newbie looking to buy an elise

[makeminealargeone]

Just been cruisin around the site, looks great. I am looking to purchase my first elise, I've done a bit of research and have started looking for a 2004/2005 elise, it must be in superb condition with no accident damage. Anybody know of any nice ones for sale? Any tips on buying, or what to lookout for would be very welcome

[campbell]

Welcome, largeone

What is your budget?

2 utterly pristine Elises have recently come on the market. One in NI, yellow S1, about £10k, there is a recent thread here somewhere.

The other is also pristine, but S2 this time. 135R which is the revered "one to have" from the K series S2 era. £17k, just went on Pistonheads. I took a long hard look but have never been quite sure of the styling of the silver version.

Not sure if any forum members are currently selling, check our own Classifieds just in case.

Lots of support here to help you learn what to look for, just ask away!

Campbell

[j2 lot]

[Corranga]

and have started looking for a 2004/2005 elise

Out of curiosity, what made you choose an 04/05 elise?

I *think* 04/05 will give you a selection of both late Rover K-Series cars, and early Toyota powered cars, which from what I've read (i'm an S1 man..) are fairly different beasts.

Chris

[LotusLee]

Hi Paul After our chat on the phone yesterday I guess its the Toyota engined 111R that you're looking for. Hopefully the right car will turn up for you soon, Kev tells me you've been looking for one for quite some time. Lee

[makeminealargeone]

Welcome, largeone

What is your budget?

2 utterly pristine Elises have recently come on the market. One in NI, yellow S1, about £10k, there is a recent thread here somewhere.

The other is also pristine, but S2 this time. 135R which is the revered "one to have" from the K series S2 era. £17k, just went on Pistonheads. I took a long hard look but have never been quite sure of the styling of the silver version.

Not sure if any forum members are currently selling, check our own Classifieds just in case.

Lots of support here to help you learn what to look for, just ask away!

Campbell

thanks for reply campbell, I was looking to spend 13-15grand hoping to get a S11 with the toyota engine, but hey, beggars cant be choosers, I'm willing to look at anything!

[makeminealargeone]

Hi Paul After our chat on the phone yesterday I guess its the Toyota engined 111R that you're looking for. Hopefully the right car will turn up for you soon, Kev tells me you've been looking for one for quite some time. Lee

Thanks Lee, I guess the right car will turn up eventually, seems to be a lot of bad ones out there as well though, cant believe there is so many accident damaged/repaired ones for sale!

[ed]

Welcome, you should be able to get a 111R for that kind of money. Will have a few miles on it mind.

Best of luck with your search!

[makeminealargeone]

and have started looking for a 2004/2005 elise

Out of curiosity, what made you choose an 04/05 elise?

I *think* 04/05 will give you a selection of both late Rover K-Series cars, and early Toyota powered cars, which from what I've read (i'm an S1 man..) are fairly different beasts.

Chris

Thanks for the welcome chris. I have never been a fan of the k series engine, I think the head gasket horror stories did it for me, but I guess its the luck of the draw, It seems some engines have done 60-70 thousand without a whiff of head gasket trouble. I reckon the toyota engine would be more reliable as well as more powerful, but hey I'm no engine professor, all you owners will know a shedload more than me!
cheers paul

[AJT]

[makeminealargeone]

Welcome, you should be able to get a 111R for that kind of money. Will have a few miles on it mind.

Best of luck with your search!

Thanks ed

[campbell]

Hi Paul,

It's understandable to be nervous of head gasket failure (HGF) stories although given the number of K series Elises built, the incidence is still relatively low. A lot depends on how the car has been used, and a bit probably on how well Rover built the engine in the first place...can't blame Lotus for that one!

Careless head upgrades can also be to blame.

And sometimes you might just be unlucky.

Don't completely write off a K engined Elise...up to 2005 there were some gems, like any S1 (!), the S2 135R and 111S.

Also be sure you need/want a 111R. The 1.8 S is a perfectly capable Elise for most purposes other than taking scalps on-track, and there are probably some very tidy lower mileage examples of that particular version in your price bracket.

The fun is in the chase...enjoy!

Campbell

[m400kay]

yes head gasket failure is a little exagerated as standard cars with little tweaks are solid as long as warmed up and cooled down with sympathy, 1.8s is car i would go for if i wanted to trade down to S2 as its least messed about with and kinda keeps the elise as it should be a nice simple fun car with enough power to keep you smiling.

[KevD]

The 111R is a revvvy toyota beast, my neighbours garage has had one up for sale for nearly 6 months at £16k so there's haggle opportunities out there!

They way I looked at it was that K series will get HGF at some point but if you pay for AA Parts and labour then when does it go you'll only pay £25.
If I went for an S2 It would be a 111S. K series VVC with low down torque,you can get touring pack and even central locking on the 2004-2005 models. Drive a few a see what you think but 15k should net you either a R or an S with toyota or k series. Have a look on seloc as well

[tut]

They way I looked at it was that K series will get HGF at some point but if you pay for AA Parts and labour then when does it go you'll only pay £25.

Exactly

tut