Upgrade from standard S2 to 111R?

[stoker]

Hi everyone,

The finance thread has got me thinking - I have a "52" reg standard S2. What would it cost me if I walked into the dealer and wanted to "upgrade" to a new 111R, and would it make financial sense thinking about depreciation and the effect the 111R will have on S2 prices?

If I change the car in three years time, I'll have taken a big hit on depreciation in my current car and will have to fork out the difference on something new.

Of course, I could buy a 111R tomorrow and then 6 months later they'll probably release the 111Z!

Any dealer types on here know what my car would be worth now, and how much a new 111R is? Current car has done about 6000 miles and the only option that might make a difference to the price is the aircon.

Stoker.

[james24]

I'm not going to be much help at all but I think any dealer would sting you quite bad if you chose to upgrade, I think you'd end up paying a fair bit more for the 111r.

I have a 52 plate Sports Tourer and I've often thought how easy would it be to simply upgrade to a 111s on the same plate, and just pay the difference.

Think they would take the biscuit to be honest

[DanH]

Well the last person who tried this was offered 15k for their S2. Dealer was clearly hoping to make a LOT out of this as they'd be trying to sell that car for 19k+ I'd guess, and they'd be making profit on the 111R too.

Your best bet would be to sell privately (17-18k? ish), and then go in and buy with cash. A specced up 111R is just over 30k though...

[xxplod]

I too have a S2 111s on a 52 plate. I would guess, with 6k on the clock, yours is worth circa £21K trade in. I've seen similar cars for £22995, £23495 that kind of price, on forecourts.

I'm certainly not going to trade mine in yet. Right now prices are soft, as the market re-adjusts to the 111R. There are a lot of S2s on the market right now.

I am in no doubt Lotus will launch a more powerful version. The Toyota engine is very tuneable, and the VX220 T is stil more powerful. If they don't launch an Elise, (or an upgrade pack) with around 210 - 230 bhp, I'll be amazed.

Enjoy your 111S for another year, it will pay dividends!

[DanH]

I don't believe the yota lump is that tuneable without forced induction. Sure there are kits but its already a highly stressed engine. Its >100bhp a litre already and thats pushing things as it is.

[dragstar]

My[1] Prediction is that in 3 years the standard S2 will be going for the same price as S1 160s/111s.

So. Are you at the stage of wanting a new car, or are you happy?

If the former get rid now. (although the sooner you sell any car the more you'll get ).

if your happy, stop worrying and chill out.

Bling, bling...its a dragstar t'ing

[1] based on absolutely nothing at all.

>> Edited by dragstar on Wednesday 10th March 20:20

[tonytubi]

I heard Lotus are about to launch an "exige" type car with 230bhp...All very hush hush but believe the announcement will be in April.

[guitarman]

Also heard rumour of 230bhp in summer. Autocar still has V6 down for summer, although no-one will say anything positive about this.

[Plotloss]

Whens S3 due to be released?

[guitarman]

Buying a Lotus is like buying a PC or Apple Mac, you can never beat the upgrades that seem to come every six months. All you can do is buy the very best you can afford at the time and enjoy it. Hope to be doing just that, soon.

[james24]

guitarman said:

All you can do is buy the very best you can afford at the time and enjoy it.

I don't think its possible to keep up with the cars companys bring out unless you've got alot of money. I wish I'd waited for a 111s but theres no use me losing sleep over it, I'm just gonna enjoy what I have!