Have I done the right thing?

Anything goes in here.....
Post Reply
StuC
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 11:29 am
Location: Edinburgh

Have I done the right thing?

Post by StuC » Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:34 pm

Hi all,

Today I made a journey to the south of England to look at a car that I genuinely thought was “the one”.

A 1998 S1 that’s probably mechanically the best I’ll ever find - it’s literally had every serviceable item and known problem area replaced or upgraded, at huge expense of course. Cosmetically not so good, but it would have allowed me to use the car on track and not worry so much about the paintwork being kept outside, until I move somewhere with a garage and probably ultimately got a re-spray. New roof and seats also needed. I would describe it as a useable, honest car.

The catch? Bad footwell corrosion, with at least 3 separate holes visible. The biggest of these was probably 5mm accross.

The seller came down to a reasonable price but my worry was the likely repairs involved. Was I right to walk away? Is floor corrosion like that fixable or is it just more trouble than it’s worth? I’ve read some chat about ACF-50/POR-15 etc but there’s not a lot on what can be done if the floor is actually holed.

Thanks again for any help!

Hub
Posts: 58
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:21 pm
Location: Stonehaven

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by Hub » Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:47 pm

I would call Craig Moncrieff. He is the person who can unequivocally answer.
I would have thought floor is repairable. It is all on the price you have negotiated.
Good luck,
Ian

User avatar
alicrozier
Posts: 4368
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2005 12:58 pm
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by alicrozier » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:44 pm

Can be repaired per official Lotus recommendation, see details here.
https://wiki.seloc.org/a/Footwell_Corrosion
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Any references to laptimes, speed or driving on the public highway are purely for dramatic effect.

StuC
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 11:29 am
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by StuC » Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:24 pm

That makes it sound like quite a straightforward fix. Might indeed be a good idea to get Craig's thoughts.

Thanks

User avatar
campbell
Posts: 17191
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:42 pm
Location: West Lothian
Contact:

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by campbell » Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:33 pm

Got a 4 figure budget per annum to keep it on the road? Serious question. Could be an amazing experience if so
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy

User avatar
Sanjøy
Posts: 8808
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:23 pm
Location: Edinburgh Hamptons

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by Sanjøy » Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:16 pm

campbell wrote:Got a 4 figure budget per annum to keep it on the road? Serious question. Could be an amazing experience if so Image
Really? After the initial make good costs?
W213 All Terrain

User avatar
campbell
Posts: 17191
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:42 pm
Location: West Lothian
Contact:

Have I done the right thing?

Post by campbell » Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:23 pm

Yup

Always something to go bang on a car of that age.

And more and more creative solutions required as parts get tougher to cons by.

Either that or it’s off the road awaiting fixes while the good weather passes you by.
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy

User avatar
chrisdb
Posts: 190
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:58 am
Contact:

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by chrisdb » Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:47 am

There is a guy on seloc called ‘the foot’ who makes repair panels which you can bond straight in top of the existing floor. Also available on eBay here.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2571881780

I haven’t spent anywhere near four figures/year keeping mine on the road but I guess it heavily depends on the condition of the car and how many common issue bits have been replaced by previous owners already (head gasket, radiator, suspension refresh etc).

User avatar
Dominic
Posts: 14411
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:14 am
Location: Milton Of Campsie
Contact:

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by Dominic » Fri Jun 07, 2019 10:45 am

Sanjøy wrote:
Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:16 pm
campbell wrote:Got a 4 figure budget per annum to keep it on the road? Serious question. Could be an amazing experience if so Image
Really? After the initial make good costs?
Experiences may vary.... :o)

Any sports car or any "modern classic" is going to require maintenance and fixes. I have had good years and bad years, but reckon £1k per annum would be a generous spend to cover most stuff.
http://www.dsaccountancy.com

1999 Lotus Elise Sport 135'99

User avatar
rossybee
Posts: 10976
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:13 pm
Location: Now fully entered into the fold!
Contact:

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by rossybee » Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:26 pm

I'd say the higher maintenance figure (surely a grand is plenty per annum) is hugely offset by the lack of depreciation or even slight appreciation...

...and in addition - I've had the TVR over 2yrs now and not even spent a grand in that period - helps that I have the best independent place pretty much on my doorstep (well Carnoustie but near enough :blackeye )
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT

Now browsing the tech pages :mrgreen:

:cheers

User avatar
campbell
Posts: 17191
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:42 pm
Location: West Lothian
Contact:

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by campbell » Fri Jun 07, 2019 10:26 pm

Selective response Ross ;-)

My other point about car off the road when you need it most, stands Image
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy

User avatar
rossybee
Posts: 10976
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:13 pm
Location: Now fully entered into the fold!
Contact:

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by rossybee » Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:42 am

It's all pretty moot anyway cos Lotus and TVR aren't everyday cars, so we have to own another more useable vehicle, this negates the off-the-road theory.

Jumping into Mini ownership shortly with an F56 Cooper which I'm looking forward to. 1st Mini since I sold mine about 30yrs ago :damnfunny

Cost of parts, well mine has TVR's own engine, so let's not think about this bit too much :blackeye
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT

Now browsing the tech pages :mrgreen:

:cheers

User avatar
campbell
Posts: 17191
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:42 pm
Location: West Lothian
Contact:

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by campbell » Sun Jun 09, 2019 1:15 pm

Not quite. The off the road theory very much applies. When you want to do a track day. Or get out on a (rare) warm and dry sunny day. Or really fancied that special commute. Etc. Except the car’s broken. Again. And you’ve not got round to getting it fixed.

Anyway no matter!

It’s all about the fun and I hope it works out well
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy

User avatar
Ferg
Posts: 3936
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:56 pm
Location: Auld Reekie

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by Ferg » Mon Jun 17, 2019 11:56 pm

I reckon most Lotus need around £1k ploughed into them a year if your using them. But that's still pretty reasonable all things considered. If you maintain the level of maintenance and parts refresh you shouldn't get hit with any nasty surprises. Especially if you start with a well maintained example.

mxvx
Posts: 1027
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2014 2:19 pm
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Have I done the right thing?

Post by mxvx » Wed Jun 19, 2019 11:15 pm

Ferg wrote:
Mon Jun 17, 2019 11:56 pm
I reckon most Lotus need around £1k ploughed into them a year if your using them. But that's still pretty reasonable all things considered. If you maintain the level of maintenance and parts refresh you shouldn't get hit with any nasty surprises. Especially if you start with a well maintained example.
1k would be lovely...

Post Reply