What to look for when buying Lotus Carlton

[bigtalljim]

I am looking at a Lotus Carlton that has been offered to me.
Can anybody tell me what, if anything, goes wrong and what to look out for.
The car has 60k on the clock with full service history etc.

Any horror stories on ownership and what are they like as an ownership prospect?

[Bibs_LEF]

Parts are getting very scarce but they are monster cars, fast as a very fast train!

Check out http://www.autobahnstormers.org/, that's the Carlton owners club.

[LC860G]

bigtalljim said:

I am looking at a Lotus Carlton that has been offered to me.
Can anybody tell me what, if anything, goes wrong and what to look out for.
The car has 60k on the clock with full service history etc.

Any horror stories on ownership and what are they like as an ownership prospect?

First thing to do is check out and join the Autobahnstormers. All the advice and knowledge that you could ever want (and they may know of the car)

Mechanically, check that the secondary electic water pump is working. Most important. Also check for regular oil and filter changes.
People worry about the chains - if they have been done, then great. If not, it may be worth a preventative change. Quite a contentious topic - some thing you should, others think it unneccessary.
Clutch - should be quite heavy but smooth. Any grinding then could be the pin on the way out.
Check the brake discs and pads - quite expensive to replace if you get the them from Vauxhall. See above about joining the Autobahnstormers!
Should run and pull smoothly in all gears except 6th which is more of an overdrive - look out for misfires.

Bodywork - check for rust - it is almost certain to have it - just a question of how badly. It hides under the bodykit. Check front wings, all doors, rear quarters, spare wheel well.

You are looking for a proven history that shows that the car has been looked after and, ideally, a knowleable, enthusiastic owner.

I'm sure that others will be along to supplement this.

Phil

[NotNormal]

As Phil has said above, first step is to get yourself signed up to the club (more importantly access to the web forum), for the sake of £30 even if you don't buy you'll have been well informed along your decision process. Worth also checking James Waddingtons website out and TBH just soak up as much info as you can.

Awesome cars but yes they tend to need a bit of TLC in their older years. Will still put a MASSIVE grin on the face though

Edited by NotNormal on Monday 30th June 13:41