£13k to spend on an Elise...
Discussion
Guys,
After some gratefully received advice from this forum, I'm interested in an Elise.
I've about £13k to spend. Just after some advice really, on what this should buy me and what I should be looking for around this money in terms of model etc.
From what I understand, this sort of money should get me a tidy example with the K series engine, FSH and I should only look for examples where the head gasket has been replaced as it's likely to fail at around the 40k mile mark.
Any comments welcome.
Thank you.
After some gratefully received advice from this forum, I'm interested in an Elise.
I've about £13k to spend. Just after some advice really, on what this should buy me and what I should be looking for around this money in terms of model etc.
From what I understand, this sort of money should get me a tidy example with the K series engine, FSH and I should only look for examples where the head gasket has been replaced as it's likely to fail at around the 40k mile mark.
Any comments welcome.
Thank you.
For that money you should be looking at either an Elise S2 111S (VVC K-series) or a VX220 turbo.
Don't worry about a full Lotus service history, many independents are better than the main dealers. The head gasket on the K-series does not go on mileage - there are plenty on six figure mileages on the original head gasket and a few have failed at 20k or earlier. The longevity of the head gasket is mostly down to how well the car is treated, it's thrashing the engine before it's up to temperature that really kills it.
Buy on condition not mileage.
Don't worry about a full Lotus service history, many independents are better than the main dealers. The head gasket on the K-series does not go on mileage - there are plenty on six figure mileages on the original head gasket and a few have failed at 20k or earlier. The longevity of the head gasket is mostly down to how well the car is treated, it's thrashing the engine before it's up to temperature that really kills it.
Buy on condition not mileage.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 29th November 19:06
kambites said:
For that money you should be looking at either an Elise S2 111S (VVC K-series) or a VX220 turbo.
Cheers. A bit concerned about what I've read parts are more difficult/expensive to come by. Not sure how true this is. Although I'm genuinely not a snob, I'd rather have a Lotus - I prefer the way it looks.
Kambites, you're right about the servicing, I only ever use independent specialists.
I've eyed up the cost of independent servicing and I'm surprised about how cheap it is.
I assume there's nothing big to go wrong about them, seems it's just the head gasket as the biggest expense so far.
I've eyed up the cost of independent servicing and I'm surprised about how cheap it is.
I assume there's nothing big to go wrong about them, seems it's just the head gasket as the biggest expense so far.
Is this for road use, a bit of road and trackdays or just track?
If its the first I reckon the S2 111s is a good call (and VXT for that matter), road and track I'd take a look at the S1 160 or a well modded S1. If its track only I'd go for a breather on S1 (actually I'd go for a Caterham but that's not the question!).
There are no bad ones though, so whatever you pick you'll have a ball.
If its the first I reckon the S2 111s is a good call (and VXT for that matter), road and track I'd take a look at the S1 160 or a well modded S1. If its track only I'd go for a breather on S1 (actually I'd go for a Caterham but that's not the question!).
There are no bad ones though, so whatever you pick you'll have a ball.
Having suggested an elise on the other thread, it may well be worth checking out the vx220 turbo. You'll get a lot more for your money and I agree with you on the badge snob side but I think some examples where the badge has been removed (
) actually look quite nice - especially in black or blue.....I'm off to find a pic 
Ok, so it hasn't had the badge removed but....
...I love them in this colour
) actually look quite nice - especially in black or blue.....I'm off to find a pic Ok, so it hasn't had the badge removed but....
...I love them in this colour
Edited by AyBee on Sunday 29th November 19:13
theundecided said:
It will be my only car, I'm in my mid-twenties with no kids etc so practicality isn't really a concern. It's for every day use.
I do around 7k miles a year, at least half of this is just driving for pleasure.
A VXT or S2 111s sound perfect then!I do around 7k miles a year, at least half of this is just driving for pleasure.
In terms of costs, you're right in that there is nothing major to worry about. The main areas of expense on a k-series Elise are, radiators, suspension components, head gasket, brake components.
They're not expensive to run but I think its fair to say that they cost a touch more than the average hot hatch.
The head gasket isn't particularly expensive to fix - usually around 4-500 quid. Don't be too concerned if the coolant looks low; they just expel unwanted coolant and many will run well below the minimum mark. Check for the usual signs of head gasket failure.
