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Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:21 pm
by Callummarshall
Hi all,

I'm Callum and I'm looking at buying a elise/exige as an occasion car, I joined up to seloc looking for advice and was recommended to sign up here. I was looking for advice regarding running costs, servicing and which model/spec is considered to be better for a start in the chassis, I have an upper limit of £20,000.

Is there anywhere up here reputable for servicing/care?
I was budgeting £2500 or so a year to run it but have been told this is a bit on the high side.

Thanks
Callum

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:51 pm
by Mikie711
It is if nothing breaks :)
And welcome to SE.

A few good garages up here, Ricky Gauld, John at JD's in Insch but most put there cars down to Murray's in Edinburgh. Check out the thanks to murrays thread here.

You'll need to drive a few to find out what you like Elise in rover or toyota engines, or early S2 Exige possibly a S if you look and haggle hard enough for your budget.

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:08 pm
by mxvx
Welcome Callum

I cannot comment on the costs as I have not had my car long enough but that seems high side (depending on the car)! You will need to try out a few to see what suits you.

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:40 pm
by mwmackenzie
:welcome

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 12:00 am
by C7Steve
:welcome

Steve.

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 4:42 pm
by Danny T30TUS
Hey Callum, I am also newish to thus Forum and live in Aberdeen. I bought K series S2 earlier this year. More than happy for you to have a look and come for a run in it if you want. Happy shopping whatever the outcome.

Danny

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 5:16 pm
by flyingscot68
:welcome

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:11 pm
by robin
20K is loads if you're looking S1 or non-super charged S2 in either Rover or Toyota form. Do you have plans to use on track, or will it be a road car; if a road car, will it be mostly for fun or will you need to commute in it also?

Cheers,
Robin

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:28 pm
by tut
Mike's ex car is coming up for sale.

tut

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:31 pm
by renmure
:welcome

I do think that a budget of £2500 / for running costs is more than generous.

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:45 pm
by j2 lot
:welcome

Your purchase budget should give you a decent straight car and if you buy wisely your running costs should be well within your annual budget too.
As for servicing - MMC, Lotus dealer for Scotland is probably your best option. Happy hunting.

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:04 pm
by highlander
tut wrote:Mike's ex car is coming up for sale.

tut
It sure is,not sure if it's "my 1st Lotus" but most certainly a very good car.....7000 miles covered since a comprehensive rebuild.
Will be comfortably under £20K,ask if you want more details but the whole rebuild thread is on here.
Welcome to SE :thumbsup

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:10 pm
by tut
You will not get a better one.

Mike is a bit of a perfectionist, and Jim would tell you if it was wanting for anything.

tut

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:25 pm
by j2 lot

Re: Newbie from Aberdeen looking to get in to a lotus.

Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 10:02 pm
by highlander
tut wrote:You will not get a better one.

Mike is a bit of a perfectionist, and Jim would tell you if it was wanting for anything.

tut
Car is at MMC at the moment,windscreen being replaced as it has a crack behind the rear view mirror and ECU is possibly going back to Lotus for a "re-boot".......something on the map is causing an erratic idle speed so best option is wipe clean and reload so nothing to corrupt the settings.
Apart from the enevitable stone-chips,the car is good to go......and it certainly goes!!

Another happy customer here of MMC,servicing & sales always carried out very professionally.Don't usually use main dealers but they are the exception...recommended.