Elise mark 1 wanted

[beachbum]

Not sure you are going to get much in that price bracket. Have you tried the Classifieds on here

[NJS25]

I would say your MG is worth more like £7500 on a good day. Hope you get what you want, but I fear you need to be more realistic about your cars true value. Don't discount a car on mileage, if it has been properly maintained and worn parts replaced it would be foolish to ignore it, especially at the budget.

The main areas of concern on older/ higher mileage vehicles are items such as steering rack and suspension, the actual mileage is less relevant. Make sure you check for all the usual signs of engine problems and remember the best way to assess the condition of an elise is to drive it. Drive as many cars as possible, including those over your budget and get to know how they should feel. This way you'll be better informed and more able to recognise a dog from a bargain when you see it.

It is all too easy to buy the first car you see that you can afford. The grin factor of the elise is its major selling point but this also has a tendency to seduce the most objective prospective purchaser into a less than considered decision. Take your time and remember good things come etc.

Best of luck.

Regards, Neil

>> Edited by NJS25 on Friday 6th January 22:24

[tonesp]

Thanks for your advice NJS25 and this will be taken on board. Regarding the value of my car, I think your estimate on a 'good day' may be a little conservative. I based its value on the going rate of similar ZR 160's being sold nationally by dealers and privately, via the autotrader website and various MG Rover forums. Their value seems to hover around the £8000-£9200 mark, with the vast majority being found in the mid to higher end of this price bracket.

Also included with my car is a £500 two year RAC warranty, which many others may not possess.

In short, if anyone is interested in a px/swap for an 'as new' MG ZR 160, not to be confused with the 105's and 120's, which is the new shape ZR, has a 2 year fully comprehensive warranty for peace of mind and I feel is fairly priced then please get in touch.

[jke11y]

Yet to see a sub 50k mile unrecorded elise for 8k....

One at that money is going to cost you to keep - parts and problems mainly. So watch out.

I looked at cheaper Elises before buying mine. They are cheap for a reason.

[NJS25]

tonesp said:

... I think your estimate on a 'good day' may be a little conservative. I based its value on the going rate of similar ZR 160's being sold nationally by dealers and privately, via the autotrader website and various MG Rover forums. Their value seems to hover around the £8000-£9200 mark, with the vast majority being found in the mid to higher end of this price bracket.

There is the world of difference between the advertised price and the cars value. Top book from a franchised dealer would be about £8300 for your car, private sale more like £7500.

Your RAC cover counts for little, since new cars would have come with a 3 year manufacturers warranty, the fact that this provided by the RAC rather than the now defunct Rover is academic. It simply acts a piece of mind to someone buying privately and will not improve the value of your car.

Those are the facts, however there are always exceptions, if you find the right buyer willing to pay what you are asking that's great.

Let us know how you get on, I would interested to see if you get what you are asking, you may have a career in car sales!!

With regards to the Elise, I'll reiterate the points made above. You may be better off considering higher mileage, well maintained, rather than apparently cheap examples. Bide your time and make sure you get a good one. Remember these cars are great fun, so enjoy the hunt, and drive as many as possible. Don't be afraid to travel, these cars are not Fords they are relatively rare. The last car I bought was similarly scarce, I travelled nearly 2000 miles (this is only £200 petrol) around the country to find the right car, (which incidentally had been advertised at £2000 more than book, I paid book for it!!). The car was immaculate and well worth the effort.

Happy hunting.

Regards, Neil

[lawrence5]

As owners we have an interest in talking prices up

Heard of straight cars in the trade changing hand for £5.7k and know of a mint early car sold for £9k. Plenty for sale and it's a buyer market take the piss and make some offers.....

But don't buy too cheap - will cost more in the long term.