Other things to be aware of:
The heater fan resistor pack tends to rust and stop working. It's a front clam off job to replace so a lot of labour. Check that all the interior fan speeds work and if they don't, walk away or negotiate a hefty amount off the price for it.
For some reason the handling is massively affected by the suspension geometry. You should budget for getting the geo sorted out every couple of years, really.
They run on tyres specially designed for Lotus, with different compounds front to rear to balance the handling. As far as I know, these tyres are only available through main dealers. People do fit standard tyres without major problems, but it's just something to be aware of.
Lotus have improved the car with every model year. The last of the common hood leaks was fixed in MY04 - a set of small cup like things on the tops of the windscreen pillars to stop water dripping onto the sills.
The original radiator has plastic end caps which can fail (and throw the coolant all over you if you have the roof off). This is also a clam off job to repair and hence fairly expensive.
Any second-hand Elise will be covered in stone chips unless it's been armour-fended.
Other things to be aware of:
The heater fan resistor pack tends to rust and stop working. It's a front clam off job to replace so a lot of labour. Check that all the interior fan speeds work and if they don't, walk away or negotiate a hefty amount off the price for it.
For some reason the handling is massively affected by the suspension geometry. You should budget for getting the geo sorted out every couple of years, really.
They run on tyres specially designed for Lotus, with different compounds front to rear to balance the handling. As far as I know, these tyres are only available through main dealers. People do fit standard tyres without major problems, but it's just something to be aware of.
Lotus have improved the car with every model year. The last of the common hood leaks was fixed in MY04 - a set of small cup like things on the tops of the windscreen pillars to stop water dripping onto the sills.
The original radiator has plastic end caps which can fail (and throw the coolant all over you if you have the roof off). This is also a clam off job to repair and hence fairly expensive.
Any second-hand Elise will be covered in stone chips unless it's been armour-fended.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 29th November 19:19
Gad-Westy said:
theundecided said:
It will be my only car, I'm in my mid-twenties with no kids etc so practicality isn't really a concern. It's for every day use.
I do around 7k miles a year, at least half of this is just driving for pleasure.
A VXT or S2 111s sound perfect then!I do around 7k miles a year, at least half of this is just driving for pleasure.
In terms of costs, you're right in that there is nothing major to worry about. The main areas of expense on a k-series Elise are, radiators, suspension components, head gasket, brake components.
They're not expensive to run but I think its fair to say that they cost a touch more than the average hot hatch.
Cheers,
If you want some sound advice, there are a lot of knowlegeable folk on the Lotus forum, www.seloc.org
Everything you ever want to know will be here!!
Everything you ever want to know will be here!!
kambites said:
Oh and the VVC mechanism on the 111S can be very noisy. Don't worry too much if it sounds like a diesel at idle, it's pretty normal - some do it, some don't, but it seems to have no effect on reliability.
Kambites - thanks very much for all that. Very much appreciated!!According to WhatCar, see the link below, they need servicing every 6000 miles - is this right?
Also, as I'm not at all technically minded, I know it may sound a stupid question but how do I know if the car is effected by any of these issues?
I'd prefer it if the car was independently inspected by a specialist - I guess this would cost £200 or so. It seems like a sensible option.
Mr E said:
Park'O said:
You might just about get a Elise S2 111R on your budget, its quicker than the 111S!
I'm in pretty much the same boat. 111r is different to 111s, but better is a debatable point. Trying to drive both before I make a decision.
Park'O said:
Mr E said:
Park'O said:
You might just about get a Elise S2 111R on your budget, its quicker than the 111S!
I'm in pretty much the same boat. 111r is different to 111s, but better is a debatable point. Trying to drive both before I make a decision.
Park'O said:
Mr E said:
Park'O said:
You might just about get a Elise S2 111R on your budget, its quicker than the 111S!
I'm in pretty much the same boat. 111r is different to 111s, but better is a debatable point. Trying to drive both before I make a decision.
A 13k 111R - Really?
At 13k I'd look at the 111S and don't worry about HGF. As said its not the end of the world and a cheap enough fix that shouldn't happen again if repaired properly.
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