Trying to buy an Exige

[simonpieman]

At the end of April I sold my DB9 (via pistonheads) to raise cash for work on our house. In place of the DB9 I bought a used MINI cooper S. Although a fun car, it's not really doing it for me. Hence I'm in the market for an Exige 190 or S.

Moving on to the point of this story, last week I made an appointment for yesterday to test drive a Starlight Black 2006 190 at a Lotus main dealer in Leicester. I drove all the way from Birmingham to Leicester for the test drive only to be told on arrival that as the car is on sale or return I cannot drive it, and nor could they take me for a drive in it. How cr*p is that?

They gave me a test drive in one of their own cars, which I'm guessing they would rather sell above a customer's car that's on sale or return.

If they knew a test drive was not possible in the car that I was interested in, then they should have said so at the time I made the appointment or when I rang up before travelling to confirm the appointment. They knew I was driving up from Birmingham.

Then to add insult to injury, on part exchange for my MINI, they offered £6,500, for a car which last month cost £11,500. They must think I'm stupid.

Buy a car from this dealership? I'd rather put my d*ick in a blender.

[MrSimba]

don't be put off by that particular dealership see Richard at Stourbridge for superb service, I'm sure he can source any stock from within the group

[Zp]

I think Lotus Silverstone still have a couple for sale.
A bit closer for you too?

[The Pits]

I'd recommend talking to Scott at Scott Walkers.

He's in Dorking but he really knows the cars is a genuine enthusiast himself and would never stock or try and sell on a dud.

For a used Exige I wouldn't go anywhere else.

[flipflop1]

There's a couple of belters up here in edinburgh. My old showcar exige is in murrays lotus. (25ish) and there's a special 190 widebody exige for sale on Scottish Elises (x7lda's car @ 18-19k) Both have had shedloads spent on them and wanted for nothing. If you want any info I can point you in the right direction. No affiliation to either but a recommendation makes a longer journey a bit more of a safe bet. For the showcars murraylotusedinburgh for the widebody scotishelises.com

cheers

[JACK6284]

Zp said:

I think Lotus Silverstone still have a couple for sale.
A bit closer for you too?

Matt@Silverstone is a good guy. Well worth having a chat with him. They also sell the Ex Silverstone experiance cars but these are clearly defined and sold as such. Bought my Exige 190 from him and very pleased with it.

[mikeyb13]

This one looks really good for the price.

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?...

[Black Sport 160]

The Pits said:

I'd recommend talking to Scott at Scott Walkers.

Bought two cars off him, including my current one.

[Racerjack]

I whole heartedly recommend Christopher Neil (AKA Oakmere) in Cheshire. I bought my Exige S2 (with performance option) after Nick Whale Bromsgrove closed and the team are genuine guys and real Lotus enthusiasts. 2 weeks ago I took my 240 bhp car back for another power up grade and its now blisteringly fast (tested on private land). Big thanks to Paul. The sales manager is Steve.

[DsDetective]

Another big recommend for Scott Walkers, just give him a call.