Searching for my first Elise- 1.6 a good bet?

[Geordie in Exile]

Hi. Been hankering after an Elise for years.

Reading up, the 1.6 2011MY onwards are Toyota powered, but are they rubbish? If there more affordable than others is that because they struggle to sell? Assuming like most enthusiasts, it’s the handling we dream of, but is a slow Elise a selling nightmare?

I can’t see many 1.6 for sale but the running costs look like a good way of getting my feet in the water. I really fancy a 220 sport in that amazing blue.

Any thoughts very welcome!

[Martin 111S]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

The running costs between the 1.6 and 1.8, will be similar really.
I know an owner who has swopped this year to a 220 and he says the difference is night and day. It may be worth you test driving both for comparison - but if you can stretch to the 1.8 the smiles will be worth it. Nobody wants a slow elise

[Geordie in Exile]

Thanks.

It is definitely tempting! I assume the reason there aren’t.mmany 1.6 up for sale is because (a) wrong time of year and (b) not desirable.

[Nathan]

They all sell at the right price, 1.6 included and there's no better car to have money tied up in, in terms of depreciation. This makes running costs overall very low, regardless of model (well apart from the V6's!)

I think the lower powered ones can be more rewarding to drive as you need to put more effort in to get the best out of them but much of it depends on your intended use (the kind of roads you'll d I've it on most) and what you're already used to in terms of power/performance.

Have you driven one yet? What's your budget?

[Geordie in Exile]

Thanks Nathan, interesting thoughts!

Yes I’ve test driven a 220, a 1.6 CR and a 1.6. I found the 220 exhilarating but so quick to be at licence- endangering speeds. If the 1.6 had been the right colour and a decent price I probably would have made an impulse purchase.

It will be my only car (I can have access to a golf when things are really problematic) so I’ll put high-for-an-Elise miles on it I think.

Budget- I know I need to be generous, but don’t want to take too much risk the first time- would like to stay under 30k.

[Dave C]

As Nathan says, the 1.6 will need to be properly driven and you will get the full handling experience, sometimes less is more as you will really feel like you are driving it hard but still be at ‘acceptable’ speeds.

However, you might soon get used to the performance and hanker for more. With that Budget I would go for a 220 and just learn restraint when needed

[Geordie in Exile]

Thanks Dave

With that kind of budget, If I find I can’t live with it, what’s the hit likely to be if I sell in a short time frame?

The 220 I test drove was epically brilliant fun, but the simpler servicing, cheaper insurance and lower running costs of the 1.6 models are appealing as a first try, as if were.

Happy new year - I hope 2020 is the year I finally have a green and yellow roundel to look at when stuck in traffic.

GiE

[Dave C]

Values are quite static overall. I read on SELOC recently that the 1.6’s were selling a grand or 2 above 12 months ago but that more in the early 20’s price range but at least it shows they are holding up well

[Geordie in Exile]

That’s pretty impressive. Reassuring to think I’ll not lose half the value if it’s not for me.

What should I look out for in a used Elise?

[Dave C]

I’d say the same as most cars, condition and history. Front suspension mounts and the general condition of the whole set up, any accident history especially at the front end due to the crash structure, side cills inside and out, signs of more wear & tear inside than outside, general condition of the bodywork - bubbling/crazing etc. Don’t be worried if the service history is a specialist, there are many good Lotus ones around giving as good a service as the main dealers, make sure the tyres are good, LTS marked ones even better.

Nice Black one with a load of extras and a Tubular exhaust system at Central Lotus at just under £24k, probably almost free motoring if you flipped that in 12 months

Good luck with the search

[Geordie in Exile]

Thanks Dave- food for thought! Will take a look.

GiE