400 as a daily?
Discussion
That's the easiest question I've received all day!!
Absolutely do it. The 400 is fun even when stuck in traffic and the sound it makes is truly immense! It's comfortable (I just drove for 12 hours from north Scotland down to Essex with only two petrol stops and got out the other end with no aches), surprisingly good on fuel (35 mpg on a motorway is easily done and 40+ is possible if you're careful), you can fit small children in the back (as long as you're not 6 foot plus). I could go in and on on this one.
Things to know? The stereo sound is average (however Bluetooth connectivity to be excellent). Erm...erm... I honestly can't think of anything else that's negative.
Go and test drive and remember your debit card!
Greg
Absolutely do it. The 400 is fun even when stuck in traffic and the sound it makes is truly immense! It's comfortable (I just drove for 12 hours from north Scotland down to Essex with only two petrol stops and got out the other end with no aches), surprisingly good on fuel (35 mpg on a motorway is easily done and 40+ is possible if you're careful), you can fit small children in the back (as long as you're not 6 foot plus). I could go in and on on this one.
Things to know? The stereo sound is average (however Bluetooth connectivity to be excellent). Erm...erm... I honestly can't think of anything else that's negative.
Go and test drive and remember your debit card!
Greg
The depreciation hit will depend on how long you own the car. If you pay £75k for a decently optioned 400, you'll probably lose £5-10k immediately. Over the next two years the value will drop to around £58-£60k, it will then start to plateau in value and the depreciation from then on will be glacially slow.
The depreciation curve for all Lotuses is the same. I sold my Elise after 4 years owning from new and selling back to the main dealer (so I dare say I could have got significantly more by selling privately). I sold it back for almost 70% of what I paid for and it had higher then usual miles (it was my daily driver).
Given this is not a limited edition car, and will be bought brand new, I don't think you will suffer a greater depreciation hit than any similar car. The only exception would be if you were a habitual car flipper and only own cars for a number of months. But given the expectation on miles, this doesn't seem like you.
The depreciation curve for all Lotuses is the same. I sold my Elise after 4 years owning from new and selling back to the main dealer (so I dare say I could have got significantly more by selling privately). I sold it back for almost 70% of what I paid for and it had higher then usual miles (it was my daily driver).
Given this is not a limited edition car, and will be bought brand new, I don't think you will suffer a greater depreciation hit than any similar car. The only exception would be if you were a habitual car flipper and only own cars for a number of months. But given the expectation on miles, this doesn't seem like you.
I spoke to a couple of dealers initially and my understanding is that the 50/50 deal is at least part financed by the respective dealer and choosing that option would limit the scope for discount.
That said, if you want a good deal and can finance the car with cash or in another way, then call Alex at Stratton and say that Simon suggested you call him. I'm sure he will look after you!!
That said, if you want a good deal and can finance the car with cash or in another way, then call Alex at Stratton and say that Simon suggested you call him. I'm sure he will look after you!!
MrJingles705 said:
Buy it, drive it, enjoy it - I get the theory of values etc but this is a car, not a house..... if you aren't going to actually get enjoyment out of it, go get an ecoboost and drive a sensible (if uninspiring) car.
Well, there's driving and theres driving, and I decided that one car would be a compromise, the exige does the fun stuff and the beemer the practical.gareth h said:
Well, there's driving and theres driving, and I decided that one car would be a compromise, the exige does the fun stuff and the beemer the practical.
Sorry, should have explained - wasn't meant as a critique - to be fair, if I didn't need rear seats I'd have an Exige 
Just a general observation that depreceation/resell values seem to get in the way of people buying what they actually want.In my case having a 2+2 as my daily means that, on the very infrequent occasions I'm diverted to assist in kiddy runs (or god forbid main family car has a wobble) that I have an option. But because it's a fun 2+2 I don't feel like I've give up as much. Hopefully that makes some kinda sense?
MrJingles705 said:
Sorry, should have explained - wasn't meant as a critique - to be fair, if I didn't need rear seats I'd have an Exige Just a general observation that depreceation/resell values seem to get in the way of people buying what they actually want.
In my case having a 2+2 as my daily means that, on the very infrequent occasions I'm diverted to assist in kiddy runs (or god forbid main family car has a wobble) that I have an option. But because it's a fun 2+2 I don't feel like I've give up as much. Hopefully that makes some kinda sense?
Perfectly😀 Just a general observation that depreceation/resell values seem to get in the way of people buying what they actually want.In my case having a 2+2 as my daily means that, on the very infrequent occasions I'm diverted to assist in kiddy runs (or god forbid main family car has a wobble) that I have an option. But because it's a fun 2+2 I don't feel like I've give up as much. Hopefully that makes some kinda sense?
Another concern was whether an Evora would still feel special if it is being used everyday. Although silverstone lotus had a black 430 in the workshop when I collected mine yesterday, I can't imagine that would ever not feel special!
gareth h said:
Thanks for all the advice, I've decided that I would be putting too many miles on an Evora as a daily, so have px'ed the Elise against a 350 sport at silverstone.
Can't wait collect tomorrow.
All change! I made the mistake of test driving an Evora while the Exige was having some warranty work at Silverstone, was so impressed I started tyre kicking and was offered a great deal by JCT600 to trade the Exige against a 2015 400 in green (empire is what I think Lotus call the colour but looks like BRG) with red leather.Can't wait collect tomorrow.
The 4 1/2 hour drive up in the Exige left me a bit sore, but was fresh as a daisy after the drive home, in fact I could have turned round and done the same again.
The exhaust noise is epic with the valve open, unfortunately with several track days booked for the summer I will have to fit something quieter😞
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