2008 Elise - High miles

[Wilmslowboy]

I'm new to the Lotus section

I have the possible opportunity to buy a 2008 Elsie S (134) with over 100k miles, but well cared for.
Thinking of just running it as bit of weekend toy till summer and then selling it on.
Any idea of value (what could it realistically sell for with 110k miles) and any pitfalls with high mileage Elise (not that 100k is high miles for a Toyota engine)

cheers

Edited by Wilmslowboy on Monday 11th January 15:23

[kambites]

At that mileage it might be approaching its second suspension refresh (the dampers and bushes both tend to last of the order of 50k miles) and if the steering rack is original it may need replacing. Otherwise, there's not much to go wrong with mileage, really, although it'll probably have a few squeaks and rattles and be stone-chipped to buggery.

[Wilmslowboy]

Thanks

Likely cost of damper refresh and new rack fitted....guessing sub £2k ???

[kambites]

Wilmslowboy said:

Thanks
Likely cost of damper refresh and new rack fitted....guessing sub £2k ???

For dampers and rack, I'd imagine so but a full suspension refresh is rather more than just new dampers. To get the rack, dampers, bushes, ball-joints, drop-links, etc. all done would probably be a bit more than £2k. It's also rather easy to catch the upgrade bug when refreshing Elise suspension.

Of course it may not all need doing; I'd certainly want to know when each of the suspension components was last refreshed.

Edited by kambites on Monday 11th January 19:53

[fridaypassion]

Always going to be a tough sell. 11-12k?

[kambites]

fridaypassion said:

Always going to be a tough sell. 11-12k?

I suspect value would depend on the patience of the seller. There's always going to be a smallish market for a high-mileage Elise but if one was willing to wait for the right buyer, you might get 13-14k for it?

[AyBee]

Is it worth the hassle of trying to sell on with huge miles? Especially as the next owner may see an issue with you flipping a high miles Elise so soon after buying it (and wonder if it's got issues). If you're going to buy it to keep, go for it, if you're looking to get in and out without losing much money, buy a low-ish miles one and flip it on without losing much come summer

[JACK6284]

Buy a nice S1 Elise and you will be able to resell it later this year. Finding a good one at the right price is not so easy!

[kazste]

Any chance its a persian blue one? I put about 50k on mine before i sold it a three years old, pretty much motorway use as had it for my only car while i owned it.

If it is a blue one feel free to pm me the reg or put on here and will let you know if mine.