Discussion
I'm in the market for a used '90 or '91 SE and have been researching for almost 6 months. It seems dealers price WAY over book value on these cars, but there are so few is there any choice? I can't do an out of state private party purchase (credit union restriction) so I am feeling a little stuck as Washington State has slim pickings. Is it reasonable to pay over book on these cars if their history is good and they come from a reputable dealership? It sounds like a sure way to lose a lot of money. Any feedback would be appreciated...
If you follow ebay there was an auction that just closed at $21,600 for a 91 SE with 40K miles. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1844670964
Not in your state but a good price point to know. Have you tried other lending companies for a loan on a car from out of state? Higher rate could be more than offset by lower cost. Then refi later wiht CU?
I have just started my search for the same car as you...sorry and I think the one above was a good deal if it is not a problem car. I waited 15 years I can wait somemore. Good Luck
Dan
Not in your state but a good price point to know. Have you tried other lending companies for a loan on a car from out of state? Higher rate could be more than offset by lower cost. Then refi later wiht CU?
I have just started my search for the same car as you...sorry and I think the one above was a good deal if it is not a problem car. I waited 15 years I can wait somemore. Good Luck
Dan
Nada and CPI are low. They get their info from a cross section of sales. Many of the reported sales are an average from dealer sales, auctions and private sales. I don't know many private sales that are reported. I and many other owners I have talked too have never reported our transactions. Plus many of us really fib on the price we pay to get around paying full boat sales tax if they get access to DMV records. A lot of cars (not all) that show up on Ebay have sustained damage that have been repaired. I have seen quite a few with body modifications that make me wonder why it has been done. I think the recent black car was not all that great as reported by a list member but can not be sure. Many of the Ebay cars seem in great shape but the photos lack clear detail so it is unknown what they look like in person. Oh I'm sure you can get a fair low to mid 20's(what I call a 10 footer) cars that look good from 10 feet a way but shows many body ripples, cracks, and flaws. The minor mechanicals are easy to fix compared to the coveted flawless body and interior. All depends on what you want. You will pay 30K for an SE if it is a well maintained, flawless paint and interior with low 25-30K miles or under. There is a chance you may get a deal by someone that wants to unload a carpayments he wants to get out from. But more than likely many of the nice cars are owned out right. That is why we have the extra money to put into our cars and why they are the value they are. We only sell them to upgrade or to just get out of the hobby that we have spent so much time on. There is no value or discount on a 20K Esprit that one has to spend 5-8-10K to get it into shape it should be in. Just buy one that's already together right if you have to finance the Lotus. It is no fun making car payments then pay to have the car fixed or pay loads because someone did not maintain it right. If you are paying cash for the car and have extra money you can get a nice restoration hobby car because you enjoy working on cars is another matter.
Cnh1990
I concur with you that buying ANYTHING on Ebay is a gamble. What I am finding is that a lot of the cars for sale are there. I traded many emails with the owner of the car that went for 21,600 and got lots of details but it is not the same at being there.
I have concluded from my research about buying a used esprit that the best method is to get it checked out by a mechanic who is familiar with the cars. Problem is most of the cars are thousands of miles away making it difficult to get inspected. I last drove an Esprit in the 80’s and now that I can afford one my dealer in Sacramento, CA is out of business. SF if the closest but they only have new ones. Heck I am trying to decide between and SE or S4 or S4S by the cars specifications. I sure would rather like to drive them all before I choose a model and buy a car. I could fly all around the country looking at cars but I don’t have time with work and family and would rather put the cash from a $1,000 short notice airplane tickets into the car with some upgrades.
I think I will post a question to see if existing esprit owners would assist with inspecting a car(s) in their geographic area.
Dan
I concur with you that buying ANYTHING on Ebay is a gamble. What I am finding is that a lot of the cars for sale are there. I traded many emails with the owner of the car that went for 21,600 and got lots of details but it is not the same at being there.
I have concluded from my research about buying a used esprit that the best method is to get it checked out by a mechanic who is familiar with the cars. Problem is most of the cars are thousands of miles away making it difficult to get inspected. I last drove an Esprit in the 80’s and now that I can afford one my dealer in Sacramento, CA is out of business. SF if the closest but they only have new ones. Heck I am trying to decide between and SE or S4 or S4S by the cars specifications. I sure would rather like to drive them all before I choose a model and buy a car. I could fly all around the country looking at cars but I don’t have time with work and family and would rather put the cash from a $1,000 short notice airplane tickets into the car with some upgrades.
I think I will post a question to see if existing esprit owners would assist with inspecting a car(s) in their geographic area.
Dan
Dan,
That is the method I used for my purchase. I had a list member, a local Lotus club owner, then a mechanic check out the car. I then flew down to Ft. Lauderdale to see, then authrozie the mechanic to give it the full service and drive the car home over 2K miles. It was a good deal as I was the only one to repond to that ad for a while. I did end up buying it in the summer. A rare one owner 17K miles 90 SE. With current maintenence. It took me about a little over a year in my search. A lot more if you count the time I spent toying with the idea and looking for ads. I probably would have financed the right car if I found one but saved enough money to write a check when the SE came along. In your area the Golden Gate Lotus club would be a perfect place to ride in a Esprit. They are a great bunch of guy's and are helpfull. There is a nationwide presense of owners willing to pre-check a car to see if it is worthwhile to see a car in person. I am listed in the samaratian section of the Turbo Esprit data base with contact information if a person needs assistance if they have troubles while traveling in my area of the country. I am sure the same persons listed in the directory would be willing to precheck a car out in their area. Owners that have the same model of car know the problem areas they are prone too and very hard to fool.
Much luck in your quest,
Calvin
That is the method I used for my purchase. I had a list member, a local Lotus club owner, then a mechanic check out the car. I then flew down to Ft. Lauderdale to see, then authrozie the mechanic to give it the full service and drive the car home over 2K miles. It was a good deal as I was the only one to repond to that ad for a while. I did end up buying it in the summer. A rare one owner 17K miles 90 SE. With current maintenence. It took me about a little over a year in my search. A lot more if you count the time I spent toying with the idea and looking for ads. I probably would have financed the right car if I found one but saved enough money to write a check when the SE came along. In your area the Golden Gate Lotus club would be a perfect place to ride in a Esprit. They are a great bunch of guy's and are helpfull. There is a nationwide presense of owners willing to pre-check a car to see if it is worthwhile to see a car in person. I am listed in the samaratian section of the Turbo Esprit data base with contact information if a person needs assistance if they have troubles while traveling in my area of the country. I am sure the same persons listed in the directory would be willing to precheck a car out in their area. Owners that have the same model of car know the problem areas they are prone too and very hard to fool.
Much luck in your quest,
Calvin
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