Greetings

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:21 pm

minkypotglory wrote:
GregR wrote:
John Reid wrote:

Open invite for a pax run. Any excuse for a quick blast.
Mk1 135 is quite a bit different to a 111s and the std car. Gives the 160's a good run for there money as well..

quote]

I remember lapping a 160 at KH no probs in my 111 - I think they're overrated

<awaits>
OH REALLY youll be the the one that overtook my 160 and binned it in the kitty litter admittedly i was trundling round no grip somthing to do with the black round things on the front so i have made a phone call and ordered two new Advans.but with Easter it will be next week before there fitted
Neilp

Oh, on that note.. I meant to ask you, that night at knockhill when we went up the main straight three abrest, you did lift off didnt you...

I think I pulled a few car lenghts on you.. but that exige was just awsome.

I think you had some ballast in the car, or had she got out at that point

Post by **Shug** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:03 am

I'd seriously not look at a car that needed a C service and disks. Yeah - they're replacable, but if he thinks he can sell the car like that, what else has he skimped on?

Walk away - don't buy a money pit.

/2c

nicnag · Post by **nicnag** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:32 am

I'd seriously not look at a car that needed a C service and disks. Yeah - they're replacable, but if he thinks he can sell the car like that, what else has he skimped on?

Walk away - don't buy a money pit.

Cheers shug, probably exactly the kind of advice i needed. When buying a car i seem to have the 2 worst qualities: impatience (want to buy the first thing i see) and laziness (want something on my doorstep). Must try harder.

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:05 am

One of the biggest problems you'll find is that there just aren't many lizzy / vxs around here outside of Murrays.

I had to go to Bristol to get my VX.

EDIT : should point out that the ice blue S2 that is in Murray Edin was for sale when i was looking to buy a year and a half ago (although it was in Glasgow then). Graeme may be open to a cheeky offer on it now just to see the back of it - IIRC it looked a tidy car.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:55 am

Lazydonkey wrote:One of the biggest problems you'll find is that there just aren't many lizzy / vxs around here outside of Murrays.

I had to go to Bristol to get my VX.

EDIT : should point out that the ice blue S2 that is in Murray Edin was for sale when i was looking to buy a year and a half ago (although it was in Glasgow then). Graeme may be open to a cheeky offer on it now just to see the back of it - IIRC it looked a tidy car.

you mean the one thats still on at 17995??

nicnag · Post by **nicnag** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:57 am

Well keeping my options open, and have resigned myself to a nice day out to pick up any car i buy (what is worse, is i cant do internal flights so need to get the train to wherever i buy the car from).

Think i am back on the trail of the s135 i highlighted earlier. Had the following update:
In answer to your questions:
-It had both rear Track Rod End Gaiters replaced Jan05.
-It is still on it's original pirelli p-zero's. When it had the MOT in Jan they flagged up that one of the front one's is almost at the point of needing replacing.
-Services have beed done each year from date of registration, by lotus main dealers. The last three since i have had the car have been done by Stratton Motor Company (Lotus main dealers)
-All round condition is very good. There is a small crack in one of the fog lights but it still works absolutely fine, and there is one 4mm chip on the top of the engine cover.

Still quite keen on it, although the tyres are going to be a fairly big expense to start with. Think i would pay up to £11k as is, but no more. Does that sound reasonable?

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:08 pm

Tom wrote:
Lazydonkey wrote:One of the biggest problems you'll find is that there just aren't many lizzy / vxs around here outside of Murrays.

I had to go to Bristol to get my VX.

EDIT : should point out that the ice blue S2 that is in Murray Edin was for sale when i was looking to buy a year and a half ago (although it was in Glasgow then). Graeme may be open to a cheeky offer on it now just to see the back of it - IIRC it looked a tidy car.
you mean the one thats still on at 17995??

Ok i may be mistaken as that car now has a heap more miles on it, black wheels and a hardtop. Hmmm

Post by **Shug** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:22 pm

Is it a private sale? (the 135) Can't remember...

If not, then no chance of blagging cheap tyres. 11k would be a fair price if it's really good nick. You can only really tell that though when you see it - it's amazing what some people will 'forget' - even when directly asked...

You are right though - replace the tyres immediately (don't think 'I'll wear em out for a bit') They will not wear at all at that age and they will be rock hard. Might be fine in the dry, but a spit of rain and theres every chance of you spinning in the length of the car at walking pace.

You should be able to put Toyos on it (which would be fine, to start with) for around the £200 mark, so it's not a huge outlay.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:22 pm

I guess thats M fleecing C for you.

There's an 04 111S w. 16900 miles that looks mint http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/72666.htm
17995. ok you don't get a warranty but I know which one I'd buy if I had the cash.

