Buying a lotus, should I be worried, would you be?
Discussion
Lotus have been on the verge of going under practically since the company was founded; I genuinely can't see any reason to believe that this time will be any different.
Of course I might be wrong, but that's always a risk you take buying a car from a small volume manufacturer. It's just a question of whether you'd rather take that risk or drive a bland German thing for the rest of your life.
Of course I might be wrong, but that's always a risk you take buying a car from a small volume manufacturer. It's just a question of whether you'd rather take that risk or drive a bland German thing for the rest of your life.
A few points, re the evora, I have driven one & it's the best handling car I've driven in years 
it really is that fantastic.
The point about lotus always being in the s
t, well yes they kind of have, but this time it looks like they're on the brink. Not paying suppliers? I'm not sure how they intend in building more cars if that's the case.
As kambites says what are the other options, they may not be bland or German but then they may not be as stupendously fantastic as the lotus evora.
But, if they do go under who wants to be stuck with an obsolete car with limited parts availability & no warrenty?
it really is that fantastic.The point about lotus always being in the s
t, well yes they kind of have, but this time it looks like they're on the brink. Not paying suppliers? I'm not sure how they intend in building more cars if that's the case.As kambites says what are the other options, they may not be bland or German but then they may not be as stupendously fantastic as the lotus evora.
But, if they do go under who wants to be stuck with an obsolete car with limited parts availability & no warrenty?
LaurasOtherHalf said:
kambites said:
Have you ever actually heard of parts availability being a problem when a manufacturer goes under? I don't think I have.
I'm not sure, I think I just assumed it with a low volume seller like lotus, what was the situation like with tvr?
Ozzie Osmond said:
Agreed.
The major mechanical bits from Toyota ought to be dependable. As regards the rest of the car there will surely be enough Lotus soecialists still in existence to keep things rolling along. Don't panic.
Some stuff might even get cheaper with no fear of legal action. Bodywork should be easy enough to copy in GRP or CF and the specialists can have a go at that market in earnest. The major mechanical bits from Toyota ought to be dependable. As regards the rest of the car there will surely be enough Lotus soecialists still in existence to keep things rolling along. Don't panic.
Biggest worry would be the chassis IMO, these will have to keep coming from whoever is doing them now (is that still Hydro?) or someone will have to invest a good amount to get that production process right.
I really doubt they will go under though. Cmon, Tony. You know you want to
.LaurasOtherHalf said:
A few points, re the evora, I have driven one & it's the best handling car I've driven in years it really is that fantastic.
The point about lotus always being in the st, well yes they kind of have, but this time it looks like they're on the brink. Not paying suppliers? I'm not sure how they intend in building more cars if that's the case.
Lots of people on PH drive cars where the manufactuer no longer exists. There is always specialists stepping into the gap to keep the cars going. it really is that fantastic.The point about lotus always being in the s
t, well yes they kind of have, but this time it looks like they're on the brink. Not paying suppliers? I'm not sure how they intend in building more cars if that's the case.wessexrfc said:
I would ask the cost for replacing the clutch, as these cars are getting to that second hand milage point where the clutch might need replaceing it might be worth checking.
Really? I've never replaced the clutch in a car at under 100k miles. Suspension is more likely to be on the way out, I'd imagine, at least if the Elise is anything to go by. wessexrfc said:
I would ask the cost for replacing the clutch, as these cars are getting to that second hand milage point where the clutch might need replaceing it might be worth checking.
Utter garbage. Why would a 30k mile car need a clutch replaced? Lotus has a huge support network behind it and loads of specialists. Warranty may be an issue though if they do go under. Buy one thats had all the initial niggles ironed out.
Or a 997GT3?
wessexrfc said:
I would ask the cost for replacing the clutch, as these cars are getting to that second hand milage point where the clutch might need replaceing it might be worth checking.
Apparently they are extremely expensive to change, not sure how many miles is average for one to last however?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff