Used 05 vs used 06 vs new 06

[kevinkw]

Hi All,
I have been the happy owner of a BMW 318ti for the past 7 years, and was looking into buying an M3 or S4 until one of my friends told me to test drive a Lotus Elise.
I know I want an Elise (hardtop, touring and starshield), but just not sure which one. A used 05 goes for around $34k, a used 06 goes for around $39k, and a new one is about $44k. Do any of you think the $5k increments are worth it, or if the $10k between a used 05 and a new 06 is worth it?
Also, any of you have had experience dealing with either Park Place in Seattle or Lotus of Sacramento?
Thanks,
Kevin

[flyguyskt]

if you are willing to fly and drive you can probably get a NEW 05 for around 38K. no the extra cash is not worth the year in my opinion. new 06 will be 39-40 as soon as you drive away from the dealer. but a used one will already have that hit taken out! same with a new 05.

i bought a new 05 in aughust 06 loaded and saved 10k off of sticker!

[kevinkw]

Where can I get a new 05?

[LARRY]

Park Place in WA. or Motocorsa / Lotus of Portland. Maybe.

[kevinkw]

I don't see any new 05's in their inventory... Anyone know where I can fly to and drive one home?

[dk10438]

Originally Posted by kevinkw

Hi All,
I have been the happy owner of a BMW 318ti for the past 7 years, and was looking into buying an M3 or S4 until one of my friends told me to test drive a Lotus Elise.
I know I want an Elise (hardtop, touring and starshield), but just not sure which one. A used 05 goes for around $34k, a used 06 goes for around $39k, and a new one is about $44k. Do any of you think the $5k increments are worth it, or if the $10k between a used 05 and a new 06 is worth it?
Also, any of you have had experience dealing with either Park Place in Seattle or Lotus of Sacramento?
Thanks,
Kevin

"worth" is very subjective and is dependent on your own personal finances. when i bought my car used, i paid a little more than what other people were asking, but the seller was honest, the car had 990 miles on it, and the car had been serviced at SB and Abe vouched for him. so for me, it was worth it to pay a few thousand more for piece of mind for a car with a known history. you won't get any more enjoyment with an used 05 v. used 06 v. new 06. so basically you have to ask yourself, are you going to have more fun spending that money somewhere else.

keep in mind, that this car, appears to have very steep depreciation and if you buy used, you won't mind as much when it's value sinks like a stone.

[proudpop]

I think the new '06 is worth the 10K.

[LARRY]

Call Abe now at South Bay Lotus here in L.A. Very nice man who will advise you. I do not work for them, it's where I bought my car.

http://www.lotusofsouthbay.com/index.htm?bhcp=1

I love my '05!

[babak]

Hmm, 318Ti, a great underappreciated car. So what do you have? Details man details.
Welcome to the gang.

[kevinkw]

This was taken when the car was still in sunny CA

[flyguyskt]

KEVIN: i know minneapolis had a few left over not to long ago.

and what do you get on the 06 over an 05....

1. wider uglier pedal
2. throttle by wire
3. led tail lights

yep thats worth 10K. not

[wrh3]

Originally Posted by flyguyskt

KEVIN: i know minneapolis had a few left over not to long ago.

and what do you get on the 06 over an 05....

1. wider uglier pedal
2. throttle by wire
3. led tail lights

yep thats worth 10K. not

I agree, of these the LED tail lights are the only thing I want and those pieces only add up to around 1k.........

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by flyguyskt

KEVIN: i know minneapolis had a few left over not to long ago.

and what do you get on the 06 over an 05....

1. wider uglier pedal
2. throttle by wire
3. led tail lights

yep thats worth 10K. not

Better seats, too. I guess it matters how much your ass is worth!

[flyguyskt]

i can't complain at all about the 05 seats.

the only difference is the location of the lumbar support which is easily changed by a trim shop for a couple hundred buck...and they even add padding if you want!

[habendanio]

I've saved 10k buying a new 05' in may of 06'. Been pretty happy with the car. It was built in feb. 05'. If you decide to get an 05' make sure its one of the later builds. The rear deck lids on older 05's have a plastic button where the antenna used to be. Also if you plan on possibly doing any aftermarket things like f/i. Most kits work better with the 05' ecu's.
The LED lights are cool and If you listen to the stereo alot one thing I like better in the 06's is the fact that the speed can control the volume.

[LARRY]

The '05s and the '06s are GREAT cars.

Choose the one you like!

[kevinkw]

I've test driven both and really can't tell the difference, I'm 5'10 and fit in pretty well. I will probably go with a 2005. There is a 05 green/yellow Elise at Huntington Ford on autos.yahoo. However, ran a carfax on it and said it was a corp lease, does that mean it was a track car at a driving school? There is also a STi at Norm Baker Motors in Las Vegas (guess it will be a 2 day road trip to Seattle), has anyone bought a car from them?

[goelise]

Originally Posted by wrh3

I agree, of these the LED tail lights are the only thing I want and those pieces only add up to around 1k.........

Hmmm...also add in a lower 2nd cam crossover point and Probax seats.

[wrh3]

Originally Posted by habendanio

...... and If you listen to the stereo alot one thing I like better in the 06's is the fact that the speed can control the volume.

I believe the '05 with Blaupunkt can be made to work this way as well :

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...1&postcount=39

[wrh3]

Originally Posted by goelise

Hmmm...also add in a lower 2nd cam crossover point and Probax seats.

I didn't know the cam crossover point changed ......the Probax seats might be a little more comfortable but I prefer the '05 seats, IMO you sit in those and on the Probax. I wouldn't let the seats deter me from saving some money.