Buying an S1 elise

[s29ttc]

Thing that drew me to it was it was newer, the 111s model. It looks immaculate. Being carpeted and nicer seats could be better as a daily driver and the amount of work he has had done to it. I showed my dad the two and he said that he would rather pay the extra grand and go for this one because everything looked new on it and if I bought the other one they might be more work needed done.

[j2 lot]

A grand is a good start for replacing things yourself then you know they are new, tbh you would need to look at both, I just think the first one looks a more original car.

[Lazydonkey]

Thing that drew me to it was it was newer, the 111s model. It looks immaculate. Being carpeted and nicer seats could be better as a daily driver and the amount of work he has had done to it. I showed my dad the two and he said that he would rather pay the extra grand and go for this one because everything looked new on it and if I bought the other one they might be more work needed done.

Not being funny but in the Elise world the cars you want are the ones that don't breakdown. THe cars that LOOK immaculate may be mechanical buckets and will cost you a fortune. Many of the SE cars look like pieces of cr*p but are actually in brilliant nick mechnically (Stu's car springs to mind )

Finally carpetted with nicer seats in an S1 is the equivalent of putting a small bit of foam between you and a drawing pin. It's not going to reduce the pain, merely delay it by a millisecond.

If you want a GOOD elise i'd suggest taking the advice of the forum as most have been there, done it and paid for HGF

EDIT : Full carpet = will smell like wet dog within a month

[s29ttc]

Yeah exactly you want it to be mechanically sound, the guy seems to have kept it tip top condition mechanically through speaking to him and only used it in the summer. I might go look at the both and I will have my pal with me who is a mechanic who will know if the engine is in good nick or not. He isnt shy about getting right in and have a look round the full car and will point any problems out to me. I think I just have a gut feeling about the red one because it seems to have upgrades listed where as the guy with the other one has had it 9 months and wasnt sure about a lot of things I asked him.

[Shug]

because everything looked new on it and if I bought the other one they might be more work needed done.

In a lot of cases, I'd agree. Elises are pretty different in that respect though. All due respect, he doesn't know the cars & he's wrong

[Lazydonkey]

only used it in the summer

If you were sitting near me right now i'd be making noises like this

WAH WAH NNNNEEEEEENNNNAAAARRRRRWWWWWWW ALERT ALERT ALERT

It would be annoying but the point would be this. You want a car that's been used regularly and treated with a bit of care. IMHO an elise that is "just a summer car" will be far far far far more likely to have had a hard life than one that gets used daily / weekly regardless of the weather.

My car has 56k on it and is used all the time in every weather. I'd buy that sort of car over a low mileage summer car every day of the week.

[s29ttc]

I know the suspension was the previous owner, but not sure about some of the other mods. I agree tyres will need to be changed is there anything else that sticks out that I should look at? I plan on going to see it tomorrow so what would you suggest..........?

[s29ttc]

only used it in the summer

If you were sitting near me right now i'd be making noises like this

WAH WAH NNNNEEEEEENNNNAAAARRRRRWWWWWWW ALERT ALERT ALERT

It would be annoying but the point would be this. You want a car that's been used regularly and treated with a bit of care. IMHO an elise that is "just a summer car" will be far far far far more likely to have had a hard life than one that gets used daily / weekly regardless of the weather.

My car has 56k on it and is used all the time in every weather. I'd buy that sort of car over a low mileage summer car every day of the week.

Yeah good point although he did say dry but I prosume summer haha! Good point! I suppose over time it can stand and seize up if its used everyday the parts stay lose. Ahhhhhh my head is sore hahaha so much to think about. Thanks everyone for their help it is much appreciated. Ill owe you all a beer at the next SE night out

[Lazydonkey]

Yeah good point although he did say dry but I prosume summer haha! Good point! I suppose over time it can stand and seize up if its used everyday the parts stay lose.

It's not just that - it's also the fact that 95% of all it's journeys will involve someoen thrashing the t*ts off it. If it's an everyday car then it will get the occassional motorway journey etc etc

They can take a good thrashing but it will also mean some of the niggles (like leaks and rattles) won't be heard so much as the roof is off and you're having a good time. If you are driving it daily /regularly you'd get them fixed cos they would annoy you.

[Shug]

Wise Donkey - have a carrott

[s29ttc]

"Used daily and done 3000 miles since its last MOT. So, depending when sold the miles may vary" Does say that in his advert so mabye he meant when its dry he takes it out all year. God knows?? I think best thing to do is go and see it get my mate to check it over and if it looks good take it from there.

[Lazydonkey]

"Used daily and done 3000 miles since its last MOT. So, depending when sold the miles may vary" Does say that in his advert so mabye he meant when its dry he takes it out all year. God knows?? I think best thing to do is go and see it get my mate to check it over and if it looks good take it from there.

or get Dan to check out the other one and save yourself a journey. You could buy carpet for the other one if you wanted.

[s29ttc]

Doesnt bother me about carpet haha! Just so happens that the red one has carpet! I really fancy it so going to look tomorrow Dont shout if I come back with it! I should really have a swatch at the newcastle one aswell just to make sure though. Just put me off with the damage at the back a bit.

[Lazydonkey]

Doesnt bother me about carpet haha! Just so happens that the red one has carpet! I really fancy it so going to look tomorrow Dont shout if I come back with it! I should really have a swatch at the newcastle one aswell just to make sure though. Just put me off with the damage at the back a bit.

Damage ? Seriously though scott the Newcastle one looks like a minter. You could even take the wheels off and make a few quid on them*




* for your carpet

[Shug]

Hey - your money Could be a cracking little car - just bear in mind the suspension may be a waste of time and you may have to budget a £500odd suspension change.

Let us know how you get on