Buying an Elise / Exige privayely - inspections

[dank]

Hi

I am now looking at a 111s in Wales, and wanted to know what the consensus was with regards to getting the car checked before commiting my hard earned....

I have read several buyers guides mentioning that any damage to the tub will be a very costly thing indeed, and can only be seen when ramped up and then measured with proper alignment equipment at lotus specialist or dealer...

does anyone know of a mobile specialist who can do this, or does it have to be taken to a specialist?

is there any other aspects that would need looking at?

thanks

[smiles1]

Where in Wales is the car? A specialist would definitely be best.

[dank]

I thought so too!

Middle of snowdonia, 30 mins from beddgelert, any suggestions of whom to contact ?

[smiles1]

Only in the Gloucestershire area, but I'm not sure if that's a bit too far for you to come?

Edited by smiles1 on Thursday 31st August 19:38

[nw942]

I thought your nearest dealer was Oakmere, but there's one in Llandudno: http://www.northwaleslotus.co.uk/

(in case you weren't aware)

[lj04]

Try seloc someone might know the car, or be willing to view it with you.

[MattyB_]

You'll want to move quickly on that one. Good colour, well priced and a hardtop? MOT is due in 2 weeks though, so get that sorted before purchase!

I paid £60 for an inspection - it's well worth it to give you piece of mind it's a straight car. I'm afraid I can't help with any specialists in the area, as mentioned, ask on SELOC.

[england_r]

is it a blue one with a lady owner ? If so it will be a good one!

[Smitters]

I was quoted between £60-100 for an inspection and in one prospective purchase, even offered to pay for the MOT at the same time as it was short, on the basis that if it failed, it would be a few quid well spent and if the owner said no, I'd walk away with alarm bells ringing. Can't help directly with a recommendation, but having just bought an S1, I can sympathise with the desire to get it inspected. Worth doing IMHO. And no, the AA don't inspect these!

[dank]

Thanks for the info! I think the issue is the distance form the North Wales Lotus, getting it there....don't think the owner has time to spend the afternoon with me taking if for the inspection, and it's too far for them to come out and would charge a packet to do so....coupled with the fact i am 260 miles from the seller, makes this a tricky situation...might have to let it go, and wait for the next S2 Elise or Exige

[Smitters]

Could always ask to discuss the car with the garage they use? But yes, the perfect storm of car, you and respected Indy/Lotus garage willing to inspect all within a few miles of one another is hard to come by.

The issue of course is that a visiting inspection won't get the car up, and the undertrays off, so that's not a huge help anyway. The other thing is you could always make an offer subject to inspection. Yes, that may mean two visits, but it also means you have peace of mind and a car you want. I can count the S1 111Ss that have come up at vaguely sensible prices this year on one hand. In the end, I chose to get a 111 on the basis I could modify it slowly to 111S and beyond for similar cash to a good condition 111S. Obviously this affects originality and potentially resale, but as ever, I wasn't buying with a view to selling...