Dazed and Confused - Elise SC or Exige or Evora

[matthewwales]

Hi All

I recently had an unfortunate accident in my 2008 Cayman S which has now gone to the scrap yard so I'm on the look to for replacement which I would like to be a Lotus. My budget is £25k and so far I've tested a 2006 Exige, 2010 Elise 1.6 and 2007 Elise SC. The Exige was great fun to drive and if truth be told a little scary as I know what my right foot can be like but 3k over my budget, plus its pretty loud. The 1.6 Elise was nice and easy but lacking engine feedback noise and also needed lots of change downs to get it to move. The Elise SC 1.8 was definitely the sweet spot on noise v power but the car is still 1k over my budget but I think I can get one under £25k if I wait. I thought I was all set on the SC but now I'm just not sure if its the car for me, I like my creature comforts and have started to think about the Cayman again....until I went to look at a 2010 Evora! At £30k its way more than I wanted to spend but now its got me thinking that maybe it might be an option to consider, especially as I was prepared to look at a £28k Exige . I have a few concerns, 1. the resale in 2-3 years, 2. Getting it passed the wife. I'd like to think the Evora 2+2 with Tech & Sports pack will sit around the £30k price mark for a year or two but I suppose there is only way to find out. There is one other option that I have thought of is to buy a £15k Elise for weekend fun only and use the other 10k to get me something more practical for work and dropping the kids off to all they're stuff. Arghhhhhhhhh Confused.... Help

[limpsfield]

Evora depreciation has been fairly glacial in recent years. I paid £32k for mine in Nov 2012 at 12k and now with 37k on probably around the £28/£29k mark. I think they will still lose some money, but slowly.

I have the +2. I would not want to sit in the back for too long, small kids may be fine.

Evora is probably more similar to the Cayman. I really miss my Elise 111r though- but that was more of a weekend fun car. All sorts of exhaust options around to spice up the sound if you want it.

Good luck with the search.

[matthewwales]

Finally got to drive an Evora yesterday and have now decided that it's the car for me, just wish my budget would push that high. I just felt more at home and realised how much I do need the creature comforts. Now the decision is which car? I went to see a black one with good spec and very low miles but it needs a few things sorting. My Cayman was black and I think I'd like to go for something more exciting, like the Blue they do it in.

[blueg33]

It can take a while to find the tigjt spec and condition. I am looking to replace mine but as I have all three packs and want the same again it's tricky, plus I know mine has had all of the issues sorted.

[Sumsion]

Shortage of good cars with the required spec are well documented , however with the 400 at best due the end of August I suspect there will be part exchanges .
Is it an option to speak with some dealers to indicate your requirements now ?

[Lazydonkey]

Many don't even make it onto the dealer websites - so make friends with the dealer(s) within a reasonable distance and then wait and see what comes up.

£30k for the perfect spec from a lotus dealer isn't impossible but you'll have the be pretty decisive.

For what it's worth my wife loves it much much much more than she did my VX.

[RobM77]

Just to reply to your first post: I think your logic is spot on. From what you say it sounds like the Evora is the car for you and yes, they will hold their value better. My only worry is that at £30k you'll be coming in at the bottom of the market, but there's no reason why you can't find a good car for the money if you're patient. Best of luck!

[s2kjock]

RobM77 said:

My only worry is that at £30k you'll be coming in at the bottom of the market, but there's no reason why you can't find a good car for the money if you're patient. Best of luck!

My 2010 NA must be around that mark, and would present a pretty decent car to a buyer IMHO. I wouldn't wager it will lose much over the next few years either, plus it's cheap to run.

[matthewwales]

Any idea how much it cost to replace the clutch cable or have the short st done?

[matthewwales]

must have made a spelling mistake

[blueg33]

My Evora was bought last year for £30k, it has all 3 packs, and lots of things done under warranty but the mileage was a tad higher than other cars. 20k miles later it has been spot on, looks great, no leaks totally reliable etc

I don't think that the bottom end of the price range means a poor car.

I have been offered £26k for mine from a dealer (its got 57k miles on the clock) which is ok in depreciation terms bearing in mind that I bought at retail from a main dealer and have added 20k miles in just over 12 months.

Op, a Cayman seems to depreciate faster, especially if you are buying at the £30k mark, so the Evora makes sense. Servicing is cheaper but more frequent and its much the same with rear tyres

[BravoV8V]

matthewwales said:

Any idea how much it cost to replace the clutch cable or have the short shift done?

Do you mean the gearchange cables?

If so, the improved MY12 cables are roughly £1k to fit (IIRC, the parts alone are £700 ex VAT).

There isn't currently a shortshift option available (either from the factory or aftermarket). Some owners, however, have modified the gear selector to achieve a shorter shift although this involves drilling through an OEM part.

[matthewwales]

BravoV8V said:

Do you mean the gearchange cables?

If so, the improved MY12 cables are roughly £1k to fit (IIRC, the parts alone are £700 ex VAT).

There isn't currently a shortshift option available (either from the factory or aftermarket). Some owners, however, have modified the gear selector to achieve a shorter shift although this involves drilling through an OEM part.

Yes, sorry. The gear change cables. Not surprised its in 1k region....

[blueg33]

Most of the cars I looks out, have had to gearchange cables done. But it's worth noting that on my car they needed to be done twice before the issue was sorted. Both times under warranty.

[Toaster]

Just to note, not all cars needed the cables changing

[Gravel]

BravoV8V said:

Do you mean the gearchange cables?

If so, the improved MY12 cables are roughly £1k to fit (IIRC, the parts alone are £700 ex VAT).

There isn't currently a shortshift option available (either from the factory or aftermarket). Some owners, however, have modified the gear selector to achieve a shorter shift although this involves drilling through an OEM part.

Wow - I would have thought it'd be mostly labour!

[matthewwales]

Toaster said:

Just to note, not all cars needed the cables changing

Hope the one I just bought, yesterday, doesn't need it! I have taken into concideration this issue and budgeted accordingly plus I went through a dealership to make sure my warranty was worth something.

[blueg33]

matthewwales said:

Hope the one I just bought, yesterday, doesn't need it! I have taken into concideration this issue and budgeted accordingly plus I went through a dealership to make sure my warranty was worth something.

Congrats on your purchase. Pics please! Which one did you buy?

[matthewwales]

blueg33 said:

Congrats on your purchase. Pics please! Which one did you buy?

Bought this one from Murray, can't wait to go up there and drive it home

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[blueg33]

Looks great. You will enjoy it.

I test drove a new Cayman Gts yesterday. I think the Evora isva better drive although PDK is intoxicating.

I don't think there is any sports car on the price range that beats an Evora as an experience and ownership proposition.