Sell or keep – what’s a fair price for a 2017 Exige Sport
Discussion
Niiige said:
Ha ha - well that’s a worry. Unless you want to retire to an expensive apartment!?!
I forgot to say, selling a sports car in the winter isn’t the best way to maximise the sale price. Maybe consider waiting until Spring has sprung & petrol heads wallets are ready to get an outing.
Good point I forgot to say, selling a sports car in the winter isn’t the best way to maximise the sale price. Maybe consider waiting until Spring has sprung & petrol heads wallets are ready to get an outing.
Belgarion said:
I bought a used 2017 Sport 350 in July 2021 for £48.5K privately with around 16k miles on it. When I had my last service in September, I was chatting with one of the senior salesmen and he reckoned that I could get at least the same figure if I sold then, and probably easily get more, even with the now 20k miles on it. So if you do decide on shifting it, I would definitely start high £4xks if not £50k.
It may be wishful thinking, and I'm not expecting meteoric rises like some German or Italian marques, but I'm expecting the S3 Exige to keep slowly on appreciating (when I first started looking at them you could get a V6S for £36k at cheapest, not anymore!). They're not making any more of them, and lightweight manual sportcars that are fun, and cheap to drive on road and track will only become more desirable in time I think, as we head towards electricification/hybridisation etc.
That's really interesting - so thanks for sharing!It may be wishful thinking, and I'm not expecting meteoric rises like some German or Italian marques, but I'm expecting the S3 Exige to keep slowly on appreciating (when I first started looking at them you could get a V6S for £36k at cheapest, not anymore!). They're not making any more of them, and lightweight manual sportcars that are fun, and cheap to drive on road and track will only become more desirable in time I think, as we head towards electricification/hybridisation etc.
skircoatshed said:
I thought about selling mine but the only other car that interests me would be a Caterham and I sold one of those when I got the Exige.
I get the point of it not being used much, neither is mine but as has been said there is nothing else out there like it for the money.
I can’t see values dropping of a cliff so as long as you don’t need the money I would keep it and savour the days you get out driving it.
If you definitely want to sell i’d leave it until April when the buyers come out with the ‘sunshine’.
I can't really argue with that - and again, the 'sunshine sale strategy' does make sense.I get the point of it not being used much, neither is mine but as has been said there is nothing else out there like it for the money.
I can’t see values dropping of a cliff so as long as you don’t need the money I would keep it and savour the days you get out driving it.
If you definitely want to sell i’d leave it until April when the buyers come out with the ‘sunshine’.
V6 prices have been a rollercoaster
Pre Covid they could be had cheaper than 36 an early coupe was about 32/33 what short memories we have!
Through the pandemic we saw those same cars go to 46 and the 350 sport right up to high 50s. They have gone down a lot in price some cars having lost about 10k from their peak it's pretty unprecedented in the Lotus world but I would say 50 would be top of the market realistically unless it's a late registered 350 they seem to fetch a premium but 47/48 would be a keener figure.
I have a cup listed for 46 and it's not sold yet the last cup I had I sold for 53 almost exactly a year ago (both komotec 460)
You would think they would go back up in the longer term but they did go up exponentially in Covid so I think it will take a good while for them to recover to those levels probably a few years. My guy feeling is that the advertised prices are not the asking prices going off my experience which is not normally the case with Lotus cars but with most dealers anyway but there are one or two none specialists that advertise very high prices and knock huge amounts off the prices to get deals done and on occasion have sold at a loss.
Jon seal here by the way!
Pre Covid they could be had cheaper than 36 an early coupe was about 32/33 what short memories we have!
Through the pandemic we saw those same cars go to 46 and the 350 sport right up to high 50s. They have gone down a lot in price some cars having lost about 10k from their peak it's pretty unprecedented in the Lotus world but I would say 50 would be top of the market realistically unless it's a late registered 350 they seem to fetch a premium but 47/48 would be a keener figure.
I have a cup listed for 46 and it's not sold yet the last cup I had I sold for 53 almost exactly a year ago (both komotec 460)
You would think they would go back up in the longer term but they did go up exponentially in Covid so I think it will take a good while for them to recover to those levels probably a few years. My guy feeling is that the advertised prices are not the asking prices going off my experience which is not normally the case with Lotus cars but with most dealers anyway but there are one or two none specialists that advertise very high prices and knock huge amounts off the prices to get deals done and on occasion have sold at a loss.
