For anyone looking to buy from a dealership
Discussion
My advice to you would be to look no further than Christopher Neil.
Now in the past i have read some posts and cringed when i have read people gushing about certain salesmen at dealerships or certain dealerships in general but i can honestly say that Christopher Neil is by far the best dealership that i have ever bought a car from and as most of you will know i have bought more than my fair share.
Whilst the purchase of the car has always been handled first class and relatively easy and trust me i am a difficult customer to deal with one of the biggest things when buying a car and is always a major consideration to me is the after sales service.
The after sales service at Christopher Neil is far and away the best that i have come across and if the owner of the dealership happens to read this then i believe you should be giving your service team some sort of reward for their performance.
Got my car back today after dropping it off there on Sunday for them to explore why i was losing coolant. The car was actually ready yesterday after having a new radiator fixed. Most other dealerships i have come across would have had me waiting weeks or had me chasing them for updates etc.Not CN they gave me a time when it would be ready, promised to call etc etc and they did. CN also provided me with a brand new car to help me out in the meantime.
I have used their service department a few times and every time the service has been excellent and as one of lifes moaners even i have struggled to find anything to moan about.
So for those who moan about the prices dealerships charge then personally i believe CN are worh every penny and would give anyone looking to purchase a car from them a 100% recommendation. I will certainly purchase my next car from them.
Now in the past i have read some posts and cringed when i have read people gushing about certain salesmen at dealerships or certain dealerships in general but i can honestly say that Christopher Neil is by far the best dealership that i have ever bought a car from and as most of you will know i have bought more than my fair share.
Whilst the purchase of the car has always been handled first class and relatively easy and trust me i am a difficult customer to deal with one of the biggest things when buying a car and is always a major consideration to me is the after sales service.
The after sales service at Christopher Neil is far and away the best that i have come across and if the owner of the dealership happens to read this then i believe you should be giving your service team some sort of reward for their performance.
Got my car back today after dropping it off there on Sunday for them to explore why i was losing coolant. The car was actually ready yesterday after having a new radiator fixed. Most other dealerships i have come across would have had me waiting weeks or had me chasing them for updates etc.Not CN they gave me a time when it would be ready, promised to call etc etc and they did. CN also provided me with a brand new car to help me out in the meantime.
I have used their service department a few times and every time the service has been excellent and as one of lifes moaners even i have struggled to find anything to moan about.
So for those who moan about the prices dealerships charge then personally i believe CN are worh every penny and would give anyone looking to purchase a car from them a 100% recommendation. I will certainly purchase my next car from them.
I've also heard very good things about Christopher Neil.
My recommendation is for Nick Whale. I bought my Elise there 2 years ago and it was a really enjoyable experience. Very laid back and relaxed, more interested in cars than sales.
It was a massive relief, as I'd visited another Midlands based dealership prior to this and it almost put me off buying a Lotus. The salesman made me feel like I was wasting his time and my own. It was a great feeling when a few weeks later he phoned me up, chasing leads and I could report back with the 1st class service I'd received at Nick Whale and now was the proud owner of a new Sports Racer!
My friend who purchased from Christopher Neil also visited this same dealership first. Test drove a 111S, wanted to purchase, went to the bank and withdrew the money, returned back and was informed that they'd just sold the car. The salesman knew he was at the bank and didn't even bother with a phone call. I wish I could name and shame!
My recommendation is for Nick Whale. I bought my Elise there 2 years ago and it was a really enjoyable experience. Very laid back and relaxed, more interested in cars than sales.
It was a massive relief, as I'd visited another Midlands based dealership prior to this and it almost put me off buying a Lotus. The salesman made me feel like I was wasting his time and my own. It was a great feeling when a few weeks later he phoned me up, chasing leads and I could report back with the 1st class service I'd received at Nick Whale and now was the proud owner of a new Sports Racer!
My friend who purchased from Christopher Neil also visited this same dealership first. Test drove a 111S, wanted to purchase, went to the bank and withdrew the money, returned back and was informed that they'd just sold the car. The salesman knew he was at the bank and didn't even bother with a phone call. I wish I could name and shame!
You can always name what village/town they are near
As for CNs, I couldn't agree more, very patient with me when I was purchasing (3 weeks of emails). Have been very good so far with after-care (not that I've needed a huge amount, but what I have had, has been good).
Very nearly had a Toyota off of them as well (well, Toyota franchise in the same group, next door), but GF decided it was a bit far away.
As for CNs, I couldn't agree more, very patient with me when I was purchasing (3 weeks of emails). Have been very good so far with after-care (not that I've needed a huge amount, but what I have had, has been good).
Very nearly had a Toyota off of them as well (well, Toyota franchise in the same group, next door), but GF decided it was a bit far away.
I would second all the positive comments about Christopher Neil. The purchasing experience was second to none and even though I've yet to call upon them for any after sales, I'd be very confident in doing so. In fact, even though they're by no means my closest dealer I'm considering booking my car in for its next service there anyway. Any excuse for another road trip, I guess. 
atomicpunk said:
I would second all the positive comments about Christopher Neil. The purchasing experience was second to none and even though I've yet to call upon them for any after sales, I'd be very confident in doing so. In fact, even though they're by no means my closest dealer I'm considering booking my car in for its next service there anyway. Any excuse for another road trip, I guess.
