65k for a 2008 Elise SC - a bargain...
Discussion
Let me explain, I currently live in Singapore where the cost of owning any car is astronomical - due to permit costs and taxes dumped on top of the actual asking price. To give you an idea, a new bog-standard VW Polo with no extras costs, on the road, about GBP75,000.
Being a petrolhead, when I discovered this (not that I was in the market for a Polo of course) I nearly cried. Having now reconciled myself to the fact that no matter what you buy, new or used, you will always feel ripped off and significantly poorer, I started thinking about what cars could I (a) afford and (b) actually buy while actually still being able to retain some sense of justification.
The list quickly shortened to a used 2008 Nissan GTR (a stunning example of high-end engineering and performance in, theoretically at least, a practical package) and some form of used Lotus Elise/Exige (representing the ultimate of vaguely affordable lightweight focused driving pleasure). Relucantly I have now dropped the idea of the Nissan. It was a bit more expensive (a 2008 example - around GBP80,000) and it is a heavy car needing room to let it breathe. Also, having sold my 550 when I moved to Singapore, I was in the mood for something light and zingy and mid/rear engined. This leaves me with an Elise/Exige and I have seen a rather nice green 2008 Elise SC for sale at the GBP65,000 mark.
Enough preamble - and apologies for the rambling justification above. I have done my research and trawled (as best as possible) the search function on PH to look for specicially Elise SC threads. The balance of opinion seems to be that it is a stunning car but with some reservations about the engine noise and whether it actually feels that fast despite the additional power over a standard Elise. I will be test driving the car and so will be able to determine for myself my immediate reactions but can any of you give me a view as to how it worked out as a long-term ownership proposition. Was it a grower - finding out new facets to its character or did it end up not living up to expectations - with a frustrating engine noise/character and less than expected oomph for the money.
Any thoughts gratefully received - along with the expected (and warranted) 65KG FOR A PLASTIC ROLLER SKATE - ARE YOU MAD!!!! replies.
Cheers
Being a petrolhead, when I discovered this (not that I was in the market for a Polo of course) I nearly cried. Having now reconciled myself to the fact that no matter what you buy, new or used, you will always feel ripped off and significantly poorer, I started thinking about what cars could I (a) afford and (b) actually buy while actually still being able to retain some sense of justification.
The list quickly shortened to a used 2008 Nissan GTR (a stunning example of high-end engineering and performance in, theoretically at least, a practical package) and some form of used Lotus Elise/Exige (representing the ultimate of vaguely affordable lightweight focused driving pleasure). Relucantly I have now dropped the idea of the Nissan. It was a bit more expensive (a 2008 example - around GBP80,000) and it is a heavy car needing room to let it breathe. Also, having sold my 550 when I moved to Singapore, I was in the mood for something light and zingy and mid/rear engined. This leaves me with an Elise/Exige and I have seen a rather nice green 2008 Elise SC for sale at the GBP65,000 mark.
Enough preamble - and apologies for the rambling justification above. I have done my research and trawled (as best as possible) the search function on PH to look for specicially Elise SC threads. The balance of opinion seems to be that it is a stunning car but with some reservations about the engine noise and whether it actually feels that fast despite the additional power over a standard Elise. I will be test driving the car and so will be able to determine for myself my immediate reactions but can any of you give me a view as to how it worked out as a long-term ownership proposition. Was it a grower - finding out new facets to its character or did it end up not living up to expectations - with a frustrating engine noise/character and less than expected oomph for the money.
Any thoughts gratefully received - along with the expected (and warranted) 65KG FOR A PLASTIC ROLLER SKATE - ARE YOU MAD!!!! replies.
Cheers
I do feel for you guys. When I was in KL last time, late last summer, BMW had a stand in the KLCC mall with a new M5 on display.....898,800RM, equating to a smidge over £165,000!
I don't there would be any foreign manufactured car that would represent a sensible idea, tbh, so I'd say get your test drive and see how you get on.
Don't fancy a Proton Myvi then?! :yep:
I don't there would be any foreign manufactured car that would represent a sensible idea, tbh, so I'd say get your test drive and see how you get on.
Don't fancy a Proton Myvi then?! :yep:
Having done 2 assignments to Singapore, I feel your pain. I think the best Elise for Singapore would be the 1.6 as it would get into the lower COE band and possibly better OMV. You are not going to be able to exploit any performance on the island
anyway. That said the SC is brilliant car and you'll be delighted with it. With the SC you'll need to watch the torque and standing water in the wet there, it's manageable just needs a light foot and good spacial awareness. When I was out there in 2010 the few Elise's on sale hung around a long time before being sold.
There is a lotus community out there, join SELOC and U2U Sureshn for the real local info.
Good luck with the purchase
anyway. That said the SC is brilliant car and you'll be delighted with it. With the SC you'll need to watch the torque and standing water in the wet there, it's manageable just needs a light foot and good spacial awareness. When I was out there in 2010 the few Elise's on sale hung around a long time before being sold.
There is a lotus community out there, join SELOC and U2U Sureshn for the real local info.
Good luck with the purchase
I used to live in Singapore in the mid/late 1960`s, when I was about 5 years old, so I have no idea what the roads are like...however I used to own an Elise S/C and thought the engine and noise was a cracker! It was a 111S that I had converted, and for me the supercharger improved it. I will agree that when driving in the wet, treat deep puddles/standing water with caution.
Sorry it costs that much for you... - but sounds like thats waht they go for.
My rule when buying cars is to consider as much how long I will own them for and the resale at the end. I bought the Elise SC thinking I'd keep it for 2+ years and the depreciation would be acceptable. 3+ years on and I can't find myself moving it on (this in spite of the fact I had a baby and have had very limited use of the car) but if I did I would stand to only lose a k or 2 a year which is acceptable to me. Hopefully the same applies to you.
The fact is - there is not much else this side of a ferrari/new 911/etc etc that I would prefer over the Elise so not worth trading in unless i had a lot of dough.
So on to your questions - the sound is not special AT ALL... putting a new exhaust (tubular/larini) makes a world of difference but its still a four cylinder supercharged car and will never compare to a 550, any v8 etc etc. Personally that does not bother me as much as a lot of petrol heads but worth bearing in mind (mind you - I don't think the stock GTR sounds that great either).
I test drove both an Elise 111r and an SC and I thought the latter felt a LOT faster to me - especially in day to day driving (I reckon the difference on track would be less marked but would depend on the driver of course). The difference in uptake at low revs / speeds means its a lot quicker for me... if you're able to keep the revs up i think the difference would be less noticable.
I actually plumped for the SC more because it drives well at low speeds rather than outright speedier, another option is of course to get an R and remap so less peaky.
But tbh you can't go wrong with either car or just as much (as someone suggested) the 1.6. i love the elise for how it looks (yes really!) and its steering - it just cant be beat in my view but then I have never driven a caterham in earnest!
My rule when buying cars is to consider as much how long I will own them for and the resale at the end. I bought the Elise SC thinking I'd keep it for 2+ years and the depreciation would be acceptable. 3+ years on and I can't find myself moving it on (this in spite of the fact I had a baby and have had very limited use of the car) but if I did I would stand to only lose a k or 2 a year which is acceptable to me. Hopefully the same applies to you.
The fact is - there is not much else this side of a ferrari/new 911/etc etc that I would prefer over the Elise so not worth trading in unless i had a lot of dough.
So on to your questions - the sound is not special AT ALL... putting a new exhaust (tubular/larini) makes a world of difference but its still a four cylinder supercharged car and will never compare to a 550, any v8 etc etc. Personally that does not bother me as much as a lot of petrol heads but worth bearing in mind (mind you - I don't think the stock GTR sounds that great either).
I test drove both an Elise 111r and an SC and I thought the latter felt a LOT faster to me - especially in day to day driving (I reckon the difference on track would be less marked but would depend on the driver of course). The difference in uptake at low revs / speeds means its a lot quicker for me... if you're able to keep the revs up i think the difference would be less noticable.
I actually plumped for the SC more because it drives well at low speeds rather than outright speedier, another option is of course to get an R and remap so less peaky.
But tbh you can't go wrong with either car or just as much (as someone suggested) the 1.6. i love the elise for how it looks (yes really!) and its steering - it just cant be beat in my view but then I have never driven a caterham in earnest!
550man said:
Enough preamble - and apologies for the rambling justification above. I have done my research and trawled (as best as possible) the search function on PH to look for specicially Elise SC threads. The balance of opinion seems to be that it is a stunning car but with some reservations about the engine noise and whether it actually feels that fast despite the additional power over a standard Elise. I will be test driving the car and so will be able to determine for myself my immediate reactions but can any of you give me a view as to how it worked out as a long-term ownership proposition. Was it a grower - finding out new facets to its character or did it end up not living up to expectations - with a frustrating engine noise/character and less than expected oomph for the money.
Any thoughts gratefully received - along with the expected (and warranted) 65KG FOR A PLASTIC ROLLER SKATE - ARE YOU MAD!!!! replies.
Cheers
Any thoughts gratefully received - along with the expected (and warranted) 65KG FOR A PLASTIC ROLLER SKATE - ARE YOU MAD!!!! replies.
Cheers
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