Post by **Shug** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:25 pm

And (yeah - I'm gonna mention this again, so ignore me if you want) if you want to spend that money on a car, which is unknown, I really can't see why you're looking past Gordon's?

Is a bit of Alcantara, some stickers and a few less miles (which mean nothing) really that important? That's versus what's probably the best 'standard' S1 for sale at the mo - and more importantly - we all know it well.

Still, I'll shut up - it's your money after all.

nicnag · Post by **nicnag** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:56 am

Well, did not get the S135 in the end. Actually it ended up going for over 11.5 on ebay, which i felt was a tad on the high side. Currently looking at a 111s which seems ok. Will keep you updated.

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:54 pm

Just to chuck in my 2p with regards to VX versus S1. The VX is more akin to the S2 with a bit more refinement inside. Also best trying to get into both with the the roof on, or perhaps more importantly let your girlfriend/wife (sorry can't remember your staus) have ago at getting in. Like an S2, the sill on a VX is a bit lower and more user friendly.

I was in similar postion to you recently and was thinking either a cheap S1 £7k-£8.5K for thrashing or a cheap S2 at about £12.5k. I really like the S2 and must be getting older as the refinement appeals to me. However, I did have a hankering over a 135 (again) or a 111S just for that we bit more power and close ratio box. I realised that these models in S2 would be well outside my budget. It was therefore just chance that Lee decided to sell his S1 135 Sport when I was looking. As it was my old car I knew the history and was obviouly a good buy at the money.

It is a buyer's market at the moment. You may have to travel but I think you are right, eBay is a pretty fair barrometer for gauging the true worth of cars. Owners on the list may disagree with that but I have been watching the same cars on pistonheads for weeks not moving with the adds simply getting "refreshed" to put them back at the top of the list. You never quite know how much the sellers have had to discount the ones showing as sold.

If it is a S1 135 Sport you are after make sure it is a legit car you are getting. There were less than 100 of these made but there were also a lot of standard S1's which had factory upgrades to the engines. I am sure these will also be good cars, but just to make you aware that they might not be quite what you are expecting.

Finally one thing that swung it for me a bit was a thread that I read recently on the BBS (I think) that talked about the S1 being a true classis and perhaps holding value better. It was well written and sounded plausable. Then again I probably liked the sound of it because that was what I was needing to hear at the time

Good luck
Stewart

nicnag · Post by **nicnag** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:27 am

Just to chuck in my 2p with regards to VX versus S1. The VX is more akin to the S2 with a bit more refinement inside. Also best trying to get into both with the the roof on, or perhaps more importantly let your girlfriend/wife (sorry can't remember your staus) have ago at getting in. Like an S2, the sill on a VX is a bit lower and more user friendly.

I was in similar postion to you recently and was thinking either a cheap S1 £7k-£8.5K for thrashing or a cheap S2 at about £12.5k. I really like the S2 and must be getting older as the refinement appeals to me. However, I did have a hankering over a 135 (again) or a 111S just for that we bit more power and close ratio box. I realised that these models in S2 would be well outside my budget. It was therefore just chance that Lee decided to sell his S1 135 Sport when I was looking. As it was my old car I knew the history and was obviouly a good buy at the money.

It is a buyer's market at the moment. You may have to travel but I think you are right, eBay is a pretty fair barrometer for gauging the true worth of cars. Owners on the list may disagree with that but I have been watching the same cars on pistonheads for weeks not moving with the adds simply getting "refreshed" to put them back at the top of the list. You never quite know how much the sellers have had to discount the ones showing as sold.

If it is a S1 135 Sport you are after make sure it is a legit car you are getting. There were less than 100 of these made but there were also a lot of standard S1's which had factory upgrades to the engines. I am sure these will also be good cars, but just to make you aware that they might not be quite what you are expecting.

Finally one thing that swung it for me a bit was a thread that I read recently on the BBS (I think) that talked about the S1 being a true classis and perhaps holding value better. It was well written and sounded plausable. Then again I probably liked the sound of it because that was what I was needing to hear at the time
Good luck
Stewart

Thanks for that, pretty much agree with everything there.

GF has no problem getting into a VX (i am more familiar with those than the Elise), but she is actually keener on an Elise (badge snobbery methinks) and the S2 is pushing the budget a bit too much. If she does not like getting into an S1 that just gives me more time with it, so is a WIN WIN situation all round.

Have not actually been looking too long yet, so can afford to be choosey, and right now the two variants that appeal most are the ones mentioned. I know there are probably better sorted standard cars around at the moment, but, well...................just not for me right now, unless of course i come across a mint low miler at a giveaway price (I also have to think about selling the car on as it is likely it will not be a long term purchase).

Anyway, the search continues.
Cheers