Only just found this thread but I'd like to echo the points made above. I bought my scooby (new) and my S2 elise from them and the service has been impeccable. They're not the cheapest (although they are reasonable), however you know that any car passing through their hands is going to be straight. When I picked up my elise they'd serviced it to a remarkable standard. Rather than the usual glug of synthetic and a new filter you get from most dealers they'd replaced a leaking shock, replaced the disks and pads and put 2 brand new tyres on it, as well as a full service. The car is a peach!I went to see a 111s they had for sale. It had two bits of carpet missing, filthy interior, very shabby alloys and a not very fantastic paint finish. All in all, a very untidy car. I had phoned through about 4 days prior to going to enquire about the car to be told it was in fantastic condition, etc etc. i also arranged a test drive for a certain time, drove down from Durham for the test drive and was left standing in the show room for an hour before loosing my patience and telling one of the guys in there if I didnt get seen soon, i was on my way. Some dude who just works saturdays took me out for a spin which consisted driving about 1 mile away from the show room with him driving, and 1 mile back with me driving.
All in all, a very cack experience, needless to say, I didnt buy from them.
All in all, a very cack experience, needless to say, I didnt buy from them.
Good News,
However the one I would always recommend is Lipscomb Lotus & Sinclair's
Paul or Mark have always gone above and beyond the call of duty with me, I class both of them now as mates as well as people who I buy my Car's from etc
Andy @ Sinclair's is a top guy and a total Lotus nut
Ben @ Castle's is also someone you can trust 100% top guy and also one of us.
Stratton's in Long Stratton good guys but a little to far away for me
Boggy
However the one I would always recommend is Lipscomb Lotus & Sinclair's
Paul or Mark have always gone above and beyond the call of duty with me, I class both of them now as mates as well as people who I buy my Car's from etc
Andy @ Sinclair's is a top guy and a total Lotus nut
Ben @ Castle's is also someone you can trust 100% top guy and also one of us.
Stratton's in Long Stratton good guys but a little to far away for me
Boggy
Edited by Boggy on Tuesday 17th June 16:56
JTBUSH said:
I went to see a 111s they had for sale. It had two bits of carpet missing, filthy interior, very shabby alloys and a not very fantastic paint finish. All in all, a very untidy car. I had phoned through about 4 days prior to going to enquire about the car to be told it was in fantastic condition, etc etc. i also arranged a test drive for a certain time, drove down from Durham for the test drive and was left standing in the show room for an hour before loosing my patience and telling one of the guys in there if I didnt get seen soon, i was on my way. Some dude who just works saturdays took me out for a spin which consisted driving about 1 mile away from the show room with him driving, and 1 mile back with me driving.
All in all, a very cack experience, needless to say, I didnt buy from them.
that sounds most unlike CN.They have always been very honest about the cars i have been interested in. Even the "Saturday lad" has always been very helpful. All in all, a very cack experience, needless to say, I didnt buy from them.
Im sure they would welcome your feedback if you wasnt happy.
hueandcry71 said:
S Works said:
Shouldn't the first post on this thread have read...
"Pull your pants down, take the lid off the tub of vaseline, and top up your lipstick"
?
you`re such a cynic."Pull your pants down, take the lid off the tub of vaseline, and top up your lipstick"
?
S Works said:
hueandcry71 said:
S Works said:
Shouldn't the first post on this thread have read...
"Pull your pants down, take the lid off the tub of vaseline, and top up your lipstick"
?
you`re such a cynic."Pull your pants down, take the lid off the tub of vaseline, and top up your lipstick"
?
Boggy
S Works said:
hueandcry71 said:
S Works said:
Shouldn't the first post on this thread have read...
"Pull your pants down, take the lid off the tub of vaseline, and top up your lipstick"
?
you`re such a cynic."Pull your pants down, take the lid off the tub of vaseline, and top up your lipstick"
?
He once recommended some Dutch DJ called Tiesto or something, so i thought "he drives an Exige he must be cool and know his music" so i bought the CD. All i can say is that im glad Amazon is a faceless music provider cos if i had got that from HMV the staff would have laughed at me and thought "he is a 36 year old trying to be 16"
Boggy said:
Good News,
However the one I would always recommend is Lipscomb Lotus & Sinclair's
Paul or Mark have always gone above and beyond the call of duty with me, I class both of them now as mates as well as people who I buy my Car's from etc
Andy @ Sinclair's is a top guy and a total Lotus nut
Ben @ Castle's is also someone you can trust 100% top guy and also one of us.
Stratton's in Long Stratton good guys but a little to far away for me
Boggy
Can't say I've found the same, Sinclair's great, Ben at Castle is a true gentleman, can't comment about Strattons, but have serious issues/reservations about the Kent based dealer.However the one I would always recommend is Lipscomb Lotus & Sinclair's
Paul or Mark have always gone above and beyond the call of duty with me, I class both of them now as mates as well as people who I buy my Car's from etc
Andy @ Sinclair's is a top guy and a total Lotus nut
Ben @ Castle's is also someone you can trust 100% top guy and also one of us.
Stratton's in Long Stratton good guys but a little to far away for me
Boggy
Edited by Boggy on Tuesday 17th June 16:56
ETA CN
Edited by Pied Piper on Tuesday 17th June 21:54
JTBUSH said:
I went to see a 111s they had for sale. It had two bits of carpet missing, filthy interior, very shabby alloys and a not very fantastic paint finish. All in all, a very untidy car. I had phoned through about 4 days prior to going to enquire about the car to be told it was in fantastic condition, etc etc. i also arranged a test drive for a certain time, drove down from Durham for the test drive and was left standing in the show room for an hour before loosing my patience and telling one of the guys in there if I didnt get seen soon, i was on my way. Some dude who just works saturdays took me out for a spin which consisted driving about 1 mile away from the show room with him driving, and 1 mile back with me driving.
All in all, a very cack experience, needless to say, I didnt buy from them.
All in all, a very cack experience, needless to say, I didnt buy from them.
All my test drives have been unaccompanied I took a TVR Chim they had bloody miles! They've always been very good, both sales and servicing.Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff