[enderw88]

I am starting my Elise search in earnest. There is a local car that is very interesting but before I snap it up I want to find out if what I really want is like hen's teeth.

Can anyone point to production numbers for the various colors? I really want a Magnetic Blue, or Nightfall Blue car. If those are incredibly hard to find I may settle for a less desirable (to me) color...

 

[komiko]

Plan that it might take a year of searching for the right car, hope to get lucky immediately. Treat it as a job. There is partial data on colors listed in vincesf's thread? For example, my car , 2005 Bordeaux Red Pearl/Black interior - about 200 made. Honestly - you might get lucky - or you might be waiting awhile. In my case it was Purple or Bordeaux. In one year , i was aware of three cars total to look at, 1 purple - which i missed by a couple of days - and the first Bordeaux - my money did not come through in time. Bought the the third car. Total time - 1 year. It was really hard waiting that long for the right car in the right condition.
i think Nightfall is a bit rare - really pretty - don't blame you. Lots of folks want that car. I believe Magnetic is more common. The real problem may be supply - there are not a ton of cars for sale right now (as compared to when i bought) maybe 20 across the country being advertised? I think 5 on cars.com right now. I don't know how many are for sale in LT's for sale section. My feeling is the market is getting tighter.

 

[chris2pher]

Good advice Komiko. To put it in perspective, it took me a year to find the perfect chrome orange Elise and that's considered to be a more common color.

 

[enderw88]

Thanks, I may have to learn patience. I looked into what I thought was a Nightfall up at SLC Maserati. Based on their mechanics inspection that car was ridden hard and put away wet. I am not even sure what color it is, it started off as a bordeaux and was resprayed...

 

[rp_guy]

check this thread out: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/lotus-elise-exige-u-s-production-figures-2005-2011-a-146442/

 

[Dephcon5]

I too searched just over a year before I found the one I wanted.

 

[Andy811]

I searched well over two years for my Exige, and that was searching every single day. I almost bought a laser blue Exige because I got tired of looking but I'm glad I waited. Like others have said, be patient and wait for the right car. You'll be much happier with your final purchase.

 

[enderw88]

check this thread out: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/lotus-elise-exige-u-s-production-figures-2005-2011-a-146442/

Thank you. Somehow my search-fu missed this thread.

 

[TachItUp]

I found my Nightfall Blue '05 within two weeks of actively looking. You just need to look in the right place at the right time

 

[Dewar]

I spent over 8 months looking for a white one and then fell in love with an '05 racing green. Still don't know which color I like better.

 

[komiko]

pretty car.

 

[dcat151]

It took me around a year to find my BRG.

 

[gooberschnot]

Buy any elise, you'll fall in love with any color. I actually wanted chrome orange but grew to love mag blue

 

[afex]

i too was dead set on getting a silver/grey, but found a low mileage mag blue that i couldn't pass up.

now i'm thrilled i went for it - not only am i usually the only MB in a sea of orange and grey at meetups, the color is stunning in different lights. Direct sun makes it look really dark and deep, but dusk/dawn brings out the flakes and makes it look almost violet....

great, now i can't remember if my original point was to tell you to look around, or hold out for mag blue!

 

[enderw88]

That was fast. I found a one owner 2006 Polar Blue...

 

[NoRawkus305]

It took me a year and a half for my graphite grey with red interior... And congrats on the find!!! Let's see some pictures!

 

[Man of Steel]

Really REALLY wanted Krypton Green.

"Settled" (happily) 6 years ago for Ardent Red.

Still love Krypton Green though.

 

[komiko]

That was fast. I found a one owner 2006 Polar Blue...

flexibility on color will allow you to find a good car quickly, no doubt.

 

[TruePotential]

I've begun my search, there are only a few color I don't think I would even consider so hopefully that cuts down on the search and I can forcus on a good condition vehicle. I would LOVE to have it black with a hardtop though...fingers crossed.

 

[LionZoo]

Well the good news is, considering the trend in pricing, you may be able to buy a Right Now car while you search for the Right One and then flip them without taking too much of a loss.