More Elise price questions.
Discussion
When spring is in the air a young man's fancy turns to..... er, that, and also a lotus Elise.
I've been giving it some serious consideration and looking at what's available second hand but there are a number of things that puzzzle and I wonder if some of the more knowlegable members, could assist, in my efforts to judge the reasons why particular cars are offered at particular prices
1. Do prices 'harden' at this time of the year (seems as if they do) in anticipation of summer sales?
2. Would members agree that prices seem to vary a lot between official dealers, for example HR Owen are asking £18450 for a 2000 standard Elise with 25000 miles on the clock, leather and sports exhaust? Is that steep??
3. How much does leather add to resale value.
4. What Does Race Tech mean? and does it it add resale value
5. Does an inclusive hard top add to resale value, if so how much.
6. What's the average price of a 'C' service
7. How long does it take to get to grips with the complex and confusing model classification?
8. Are there any particular Lotus official modifications/upgrades that add to resale value?
Many thanks
I've been giving it some serious consideration and looking at what's available second hand but there are a number of things that puzzzle and I wonder if some of the more knowlegable members, could assist, in my efforts to judge the reasons why particular cars are offered at particular prices
1. Do prices 'harden' at this time of the year (seems as if they do) in anticipation of summer sales?
2. Would members agree that prices seem to vary a lot between official dealers, for example HR Owen are asking £18450 for a 2000 standard Elise with 25000 miles on the clock, leather and sports exhaust? Is that steep??
3. How much does leather add to resale value.
4. What Does Race Tech mean? and does it it add resale value
5. Does an inclusive hard top add to resale value, if so how much.
6. What's the average price of a 'C' service
7. How long does it take to get to grips with the complex and confusing model classification?
8. Are there any particular Lotus official modifications/upgrades that add to resale value?
Many thanks
Tootler said:
When spring is in the air a young man's fancy turns to..... er, that, and also a lotus Elise.
I've been giving it some serious consideration and looking at what's available second hand but there are a number of things that puzzzle and I wonder if some of the more knowlegable members, could assist, in my efforts to judge the reasons why particular cars are offered at particular prices
1. Do prices 'harden' at this time of the year (seems as if they do) in anticipation of summer sales?
To a certain extent yes... all a question of supply and demand
2. Would members agree that prices seem to vary a lot between official dealers, for example HR Owen are asking £18450 for a 2000 standard Elise with 25000 miles on the clock, leather and sports exhaust? Is that steep??
I assume that being a 2000 car its an S1, if so yes thats bloody expensive
3. How much does leather add to resale value.
Most tend to have it, or alcantara so counts against a car if it does not
4. What Does Race Tech mean? and does it it add resale value
Sports Tourer spec is best for resale (leather, carpets etc) Race tech is ok, but avoid very rare standard cars
5. Does an inclusive hard top add to resale value, if so how much.
£300-£500
6. What's the average price of a 'C' service
Pass
7. How long does it take to get to grips with the complex and confusing model classification?
Dont worry about them, just find a car you like at the price you want to pay taking into account the above
8. Are there any particular Lotus official modifications/upgrades that add to resale value?
As with most cars, mods add very little, sports exhausts are desirable, but add little.
Many thanks
>> Edited by mustard on Thursday 8th April 22:11
Tootler,
Mustard has given alot of good advice.
To add a couple more points.
The most important thing with an Elise is finding the right car. If you're thinking about getting one, then do your research.
Get out there see and drive as many cars as you can, you'll soon understand the classifications and what makes a good car/ bad car. I cannot stress this element of the purchase enough.
These are fantastic machines. If you believe that straight bits of road are only there to join up the corners, then an elise is the car for you. I hankered after an Elise since launch, occassional trips to the dealer and attempts to persuade myself I could afford one. Eventually I could, I did, and now I wouldn't be without.
Have a look at www.elises.co.uk, this is a great site and will tell you everything you need to know.
Have fun, the looking should be all part of the 'experience'.
