Need help - what's this worth? (back in the market for a Lotus)

[M@r]{]

Hey guys.  Sold the V-Storm kit car now so already the money is burning a hole in my pocket      My end goal is to get a V6 Exige, ideally a 350.  However my budget can't stretch that far right now.  So, I'm thinking I could get an S2 for now, then when I get the money together I can then get the V6.  Well, I'll enjoy the money more if its in an S2 than in my bank      My man maths game is strong.   But not string enough to stretch to my ideal S2, Scatty's     It's sooooooo pretty.    So plan b:

Will Blackhams S2 Elige with the SC Honda lump - circa 330 bhp.  Not as pretty but its got all the right bits underneath.  Things that are bugging me, its an Elise with Exige clams (but isn't that what an Exige is?)  But its difficult to value.  The seats?!  What the hell?!  So much money in that car but its got the basic seats?  So that's what, £1,500 to sort?   The car for me will be a track car, so this is pretty much perfect.  And as it's got the Honda gearbox I don't have the same headache getting over 300bhp that you do with the Toyota one, ie it eats itself and you have to spend a fortune on Jubu gears.  

But what it will come down to, is re-sale.  This car will be with me for a year, maybe less.  So I don't want to buy something that is over-valued and then take a big hit, as that will impact the chances of me getting into a V6.  So is this worth £30k?  

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s2/new-in--supercharged-honda-exige-bodied-330bhp-s2-elise--huge-specification--the-ultimate-track-day-lotus/8307059  

[The Cakes]

The short answer is look how long it’s been for sale and that’s from a well respected dealer. Try selling something like this privately and like you say, you will take a massive hit. Unless you get lucky......

[M@r]{]

Yeah you’re probably right.  At the end of the day it’s a 2003 Elise.  So with all that work probably should be more like £25k?  Ok pass on that I think.

 

What about this?  Has this been for sale for a while do you know?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F263519103204

[AlanS1]

The 1st car you linked to is certainly a great car that has been done to a very high level. I believe there is a thread on Seloc regarding the car. 

I have seen the 2nd one you have linked a few times on forums. But do not know anything about it so can not comment. 

Luke's V6 350sport is for sale? Maybe worth having a word with him?

My Black S1 maybe going on the market soon?. Already have some interest though.  

[The Cakes]

3 hours ago, M@r]{ said:

Yeah you’re probably right.  At the end of the day it’s a 2003 Elise.  So with all that work probably should be more like £25k?  Ok pass on that I think.

 

What about this?  Has this been for sale for a while do you know?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F263519103204

The second one has been for sale for over a year. Personally I think the spoiler ruins it, even if it actually does something! 

It looks like you’re after a stop gap car to get to the one you really one want. Just buy something that is going to be easy to sell on. If it’s purely for track and you can stretch to £39k I’d be looking at that 2-11 that’s for sale. It’s already had an upgrade to 300bhp. They might take a bid on it as well. It’s on the usual suspects, ebay, autotrader etc...I’ve had various Lotus and the 2-11 is unbelievable!

[John FISH Curtis]

If you buy the Audi Elise/Exige for just a years running, then id suggest advertising it for sale about a week after buying it. They take a long time to sell.

Just get a V6 and be done with it. They seem to be selling from £36k.

 

[Alex B]

5 hours ago, M@r]{ said:

Yeah you’re probably right.  At the end of the day it’s a 2003 Elise.  So with all that work probably should be more like £25k?  Ok pass on that I think.

 

What about this?  Has this been for sale for a while do you know?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F263519103204

That’s a very well known exiges.com car.

bare in mind it’s CAT C\D marker.

[M@r]{]

Thanks for the input guys.  For once in my life I think I'm going to let my head lead the charge here and be patient.  I'm trying to squeeze my ideal car into a budget I have't got and will end up making compromises that could end up tainting the ownership experience.   Will's blue car has all the right bits, fantastic spec, but its Exige money for a 2003 Elise.  And I'd need to put another £1500 into for decent seats.  Big hit when I come to sell?  That green one, it's cat D, colour I'm undecided and I'm not a huge fan of the front clam, imagine its got a lot of presence though!  Again hard to re-sell?  Scattys car I'm in love with every time I look at pictures. My fav colour, later spec, love the seats and a newer, factory SC car.  But it's stretching my budget just that little bit too far, not much more and I could get a V6.  A jump that may be quickly bridged with a good month or two at work.  Having said that the money on that should be safe?

I'll tentatively keep my eyes out in case something comes up that catches my eye in my current <£30k budget, but for now I think I'll get a few little bits done to the little MX5 and use that as my track toy, whilst I get some money together to go for a V6, ideally a 350.