Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all

First of all hi to everyone as this is my first post on here. I've ended up here because recently I've seen a few plus 2's for sale at very tempting money. I am just about to begin a build of a GT40 though so all my time and money will be going on that project. However I am looking for another car to use mainly at weekends for the next year or so. I've looked at loads of boring cars but I keep looking at the lovely +2's.

My question is really about budget and reliability. Would it be possible to get an +2 for around ?4-5k mark. I know its not going to be concourse condition but I'd really be looking for a good honest car. Would it be too big an ask on my budget to firstly find a car and run it. The hope would be to run it without doing too much work on it until the GT40 is complete. Then I'd give the car a complete overhaul.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated

Many thanks

Trevor

something like this car would be great
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :MESELX:IT

Trev

Trevor,
This is all IMHO.
Having seen the good, the bad, and the ugly at many kit car shows I know that building a GT40 is going to take all (and more) of your spare cash. Therefor I would buy a banger for 1K or so. When it goes wrong bin it and buy another.
Then when you sell you GT40 then buy a +2 as they are a very nice car.
Or you could just abandon the GT40 now and buy a +2.
Cheers
John

Hi Trev

I paid ?4,500 for my +2 it was driveable with an MOT but needed work. I think at this time of year you should be able to find something that is a bit scuffy with an MOT. ?7,000 to ?8,000 will get you a much better car buit as you plan to re-build it I would go for the cheaper car.

The club lotus back pages are a good place to look.

Jason

As the other posts have suggested, I think you'd be very lucky to get something that wouldn't need work for that money... You're into "unloved" territory here so even if the bodywork was reasonable you'd be likely to find that there were imminent brake/suspension/chassis/engine/gearbox issues lurking.

But then you might get lucky! - question is do you want to take the risk when you're committing money to the GT40?

Craig

Hi

Club Lotus mag just landed on my door mat; there a two cars P48 which would fall into the "drivable but need work" category.
One is best reasonable offer and the other is offers around ?4,000.

Jason

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOTUS-ELAN-2S130- ... 500wt_1182

This one looks like a car which would fall into the bracket = 'honest but in need of work', I would be surpised if it went over your budget Trevor.

Hope this helps

Jason

Trev the +2 is a cracking car but the problem is time trying to maintain a Lotus & build a GT40 which is very time consuming to build to a good standard this is the voice of experience i am part way thrugh a 330 P4 replica & the build has stalled & i may have to sell it due to lack of time. Food for thought.
Ian

The one on Ebay sold

21 bids = Winning bid: ?4,750.00

I checked in a few times to check the bidding and it looked like the reserve was set at ?4,500 so everybody was happy.

Jason