Elise "investment vehicle" $$$

[shawn]

Article:

http://news.surfwax.com/cars/files/Lotus_Car.html
Magazine: Business 2.0

The Current Cars That Will Be Classics Nov 10, 2004
LOTUS ELISE :Brauer is big on the Elise's collector appeal because the car itself is so small ... The 190-horsepower engine comes from (), so the British-built car should prove durable, and the open-top body style and unadorned interior remind Brauer of the MGs and Austin-Healeys that became prized in America after World War II. Lotus plans to sell just 2,400 Elises a year on this side of the Atlantic. (Business 2.0)

[fitfan]

I also have some nice ocean front property in arizona i would to sell you.

Do not buy this car as an investment... way better financial solutions out there!

[kusheen]

Please, don't look at this car as an investment. If anyone is mentally 'financing' this car (if it's at the extreme of your means) by rationalizing that yes, the payments WILL be a bit tough for a couple of years, but we can always enjoy it for two years, not put TOO many miles on it, and get (most of) our money back.

After all, they're only going to sell THIS Elise for 2 years, and they're only sending 2400 to the US per year, right?

Some thoughts...

First, if they continue to be able to sell everyone they ship, Lotus will likely find a way to eek out a few more per year...gonna strike while the iron is hot.

Second, compare to the Esprit or the M100 Elan.

During the entire Turbo Esprit run, they imported an average of about 125 per year, plus or minus. There was at least one year that they imported none. By the end of the two years of the current Elise's run, there will be more Elise's on the road than Esprits.

A low mileage 97 or 98 V8 Esprit is bringing about half, or less of its original selling price.

M100 Elan's, with low miles, are an absolute bargain. One guy in Rochester has one with 15K on the clock, and he's aking WELL under 20K. Reliable Isuzu drivetrain, and it's had all the recall work done.

The M100's were sold here for only one year.

Another thing to think about when looking at future used Elise's is that although many will have comparatively low miles, a lot of cars will have HARD miles. This is an enthusiast's car. There are a lot of hard core enthusiast's buying them and driving them ethusiastically (you know who you are).

Some of the future used/low miles cars will have been thrashed pretty hard, but they'll look good with a coat of wax and the Star Shield.

Get the car, enjoy it. If potential resale value is part of your financing equation, you're likely to be mightily disappointed.

[Feffman]

One of the great things about a Lotus is they are at least reasonably affordable when comparing them to other marques of similar performance or lineage.

The bad thing about a Lotus is they are reasonably priced when compared to other exotics or cars of similar lineage.

You'll see buyers who can just barely afford a Lotus, Elise, Esprit, Elan, etc. buy one. Often several months down the road, economic reality sets in and the owner realizes their "play toy" is just that and it's hampering their budget. Sadly, out on the market it goes, driving prices down. I'm confident it happens with other marques as well. Doesn't make for much of an investment in my opinion.

Feff

[RaceDeck]

Buy'm to Drive'm... If you can fool your wife that this is an investment...that's great...just don't fool yourself;)
I own a few cars and a few have turned out to become an investment...if you do not count the money I have spent to keep them looking great and in tip-top shape....