Need some help & guidance over buying an S2 please

[S1 Hunter]

Have spotted an S2 RaceTech for sale. 2000 model in red, 19,000 miles, 2 previous keepers. HPI checked and clear. Owner claims car has never had any paintwork. FSH but with a BMW dealer. Owner claiming the next service is 1,000 miles away. Should I be concerned about this and the BMW history?? The price is £15,000.

If anyone could offer any opinions on this car, the value for money is represents or S2's in general I'd be most grateful.

Here's a link to the car.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2488493159&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Thanks.

[Davey S1]

No idea why you would have a Lotus serviced by a BMW dealer. It also seems quite cheap for an S2.

Have it checked out by someone who knows what they are doing (not an AA check). Tons around for sale so shop around and be picky

[swhittley]

I looked at this one too - it's probably the cheapest S2 I've seen for sale, to be honest that kinda put me off - I figured it was too good to be true.

I'd recommend at minimum an HPI check and a full inspection, if you're paying that little you'd be as well too!

I've always had a problem with cars on ebay, with the bid being binding you should in theory get the check done before you know you're going to win - potential to spend a lot of cash on cars you might never win.

S1 Hunter said:

Have spotted an S2 RaceTech for sale. 2000 model in red, 19,000 miles, 2 previous keepers. HPI checked and clear. Owner claims car has never had any paintwork. FSH but with a BMW dealer. Owner claiming the next service is 1,000 miles away. Should I be concerned about this and the BMW history?? The price is £15,000. If anyone could offer any opinions on this car, the value for money is represents or S2's in general I'd be most grateful. Here's a link to the car. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2488493159&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT Thanks.

[swhittley]

Pressumably you don't rate AA inspections on Elises - would be interested to hear if you (or others) have any reason to think they aren't up to much. I've never had one done by them but had always thought I would if I found an Elise I thought was the right one.

Davey S1 said:

No idea why you would have a Lotus serviced by a BMW dealer. It also seems quite cheap for an S2. Have it checked out by someone who knows what they are doing (not an AA check). Tons around for sale so shop around and be picky

>> Edited by swhittley on Sunday 5th September 20:56

[S Works]

swhittley said:

Pressumably you don't rate AA inspections on Elises - would be interested to hear if you (or others) have any reason to think they aren't up to much. I've never had one done by them but had always thought I would if I found an Elise I thought was the right one.

Not worth the money IMHO. They don't really check that much and it's not in any depth. Get a good Lotus specialist to give it a once over... will cost about the same and you'll have the peace of mind that someone who knows these cars intimately will be giving it some scrutiny.

[mustard]

S Works said:

swhittley said: Pressumably you don't rate AA inspections on Elises - would be interested to hear if you (or others) have any reason to think they aren't up to much. I've never had one done by them but had always thought I would if I found an Elise I thought was the right one. Not worth the money IMHO. They don't really check that much and it's not in any depth. Get a good Lotus specialist to give it a once over... will cost about the same and you'll have the peace of mind that someone who knows these cars intimately will be giving it some scrutiny.

We had some muppet have a Boxster inspected by AA/RAC cant remember which, they reckoned it had had a bang because the one air vent on the one side sat differently to the other.....problem is all early boxsters are like this! Its they way there made! Doh

But how many Boxsters had the guy inspected, not many if any before i expect.

Leave them to the run of the mill cars, but still bloody expense!

[topkat]

I bought a 2002 Mk2 Elise last November on Ebay, only 2000 miles for 14700 pounds. A bloody bargain, and nothing wrong with the car,totally unmarked.. I even got a spare set of wheels and tyres.
I flew to Birmingham from New Zealand pick the car up and ship it home.