Do I have the budget to buy/run a plus two

[Sundaydriver]

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

[jimj]

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

[KevJ+2]

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.

[Rob P]

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

[john.p.clegg]

That looks a nice bit of kit for the price...go for it...

John

[Sundaydriver]

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 ?

[theelanman]

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.......

[theelanman]

oh...and its had an interior upgrade......

[john.p.clegg]

...and an AKS front cover..

John

[cal44]

"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.

[Rob P]

...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

[jimj]

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

[theelanman]

I just love the Roman Purple

and IIRC you had one painted in it by Dave the mechanic once upon a time.......

[theelanman]

re-reading the advert and looking at the year of the car (1974).....
it probably came as a 5 speed car anyway.......

[vernon.taylor]

Yep, looks nice.

@+

Vernon