Thinking of selling my S1 111s

[Greg.g]

Hi all. Have not posted on here for some time.

This is going to be a bit of a rambling post, on a subject no doubt covered many times.

I have owned my elise for 14 years now and loved every minute. She had 16000 miles on her when I adopted her. She now has 91k.

Having done numerous euro trips and a few track days she has been very well looked after. A few careful upgrades and plenty of care and attention later, and I do not seem to be driving her much these days. Those that know me will know how much I care for this car.

So to my dilemma. I plan on taking early retirement within the next couple of years and moving up to the peak district. I doubt my budget will stretch to a property with a garage. At present my daily drive is a van. When I move I do not like the idea of leaving my lotus parked on the road and logic says that a single car would be a better option for a newly retired person. I also plan on getting another dog so a hatch back would be the sensible option. I still enjoy my driving so want to retain a little bit of fun when it comes to " I cant call it a replacement car" for my lotus. Having done a bit of research, it would appear that a M135i would fit the bill.

I don't think that I will be putting my elise up for sale till the spring. Even less the thought tyre kickers who fancy a bit of a spin. I will be looking for £13k

If anyone on here knows of a potential buyer, then let me know. My elise has a full lotus specialist service history. She had a cambelt service less than a 1000 miles ago.

Its hard to consider these things

Greg

[The Cakes]

15 hours ago, Greg.g said:

Hi all. Have not posted on here for some time.

This is going to be a bit of a rambling post, on a subject no doubt covered many times.

I have owned my elise for 14 years now and loved every minute. She had 16000 miles on her when I adopted her. She now has 91k.

Having done numerous euro trips and a few track days she has been very well looked after. A few careful upgrades and plenty of care and attention later, and I do not seem to be driving her much these days. Those that know me will know how much I care for this car.

So to my dilemma. I plan on taking early retirement within the next couple of years and moving up to the peak district. I doubt my budget will stretch to a property with a garage. At present my daily drive is a van. When I move I do not like the idea of leaving my lotus parked on the road and logic says that a single car would be a better option for a newly retired person. I also plan on getting another dog so a hatch back would be the sensible option. I still enjoy my driving so want to retain a little bit of fun when it comes to " I cant call it a replacement car" for my lotus. Having done a bit of research, it would appear that a M135i would fit the bill.

I don't think that I will be putting my elise up for sale till the spring. Even less the thought tyre kickers who fancy a bit of a spin. I will be looking for £13k

If anyone on here knows of a potential buyer, then let me know. My elise has a full lotus specialist service history. She had a cambelt service less than a 1000 miles ago.

Its hard to consider these things

Greg

Sent you a pm

[Steve J]

Good luck Greg, it'll be a hard decision when it comes to it given the amount of time you and Ally have spent with it (half of it going the wrong direction ;) ) but maybe Lotus will have the 4x4 out by then :)

[Jonathan E]

Sorry to hear Greg but sometimes needs must, is it not possible to find somewhere with  a driveway so you could keep the car off-road? 

[duncx]

Peak District resident here

If you are looking at traditional cottages in the heart  of the Peak District then you are right that properties with drives/garages come at a high price Have you thought about looking in the Rowsley/Darley Dale/Matlock area for your new pad? It's the Peak District in all but name, you get more for your money and has much more mixed housing stock - i.e. houses with drives and garages!

Might enable you to keep the Elise 

[Greg.g]

God, its hard this is. Its like choosing to go to the dentist for route canal work

I never have been much of a car swapper. Its more like one of the family and thinking of putting her up for sale. I must be going mad... again

 

Wibble

 

[Martin R]

Greg, never thought i would see this day. we have followed and been followed by this car all round Britain and Euro ( some of it the wrong way ) I have driven it on one or two occasions as well. It always handles as well as any Elise i have been in with the Ohlins on it. Good luck with whatever you decide and we need a beer and curry soon?

[Greg.g]

Cheers Martin

[Martin R]

Nice to see you still have the pic of your car and Lizs old M100 as your avarter   

[GreyKnight]

Greg I know we haven't seen each other for quite a few years, but NOOOOO!

You're thinking of moving to the Peak District and SELLING your Elise?  That's an oxymoron IMHO.

LOL, in all fairness I've had similar thoughts many times.  Having a family has meant mine has pretty much been mothballed for the past 10 years, but it's now at the spray shop being done up and has had a full suspension refresh, I'm hoping to get my 6 year old lad out in it more this year and do some events.  Would be great to see you and Ali again if you thought you could get out in yours.

Graham

[Phil S1]

I certainly had to think long and hard before finally selling my S1 type 49 a couple of years ago now, after 13 years of ownership. Whilst I don't regret the decision I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it. I've only seen your car on a few occasions but it was always a stunning looking and well spec'd example and given it's a 111s as well I would be careful not to undersell it. As for an M135i in the Peak District, I think you'd better make sure you have winter tyres fitted, else you'll be going nowhere! Maybe a Defender might be more appropriate 

Best bet I reckon is follow Duncan's advice, look for somewhere on the edge of the Peak District with a garage and keep the Elise.

[DeanB]

Wirksworth is a nice little town Greg, worth a look.

[KurtB]

This is what I like about MLOC, lots of support for fellow owners. Keep the car Greg, if you can.

[winthattt]

Try Belper in the Peak District.  It used to have a reputation for being rough but it’s not now. Good shops, deli, cinema, railway station, restaurants etc. Prices are still way down on Matlock, Ashbourne, wirksworth.  Ripley, just up the hill is not as nice as Belper but still good. 

Sell the Lotus if you need something different but you still need a garage. If you are retired you will need space for your toys.

[Martin R]

It will be good for it to go to another enthusiast. I am still gutted about selling my S1 111s after being made redundant. The S1 are slightly more "direct" in steering than S2,s in my experience. It might be to do with the smaller wheels? I have tried different Geo,s etc etc and still found this to be the case. They just change direction very slightly better at track speeds all things being equal. I looked for a S1 sport 190 and fell over when one eventually came up at the price   lol. Not much in it mind and i have had many happy hours in my current one