Looking to learn.

alexgee · Post by **alexgee** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:36 pm

Hello,

I have signed up to gain as much knowledge as possible before I go looking for my perfect Elise.

Based in Aberdeen and currently drive a Alfa GTV.

Alex

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:40 pm

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:54 pm

Hello!

Alfa owner, so you must be used to crappy build quality and sh*t quality control!

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:05 pm

Alex,

Welcome - what are you looking for ?

New / 2nd hand / softtop / Exige ...

I'm one of the several Abz drivers you may see about when the days get a bit longer

Post by **campbell** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:52 pm

Alex,

Just take your time and sample what the various sub-forums have to say.

You'll get a great flavour of Elise issues from the Technical forum...have a look at the history...but fundamentally, it's a car for those who like driving, want to be properly in touch with what car/road are doing at all times...and NOT for those who expect it to run flawlessly for 100,000 miles!

That said, if cared for properly - and that just means a bit of mechanical sympathy plus the odd spot of preventive maintenance based on the hard lessons learned by others - you will have a ball.

Welcome along.

Campbell

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:09 am

What Campbell says!

I wish I'd found this forum before I bought the car, but found it a day or two after putting the deposit down for it. In the end, very happy with my choice, but I thought I knew a bit about Elises before I bought it . . . Turns out I was wrong and didn't know a fraction of the stuff I've found out from these guys in the short time I've been a member of this forum! They're a very helpful, knowledgeable bunch!

My advice would be to have a shot of as many different types as you can. Obviously depends on your budget and if you've got something in mind already, but try S1/S2/Elise/Exige/Rover-engined/Toyota-engined/etc.

ExigeKen · Post by **ExigeKen** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:46 am

It is great fun being a Lotus owner

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:02 am

NOOPS 160 wrote: Your becoming to sound like an old hand at this Dezzy.

Why, thank you kind sir!

craigieb · Post by **craigieb** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:52 am

Post by ed » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:25 am

alexgee · Post by **alexgee** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:35 am

Current plan is to search for a 2nd hand soft top. Looking at a budget of £10k plus the GTV sale proceeds, so around £12k.
I am in the habit of investing in my cars to make sure they continue to run as they should. I like to think I have had a succession of fine driving and looking cars from my 205 GTI, Fiat Coupe and Alfa GTV.
Other than trawling through each of the sub forums is there a one stop buyers guide with a top 10 check list?

cheers

Post by **campbell** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:34 pm

alexgee wrote:Current plan is to search for a 2nd hand soft top. Looking at a budget of £10k plus the GTV sale proceeds, so around £12k.
I am in the habit of investing in my cars to make sure they continue to run as they should. I like to think I have had a succession of fine driving and looking cars from my 205 GTI, Fiat Coupe and Alfa GTV.
Other than trawling through each of the sub forums is there a one stop buyers guide with a top 10 check list?

cheers

Alex,

£12k will get you either a spanking S1 (but don't assume high price = great car, obviously!), or an early S2 (this is a better built car but not styled to everyone's tastes!).

More interestingly, that budget could get an excellent S1 for say £9k, and leave you a useful upgrade / maintenance budget of £3k. I think you could do a *lot* with that. And if as you say, you invest in your cars, then this would be an excellent way to go. I got a LOT out of my S1 by having a £2k "float" or maintenance fund available most of the time. Without that, you could face periods with it off the road leading to frustration or disappointment.

Buying guide here: http://elise-faq.info/index.php?title=Buying_Guide

Come back with questions at any time during the search, we will all be sure to help you along as best we can

Campbell

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:16 pm

if you can stretch to a 9k maintainence fund then you could honda it

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:40 pm

[Random thought]

£12k would get you a lovely (newer) VX220

If you wanted i'm sure we could let you have a shot of standard and modded cars.

I LOVE elises but for that kinda money you should at least consider a VX before you do the standard lotus things and not buy it cos of the badge

[/Random thought]

Post by ed » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:49 pm

Should we ban Martin aswell?!