silly way to sell a rare classic
Discussion
looks like a nice Lotus Elan Sprint, crazy way to sell it quick and not to spend a small amount of time or money getting it running:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELAN-SPRINT-71-/17...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELAN-SPRINT-71-/17...
Edited by rallycross on Wednesday 2nd November 22:16
My gut feeling, on reading the ad, is that the vendor is not being entirely forthcoming about the problems.
If it really was a damaged solenoid, he'd have replaced it, as you would for a friend.
'Engine has been run occasionally' could mean anything. I don't buy it I'm afraid - the advertiser speaks with forked tongue
If it really was a damaged solenoid, he'd have replaced it, as you would for a friend.
'Engine has been run occasionally' could mean anything. I don't buy it I'm afraid - the advertiser speaks with forked tongue
volvos60s60 said:
My gut feeling, on reading the ad, is that the vendor is not being entirely forthcoming about the problems.
If it really was a damaged solenoid, he'd have replaced it, as you would for a friend.
'Engine has been run occasionally' could mean anything. I don't buy it I'm afraid - the advertiser speaks with forked tongue
I think so too, does not make sense otherwise.If it really was a damaged solenoid, he'd have replaced it, as you would for a friend.
'Engine has been run occasionally' could mean anything. I don't buy it I'm afraid - the advertiser speaks with forked tongue
volvos60s60 said:
My gut feeling, on reading the ad, is that the vendor is not being entirely forthcoming about the problems.
According to the advert, it's not the vendor's car, it belonged to the late husband of a friend, of a friend of the vendor, so the vendor isn't really going to know the car inside out, with all the issues it might have.volvos60s60 said:
..........If it really was a damaged solenoid, he'd have replaced it, as you would for a friend.
Again, according to the advert, the vendor isn't a friend of the owner, they're a friend of a friend of the owner, and the vendor does state: "I`m a serial and multiple Elan owner and long time Club Lotus member, no mechanical whizz...", so I seriously doubt that they're inclined to start working on a car that they've simply been asked to sell, on behalf of the owner.volvos60s60 said:
......'Engine has been run occasionally' could mean anything.
The advert states: "A friend asked me to help her friend sell her late husband`s pride and joy which she kept for sentimental reasons............"
That would say to Me that the Husband passed away some time ago and his widow simply couldn't bear to let the car go until now.
I would say that: "Engine run occasionally", means that since the Husbands passing away, rather than the car never being fired up ever again, every few months it was fired up and run for a short period of time to keep the engine freed up, and to move the oil and coolant around the engine - Nothing more, nothing less.
volvos60s60 said:
I don't buy it I'm afraid - the advertiser speaks with forked tongue
TBH, I think you're reading far too much into the advert that isn't really there! (Or you simply haven't bothered to read the advert properly!).Let's try and clarify the advert for you:
It's not the vendor's car.
It's not the vendor's friends car.
The car belonged to the Husband of friend of a friend of the vendor.
The Husband died some time ago and the car was left to his widow who couldn't bear to part with it.
Since the husbands death, the car has been fired up occasionally to help prevent the engine from seizing up.
Now the time has come that she feels she can part with it and her friend has probably said: "I've got s friend who owns several of these, I'll ask him to sell it for you!"
The car has some sort of starting issue now which the vendor is guessing at what the fault might be, but the vendor clearly states that they are not a car mechanic (suggesting to Me that they are not in a position to try and fix the fault, and they are not going to spend time and money on a car that they don't own)
It is possible that the vendor's tale is a complete cock and bull story - But then again, it's quite possible that the vendor's tale is simply the truth!
4rephill said:
TBH, I think you're reading far too much into the advert that isn't really there! (Or you simply haven't bothered to read the advert properly!).
Let's try and clarify the advert for you:
It's not the vendor's car.
It's not the vendor's friends car.
The car belonged to the Husband of friend of a friend of the vendor.
The Husband died some time ago and the car was left to his widow who couldn't bear to part with it.
Since the husbands death, the car has been fired up occasionally to help prevent the engine from seizing up.
Now the time has come that she feels she can part with it and her friend has probably said: "I've got s friend who owns several of these, I'll ask him to sell it for you!"
The car has some sort of starting issue now which the vendor is guessing at what the fault might be, but the vendor clearly states that they are not a car mechanic (suggesting to Me that they are not in a position to try and fix the fault, and they are not going to spend time and money on a car that they don't own)
It is possible that the vendor's tale is a complete cock and bull story - But then again, it's quite possible that the vendor's tale is simply the truth!
I did not use the word 'owner'. I was in fact very careful to use the word 'vendor' as that is what he is, on behalf of a 'friend of a friend', if that is true, rather than perhaps a dealer or someone trying to make a quick turn.Let's try and clarify the advert for you:
It's not the vendor's car.
It's not the vendor's friends car.
The car belonged to the Husband of friend of a friend of the vendor.
The Husband died some time ago and the car was left to his widow who couldn't bear to part with it.
Since the husbands death, the car has been fired up occasionally to help prevent the engine from seizing up.
Now the time has come that she feels she can part with it and her friend has probably said: "I've got s friend who owns several of these, I'll ask him to sell it for you!"
The car has some sort of starting issue now which the vendor is guessing at what the fault might be, but the vendor clearly states that they are not a car mechanic (suggesting to Me that they are not in a position to try and fix the fault, and they are not going to spend time and money on a car that they don't own)
It is possible that the vendor's tale is a complete cock and bull story - But then again, it's quite possible that the vendor's tale is simply the truth!
All of that notwithstanding, the advert may be genuine, or it may not. My gut feeling is that the vendor knows more than he cares to let on. It is of course all academic, but any bidder should tread carefully & not necessarily assume the vendor is as pure as the driven snow, imho of course.
To assume the worst prevents disappointment. To assume the best means you have to be lucky to avoid disappointment. LOTUS - Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious!
volvos60s60 said:
4rephill said:
TBH, I think you're reading far too much into the advert that isn't really there! (Or you simply haven't bothered to read the advert properly!).
Let's try and clarify the advert for you:
It's not the vendor's car.
It's not the vendor's friends car.
The car belonged to the Husband of friend of a friend of the vendor.
The Husband died some time ago and the car was left to his widow who couldn't bear to part with it.
Since the husbands death, the car has been fired up occasionally to help prevent the engine from seizing up.
Now the time has come that she feels she can part with it and her friend has probably said: "I've got s friend who owns several of these, I'll ask him to sell it for you!"
The car has some sort of starting issue now which the vendor is guessing at what the fault might be, but the vendor clearly states that they are not a car mechanic (suggesting to Me that they are not in a position to try and fix the fault, and they are not going to spend time and money on a car that they don't own)
It is possible that the vendor's tale is a complete cock and bull story - But then again, it's quite possible that the vendor's tale is simply the truth!
I did not use the word 'owner'. I was in fact very careful to use the word 'vendor' as that is what he is, on behalf of a 'friend of a friend', if that is true, rather than perhaps a dealer or someone trying to make a quick turn.Let's try and clarify the advert for you:
It's not the vendor's car.
It's not the vendor's friends car.
The car belonged to the Husband of friend of a friend of the vendor.
The Husband died some time ago and the car was left to his widow who couldn't bear to part with it.
Since the husbands death, the car has been fired up occasionally to help prevent the engine from seizing up.
Now the time has come that she feels she can part with it and her friend has probably said: "I've got s friend who owns several of these, I'll ask him to sell it for you!"
The car has some sort of starting issue now which the vendor is guessing at what the fault might be, but the vendor clearly states that they are not a car mechanic (suggesting to Me that they are not in a position to try and fix the fault, and they are not going to spend time and money on a car that they don't own)
It is possible that the vendor's tale is a complete cock and bull story - But then again, it's quite possible that the vendor's tale is simply the truth!
All of that notwithstanding, the advert may be genuine, or it may not. My gut feeling is that the vendor knows more than he cares to let on. It is of course all academic, but any bidder should tread carefully & not necessarily assume the vendor is as pure as the driven snow, imho of course.
To assume the worst prevents disappointment. To assume the best means you have to be lucky to avoid disappointment. LOTUS - Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious!
Edited by M3333 on Saturday 5th November 08:01
In fact, considering the vendor says he is 'no mechanical whizz' the photo shows he has a remarkably well organised & equipped garage. Maybe he enjoys polishing his spanners & then neatly orgainising them in size order on a wall rack, or maybe, just maybe, he is a little more knowledgeable than we are led to believe
The subtext seems to be 'I know enough about Elans to know that this one has problems...'.
I'd either buy a fully restored car for the going price, or a basket case knowing that it needs a lot of money spending on it, buying a mid-priced car that the vendors friend says 'has no known issues' but doesn't start let alone run is just asking for trouble.
I'd either buy a fully restored car for the going price, or a basket case knowing that it needs a lot of money spending on it, buying a mid-priced car that the vendors friend says 'has no known issues' but doesn't start let alone run is just asking for trouble.
