Lotus Exige - Lotus Service History vs. Non-Lotus

[JC29]

Hi Everyone - probably you have an easy answer for this, for me I don’t know enough to make a good judgement

I am looking to buy an Exige, and I have found two Exige Roadsters that would both fit the bill

However, the one with the spec I want has a non-Lotus history (they live in a part of the country with no local dealer, so a legit reason). It’s only done 9000km, and has stamps every year from an independent non specialist garage

The other one has a full lotus history, and from a Lotus dealer.

Assuming enough of a discount to account for a good service at Lotus on the first one, would you say it’s a big risk to take?

Been stung on non specialist history before, but that was for much older cars. Not sure how important it is for a low mileage, 8 year old Exige.

[ecain63]

In most cases you're better with a non dealer history...... unless it's under warranty. Either way, if it's a reputable indy that they've used you've got no real justification to ask for a discount.

[BertBert]

The op says independent non specialist, no not a specialist as it were

[JamieF78]

It's a Toyota engine, so I imagine it's straightforward to work on for a car mechanic. Just make sure that what needed to be done as per the service schedule has indeed been done. The four-year service cycle is the big one on the fourth, and the in between ones are very simple.

[JC29]

Thanks - the history is just from a local general garage - basically an indepdent car dealer with a workshop attached. No idea how good or bad that dealer is - seems to have mostly regular cars on stock (2-5 years old, so not old heaps).

One from Lotus would have a warranty for 12 months, and a service from Lotus before buying (assuming the cheapest possible service and softest warranty based on experience, could be wrong though)

Non lotus one is a private sale so no warranty, service etc

[JC29]

Thanks again! - will double check the 4 year service

[ecain63]

BertBert said:

The op says independent non specialist, no not a specialist as it were

It's an Exige. There are harder Lego kits to build. I get what you're saying but it's not like much can go wrong on a service side of things.

[Tlandcruiser]

ecain63 said:

It's an Exige. There are harder Lego kits to build. I get what you're saying but it's not like much can go wrong on a service side of things.

As ecain said, they are a piece of cake to work on and it’s just a toyota engine.

I do everything myself with a big folder of invoices etc, my elise would never be a collectors car so I’m not bothered if it alienated any potential buyers.

Edited by Tlandcruiser on Tuesday 25th July 13:52

[JC29]

Thanks - did not realise they were that simple. Was expecting the engine to be quite standard, but basing the rest on how my Land Rover was - always something small yet expensive😬

Thank you all again - much appreciated

[Tlandcruiser]

JC29 said:

Thanks - did not realise they were that simple. Was expecting the engine to be quite standard, but basing the rest on how my Land Rover was - always something small yet expensive??

Thank you all again - much appreciated

Parts I mostly get from Toyota, however surprisingly some things like a throttle body gasket was cheaper from Lotus.

Some parts can be expensive or on back order from lotus.

[honda_exige]

ecain63 said:

BertBert said:

The op says independent non specialist, no not a specialist as it were

It's an Exige. There are harder Lego kits to build. I get what you're saying but it's not like much can go wrong on a service side of things.

Check the underfloor for damage, most likely thing a non specialist will do is Jack them up in the wrong place.

[JC29]

Thanks! Did not think of that - where would be the points to check?

Assuming behind / in front of the wheel arches (normal
Jack places)

[BertBert]

ecain63 said:

BertBert said:

The op says independent non specialist, no not a specialist as it were

It's an Exige. There are harder Lego kits to build. I get what you're saying but it's not like much can go wrong on a service side of things.

Going back a bit here. I wasn't commenting on whether a general garage was a good or bad thing, just correcting the earlier poster who seemed to think that it was a specialist lotus Indy involved.

To the OPs conundrum, it seems to me that it's more than service history. One is a private sale general garage history, the other is lotus dealer sale with lotus history and warranty.

If going for the former you could argue that there is more diligence required as to condition being a private sale etc

[ecain63]

JC29 said:

Thanks! Did not think of that - where would be the points to check?

Assuming behind / in front of the wheel arches (normal
Jack places)

[GaryF]

JamieF78 said:

The four-year service cycle is the big one on the fourth, and the in between ones are very simple.

What are the full set of scheduled service jobs associated with the four year service? I have one coming up on my 350?