Halfway to ownership... need help selling the Elise!

Okay, folks - as most of the Sac area guys know, I've been looking for a F355 Spider for a while, and the one I'd been looking at, with Scott's help, has been offered to me at a price I won't refuse. With the financing all lined up in a couple days, I need to find a buyer for my '05 Elise. Full details are at http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41189 . So, if you folks would be so kind, spread the word that it's available, and point folks who may be interested in my direction, if you would.

I've tossed it up on Craigslist as well, but what else would you suggest I do to get fair value for it? Is there any place in Sacramento (dealerships, perhaps?) that would buy it from me?

Thanks,
Orrie

 

Yes, you did, Jay. I owe you one for finding the car and thinking of me.

The seller still seems to need to offload it quickly, and at the price I picked it up for, I'm happy to take it off his hands. There's a power soft top issue, which he swears is the seat potentiometer, that I'll have to address at some point, but for now, I'm okay with that.

I'll feel a lot better when things get settled - the Elise sold, the F355 in the garage, insurance settled. Until then, I'm a little grouchy, hoping things work out smoothly...

Orrie

 

It's a '97 Red/Tan Spyder in what is really remarkable cosmetic shape. Mechanically, well, I think Scott's comment after driving it says it all: "That car's better than a lot of 360's I've driven!"

It's got a Tubi exhaust, which for me was a must ever since driving a Tubi'ed car in SF in February. So, I didn't get blue over tan, but I'm over it already! I'm going to miss the Elise something awful, probably right up until I get behind the wheel of the F355 as its owner for the first time.

When we went to the seller's house to give it a look and drive it (the second time), Scott gave the car a decent workout, claiming a nice to-the-redline run in 4th gear on Roseville Parkway (god bless 'im!), after which I told him, "I wanna see you drive this thing one day..." I didn't think it'd be this soon, tho.

So, my fellow F-Chatters, let's get this one hugely important thing off my mind, and help me find a good home for Descartes, my Elise!

Orrie

 

Mike, it'd be my pleasure to take you for a ride! How about a trade? I've admired your 360 at SR a couple times now, so a ride-for-a-ride sounds more than fair! I've ridden in an F430 once, driven a 348 and 355, so I could use a ride in a 360 to add to the "collection"!

Hey Larry, I'm *still* gonna make those 6AM breakfasts before ES, ya know! Except maybe I'll be able to keep quiet for more than 10 seconds next time... I can be a little long-winded sometimes, especially when I get excited about a car... The difference'll be, however, that I there's less of a chance that I'll be asked to move my "piddly Elise" from the Exotics to make room for Scott's Mondial... which, for Scott, I'd gladly do.

Orrie

 

Mike, if I can get the Elise squared away by then, then I'll do my best to get up there on the 30th... Is there something going on that day I'm not aware of?

Also, thanks again for your hospitality and help on Saturday - Corrie and I were so happy to make it! The bumpy I-80 ride in the Elise was exhausting, both ways... They really need to do SOMETHING about that road! I wanna see my Caltrans dollars at work!

Sorry I missed your call while we were up there - we didn't stay in Reno too late, and when I saw your F430 and the Ford GT missing from the show, we figured you guys went for a drive... We'll see each other more soon!

Know anyone who wants an Elise?

Orrie

 

If the deal is done by then, I don't see any reason not to go... As those who drive with me regularly already know, I don't need an excuse to drive.

Kelvin, can't thank you enough for referring your friend to me. I look forward to his call. The gentleman who sold me the Elise told me that he'd driven a Sport-Pack-Equipped Elise, but that after 45 minutes, his teeth hurt from how hard the ride was. It wasn't something I wanted or needed, so I looked for Touring-But-No-Sport cars. And luckily, my first-choice color combo became available, and I snagged it.

Terry, I'll give you a call as soon as I can - we're going to Santa Cruz for part of the weekend, so I may not get to it before early next week.

And boy, did *I* learn something: Scott can't keep a secret! I talked to him at 9:30 or so last night, and by 12:30, you're already posting that you knew! But it's not like I asked him to keep it quiet...

