Why isn't my car selling ?
Discussion
I know this may come over as a shameless plug but I'm really curious why my car hasn't sold. I know when I was looking for an Elise I spent hours on Pistonheads in the classifieds and would have bitten my hand off at this price.
Is it simply the wrong season or have I missed something fundamental ? Perhaps it's too cheap and scaring people off.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/222763.htm
Is it simply the wrong season or have I missed something fundamental ? Perhaps it's too cheap and scaring people off.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/222763.htm
The only thing I can think of (having recently purchased an elise in this price bracket) is the lack of sport exhaust and induction kit. So if either is fitted make sure you mention it.
Also if you have the history list the last few services and highlight the cam belt change (more prominatly) and the mileage which they were undertaken. I know it made me look at the adverts more.
Good luck hope the sale goes well. If I was still looking your car would definatly be in the running for me to come and have a look at.
Also if you have the history list the last few services and highlight the cam belt change (more prominatly) and the mileage which they were undertaken. I know it made me look at the adverts more.
Good luck hope the sale goes well. If I was still looking your car would definatly be in the running for me to come and have a look at.
Wasn't this car for sale back in the may/june - I remember seeing it for sale at that time (in fact I remember the jumper on the passenger seat!!).
Maybe others have noticed it come back on sale quite quickly and are wary for that reason?
At that price in summer you'd sell it very quickly, but now we're entering the winter people probably feel they have time before next summer and can wait to see what else comes up.
Maybe others have noticed it come back on sale quite quickly and are wary for that reason?
At that price in summer you'd sell it very quickly, but now we're entering the winter people probably feel they have time before next summer and can wait to see what else comes up.
I would add as much positive info as possible.One thing that always puts me off car ads,is when the vendor has spent less than 30 secs typing an ad where they want you to spend nearly 8K. Don't mean that rude, but you did ask for an opinion 
I bought a 1998 Silver Elise last month via Pistonhead sales for around the 7K price. The vendor of that car listed the full service history service dates and mileage, plus upgrades such as a stainless exhaust,braided clutch hose and other recent work - lots of plus points in other words.The pictures in the ad were also good,nice bright images which made the car look very clean and made you think it was perfect,even though in reality you are looking at a tiny picture which could hide some really poor paint.
One thing that would have put me off your car,had I not just bought mine, would be the black wheels and black Armourfend on the sill and rear clam.It's a personal thing, but I wanted a stock looking car,while yours has a modified look to my eyes. Add the less than bright pictures and it makes the car look a litle dull IMHO.
As already said, I would get the car an MOT.Having both the tax and MOT about to lapse is not doing you any favours.While the tax is a simple buy, I'd be put off taking a chance buying a car that could then be hit for a big bill to pass an MOT.All the little things add up to people carrying on looking for a better car to view.
I bought a 1998 Silver Elise last month via Pistonhead sales for around the 7K price. The vendor of that car listed the full service history service dates and mileage, plus upgrades such as a stainless exhaust,braided clutch hose and other recent work - lots of plus points in other words.The pictures in the ad were also good,nice bright images which made the car look very clean and made you think it was perfect,even though in reality you are looking at a tiny picture which could hide some really poor paint.
One thing that would have put me off your car,had I not just bought mine, would be the black wheels and black Armourfend on the sill and rear clam.It's a personal thing, but I wanted a stock looking car,while yours has a modified look to my eyes. Add the less than bright pictures and it makes the car look a litle dull IMHO.
As already said, I would get the car an MOT.Having both the tax and MOT about to lapse is not doing you any favours.While the tax is a simple buy, I'd be put off taking a chance buying a car that could then be hit for a big bill to pass an MOT.All the little things add up to people carrying on looking for a better car to view.
I can only put it down to the Lotus having a quite well defined public - enthusiasts and nervous newbies. There is no middle ground!
Enthusiasts will always be hard to sell to as they know their stuff and tend to know what they need...so unless your car has all the mods they need, they walk on by.
Then you have the nervous newbie, and he/she is who the advert must cater to. Many of these want a Lotus but know little about the car other than hype and gossip.
So they always, always play safe. Ideally, they want an extremely low mileage, FLSH and totally unmodified car, one which was never used and certainly not on a track. It should also be less than 5 minutes old.....and they do not want to pay much for the car ' just in case a big bill is lurking'.
