Hello :)

[Jordan]

Im new to this so just thought i would introduce myself, Im Jordan, 22 from fife and very much like old and new elises
I am thinking about getting S1 style elise about next may/june time love the original shape. Currently drive Cooper S

[j2 lot]

Lots of good advice on here as to what too look for when you start your search

[Rich H]

Hello!

[Edin430]

[Jordan]

Does anyone know of any places that do trade ins in scotland and have any lotus elise s1 under 10k ?,

[j2 lot]

Think you might struggle with that Jordan. There aren't too many places that will have S1 Elises in stock up here. You may get the odd one from time to time in a dealers but you're not going to find somewhere that has more than one in stock unless you're really lucky.
Somewhere like Christoper Neils in Cheshire might be more what your looking for as they seem to have a decent number of older cars in stock from what I can remember.
You will probably get a better deal if you buy privately and do your homework before hand and/ or take someone who knows Elises with you.
Murray motors in Edinburgh are the only dealers up here and they tend to have newer cars in stock but it might be worth speaking to Graeme in case anything older comes in. Other than that Pistonheads ads or the classifieds on here would be a good bet ( and cars on here are likely to be known so getting a bit of background should be easy.
You should start looking as soon as you can so you know the Market when you come to buy, and don't hang around if you find a good one as they go quick and prices are at least holding up if not increasing for S1's.

[Jordan]

Cheers for that

[meatball]

[Mikie711]

[AJT]

[s29ttc]

I was in the same position as you a few years back and I would suggest you would get more for you money if you went privately. You will probably find that places like we buy any car.com will give you the same as a trade in or advertise it privately! I would also bear in mind that it might not be as reliable as your mini, and might not be the best choice of car to commute especially in winter. Although there are some members on here who use them daily it is usual to buy a shed to do the running about and use your Elise for the fun. Bear in mind that the Elise will have the odd issues being a 10 year old car or there a bouts and be prepared to fork out cash on maintaining it.

Do note however I have absolutely no regrets buying my car, as it is truly epic and the most rewarding car i have driven. Things like tut towers this year with the sun beating down, roof off, and honing along the country roads is the best feeling. I'm just trying to make you aware when there is inches of snow lying it's not the easiest of cars to get to work etc and to go in with your eyes open that you will likely have to fork out on the odd thing as bits and bobs will need replaced due to the age of car.

Hope all goes well with the search there is plenty of help and information on here to help when your buying and also a lot of support for the times when things do go wrong. I have a little PDF sheet of things to look at when your buying the car I can email you when you require if you drop me a PM. I would also suggest do as much reading on the cars as you can and pop over to some track days to get a good look at the cars and a quick chat before buying. I also wouldn't mind if you want a look round mine at any time but I am in Glasgow. I'm sure someone nearer would also oblige.

[Jordan]

Thanks for the advice i'll take that on board

[Stewart]

I was in the same position as you a few years back and I would suggest you would get more for you money if you went privately. You will probably find that places like we buy any car.com will give you the same as a trade in or advertise it privately! I would also bear in mind that it might not be as reliable as your mini, and might not be the best choice of car to commute especially in winter. Although there are some members on here who use them daily it is usual to buy a shed to do the running about and use your Elise for the fun. Bear in mind that the Elise will have the odd issues being a 10 year old car or there a bouts and be prepared to fork out cash on maintaining it.

Do note however I have absolutely no regrets buying my car, as it is truly epic and the most rewarding car i have driven. Things like tut towers this year with the sun beating down, roof off, and honing along the country roads is the best feeling. I'm just trying to make you aware when there is inches of snow lying it's not the easiest of cars to get to work etc and to go in with your eyes open that you will likely have to fork out on the odd thing as bits and bobs will need replaced due to the age of car.

Hope all goes well with the search there is plenty of help and information on here to help when your buying and also a lot of support for the times when things do go wrong. I have a little PDF sheet of things to look at when your buying the car I can email you when you require if you drop me a PM. I would also suggest do as much reading on the cars as you can and pop over to some track days to get a good look at the cars and a quick chat before buying. I also wouldn't mind if you want a look round mine at any time but I am in Glasgow. I'm sure someone nearer would also oblige.

Jordan

Very wise words from Scott who as he said was in exactly the same position 2-3 years ago. Well worth searching for his original post regarding the same subject.

S1 elises seem to be holding their value very well, but unlikely that you will get away buying and using one without some kind of expense. Hopefully nothing major but perhaps up to £500 a year (not including servicing which could be done yourself). Don't let the thought of that cost put you off. That is way less than you would lose in a year's depreciation of almost any other car. If you buy well, it is extremely unlikely that the value of your S1 will fall. In reality it will provide very cheap (hopefully), fun filled motoring .

I appreciate your heart is set on an S1 but a better/safer bet *may* be an early S2 or even a VX220. I understand that the insurance on a VX can be way cheaper than a lotus for some strange reason.

[Jordan]

Hi Stewart, again thanks for the useful information i will take into account. If i had the money i would prefer the S2 but as im ony 22 money doesnt grow on trees unlike some of the older bunch . So i have just started saving some cash away each month and hopefully come next may/june i will have enough for a nice S1 or if im lucky a S2.

[Modena Scotland]