I've had the car for about three weeks and put on 1350 miles. Since I was involved in an accident in the M3, it just isn't the same to me anymore so a year ago, I started looking around. When I heard about the Elise, it seemed to be what the doctor ordered. My thought was that if I got in early enough, I might be lucky enough to get one of the first ones and I could try it out to see if I like it. Also, at the time of placing the order, people didn't really know how the colors would be so if I liked a different color, I could sell and get another one. So...as luck would have it, I was able to get one of the first ones and try it out.
After driving around for three weeks, I've tossed the idea back and forth. Right now, the M3 is kicked to the curb and parked outside. The only time it is able to take refuge in the garage is when the Elise was out...hehe. So...I already have no space for the car.
The next big issue would be...do I track the car or not? The M3 has already visited many tracks and has at least 4000 track miles on it. Obviously, the Elise is more a track car than the M3 out of the box, but it is a brand new car. I wouldn't want to stuff a 45k car into the wall, ya know? After getting the car, I was trying desperately to get the miles on to get past the first service so that I could take it the track. As luck would have it, all track schools were either sold out or didn't allow "convertibles". I've asked many local clubs about the eligibility of the Elise and they always say, "We'll get back to you," but never do. Being unable to attend the same track events with my friends is just going to suck.
Every time I get into the Elise, I know it's a special car. The attention it gets from everyone on the street is amazing. I'm kind of used to it now, but I took a friend on a trip to six flags and then to the beach this past weekend. She heard of the attention but didn't get to experience it first hand. As I'm cruising on the highway, I'd just tell her, "Check out those people checking out the car," or, "Look at the guy in the new 5 series fumbling in his backpack in the backseat while trying to keep the car in a turn to get a camera to take a picture of the car," or she would laugh in amazement as we cruised around the local streets and saw these two kids sitting on a bench and both of them just followed the car and craned their necks around as I made a turn. It's just that special. I always like it when people ask what is it and you say, "It's an Elise," and they say, "You leased it?" Going back into the M3, you blend in with everyone else. Not that this would necessarily be a bad thing. I also want a bit more power. To have a little fun in the M3, all you have to do is turn the steering wheel a bit and stab the throttle. That doesn't happen in the Elise. You have to rev the snot out of it in order for it to have any grunt.
So it would seem that I'm at a crossroad and am leaning towards selling the car. If they imported the Exige, I would be all over it as then my only caveat to attending a track event would be a request for slim instructors. Hehe. I think my biggest priority right now should be getting a house w/ a 2 car garage, lift, piped compressed air, etc.. So maybe next year I'll get another Elise (hopefully they will still offer Laser blue).
So? Any advice on selling it? Which places should I list it? How does one handle it so you don't get ripped off, etc... I think I paid $46.6k out the door with all fees/taxes, etc. If someone gives me say 50k for the car, how should I do it to make it a good experience for the buyer as well as myself? Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Who knows...I might just keep the car :shrug:
After driving around for three weeks, I've tossed the idea back and forth. Right now, the M3 is kicked to the curb and parked outside. The only time it is able to take refuge in the garage is when the Elise was out...hehe. So...I already have no space for the car.
The next big issue would be...do I track the car or not? The M3 has already visited many tracks and has at least 4000 track miles on it. Obviously, the Elise is more a track car than the M3 out of the box, but it is a brand new car. I wouldn't want to stuff a 45k car into the wall, ya know? After getting the car, I was trying desperately to get the miles on to get past the first service so that I could take it the track. As luck would have it, all track schools were either sold out or didn't allow "convertibles". I've asked many local clubs about the eligibility of the Elise and they always say, "We'll get back to you," but never do. Being unable to attend the same track events with my friends is just going to suck.
Every time I get into the Elise, I know it's a special car. The attention it gets from everyone on the street is amazing. I'm kind of used to it now, but I took a friend on a trip to six flags and then to the beach this past weekend. She heard of the attention but didn't get to experience it first hand. As I'm cruising on the highway, I'd just tell her, "Check out those people checking out the car," or, "Look at the guy in the new 5 series fumbling in his backpack in the backseat while trying to keep the car in a turn to get a camera to take a picture of the car," or she would laugh in amazement as we cruised around the local streets and saw these two kids sitting on a bench and both of them just followed the car and craned their necks around as I made a turn. It's just that special. I always like it when people ask what is it and you say, "It's an Elise," and they say, "You leased it?" Going back into the M3, you blend in with everyone else. Not that this would necessarily be a bad thing. I also want a bit more power. To have a little fun in the M3, all you have to do is turn the steering wheel a bit and stab the throttle. That doesn't happen in the Elise. You have to rev the snot out of it in order for it to have any grunt.
So it would seem that I'm at a crossroad and am leaning towards selling the car. If they imported the Exige, I would be all over it as then my only caveat to attending a track event would be a request for slim instructors. Hehe. I think my biggest priority right now should be getting a house w/ a 2 car garage, lift, piped compressed air, etc.. So maybe next year I'll get another Elise (hopefully they will still offer Laser blue).
So? Any advice on selling it? Which places should I list it? How does one handle it so you don't get ripped off, etc... I think I paid $46.6k out the door with all fees/taxes, etc. If someone gives me say 50k for the car, how should I do it to make it a good experience for the buyer as well as myself? Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Who knows...I might just keep the car :shrug: