the importance of the service book stamp?
Discussion
to me, it means little, other than i know its been taken to that garage. seeing receipts for work carried out carries more weight to me. yet to some people, the service book stamp is vital.
i was told when buying/looking for an elise, to check the service book over just about anything else. why i wonder? it doesn't tell me much of what was done or anything. so why is it so important to people? ive never got it. the elise is the first car ive actually taken to a garage to get serviced just so i could get the stamp, as im worried about resale time, the potential buyer would walk without service stamps. it really does seem silly.
i was told when buying/looking for an elise, to check the service book over just about anything else. why i wonder? it doesn't tell me much of what was done or anything. so why is it so important to people? ive never got it. the elise is the first car ive actually taken to a garage to get serviced just so i could get the stamp, as im worried about resale time, the potential buyer would walk without service stamps. it really does seem silly.
It's a double edged sword. Newbies will want a FSH, preferably FLSH. The mistake they and many make is that they believe a qualified mechanic is a good mechanic.
Of course for many this is true, but a FSH can still mean shoddy work and a car in miserable condition.
On early Elises, cars priced around 8-9k, it doesn't make too much sense to worry about service stamps. The lack of a FSH will at most mean 500 poounds or so off your asking....so long as you keep records and receipts.
All down to how you feel and how well you know the mechanic(s). A FSH will attract more buyers when you wish to sell, no doubt about that.
But a friend of mine always does his own work, keeps every receipt ( right down to sump plug washers ) and then pays for an independent inspection before selling. This comes back with an excellent recommendation of the car right NOW.
He has either got his asking price or even more.
Of course for many this is true, but a FSH can still mean shoddy work and a car in miserable condition.
On early Elises, cars priced around 8-9k, it doesn't make too much sense to worry about service stamps. The lack of a FSH will at most mean 500 poounds or so off your asking....so long as you keep records and receipts.
All down to how you feel and how well you know the mechanic(s). A FSH will attract more buyers when you wish to sell, no doubt about that.
But a friend of mine always does his own work, keeps every receipt ( right down to sump plug washers ) and then pays for an independent inspection before selling. This comes back with an excellent recommendation of the car right NOW.
He has either got his asking price or even more.
jondude said:
He has either got his asking price or even more.
would love to see that in action.buyer makes contact with seller, seller says a price he wants to sell the car for.
buyer turns up, sees how wonderful a car without history but with a inspection really is, and then gives more money ??
jondude said:
It's a double edged sword. Newbies will want a FSH, preferably FLSH. The mistake they and many make is that they believe a qualified mechanic is a good mechanic.
Of course for many this is true, but a FSH can still mean shoddy work and a car in miserable condition.
On early Elises, cars priced around 8-9k, it doesn't make too much sense to worry about service stamps. The lack of a FSH will at most mean 500 poounds or so off your asking....so long as you keep records and receipts.
All down to how you feel and how well you know the mechanic(s). A FSH will attract more buyers when you wish to sell, no doubt about that.
But a friend of mine always does his own work, keeps every receipt ( right down to sump plug washers ) and then pays for an independent inspection before selling. This comes back with an excellent recommendation of the car right NOW.
He has either got his asking price or even more.
i was that way with previous cars, but a couple of lotus owning friends(sure, they are not as mechanically minded as me) insist on the service as the most important thing.Of course for many this is true, but a FSH can still mean shoddy work and a car in miserable condition.
On early Elises, cars priced around 8-9k, it doesn't make too much sense to worry about service stamps. The lack of a FSH will at most mean 500 poounds or so off your asking....so long as you keep records and receipts.
All down to how you feel and how well you know the mechanic(s). A FSH will attract more buyers when you wish to sell, no doubt about that.
But a friend of mine always does his own work, keeps every receipt ( right down to sump plug washers ) and then pays for an independent inspection before selling. This comes back with an excellent recommendation of the car right NOW.
He has either got his asking price or even more.
i think from now on then ill do it myself on the elise unless its something i really dont want to tackle.
Pah, sorry Boggy but I disagree, largely due to some of the shocking service that you, I and others have had with main dealers in the past.
The most important thing is was it serviced regularly/on time, and who serviced it? Most of the independents are better than main dealers, largely because they often started at dealerships and decided they could do a better job, for less money, and do it because of their passion for the marque.
The most important thing is was it serviced regularly/on time, and who serviced it? Most of the independents are better than main dealers, largely because they often started at dealerships and decided they could do a better job, for less money, and do it because of their passion for the marque.
S Works said:
Pah, sorry Boggy but I disagree, largely due to some of the shocking service that you, I and others have had with main dealers in the past.
The most important thing is was it serviced regularly/on time, and who serviced it? Most of the independents are better than main dealers, largely because they often started at dealerships and decided they could do a better job, for less money, and do it because of their passion for the marque.
indeed ! wouldnt let the tools at my main dealers anywhere near mine, an independent that specialises, races and generally love lotus, that I see at car shows and races and are truely involved, rather than a tech that just does his 9-5The most important thing is was it serviced regularly/on time, and who serviced it? Most of the independents are better than main dealers, largely because they often started at dealerships and decided they could do a better job, for less money, and do it because of their passion for the marque.
will be a far far better bet !
Boggy said:
Hi All,
I wouldn't buy a Lotus that didn't have main dealer service history backed up by receipt's, I'd also check with each dealer. Your spending a lot of money you want peace of mind. It's the same with all car's I sell and buy
Boggy
Main dealers have never serviced my car to my satisfaction and have missed obvious faults and charged me high for this service. If anyone wants details PM through my profile. On the other hand I've had great service from the indies.I wouldn't buy a Lotus that didn't have main dealer service history backed up by receipt's, I'd also check with each dealer. Your spending a lot of money you want peace of mind. It's the same with all car's I sell and buy
Boggy
I agree that a car would be easier to sell to with a full dealer stamped book, I would never buy another car on this alone, condition, receipts and inspection would stand for a lot more.
