Series 1 111s - Advice Wanted

[Alex Gurr]

I am currently looking to acquire my first Elise and am seriously considering a 111s mark 1 and was hoping to get a bit of advice.......

I have up to £17,000 to spend on a car and wondered what I could expect to get for this? I have been looking around over the last few weeks and there seem to be very few 111s's around in my area (Cheltenham/Oxford). Given that I am keen to start enjoying the ownership prospect of an Elise as soon as possible, is it worth compromising and going for a standard mk1? Is there much difference in performance/handling?

Also, is there anything in particular that I should be looking out for?

[Bonce]

For that money you should pick up a very tidy example privately. My advice is not to rush into something just because you want to get behind the wheel quickly.

I'm a 111S owner, I owned a standard S1 briefly before I wrote it off so I'm qualified to say that the 111S is *way* better!

...unless you want to modify the engine, that is. The VVC mechanism makes power upgrades harder, but you should also consider that because it's more powerful, power upgrades are less necessary. I've had my car for two years and I've never thought I needed more power - it holds it's own very well on country roads, motorways and the track. The close ratio gearbox that comes with the 111S is also worth having IMHO, although it is quite noisy.

[benmc]

Alex

I have just bought and had delivered a 2000 111s from Bell & Covill.

I picked up the following

Elise s1 111S
2000 V
24,000 Miles
FLSH
Azure Blue
Leather
Good CD
12 Months TAX
B Service (Being done now)
Delivery on Trailer on Friday to my home in Bracknell.
Sports Exhaust replaced with Standard (I know but Insurance wanted another £200 per year!)
Dampers checked and replaced.

Car was up for £18,500. I could not get anything off the price but got all the things dealt with that I wanted.

It is my first elise and so far it is wonderful. My advice is to plan and trip down to Bell and Covill as thay usually have about 6-10 Elises to choose from and you can test drive and make up your mind there. even if you still go private they can show you the different cars.

I was going to buy private, but got messed around. I have been really impressed woth B&C, the car was delivered to my house this lunchtime on a trailer and looks like new

Regards

ben

[dragstar]

they may not be many cars in your area, but surely your willing to travel?

i live in newcastle, but travelled to warwickshire to buy my s1 111s, and im glad i did. for £16,100 i got a pampered 111s v reg (but with a private plate, t5 vvc) and lots of extras (look at my profile, but sorry no photo cos im an idiot). for 17,000 as said you should get a really nice one. in a way i wish i did get the standard version as its probably better suited to my driving ability at the mo. my advice to you is that get into as many as possible and all variations before plumping for one. oh and pick up a copy of top marques for lots of 111s' and be willing to travel!

[malbon]

111s is generally regarded as the best rounded standard package. The power delivery of the engine is lovely and linear. The seats are more comfortable. Servicing is 9k as opposed to the Sport 160's 6k. Prices for them attract only a £500-1000 premium over std cars when you are looking at your price bracket.

I've had one for 6 months now and they are everything that people say about them and everything you read.

Just make sure you can live with the spartan ness of an elise.

S2000's are a similiar price if you want more comforts but want to compromise on road agility

[Alex Gurr]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I am certainly willing to travel and I take the point about not rushing into it, but the right car seems to be eluding me at present. I have been told by a number of dealers that things are very quiet at the moment, but I would have thought the end of summer would have had people selling up!?!

Anyway I plan to keep looking, are there any particular nasties I should be looking out for when I buy a car. If I go private I will get it inspected.

[Pley]

On both elises I bought, I had a Lotus inspection done. Costs around £80 and its what they do for a Pre-sale check on their prospective cars.

Cheaper and better than The AA IMO.

Enjoy,
Pley

[dragstar]

main thing i looked for when buying mine was corroding floorpans, from the rain. lotus didnt advise me specifically on any part of the engine, but check all is working (take a mate). also check the indicator/wiper stalks are sturdy as i saw so many (privately) where the stalks were hanging off as the owner had kicked them whilst getting in and out.

i'm sure somebody else on these pages knows a whole lot more than me...come on guys!!

[msharman]

All I can say is get the MOST for your money. Dealers will take at least 1k over the VAT and the warranty (bought off the shelf) that you pay. On the private front make sure the seller has ALL the docs. Service invoices, mods invoices, all docs for damage replacement parts, warranty work etc etc. Personally as an Elise owner I even have every tax disc, receipt and invoice for the car I have. In the words of a respected dealer I know you a GOOD car will cost good money all year round. "True" 111's 135's 160's etc are limited and good original cars will cost a bit more but for piece of mind I'd pay it again. Sorry for the late night soap box, just my view.

[msharman]

Also check the boot release, it's such a bas***d when that breaks when the roof is in it!!! Grrrrrrr :-)

[malbon]

Mark,

Did you get rid of your 160 ?

[msharman]

Nope not yet. It's all shiny and clean, new windscreen and boot release. It can often be seen thumbing the pages of the local rags lonely hearts column...

[malbon]

How much will you take for it ?

I 'might' be interested

[cuzza]

The main thing you're looking for is crash damage as even a relatively small impact can write the car off as it bends the chassis and because it's aluminium it won't bend back.

Footwell corrosion is surface stuff only and isn't a worry - there's directions how to remove it on the Lotus website.

I got mine inspected by a bloke called Rob Ingleby or Find A Sports Car, he mainly does TVRs but Adrian Blyth recommended him, he'll HPI it too.