Regards, Neil
PS. A C service is the big one (cambelt change) this would probably cost £400-£600 depending on where you go. If you're looking at cars and the C is due make sure the price reflects that. Personnally I'd insist the work was done before I'd make the deal.
PPS. It may help if let us know your budget, this will dictate what range of cars you should be looking at.
PPPS. Hard tops are for jessies. Keep the roof off and buy a shower cap, a woolly hat and a fleece.
>> Edited by NJS25 on Friday 9th April 00:00
Mustard has given alot of good advice.
To add a couple more points.
The most important thing with an Elise is finding the right car. If you're thinking about getting one, then do your research.
Get out there see and drive as many cars as you can, you'll soon understand the classifications and what makes a good car/ bad car. I cannot stress this element of the purchase enough.
These are fantastic machines. If you believe that straight bits of road are only there to join up the corners, then an elise is the car for you. I hankered after an Elise since launch, occassional trips to the dealer and attempts to persuade myself I could afford one. Eventually I could, I did, and now I wouldn't be without.
Have a look at www.elises.co.uk, this is a great site and will tell you everything you need to know.
Have fun, the looking should be all part of the 'experience'.
Regards, Neil
PS. A C service is the big one (cambelt change) this would probably cost £400-£600 depending on where you go. If you're looking at cars and the C is due make sure the price reflects that. Personnally I'd insist the work was done before I'd make the deal.
PPS. It may help if let us know your budget, this will dictate what range of cars you should be looking at.
PPPS. Hard tops are for jessies. Keep the roof off and buy a shower cap, a woolly hat and a fleece.
>> Edited by NJS25 on Friday 9th April 00:00
Thanks to you guys for the info. Also Derestrictor's post was very informative. I'm looking at a price rang of £15000 - £16000 and I don't think the standard Elise has enough grunt for what I want so I'm looking at an 111S S1.
I prefer the looks of the early Elise, but I don't know if it might be worth waiting a year until S2's are readily available in my price range, by which time I might be even leaning toward the VX220 Turbo as an option.
The thing is I just love the Elise looks, but I'm not much gone on the VX appearance. Although I've never seen one in the metal I'm going to book a VXT test drive shortly, because the on other side of the coin I just love turbopower.
Decisions decisions
I prefer the looks of the early Elise, but I don't know if it might be worth waiting a year until S2's are readily available in my price range, by which time I might be even leaning toward the VX220 Turbo as an option.
The thing is I just love the Elise looks, but I'm not much gone on the VX appearance. Although I've never seen one in the metal I'm going to book a VXT test drive shortly, because the on other side of the coin I just love turbopower.
Decisions decisions
One thing to have in mind if you're going to be test driving a VXT is that they loosen up a lot with the more mileage you stick on them.
A low mileage VXT most probably won't provide a true or accurate indication of what a cracking engine it is.
They're in a low state of tune, so can be modified to relatively high bhp / lb/ft per tonne for relatively little £££.
Definitely check out www.vx220.org.uk if you need any more questions answering...
A low mileage VXT most probably won't provide a true or accurate indication of what a cracking engine it is.
They're in a low state of tune, so can be modified to relatively high bhp / lb/ft per tonne for relatively little £££.
Definitely check out www.vx220.org.uk if you need any more questions answering...
If I had 18K, I know what Id be looking at and it wouldnt be an S2
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=21803&s=12
Id say 17 should secure that baby. One of the best ive seen.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=21803&s=12
Id say 17 should secure that baby. One of the best ive seen.
Does look one horny little b&stard in black metallic, as someone says 18k is a lot of money for an S1, but there are becoming increasingly few really good ones of these about, in the best colour combo 2 IMHO.... if anyones got there heart set on an S1 could well be worth seeing just what price would buy it
I'm too currently looking at a 111S mileage shown as 13k. What would everyone consider to be a reasonable price for this? The car looks near pristine and is BRG metallic. woops sorry forgot to say its 1999 on T plate.
Also can anyone point me in the direction of info regarding all the different specs for Elise. Tried the link shown for www.elises.co.uk but receive a 404 error.
