be minimal depreciation so when needed I can sell it to het the money needed for a house deposit if necessary.
I guess my biggest concern, and the biggest reason why I want an Elise as opposed to need one is to fill that hole left by motorbikes.... So I'm less enamoured to hear that it doesn't do too well at that, though I guess that it to be expected and perhaps I was being a little dishonest with myself in thinking that it would.
In terms of models, I know I want an S2, and ideally a short roof version but aside from that I'm quite flexible. I don't think I want one of the more hardcore versions so probable a regular Elise or a 111S probably just depending on what's available and the condition etc.
So the biggest question really is, how far will it go to filling that void left by the motorbikes. As much as anything else I miss the sound, especially on the overrun while pulling up to the lights or something.
In terms of space, to be honest 95% of the time there is nothing more in the car than me and perhaps a bag so it's probably, though part of the justification for another car was that 1) I wouldn't have to steal my wife or my parents cars in those situations and 2) I can park the Elise at my flat (I can't park the Z4MC outside as some low life keeps trying to steal the wheels! So it lives at my parents house about 5mins away which isn't too convenient and as a result doesn't get as much use as it might). I guess the Elise at least solves one of those two so that's not bad right
I'm encouraged by the statements about the depreciation as again part of the reason for an Elise would be minimal depreciation so when needed I can sell it to het the money needed for a house deposit if necessary.
I guess my biggest concern, and the biggest reason why I want an Elise as opposed to need one is to fill that hole left by motorbikes.... So I'm less enamoured to hear that it doesn't do too well at that, though I guess that it to be expected and perhaps I was being a little dishonest with myself in thinking that it would.
In terms of models, I know I want an S2, and ideally a short roof version but aside from that I'm quite flexible. I don't think I want one of the more hardcore versions so probable a regular Elise or a 111S probably just depending on what's available and the condition etc.
So the biggest question really is, how far will it go to filling that void left by the motorbikes. As much as anything else I miss the sound, especially on the overrun while pulling up to the lights or something.
bordseye said:
Been there got the T shirt and as a result now have the Elise AND a bike. I sold my bikes after an RTA and under family pressure, so I went and bought a new 111R Elise as a substitute. Its a wonderful car and even a 911 that I tried recently doesnt match it for driving pleasure, but it isnt a bike and it doesnt fill that gap. Driving a fast car on UK roads is an exercise in frustration even here out in SE Wales. Out in the Elise this afternoon I was stuck several times behind ques of 3 or 4 cars / vans and unable to get past for ages whereas in a bike I would have been off and away. The consequence is that when you do get past / they peel away, you tend to drive too fast to make up.
Abarth? Do you really want Italian quality? My Lotus has been 100% relaible - the FIAT I had a few years back was an out and out disaster.
Thanks for that, very useful info. I'm in the same situation as you effectively. An Aprilia Tuono 1000 and a Ducati 996 both gone. The latter is sorely missed, made a lovely noise with its big bore termis.Abarth? Do you really want Italian quality? My Lotus has been 100% relaible - the FIAT I had a few years back was an out and out disaster.
I test drove an Abarth 500 essess when we bought the Mini Cooper S for my wife and its a really fun car to drive, lots of drama and a great soundtrack for a little car. The reason we went for the Mini instead was, as you said, Italian build quality and reliability.
The only other thing I didn't like about it was it feels like you're sitting on the car not it (the Elise really doesnt have that problem!!)
Don't suppose I'm alone but ran a bike (CBR 1100xx) and an Elise R at the same time. The bike was more powerful, faster and got through traffic. Wonderful when the sun shines. However I had more real pleasure in the Lotus for lots of different reasons. I still have the bike and will keep it now as its value doesn't really warrant me selling it. I mistakenly sold the Lotus but envisage, in the not too distant future, correcting the error.
neilj37 said:
Just part ex'd my Elise 111R which I had had for 3 years but if I had sold private I would have gotton exactly the same money I bought it for. The Elise seems to be the one of only a few cars at the moment holding their money. Would be a good choice if you pick up a good one.
Agreed, I've just sold mine after 4 years and one month, for £591 less than I paid, I can't argue with that and there's probably not many other cars with such low depreciation. Admittedly, I've spent a fair bit in between keeping it going
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff