Mileage over age? What’s more important?

[james-7h059]

I’m in the market (wrong time of year, I know 🤦‍♂️) but new to the Elise. I’ve done a bit of reading up about the different engines and I’ve settled on the S2. What I’m less sure about is whether I go for a newer car with less mileage (40k) or an older one with more Mileage (70k) which would allow me to stretch to an 111R. Grateful for any thoughts 🧐

[CTE]

Mileage will always affect value, but then if you bought cheaper you can afford to sell cheaper.

Most important, buy on condition...and don`t worry about cosmetics so much.

[james_gt3rs]

They’re all old enough to be potential money pits in my opinion. You’ll probably get a good deal on a high mileage one as it puts people off?

[Tickle]

Buy on condition and preventative maintenance that's been carried out. That can be backed up with receipts or specialist service record. Don't be put off by home servicing/maintenance as long as a folder of evidence is there.

A low mile car could be sat with a plastic cap radiator on its original tyres, towpost and perished shocks ...etc.

Some high mile cars can be like new with better components compared to the known OEM Lotus parts that are prone to wear/short life.

[Fonzey]

Tickle said:

A low mile car could be sat with a plastic cap radiator on its original tyres, towpost and perished shocks ...etc.

Yes this is well worth considering. I bought a very low mileage 2006 car last year, the car is 'fine' and hasn't wanted for much - but knowing the weak areas of Lotus cars I've since addressed a few things proactively which would have almost certainly been taken care of on something with more normal mileage.

I'd say for a 2005/06 vintage car (such as a 111R) something in the region of 40-60k miles would be a sweetspot. 50k seems to be an arbitrary limit for the OEM shock absorbers, radiator seems an absolute lottery and stuff like toe-links are probably well on there way by then. Radiator, Shocks, Toe Links, Fan Resistor Pack could easily put you back £2k even if you did the work yourself, add a suspension refurb of BJs/Bushes and a nice lick of paint and you're closer to £3k - so keep all that in mind if going for a super low mileage option.

[AndrewGP]

I bought an S1 a few years back on 71k miles. It was in great condition and had a huge folder of receipts and service history. The chap selling was an absolute gent and it was exactly the spec and colour I was after.

I sold it on (I think) at 75k miles after spending equal time, effort and cash on it as the previous owners. So, IMO condition and history are way more important than mileage.

Thread in reader's cars is here if you are interested.

[Connor90]

Depends on whether your buying to keep or as an investment. I'd be looking at something with a extensive history, CAT free and the spec I was after.
I did the same last year, I bought a 111s with 70k on it for a cracking price. It come with folders of history and the owner had it for years, and you could tell he was gutted selling it, and I've done nearly 5k in it since august (as my second car). I don't plan on selling mine so I am not concerned on mileage and resell values, and not bothered about racking the miles up.