Worst case scenario - pre-empt - looking for new Exige
Discussion
Worst case scenario for me is that my beloved Exige gets written off. In order to protect my mental health as best as I can I'm trying to pre-empt all possible scenarios.
I've had a look at the classifieds and it's not looking particularly good. My car is a low mileage (16k?) 2006 model Exige S with touring pack. Standard 220 power, but was planning to Ronin this up myself anyway. Insurance policy is to pay out market value, and I still owe 20k on my Lotus deal for some reason (low deposit, bought first car I saw, etc.) so unless market values of cars like mine have shot up, I won't have much equity from after the insurance pay off the loan.
However, by hook or by crook I'll be having another one, and I've ways and means of pulling together a few grand to get a deposit together. However I didn't pay more than £26k last year when I bought it, and I don't want to be paying more than that to get the same age car again!
Anyone know what's going on in the marketplace at the moment? Either supply is low or demand is high because cars like mine seem to be worth more than I paid for mine last year. I can't really justify paying more than £30k for one (there are all the essential modifications.... like removable steering wheels, brake pads, etc. etc.
) and I'd probably have aggro getting a loan for significantly more. I'm assuming here that Lotus Finance have seen me paying off a previous deal with no problems, then an accident, so financing another car on around the same terms should be safe? Or do the finance companies block you off if you have a crash, even if fully insured and paid off?
Anyone been through this cycle and have advice? Hopefully mine is repairable - I'm still holding out that it should be, due to the lack of bodywork damage, but it all comes down to the state of the suspension mount points on the front passenger wheel, which took the majority of the damage.
I've had a look at the classifieds and it's not looking particularly good. My car is a low mileage (16k?) 2006 model Exige S with touring pack. Standard 220 power, but was planning to Ronin this up myself anyway. Insurance policy is to pay out market value, and I still owe 20k on my Lotus deal for some reason (low deposit, bought first car I saw, etc.) so unless market values of cars like mine have shot up, I won't have much equity from after the insurance pay off the loan.
However, by hook or by crook I'll be having another one, and I've ways and means of pulling together a few grand to get a deposit together. However I didn't pay more than £26k last year when I bought it, and I don't want to be paying more than that to get the same age car again!
Anyone know what's going on in the marketplace at the moment? Either supply is low or demand is high because cars like mine seem to be worth more than I paid for mine last year. I can't really justify paying more than £30k for one (there are all the essential modifications.... like removable steering wheels, brake pads, etc. etc.
) and I'd probably have aggro getting a loan for significantly more. I'm assuming here that Lotus Finance have seen me paying off a previous deal with no problems, then an accident, so financing another car on around the same terms should be safe? Or do the finance companies block you off if you have a crash, even if fully insured and paid off?Anyone been through this cycle and have advice? Hopefully mine is repairable - I'm still holding out that it should be, due to the lack of bodywork damage, but it all comes down to the state of the suspension mount points on the front passenger wheel, which took the majority of the damage.
andy_s said:
How does a standard Exige with a Gotham tune, charge cooler and s/c stand up price wise?
What do you mean - aftermarket blower on a standard car? What kit? I'm a wimp and need air con purely to make the car useable in winter - due to the quick screen demisting you get with the air con...One yellow, one isotope in the classifieds I'd have either 
How much difference in terms of NVH do you lose by having the Sport pack but not the Touring pack (but still having air con)? Looks like carpet behind the seats and along the sides of the sills to me, but there may be a lot more.
I'm happy doing 400 mile trips in mine but haven't tried one without the Touring pack... does it make *that* much difference?
Is this a 'you need to drive them' situation or can I get reasonable internet info from the ever-reliable PH crew?
I'd have either How much difference in terms of NVH do you lose by having the Sport pack but not the Touring pack (but still having air con)? Looks like carpet behind the seats and along the sides of the sills to me, but there may be a lot more.
I'm happy doing 400 mile trips in mine but haven't tried one without the Touring pack... does it make *that* much difference?
Is this a 'you need to drive them' situation or can I get reasonable internet info from the ever-reliable PH crew?
dom180 said:
You could always look at MY 06+ Elise - a N/A 111R with all the interior toys should be a fair bit less than an Exige and you could always fit a blower at a later date with wheels, tyres and dampers to suit over time.
Not a chance - can't stand convertibles so I'd need a hardtop, the car isn't fast enough anyway, and all those mods would bring me nothing back come resale (not that I plan to resell) but it's a pain in the arse getting it all done. And expensive. Buying pre-modified - that's an option... but hell, I want an Exige. Don't give me the earache about how I could be just as fast round a track in a N/A Elise as an Exige S because of the weight - I know. But sadly I don't spend 100% of my driving time at Brands and road performance matters. And I much prefer torque to screamers... and love superchargers (check my profile...) - hell, I used to have a VXT and *loved* it. An Elise 111R would be the complete opposite, not what I want at all.zasker said:
Had an Exige S with sport pack and one with the touring pack and tbh didn't really notice any difference with NVH. At the end of the day you could always fit carpet behind the seats yourself.
Many thanks. That's exactly the sort of info I was after. I'm not bothered about carpet behind the seats unless it substantially decreases cruising noise (for long journeys with girlfriend) but if it does nothing other than look nice, I'm not fussed.
Could you get an SC Elise within your budget - just had a very quick look and saw one at £30k/3k miles - must be some cheaper ones about, say about 18 months old?
That was the car I wanted originally, but saved £5k and didn't have to wait as My S was sitting in the showroom - winking at me!
I think I would look that way if I were to change, just for the new dash, option to whip the roof off and possibly more compliant suspension?
That was the car I wanted originally, but saved £5k and didn't have to wait as My S was sitting in the showroom - winking at me!
I think I would look that way if I were to change, just for the new dash, option to whip the roof off and possibly more compliant suspension?
nsm3 said:
Could you get an SC Elise within your budget - just had a very quick look and saw one at £30k/3k miles - must be some cheaper ones about, say about 18 months old?
That was the car I wanted originally, but saved £5k and didn't have to wait as My S was sitting in the showroom - winking at me!
I think I would look that way if I were to change, just for the new dash, option to whip the roof off and possibly more compliant suspension?
There are two Sport Pack Exiges in lairy colours between £25k and £30k in the classifieds. That's all I need.That was the car I wanted originally, but saved £5k and didn't have to wait as My S was sitting in the showroom - winking at me!
I think I would look that way if I were to change, just for the new dash, option to whip the roof off and possibly more compliant suspension?
Just need the insurers to make a decision now. Hopefully it'll just be repaired and I'll be back in my Exige. Otherwise it'll be another Exige.
To be frank, I couldn't give a monkey's about messing up my finances this year and am quite prepared to sling rainy-day funds away to get me the car I want. We've had 3 miscarriages, two IVF cycles that ended in failure, one suicide attempt, one depressive episode (this is between me and my GF) and a near bankruptcy over the last three years and I want a break from all this pain and upset.
A year without all this trying for families BS and my Exige back, and spending the year going for trips in the Lotus is what I want. Not a compromise, not something slower than I have currently sitting in the assessor's garage, but either my Exige back or another one to the same spec or higher. If it's a writeoff and Lotus Finance won't finance me on a £25k-£30k Exige then I've got a spare credit card with a £25k credit limit.
I've been pushed to the absolute limits over the last few weeks and whilst I'm not in a 'throw it all away' what-the-hell frame of mind, my priorities are shifting. I want to feel happy again, and I haven't felt happy for a LONG time apart from the times sat behind the wheel of my Exige. And that is enough to make it f
king clear that I will have another one, even if my more sensible business partner (he's an accountant. But he's out in Singapore so he can't tell me what to do) would say it doesn't really make financial sense.After all, happiness is more important than money, right?
Ive owned previous exige with either touring pack or sports pack - didnt' seem to make alot of difference, ive also had a few solar yellow ones! However the difference i did notice is the 04/05 exige is a lot noisier/rattles etc then the revised exige 06 model - thereafter the build quality has improved a great deal.I have just taken delivery now of a 58 plate with both touring/sports and the noise levels are about the same as the revised 06 model.
Interesting thought about the credit card - I just took on a £12k limit 0% card, thinking I would use it to part pay for a new sensible car - but the local Audi garage tell me the limit is £1k with the card as I would be taking on a PCP - something about not being able to use credit to buy something that would still be on credit - good job I found out before pick up day or that would have been 
!!
Re the Elise SC - I think they are as quick as our 220 Exiges, but admittedly they don't look quite as good?
I think you could replace an '06 Exige S with 20k miles or less for under £24k?
!!Re the Elise SC - I think they are as quick as our 220 Exiges, but admittedly they don't look quite as good?
I think you could replace an '06 Exige S with 20k miles or less for under £24k?
cyberface said:
nsm3 said:
Could you get an SC Elise within your budget - just had a very quick look and saw one at £30k/3k miles - must be some cheaper ones about, say about 18 months old?
That was the car I wanted originally, but saved £5k and didn't have to wait as My S was sitting in the showroom - winking at me!
I think I would look that way if I were to change, just for the new dash, option to whip the roof off and possibly more compliant suspension?
There are two Sport Pack Exiges in lairy colours between £25k and £30k in the classifieds. That's all I need.That was the car I wanted originally, but saved £5k and didn't have to wait as My S was sitting in the showroom - winking at me!
I think I would look that way if I were to change, just for the new dash, option to whip the roof off and possibly more compliant suspension?
Just need the insurers to make a decision now. Hopefully it'll just be repaired and I'll be back in my Exige. Otherwise it'll be another Exige.
To be frank, I couldn't give a monkey's about messing up my finances this year and am quite prepared to sling rainy-day funds away to get me the car I want. We've had 3 miscarriages, two IVF cycles that ended in failure, one suicide attempt, one depressive episode (this is between me and my GF) and a near bankruptcy over the last three years and I want a break from all this pain and upset.
