To Bid Or Not To Bid...

[t0ast]

Some context: https://opposite-lock.com/topic/42074/bidding-farewell-to-the-exocet-and-looking-forward-to-what-may-follow-eventually

Yeah, I know I said I should wait, but...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-lotus-elise-45/

Currently at $32k with ~8 hours left.

• Low mileage
• Unmolested
• Great color
• Good spec - '06 MY has a handful of improvements over the much more common '05 cars, touring package (mostly for the electric windows that are lighter than cranks), hard top, rare OEM wheel color option, etc.
• A handful of seemingly easy to fix issues, like a hot spot in the trunk that started to melt part of the soft top hardware, hyper-blinking turn signal, and a HVAC blower that only works on low

I'm thinking the aforementioned issues and the hassles of an outstanding lien might give this one a fighting chance at staying somewhat sanely priced in these not-so-sane times (read: hopefully not too far beyond its ~$35k asking price w/ 20k miles in 2018).

What say you, Oppo?

[MUSASHI66]

@t0ast Do you want it, have the money and can afford to buy? Bid.

It seems these used to be $30000 for basically any year and any condition, and now they are all going up in price.

[Vondon302]

@t0ast It's gorgeous. I'm pro bid but I doubt anyone on here is going to talk you out of it.

[t0ast]

@MUSASHI66 said in To Bid Or Not To Bid...:

@t0ast Do you want it, have the money and can afford to buy? Bid.

The desire is certainly there, as is the money, assuming it and I don't get too stupid.

It seems these used to be $30000 for basically any year and any condition, and now they are all going up in price.

I do regret missing that ship before it sailed. The new norm looks to be a good $5-15k higher now

[notsomethingstructural]

@t0ast basically any Elise that was ever in any accident is totaled because insurance doesn’t want to deal with the composites. Yes, the secret on Elises is out; but the new secret is finding a former total loss. Use it, or lose it

[just-a-scratch]

@t0ast looks good to me. Bid. $33k is a fair price.

[BeaterGT]

@t0ast Nightfall blue is such a great color. I'm sure it'll fetch 40

[averyrm]

@t0ast I had one for a few years. It's still the best car I've ever owned. Go for it!

If you could disable the airbag so my 9 year old could ride with me, I'd have another by now.

[Snakesm13]

@t0ast I bid up to $40k on this one:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-lotus-elise-137/

So I think you know my answer. Good luck!

[SamV8]

@t0ast said in To Bid Or Not To Bid...:

the electric windows that are lighter than cranks

what? how?

[t0ast]

@SamV8 From what I've read, they sourced the original crank hardware from another manufacturer, so it was overbuilt/heavier than was really needed. The electric unit was developed in-house with their usual focus on "add[ing] lightness" and came out ahead in that regard.

[PS9]

@t0ast Behold the Elise: The ultimate form of forever stable currency. The Elise used is ~$30k, and so it shall eternally remain. 200,000 years from now, Aliens will descend upon the earth to experience the British Targa top roadster, which shall be had for ~$30k.

When the economy collapses and currency loses all value, horde Lotus Elises. When everything is rebuilt, you can sell them for ~$30k each.

[beefchips]

@t0ast based on random recent CL browsing seems to me under 40 is a good price. I say go for it! 3.5 hours left...

[Snakesm13]

Go @t0ast Go! What is your cap going in?

What is your cap after getting caught up in bidding?

[t0ast]

@Snakesm13 I was hoping for this to land around $40k, but that seems to have been a bit optimistic. $43k was starting to give me pause (since I watched one local to me in slightly better condition sell for $44k about a month ago) and it's gone past that now, so I think I'm going to bow out of this one. There will be more later, and more willingness to buy later once savings have grown further and/or my job situation firms up a bit more.

[Snakesm13]

@t0ast I’d wouldn’t be surprised if this one touches $50k, seems like it’s wanted by several bidders pretty bad.

[t0ast]

@Snakesm13 That very much seems to be the case. I'm reasonably motivated, but not just missed out on 4 other Elises motivated. I've also still got until September-ish to leverage the tax benefits from selling my Exocet as well.