Discussion
sounds great 
Just think of it as automotive excellence. There is nothing like it for turning the world into a tarmac playground. It is addictive and you will never want to get out. I got mine in november / december and I was shocked to see well over 14k miles. Every mile had a huge smile strapped to my face.
If you like cars and you like driving go buy one.
If you like cars and you like driving go buy one.
matt173407 said:
Thanks,
Im thinking of just getting new one on the lotus finance package just abit concerned with the depreciation but from what iu can tell they dont seem to lose the value!
Source one used with low milage and all the toys. Let someone else take the hit on depreciation. There are always ones up for sale on here and on SELOC, just do your homework privately and then see what the dealers have on offer.
Unless you're desperate to have that new car experience of watching a few thousand pounds disappear from your life in a heartbeat of course. IMvHO (and I'm ready to be flamed for this), buying new is an insanity that I have never been able to fathom. You WILL lose a big chunk of cash. Also if you're going to struggle on the finance side, think seriously about how much the car is going to cost you each year - these things are not Porker/Ferrari expensive to run, but they're also generally not hot hatch money either. Especially make sure you're not going to get shafted on the insurance before you put a deposit down!
The cheapest way of buying a car is a personal loan - Lotus finance APPEARS cheap, but actually isn't really.
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 9th August 11:21
agree with Sworks on that one. I bought a new 111s, although got a pretty good deal to be fair, but have put it up for sale recently and i will still loose a fair chunk of cash in just 6mths (although it's worth every penny for the fun i've had) If it sells i will look to get another elise for sure, but prob go for used 111r with extras. i saw a 111s recently sell locally for 21K and it only had 400 miles on it!!!
Matt have you driven one yet? If not, I strongly suggest you get out there and try a few cars before you even consider putting down any deposits.
Try the 135R, the 111S, a sport 135 conversion, a standard car and the 111R. That way you'll really get an idea of what you like and don't like.
IMvHO you should try some S1's also.
For 17-20k you will get a seriously sorted 111S or 135R. For less than that you will be able to get a mint standard or sport 135 car. For less than 15K you will be able to pick up a very sorted S1.
Don't discount other options - there are so many variants all of which offer different levels of performance and fun without you screwing yourself on the payments.
Enjoy the research, get along to some club meets and get some pax rides, trawl the forums here and on forums.seloc.org and watch the classifieds like a hawk to guage the market.
Tim
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 9th August 13:13
Edited here as I note from another of your posts you've already had an S1 111S... but basically I think what I've written applies to anyone considering getting any Elise
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 9th August 13:15
Try the 135R, the 111S, a sport 135 conversion, a standard car and the 111R. That way you'll really get an idea of what you like and don't like.
IMvHO you should try some S1's also.
For 17-20k you will get a seriously sorted 111S or 135R. For less than that you will be able to get a mint standard or sport 135 car. For less than 15K you will be able to pick up a very sorted S1.
Don't discount other options - there are so many variants all of which offer different levels of performance and fun without you screwing yourself on the payments.
Enjoy the research, get along to some club meets and get some pax rides, trawl the forums here and on forums.seloc.org and watch the classifieds like a hawk to guage the market.
Tim
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 9th August 13:13
Edited here as I note from another of your posts you've already had an S1 111S... but basically I think what I've written applies to anyone considering getting any Elise
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 9th August 13:15
You are correct im trying to be sensible about it , i went to jct and fell in love with the 111r im trying to avoid test driving as i know i will sign up for 30k car just as winter is coming, i def need to compare the new 111s and the 111r had 3 s1's now and i really like the loko of the new shape
matt173407 said:
You are correct im trying to be sensible about it , i went to jct and fell in love with the 111r im trying to avoid test driving as i know i will sign up for 30k car just as winter is coming, i def need to compare the new 111s and the 111r had 3 s1's now and i really like the loko of the new shape
I had a S1 111S for 3 years, bought it when it was 2 years old. Then went onto an 18 month old S2 111s in January of this year and i'm chuffed to bits. I decided that rather than take the initial depreciation of a new car i'd get a 18 month / 2 year old car with low mileage.
The car i've got is about as quick as the 111R to a 100 (which i rarely exceed on the Queens Highway) Just on the odd track day
. But my 111S is a little lighter, as i understand the 6 speed box and toyota engine in the 111R adds about 80-100KGs to the standard and tuned Rover Cars weight? (I could be wrong and i'm sure i'll be put right if this is the case by the PH massive. So appologies if this is the case).
IMVHO I don't think the price premium for the Toyota engined car can be fully justified. But fair play to those that have gone that route, as long term it's probably a better mechanical bet. I only do 6000 miles a year in mine and I only tend to keep cars 2 - 3 years so i'm happy that i'm not gonna be keeping it into big mileage and the resulting wear and tear.
You can get a mint 10-12K mile S2 111s '04 model year car for under £20K now. Hence my choice of stead. Do as others have mentioned, get some test drives under your belt. An S2 135R, or 111S would be my choices. The 135R being that much more Hardcore on the road.
But having spent the day playing at Castle Combe a few weeks ago, thier performance on track was very similar.
Very best of luck and keep us posted.
>> Edited by D4V KC on Tuesday 9th August 17:48
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