Lotus Elise S1 - help please

[Brembov6]

Hope everyone is well.

Try and make this long story short I bought a Lotus Elise S1 from a performance car specialist in May. Due to lockdown etc I could not get the car checked over until last week, which was done via a Lotus specialist. I did expect a 'list' but the chap raised some urgent matters of which were -

Brake fluid highly contaminated, brake lines and possibly damage to cylinders
Shocks mismatch car, rears different to front - big no no for these cars
Rear toe links seized, require replacement

Another 7/8 things but I can put this down to wear and tear. The car was MOT'd in April but the chap that looked it over said he was very surprised a selling garage which deal in performance cars would sell it in such a way.

Email back to purchasing garage, fairly defence email back from them originally (due to age, car has MOT, not our problem) another email back touching on not fit for purpose, safety etc. They have now offered me back my money. Good result.

However I grew a real soft spot and not sure I am doing the right thing. It has real character. I'll be honest I paid £12k for the car its a standard non MMC car its had 9 owners, all manuals, 2 keys but little service history for its age and on 62k. It now needs £2k plus getting it fit / up to a required standard. Silver, blue roof and seats.

I don't have much option but feel I may regret giving it back???? :s

If I was planning on keeping it longer I think I'd keep it and somewhere to tuck it away but this was going to be my 'daily' and ownership for 12/18 months.

Sadly think it needs to go back and I can enjoy the V6 this year.

Welcome thoughts. I was hoping they would contribute to some repairs but they have said they cannot do this so handback is the only option.

P.s. I am annoyed that I did not check the car over more, but lockdown was just happening etc so a lot of detail over the phone before the sale.

 

[Kett]

I’d send it back... estimated bills for minor works often exceed original expectations.
Could end up being a real charity case.

Additionally, I’d take a punt on numerous hobbyists having to jettison their toys when furlough scheme ends. This will coincide with December downturn in demand for soft-top sports cars. Potentially win-win for the prospective purchasor.

Obviously, this is probably not what you want to hear after so much ‘looking forward to enjoying’.

 

[Brembov6]

Fair point. Guess I was hoping garage would chip in for repairs then I'd have a well sorted S1, issue here is most will probably require work even if I did buy another one. At least I know what to keep an eye out for.

Be interesting to see what garage do once returned.

 

[Jamesv6]

Back it, and look out for a better one when things settle down.

 

[Brembov6]

Spot on :approve:

 

[Brett]

Whats wrong with non matching shocks front to back? Side to side is understandable but the other way round shouldn’t cause issue.

 

[Brembov6]

Whats wrong with non matching shocks front to back? Side to side is understandable but the other way round shouldn’t cause issue.

If I'm honest I don't know but guess I get it. Giving this car is all about the handling its not your normal run about car, same could be said for any performance car.

Supposed upgrade is to the S2 set up for road use but can be costly.

It goes back tomorrow. Genuinely feel gutted but think its the right thing.

 

[rustedandrotten]

Lotus, Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious :rofl: been there and suffered the bank balance destruction, hopefully something right will come along :approve:

 

[Brembov6]

Lotus, Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious :rofl: been there and suffered the bank balance destruction, hopefully something right will come along :approve:

Haha I have heard this saying a few times AFTER purchase. Car was returned this morning, sadly expect for sale again very soon, just hope main issues are sorted.

 

[Kett]

The good news is that S1 Elise were sold in great numbers. Shouldn’t be difficult to find another. A few didn’t survive to this day as I imagine their heroic handing didn’t translate from dry to damp...

I always fancied a 111S in interesting livery.
K-series woes were the sticking point. How much budget is needed for a OE Toyota Elise?

 

[Lankan]

Started typing this on my phone last night, but then promptly lost the draft! :evil:

Sorry to hear about your experience but you did the right thing by returning the Elise for a full refund. From the way you described the situation, it seems like basic maintenance had not been carried out and/or skimped on. which is not unheard of.

I too acquired a Lotus in exactly the same way as you did; that of purchasing a one during lockdown, sight unseen, but, given that I had the time, managed to do extensive research on the model, its nuances and, most importantly, managed to source one from a dealer who is well respected in Lotus circles and is also a passionate owner of many Lotus'.

Speaking to Jon Seal gave me the confidence in making the purchase sight unseen, and also the deal that was worked into the mix meant that he would do a mini restoration of all vulnerable areas (i.e. areas that are known to fail or degrade over time), even though the one in question is just over 10 years old.