S Works said:
Pah, sorry Boggy but I disagree, largely due to some of the shocking service that you, I and others have had with main dealers in the past.
The most important thing is was it serviced regularly/on time, and who serviced it? Most of the independents are better than main dealers, largely because they often started at dealerships and decided they could do a better job, for less money, and do it because of their passion for the marque.
Sorry Tim,The most important thing is was it serviced regularly/on time, and who serviced it? Most of the independents are better than main dealers, largely because they often started at dealerships and decided they could do a better job, for less money, and do it because of their passion for the marque.
I stand by what I said, I've always got good trade in value's for my car's and at least 75% people I know feel the same, you try selling a car for over 20k without it? you'll struggle if not impossible for main stream car's, Your car is a different kettle of fish as it's a converted car so it doesn't apply.
I'll put it this way you've got 30k to spend on a Porsche 911 you've narrowed it down to two, one's got full history main dealer and all receipt's etc, the other is newer and appears to be in slightly better condition but has specialist history, your telling me you'd buy that? Sorry mate I don't believe it
Also I've heard far more tales about specialist's then main dealer's and from you guy's on here, I'm not going to mention that thou
Boggy
Edited by Boggy on Friday 7th December 10:14
Take two 111R's, both with exactly the same spec, similar miles, both serviced on time with stamps etc.
One serviced by two or three main dealers, the names of whom I won't mention (but you know EXACTLY who I'm talking about), the other serviced by Lakeside, Steve Williams and Sinclaires.
Which one would I buy? The latter. Everytime.
One serviced by two or three main dealers, the names of whom I won't mention (but you know EXACTLY who I'm talking about), the other serviced by Lakeside, Steve Williams and Sinclaires.
Which one would I buy? The latter. Everytime.
S Works said:
Take two 111R's, both with exactly the same spec, similar miles, both serviced on time with stamps etc.
One serviced by two or three main dealers, the names of whom I won't mention (but you know EXACTLY who I'm talking about), the other serviced by Lakeside, Steve Williams and Sinclaires.
Which one would I buy? The latter. Everytime.
Nope I'd buy the main dealer car as I would then buy a warranty from LotusOne serviced by two or three main dealers, the names of whom I won't mention (but you know EXACTLY who I'm talking about), the other serviced by Lakeside, Steve Williams and Sinclaires.
Which one would I buy? The latter. Everytime.
Boggy
P.S. Trade-in value is a skewed number anyway, contingent not on the true market value of the car, but on a number of factors including the deal you're paying on the newer car.
Anyone who's done their homework would get a greater level of comfort from knowing that their car has been serviced by trusted indies, rather than some main dealers out there.
I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush, but it pays to know who's good, and who's not. Regardless of their affiliation to Lotus (i.e. franchised or not).
To blanket call every independent "worse" than every main dealer, is a nonsense.
Anyone who's done their homework would get a greater level of comfort from knowing that their car has been serviced by trusted indies, rather than some main dealers out there.
I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush, but it pays to know who's good, and who's not. Regardless of their affiliation to Lotus (i.e. franchised or not).
To blanket call every independent "worse" than every main dealer, is a nonsense.
S Works said:
P.S. Trade-in value is a skewed number anyway, contingent not on the true market value of the car, but on a number of factors including the deal you're paying on the newer car.
Anyone who's done their homework would get a greater level of comfort from knowing that their car has been serviced by trusted indies, rather than some main dealers out there.
I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush, but it pays to know who's good, and who's not. Regardless of their affiliation to Lotus (i.e. franchised or not).
To blanket call every independent "worse" than every main dealer, is a nonsense.
I'm not calling any dealer anything sir, just saying that I along with most other people would rather buy a quality used car with main dealer service onlyAnyone who's done their homework would get a greater level of comfort from knowing that their car has been serviced by trusted indies, rather than some main dealers out there.
I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush, but it pays to know who's good, and who's not. Regardless of their affiliation to Lotus (i.e. franchised or not).
To blanket call every independent "worse" than every main dealer, is a nonsense.
Boggy said:
buy a warranty from Lotus
But you'd buy your underpants from Lotus if you could 
Most people new to the marque would go for a set of dealer stamps in the book and take some reassurance from that - it does at least show that the owner wasn't afraid of spending a few quid on the car. Someone in the know wouldn't be put off by stamps and receipts from the right specialists.
It's a bit like mods, most newbies want an unmolested car and then get upgraditis whereas someone more experienced would buy a car with the right bits already on there.
I don't think it matters who has done the work as long as it's a reputable company. I would avoid cars that have been serviced by the owners and they just have receipts, there are too many Elises for sale at any given time to risk getting a dog that's been serviced by a an incompetent tightwad. I'm not saying everyone who does their own servicing is tight or incompetent BTW, just that buying four litres of Magnatec and a filter is cheaper than two hours at FGS and in some peoples eyes constitutes the same thing.
Boggy said:
S Works said:
Take two 111R's, both with exactly the same spec, similar miles, both serviced on time with stamps etc.
One serviced by two or three main dealers, the names of whom I won't mention (but you know EXACTLY who I'm talking about), the other serviced by Lakeside, Steve Williams and Sinclaires.
Which one would I buy? The latter. Everytime.
Nope I'd buy the main dealer car as I would then buy a warranty from LotusOne serviced by two or three main dealers, the names of whom I won't mention (but you know EXACTLY who I'm talking about), the other serviced by Lakeside, Steve Williams and Sinclaires.
Which one would I buy? The latter. Everytime.
Boggy
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