First time buyer - dealer or private?
Discussion
Hi fellas, I've just about scraped together enough cash to finally get an Elise - after lusting after one since they first came out. 
Anyway, my question is; as a mechanically retarded buyer, should I go to a reputable dealer (and pay for the peace of mind& 12 mth warranty) or buy privately and get more for my money? I'm looking at an early S2 (120bhp) at around £11-£13k.
I've heard that the AA type inspections are useless as they don't take the undertray off, and I can't imagine a private seller wanting to have their car pored over (at their inconvenience) at a garage. Are there any other options for inspections? And am I right to worry or would it be easy enough to pick a good private one (armed with some PH buyers guide info)?
Cheers for any advice you can give,
Tim
Anyway, my question is; as a mechanically retarded buyer, should I go to a reputable dealer (and pay for the peace of mind& 12 mth warranty) or buy privately and get more for my money? I'm looking at an early S2 (120bhp) at around £11-£13k.
I've heard that the AA type inspections are useless as they don't take the undertray off, and I can't imagine a private seller wanting to have their car pored over (at their inconvenience) at a garage. Are there any other options for inspections? And am I right to worry or would it be easy enough to pick a good private one (armed with some PH buyers guide info)?
Cheers for any advice you can give,
Tim
Personally I'd trust a specialist Lotus dealer, if they're offering a warranty, as that would give some genuine peace of mind they'll look after you.
If buying private or from a non-specialist, I'd be paying to have either a full inspection in a Lotus workshop, or at very least be taking a respected lotus mechanic to inspect it as best possible at the roadside.
Remember you can also take out your own warranty if you buy private, something I'd recommend considering.
HTH
If buying private or from a non-specialist, I'd be paying to have either a full inspection in a Lotus workshop, or at very least be taking a respected lotus mechanic to inspect it as best possible at the roadside.
Remember you can also take out your own warranty if you buy private, something I'd recommend considering.
HTH
I went through the same thing last year and ended up buying privately - but it did have the balance of around 9 months Lotus warranty. Personally I think as long as the service history checks out - call the garage who did the last service? - HPI clear etc, the savings I made over buying through a dealer is an emergency fund for anything that crops up. Just had it serviced after owning it for around 9 months and all okay.
I am not mechanically minded either so for me the balance of the warranty, the fact that it had been owned by an enthusiast and full details on previous service history gave me the peace of mind to buy it and bank the saving. I am sure there are experts out there to do check overs if you want the extra security.
Good luck with your search - I wish I had taken the plunge ten years ago!
I am not mechanically minded either so for me the balance of the warranty, the fact that it had been owned by an enthusiast and full details on previous service history gave me the peace of mind to buy it and bank the saving. I am sure there are experts out there to do check overs if you want the extra security.
Good luck with your search - I wish I had taken the plunge ten years ago!
With the Elise your bound to find loved examples that experience OCD TLC from owners, so do not discount buying privatly, I bought privatly at twice that budget becasue I found a mint example (Well pretty much as new with only 4.5K on the clock), but equally I have found the dealers to be excellent.
So find a minter, well cared example, even high milers with extensive service history will be fine, as long as you follow the pointers from the guides etc.
Should enjoy the rest of the summer in it then !!!
Enjoy and good luck.....
So find a minter, well cared example, even high milers with extensive service history will be fine, as long as you follow the pointers from the guides etc.
Should enjoy the rest of the summer in it then !!!
Enjoy and good luck.....
Tim,
I've just bought an early S2 privately, having looked at dealer and private prices for a good few months. I would suggest just looking at everything available and choose the best car that you find, whether that be more expensive with a warranty or a private sale with cash in your pocket for a rainy day.
I always thought that I would buy from a dealer (or more specifically, a specialist) but I was happy with the history and everything else of the car that I found. Touch wood and fingers crossed, and all that...
I've just bought an early S2 privately, having looked at dealer and private prices for a good few months. I would suggest just looking at everything available and choose the best car that you find, whether that be more expensive with a warranty or a private sale with cash in your pocket for a rainy day.
I always thought that I would buy from a dealer (or more specifically, a specialist) but I was happy with the history and everything else of the car that I found. Touch wood and fingers crossed, and all that...
I doubt any genuine private seller would object to having a specizalist look over his car. If I were selling I'd be quiet happy to accept that the potential purchaser would want to have the car independanty inspected prior to handing over his cash.
I bought from a specialist sports car dealer and when I discovered the cam belt was overdue they put the car into a Lotus dealer to have it done at their expense, couldn't ask fairer than that. With the knowledge I've built up since buying my car I'd be more than happy to buy for myself privately now though. I'd look at both options and get the best car you can for your cash and if buying privately try and buy from an enthusiast as they tend to go a bit OTT with the TLC. For the same reason don't let a track history put you off. Privately tracked cars tend to be lavished with love mechanically.
