Thinking of selling my Plus 2

[TonyJ]

Hello, I spent years restoring my 130/5 and then drove it for about 3 years but realised I wasn't enjoying it due to British roads/traffic and weather. Loved it on short runs but not on long runs or in traffic. If I didn't rag it on every journey then it would coke up and misfire - not a relaxed drive.

Realised I enjoyed the rebuild challenge and I know every nut and bolt of a 130/5. Spent many happy hours researching, rebuilding and improving the +2 but when it was finished I wasn't getting what I wonted from driving it. I wanted a more luxurious, relaxed drive, so sold the +2 and bought a Jaguar XJS, and had money left over - best decision I made.

Do I miss the +2? - a little bit as looking at a car I had rebuilt gave me a sense of achievement. Not sure how I will feel if I ever she her again. But driving the xjs in Europe makes me realise that I made the right decision.

Think you have reach a similar point. Take your time as +2 values are only going to go up but there are other cars out there that may fit your needs better.
Tony J

[Certified Lotus]

I smiled at your posting Jono. I?m going through something similar selling my three Lotus? this year (64 Elan S1, 65 Elan S2 and soon to be completed 72 Europa TC). The entire restoration build and drive experience over the last 5 years has been completely enjoyable and a life time of memories. My Elan?s are running and driving in tip top shape and are a regular thrill to have on the road. The Europa will be the same and in some ways even more so.

My wife and I have decided it?s time to downsize with our son?s no longer living at home and having a much to big house to ramble about. With that decision my garage workshop goes away (I will not replicate in the new smaller house) and decided I cannot bear the thought of being back on the floor on a creeper with the car on jack stands or the lack of all my garage equipment so it?s time to sell the classic Lotus cars.

Like you, I?m looking at a modern Lotus (Evora) as the thought of just being able to drive the car anytime without some level of thinker it is very enticing. Truth be known I?m also considering just getting another Elise as it was my first Lotus and might just be enough to keep me in the perpetual state of Lotus driving enjoyment.

Age does a funny thing to you. It allows for a completely different perspective. Enjoy the transition. And never regret.

[jono]

Thanks for all the messages and views chaps, it seems I have reached a familiar stage in the cycle of classic Lotus ownership.

It's true that the fun, for me at least, is in the project and Mark's post especially struck a chord - I need a modern fun car (Evora) and another project.

Fortunately that is already here in the form of a Mk1 Mini which I am building into a Cooper S Evocation and I already have a spare dry sump Lotus TC and gearbox which currently seeks a donor (Seven or Mk1 Escort?) so I'm not done yet

My son also has a 1990 Mini with an MG Metro engine in it so there will be sufficient for me to be getting on with spanner wise while he's away at Uni!

[scalino65]

Hello Jono
I feel that the trouble all begins when you start thinking about these things...I am oddly stuck trying to work out exactly how I feel about an old porsche of mine. I sold another 911 last year and to be honest I havent missed it that much. Put it this way, i wouldnt buy it back. However, there was a period when I "loved" owning that car and it was fabulous to drive.
There are two elans for sale on here that I would love to own: the yellow s1 and the blue s3. The reality is that it would be really silly of me to buy a third old car and that i should sell either my 7 or the old 911 in order to try an elan, which is a car i have never owned but would really like to at some stage.
My current thinking is that these are all just "things" and that any emotional attachment should pass if i sell and buy the next one on "the list". Time passes quickly and i am very fortunate to even be able to consider such things.
I havent even done a thousand miles in 14 months in the 911 so whats the point...?
But then I doubt myself and my indecision kicks in...
also, i could never sell it in time to buy one of the two. In fact, now i think about it, the only logical way is that I should buy the elan, hide it from youknowwho, drive it around and sell the porker afterwards....bingo1
Your father and son story did remind me a little of the 1275 Cooper S that my father had when i was a kid. I loved that car and the time we spent together with it. Sadly, he then sold it, or so he said..but i have a feeling he gave it to the woman he was having an affair with.
Best
will

[powellsmail]

Hi Jono,

I am on a few different forums and it?s surprising how often this topic comes up. I am in the lucky position of having an S4 dhc as well as Evora. But it?s not either / or. There are times when I would drive one and times the other but I rarely think ?I am going to X, which one should I take?, they sort of self select. Neither do huge mileage but I am ok with that. On the Caterham forum someone said, don?t think about all the time you are not using it, just enjoy the times that you do and cherish the memory. So if it?s not about money or health, do both!

