McProblem

[crford]

I've enjoyed reading (and infrequently posting to) the Lotus PH community, and thought that you all were best placed to help me solve an awkward dilemma.

I've been enjoying the open Scottish roads in an S2 for the past 4 years, but the time is now ripe to say goodbye to my current Lizzie and look for a new model. Here's the dilemma: I can't live for another 4 years in the company of the current Lotus servicing arrangements in Scotland. I'll not break the PH rules by mentioning names, but it has beeen well noted by others on these boards that servicing up here is well below the standards experienced by some of you lucky chaps in England.

If I can't by another Lotus, should I look at the VX220? Yes, I know that it's a Vauxhall, but that aside, how does the performance/feel compare to the Elise? Does anyone have any experience of Vauxhall's servicing? Should I just ditch the whole lot and accept that I'll have to get a 2nd rate sports car (TVR... :-) ) Or should I accept defeat and not get sports car altogether (Boxster...)

Hope you can help... ... ...

[steff]

You can get your car serviced anywhere as long as they service the car to the manufacturers specifications, so it wont invalidate your waranty.

[bher]

Understand your point.
Vauxhaul dealer is at my door (2 miles) and Lotus one at 1.5 hours drive.
Normally you go to the dealer one or twice a year and enjoy your car the all year round. Don't bother you too much for a dealer concern. The VX is a great car but I would be afraid to miss the charm of the Elise. My experience with Speedster is limited but I was once at the show room and started to ask about the car. The guy had probably so many people curious but not buyer that his answers were really superficial.. At that time I understood why they do not sale them so well in Belgium. I have to say that I was already convinced by the S2 but wanted to see the service by vauxhal...., it was so close from my door and finally so far from my expectations.
Think twice about the VX and take the ..........





Boxster just to experience something really different...
Elise just because it is the most entertaining sports car...
TVR because sometimes road are dry and not slippery...


Ben

[beachbum]

It might be worth finding out if there are other Lotus specialists available, a 1.5hr drive must cover a fairly large area.
That is assuming you havnt already thought of that.

[crford]

Both dealers in Scotland are run by the same firm... and the next nearest dealer is in Newcastle, 2 hours down the A1... ... ... (although he does has a fine reputation IIRC...)

[beachbum]

Is 2hrs once/twice a year worth it for the pleasure? of owning a Lotus.
Yes - get another
No - VX or some other option

[abz]

I am an elise owner in aberdeen and I can empathise with this view- because of there only being 2 dealers in the whole of scotland they pretty much have a monopoly- not good for us customers.

however, the annual 2 hour drive down is something I'm prepared to live with for the pleasure of driving an elise.....