Would A Relatively High Number Of Owners Put You Off?
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I've been searching for a while for an Elise, but everytime I find one that fits the bill they seem to have loads of previous owners!!
For example one I found recently that looked perfect has had 5 owners on a 2004!!
Even if everything else is perfect it is putting me off slightly, should it?
Cheers
I've been searching for a while for an Elise, but everytime I find one that fits the bill they seem to have loads of previous owners!!
For example one I found recently that looked perfect has had 5 owners on a 2004!!
Even if everything else is perfect it is putting me off slightly, should it?
Cheers
It's definitely condition rather than number of owners per se, although the 2 can also be connected (as said above, 1 owner for 4 years and then another 4 in rapid succession might be a warning sign).
A full file with all the work done by each owner would put my mind at rest over a high number of owners. The Elise can attract high numbers of owners as many people like the idea but then the reality of running it as an only car or the luxury of having it as a 3rd car sinks in...
A full file with all the work done by each owner would put my mind at rest over a high number of owners. The Elise can attract high numbers of owners as many people like the idea but then the reality of running it as an only car or the luxury of having it as a 3rd car sinks in...
Mine has had a few but the last owner had the car for about 3 years. I think rag tops often change hands more often that standard cars as people buy for the summer but are less committed for the winter months!
Check the history of the car carefully but if you are happy with the condition don't let a few previous owners put you off!
Check the history of the car carefully but if you are happy with the condition don't let a few previous owners put you off!
I just bought a TVR Tuscan that is 10 years old and had 10 owners. It did worry me at first, but I spoke to some dealers who said not to worry, the big issue with any specialist car is condition.
There are a few risks with lots of owners, things can get lost like spare keys, key and alarm codes, some history in terms of paperwork. For instance, I my car has been decatted, but the previous 2 owners were unaware. i have the full service history but its silent on the decat. maybe with lots of owners some of the niggles don't get fixed, but I suspect an Elise or and Exige has fewer of those than a TVR.
edited to add.
With mine the guy I bought it from had it 4 months, before that it was rebuilt by TVR Power and was owned by one of the guys who set up TVR Power so I was reasonably happy taht all was well mechanically. I still went over the service history in detail and questioned any gaps
There are a few risks with lots of owners, things can get lost like spare keys, key and alarm codes, some history in terms of paperwork. For instance, I my car has been decatted, but the previous 2 owners were unaware. i have the full service history but its silent on the decat. maybe with lots of owners some of the niggles don't get fixed, but I suspect an Elise or and Exige has fewer of those than a TVR.
edited to add.
With mine the guy I bought it from had it 4 months, before that it was rebuilt by TVR Power and was owned by one of the guys who set up TVR Power so I was reasonably happy taht all was well mechanically. I still went over the service history in detail and questioned any gaps
Edited by blueg33 on Tuesday 26th October 08:35
It's one of those where (if you even care about previous owners) base it 5% for the first 3 or 4 owners, the other 80-85% is the last one. Lots of (if there was any) harm from the earlier ones can be undone by a decent later owner, but a lot of good (regular servicing, with good components, not thrashing when cold etc) can be undone by one owner later in the chain.
It then ends up with, if you don't know much about the previous owners (service history can give you a good insight (did notes on MOT wait until next year or done that year, did any mention of things on the service docs result in additional work done n just a few weeks or did the person wait for that item to break?). All in all, go with the approach of thoroughly inspecting the vehicle, listening to the engine hot and cold starts and driving as well as a good look round bushes, ball joints etc, if they're not good then start wondering about the bits that are not as easy to do and more expensive.
It then ends up with, if you don't know much about the previous owners (service history can give you a good insight (did notes on MOT wait until next year or done that year, did any mention of things on the service docs result in additional work done n just a few weeks or did the person wait for that item to break?). All in all, go with the approach of thoroughly inspecting the vehicle, listening to the engine hot and cold starts and driving as well as a good look round bushes, ball joints etc, if they're not good then start wondering about the bits that are not as easy to do and more expensive.
I think the above posts make some fair points, but I will be honest and say it always stops me calling the seller.
The fear is, let's be honest, that most of these owners knew they were only buying for a short term experience, and so didn't care a f**k about looking after the car, not least the engine and gearbox.
Or that they realised something was up, and got out before the big bills came in.
As said by others, it could well be the reverse. They just couldn't handle the high sills, weren't true enthusiasts and wanted to return to safe, warm boxes...
This is an area where it comes down to how you feel - not being rational!
Having said that, isn't it possible to get read outs of how the car has been revved or over revved during its history??? Or am I dreaming?
The fear is, let's be honest, that most of these owners knew they were only buying for a short term experience, and so didn't care a f**k about looking after the car, not least the engine and gearbox.
Or that they realised something was up, and got out before the big bills came in.
As said by others, it could well be the reverse. They just couldn't handle the high sills, weren't true enthusiasts and wanted to return to safe, warm boxes...
This is an area where it comes down to how you feel - not being rational!
Having said that, isn't it possible to get read outs of how the car has been revved or over revved during its history??? Or am I dreaming?
I bought a 2004 Exige in 2007, I was the third owner and only kept the car about 6 months. The car was a low mileage weekend toy when I bought it, I put about 5,000 miles on the car including the Viking Furball trip and using it for a daily commute of about 100 miles, before selling.
So in conclusion the number of owners is really not that important, the condition of the car and supporting paperwork for servicing etc would be much more important to me when looking at a car. the most important thing would be the test drive to check the car "feels" right.
So in conclusion the number of owners is really not that important, the condition of the car and supporting paperwork for servicing etc would be much more important to me when looking at a car. the most important thing would be the test drive to check the car "feels" right.
another +1 for condition. As long as the service history and the car checks out along with owner duration (ie not 3 in 6 months) then ask yourself this question.
Does the average person look after cars better when they first get them or after 3+ years of ownership?
I would prefer a car that has had 6 owners owning it for a year each with each of them treating it as a "new" car than one where someone has owned it for 4 years and not bothered looking after it and scrimping on servicing as its an "old" car to them.
HTH
Does the average person look after cars better when they first get them or after 3+ years of ownership?
I would prefer a car that has had 6 owners owning it for a year each with each of them treating it as a "new" car than one where someone has owned it for 4 years and not bothered looking after it and scrimping on servicing as its an "old" car to them.
HTH
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