A test drive

A test drive

Author
Discussion

matt willson

Original Poster:

10 posts

186 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Not long got back from having a good look at this. Seemed a nice straight car. Small amount of kerbing, roof wrap needs to come off. A couple of things which were concerning me a bit;
The cars been in Southern Ireland for about 18 months but the dealers bought it back over. Something they regularly do.
It's sort of missed a service as it was last done sometime in 2014. They're happy to get it serviced before being sold.
Bit of wear and tear on the bolster and sill panel, to be expected I guess?
But mainly there was a bit of a rattle/ grumble after pulling off. At first I thought it was just after changing gear, but it did it a couple of times when I hadn't used the clutch but just pulling off from lower revs. I appreciate that the engine and box are pretty close so noises are more apparent. Talking of he clutch the pedal felt heavy compared to modern cars, I don't remember my Elise being heavy.
Also it had a twin tipped exhaust which was almost blue. Is this standard?
Thanks.

Edited by matt willson on Thursday 28th July 20:04

Boogs

406 posts

143 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
A bit of rumble from the transmission is pretty normal.

Clutches are always a bit heavier than an average car, but if really heavy can be wear.

Seat bolster wear and sill are common, but easily sorted.

A slash ended blue exhaust is likely the lotus sport exhaust - that's good. Might be worth checking it also has the 3rd decat.

Boogs

406 posts

143 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
A bit of rumble from the transmission is pretty normal.

Clutches are always a bit heavier than an average car, but if really heavy can be wear.

Seat bolster wear and sill are common, but easily sorted.

A slash ended blue exhaust is likely the lotus sport exhaust - that's good. Might be worth checking it also has the 3rd decat.

Edited by Boogs on Thursday 28th July 20:40

matt willson

Original Poster:

10 posts

186 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
Cheers, guess I'm gonna have to travel to try another. Might try and do some ringing around where it was serviced, as there's no paperwork. Only a stamped up book.

blueg33

35,843 posts

224 months

Friday 29th July 2016
quotequote all
If you call Lotus customer services they can tell you what warranty work has been done.

Noisy grumbly transmission is normal i have stopped worrying about it. Clutch as above, heavyish.

Check headlamps for peeling lacquer (£200 to fix) and all lights for failed LED's as these can only be fixed by replacing entire units and the headlights are expensive.

Check door handles and locks operate smoothly, quite a few have been done under warranty and the design changed post 2012.

blueg33

35,843 posts

224 months

Friday 29th July 2016
quotequote all
It may have been supplied by Lotus Silverstone at some point. Give them a call they may have info. The circuit sticker on the back is the clue.

matt willson

Original Poster:

10 posts

186 months

Friday 29th July 2016
quotequote all
Cheers, it did have a few stamps from lotus silverstone.