There was a significant price jump on the Elektra A3 (and others) a while back.

What, roughly, was the old price? Anyone recall? I have the opportunity to purchase a new unit at what I believe is close to the old cost, but having trouble deciding if I want to make the jump.

Grant

Chris' Coffee Service sold the Elektra A3 for $2795 when the review was published in September 2005 with pallet shipping included.

I had forgotten how much the price had jumped. Glad I got my box when I did. Still think you would be hard pressed to find a finer machine for less than twice the going price.

So I have narrowed (to date, still looking) my A3 search down to 2 machines so far within driving/pickup range. I do not want to ship the unit as it will likely not be factory/pallet protected.

I found a new A3 for $3500.00 + tax (C$) - roughly $3200.00 US
I can get a showroom condition approximately 1.5 - 2 year old machine for $2500.00 - roughly $2150.00 US

Appreciate any insights/thoughts on the relative vlaue, but based on the machines, I am thinking a "mint" 2 year old machine (also, this has only seen domestic use...never been used commercially) is probably pretty close to "new" considering the build quality of these machines. It has been on a softener it's entire life as well.

Any thoughts....

Personally, from a T1 owner, for the $1K I'd buy the new one. Its just peace of mind. I purchased my T1 before the price increase from Chris' Coffee last October and a flex line between the heat exchanger and flow meter developed a minor leak at the crimp. I'm happy its still under warranty. Yeah they are tanks but its a one time purchase and the added cost over a decade is small (<$10/month). In addition, YOU know what has been done to the machine and how it was taken care of.

Good luck.
Joe

Thanks for the replies all,

Can someone measure their A3 and let me know the measurements of the MAIN body cabinet (excluding the drain tray)? I am trying to make a cardboard equivalent of the unit to determine if the larger size of this unit is going to look "bad" in my location where I want it.

Also, can the A3 sit right back against the wall (i.e. like 1cm or so of space)....i.e. does the cord/drain/water supply all use the space underneath the unit?

Thanks...

Hi Grant,

I've also been looking for an A3 in Canada, would you be willing to share where you can get the new machine for $3500? best I could do was $4200 close to you. Maybe a group buy?
Thanks,

Dave

Grant -

13 1/4 wide by 13 1/2 deep on the "box". Please note that the front feet are at the front of the drip tray. I had to move my front feet back a few inches because the drip tray overhangs my counter.

Sue

And yes, it can sit flush against the wall. You just have to strategically place the holes in the counter underneath the machine. The downside is that you'll hide the Elektra decorative plate. I took it off the back and installed it on the back of the cup warmer area facing the front.

Dave wrote:I've also been looking for an A3 in Canada, would you be willing to share where you can get the new machine for $3500? best I could do was $4200 close to you. Maybe a group buy?

Sorry guys, but it is not just a direct purchase at $3500.00. That is basically just what it works out to, to me. Like they say...the devil is in the details.

Thanks Coffeecritter for the measurements!

G

Soooo, it's not really $3500 then?

It's also a very high machine, with the feet OFF, and minimal bolts instead of legs, I just squeezed under a 16.5" overhead cabinet. You'll of course need some space for a grinder...

Mark

Thanks Mark,

Height is not a concern....I have lots of overhead space. It is really how the A3 will fit in this space. Depth is my biggest concern...the counter is 22" deep if I recall correctly.

I know it will "fit", but because this bar is right in the middle of our living room, it has to look somewhat esthetically pleasing, or I may end up making cappuccino's in the garage.

Here's a closer pic....with my Mazzer Major for size comparison.....the previous pic was with a Macap M4 I don't have any more.

Well, thanks for the advice everyone. I went to take a look at the "used" machine yesterday, and I am glad I did. The seller had mentioned the machine was in "new" condition and he barely used the machine (it is about 1.5 years old) and after viewing it, I can see he was being straight up.

Carefully pulled the top off the group and it was almost scale-free..just a couple small patches starting.

Overall, there is not a single mark, mar, or blemish anywhere on the machine or group. It literally looks brand new, so I bit the bullet and purchased it from him.

Brought it home and insulated the boiler last night (melamine foam). Wow, these machines are a joy to work on...so easy to get to everything inside once you pull the case and front panel off.

Since it was all apart anyways, I pulled the anti-vacuum valve off, siphoned out the water from the boiler and filled it to the brim with some boiling hot citric acid solution and let it sit for a few hours just to make sure it had no scale. I will do an HX descale when I have it connected up before I connect it to the water source.

Will start playing tonight.

Grrr...congratulations on your purchase.....grrr....hope you'll be very happy with it.....grrr

All kidding aside, hope you post some photos of your newest addition.

Ask and ye shall receive.....(still sitting on my kitchen table here).

Front pose...



Closer pose....



New Insulation (Thanks to HB and it's members for making this so easy - choosing materials etc.). Note, in this picture, when I insulated it, one of the copper lines leading to the gauge was so close to the boiler that I placed it underneath the insulation. Later, I started thinking that was a bad idea so I have since bent the tubing slightly and now have the line OUTSIDE the insulation. Amazing what will keep you up at night