CRA1G said:
I can't see no mention in the advert that it started life as a fixed Head...! But a causal mention in the Vid it's had the roof Cut off.... and you would only know by the vin numbers...!
Imagine there must be some increased chassis flex and scuttle shake if you cut the roof of an elan.Edited by rallycross on Saturday 5th November 11:52
volvos60s60 said:
I did not use the word 'owner'. I was in fact very careful to use the word 'vendor' as that is what he is, on behalf of a 'friend of a friend', if that is true, rather than perhaps a dealer or someone trying to make a quick turn.
All of that notwithstanding, the advert may be genuine, or it may not. My gut feeling is that the vendor knows more than he cares to let on. It is of course all academic, but any bidder should tread carefully & not necessarily assume the vendor is as pure as the driven snow, imho of course.
To assume the worst prevents disappointment. To assume the best means you have to be lucky to avoid disappointment. LOTUS - Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious!
Personally, I'd prefer to get a lot more evidence of the situation before declaring it to be some sort of scam.All of that notwithstanding, the advert may be genuine, or it may not. My gut feeling is that the vendor knows more than he cares to let on. It is of course all academic, but any bidder should tread carefully & not necessarily assume the vendor is as pure as the driven snow, imho of course.
To assume the worst prevents disappointment. To assume the best means you have to be lucky to avoid disappointment. LOTUS - Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious!
If the additional evidence isn't convincing then you can always walk away from the deal.
I hope you never have to do any Jury duty - It seems you'd make your mind up on the defendant as soon as the charges were read out, and long before any evidence was presented!
4rephill said:
Personally, I'd prefer to get a lot more evidence of the situation before declaring it to be some sort of scam.
If the additional evidence isn't convincing then you can always walk away from the deal.
I hope you never have to do any Jury duty - It seems you'd make your mind up on the defendant as soon as the charges were read out, and long before any evidence was presented!
Did I say scam? Please read my words, the meaning is clearly represented by my choice & use of themIf the additional evidence isn't convincing then you can always walk away from the deal.
I hope you never have to do any Jury duty - It seems you'd make your mind up on the defendant as soon as the charges were read out, and long before any evidence was presented!
rallycross said:
Imagine there must be some increased chassis flex and scuttle shake if you cut the roof of an elan.
Not the case, its how the factory made them.Edited by rallycross on Saturday 5th November 11:52
Quite a few were sold as FHC and converted to DHC though, and have a reduced value due to it.
4rephill said:
Personally, I'd prefer to get a lot more evidence of the situation before declaring it to be some sort of scam.
If the additional evidence isn't convincing then you can always walk away from the deal.
I hope you never have to do any Jury duty - It seems you'd make your mind up on the defendant as soon as the charges were read out, and long before any evidence was presented!
I wouldn't call it a scam exactly, but there are indications that the vendor is being "economical" in his approach.If the additional evidence isn't convincing then you can always walk away from the deal.
I hope you never have to do any Jury duty - It seems you'd make your mind up on the defendant as soon as the charges were read out, and long before any evidence was presented!
His bidding history shows that he knows his way around Elans. He's sold them before and also regularly sells Elan spares, plus spares for other classic cars.
He's going to an awful lot of trouble for someone else's car and yet he can't be bothered to change the solenoid which is literally a five minute job and would massively increase the value of the car.
It may well all be genuine but I remain sceptical and would approach with extreme caution.
mph said:
I wouldn't call it a scam exactly, but there are indications that the vendor is being "economical" in his approach.
His bidding history shows that he knows his way around Elans. He's sold them before and also regularly sells Elan spares, plus spares for other classic cars.
He's going to an awful lot of trouble for someone else's car and yet he can't be bothered to change the solenoid which is literally a five minute job and would massively increase the value of the car.
It may well all be genuine but I remain sceptical and would approach with extreme caution.
I was sceptical and approached with extreme caution. The vendor was a long term and well known lotus guy and a genuine guy. The car was as advertised. His bidding history shows that he knows his way around Elans. He's sold them before and also regularly sells Elan spares, plus spares for other classic cars.
He's going to an awful lot of trouble for someone else's car and yet he can't be bothered to change the solenoid which is literally a five minute job and would massively increase the value of the car.
It may well all be genuine but I remain sceptical and would approach with extreme caution.
and I bought it!
Happy times of Elan Sprint ownership to come I hope!
(and before the risk averse "Lots of Trouble Usually Serious" etc comments start - I am also a long term classic lotus guy so I haven't gone in blind, although I'll admit to always having my rose tinted glasses on when seeing an old Lotus - but that's a good thing and makes life more interesting)
S..
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