A year without all this trying for families BS and my Exige back, and spending the year going for trips in the Lotus is what I want. Not a compromise, not something slower than I have currently sitting in the assessor's garage, but either my Exige back or another one to the same spec or higher. If it's a writeoff and Lotus Finance won't finance me on a £25k-£30k Exige then I've got a spare credit card with a £25k credit limit.
I've been pushed to the absolute limits over the last few weeks and whilst I'm not in a 'throw it all away' what-the-hell frame of mind, my priorities are shifting. I want to feel happy again, and I haven't felt happy for a LONG time apart from the times sat behind the wheel of my Exige. And that is enough to make it f
king clear that I will have another one, even if my more sensible business partner (he's an accountant. But he's out in Singapore so he can't tell me what to do) would say it doesn't really make financial sense.After all, happiness is more important than money, right?
A large credit card bill (when you've recently been nearly bankrupt) would seem precarious happiness to me. Sorry to be so pithy, but if the only time you are happy is sat in your car then I think you should take a deep breath and look at your life in general. You've clearly had a bad time, individually and together. Retail therapy is not often the answer.
I don't know you, I may be being unacceptably personal, if so I apologise. It is just that is the way your posts read to me.
I hope things improve for you.
cyberface said:
No, it has been written off.
So far though on this forum I've been told that I can't drive, and now that I should reconsider my life in general.
I may as well give up now then eh? I won't bother coming back to pollute the place
I would say quite opposite - I think i remember your posts on the vx site many years ago and you always really helpful. Life is a bSo far though on this forum I've been told that I can't drive, and now that I should reconsider my life in general.
I may as well give up now then eh? I won't bother coming back to pollute the place
h, gutted that your car has been written off however turn into a positive - the fun and enjoyment of searching for some new wheels. Why not try a different colour chrome orange or ardent red?/perhaps get supertouring pack etc, different spec etc,what happened to you could happen to anyone - this is no worse driver around than me i can assure of that.I have had the worse 9months of my life and about a month ago decided you only live once,so i sold me exige na, as i really missed me solar yellow 220s which i sold for financial reasons and on last friday took delivery of a 240bhp white exige and guess what? for the first time in ages i can't stop smiling.When i look at the car i just smile and when i drive it i just can't stop grinning for hours, its the best medicine in the world,this is the happiest and most excited i have been in ages.
dont give up, get some new wheels :-)
bks. Hard luck CF - was it because the chassis was bent?
The comments made about your driving are far outweighed by the general consensus, so it's just ink on the page - don't take it too heart, and as for the pithy advice well, it's just that but sometimes it helps to have an outside point of view and I'm sure the poster didn't want to piss you off, just start scouring the ads mate, your posts here as elsewhere are always of interest - please don't throw out the baby with the bathwater!
ks. Hard luck CF - was it because the chassis was bent?The comments made about your driving are far outweighed by the general consensus, so it's just ink on the page - don't take it too heart, and as for the pithy advice well, it's just that but sometimes it helps to have an outside point of view and I'm sure the poster didn't want to piss you off, just start scouring the ads mate, your posts here as elsewhere are always of interest - please don't throw out the baby with the bathwater!
CF me old china. I'm feeling for you bud, because I sort of understand you and your other halves predicament @ home right now. Been a difficult year here too on the 'family' front.
Don't make a hasty decision, there'll be Exiges there after Xmas, and between Xmas and New Year would be a good time to stroll in with a nice deposit as folks try to hit their year-end numbers. Mahoosive cc debt won't help you short or long term, and it'll be a bh to get rid of unless you can get a personal loan for the same amount... in which case, you might as well do that now instead. I doubt your credit rating will be affected by a stack, even if your insurance premium is. If you really want to know, pay a few quid and get an Experian report etc. and check it out before you start cutting deals.
Take some time off from the stresses, get away from the keyboard for a bit and give yourself a holiday, long weekend or summat. Take the lady away somewhere hot and relaxed, and get away from work and the stresses and strains of the last few years.
Are you talking to anyone about how you feel? If not, it's something you might like to consider. Sometimes it really helps. Chin up
Don't make a hasty decision, there'll be Exiges there after Xmas, and between Xmas and New Year would be a good time to stroll in with a nice deposit as folks try to hit their year-end numbers. Mahoosive cc debt won't help you short or long term, and it'll be a b
h to get rid of unless you can get a personal loan for the same amount... in which case, you might as well do that now instead. I doubt your credit rating will be affected by a stack, even if your insurance premium is. If you really want to know, pay a few quid and get an Experian report etc. and check it out before you start cutting deals.Take some time off from the stresses, get away from the keyboard for a bit and give yourself a holiday, long weekend or summat. Take the lady away somewhere hot and relaxed, and get away from work and the stresses and strains of the last few years.
Are you talking to anyone about how you feel? If not, it's something you might like to consider. Sometimes it really helps. Chin up
NDT said:
cyberface said:
cars like mine seem to be worth more than I paid for mine last year.
Shouldn't the insurance payout reflect that?Or am I being hopelessly naive?
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