Looking to buy my first Lotus

[axw820]

Hi all

 

I'm new to the forum and looking to buy a Lotus later this year. I've recently started working from home and miss driving, so I'm looking to get a car which suits my only need - fun.

 

I'm very tight with money, and after a lot of reading I've decided that a Lotus is the cheapest way to own an amazing car that I've wanted to own since I was a kid. They seem to have low maintenance costs, particularly the Toyota engines, and depreciation doesn't look to be an issue at all. 

 

Does anyone have any advice that they would give to a prospective buyer? Is there much seasonal variation in price?

 

How active is the Lotus club that meets in Baslow? I think it's the South York's/Derby club. I'd definitely look to get involved, to me it's part of the joy of owning such a specialist car.

 

Is anyone looking to sell, or might you be after this incredible summer? I'm looking for a S2 Exige or Exige S.

 

Finally, I've never actually been in a moving Lotus. Is there anyone local to the Peak District / East Cheshire who would let me have a look, and maybe a ride?

 

Thanks

 

Alex

 

 

 

[@ndy]

First of all welcome to MLOC 

There are plenty of members within a 30 min radius of your location that are very active, I'm sure some of them will reply shortly.

If you've not been in a moving Lotus then you will be in for a surprise, There's not much else to compare them with both good and bad, What's your car history ?

@ndy

[axw820]

23 minutes ago, @ndy said:

First of all welcome to MLOC 

There are plenty of members within a 30 min radius of your location that are very active, I'm sure some of them will reply shortly.

If you've not been in a moving Lotus then you will be in for a surprise, There's not much else to compare them with both good and bad, What's your car history ?

@ndy

Very short! Volvo C30 D5 - good fun, but I'm sure nothing compared to a Lotus. That had engine troubles, and it was my girlfriend's turn to choose the next car, so we got a Fiesta 1.0 ecoboost, with 125bhp. 

 

I crave something more fun before I have too many financial commitments, and as I said I have no practical need for a car, so feel the time is right to splash out and get something I really want.

[@ndy]

You need to drive a few and go from there.... Whats your budget ?

S2 Exige's are fantastic cars whatever HP the are running and holding price well so you wouldn't lose much money,  V6's are epic and you can pick up some great cars at near to S2 Exige prices but can get expensive to run if tracked with fuel, tyres and brakes compared to the lighter models, Don't discount an Elise in any guise either.

[R5K]

Hi

I got an elise 111R last September, before buying mine I did the lotus driving academy, scare yourself sensible. It was a great afternoon and the factory tour was really interesting. Plus its amazing to see what the car can do on track. I'm based in Chesterfield on the edge of the peaks. Tomorrow night there is a Lotus club meet at the weatsheaf in Baslow there will be a few lotus there from around 7pm. I might be there depending on work. 

[duncx]

Hi, I'm about 10 miles from you, near to the village of Eyam. You are welcome to pop over to my place for a cuppa and a nose around my Elise and maybe a quick spin around some local roads. All of the Elise and Exige variants are similar but different if that makes sense - if it's an S2 Exige that you're after you really need to sort out a px ride in one of those to get the full experience. As said, it's the Club Lotus meet down at the Wheatsheaf in Baslow this evening, there might be the odd Elise/Exige there, possibly mine included  

[Phil S1]

Welcome to MLOC Alex, as others have said try and get to Baslow tonight, you might even see Sim@n there....he has 2 or 3 S2 Exiges for sale 

[duncx]

3 minutes ago, Phil S1 said:

Welcome to MLOC Alex, as others have said try and get to Baslow tonight, you might even see Sim@n there....he has 2 or 3 S2 Exiges for sale 

Are you sure he's selling them, I thought he just collected/polished them?

[axw820]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

My budget is about £25k but willing may be willing to stretch it for an Exige S. I'm not bothered if it's relatively high mileage as I plan to use it a fair amount - the mileage won't stay low so no point paying the premium!

 

Unfortunately I can't make it to Baslow tonight but will definitely pop along in the future. It's the first Wednesday of each month isn't it? 

 

Sim@n - I'm not looking to buy immediately, but hoping to in September, October at the latest. I expect the two you've got will have gone by then but do let me know if you get any fresh ones in. Do you sell a few or are these a one off?

 

Duncx - I'm free Friday evening if you are?

 

[duncx]

Alex, I've sent you a message about Friday 

[richbk]

Hi Alex 

welcome to proberbly the best car forum on the inter web !

the support, help, advice, knowledge  and banter has made my lotus ownership an absolute pleasure. I am based in Endon so fairly close to youand run a bright blue S2 exige n/a that I have lightened and tinkered with over the years. I owned an early S2 Elise before that. I am lucky enough to run a boxster s along side it and have owned a mint Honda S2000 during the last few years, both are great cars, but neither come close to the driving experience of the lotus. If you would like to have a run out in mine, kick some tyres and chat all things exige from insurance, running costs, niggles, rattles, track days and where to stop on the cat and fiddle for 3 minutes between the average speed cameras Just drop me a  Pm. 

Happy hunting, if you can buy sooner, I would as the prices are only going 1way and they don't seem to drop as winter approaches like some sports cars. I SORN mine over winter as semi slick tyres and wet weather are not a confidence inspiring couple so you might find yourself waiting till next spring to enjoy a car you buy this Autumn .which is a waste of insurance premium.

 

richard

[Steve J]

You've just made things more difficult for yourself with that good budget figure. There will be a wide selection within that sort of budget. Normally 'tight on cash' means < £10k