would you buy a cat d?

[Benspickup]

with few elise around, is it worth considering a properly repaired cat d , i personally wouldn't want one with chassis damage or repair but if it was just the body, i personally wouldn't be too concerned as long as it was reflected in the price- what are other peoples thoughts?

[limpsfield]

I wouldn't. If it was just a normal every dar car I would consider it but not for something more sporty.

Absolutely no rational logic for me in this - purely an emotional one.

[boobles]

It would have to depend on quality of repair + price!

Most people selling cat d's still think they are worth just as much as an undamaged one.

[stuno1]

Nope, VERY difficult to shift. Dealer will offer peanuts, most private buyers will want to pay peanuts and damage repaired cars often have creeks, noises etc from the work carried out.

[Flipatron]

From your previous threads it sounds like your after a cheap Elise, what's your budget?

[Benspickup]

well, I've got just over 5k, i do have other old classics that i could sell to finance it but would rather keep them, although the elise scratch certainly needs itching!

[Moospeed]

Personally I wouldn't buy a Cat-D even if I had fully documented repair, etc. I know that many Cat-D's could be better than those that have been mucked about with outside of an insurance claim but even so I couldn't get over the irrational feeling that it was 'tainted' in some way.

However, if you only have near £5k and absolutely need an Elise (something I can relate to) then it looks like you won't have a choice.

[simpo555]

Somewhere someone must have bought either a Cat C or Cat D car. It would be interesting to have their comments and not just those who advise against it through what could be assumed to be common sense or acquired predjudice. As someone currently considering a damaged Exige (detailed in the post concerning Exige 220 v Elise 220SC I'm interested in the replies. Still think that I'm not going down that path for exactly the same reasons as detailed in the replies but wonder about it nevertheless.

Just to add that my Elise in factory finished original condition still managed the odd creak or rattle now and again!

[kambites]

I'd happily buy one if the quality of the repair was up to scratch and the price reflected the status.

[simpo555]

kambites said:

I'd happily buy one if the quality of the repair was up to scratch and the price reflected the status.

I think I'd agree as long as it didn't come from the infamous place somewhere around Birmingham, much maligned on here.

[Benspickup]

why's that? do they repair them poorly? i think the only issue with a elise is all the under trays hide the chassis very well so its hard to assess is properly.

[simpo555]

My dilemna is the following

Exige. Crash repaired.

Certified new chassis as original damaged.
Repainted in the colur of my choice
Damaged components replaced with new

Promise. Fully repaired car that will look like new.

Included all the options and the specification that I'm looking for.

I'm sorely tempted and yet uncertain.

Am I being naive in thinking that once the chassis is replaced, the repairer will simply add the mechanicals from the donor car. The fact that a lotus is not loaded with high technology should make it an easier and probably straightforward affair.

[Flipatron]

Benspickup said:

well, I've got just over 5k, i do have other old classics that i could sell to finance it but would rather keep them, although the elise scratch certainly needs itching!

Stick a wanted advert on seloc, I've seen one or two go for 5k but at that money they'll need work.

Also keep a regular eye on piston heads classifieds, I know a guy local to me who picked a clean s2 up for 5k (he was very lucky though).

[junks]

Haven't repaired any lately but I must have done at least 15 Lotuses.

I know of three that are still with the owners I sold them too & no problems (related to the repairs), one guy David bought an S1 Type 49 from me about 10 years ago & he still has it & still going strong!

I always take photos of the damage & the repairs so people know exactly what has been done.

My Europa is a CAT D, my Audi is a CAT D & my Exige is a CAT D - they need to be cheaper than a straight car though (like for like) & I'd want to know the repairers had happy customers & were used to Lotuses

[Benspickup]

surely if its only fiber glass damage, its not the end of the world. structurally it should be fine. the niggle in my mind though is, if it was only the front or rear clam that needed replacement, surely that wouldn't be enough to have written it off?

[kambites]

Benspickup said:

surely if its only fiber glass damage, its not the end of the world. structurally it should be fine. the niggle in my mind though is, if it was only the front or rear clam that needed replacement, surely that wouldn't be enough to have written it off?

Depends on the value of the car; Elise repairs can be expensive. As a point of reference, I had a low speed (around 5mph) collision in my S2; total insurance repair cost came to over seven grand without a hire car]; that's enough to write off some Elises.

That wasn't "just fibreglass" mind. Both headlights were replaced because they were scratched (IIRC that's about £3k on its own!). Then there's the clam itself; painting (in two colours) including blending into the doors; armour-fend;... add a "like for like" hire car for two weeks onto that, and it would probably have been approaching five figures.

Edited by kambites on Monday 13th January 21:37

[junks]

I would only ever rely on the Cat status for resale purposes, it is not a reliable indicator of damage to the car.

I have had Cat B cars with less damage than a Cat D

Regarding the damage taken to write a car off, many Lotuses are written off due to the high costs of providing a long term hire car as parts have a long waiting time. As above also, a front clam can be best part of £3k plus labour & paint will take it well over £5k so for an S1 for instance with a value of say £9k that would make it uneconomical in insurers eyes plus there are bound to be extra expenses with headlamps, brackets possibly crash structure at about £1500 inc fitting

[Flipatron]

Benspickup said:

surely if its only fiber glass damage, its not the end of the world. structurally it should be fine. the niggle in my mind though is, if it was only the front or rear clam that needed replacement, surely that wouldn't be enough to have written it off?

Have you seen a damaged one you're interested in, post a link?

[SeanyD]

I don't think it would bother me provided the repairer was a trusted one. Chances are the repair would be excessively thorough, and the car would pop out the other end far better than, for example, from a private seller who's had an undeclared prang bodged by a local backstreet body shop.

If it helps be able to reach a car you wouldn't normally be able to reach, and if it's been repaired by a trusted repairer, then yes, I would.

[BeeGT]

Knowledge of the claim is essential, many Cat D's on more specialist cars arise because of the costs associated with "authorised body shop" only repairs combined with hire car charges which quickly compute to an uneconomic repair and the so-called stigma of Cat D status.