Cheap Exige S???

[Peter76]

Was having a look at Exiges (as I do every other day) on Pistonheads. This one seems a bit cheap for being Supercharged, 2007, with only 8,000 miles? Small Lotus badge on the back doesn't look right to me either. I though this was on older models, however it does say 2007 'model'?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1724860.htm

A bit to good to be true perhaps?

[jj]

Will be a cat C or D - those guys sell loads of damaged repaired cars and never mention it in the adverts. Its also not cheap enough IMHO for being a damaged repaired (which I bet £1 it will be).

[flip flop]

I was the same, saw the advert and price but then did a bit of digging and theres a load of threads about these guys buying crash damaged cars.

Wouldnt be for me

[robin]

I've got no problem with people buying up insurance write offs and selling them, but these guys consistently fail to mention this is what they do, so I don't think you can trust them.

Cheers,
Robin

[hendeg]

Is this Peter desperate to get back in the game or just got too much time on his hands at work?

[H8OAG]

As Robin stated.........

I have HPI checked a few cars of late and quite a few showed up as CAT C/CAT D...........some of which were bought by people on this forum.

No problem with properly repaired damaged cars myself ......but they need to be priced accordingly

Trade will bid 50% of retail value for CAT D cars......... they are not so keen on CAT C bidding unless it is a sought after model

It is only £3 for a quick text check on a reg number

[GregR]

Yeah - the whole rear of that car is wrong - the lotus badge was a 2005 thing, and an Exige 'S' should have a body coloured rear spoiler rather than the black one there.

[robin]

As Robin stated.........

I have HPI checked a few cars of late and quite a few showed up as CAT C/CAT D...........some of which were bought by people on this forum.

Shock! Hopefully not mine - unusually for me I did actually get it checked before I bought it, so will be miffed if it's a wrong un'!

Cheers,
Robin

[hardrockjock]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOTUS-340R-CLAM-2 ... arParts_SM

Where the spares are stored?

[Peter76]

Is this Peter desperate to get back in the game or just got too much time on his hands at work?

Certainly not the latter! No time to surf at work at the moment. Look at Exiges and Elises very regularly though. I'll be back in one at some point.

I would have thought they would mention in the ad that it was Cat C or D. I presume at some stage during a sale they menton this? I've seen a few versions with black 'spoilers' and put this down to the owners individual taste. I guess this time they've taken whatever rear clam and spoiler they could get their hands on first to get a car together.

[woody]

Is this Peter desperate to get back in the game or just got too much time on his hands at work?

Certainly not the latter! No time to surf at work at the moment. Look at Exiges and Elises very regularly though. I'll be back in one at some point.

I would have thought they would mention in the ad that it was Cat C or D. I presume at some stage during a sale they menton this? I've seen a few versions with black 'spoilers' and put this down to the owners individual taste. I guess this time they've taken whatever rear clam and spoiler they could get their hands on first to get a car together.

If you're on Seloc, do a search there. There's a few interesting stories regarding damaged chassis etc...

[Edin430]

sure i read it was a CAT C with a bad rear end smash.

edit: all the badges at the back are squint or off centre and it has the 2005 grilles. which haven't been fitted correctly

[Peter76]

I can confirm it's a CAT D. These people should really point this out in the ad.

[vx220]

Legally a dealer doesnt have to tell you its a Cat C/D unless you ask them specifically then they are legally required to tell you the truth! buyer beware!

[flip flop]

As Robin stated.........

I have HPI checked a few cars of late and quite a few showed up as CAT C/CAT D...........some of which were bought by people on this forum.

No problem with properly repaired damaged cars myself ......but they need to be priced accordingly

Trade will bid 50% of retail value for CAT D cars......... they are not so keen on CAT C bidding unless it is a sought after model

It is only £3 for a quick text check on a reg number

I agree totally, My problem is with the general attitude of the dealers.

I would have no problem either buying a repaired damaged car from somebody like robin who knows his stuff and in being a decent guy and could be relied upon to take his time and effort to ensure all work was done thoroughly to put out a safe car. As you say it would need to be priced fairly because as much as I know the car is okay the next buyer may not have the same trust in the build process.

Coming back to the dealer, if they are charging higher rates than normal for such a car and arent advertising its damaged then i'd be split between two chains of thought

A - once they have you interested at that price and youve seen it looking good on the forecourt you may be more tempted to accept the history and with a bit of discount thrown in leave with a fair price for you both.
B - the dealer hopes you love the car and thinking youre getting a good deal buy the car quickly so as not to lose it.

Its B that scares me - if they can be less than totally honest in the sale, how can you really trust them to be totally honest in the hard bit - the patience and effort to put out a correct car.

Either way I'll be steering clear- No offence to anybody thats bought one

cheers