Lotus Elise 111S

[Joe5y]

Hi all,

I am conemplating taking the plunge into Lotus ownership! I have a test drive booked of one locally and wanted a bit of insider knowledge of what to look out for. Not just what but also how to spot the issues, common or not.

This is the car:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elise-111S-ONLY-1800...

Few things of note:

1. No MoT's prior to 2015. (May explain the low mileage)
2. No rear letters. (Rear ended & fixed?)
3. Been up for sale for 4months.
4. Lowest priced 111S I can find with such low mileage and has been priced like this for months. (Why?)
5. Centre cap missing from the front wheel.
6. Worn leather. (Consistent with 18k miles?)

Thank you muchly in advance. I am due to see the car this coming Tuesday.

[Tickle]

There is a thread on this car on SELOC. Not good.

[Joe5y]

Tickle said:

There is a thread on this car on SELOC. Not good.

Thank you for your reply. Have you got a link?

[mick_coupe]

http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=429372

You may have to register

Mick

[Tickle]

Joe5y said:

Thank you for your reply. Have you got a link?

http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=429372&page=1

Beat me to it Mick

[Joe5y]

Thank you very much both of you.

Tough one. A lot of skeptics and possible stories around it but nothing definitive. I feel it's certainly worth a look. Worst I can see is that it's a possible ex driving school car hence lack of MoT history and low mileage.

[kambites]

Buy on condition and spec rather than mileage or service history (at least in the conventional sense of "service history"). The engines are simple and cheap so whether it's been servicing is something of a moot point; suspension consumables wear but most cars this age will have had it refreshed anyway, often with uprated components.

I'd rather have a 100k mile car with no formal service history but evidence of a recent suspension overall with decent quality parts than an 18k mile car which is still running on original everything.


ETA: I also wouldn't worry about a car having had a clam replaced. It only takes a very light impact to damage them enough that if the repair goes through the insurance it'll get a new clam. Mine had a new front clam from an impact at walking pace.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 6th November 21:10

[fridaypassion]

Run a mile from the silver one. It has been looked at by experienced owners and theres a lot wrong with it. Been for sale for over 12 months.

[edoverheels]

I went to have a look at it a few weeks ago. Passenger door is not original, was red and paint doesn't match and the door doesn't fit. No service history and they wouldn't even start it let alone drive it. I walked away and have now bought another.

[edoverheels]

I went to have a look at it a few weeks ago. Passenger door is not original, was red and paint doesn't match and the door doesn't fit. No service history and they wouldn't even start it let alone drive it. I walked away and have now bought another.

[Joe5y]

So, I went to see this car this week and as many have reported, many things amiss.

- No service history. (Stamped book only but not up to date).

- No MoT history. (From Msidenhead to Ireland in 2005 then Import from Ireland in 2015).

- Crash damaged and repaired rear clam hence missing badge. (paint is actually rather good however).

- Passenger door is not the original with it still showing red paint around the edges, over spray and not aligned correctly. Because of the alignment it has gouged a line out of the sill. The window is nearly an inch from the roof line. The door wires for central locking hanging down.

- Interior is ridiculously tatty with damage all over the place. Centre console loose and damaged.

- Engine cover wouldn't latch closed.

- They've had it since June with "lots of interest!".

Discussed price after a test drive on which the car actually drove rather well. He agreed £12,000 no warranty and would pass as a 'trade deal'. I haven't gone back to him.

If I was a betting man the car has done 180,000miles not 18,000!

RV52ZKZ RV52 ZKZ

Edited by Joe5y on Wednesday 9th November 22:38

[Joe5y]

Passenger door shut line.



Generically rusty from it being sat for months



Rear badge missing after repair



Repair from the inside behind the carpet.

[kambites]

If the tub and subframe are straight it would make a decent track slag or basis for a complete ground-up rebuild for a top spec Honda car, or similar... but there's no way it's worth £12k.

[Tickle]

£12k on a car you (and a few Forums) know is not right, not a position I would like to put myself.

Keep searching, it's not the best season to drive them anyway.

Give Will Blackburn or Lotus Hardtops a shout. They will put you on to a good car.

[Paulr1980]

Agreed.

For reference, I paid 8k for a 24k mile laser blue car four years ago. It needed a head gasket and a bit of a refresh but it was still cheap. Keep your eyes peeled, be prepared to travel and be quick.

You'll find a good car and not some triggers broom like the silver one.

[Joe5y]

I actually went back to see this car with the view to buy it with a massive discount. An utter waste of time; again!

Along with the above I also came across this;

1. The heater, fan and control unit didn't work at all. Checked fuses - all intact. Closer inspection revealed that it was obviously known as the unit itself was loose with all screws missing.

2. Every front panel (grill, arch liners, plastics) either had no screws or the ones that did had wood screws in odd places.

3. Jacking points were caved in.

4. I'd bet money on the head gasket on its way out owing to white mayonnaise under the oil cap.

I gave up after this but it's an absolute state this car. Their threshold and bottom line however was £11,500.00 - NO LESS!

I've spent over 4hours looking at this car and really hope someone doesn't get stung by purchasing it!