Considering an Elise

I'm thinking about buying an Elise. I won't use it as a DD cause I drive 140 miles a day. I may drive it in once a week in to work. Am I nuts thinking about buying one? Anyhting to look out for? It'll be a while before I pull the trigger. I really should pay off my student loan first, but I always said if I get my business back on track or a decent job, I'm buying "something".

I just love the way thses cars look...and it's British too ( but I don't know if that's a good thing. :laugh: )

How hard is it to get parts for this thing?

Oh, and I think it'll have to be yellow.

yes you are nuts (as if that was ever in doubt.)

1. Pay off loans

2. Fix the Midget properly

3. Buy your wife something beautiful and shiny for putting up with you.

4. Do research on an Elise

5. Repeat 1-4.

(BTW Happy New Year )

What JP said.
Happy New Year

P.S. I like yellow

Dave

The Elise is nearly bulletproof compared to an Elan and I drove mine as a DD for over a decade.

Tho JP is correct, buy the wife a bauble first.

I've had mine since September '05, and it's been faultless. I used it as my DD for 3 years, though lately since I've retired I don't drive as much. It's coming up to 40,000 miles. It buzzzes, squeaks and rattles, and from time to time I tighten the obvious loose bits. None of them have been in any major structure or suspension, but things like the undertray bolts.
The driveline, being Toyota, is pretty much weapons-grade and unburstable in normal tune and usage.

It's the best fun you can have in a car, alone.

JPSmit said:

yes you are nuts (as if that was ever in doubt.)

1. Pay off loans

2. Fix the Midget properly

3. Buy your wife something beautiful and shiny for putting up with you.

4. Do research on an Elise

5. Repeat 1-4.

(BTW Happy New Year )

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x 2

Fun is fun, but going deeper in debt <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">isn't</span></span>.

Tom

An LBC daily driver sure is tempting to gearheads like us. I've certainly thought about it more than once but every time I do, reality creeps in and tells me to stick with my modern car for the daily commute/business.

There are exceptions for some lucky folks, for example if the owner has very good mechanical skills and can fix anything that breaks, it makes a whole lot more sense. And, if the LBC is in excellent condition with newly restored bits, that of course is a huge factor in using it for a DD.

No matter what you do, it certainly is more practical to drive a modern car. Like most stuff, it boils down to money/cost. A good, used Ford Taurus, Honda, Toyota, etc., will cost roughly the same as many nicely sorted LBCs. But the maintenance on an modern OHC engine (no valves to adjust) with fuel injection and a much more robust drivetrain is less expensive in the short and long haul.

In the nineties I purchased a 1969 Mercedes 280S for my daily commuter (a 26 mile commute each way), it was in near-perfect condition with great documentation. Drove it abouot 20,000 miles in 2 years, paid $5K for it. The nly breakdown occurred when I had to replace the ring and pinion, cost about $800 (took two weeks to get the parts :m). I considered myself luycky to get out of it like I did. It sure was a great car. Not sure if I'd do it again, tho'. Most bosses aren't too forgiving if your old car breaks down and you're late to work!

I'd say that if you're considering an LBC for a daily driver, look too your financial condition first. Because that's what it boils down to: the LBC is most likely going to be more expensive, and more maintenance.

I have the aunt's old '98 Town Car w/ 46K on it for the DD. Looks like we'll get it for free and I'm averaging 24 MPG now with it. Those things will go 250-300K if properly maintained. I'll drive that till it drops.

I want to buy her something but she doesn't want anything. I gave her the best Christmas gift ever, a husband with a job and great benifits.

kellysguy said:

I gave her the best Christmas gift ever, a husband with a job and great benifits.

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That's a good start, the sort of gift most spouses are glad to get.

My advice for you comes from two sources: from the financial education I learned from my mother, the master of doing more with less; and from my impulsive purchasing side that could only save long enough to buy something.

1. Pay off the student loan as quickly as reasonably possible.

2. Once that's done, put the money you were using to pay off the loan aside towards the Elise.

3. Once you've got a reasonable amount aside, maybe a small car loan could be worthwhile.

My read on the current economic times is that hunkering down and taking less risk is a good path to take. You still have the Midget for some fun for now, and this way once you get the Elise (or other similar expensive "fun" car) it will be well and truly yours, and not the bank's.

I was careful when I bought the Tunebug to always pay upfront in cash -- the extra waiting was worth it, as it's mine free and clear.

All that said, I do understand the value of a reward for a big task accomplished. It's not to be undervalued, though you don't want that reward to wind up feeling like it is a burden (financial or otherwise).

If you do get an Elise, can I go for a ride?

People drive these cars as DD's. Who'd have thunk that?

Hey Drew, only if you'll take me in Tunebug.


JP, does "fix properly" include the killer 1500 build Hap was talking about?

kellysguy said:

Hey Drew, only if you'll take me in Tunebug.


JP, does "fix properly" include the killer 1500 build Hap was talking about?

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Ask me after you have completed #1

kellysguy said:

Hey Drew, only if you'll take me in Tunebug.

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It's a deal.

When a great wife says she doesn't want a gift ...trust me and don't listen.

Best investment in life is to buy your wife a gift even though she says she doesn't want one.

She is really saying...only buy me something if YOU want to..

Buy her a gift for the fact she says doesn't want anything.

And then buy that Elise as the prices continue to drop.

Great car!

Happy new year and JMO

JBsC5 said:

When a great wife says she doesn't want a gift ...trust me and don't listen.

Best investment in life is to buy your wife a gift even though she says she doesn't want one.

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Not with her, she knows I'll go nuts. When I was making money, it wasn't uncommon for me to come through the door w/ $400 "worth" Of Godiva chocolate.


Problem is, she doen't want anything.

Gonna pay off the loan. Gotta plan worked out while I wait for prices to drop. I bet it'll be a classic as I don't care for the 2015 model.

Here's a youtube vid of the currrent one. If you were born before 1965 watch with the sound off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLi3f86VU3s&feature=related

Well chosen. A small bit of waiting will make it that much more worth it when you can finally pull the trigger.

I still want that ride, though.

drooartz said:

Well chosen. A small bit of waiting will make it that much more worth it when you can finally pull the trigger.

I still want that ride, though.

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Ride? Who said anything about a ride? You're gonna drive it!

DrEntropy said:

The Elise is nearly bulletproof compared to an Elan and I drove mine as a DD for over a decade.

Tho JP is correct, buy the wife a bauble first.

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babble bought. It'll be here Monday. It's a suprise and she'll die when she gets it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlwzKwfZqo

kellysguy said:

Ride? Who said anything about a ride? You're gonna drive it!

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Woohoo!