Not sane or fair desires, but each time an advert fails to address these wants ( they are not needs but the newbie cannot know that ) it loses out...and fades away.
Your car is a 1997 and 10 years old. Non Lotus enthusiasists may read that as ' rusty and worn out., so it is worthwhile pointing out the car is fibreglass and aluminium, and that any rusty parts have been dealt with. ( For if the ad next to yours does so, I call him, not you ).
You must have a 12 month MOT. No newbie will want the added stress of that.
Play on the reliability...list coolant changes, brakes - everything which can make the newbie relax.
Enthusiasts will always be hard to sell to as they know their stuff and tend to know what they need...so unless your car has all the mods they need, they walk on by.
Then you have the nervous newbie, and he/she is who the advert must cater to. Many of these want a Lotus but know little about the car other than hype and gossip.
So they always, always play safe. Ideally, they want an extremely low mileage, FLSH and totally unmodified car, one which was never used and certainly not on a track. It should also be less than 5 minutes old.....and they do not want to pay much for the car ' just in case a big bill is lurking'.
Not sane or fair desires, but each time an advert fails to address these wants ( they are not needs but the newbie cannot know that ) it loses out...and fades away.
Your car is a 1997 and 10 years old. Non Lotus enthusiasists may read that as ' rusty and worn out., so it is worthwhile pointing out the car is fibreglass and aluminium, and that any rusty parts have been dealt with. ( For if the ad next to yours does so, I call him, not you ).
You must have a 12 month MOT. No newbie will want the added stress of that.
Play on the reliability...list coolant changes, brakes - everything which can make the newbie relax.
Having just bought an S1 in July, the things I was looking for are:
1. Mentions a recent service
2. New Tyres mentioned.
3. MOT 12 months
4. S2 suspension
IMO I think you are concentrating on the negative aspects of the car and none of the good points.
The car looks in good condition from the photos and is in a good colour combination. The mileage for that year of car is good and would not put me off, it has enough that it's been used reguarly but not enough for me to think it is high mileage.
What would put me off is that the car needs and MOT in a month, a tax disc as soon as it is bought and it needed a service 2 months ago. IMO I don't think the the car is enough of a bargain for that much additional hastle.
That sounds a bit hash, but it really is a buyers market out there and I personally wouldn't want that additional hastle when buying a new car.
1. Mentions a recent service
2. New Tyres mentioned.
3. MOT 12 months
4. S2 suspension
IMO I think you are concentrating on the negative aspects of the car and none of the good points.
The car looks in good condition from the photos and is in a good colour combination. The mileage for that year of car is good and would not put me off, it has enough that it's been used reguarly but not enough for me to think it is high mileage.
What would put me off is that the car needs and MOT in a month, a tax disc as soon as it is bought and it needed a service 2 months ago. IMO I don't think the the car is enough of a bargain for that much additional hastle.
That sounds a bit hash, but it really is a buyers market out there and I personally wouldn't want that additional hastle when buying a new car.
Re the advert, initially it looks like a scam as you've not put your name and number where you should; and then when you do read it, the wording is a bit too "negative".
Re the car, it's too expensive - have you looked on autotrader? Once somebody has bought it, serviced and MOT'd it, sorted the paintwork and trim etc it owes them £9k+; plus all the effort doing that?
Re the car, it's too expensive - have you looked on autotrader? Once somebody has bought it, serviced and MOT'd it, sorted the paintwork and trim etc it owes them £9k+; plus all the effort doing that?
As others have said, the advert sounds a little negative. Focus on all the good bits, get some better pictures. Make sure you have nothing about wanting a quick sale, as it makes it look like you just want rid of it.
Needs at least 12 months MOT. If it will pass no problems just do it. I've never understood why people say things like "gear knob worn, only a tenner to replce" if it's that cheap just do it in advance.
Would get it serviced as well. Without these any new buyer has to factor in the cost of MOT, service and tax. If these are already done you, the buyer won't have to factor the cost in, and you know there is not the risk that it won't pass.
Some would say out of date servicing and tax doesn't point to a well loved example.
Needs at least 12 months MOT. If it will pass no problems just do it. I've never understood why people say things like "gear knob worn, only a tenner to replce" if it's that cheap just do it in advance.
