Your thoughts?

[Chris]

My friend is seriously considering buying this car and was wondering if there are any specific things to look out for. I'm no Lotus expert, so I thought I'd see if there were some on here that could offer their advice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ADME:B:EF:US:1

[R_Ethug]

Re: Your thoughts?

HOT GOD! i dunno dude.. i'd hit it thats for sure

[Chris]

Re: Your thoughts?

There's another one he's looking at that's a '99 Silver on Black for $52,000 US but he just came across this one and is now tempted to go this route. He just wants to get all the information he can before going through with it.

But I suspect that he'll pony up in the end. There might just be a Lotus Esprit at Bahnfest....

[Aleks]

Re: Your thoughts?

Pros: the ladies, the speed, the new friends you will have
Cons: the repair bill, the gas bill, the insurance bill, the winter driving, the tire bill, the "I just spend $80G's on a car" sinking feeling after signing the cheque...

Well, cons outweigh the pros, you know where I would stand!

[Flanders]

Re: Your thoughts?

Ditto to what Aleks said!!

But if he's got the cash to spare...wh00t! That would be a fine ride!

[shaunmic]

Re: Your thoughts?

Is it a 4 or 8 cyl.?

[Mr. Burns]

Re: Your thoughts?

I think the dough would be better spent on an STI or something like that.

[Chris]

Re: Your thoughts?

Is it a 4 or 8 cyl.?

8-cylinder. And twin turbos too!

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Your thoughts?

I think maintenance is the biggest issue, he needs to be prepared to have lots of money to keep it running well like Alex said. However I would love to have it on the BahnFest list

[Smarty39]

Re: Your thoughts?

Definately the maintenance would be the biggest problem. There are only a handful of places that could service a Lotus, one being ZR Auto....and I am sure that they are a bargain .

[Tuna]

Re: Your thoughts?

I've always loved those cars. But they are probably Corrado to the power of 10 maintenance wise.

[Kor]

Re: Your thoughts?

I would spend my money elsewhere, I would say the lotus will cost double when you include repair bills over the ownership of the car.

[dubspeedGTi]

Re: Your thoughts?

Tell him to buy a used Porsche you can get a good used one for that price. And in my opinion a way better car.

[Boy Racer]

Re: Your thoughts?

Marc at Alpine Autowerks works on this Marque of Autos

From what I know in addition to the upkeep costs, they are a very bizzarre 'fit' in the drivers seat so get him to sit in one and play brrrrm brrrm at the very least. Pedals, seat and steering wheel were laid out by picasso.

[Chris]

Re: Your thoughts?

Thanks for the input guys! I've passed it along to my friend and it looks like he'll be making his decision this weekend. He's always wanted a Lotus and now that he's got the money for one (and the maintenance) he sees no reason not to get it.

His main concerns were places to take it for servicing and maintenance, but it seems there are a couple good places in town to do the work.