A series 1 Lotus Elise in Lotus Racing Green. This particular model is the 111S variant with the VVC engine. The spoiler is on Sport 160-style raiser blocks to lift it up a little from the body. Taken at the Thatcham Classic Show 2009. Feel free to use, but please credit me if you do.
(It's also my current car . I wasn't paying much attention to the flag when I parked up, I just picked a nice empty spot in the area SELOC had staked out, so that was a bit of serendipity.)
People often overestimate how much the older Elise costs - they're not that expensive second hand (granted, they're not cheap for something 10 years old, but still!).
Mine is a 111S, so worth slightly more than the standard - the going rate for a series 1, 111S, seems to be around £10-11,000 (more for low mileage mint condition ones of course). Tax is £215 a year at the moment in the UK, because it's a pre-2001 car so on a flat rate based on engine size. Fuel - it's rated at 35 mpg combined I think (UK gallons) and that's not far off what I get, even with my heavy right foot. It's a 1.8 engine in a lightweight car .
Because the euro has been strong against the pound I think a lot of old Elises are getting bought by people in continental europe (especially in france).
Because the euro has been strong against the pound I think a lot of old Elises are getting bought by people in continental europe (especially in france).