Purchase assistance

[Luke Seagrave]

50 minutes ago, AlanG said:

Hi Luke

Yes, I did speak with Dean. He was very helpful. My instinct was right on the gears. 

I am still looking to the right Elise though.

Best wishes 

Hi Alan,

               Fab 👍 

Luke

[AlanG]

Good morning, I wonder if I could seek your counsel once again.

I looked at an S3 (2010) Elise yesterday. The colour is lovely (Heritage Green), but I have some concerns about the bodywork, specifically gravel rash on both sides under the doors. Has anyone had their paintwork corrected locally? If so, where and approximately how much did it cost?

The car also appears to have no service history until 2019, albeit the mileage is low. Currently 23,000 and in 2019 it was circa 15,000. Is that a red flag?

Thank you for your thoughts.

[DeanB]

Have a look for the thread 'fibreglass repair'. I posted yesterday details of sill paintwork I had done recently.

A photo of the paintwork would help.

If you really like the car you could buy without history but most would prefer not to (including me). I would find another with history - there are plenty about.

Where is the service booklet? 

If you ever wanted to sell it would be difficult without FSH.

You can, I think, check its MOT history online.

If you are serious about buying and can't find a car advertised that suits you you could try and put a wanted ad on SELOC?

Also ring Jon Seal and ask him if he can find you one.

Good luck!

[DeanB]

I have had a look online and if the car you are talking about is in Derby the ad says it has FSH and all documents and handbooks?

I think it may be owned by a lady in the Lotus Drivers Club - I'm not sure but if it is I expect it to be a genuine car.

 

Dean

[AlanG]

Thank you, Dean.

The service book is with the car. The first service is 2019 from memory. The original owner was Lotus, used as a company car for someone at the Lotus Driving Academy. The MOT history checks out. The car has been well looked after in recent years with verified documentation.

[AlanG]

Yes, that is the car. The owner is very knowledgeable and has clearly cherished the car in her ownership. 

[Guido]

3 hours ago, AlanG said:

Yes, that is the car. The owner is very knowledgeable and has clearly cherished the car in her ownership. 

I know the lady in question.  I have spent many a mile following it on our morning runs.  The car has been well looked after and you'll not be disappointed.

[DeanB]

5 hours ago, AlanG said:

Thank you, Dean.

The service book is with the car. The first service is 2019 from memory. The original owner was Lotus, used as a company car for someone at the Lotus Driving Academy. The MOT history checks out. The car has been well looked after in recent years with verified documentation.

I wonder if Lotus serviced it when they owned it but didn't bother to stamp the book? Maybe you could find out. At least find out how long they owned it for. I would be very, very surprised if it wasn't serviced during the first three years of its life at the very least, if only to keep the warranty valid.

[DSTOR]

Is this the car you are talking about?  
 

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18928206
 

[DeanB]

Yes that's the one.

[AlanG]

I have got my head round this now. The first entry in the book is blank but there are historic documents to demonstrating servicing took place. Potentially the original book was misplaced. Lotus will have maintained the car while they had ownership.

It is clearly a well looked after car that has been cherished.

Thank you for your comments.

[DSTOR]

No worries,   Jon Seal sold it to the current owners, and they have had it a year or so and I know it’s been well looked after in their ownership.   They are both serial Lotus owners over many years and have just got an Evora, so need to move the Elise on.  

[Oakman]

Quite a few of us on here know the owner, she is a lovely and genuine person and her car is exceptionally nice. She has cherished and enjoyed it and been very particular about it.

It looks like you are very particular too and not going to jump in feet first, you have been looking for over a year it seems from the posts on here.  It's a car that should not be missed. 

All Lotus should be viewed by prospective purchasers on all round condition and maintenance, mileage is a secondary consideration, as with many other cars.  Low mileage Garage Queens may be beautiful but hide a plethora of problems due to lack of use. 

Good luck

[AlanG]

The seller is great. Couldn’t ask for better. Just couldn’t figure out the servicing as listed in the service book.

Thank you 

[Bird]

If I’m not mistaken the car you were talking about has just been put up for auction on eBay at £18k although it looks like there is a higher reserve.  Down from when you posted about it in August.