Hi, by the way I've been lurking as a guest for a couple of weeks in my quest for a fun car, so far looked at TVR Griff, Elan S2M100, Elise, VX220.
>> Edited by saf on Sunday 11th April 14:22
Also can anyone point me in the direction of info regarding all the different specs for Elise. Tried the link shown for www.elises.co.uk but receive a 404 error.
Hi, by the way I've been lurking as a guest for a couple of weeks in my quest for a fun car, so far looked at TVR Griff, Elan S2M100, Elise, VX220.
>> Edited by saf on Sunday 11th April 14:22
saf said:
I'm too currently looking at a 111S mileage shown as 13k. What would everyone consider to be a reasonable price for this? The car looks near pristine and is BRG metallic. woops sorry forgot to say its 1999 on T plate.
Also can anyone point me in the direction of info regarding all the different specs for Elise. Tried the link shown for <a href="http://www.elises.co.uk">www.elises.co.uk</a> but receive a 404 error.
Hi, by the way I've been lurking as a guest for a couple of weeks in my quest for a fun car, so far looked at TVR Griff, Elan S2M100, Elise, VX220.
>> Edited by saf on Sunday 11th April 14:22
Griff, Elan, Elise/Vx220 all very different cars, If you give some indication of what you want to get out of it then we may be able to help you further
Griff - Big cheesey V8 grin
Elan - Nimble 'practical' mile kruncher
Elise/VX220 - Sheer pure driving pleasure
With all of the above dont become to prepossed by ultra low mileage examples as this is not neccessarily good, espiacally if your paying through the nose for it
Examples on what i'd expect to pay
94/95 M Elan S2 circa 40-50k Miles, FSH in excellent order £10-12k Max
99 T/V Elise 111S circa 20-30k miles, FSH in excellent order £13.5-£15k
Griff & VX220 cant really comment
This is my quandry, I already have use of a couple of cars for track days (totally different from the lotus), plus the everyday runaround. I am more inclinded to come down on the Elise as an additional car which could be used for dual purpose, i.e. track day if I wanted but also occasional go out and have a good drive car.
OK sussed out the error on the elise site, the original posting includes the comma.
>> Edited by saf on Sunday 11th April 14:51
OK sussed out the error on the elise site, the original posting includes the comma.
>> Edited by saf on Sunday 11th April 14:51
To find out more about the Elan
check out
www.lotuselancentral.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi
Sounds to me that if your prepared to accept the Elises shortcomings then its the car for you though
check out
www.lotuselancentral.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi
Sounds to me that if your prepared to accept the Elises shortcomings then its the car for you though
NJS, yes I'm in the north of Wales boyo, speak the langwidge effluently, under the jusrisdiction of Captain Brainstorm as he was nicknamed in a previous police force. 
I live on the side of a mountian on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park.
My real name isn't Reginald Blenkindop-Smythe as it says in my profile, its Alphonso Smorgwinder the 3rd, but you can call me Alf.
>> Edited by Tootler on Sunday 11th April 21:30
I live on the side of a mountian on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. My real name isn't Reginald Blenkindop-Smythe as it says in my profile, its Alphonso Smorgwinder the 3rd, but you can call me Alf.
>> Edited by Tootler on Sunday 11th April 21:30
malbon said:
If I had 18K, I know what Id be looking at and it wouldnt be an S2
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=21803&s=12
Id say 17 should secure that baby. One of the best ive seen.
Ooeer! I'd already upped my window to 17K? and now this.
Thats one nice looking car, with all that needs to go with it. Hm..... I just paid £17250 for an S2 Sport tourer (2001 Y) from a dealer with a warranty and new tax. Had to travel 150 miles for it having seen many bad examples within my budget.
Its absolutely immaculate (literally show room condition) but has 30k miles on the clock (average for year, but high for an elise?)
Very happy!.
Its absolutely immaculate (literally show room condition) but has 30k miles on the clock (average for year, but high for an elise?)
Very happy!.
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