[newtolotus]

Ok I am sure there have been many posts regarding this but I am new to this forum and in search of my first lotus and sports car for that matter. I have always been in love with Lotus and forever had the dream of owning/driving one. I plan on purchasing a 2005 elise...actually bidding on one on ebay now that has 11k miles and bid up to 22,000. If you know of any other elises for sale that may be better for me please let me know. Yes this will be a daily driver and only car. I am a single bachelor and very rarley have a passenger. My questions are

#1 The car I am looking at needs tires....How much does a set of tires run and how many miles can you expect from them. I am willing to give up performance for comfort and longevity

#2 I understand maintence will cost more then a std production car...How much can one expect in annual maintence with driving 12-15k per year? This to include tire, brakes, oil, etc...

#3 Trunk is small this I understand....I travel quite often and wondering the chance of getting a std suitcase in the trunk. When I say std I mean the one you have to check in...looks like it may fit on its side.

I think this sums up my big concerns. Please help as I am going into this quite blind never have driven one or knowing anyone that has..

Thanks in advance

 

[LARRY]

1. Depends on the tires. A048 LTS tires are $250 each. 8000 miles.

2. About $1000 a year altogether...maybe more, maybe less...

3. Might fit a small bag. Bag would probably be better be better in passenger seat.

Lotus cars for sale - see this thread: Lotus Cars for Sale - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community

TEST DRIVE IT FIRST!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Scrumpot]

PM Bayside Blue. I think he actually even knows this particular car.

 

[PermaGrinNeeded]

If it's the black one in New Hampshire I strongly strongly suggest you go see it before you try and buy it on ebay.

 

[newtolotus]

black one in NH

Yes this is the black car in NH...Can I ask why? It seems you must know something...it is hard for me to travel up there to see it as I live in MD.

 

[newtolotus]

You say those tires will get 8000 miles....Is there any other tires you could buy that would get more miles? Again I am willing to sacrafuce performance for longevity of the tires
Thanks

 

[PermaGrinNeeded]

I drove it for about forty-minutes-nothing was unusual to me mechanically. But the entire front clam has been repainted and the starshield was not replaced. The starshield on the side-view mirrors are also banged up. The headlights have some sort of clear-coat mess on both of them. And there is a large thumb-size chip where the drivers-side door sill and lower door hinge meet in the fiberglass. The tires are completely bald in the rear. The front speakers are missing their grills. And I don't think Jimmy has any of the service history. That was all enough to keep that Elise from being my first Lotus.
You should send him an email and ask that he sends you pictures of ALL that I have mentioned.

 

[fitfan]

just to put another perspective out there. if your willing to sacrafice grip for comfort and cost - then why do you want one as a car to own?

 

[Moto44]

A small suitcase will fit in the passenger seat. Otherwise, a travel duffle will fit in the trunk.

And yes, there are tire options that achieve longer wear.

 

[chapster5]

For the baggage problem theres is a luggage rack that fits over the engine compartment, you just need to make sure you put a waterproof trapulin or somthing over the top just incase it rains.

 

[PermaGrinNeeded]

You said you're bidding on one but have never driven one?

 

[serpent]

Where in MD do you live??

Call Dan (IsellLotus) : Internet Sales Specialist, Criswell Automotive
301-212-4432 direct
301-461-6292 cell

If you are not trying to buy from a dealer then search the For Sale section here....you will be able to find a good car that has been very well taken care of by an enthusiast.

 

[newtolotus]

Thanks for all of your help...How am I to drive one before buying? I know noone with an elise and no dealership nearby has one in stock I can afford. I am really stuck between a rock and a hardplace.
Boy do I want one though!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

 

[chapster5]

Luggage Rack - £375.00 : Lotus Elise Parts, eliseparts.com

found it :up:

If you like to bike:
Unique Rack

take your bikee with your elise

 

[ryoung99]

Here are my thoughts on your questions....

#1 The car I am looking at needs tires....How much does a set of tires run and how many miles can you expect from them. I am willing to give up performance for comfort and longevity

The quote for roughly $1000 above will buy you a set of R888's. If you go with them and drive them "normally" you should be able to get a year out of them. If you rod the car around the life expectancy will go down. I have 15k on my Exige and have the original front tires. The rears were replaced at 12.5k, only because I killed them with a track day.

