Buying advice - Exige S - missing splitter?

[hamzamian]

Hi

I'm planning to go see this car tomorrow with a view to buying it

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

I've read the Elise buying guides but is there anything else Exige specific I should look out for?

Also is it just me or is it missing the front splitter? If so is it hard to replace and what kind of cost is it so I can factor it into the purchase price provided the car fine otherwise?

Thanks!

[ad243S]

Yes the front splitter is missing, you would have thought they would have cleaned it before taking photos of it.

Front splitter £220 http://www.elise-shop.com/grp-front-splitter-exige...

Edited by ad243S on Friday 21st June 23:24

[schrodinger]

That's a my 10 spoiler on an my 07 car. So certainly not "a standard lotus exige". I'd ask some searching questions about the history.

[TheTalentedMr]

ad243S said:

Yes the front splitter is missing, you would have thought they would have cleaned it before taking photos of it.

Front splitter £220 http://www.elise-shop.com/grp-front-splitter-exige...

Edited by ad243S on Friday 21st June 23:24

Remember to add on the cost of painting it too as that's a standard GRP splitter and not CF. I'd also check how the original went missing! If he's hit something there may be more damage to the front clam than you can initially see, then we are talking serious money.
I saw this car but to be honest it looks a bit un-loved. I agree about the cleaning it before taking pictures, the seller is obviously not after achieving the highest price he can.

[hamzamian]

Spoke to the seller and he says it had front clamp damage around the headlights which was repaired and hence splitter not been put back on yet. Apparently he has pictures so will have to check it out I guess.

Doesn't know about the spoiler.... (though I do like it!)

May go and see it anyway as it is a bit cheaper than other cars of the same age/mileage too so if it just a case of cleaning up a few cosmetic items and the price is ok bearing that in mind I'm ok with that.... Will have to check it over carefully though I guess.

To be honest I like the colour scheme and probably wouldn't bother if I didn't!

[ad243S]

Looks like when they have changed the spoiler they have just left the old fixing points in the boot lid and not blanked them off. If there was light front end damage then it should be OK but anything serious and I would walk away.

[schrodinger]

ad243S said:

Looks like when they have changed the spoiler they have just left the old fixing points in the boot lid and not blanked them off. If there was light front end damage then it should be OK but anything serious and I would walk away.

Yup.

So it's not prepped, splitters not on, dodgy rear spoiler, no blanking of old. It screams "unloved" to me.....

[hamzamian]

Turns out its also a CAT D.

The damage to the front was a hole big enough to take out the small light unit on the left hand side. has been repaired by a local garage (not Lotus specialist).

Shame really as its a good spec being a sport plus and looks like its also got the touring pack and has a sports exhaust and harnesses fitted.... And I really liked the colour.

I suspect it would be impossible to resell... Ah well.... The search continues...

[kambites]

hamzamian said:

I suspect it would be impossible to resell... Ah well.... The search continues...

Anything will sell if priced right.

[hamzamian]

kambites said:

Anything will sell if priced right.

True. Have zero experience of CAT C/D cars though, how much cheaper would a CAT D Exige need to be?

The rest of the car is in fair condition I guess, could do with some TLC and there are other minor marks to the bodywork on the passenger door and near the diffuser at the rear left.

[ad243S]

How about this one
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

[hamzamian]

ad243S said:

How about this one
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

Doesn't have the sports pack which I would quite like for the traction control.

[TheTalentedMr]

You can have the traction control retro fitted for about £400. Is all that needs to be done is the ECU re-flashed by Lotus (any dealer can send it away to be done) and then you get the button fitted to the centre console.....voilà

[jfk01]

Take your time and buy the right one..
I looked for an entire year before I bought 'the one'..
When I drove down to view it I had little intention of buying it, but, on first sight I knew it was what I'd been waiting for.
So glad I waited and have no regrets.
That was 5 years ago !

[kambites]

hamzamian said:

kambites said:

Anything will sell if priced right.

True. Have zero experience of CAT C/D cars though, how much cheaper would a CAT D Exige need to be?

It rather depends on what the original damage was and how well documented the repair process was.

[hamzamian]

In theory I could retrofit almost any option, but it rapidly becomes a very expensive way to buy the car that I want i think.

I'd rather compromise on the touring pack if anything I think as I doubt I'm likely to use the car to do any great distances, just don't think it would be comfortable enough (and I know there's now way the mrs would agree to going away on holiday in it!!).

kambites... I think in this the details in this thread are going to be about the extent of information available on the damage and repair process, plus perhaps some pictures the seller has on his phone but that's all.

[Arun_D]

Quite, Sport Pack was a must for me for the seats and harness bar at least (traction control welcome too). Can't say I think I'm missing much by not having the touring pack, and that's with doing plenty of long journeys and using it almost every day.

[TheTalentedMr]

I haven't got the sport pack, only performance & touring packs and I've got variable traction control. I didn't think the sport pack had anything to do with it. From memory the sport pack gives you harness compatible seats, harness bar and adjustable front roll bar, that's it. Traction should be standard after a certain build date or was an optional extra on earlier models.

[hamzamian]

Thanks for the clarification.

What does the performance pack give you ?

Actually for that matter what does the touring pack give you? Am i right in thinking its just sound proofing and driving lights?

I presume electric windows are just an optional extra, they virtually all seem to have them but I have seen an advert for one that doesn't.

[TheTalentedMr]

The performance and touring packs were the essential ones for me. Here's a bit about the performance pack http://www.pistonheads.com/lotus/default.asp?story...

The touring pack gives you the extra sound proofing, electric windows, leather trim (console, doors etc.), ipod dock & A/C, all the stuff that helps you live with a couple of hours drive more easily (and a slightly more quality feel).

IMO the sport pack is more for track use. I don't need the harnesses and adjustable roll bar as I only use it on the road. The performance pack gives you larger brakes, 240BHP, more torque, Variable traction control, Launch control and a longer roof scoop which made the car that little bit better. I'm sure this wouldn't matter to some drivers it's just personal preference.