Looking to buy my first Elise
Discussion
Chaps,
I have been waiting and waiting and finally the time has come when I can afford my first Elise
I am off to look at 3 separate 111s's (between 99 and 00) this weekend and wanted some advice on what to look for prior to getting the car inspected:
- What are the most common problems, what should I be looking out for?
- When are the services due (want to make sure I don't have to fork out for one straight away) and what do they cost on average?
- How much should the mileage affect the price?
- Which companies do the best inspections?
Quite a bit in there, but any advice will be much appreciated.
Cheers Guys.
I have been waiting and waiting and finally the time has come when I can afford my first Elise
I am off to look at 3 separate 111s's (between 99 and 00) this weekend and wanted some advice on what to look for prior to getting the car inspected:
- What are the most common problems, what should I be looking out for?
- When are the services due (want to make sure I don't have to fork out for one straight away) and what do they cost on average?
- How much should the mileage affect the price?
- Which companies do the best inspections?
Quite a bit in there, but any advice will be much appreciated.
Cheers Guys.
Alex Gurr said:
- What are the most common problems, what should I be looking out for?
- Crash damage! Only a full inspection will find it and this needs to be done by someone who knows what they're doing, best is to use a Lotus specialist - your profile doesn't say where you are so can't advise someone. I used a mobile inspection guy who specialises in Lotus and TVR (recommended by Adrian Blyth) and charges £200 for an inspection and HPI check. I can dig out his number if you need it.
Alex Gurr said:
- When are the services due (want to make sure I don't have to fork out for one straight away) and what do they cost on average?
- The interval is 9k or every year and it goes AABAACAABAAC and so on with A being minor and C being a cam belt change. Prices vary but and A service should be £100 to £200, B is £200 to £300 and C is £400 to £500 depending on who does it.
Alex Gurr said:
- How much should the mileage affect the price?
- Mileage is not so much of a factor as condition and the two are not necessarily linked! The car will do big miles very happily if looked after so check for a full history and don't be put off by stone chips on the nose - a front clam respray is quite common to cover these up. As far as value for money goes, if you can tell us what you're looking for and what they want, I'm sure you'll get plenty of opinions on whether it's worth it.
Alex Gurr said:
- Which companies do the best inspections?
- See above
Edited because I had to check the service interval in another thread
>> Edited by cuzza on Tuesday 21st October 16:09
Hi,
I'm new here aswell, though I've been "lurking" for about 2 months, and I'm also thinking of buying a 111S, probably not 'till closer to crimbo now though! The regulars here give sound advice I think.
Anyway, I've already seen one I like at a (allegedly) respectable dealer whom I shall not name, whilst the car was nice, I tried to haggle a bit, but I was looked at like I was some kind of scumbag, is it just not the done thing to haggle with a Lotus dealer or something? Has anybody here managed to haggle succesfully with a dealer???
I'm new here aswell, though I've been "lurking" for about 2 months, and I'm also thinking of buying a 111S, probably not 'till closer to crimbo now though! The regulars here give sound advice I think.
Anyway, I've already seen one I like at a (allegedly) respectable dealer whom I shall not name, whilst the car was nice, I tried to haggle a bit, but I was looked at like I was some kind of scumbag, is it just not the done thing to haggle with a Lotus dealer or something? Has anybody here managed to haggle succesfully with a dealer???
Thanks for the advice chaps.
I am going to Adrian Blyth this weekend to look at the 2 111s's they currently have in stock:
www.adrianblyth.co.uk/lotus.asp
and then hopefully at this car:
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/detail.asp?i=14238&s=12&sc=W4OZ
- Which would you go for?
- Also do you think it is worth getting a car from a dealer independently checked out?
I am going to Adrian Blyth this weekend to look at the 2 111s's they currently have in stock:
www.adrianblyth.co.uk/lotus.asp
and then hopefully at this car:
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/detail.asp?i=14238&s=12&sc=W4OZ
- Which would you go for?
- Also do you think it is worth getting a car from a dealer independently checked out?
I'd go for the Deep Purple one at Adrian Blyth 
- a hard top is useful particularly if you use the car every day. Adrian Blyth have a reputation for presenting very good cars.
The private one seems rather expensive in comparison but it too seems in good condition.
I woul dget it inspected anyway as I don't think Adrian BLyth have a workshop, they are sales only and won't have had it checked. £200 quid or so for peace of mind is not a lot to pay on top of £16k
- a hard top is useful particularly if you use the car every day. Adrian Blyth have a reputation for presenting very good cars. The private one seems rather expensive in comparison but it too seems in good condition.
I woul dget it inspected anyway as I don't think Adrian BLyth have a workshop, they are sales only and won't have had it checked. £200 quid or so for peace of mind is not a lot to pay on top of £16k
cuzza said:
I'd go for the Deep Purple one at Adrian Blyth
The private one seems rather expensive in comparison but it too seems in good condition.
I woul dget it inspected anyway as I don't think Adrian BLyth have a workshop, they are sales only and won't have had it checked. £200 quid or so for peace of mind is not a lot to pay on top of £16k
Cuzza is right to a degree but if I may clarify - we don't have workshops at the showroom prefering instead to rely on the tried and tested route of Dave Batty - who incidently customers have got the option to call independently
once he's inspected cars and get there own verbal report! Seems to work well and punters like it because they get an unbiased report first-hand at no extra charge! 
You WILL love deep purple when you see it in the flesh, especially if the sun is out (stone chips can be a trauma though). Also, noticed that it has red leather which suits purple the best.