I'll let you all know if anyone calls...
Orrie

 

UPDATE: I've left a deposit with the seller (and got another peek at it! ), so the car is off the market! Now, there's just one little problem... See thread title for details...

apollo355, www.conceptcarz.com lists the Spider at 3080 lbs., and the berlinetta at 2676 lbs. Didn't expect it to be that much, but I guess it could be right...

Orrie

 

Could be a typo. You should never believe anything you read on the internet at face value...

Any leads, anyone? I'm in Saratoga for another day or two, and am probably going to stop by SVAG today and see what they'd offer me. Corrie and I talked about it yesterday, and we're kinda just looking to get out from under it, so we can go on with our lives, Just getting what we owe on it isn't exactly what we'd hoped for, but it'll do if it lets me sleep a little better at night...

Orrie

 

Update: I'm reducing the car to $33.5k today, in an effort to move it. That's an absurdly low price for a Graphite '05 with hardtop, but Corrie's noticed that I'm not as happy with everything in flux, and her opinion is, "You should just sell it quickly and move on".

Another thing that caused the price drop: The winshield met a pebble late last week, and while it's on the side of the windshield, it's no longer "perfect". I'd rather not invest in its repair or replacement, so I'm passing the cost savings along.

The car just took us for a few wonderful days in Santa Cruz / Saratoga, no issues or problems to report. Mileage is now at 17,100, going stronger than ever, but Corrie's asked me not to drive it anymore. Keep looking for a buyer for me, folks, will ya? It's a hell of a deal.

Orrie

 

I don't blame 'im for wanting the sport wheels - they're pretty, and weigh a bit less than the stock wheels, too. Aside from Lotus themselves, I don't know where to get those wheels.

But I'm much happier WITHOUT the sport tires, and I think he would be, too, unless he gets enjoyment out of replacing 'em every 7000 miles. Yikes.

I wasn't sure about the red interior at first - I've seen some of the shades of red that've been used in cars, and it's put me WAY OFF, but the color they use in the Lotus is rich, and just a shade on the darker side, making it classy, and not in the least bit garish. I'm always reminded that it's nothing like what the blue interiors of Suzuka Blue S2000's looks like - it's like sitting inside a neon blueberry (from what I've heard sitting in a neon blueberry is like, mind you, as I've never actually done it myself!)

We're planning on getting the windshield chip patched ASAP, as it's really very minor. Still looking to move the car quickly, folks. At the price it's at, and with all the little accessories (car cover, etc.) it comes with, it's a true steal. I've listed it on Cars.com, as well.

If it doesn't sell before my locked-in-for-30-days loan rate adjusts, and that rate jumps much higher, I'll likely have to pass on that particular car, and either keep the car another year, or sell it anyway, and be exotic-less for as long as it takes to do things in an orderly fashion. Wouldn't make the F355 seller happy, either way... So keep helpin' me take care of this one obstacle, if you all could...

Heartfelt thanks,
Orrie

 

Cars.com may have gotten it done - a potential buyer called me last night, and with my help has already contacted the credit union to make the payoff for it. I should be getting some docs to sign tomorrow (odometer disclosure, etc.), and the buyer's already chosen a shipping company to bring Descartes to his new home in Texas. I'm a little sad, since I get pretty attached to any of my cars (even that crappy Miata...), but it should clear things up pretty quickly to have the F355 in the garage soon.

Funny bit: One of the pics I sent the buyer showed the MicroMirror, but the V1 was on the windshield, as well. The seller asked if I sent him that pic to show that the V1 comes with the car (perhaps he didn't realize that the mirror in the pic wasn't stock), to which I replied, "No, it doesn't. I'm definitely gonna need it in the next car!"

It's moving forward very quickly now, so unless something weird happens, the Elise is sold. Man, I'm gonna miss that car.

Oh, well, as one of my co-workers said: "Having to sell your Elise because you want to drive a Ferrari is an enviable position." I work with some smart people.

I'll keep you all posted - that Tahoe run on 6/30 may be possible after all...

Orrie