Looking at getting an Elise...
Discussion
Any thoughts from the experts on this one? Seems very good for the mileage!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2762975.htm
Cheers
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2762975.htm
Cheers
What others have said.
The seller states 'if you know your elises mileage is the killer", I know elises and I agree with Kambites "buy on condition".
The mileage concerns stem from HGFs, suspension wearing out and other consumables. Low milage cars can have issues with rubber bushes and gaiters which have had limited use and perished or hardened as a result. It's a tToyota engined car so HGF isn't an issue.
If I were buying second hand I'd be looking for a well cared for car with lots of bills and receipts showing what maintenance/ upgrades had been done.
Look, drive as many as you can then decide!
Regards, Neil
The seller states 'if you know your elises mileage is the killer", I know elises and I agree with Kambites "buy on condition".
The mileage concerns stem from HGFs, suspension wearing out and other consumables. Low milage cars can have issues with rubber bushes and gaiters which have had limited use and perished or hardened as a result. It's a tToyota engined car so HGF isn't an issue.
If I were buying second hand I'd be looking for a well cared for car with lots of bills and receipts showing what maintenance/ upgrades had been done.
Look, drive as many as you can then decide!
Regards, Neil
As above really. Yes the mileage is low but I wouldn't put *that* much of a price premium on it and to state that 'mileage is the killer' is crap, lack of servicing is the real killer.
It could well be an A1 car, but I'd be tempted to look elsewhere unless the servicing record was spot on and the price came down a chunk.
It could well be an A1 car, but I'd be tempted to look elsewhere unless the servicing record was spot on and the price came down a chunk.
Edited by CardShark on Saturday 30th April 20:14
mikeulster500 said:
If I was you, I'd buy the 135R that's listed for sale on here. Very rare and an awesome car!!
I'm with you Mike on this one, I had a Lotus Elise 135R and traded it in against a 111R and regretted that move ever since.The 135R is a great drivers car and a lot of fun, I put AO48 tyres on mine.
Its a 2004 car whatever the mileage. No AC. As soon as you start putting miles on it, because most people buy cars to drive them, the mileage goes up but remains a 2004 car. The value will drop like a brick. Look at dealers prices for 2004 cars and the take off £2000 for the real value of the car. As everyone has said, servicing and history more important. Interesting to know whether the car has been serviced every year as recomended despite the low miles. Only real argument for the seller is a 'slight premium' compared to another 2004 car with higher miles. However, to compare the car to a 2006-2007 model in terms of value because of the mileage is just plain nonsense. I'd even stretch to a 2008 car at that price without AC. Good luck to everyone, buyer and seller!
I would have expected it to be priced around 15k maybe 15.5k. Not sure what all the fuss is about A-C though, surely if you have an elise and it is sunny you have the top down. I can understand with an Exige as it gets hot in the cabin but not an elise. Never had any problems with mine and that doesn't have A-C.
Choice of AC not an issue. When comparing like with like, evidently a car without is less expensive than a car with. The issue for this posting is the price, mileage, specification and condition of the car in question. It can be considered as a lower spec car due to the fact it doesnt have AC. This is not a criticism of the choice, just plain fact. Lower spec cars should be less expensive. Simpels.
Here we have a lower spec car with very low mileage at a very high price. Higher spec cars, more recent, with only slightly higher mileages (+10000) at the same price. Take your choice, but for me, this car at the price advertised, is far from being the most reasoned choice of car. As it stands it would not figure in my top ten, according to cars advertised currently. Much rather a more recent car with up to 25K and FSH. for the same sort of money or even cheaper.
Here we have a lower spec car with very low mileage at a very high price. Higher spec cars, more recent, with only slightly higher mileages (+10000) at the same price. Take your choice, but for me, this car at the price advertised, is far from being the most reasoned choice of car. As it stands it would not figure in my top ten, according to cars advertised currently. Much rather a more recent car with up to 25K and FSH. for the same sort of money or even cheaper.
Chris49 said:
I have to agree. The number one rule with buying a loti is buy on condition and servicing.
A car with more miles, enthusiast owned with fist fulls or receipts is the way to go if to can.
Low mileage certainly does not make a good car.
I totally agree too. If anything a car with 5k after 5 years is likely to be more trouble, once you start driving it. I would rather have an Elsie with miles on it, but a stack of receipts showing a caring owner, and a well looked after, want for nothing car. A car with more miles, enthusiast owned with fist fulls or receipts is the way to go if to can.
Low mileage certainly does not make a good car.
Edited by Chris49 on Saturday 30th April 15:45
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