I’ve started looking

I’ve started looking

Author
Discussion

_Al_

Original Poster:

5,594 posts

265 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
quotequote all
My car history is heavy on Toyota MR2s as the only mid engine rear drive two seater I could afford. If money were no object I would of course have been looking at a Lotus.

These days cash isn’t such a constraint and I have a sensible car for motorway use so I’ve started looking at Elise(s)?

This one is just around the corner so I thought it’d be a good place to start.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/36316181...

I figured I’d pop along with the buyers guide and take a look to see if I fit, also understand what this sort of money buys (general condition, history etc). It looks like it has an “interesting” life. Spoiler doesn’t look standard and the ”race number” on one door probably tells a story. No MOT at present either.

I’m lucky enough to be near Will Blackham, who comes recommended on these pages so I can also check out the other end of the market - but I want to get on track so I don’t need a cherished example.

What are everyone’s thoughts? Is there a better way to go about this?


G111MDS

341 posts

98 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
quotequote all
_Al_ said:
My car history is heavy on Toyota MR2s as the only mid engine rear drive two seater I could afford. If money were no object I would of course have been looking at a Lotus.

These days cash isn’t such a constraint and I have a sensible car for motorway use so I’ve started looking at Elise(s)?

This one is just around the corner so I thought it’d be a good place to start.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/36316181...

I figured I’d pop along with the buyers guide and take a look to see if I fit, also understand what this sort of money buys (general condition, history etc). It looks like it has an “interesting” life. Spoiler doesn’t look standard and the ”race number” on one door probably tells a story. No MOT at present either.

I’m lucky enough to be near Will Blackham, who comes recommended on these pages so I can also check out the other end of the market - but I want to get on track so I don’t need a cherished example.

What are everyone’s thoughts? Is there a better way to go about this?
I bought mine from Will nearly 3 years ago. He was really easy to deal with.

_Al_

Original Poster:

5,594 posts

265 months

Thursday 30th December 2021
quotequote all
The people selling the one linked above are not proving easy to deal with.

I’ve reached out to Will.

Question for those with a car. Can you get out of them in narrow spaces? This will have to live down the side of my house. I tried to get into an Elise once at a motor show when I was a lot younger and more flexible but recall that I needed the roof off and the door fully open.

This is the space available:

https://app.photobucket.com/u/alanwmrt/p/1fc9a8e9-...

Will I need to demolish the garage just to get in and out…?

G111MDS

341 posts

98 months

Friday 31st December 2021
quotequote all
_Al_ said:
The people selling the one linked above are not proving easy to deal with.

I’ve reached out to Will.

Question for those with a car. Can you get out of them in narrow spaces? This will have to live down the side of my house. I tried to get into an Elise once at a motor show when I was a lot younger and more flexible but recall that I needed the roof off and the door fully open.

This is the space available:

https://app.photobucket.com/u/alanwmrt/p/1fc9a8e9-...

Will I need to demolish the garage just to get in and out…?
Took me a few attempts to work out the best way yo get in and out, but fine after that. You do need a big of space though I find.

StevieBee

13,570 posts

262 months

Friday 31st December 2021
quotequote all
_Al_ said:
The people selling the one linked above are not proving easy to deal with.

I’ve reached out to Will.

Question for those with a car. Can you get out of them in narrow spaces? This will have to live down the side of my house. I tried to get into an Elise once at a motor show when I was a lot younger and more flexible but recall that I needed the roof off and the door fully open.

This is the space available:

https://app.photobucket.com/u/alanwmrt/p/1fc9a8e9-...

Will I need to demolish the garage just to get in and out…?
Your garage looks a similar size to mine and mine fits OK: Scroll to 5.17 on this to see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M82VjXZ_7Nc

(Welcome to watch the whole vid as is it gives a bit more insight into owning one)

I can't open the door wide enough to get out so it's a case of roof off or rolled back, stand on the seat and out over the door.

As for the one you linked on Facebook.... that looks wrapped which could be hiding a multitude of problems. Also, and I know looks are personal, but to me, that one looks like it was designed by a 10 year old Hot Wheels enthusiast.