Would get it serviced as well. Without these any new buyer has to factor in the cost of MOT, service and tax. If these are already done you, the buyer won't have to factor the cost in, and you know there is not the risk that it won't pass.
Some would say out of date servicing and tax doesn't point to a well loved example.
Once I've sold my Westfield I may be in the market for something similar but am currently "browsing". My thoughts, fwiw:
- Black alloys not to everyone's taste
- Blue leather not to everyone's taste
- Very casual interior photo makes it look like you don't care. Like it or not, people want to see a car in showroom condition almost as they'd be the first owner
- Needs tax and MOT. I always think the worst if someone is selling with next to no MOT. Are they getting rid cos they know it's a certain failure?
- Needed a service ages ago. Big bills on the horizon? Owner doesn't care?
- Nothing "done" to the car. Susp, brakes, toe links etc
- No "extras". Zorst, induction etc
- Nothing wrong with stating the issues and you come across as an honest guy BUT I'd be expecting a car with all the bits AND in good condition for £8k at that age otherwise I'd walk away. Which I did when I originally read your ad.
Just my 2p...
- Black alloys not to everyone's taste
- Blue leather not to everyone's taste
- Very casual interior photo makes it look like you don't care. Like it or not, people want to see a car in showroom condition almost as they'd be the first owner
- Needs tax and MOT. I always think the worst if someone is selling with next to no MOT. Are they getting rid cos they know it's a certain failure?
- Needed a service ages ago. Big bills on the horizon? Owner doesn't care?
- Nothing "done" to the car. Susp, brakes, toe links etc
- No "extras". Zorst, induction etc
- Nothing wrong with stating the issues and you come across as an honest guy BUT I'd be expecting a car with all the bits AND in good condition for £8k at that age otherwise I'd walk away. Which I did when I originally read your ad.
Just my 2p...
Looks like a nice car at a really good price to me.
some suggestions:
Best of luck
some suggestions:
- definitely don't drop the price
- Make the ad a bit more optimistic, cheery and detailed
Best of luck
ive had a few interested parties in mine but im not sure if I want to sell it and that must be apparent when people call.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/246459.htm
mines got higher milage, and higher price, although it has got every lotus option, S2 suspension, official lotus hard top, new yoko tires, serviced a couple of months ago, stone chips sorted on front end, 12 month old larini stainless exhaust, 12 month old upgraded interior inc seats steering wheel etc etc etc etc etc etc etc
edit to add ive just realised the MOT is till May not March . . . bugger it, there is loads of other stuff its got that aint on the advert anyways . . . .
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/246459.htm
mines got higher milage, and higher price, although it has got every lotus option, S2 suspension, official lotus hard top, new yoko tires, serviced a couple of months ago, stone chips sorted on front end, 12 month old larini stainless exhaust, 12 month old upgraded interior inc seats steering wheel etc etc etc etc etc etc etc
edit to add ive just realised the MOT is till May not March . . . bugger it, there is loads of other stuff its got that aint on the advert anyways . . . .
Edited by DucatiGary on Friday 12th October 10:58
noodleman said:
It's done 50K, not 70.
RobM77 said:
Looks like a nice car at a really good price to me.
some suggestions:
Best of luck
some suggestions:
- definitely don't drop the price
- Make the ad a bit more optimistic, cheery and detailed
Best of luck
Edited by RobM77 on Friday 12th October 10:59
I think if you take a leaf out of DucatiGary's book you'll make a lot of headway.
I'm not saying do all the upgrades, but after reading his piece, you have a good appreciation of the sort of life his car has had under his ownership... If you phone up it is likely to view... not to ask questions. BTW, if you're going to mask the numberplate make sure you do front and back
The only thing I'd say about Gary's is it looks a bit pricey for a standard S1. And that's coming from a New Ally S1 1999 owner from new!
But good luck to both of you
I'm not saying do all the upgrades, but after reading his piece, you have a good appreciation of the sort of life his car has had under his ownership... If you phone up it is likely to view... not to ask questions. BTW, if you're going to mask the numberplate make sure you do front and back
The only thing I'd say about Gary's is it looks a bit pricey for a standard S1. And that's coming from a New Ally S1 1999 owner from new!
But good luck to both of you
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