Jon seal here by the way!
fridaypassion said:
V6 prices have been a rollercoaster
Pre Covid they could be had cheaper than 36 an early coupe was about 32/33 what short memories we have!
Through the pandemic we saw those same cars go to 46 and the 350 sport right up to high 50s. They have gone down a lot in price some cars having lost about 10k from their peak it's pretty unprecedented in the Lotus world but I would say 50 would be top of the market realistically unless it's a late registered 350 they seem to fetch a premium but 47/48 would be a keener figure.
I have a cup listed for 46 and it's not sold yet the last cup I had I sold for 53 almost exactly a year ago (both komotec 460)
You would think they would go back up in the longer term but they did go up exponentially in Covid so I think it will take a good while for them to recover to those levels probably a few years. My guy feeling is that the advertised prices are not the asking prices going off my experience which is not normally the case with Lotus cars but with most dealers anyway but there are one or two none specialists that advertise very high prices and knock huge amounts off the prices to get deals done and on occasion have sold at a loss.
Jon seal here by the way!
Hi Jon - I really appreciate the full and candid response!Pre Covid they could be had cheaper than 36 an early coupe was about 32/33 what short memories we have!
Through the pandemic we saw those same cars go to 46 and the 350 sport right up to high 50s. They have gone down a lot in price some cars having lost about 10k from their peak it's pretty unprecedented in the Lotus world but I would say 50 would be top of the market realistically unless it's a late registered 350 they seem to fetch a premium but 47/48 would be a keener figure.
I have a cup listed for 46 and it's not sold yet the last cup I had I sold for 53 almost exactly a year ago (both komotec 460)
You would think they would go back up in the longer term but they did go up exponentially in Covid so I think it will take a good while for them to recover to those levels probably a few years. My guy feeling is that the advertised prices are not the asking prices going off my experience which is not normally the case with Lotus cars but with most dealers anyway but there are one or two none specialists that advertise very high prices and knock huge amounts off the prices to get deals done and on occasion have sold at a loss.
Jon seal here by the way!
I'd done a little research on 'Motorway' and had spotted that huge blip in prices around COVID, but that did seem to be mirrored by most exotica not just Lotus.- which I didn't entirely understand - other than notching it up to general limited new stock numbers.("Motorway", from my very limited experience, seems to be the average dealer bid price, not of course the end ticket price, but even so, I think their trend line is probably a fair market indicator).
My gut tells me whilst 350 prices (along with all other Lotus) may start to creep back up it will be a slow burn.
It's a great car, but if I do decide to wave it a cheery goodbye I think it would be a while before (financially) I kicked myself for not retaining it. Oh, for an unlimited budget
Yeah Covid unexpectedly served up a perfect storm plus Lotus announcing the end of the old era cars. Everything is settling back down now and I hope we've avoided what I was slightly concerned might be a much deeper issue with the market. The main things I think specific to V6 cars are people's awareness of increased running costs and also the significant increase in finance rates with a v6 far more likely financed than an s1 or 2.
DrivingMachine said:
Haha yeah I didn’t realize I had made an account. Have been out of the country for the past 15 years and just got back. These cars are also not that common so have to go to the forums to find a good one
Hopefully post purchase I’ll be on here more
Wow that's hardcore, 15 years in a country with no internet!Hopefully post purchase I’ll be on here more
Dropped you an email, look forward to chatting thanks
Kananga said:
DrivingMachine said:
If anyone is looking to sell their S3 Exige please drop me a note. I’m looking for my first Lotus, will be a track and weekend car and would be great to buy from an enthusiast. Thanks!
Tried to contact you but your profile doesn’t allow emails. thomasario said:
Hello all, I’d really welcome your thoughts on what sort of value I should realistically expect if I decided to sell my 2017 Exige Sport 350.
In an ideal world, I’d never sell it. It is undoubtedly the best car I’ve ever owned. But I just never seem to have the opportunity to drive it. I bought it new from a UK Lotus dealer in 2017, and in that time, I’ve only done 9,000 miles.
…
I asked a mate of mine who works in the car industry (admittedly not Lotus) to tell me what he thought I should ask for it but he said it was an impossible car to value. His conclusion was quite negative, i.e. in this day and age who has got money burning a hole in their pocket for a glorified track car?
