Thorburn Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Ok so the MX-5 is starting to get a bit old I thought, time to look at changing now that I've had it almost 3 years. Looked at a brand new Fiesta ST (mostly because I'd given my housemate a lift to the Ford garage as he's looking for a first car and needed some way to pass the time), but didn't really like the feel of going back to front wheel drive, nor need the extra space. The local Mazda dealer had a late Mk2.5 MX-5 in stock with fairly low mileage, a pretty safe bet............ So naturally I did the only sensible thing. I saw something on Autotrader, got a few insurance quotes, looked at loans, read some buyers guides, went along to look at it, agreed a decent part-ex price on my car. Put down a deposit and shook on it, then a few seconds later someone else comes in to look at it. "Sorry, it's just been sold" I've bought a 10 year old, bright yellow, Lotus Elise It's an original 118bhp model, with a few basic mods (sports exhaust, de-cat pipe, K&N cone filter, quick-shifter, and the original aluminium brakes replaced by drilled and vented EBC steel ones) which don't add too much to my insurance premium. Also has a hard top, although not sure how much I'll use that. Has absolutely stacks of history and seems to be in immaculate condition. Got to wait for the garage to put the new MOT on it then should be able to pick it up next week some time, can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 wahhhhhhhhhooooooooooooooooooooo - great move matey - looks like a cracker too god I miss my VXT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
962C Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Norfolk Mustard. Great machines. Such a direct drive. Just take it easy in the wet and in the winter my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Just sell the hardtop - they are worth quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhyds Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Tis a rollerskate with an engine attached Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Excellent choice - I would have had one if I could have got in and out of it with any degree of comfort My VX is much easier though. If you are keeping it outside, keep hold of the hard-top for winter. Won't the decat pipe cause issues at MOT time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 [ QUOTE ] If you are keeping it outside, keep hold of the hard-top for winter. [/ QUOTE ] The car is going to be garaged. My housemate will be driving into work from next week having passed his test so the Elise SHOULD just be a bit of a play thing, where as the MX-5 has been in use every day. That said I'll probably be keeping the hard top anyway, as I know they can get a bit leaky and it would be nice if I need to use it in the winter. [ QUOTE ] Won't the decat pipe cause issues at MOT time? [/ QUOTE ] It's getting a brand new MOT on it next week, I'll probably run the de-cat pipe for a bit then swap for a Larini sports cat. One concern I do have is how I'm going to get in and out of it when I park in the garage! The MX-5 is hard enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I would have thought that it wouldn't get an MOT with a decat pipe? (Only asking as I am thinking of doing the very same thing!! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Reading the original post, I thought you'd chopping in the MX5 for somethin really dull (Fester etc), but an Elise ? Great choice, a fantastic car ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Got some half good news, half bad news. It's failed the MOT due to the de-cat pipe, so a new cat is getting fitted which I won't have to pay for. I'll be getting the pipe back too. This is good news as I wasn't sure if I was going to keep the de-cat pipe on it, so now I get a choice and don't have to pay for a new cat. Bad news is because of the bank holiday I won't be able to pick it up until Wednesday now, was going to be picking it up Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 get yourself over to seloc.org - loads of Elise info and chat there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techieboy Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Got some half good news, half bad news. It's failed the MOT due to the de-cat pipe, so a new cat is getting fitted which I won't have to pay for. I'll be getting the pipe back too. This is good news as I wasn't sure if I was going to keep the de-cat pipe on it, so now I get a choice and don't have to pay for a new cat. Bad news is because of the bank holiday I won't be able to pick it up until Wednesday now, was going to be picking it up Monday. [/ QUOTE ] Cracking result, getting the cat for free. Can't persuade them to fit a 100 or 200 cell sports cat in it's place can you? Then you'll have the best of both worlds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Can't persuade them to fit a 100 or 200 cell sports cat in it's place can you? [/ QUOTE ] If they say no, you could offer to pay the difference... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 To be honest I'd rather just save a bit of money right now, plus means a relatively cheap and easy upgrade later if I do want it I'm going to be taking it easy to begin with anyway, very wary of the mid-engined layout and the S1's reputatation for being a bit twitchy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techieboy Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Yeah, behaved exactly the same way with the VX when I got it. If you really want to experience life on the edge with it, book yourself in for a Walshy day at North Weald ( CarLimits) as Andy will really help you get the most out of it. Plus, it's a great fun day out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Yeah, behaved exactly the same way with the VX when I got it. If you really want to experience life on the edge with it, book yourself in for a Walshy day at North Weald ( CarLimits) as Andy will really help you get the most out of it. Plus, it's a great fun day out. [/ QUOTE ] Had been looking at doing that through Lotus On Track for £20, but they are fully booked until July or something Will try and get a booking direct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 JT - let me know when you are going to book up as I fancy doing it as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galballyj Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 couldnt you have just gotten a "special" MOT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 [ QUOTE ] couldnt you have just gotten a "special" MOT? [/ QUOTE ] From an insurance perspective I'd rather be running with a cat to be honest. I don't intend to have an accident, but I'm spending quite a lot of money compared to previous cars I've owned, so should anything happen I don't want to be told they aren't paying due to an illegal de-cat pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I'd do the same and stick the cat on. Oh, but stop being so tight and tax it now, rather than waiting until 1 April Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Oh, but stop being so tight and tax it now, rather than waiting until 1 April [/ QUOTE ] The PLAN is to wait. The REALITY is I'll look at it in the garage, all sad and unused, then run to the Post Office before it gets upset and cries oil and coolant tears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 JT, just seen this, that is fantastic mate! Very best of luck with it, what a great car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Mate just sod it and tax it now, the elise is built for driving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameo Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Lovely car and surprisingly comfortable.... once you've got in. A mate of mine has one of the later models witht the 190 bhp Toyota engine. He loves it and uses every opportunity to drive it. I think he enjoys it perhaps a little too much as he's blown two engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted March 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Insurance sorted, MX-5 in for its MOT today, so HOPEFULLY just a trip down to Somerset and back this evening and I'll have it tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now