Mr E

22,126 posts

266 months

Friday 31st December 2021
quotequote all
As above, roll the roof back a bit for easier ingress/egress

gazlar53

58 posts

84 months

Friday 31st December 2021
quotequote all
Hi,

Another shout out for Will here, I traded an S1 Elise for an S2 Exige and can confirm he’s really easy to deal with.

As for right spaces, my garage entrance is very tight, I have about 20mm either side of the wing mirrors. It does get wider though ok once through the gap. With the roof off you’d be fine with the doors half open, with the roof on unless you’re quite flexible you’d struggle. The doors are quite thick so you need to open them a fair bit to get a gap.

As for finding a car, put a wanted on seloc.org and join some of the Facebook groups, also checking Instagram and sending some messages can be good for finding owners up for selling.

Bobo W

774 posts

259 months

Friday 31st December 2021
quotequote all
Your drive looks same width as mine so no problem nor with single garage.

S2 has lower sills than S1 so easier to get out of.

Why you’d want the roof on is beyond me but if on, best option would be to release drivers side before entering garage.

keo

2,243 posts

177 months

Saturday 1st January 2022
quotequote all
StevieBee said:
Your garage looks a similar size to mine and mine fits OK: Scroll to 5.17 on this to see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M82VjXZ_7Nc

(Welcome to watch the whole vid as is it gives a bit more insight into owning one)

I can't open the door wide enough to get out so it's a case of roof off or rolled back, stand on the seat and out over the door.

As for the one you linked on Facebook.... that looks wrapped which could be hiding a multitude of problems. Also, and I know looks are personal, but to me, that one looks like it was designed by a 10 year old Hot Wheels enthusiast.
Sorry to go off topic op. I just wanted to say Steve I enjoyed your video. Made me miss my red Elise with the roof off though! Thanks for posting.

_Al_

Original Poster:

5,594 posts

265 months

Saturday 1st January 2022
quotequote all
StevieBee said:
_Al_ said:
This is the space available:

https://app.photobucket.com/u/alanwmrt/p/1fc9a8e9-...

Will I need to demolish the garage just to get in and out…?
Your garage looks a similar size to mine and mine fits OK: Scroll to 5.17 on this to see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M82VjXZ_7Nc

(Welcome to watch the whole vid as is it gives a bit more insight into owning one)

I can't open the door wide enough to get out so it's a case of roof off or rolled back, stand on the seat and out over the door.

As for the one you linked on Facebook.... that looks wrapped which could be hiding a multitude of problems. Also, and I know looks are personal, but to me, that one looks like it was designed by a 10 year old Hot Wheels enthusiast.
Great video, thanks for sharing!

Yes the 10yr old hot wheels thing appeals to me and has got me into a fair few scrapes with really bad cars. I need to either accept standard or learn to buy standard and ruin the car myself!

Ok so this is interesting - I was wondering about pushing the boat out and going for an Exige (waaaaay beyond budget but also a bucket list item). If I have to remove a soft top to get out that will influence the choice a lot.


gazlar53 said:
As for finding a car, put a wanted on seloc.org and join some of the Facebook groups, also checking Instagram and sending some messages can be good for finding owners up for selling.
Good shout, will get on that tonight…


On a slightly different subject - in the linked image in my earlier post you can make out a gradient into the garage. Any hope an Elise will make it up there? They’re low cars….



Edited by _Al_ on Saturday 1st January 20:47

StevieBee

13,570 posts

262 months

Wednesday 5th January 2022
quotequote all
keo said:
StevieBee said:
Your garage looks a similar size to mine and mine fits OK: Scroll to 5.17 on this to see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M82VjXZ_7Nc

(Welcome to watch the whole vid as is it gives a bit more insight into owning one)

I can't open the door wide enough to get out so it's a case of roof off or rolled back, stand on the seat and out over the door.

As for the one you linked on Facebook.... that looks wrapped which could be hiding a multitude of problems. Also, and I know looks are personal, but to me, that one looks like it was designed by a 10 year old Hot Wheels enthusiast.
Sorry to go off topic op. I just wanted to say Steve I enjoyed your video. Made me miss my red Elise with the roof off though! Thanks for posting.
Cheers bud! wink