Hey folks....

Ok I currently own a 99 ATR and love it to bits.... but am looking for a bit of a change hence am CONSIDERING a 99 Lotus Elise.
People can you please help me out here, as I don't know much about them. Oh and this will be my only car......

Are they really as expensive and unreliable to keep as people say?
What are the average running and servicing costs compared to an ATR?
How much will a good Elise on say a 99 or 2000 plate with 15-30k on the clock set me back? (I have see ones form as little as £9k)
Are there any specific models that I should look out for?
Also any buying advice and tips would great....

What are the alternatives for about £11K to an Elise, I like no-frills "raw road rockets" that can also be used daily hence the ATR,
I have considered the ITR but finding a good one is a nightmare....

Thanks allot in advance guys/gals............

 

If you do alot of driving, dont get an elise, they are very uncomfortable. Ok around town as a toy but not for long driving. Very basic inside, all your paying for really is a car to have fun in.
Dont know what running costs are like, but as it has a Lotus badge i imagine servicing etc isnt cheap.
They seem to hold their value pretty well hence second hand ones being quiet pricey.
If i was you and had 11k to buy a car, i would seriously look around and compare what else you can get for this sort of money.

 

I run an Elise S1 as my only car. I would say its comfortable apart from the noise, and because of that probably wouldnt want to commute more than 40 miles each way in it every day. I could probably hack occasional long journeys in it.

Unreliable, dont know, havent had mine long enough. They are prone to head gasket failures though, which from what Ive read can happen at any time.

Running costs, well petrols cheap, around 30mpg if you drive like a loon Brakes last ages, tyres will last longer than on the ATR. If you want decent road tyres get Advan Neovas, unfortunately only supplied by Lotus, so not all that cheap. £260 for the rears. Havent had mine serviced yet, there are 3 types of service A, B, or C. Go in this order A A B A A C repeat. A being the cheapest. Was told when I brought mine, £100 odd for the A service, £299 I think for B service, and £399 for a C service which requires a cambelt change. Service is every 9000 miles or 12 months.

Specific models, dunno, 111s seems popular and well regarded. Or a Sport 135

If you can find an extra 10k, you can put a CTR lump in the back

Get one, they are soooo much fun, especially on track