If you take the car to the track you will use up tires. :shrug:

#2 I understand maintence will cost more then a std production car...How much can one expect in annual maintence with driving 12-15k per year? This to include tire, brakes, oil, etc...

I have not spent anywhere near $1000 per year in my 3 years of ownership. Change the oil every 3000-4000 miles (use Mobil 1), but I do my own maint. Brakes still look and perform great.

#3 Trunk is small this I understand....I travel quite often and wondering the chance of getting a std suitcase in the trunk. When I say std I mean the one you have to check in...looks like it may fit on its side.

Use the passenger seat, and the following bag combination. A roll-on size bag for all your day to day stuff (place in passenger seat), then a soft suit bag (I think it is a Wallybag) for your suits and shirts (folds in thirds and sits on top of the roll on bag). If you need additional stuff; put it in a small overnight bag and it can go in the boot along with your laptop and briefcase. This method has worked very well for me in the past.

Good luck, too bad you do not live in NorCal, I would let you drive mine so you would have a feel for the car.

Rick

 

[bayside blue]

PM Bayside Blue. I think he actually even knows this particular car.

i do indeed know this particular car

altho it seems you already have sent me a message on AIM while i was at work..

i have bowling to attend to tonite.. if your on later i will send you a msg back or you can PM me if you would like...if i dont hear from you i will swing by the dealership tomorrow and take some pics of the car for ya and let you know if i find anything out about it. i am sure he will sell it outright for a good price.


ps. welcome to the site:wave:

 

[IsellLotus]

Where in MD do you live??

Call Dan (IsellLotus) : Internet Sales Specialist, Criswell Automotive
301-212-4432 direct
301-461-6292 cell

If you are not trying to buy from a dealer then search the For Sale section here....you will be able to find a good car that has been very well taken care of by an enthusiast.

Thanks man!! :bow:

 

[Scrumpot]

Didn't realize you were in MD. I will second the referral and reccomendation of you over to Dan (IsellLotus here on these boards) at Criswell. Call him. He won't steer you wrong.

Also - Take your time, read these boards, and if it's something you definitely want and are sure of that - then patience to get what's right for YOU is indeed a virtue. One that will pay dividends for you in the long run, versus being impulsive, for sure.

As another local Marylander, I'll look forward to welcoming you into "the fold. In the interim, if I can also further help in any way - feel free to PM anytime.

Good luck in your Lotus search!
Cheers,
-Grant

 

[Aedo]

#3 Trunk is small this I understand....I travel quite often and wondering the chance of getting a std suitcase in the trunk. When I say std I mean the one you have to check in...looks like it may fit on its side.

Although the space inside the trunk may be sufficient there is no way to get a suitcase through the opening into that space. As others have said the passenger seat is for a suitcase (carry on fits in the trunk - I do both often).

Luggage Rack - £375.00 : Lotus Elise Parts, eliseparts.com

found it :up:

chapster that rack is only for the S1 Elise - no use in the US

 

[serpent]

Thanks for all of your help...How am I to drive one before buying? I know noone with an elise and no dealership nearby has one in stock I can afford. I am really stuck between a rock and a hardplace.
Boy do I want one though!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

read what i quoted below...

Where in MD do you live??

Call Dan (IsellLotus) : Internet Sales Specialist, Criswell Automotive
301-212-4432 direct
301-461-6292 cell

If you are not trying to buy from a dealer then search the For Sale section here....you will be able to find a good car that has been very well taken care of by an enthusiast.

Thanks man!! :bow:

Didn't realize you were in MD. I will second the referral and reccomendation of you over to Dan (IsellLotus here on these boards) at Criswell. Call him. He won't steer you wrong.

Also - Take your time, read these boards, and if it's something you definitely want and are sure of that - then patience to get what's right for YOU is indeed a virtue. One that will pay dividends for you in the long run, versus being impulsive, for sure.

As another local Marylander, I'll look forward to welcoming you into "the fold. In the interim, if I can also further help in any way - feel free to PM anytime.

Good luck in your Lotus search!
Cheers,
-Grant