Help

[L14MDP]

Just as I found what seemed to be the right car at the right price there is a slight problem and could do with some help.

This is the car - http://www.racinggreencars.com/cars_for_sale/stock...

The good - 2008 (58), very high spec including (aircon, traction control, hard top, front stone chip protector, excellent condition, 1 owner).

The bad - Millage advertised as 7k, but turns out the instrument panel (Stack I believe) was replaced in Oct 2009 at around 8.5k miles by Dick Lovett and new one is only showing around 4.5k. So total millage is more like 13k. It is stamped in the service book as instrument panel being replaced at the service in Oct 2009.

Now because of the confusion and bits they have offered the car at £24k including a full years tax and they will do the next service which is due in Oct 2010 and will provide a warranty. So the price for the spec of car is good, but not too sure about the millage problem.


Thanks

Liam

[NormantheDog]

Williams in Bristol are trying to sell an Exige with the same problem and looks discounted compared to similar others. They are offering a signed letter to confirm the situation. I'm guessing the main problem would be if you wanted to ever sell the car on you may have problems with potential buyers thinking the same as you are now.

[Pum]

So the only issue is the mileage / stack change? If the price is right for a 13k car (worse case scenario), and you can prove it was changed at no more than 8.5k if/when you sell it on, then I don't see a problem.

[lamb jiblets]

quite a common thing with the stacks, if the history matches I'd go for it, it was done by dick lovett so they will have a record of it. How much do you love it?

[L14MDP]

Cheers guys, I have also called the lotus garage that did the work to reassure myself and am happy. Now just need to decide if to just get service done at racing green or get the money off and get it done at a lotus dealer to keep a full lotus history. Is a full lotus dealer history worth the extra they cost?

Liam

[L14MDP]

Bump

[tertius]

Personally I wouldn't worry about it - my car has had a Stack change, it doesn't seem uncommon at all. Mind you my car is much older, and I suspect it becomes less of a problem over time.

[L14MDP]

Not got an issue with the stack anymore. What about the servicing records. Is there much value in a full lotus history when out of warranty period?

[Pabl0]

L14MDP said:

Cheers guys, I have also called the lotus garage that did the work to reassure myself and am happy. Now just need to decide if to just get service done at racing green or get the money off and get it done at a lotus dealer to keep a full lotus history. Is a full lotus dealer history worth the extra they cost?

Liam

I would take the car to a lotus specialist and not worry about using a Lotus dealer. You have a number of specialist in and around your area.

[L14MDP]

Racing Green aren't a lotus specialist as far as I know but they say they have a mechanic does deal with lotus's if they have it it. I live in Maidenhead and work in Henley and Godalming. Where am I best to go for future servicing?

Cheers

[AllNines]

L14MDP said:

I live in Maidenhead. Where am I best to go for future servicing?

Steve Williams? www.swlotus.com

[Pabl0]

A few suggestions:
swlotus in Maidenhead
hoffmans in Henley
Back on Track in Guildford
Plans Motorsport just SE of Guildford
Lakeside Engineering in Weybridge

Edited by Pabl0 on Thursday 23 September 11:53

[S Works]

L14MDP said:

Not got an issue with the stack anymore. What about the servicing records. Is there much value in a full lotus history when out of warranty period?

No, absolutely not. In many respects quite the opposite. In fact, I'd go so far as to say there's no value in a Main Dealer history while it's in warranty either. Most are very expensive and not any better than the independents.

[chevronb37]

Just to add my two cents: I bought a car which had the Stack changed early on in its life. It was documented in the service book and has literally not caused me a second of bother in the last 18 months. As long as you have a clearly defined audit trail then I wouldn't worry.

[L14MDP]

Thanks for all the advise and comments. I have decided to get the car and hopefully collect on Friday.

Liam