Do I have the budget to buy/run a plus two
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I'm lucky enough since yesterday to have secured permission from my wonderful
Wife to use ?10k from a house move for my lotus habit.
I'm looking to sell my very decent mk1 MX5 also, which along with various other bits
I can sell might net me an additional ?3k approx. I don't have hundreds of pounds spare every month to throw at a project. Perhaps ?100 a month is feasible. This is
for a fun car, not a daily. I'd probably get bored if it was unuseable for reasons of lack of funds, or hundreds of hours of work required etc .
Decisions decisions ..
My head is saying get into an Elise, for a practical unscary (?) , experience and intro
To lotus car ownership. My heart would take me to a two seat Elan, and I do like the
Plus two. An Esprit might be just a tad too big for B road fun, and unaffordable. And I'm any case I'm after eventually owning a true Elan one day. This just might not yet
be the right time ??
Any pointers on what condition plus two I'd be able to buy/level I could restore to for
A budget of ?12k ish, with as I say perhaps ?100 a month to keep her running.
Any thoughts welcome
Wife to use ?10k from a house move for my lotus habit.
I'm looking to sell my very decent mk1 MX5 also, which along with various other bits
I can sell might net me an additional ?3k approx. I don't have hundreds of pounds spare every month to throw at a project. Perhaps ?100 a month is feasible. This is
for a fun car, not a daily. I'd probably get bored if it was unuseable for reasons of lack of funds, or hundreds of hours of work required etc .
Decisions decisions ..
My head is saying get into an Elise, for a practical unscary (?) , experience and intro
To lotus car ownership. My heart would take me to a two seat Elan, and I do like the
Plus two. An Esprit might be just a tad too big for B road fun, and unaffordable. And I'm any case I'm after eventually owning a true Elan one day. This just might not yet
be the right time ??
Any pointers on what condition plus two I'd be able to buy/level I could restore to for
A budget of ?12k ish, with as I say perhaps ?100 a month to keep her running.
Any thoughts welcome
- Sundaydriver
- First Gear
- Posts: 44
- Joined: 28 Apr 2014
As you can see looking around, ?12k will get you a nice +2 or an Elise a few years old. Insurance and free tax reduce the running cost of a +2 but the probabilities are that occasionally something will need replacing more often in a 40 year old car. Either would fit your bill, it`s a matter of preference.
Jim
Jim
- jimj
- Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1119
- Joined: 25 Feb 2008
Hi, I think 12K would by you a very nice Plus 2 indeed. I have seen many fully restored cars go for that price and would think ?100 per month maintenance is reasonable. Insurance is only about ?120 per year and tax is probably going to be free depending on year.
All in all, a great buy, a great investment and great to tinker with, improve and proudly own. (also lots of useful help on here )
Good luck,
Kev.
All in all, a great buy, a great investment and great to tinker with, improve and proudly own. (also lots of useful help on here )
Good luck,
Kev.
- KevJ+2
- Fourth Gear
- Posts: 795
- Joined: 23 Aug 2013
This would be in budget and looks a tidy motor if you go down the +2 route.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 74/2388875
Think I'd be interested but need to shift a couple of Project Mini's before I can really take the plunge
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 74/2388875
Think I'd be interested but need to shift a couple of Project Mini's before I can really take the plunge
Simplify and add lightness
Lotus Elan S4 Coupe - Wedgewood Blue
Lotus Elise S1 - Racing Green
Lotus Elan S4 Coupe - Wedgewood Blue
Lotus Elise S1 - Racing Green
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Rob P - Third Gear
- Posts: 239
- Joined: 10 Jun 2014
That looks a nice bit of kit for the price...go for it...
John
John
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john.p.clegg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 5745
- Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Ah, thanks to all for comments.
That does indeed look like a decent car, how did I miss that ?
I think I'd be happier with a non spyder car, being a diehard Chapman fan.
I am turned off any car which has non level wishbones, due to an
alternative engine install. I know, I shouldn't be too picky .. I'm on a budget ... Champagne taste etc..
So, the plus two cars up at ?18 - ?24k , what exactly are they offering over a ?12k
car I wonder ?
That does indeed look like a decent car, how did I miss that ?
I think I'd be happier with a non spyder car, being a diehard Chapman fan.
I am turned off any car which has non level wishbones, due to an
alternative engine install. I know, I shouldn't be too picky .. I'm on a budget ... Champagne taste etc..
So, the plus two cars up at ?18 - ?24k , what exactly are they offering over a ?12k
car I wonder ?
- Sundaydriver
- First Gear
- Posts: 44
- Joined: 28 Apr 2014
I like the purple one.....
the only mods are the 5 speed box, the chassis and the suspension....
it still has its twincam engine up front.....
there are quite a few cars with the spyder chassis so I wouldn't let that bother you.....
as for the gear box and suspension.........itd depends on whether you see them as an upgrade or just non standard........to replace them shouldn't be that difficult or expensive........
if you wanted to change them back that is.......
the only mods are the 5 speed box, the chassis and the suspension....
it still has its twincam engine up front.....
there are quite a few cars with the spyder chassis so I wouldn't let that bother you.....
as for the gear box and suspension.........itd depends on whether you see them as an upgrade or just non standard........to replace them shouldn't be that difficult or expensive........
if you wanted to change them back that is.......
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theelanman - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1434
- Joined: 17 Sep 2003
oh...and its had an interior upgrade......
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theelanman - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1434
- Joined: 17 Sep 2003
"choose wisely young Luke"..............if you don't, she will be on you forever........as they never forget.
Your conundrum is typical as to choice. I too would like an Elise for modern driving but dig a P2 for the cool factor.
Your conundrum is typical as to choice. I too would like an Elise for modern driving but dig a P2 for the cool factor.
"Be Polite, Be Professional, But have a plan to kill everyone you meet"
General "Mad Dog" James Mattis United States Marines
General "Mad Dog" James Mattis United States Marines
- cal44
- Fourth Gear
- Posts: 671
- Joined: 28 Nov 2010
john.p.clegg wrote:...and an AKS front cover..
John
But apart for those few mods it's pretty standard
Still a nice motor and one of the best out there currently for that price range I think
Simplify and add lightness
Lotus Elan S4 Coupe - Wedgewood Blue
Lotus Elise S1 - Racing Green
Lotus Elan S4 Coupe - Wedgewood Blue
Lotus Elise S1 - Racing Green
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Rob P - Third Gear
- Posts: 239
- Joined: 10 Jun 2014
I just love the Roman Purple and if it looks as good in real life as the photos. then it`s a fair price. I think that +2s priced at ?20K are rather optimistic but prices will get their soon, I reckon, which is another reason to buy one now.
I, too, wouldn`t recommend this car if it had the wrong engine but the Spyder chassis is not a big issue nor the 5 speed gearbox. You`ll still have the proper Lotus Elan-ness but I can see where you`re coming from.
I`ll PM you privately.
Jim
I, too, wouldn`t recommend this car if it had the wrong engine but the Spyder chassis is not a big issue nor the 5 speed gearbox. You`ll still have the proper Lotus Elan-ness but I can see where you`re coming from.
I`ll PM you privately.
Jim
- jimj
- Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1119
- Joined: 25 Feb 2008
jimj wrote:I just love the Roman Purple
and IIRC you had one painted in it by Dave the mechanic once upon a time.......
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theelanman - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1434
- Joined: 17 Sep 2003
re-reading the advert and looking at the year of the car (1974).....
it probably came as a 5 speed car anyway.......
it probably came as a 5 speed car anyway.......
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theelanman - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1434
- Joined: 17 Sep 2003
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