Another "Should I keep it or sell it?" post.

DARISC · 09:23 AM

I've decided I MUST have an Elise, most likely a used one, and I'm torn as to whether to sell my 82 SC RoW coupe or keep it. It's a daily driver in really great shape with no issues. I bought it never intending to sell it and put $40k total into it to make it "like new" - well, dependable as a daily driver and real purty.

I can probably sell it for something between 15k & 18k (haven't yet researched the market). Part of me says keep it and another part of me asks "will you drive it enough to warrant keeping it once you have the Elise?"

Didn't think I'd ever post asking for opinions on a dumb personal decision, but, oh well.....

paulgtr · paulgtr's Garage

sell something else?
you look like you have plenty to spare there...

livi · 11-26-2007, 08:34 AM

If you had as many kids as I have, that would be an option.

But seriously, if you can have only one, I would keep the SC. If you plan to use the Elise similarly, I think in the long run you will find it kind of tiresome as a daily driver.

pwd72s · 11-26-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARISC

I've decided I MUST have an Elise, most likely a used one, and I'm torn as to whether or not to sell my 82 SC RoW coupe or keep it. It's a daily driver in really great shape with no issues. I bought it never intending to sell it and put $40k total into it to make it "like new" - well, dependable as a daily driver and real purty.

I can probably sell it for something between 15k & 18k (haven't yet researched the market). Part of me says keep it and another part of me asks "will you drive it enough to warrant keeping it once you have the Elise?"

Didn't think I'd ever post asking for opinions on a dumb personal decision, but, oh well.....

You'll need the 911SC for haulin' lotus parts...

DARISC · 11-26-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulgtr

you look like you have plenty to spare there...

Wish I did

. See revised sig.

Gogar · 11-26-2007, 08:44 AM

I agree that the Elise will probably bum you out if you try to DD it.

Buy the Elise and a trailer and tow it to the track with the SC.

dd74 · 11-26-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARISC

I've decided I MUST have an Elise, most likely a used one, and I'm torn as to whether or not to sell my 82 SC RoW coupe or keep it. It's a daily driver in really great shape with no issues. I bought it never intending to sell it and put $40k total into it to make it "like new" - well, dependable as a daily driver and real purty.

I can probably sell it for something between 15k & 18k (haven't yet researched the market). Part of me says keep it and another part of me asks "will you drive it enough to warrant keeping it once you have the Elise?"

Didn't think I'd ever post asking for opinions on a dumb personal decision, but, oh well.....

Not a dumb question nor dumb personal decision. I'm asked often if I want to sell my car. And the price of Elises are getting almost too attractive to pass up. However...

I've driven an Elise, and while they're fun little cars, I'm not sure they have that much over our old 911s, particularly when lightened up a bit.

Also: what sort of track record does the Elise have in comparison to the 911? Supposedly, the Elise is bulletproof...supposedly...

As crazy as it may sound, I think your (or my) best bet is to simply own both.

JBO · 11-26-2007, 09:02 AM

I believe the Elise has a Toyota drivetrain, which explains why they have been reliable.

onlycafe · 11-26-2007, 09:32 AM

not meant as a non-sequitur, but how tall are you? i am only 5'9" and getting in and out of one is a bit of excercise. if the elise is ever to be used with the top on you might find it a bit awkward as a daily driver. of course if you are a short contortionist you may not have any problems with it.
i have driven an elise a few times, loads of fun, terrific car, but i wouldn't give up my targa for one.
keep the 911, add the elise, it will make the porsche become the practical car.

richde · 11-26-2007, 09:46 AM

I dunno, but you should PM me the price and details. They might not be so different, they're both impractical, but the Lotus is a lot further over on the scale.

dd74 · 11-26-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlycafe

keep the 911, add the elise, it will make the porsche become the practical car.

+1.
Or just modify the ***** out of your 911 and make the Elises shudder.

SandyI · 11-26-2007, 09:52 AM

Definitely check the SC market. I'm sure your SC is a terrific example, but it's not uncommon for quality SC's in So Cal to sell in the $10,000 range.

The other consideration for the Elise is that when stuff breaks, the wait for parts can be loooong and frustrating. And after watching Elises run at our POC events at Streets of Willow over the last two years, I can't say they're that impressive on the track.

DARISC · 11-26-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlycafe

not meant as a non-sequitur, but how tall are you? i am only 5'9".

I've yet to sit in one, have heard that the're difficult to enter/exit. I'm 5' 13 1/2" tall and will be wanting the hardtop in place 99% of the time so I'm also concerned if I'll have headroom.

Maybe instead of buying one I should just rent one for a day every once in a while

.

I think I'll keep the SC.

DW SD · 11-26-2007, 10:01 AM

Better idea: buy an ariel atom. don't go out on the days it rains - what is that 20 days a year?? Headroom will not be an issue.

Doug

rouxroux · 11-26-2007, 10:01 AM

One of my friends recently sold his Elise. He said it was beating him to death as a daily driver. ( I think they are great cars, but I'd hesitate to DD one as well).

DW SD · 11-26-2007, 10:02 AM

Used ones here: http://www.arielatom.com/index.php?option=com_cfgr_used_cars&Itemid=53

DARISC · 11-26-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandyI

Definitely check the SC market. I'm sure your SC is a terrific example, but it's not uncommon for quality SC's in So Cal to sell in the $10,000 range.

Yeah, that's true; I knew that (dammit!)

The other consideration for the Elise is that when stuff breaks, the wait for parts can be loooong and frustrating.

Thanks! I DIDN'T know that!

And after watching Elises run at our POC events at Streets of Willow over the last two years, I can't say they're that impressive on the track.

That surprises me. I'd heard they are terrific. I was talking with Jeff Alton a couple nights ago and mentioned the Elise. He went off-scale with enthusiasm over the car and rekindled my interest in getting one (dammit!)).

Trying my hardest to be rational now

. Thanks for the input.

dd74 · 11-26-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rouxroux

One of my friends recently sold his Elise. He said it was beating him to death as a daily driver.

Yeah, it seems people here in L.A. find that out around 20,000 miles. That's why there are so many "low mileage" examples on the used market. At that point, I'd think the car is still brand new. Speaking of which, I see virtually no brand new ones on the street anymore. I.E., the Elise might not be selling so well for Lotus when all is said and done.

rouxroux · 11-26-2007, 10:16 AM

You must be psychic...his had 22,000.

3.2 CAB · 11-26-2007, 10:17 AM

Nobody noticed the 5' 13-1/2" height. I am 5'16".
I am having thoughts along the same line, about selling, not to get another car, but just to get rid of some that I do have. I have not been able to drive the 911 for almost two years now, but I still go to the garage and fire it up and bring it up to temp to burn off condensation. I keep teated fuel in it. I have really enjoyed this car, and have owned it for almost 10 years. It has very low mileage on it. I had the speedometer serviced and the odometer gears replaced in 2003, since then I have still only put about 1800 miles on it since then. 1800 miles in four years, about 450 miles a year average. Good luck on whatever you decide to do with yours.