Elise S1 pre-purchase inspection?
Discussion
Hi all,
Would it be generally recommended to get a PPI on an Elise and would it require somewhere more specialised than the RAC/AA?
I have never had a PPI before, if using a specialist would you typically be required to take the car to them? Not sure on how the logistics would work really if buying privately or from a non specialist garage?
I have seen a few examples I will probably look at this weekend if they are still for sale, so recommendations for where I could take them would be most appreciated: 1 is near Watford at a normal garage, 1 is private somewhere in Surrey and another private in Dorset.
I've set a max budget of ~10k as I think that is the most a standard S1 should command? Does that sound reasonable?
Thanks in advance, I first looked at a S1 type 49 8 years now, but kids, houses and life got in the way(!) so great to be finally in a position to potentially get one
Rich.
Would it be generally recommended to get a PPI on an Elise and would it require somewhere more specialised than the RAC/AA?
I have never had a PPI before, if using a specialist would you typically be required to take the car to them? Not sure on how the logistics would work really if buying privately or from a non specialist garage?
I have seen a few examples I will probably look at this weekend if they are still for sale, so recommendations for where I could take them would be most appreciated: 1 is near Watford at a normal garage, 1 is private somewhere in Surrey and another private in Dorset.
I've set a max budget of ~10k as I think that is the most a standard S1 should command? Does that sound reasonable?
Thanks in advance, I first looked at a S1 type 49 8 years now, but kids, houses and life got in the way(!) so great to be finally in a position to potentially get one
Rich.
Perfect, thanks all. That's 3 places I can call tomorrow and sound out the general process of doing a PPI with them then. BoT and Sportomotive I have heard of - in fact Sportomotive is only 20mins away from me anyhow and driven past many many times, should have thought of that myself really!
I guess things like a rusty fuel tank would be picked up an a PPI from a specialist(?), which is why I think for this sort of car it's worth getting it done. I assume visibility of the tank is somewhat limited unless you know what and where to view?
My main concern with this type of car is that it hasn't been stood out without use for too long at a time and rust has set in on it - although I guess the Elise being fibreglass and an alloy chassis means it won't be as bad as a typical car in this respect, all my car buying experience is with normal stuff so I feel a bit exposed I guess.
Cheers.
I guess things like a rusty fuel tank would be picked up an a PPI from a specialist(?), which is why I think for this sort of car it's worth getting it done. I assume visibility of the tank is somewhat limited unless you know what and where to view?
My main concern with this type of car is that it hasn't been stood out without use for too long at a time and rust has set in on it - although I guess the Elise being fibreglass and an alloy chassis means it won't be as bad as a typical car in this respect, all my car buying experience is with normal stuff so I feel a bit exposed I guess.
Cheers.
It's a shame that you're only in a good position to evaluate a particular model of car, after you've owned one.
When you're viewing a first purchase, you're a bit of a novice. General (viewing of older cars) rules apply, but the Lotus Elise and variants are quite different to 'run of the mill' cars in many ways.
I think I'd be able to see an Elise that's been badly stored and/or used all year round, a mile off, now.
But at the time I was looking at potential cars to buy, I was on a very steep learning curve.
When you're viewing a first purchase, you're a bit of a novice. General (viewing of older cars) rules apply, but the Lotus Elise and variants are quite different to 'run of the mill' cars in many ways.
I think I'd be able to see an Elise that's been badly stored and/or used all year round, a mile off, now.
But at the time I was looking at potential cars to buy, I was on a very steep learning curve.
ChrisJ. said:
It's a shame that you're only in a good position to evaluate a particular model of car, after you've owned one.
When you're viewing a first purchase, you're a bit of a novice. General (viewing of older cars) rules apply, but the Lotus Elise and variants are quite different to 'run of the mill' cars in many ways.
Yes and this is one purchase I don't want to make and later come to realise it is not as I hoped.When you're viewing a first purchase, you're a bit of a novice. General (viewing of older cars) rules apply, but the Lotus Elise and variants are quite different to 'run of the mill' cars in many ways.
ChrisJ. said:
I think I'd be able to see an Elise that's been badly stored and/or used all year round, a mile off, now.
But at the time I was looking at potential cars to buy, I was on a very steep learning curve.
Please feel free to share your spotters guide to the badly kept Elise! But at the time I was looking at potential cars to buy, I was on a very steep learning curve.
Fuel tank is as you said unseen, you need to get the aluminium underpanel off first, then you can see the condition of the tank through circular cutouts in the cross beam panel. There are really nice alloy replacements from £450 + pp up to £850. Because im generally broke, ive used a 100% rust free s2 off ebay for 30 quid. However the breather pipe is a different diameter so you need a reducing connector. Good luck.
Mine is a tad rusty on engine mounts, wisbones and radiator mounts. Picked up some early wishbones which are hot dip coated, later ones (98 on?) were just painted. Plan to wire brush the mounts maybe over winter and hammerite.
Other than that i think it is a great second hand car, because the worst thing on any car is rust imo.
Have even hacked out some access panels in the bulkhead too, to reduce the necessity for engine removal for items such as alternator, exhaust manifold, fuel tank.
2nd hand cars between 1990-2002 hit the sweet spot of still home repairable, but fuel injected / sensible on petrol / powerful.
Mine is a tad rusty on engine mounts, wisbones and radiator mounts. Picked up some early wishbones which are hot dip coated, later ones (98 on?) were just painted. Plan to wire brush the mounts maybe over winter and hammerite.
Other than that i think it is a great second hand car, because the worst thing on any car is rust imo.
Have even hacked out some access panels in the bulkhead too, to reduce the necessity for engine removal for items such as alternator, exhaust manifold, fuel tank.
2nd hand cars between 1990-2002 hit the sweet spot of still home repairable, but fuel injected / sensible on petrol / powerful.
Edited by bencollins on Thursday 22 August 06:40
TB Rich said:
Please feel free to share your spotters guide to the badly kept Elise!
Can I come back to that?For an S1, this has got to be worth a look?:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
ChrisJ. said:
I think I'd be able to see an Elise that's been badly stored and/or used all year round, a mile off, now.
Mine has been stored outside for the last decade at least, and I've been using it all year for the last five years.The seals under the windows have started to bubble up at the clips inside them rust.
When I replaced the OE radiator (it started to leak after 16 years) the fan was full of rust so I replaced it (it had been noisy for years, but still worked).
The various grills on the car have gone rusty, but nothing a coat of hammerite can't fix for a few more years yet.
The thread in the tow eye mount had rusted to the point that it would have been unsafe to tow, so I've replaced that too.
The OEM soft top was falling to bits after 13 years outside, but fortunately for me it was cosmetically rough rather than leaky, so the interior (mine has carpets because the previous owner was a poof) hasn't really suffered.
The big problem with storing it outside was misfiring when wet, but a modified S2 engine cover sorted that.
This summer I meant to take the rear clam off and tidy a few things up, but haven't got round to it yet. I did the front clam last year for the rad swap, and there were no nasty surprises.
At the same age my mk2 MR2 had done a headgasket, a radiator, 4 alternators and had enough structural rust that I had to scrap it. So I'm very happy with the durability of the Elise.
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