B&C 160 v Sport 160

[gorrie]

OK... this is hypothetical ...

I really like the 135R.. it feels special. Yet, I find that I have an urge for an Exige (preferrably Exige S). Alison shares this urge (which always helps). Presently the spare funds are going in to the holiday pot for Mexico in June... so an upgrade is out the question until after that

Another shared objective is that we'd like to raise funds if possible to do a buy-to-let or renovation (would need to get a deposit together and funds to renovate possibly). Holiday/Car Upgrade/Property... somethings got to give (possibly the Property will go out the window)

Hypothetical question though... if hypothetically, I were to be looking to raise some cash ... and hypothetically I thought about getting an S1 to replace the 135R.... then how does a B&C 160 upgraded car compare to a proper Sport 160?

B&C 160's cost more than normal S1's but not as pricey as Sport 160's.
I know the S1 111s has 144bhp compared to an S2 111s which has the 160bhp (or is it 156?)... so, guess that it's not really comparable.

Which then begs the question... if it's possible to get a cheap S2 111s (ie, cheaper than an S1 Sport160) maybe that would be a possibility.

Hypothetically mind...

If it had been purely for track, I'd have had no hesitation in going the caterfield route and looking for a cheap one... but we do like to go away for weekends without the kids and I'm not convinced a Caterfield is suitable.

[jj]

Now theres a situation......

I dont think that you would release much £ from the 135R by selling it and buying a s2111s - maybe £4k tops? I would guess the 135R is worth £15.5 (on a good day, and this is winter mind) but its mint and desirable so might sell OK in winter.

From what I have read the B + C 160 cars arent 160, and dont have the cool stuff the Lotus 160s have like the victories, the awesome seats, the suspension and the lumpy engine.

If (when) I have to change cars again, the only other Lotus I`d have thats cheaper than the s1 exige is a £6-7k elise s1.

[craigs135s]

Another car to think about is the s1 sport 135. Fantastic car. Cant realy answer about the 160 as i have not driven one. One think i would say is for an s2 111s you will be looking at the same sort of money as an s1 160.
Also depend on how much you want for the 135r.

Cheers
C

[Gareth]

Now theres a situation......

I dont think that you would release much £ from the 135R by selling it and buying a s2111s - maybe £4k tops? I would guess the 135R is worth £15.5 (on a good day, and this is winter mind) but its mint and desirable so might sell OK in winter.

[gorrie]

Now theres a situation......

Tell me about it.... I know the sensible thing to do is to say "get the property sorted out, it's only a car and you'll make money soon enough to get another". But it's not that easy.... I waited 32yrs for this car and I've got the wife on-side for an upgrade which is no easy task.

If I sold (and by the sounds of it I'd really be looking at an early standard S1 as replacement to make it worthwhile) and tie my cash up in a Buy-To-Let... then really you need to keep that for the 8yr cycle that property value doubles to make it an investment....

I guess another option would be the middle ground... keep the 135R, forget the Exige next year hold off the property until next year and put the Exige money towards propert deposit...

Which is why this is only hypothetical at this stage... honest

[meatball]

Looks apart......I've not found that much of a difference between the elise and the exige......performance wise.....it sticks to the road a bit better and ABS bails out idiots like me!

I like the S2 135r!

my 2p worth!

[Titanium S1 111S (gla)]

Now theres a situation......

If I sold (and by the sounds of it I'd really be looking at an early standard S1 as replacement to make it worthwhile) and tie my cash up in a Buy-To-Let... then really you need to keep that for the 8yr cycle that property value doubles to make it an investment....

Probably doesn’t help but as somebody who is sitting on a few buy-to-lets I don’t see you doubling your money in 8 yrs. I’d have thought 12-14 is more realistic and it could be 20 yrs.

[Andy G]

Sod the B&C 160 - have a word with Ali at SLS.

He and Robin have been working on a genius upgrade to the standard S1 engine - prices TBA.