I bought from a specialist sports car dealer and when I discovered the cam belt was overdue they put the car into a Lotus dealer to have it done at their expense, couldn't ask fairer than that. With the knowledge I've built up since buying my car I'd be more than happy to buy for myself privately now though. I'd look at both options and get the best car you can for your cash and if buying privately try and buy from an enthusiast as they tend to go a bit OTT with the TLC. For the same reason don't let a track history put you off. Privately tracked cars tend to be lavished with love mechanically.
I was considering buying from a dealer, but had a car to PX. Dealer would offer me peanuts for this and top price for buying the Lotus. I was fortunate to find someone wanting a small runabout who was selling a Lotus. Got a deal I couldn't resist. Was always 'serviced' by the same dealer other than its first year at Hethel, although the wheelnuts were seized and questions about quality dealer servicing after that, especially when an independant has just done the C service and the brake fluid was black as night. I would always get a car with value serviced at a recommended independant now and inspected at an independant also or take along a very knowledgable local club member.
TIPPER said:
I doubt any genuine private seller would object to having a specizalist look over his car. If I were selling I'd be quiet happy to accept that the potential purchaser would want to have the car independanty inspected prior to handing over his cash.
I bought from a specialist sports car dealer and when I discovered the cam belt was overdue they put the car into a Lotus dealer to have it done at their expense, couldn't ask fairer than that. With the knowledge I've built up since buying my car I'd be more than happy to buy for myself privately now though. I'd look at both options and get the best car you can for your cash and if buying privately try and buy from an enthusiast as they tend to go a bit OTT with the TLC. For the same reason don't let a track history put you off. Privately tracked cars tend to be lavished with love mechanically.
The man speaks sense. And his name's Tim too. And so is mine. We wouldn't lie to another Timmo! I bought from a specialist sports car dealer and when I discovered the cam belt was overdue they put the car into a Lotus dealer to have it done at their expense, couldn't ask fairer than that. With the knowledge I've built up since buying my car I'd be more than happy to buy for myself privately now though. I'd look at both options and get the best car you can for your cash and if buying privately try and buy from an enthusiast as they tend to go a bit OTT with the TLC. For the same reason don't let a track history put you off. Privately tracked cars tend to be lavished with love mechanically.
I bought a Europa privately last year. Had inspection done by Bell & Coville, think it cost about £100. SDeller was happy to take it there, and B&C were then able to offer to sell me a Lotus warranty for next 30 days. I decided against it after talking to Lotus direct about reliability etc. In the end, I had a friendly local dealer act as middleman in the purchase for me, as I wanted to part finance, and finance companies wouldn't go for a private loan against a private purchase.
If you an get a significantly better deal, then go private, but otherwise I'd go dealer tbh. Even though seller I dealt with was totally straight, there is definitely a hassle factor with arranging payment, trusting each other, collection etc, not to mention warranty/preparation costs and comeback if anything goes wrong.
If you an get a significantly better deal, then go private, but otherwise I'd go dealer tbh. Even though seller I dealt with was totally straight, there is definitely a hassle factor with arranging payment, trusting each other, collection etc, not to mention warranty/preparation costs and comeback if anything goes wrong.
The way I've always looked on dealer v private is that, generally, you save around 2k (or more) going private.
Now that gives you 2k's worth of repairs necessary within one year for you to be hitting even.....or you are 2k up if the car makes it through the year
Sure, a good dealer who won't arse you around if repairs are needed, will give peace of mind for that first year.....but if the car needs 2 grand of work within months it was a bit of a lemon anyway.
I would always go private - just take the time to get a good deal, sensible sounding owner, decent service record ( and again, I most certainly do not baulk at DIY servicing with loads of receipts....in fact,I tend to believe that is a meticulous owner who has ensured the work was done properly).
There are lots of good cars out there, not least as Lotus owners tend to be enthusiasts who want their cars both to look good and drive good.
No need to pay through the nose at dealers, methinks.
Now that gives you 2k's worth of repairs necessary within one year for you to be hitting even.....or you are 2k up if the car makes it through the year
Sure, a good dealer who won't arse you around if repairs are needed, will give peace of mind for that first year.....but if the car needs 2 grand of work within months it was a bit of a lemon anyway.
I would always go private - just take the time to get a good deal, sensible sounding owner, decent service record ( and again, I most certainly do not baulk at DIY servicing with loads of receipts....in fact,I tend to believe that is a meticulous owner who has ensured the work was done properly).
There are lots of good cars out there, not least as Lotus owners tend to be enthusiasts who want their cars both to look good and drive good.
No need to pay through the nose at dealers, methinks.
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