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Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

Is There Such A Thing.....


Chris_edeson

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Chris, here's a nice (and very original) S1 111S. Recently serviced, bags of history, cast iron appreciation too - there aren't many around any more..

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s1/lotus-elise-111s-------------------1999/5776870?v=c

That's stunning :) is high mileage something to worry about or not really if they have been well looked after? All my s2's were lower than 20k cars in terms of mileage.

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That's stunning :) is high mileage something to worry about or not really if they have been well looked after? All my s2's were lower than 20k cars in terms of mileage.

I think it comes down to two things with higher mileage cars - condition and history. If you are able to check both of these things as thoroughly as you can, taking advice from others, getting it looked at by someone who really knows what to look for, then there shouldn't be any major surprises. There will always be a couple of things that come up that you can't predict, that will inevitably cost you a few quid - but the good thing about these cars is that very big bills are pretty much non existent, and there are plenty of options to get the work done - lots of very established specialists out there.

 

As well as the full history, pay close attention to what has been done in the last few years (as that's what will save you money) and ask as many questions as you can. If it has been owned by a proper keen enthusiast, it shouldn't really need much doing. Try to speak to previous owners too if you have access to their details - to verify history and provide more peace of mind.

 

Good luck and keep asking for help on here - especially when you start looking at cars. And don't be afraid to buy the first one you look at if it all checks out..

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Whats about this one? http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/81501-2000-elise-s1/.

 

Bibs is the highly respected head honcho of 'The Lotus Forums' and has owned just about every Lotus ever made, so you dont need to worry about providence or whether its been pampered or not. From memory he got rid of an Evora and had a long search before deciding on this car. If The colours are to your liking, I'd high-tail it to Kent before it gets snapped up.

 

Good luck.

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I think the 111S is a lot of money for that mileage. The B&C car looks very good but way over budget I'd guess. Both of those cars are desirable enhanced specification cars hence the price premium. I think there will be a sub 50k mile standard (non vvc) car in good nick at £12k somewhere if you look for long enough.

If you wanted a track day car I would say don't worry too much about high miles if the condition is good but a lower mileage car will likely hold it's value much better or appreciate faster. I would certainly be looking for a car with less than 50k miles if possible.

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Chris, here's a nice (and very original) S1 111S. Recently serviced, bags of history, cast iron appreciation too - there aren't many around any more..

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s1/lotus-elise-111s-------------------1999/5776870?v=c

 

Oh, that's interesting. The age, spec and condition is very similar to mine: except this one has about twice the mileage of mine.

 

So either this one is over priced, or mine is worth more than I thought!

 

Especially as mine has never been raced or rallied, or done a proper track day (eh Alex ;) )

 

Anyone want to offer me £15k for mine?

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Oh, that's interesting. The age, spec and condition is very similar to mine: except this one has about twice the mileage of mine.

 

So either this one is over priced, or mine is worth more than I thought!

 

Especially as mine has never been raced or rallied, or done a proper track day (eh Alex ;) )

 

Anyone want to offer me £15k for mine?

One careful owner...
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I'm with Dean on this.

 

My standard S2 (Alex's old one) did absolutely everything I wanted from it, and in the end didn't cost me very much over the course of the year I was privileged enough to own it. 

 

So the biggest question is to decide what you want out of the car.

 

If you are buying it to polish and admire, with the potential to make a bit of money, buy a special edition, but pay top money.

 

If you are going to really drive it regularly, then a tweaked standard one (with sensible/expected upgrades) in good nick would be my choice. 

 

If you are a full on track fiend, then get a tatty one and replace the bits you will inevitably break along the way. At the end of the day, if you only care about the oily bits, and the chassis is sound, most stuff can be fixed relatively cheaply. (Or swapped for Honda parts ;) )

 

 

Lotus ownership is certainly a spectrum of these options, so my view is choose the car that lies the right place along it for you. Buying a concourse car to then track/daily/put big miles on at every opportunity is a bit silly.

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Very sensible advice there Simon, though it is possible to buy a car, polish and admire it, yet drive it regularly and properly. It just takes more effort to keep it nice, so essentially it boils down to what you want it for, and how much time/effort you want to put in I guess.

 

As some of you will know I fit into the special edition bracket - and mine has had a lot spent on it to keep it tip top before I bought it. Keeping it nice cosmetically is sometimes hard work (especially as it is black) but it is definitely possible to both cherish and enjoy driving it at the same time (I commute in it for half of the year, in dry weather).

 

As Simon says - decide on your usage and buy accordingly...

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