(All the above information is completely unbiased) <Looks out of the window at deep purple elise with red leather>
(All the above information is completely unbiased) <Looks out of the window at deep purple elise with red leather>
SALES PITCH ON ;-)
Out of the 3, the silver one looks best
>>>The private one seems rather expensive in comparison but it too seems in good condition.
Remember that this car is a NOVEMBER 2000 car. Its nearly a 2001 and is literally one of the last off the line. I have seen some early 1999 111s for 14K but they are almost 2 years older than this one. I have also driven a 1999 and the suspension clattered awful. I don't know if it was a bit of a nail or because mine is sorted or the factory had a suspension change at some point.
Also, Service just been done, new tyres, new front clam spray, 1 Year MOT from NOW, tracker, best colour, pretty standard car except the exhaust/filter, every single receipt. The car cost £29,000 new and it's not even 3 years old until middle next month.
Only thing its not got is a hard top. But search any BBS archives and people will tell you they hardly get used.
Problems to look out for are;
Red Hose Clutch - Replaced
Squidgy Brakes - Perfect Discs, Pad and SS Hoses
Gear Linkage - Fitted with quick shifter and is tight as you like
Stone Chips - Not got none
HGF - Not a lot we can do on this one.
The Adrian Blythe Cars look nice but the colours aren't the sexiest to be fair. I think Ali/Titanium/Azure demand a slight premium because they are more desirable and are easier to sell.
Best to get an independent dealer to check it out. Bruce at Ragtop Roadsters will vouch for mine. He serviced it a few months ago and will confirm its a minter.
Hpi Clear. No track work. And if those dealer cars are in better nick.....I'll.....we'll I won't do anything cos they won't be.
SALES PITCH OFF
Alex, if you still want to see it, it will be around all weekend - you have my number.
Out of the 3, the silver one looks best
>>>The private one seems rather expensive in comparison but it too seems in good condition.
Remember that this car is a NOVEMBER 2000 car. Its nearly a 2001 and is literally one of the last off the line. I have seen some early 1999 111s for 14K but they are almost 2 years older than this one. I have also driven a 1999 and the suspension clattered awful. I don't know if it was a bit of a nail or because mine is sorted or the factory had a suspension change at some point.
Also, Service just been done, new tyres, new front clam spray, 1 Year MOT from NOW, tracker, best colour, pretty standard car except the exhaust/filter, every single receipt. The car cost £29,000 new and it's not even 3 years old until middle next month.
Only thing its not got is a hard top. But search any BBS archives and people will tell you they hardly get used.
Problems to look out for are;
Red Hose Clutch - Replaced
Squidgy Brakes - Perfect Discs, Pad and SS Hoses
Gear Linkage - Fitted with quick shifter and is tight as you like
Stone Chips - Not got none
HGF - Not a lot we can do on this one.
The Adrian Blythe Cars look nice but the colours aren't the sexiest to be fair. I think Ali/Titanium/Azure demand a slight premium because they are more desirable and are easier to sell.
Best to get an independent dealer to check it out. Bruce at Ragtop Roadsters will vouch for mine. He serviced it a few months ago and will confirm its a minter.
Hpi Clear. No track work. And if those dealer cars are in better nick.....I'll.....we'll I won't do anything cos they won't be.
SALES PITCH OFF
Alex, if you still want to see it, it will be around all weekend - you have my number.
PS Last service was a B service so the next service is a cheapy A - which can cost as little as £90 at some independents - I have an invoice for an A at Firbre Glass services for £97 or something.
When it gets it MOT next week it will have its mid service oil change as well. You couldn't ask for much more
Apprentice - Love the limited edition V that got sold. Looks gorgeous with the alcantara interior.
When it gets it MOT next week it will have its mid service oil change as well. You couldn't ask for much more
Apprentice - Love the limited edition V that got sold. Looks gorgeous with the alcantara interior.
Chaps, all being well with the inspection the Inferno Red car will be mine on Saturday. To say that I am excited is an understatement! 
Both cars looked great, with the red looking much better in the flesh than photos! Also I am more fussed by the mileage than having a hardtop, which I would probably just leave in the garage.
The guys at Adrian Blyth were great and Peter really took his time with me. You never know, if he reads this he might give me a bigger discount
Malbon, great sales pitch and the car really does look fantastic, but ultimately the need to part ex my current car proved the deciding factor. Good luck with the sale.
If all goes to plan I will let you know how the first drive goes next week
Both cars looked great, with the red looking much better in the flesh than photos! Also I am more fussed by the mileage than having a hardtop, which I would probably just leave in the garage.
The guys at Adrian Blyth were great and Peter really took his time with me. You never know, if he reads this he might give me a bigger discount
Malbon, great sales pitch and the car really does look fantastic, but ultimately the need to part ex my current car proved the deciding factor. Good luck with the sale.
If all goes to plan I will let you know how the first drive goes next week
Alex Gurr said:
Chaps, all being well with the inspection the Inferno Red car will be mine on Saturday. To say that I am excited is an understatement!
Both cars looked great, with the red looking much better in the flesh than photos! Also I am more fussed by the mileage than having a hardtop, which I would probably just leave in the garage.
The guys at Adrian Blyth were great and Peter really took his time with me. You never know, if he reads this he might give me a bigger discount
Malbon, great sales pitch and the car really does look fantastic, but ultimately the need to part ex my current car proved the deciding factor. Good luck with the sale.
If all goes to plan I will let you know how the first drive goes next week
Thanks Alex... value the feedback and its always great to witness the mounting excitement of a prospective owner!
Give you a bigger discount!?
...we're still licking our wounds! 
... but seeing as you didn't bludgeon us further into "mats n flaps" ...I'll ensure you get a tank of fuel in recognition of your fine toadying thread above! apprentice
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