This would provide more poke than the 160, without it idling like sh*t.

Then pop some proper suspension and brakes on it and voila.........

Oh, and they could do the same easily to your 135r

[Rag_It]

Probably doesn’t help but as somebody who is sitting on a few buy-to-lets I don’t see you doubling your money in 8 yrs. I’d have thought 12-14 is more realistic and it could be 20 yrs.

I have to say listening to my old man who has 10+ buy to lets, I wouldn't be putting my money into property right now, infact he has catagorically told me not to do B2L, and hold off and see what happens to the market.

B2L is not the money mine it used to be of 5-10years ago, and long term growth is probably as the wise man above me has pointed out, probably still there, as the only real option.

I am not saying buying property is a stupid idea, and watching Sarah beany berate a couple last night for not doing what she said, but then said couple still walked away with the valuation figured they wanted!

Right property, right price though, you can't go wrong!

Blah Blah Blah, who knows though..... uncertain times, might be an awesome time for the speculators shortly!!!!

Dave

[DDtB]

If I had the money, I'd be putting it into property. You may not double your money in 7/8 years, although that is the average increase, but you are unlikely to lose it. Property prices on average have only actually fallen 2 years out of the last 60 odd, in the early 90s.

Short term it is not a great investment, but long term history shows it is one of the best ones.

Plus.... remember you can increase your mortgage on a b2l every year or 2 and any equity you take out is tax free

As Mr Rag It says though... right property & right price is always good.... I know of someone who just invested in an apartment which has increased by over £100k in value since the deposit was placed .... and it's not even finished being built yet!

Dave.


*I'm not an IFA so don't listen to me when it comes to financial thingies!

[jj]

I know of someone who just invested in an apartment which has increased by over £100k in value since the deposit was placed .... and it's not even finished being built yet!

In Scotland ?

[graeme]

Don't kid yourself that the real Sport160 is anything special. It's really difficult to live with (after the novelty wears off) and no quicker than a standard car on the road. You pay a huge premium for nice seats, nice wheels and uber-coolness. But as the 135R also has uber-coolness (especially in rare yellow) and is as quick or quicker in all situations, why bother?

Of course, I happen to like uber-coolnes.

[Scotty C]

Now theres a situation......

If I sold (and by the sounds of it I'd really be looking at an early standard S1 as replacement to make it worthwhile) and tie my cash up in a Buy-To-Let... then really you need to keep that for the 8yr cycle that property value doubles to make it an investment....

Probably doesn’t help but as somebody who is sitting on a few buy-to-lets I don’t see you doubling your money in 8 yrs. I’d have thought 12-14 is more realistic and it could be 20 yrs.

10-12 years, but thats at the current ABZ market.

But you not in it for the short term are you????

Your S2 135r is one of the best elise variants off the shelf.

Scotty C

[DDtB]

I know of someone who just invested in an apartment which has increased by over £100k in value since the deposit was placed .... and it's not even finished being built yet!

In Scotland ?

Nope.... somewhere sunnier and closer to a certain famous Mouse's House. But there are bargains to be had in Scotland too. I also know of someone who got about 35% off the price if a new build flat in Leith which will be ready for the market in a week or so. Builders/Developers are always keen to shift the last few flats in a development.

If someone wants to give me lots of money... I'll happily invest it in property for them... I've done the research... just need the funding..

[jj]

I know of someone who just invested in an apartment which has increased by over £100k in value since the deposit was placed .... and it's not even finished being built yet!

In Scotland ?

Nope.... somewhere sunnier and closer to a certain famous Mouse's House. But there are bargains to be had in Scotland too. I also know of someone who got about 35% off the price if a new build flat in Leith which will be ready for the market in a week or so. Builders/Developers are always keen to shift the last few flats in a development.

T`was why I asked, as I have got one completing this month in Glasgow which looks to have done OK ( I reserved it last october) but would have been amazed at that sort of return in Scotchland.