As such, if you do plan on purchasing an S1 again, I would certainly get in touch with Jon Seal or Will Blackham. In fact WillB has an Azure Blue S1 for sale right now, which appears to have had the vulnerable bits fixed!

I am not sure about the S1's, but dampers in S2 Exiges are an interesting topic in itself. There are variants, and not all are off the shelf (i.e. if upgrading, the likes of Ohlins need to have their spring rates and valving by a specialist such a Mick Gardner Racing).

A Lotus is something I had to experience whilst I am still mobile enough to do get in out of one!

Happy to provide more details and my experiences so far of 'getting into the Lotus world' if you like, which I started doing early this year. I posted up a thread when started getting serious about Lotus ownership asking for others' experiences which you may find interesting: Calling all Lotus owners and ex-owners.....

Good luck with the hunt.

PS: If you need more info or details then by all means PM me or post up here.

 

[Brembov6]

Started typing this on my phone last night, but then promptly lost the draft! :evil:

Sorry to hear about your experience but you did the right thing by returning the Elise for a full refund. From the way you described the situation, it seems like basic maintenance had not been carried out and/or skimped on. which is not unheard of.

I too acquired a Lotus in exactly the same way as you did; that of purchasing a one during lockdown, sight unseen, but, given that I had the time, managed to do extensive research on the model, its nuances and, most importantly, managed to source one from a dealer who is well respected in Lotus circles and is also a passionate owner of many Lotus'.

Speaking to Jon Seal gave me the confidence in making the purchase sight unseen, and also the deal that was worked into the mix meant that he would do a mini restoration of all vulnerable areas (i.e. areas that are known to fail or degrade over time), even though the one in question is just over 10 years old.

As such, if you do plan on purchasing an S1 again, I would certainly get in touch with Jon Seal or Will Blackham. In fact WillB has an Azure Blue S1 for sale right now, which appears to have had the vulnerable bits fixed!

I am not sure about the S1's, but dampers in S2 Exiges are an interesting topic in itself. There are variants, and not all are off the shelf (i.e. if upgrading, the likes of Ohlins need to have their spring rates and valving by a specialist such a Mick Gardner Racing).

A Lotus is something I had to experience whilst I am still mobile enough to do get in out of one!

Happy to provide more details and my experiences so far of 'getting into the Lotus world' if you like, which I started doing early this year. I posted up a thread when started getting serious about Lotus ownership asking for others' experiences which you may find interesting: Calling all Lotus owners and ex-owners.....

Good luck with the hunt.

PS: If you need more info or details then by all means PM me or post up here.

Many thanks, big help! I've definitely learnt a lot in the short ownership experience. Shall keep an eye out going forward but may well end up with a little runabout to be honest, even looked a Up! GTI online but I have the V6 to keep me happy! I fancied trying a different car every 18 months or so and the Elise S1 has always been on the list.

I'm now having a nightmare getting the tax back, seems the trader who sold me it never put the car in my name. Positive for him as I will not be an owner negative for me as leaves me even more out of pocket. Not impressed.

 

[Lankan]

Many thanks, big help! I've definitely learnt a lot in the short ownership experience. Shall keep an eye out going forward but may well end up with a little runabout to be honest, even looked a Up! GTI online but I have the V6 to keep me happy! I fancied trying a different car every 18 months or so and the Elise S1 has always been on the list.

I'm now having a nightmare getting the tax back, seems the trader who sold me it never put the car in my name. Positive for him as I will not be an owner negative for me as leaves me even more out of pocket. Not impressed.

I have heard that the Up! GTI is a cracking car, so would like to hear your take on it if you do get one.

As regards the tax, you can easily get a refund from the DVLA by effectively SRONing the car (SORN Service) - trust you still have the new keeper supplement that the dealer would have given you? This means the car is taken off the road which should trigger an automatic refund prorated (i.e. one month less).

 

[p4cks]

Why don't you get the thinking man's Elise... the VX220?

They are absolutely fantastic cars and your budget will get you into a Turbo, which are supercar quick.

 

[Brembov6]

Why don't you get the thinking man's Elise... the VX220?

They are absolutely fantastic cars and your budget will get you into a Turbo, which are supercar quick.

Yes fair point, noticed you can get a VX220 for relatively good money. I did enjoy having the Lotus keyring in my pocket though. Badge snobbery perhaps :race:

 

[p4cks]

I've got a Lotus keyring and I just get laughed at for buying a plastic piece of shit haha

In all seriousness though, don't discount the VXT as they are absolutely fantastic cars (I've had 7!) and I'd have one back in a heartbeat