I asked him about PX, but he said unless it was a Lotus dealer, I’d be wasting my time. And with the best will in the world, I already have (to me) a perfect Lotus, so remaining in the Lotus fold defeats the object of selling it.
…
Hi Tom, In an ideal world, I’d never sell it. It is undoubtedly the best car I’ve ever owned. But I just never seem to have the opportunity to drive it. I bought it new from a UK Lotus dealer in 2017, and in that time, I’ve only done 9,000 miles.
…
I asked a mate of mine who works in the car industry (admittedly not Lotus) to tell me what he thought I should ask for it but he said it was an impossible car to value. His conclusion was quite negative, i.e. in this day and age who has got money burning a hole in their pocket for a glorified track car?
I asked him about PX, but he said unless it was a Lotus dealer, I’d be wasting my time. And with the best will in the world, I already have (to me) a perfect Lotus, so remaining in the Lotus fold defeats the object of selling it.
…
Will confess that I am a fellow owner, which could lead to some bias, but will try to be objective.
The track season is soon upon us, and I think the Exige should be supported by the lack of comparability with the Emira. I’m about to pull my Emira order for various reasons, but the Exige is a special thing. Friend of mine was going to buy an Elise recently but I’d have an Exige all day long. The Elise is obviously lighter but I think the Exige is a certified baby supercar, with handling and feel that puts many supercars to shame.
DrivingMachine said:
Dropped you an email, look forward to chatting thanks
Hi, not only did I get your email I also replied Kananga said:
DrivingMachine said:
If anyone is looking to sell their S3 Exige please drop me a note. I’m looking for my first Lotus, will be a track and weekend car and would be great to buy from an enthusiast. Thanks!
Tried to contact you but your profile doesn’t allow emails. 
Let me know if you don't find it in junk.
Cheers, Tom.
Kananga said:
thomasario said:
Hello all, I’d really welcome your thoughts on what sort of value I should realistically expect if I decided to sell my 2017 Exige Sport 350.
In an ideal world, I’d never sell it. It is undoubtedly the best car I’ve ever owned. But I just never seem to have the opportunity to drive it. I bought it new from a UK Lotus dealer in 2017, and in that time, I’ve only done 9,000 miles.
…
I asked a mate of mine who works in the car industry (admittedly not Lotus) to tell me what he thought I should ask for it but he said it was an impossible car to value. His conclusion was quite negative, i.e. in this day and age who has got money burning a hole in their pocket for a glorified track car?
I asked him about PX, but he said unless it was a Lotus dealer, I’d be wasting my time. And with the best will in the world, I already have (to me) a perfect Lotus, so remaining in the Lotus fold defeats the object of selling it.
…
Hi Tom, In an ideal world, I’d never sell it. It is undoubtedly the best car I’ve ever owned. But I just never seem to have the opportunity to drive it. I bought it new from a UK Lotus dealer in 2017, and in that time, I’ve only done 9,000 miles.
…
I asked a mate of mine who works in the car industry (admittedly not Lotus) to tell me what he thought I should ask for it but he said it was an impossible car to value. His conclusion was quite negative, i.e. in this day and age who has got money burning a hole in their pocket for a glorified track car?
I asked him about PX, but he said unless it was a Lotus dealer, I’d be wasting my time. And with the best will in the world, I already have (to me) a perfect Lotus, so remaining in the Lotus fold defeats the object of selling it.
…
Will confess that I am a fellow owner, which could lead to some bias, but will try to be objective.
The track season is soon upon us, and I think the Exige should be supported by the lack of comparability with the Emira. I’m about to pull my Emira order for various reasons, but the Exige is a special thing. Friend of mine was going to buy an Elise recently but I’d have an Exige all day long. The Elise is obviously lighter but I think the Exige is a certified baby supercar, with handling and feel that puts many supercars to shame.
thomasario said:
DrivingMachine said:
Dropped you an email, look forward to chatting thanks
Hi, not only did I get your email I also replied Kananga said:
DrivingMachine said:
If anyone is looking to sell their S3 Exige please drop me a note. I’m looking for my first Lotus, will be a track and weekend car and would be great to buy from an enthusiast. Thanks!
Tried to contact you but your profile doesn’t allow emails. Let me know if you don't find it in junk.
Cheers, Tom.
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