Standard Or 111s For Everyday Use

[tonner_notts]

hi im lookin for my 1st lotus elise,

im not sure if i can cope with one as my everyday car but after being taken for a ride in one i dont care, cant believe how they handled.

ive seen a couple, one was a 111s v plate for 10grand, but had 64k miles on the clock,

dont know whether to buy a standard elise with less miles and lose the performance or go for the 111s with high mileage.

worried when i come to sell it on with 90k miles i will struggle to sell it

[GCCK]

Engines are cheap and easy to replace. The bodies and chassis being fibreglass & aluminium respectively are non-corrosive. More significant is the state of the other components. If a 64K miler boasts of being original, it's a euphemism for "shagged". Lots of bits wear out and the difference between a well kept car (with the worn bits systematically replaced/ uprated) and one needing them done could be £2-3K.

 

I've written enough. Someone else's turn to catalogue the items subject to premature wear.

 

Oh yes, insurance. 111s is dearer to insure - can you afford the difference?

[Phil Dance]

hi im lookin for my 1st lotus elise,

im not sure if i can cope with one as my everyday car but after being taken for a ride in one i dont care, cant believe how they handled.

ive seen a cpl one was a 111s v plate for 10grand, but had 64k miles on the clock,

dont know whether to buy a standard elise with less miles and lose the performance or go for the 111s with high mileage.

worried when i come to sell it on with 90k miles i will struggle to sell it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

If you are patient there are 111s about with lower milage for 10 to 11K. Just keep looking, you should be in the 30 to 40 k milage bracket, for a FSH 111s 1998 and up. Only my opinion mind!

[tonner_notts]

i know about what wears out, steering rack, ball joints etc, dont know to much so would probly have it inspected, it had a service in march so wouldnt they have picked up anything that needs doing etc.

the 111s isnt any more to insure with my company i dont know why but just isnt, they class them all at about the same price.

is it worth waiting for a decent 111s or buy a standard car with a few mods, is there much performance difference

[Phil Dance]

i know about what wears out, steering rack, ball joints etc, dont know to much so would probly have it inspected, it had a service in march so wunt they have picked up anything that needs doing etc.

the 111s isent any more to insure with my company i dont know why but just int they class them all at about the same price.

is it worth waiting for a decent 111s or buy a standard car witha few mods, is there much performance difference

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I can't anawer that I have had my 111s for only 3 weeks so I have not used it to anywhere near its full potential yet, I have got to say I love it and smile all the time I drive it. I will never have another type of car after this one. I am sure there are more qualified on here to answer you though.

[Scott_Mac]

111s with 40k for 10k... errr, where exactly?

[Scrappydog]

My advise (FWIW) is to look at the general condition of the car, not the specific mileage. If a car has done 60K miles and been serviced regularly and all the faults fixed promptly then it'll be fine. If you've got a 25K miler where services and fixes have been skimped on then IMHO it'll be a worse car. The engine should be fine in a 60Ker, but check for suspension knocks, worn dampers, baggy steering, corroded exhaust and scruffed trim.

 

BTW. I reckon a 111s is a really nice car, but so is a well modded std car. So worth looking at both really.

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

[tonner_notts]

yes will look at both, are the 111s really that much better though to warranty maybe buying one with more miles in a colour i wouldnt normally buy.

rather then a standard one in the colour i want?

anyone drove both? how much quicker are they, and are they alot better at top end?

[Bramble111s]

Can only say my 111s is great, haven't driven standard though, although I have sat in the seats! Ouch!

 

I think a 111s with 40K for 11grand seems a bit cheap though, paid 14050 for my 99 with 36000 miles, full mot and front clam respray.

 

This seems nearer the mark, although may have gone down a bit in the last year? anyone?

[Scott_Mac]

I would expect that to be around the £13k mark now.... certainly not 10 or even 11k!

[Steve J]

Ever the optamist on S1 prices eh Scott

[Phil Dance]

I paid £10650 for a 111s with 36k 1999 I did have to travel to find it though (Manchester), few little faults on it but Lotus serviced and cam belt changed at 33k. You get what you pay for I guess oh and a HPI check cost another 25 quid.

[tonner_notts]

that sounds a good deal phil, just been emailed a car for sale, t reg 55k in ruby red with beige and red interior, looks really nice in pic,

want 11k for it,

hopefully something will come of it

or should i wait for one with lower miles?

[Phil Dance]

that sounds a good deal phil, just been emailed a car for sale, t reg 55k in ruby red with beige and red interior, looks really nice in pic,

want 11k for it,

hopefully something will come of it

or should i wait for one with lower miles?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Got to be worth a look! you may haggle the price down a bit too! I looked at 3 others before I bought mine.

[tonner_notts]

just hope its not to far away, how many ppl here have one as an everyday car? how do you get one with it? i love my music and worried i wont hear the radio.