Question on Used Elises
Discussion
I am getting close to having enough dosh together to get my first Elise (will probably go for a 98-99 model). If I have to wait until October onwards to get one, will there still be lots of choice out there or do they all go into hibernation for the winter ?
Also has anyone got / got a view on the 135 sport ?
Not sure about the market - I'd guess both the quantity and quality will decline with the weather but who knows what kind of an autumn we'll have. There were some bargains around last Feb, but that was more to do with the premature Elise S2 launch.
Regards the 135, it's reckoned to be the best all rounder of the factory modified cars but don't buy it if you're planning further upgrades to the engine as there is no obvious route.
Cheers,
AdrianR
P.S. Make sure you factor insurance costs into your budget as they can be significant.
[sorry about all the edits...can we have a preview feature Ted?)
Edited by adrianr on Tuesday 4th September 14:43
Edited by adrianr on Tuesday 4th September 14:44
Edited by adrianr on Tuesday 4th September 14:45
I think you'll pay a better price come that time of year as less people are shopping....don't think necessarily the quality will be better - be a few eople who just buy them as a toy for the summer months then sell em off....a good time to haggle as well.
N
p.s. 135 is much better than the 111s - but ensure conversion was done somewhere reliable...160 is also great, but you'll unlikely get one at the sort of price I assume you're looking
could be wrong (often am) but Im fairly sure the 135 was developed as an after sales upgrade. Could get it Lotus fit though
The 160 was a low volume, but factory built edition....was dropped about 20 mm which is why it looks so much lower. drove one and its very much faster than the standard...gorgeous metallic gunmetal colour too 
Both the 135 and the 160 were first produced by Lotus under SVA regs, max 50 cars each. They were later engineered to be fully type approved and sold as such. All the parts to upgrade a standard car to either spec are available, but it's not likely to be cost efficient.
Cheers,
AdrianR
From Rob Collingridge's www.elises.co.uk
quote:
The Sport 135 was first launched as a limited run of 50 in November 1998, VIN: X 5401 - 5450. It has some engine enhancements to increase the power to a claimed 135bhp (though it is actually close to 145bhp). Other additions include close-ratio gearbox, sports exhaust, drilled brake discs (cast iron), blue tinted metalic silver paint (Quicksilver), dark blue hood, corbeau sport seats, silver roll over bar, racing steering wheel, headlamp covers, driving lights, category 1 alarm and unique Sport 135 body graphics. The catalytic converter is replaced by a through pipe which means the car has to be homologated and this is the main reason for the limited first production run. The second batch of cars were produced for the 1999 year (VIN: X 6001 - 6035) and had 111S wheels, tyres and spats, black painted fuel filler cap, matt finish alloy gear knob and Sport 135 '99' decals. The Sport 135 engine upgrade (Lotus Stage II) is also available as an after market option as are all of the other components.
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