I have just sold a RIB that I had for many years as circumstances move on and so have a big hole in the garage waiting to be filled. I know if I buy something else (and I fancy a plus 2) it will not replace anything else and probably won?t do thousands of miles a year, but would be admired, tinkered with and cherished until it was time to move it on.

Evoras are great by the way. Very underrated, you can really feel the Lotus DNA when you drive and servicing is very reasonable.

Mark.

[JJDraper]

Take it on a Grand Tour and see if you still feel the same..

Jeremy
PS the Metalflake roof helps keep the heat out..

[jono]

Looks a great adventure that!

This was my/our intention but it never happened - the NC500 was as close as I got and that was a brilliant few days.

Alas, the decision is now made and the car is offered for sale on this very forum.

...the Italy trip does however appeal in an air conditioned Evora

[DJW]

Once the seed is planted (eg selling the car) you can never go back in my experience. The idea of an Evora is a good one. I?ve had 2 and took the original on an European trip with a few laps on a certain toll road

The Evora is a great car. Comfortable for long trips , yet great on spirited drives too. Good choice.

[Spyder fan]

I have 2 Elans, both of them are discussed on here at length, both are modified, but both could be put back to original at some stage. What I found is that ownership is an interesting experience. From the outside looking in they are iconic sportscars to the extent that people get out of their cars and take pictures when I?m stuck in traffic ( that?s happened 3 times in the last 2 years) From the inside driving the cars they are modified and go quite well, but they are are old cars with all the downsides that come with old designs. People always ask about the cars wherever I am, be that at the petrol station or wherever I stop, no shrinking violets required with Elan ownership!

Whenever I look at them I remind myself how fortunate I am to own them, I enjoy maintaining them and being associated with the clubs that support them.

But I get the reasons that would lead an enthusiast to move on or perhaps move aside, Elans are a 55+ year old design, no matter how good they are the temptation to look at cars less than 20 years old that cost less than an Elan and are (subjectively) dynamically far better is hard to ignore.

I keep both my cars in the sure knowledge that I will regret selling them, that?s a personal opinion.

[jono]

Well from the idea forming to the present it's less than 1 month and I've just watched my Plus 2 go off to its new owner tucked up in a covered car transporter.

So that's me finished with classic Loti...at least for the time being

I still have a couple of classic Mini projects in the garage to keep me out of mischief and, as early as next week, there may be an Evora in there to keep them company.

So I will probably be around here less than I used to but will keep popping in to contribute where I can usefully do so. In the last 12 or so years I've learned so much and could strip and rebuild a Plus 2 in my sleep. I've loved every minute of the journey and will treasure the memories, especially those spent in the garage with my son.

...I have a load of parts that I am going to sort out and go through then I will be having a sale

So cheers for now

Jon

[MarkDa]

That was quick!
I do hope that you don't do a lot of 'rebuilding in your sleep' dreaming of what might have been!
We look forward to hearing confirmation of your drive to Italy in due course

[DJW]

And safely delivered to its new home

Nice dealing with you Jon and best of luck with hunt for Evora.

Cheers Dave

[jono]

Cheers Dave, didn't want to 'out' you as the buyer without your say so!

Glad it arrived safely and she looks great it her new home.

Have fun with her, I know I have

[The Veg]

We'll miss you Jon.

Have lots of fun with those Minis! I had one very briefly thirty years ago and still wish that I could have done all the things with it that I daydreamed of doing.

[Elanintheforest]

[quote="DJW"]And safely delivered to its new home

Dave, I think you may have bought one of the best sorted Elans on the market, and it looks gorgeous as well!
When is the new Lotus arriving Jon?

Mark