Bad Idea? Buying a used rental elise? - LotusTalk

breinhar · 05-18-2008, 04:59 PM

Hey guys, I have been trying to find an 06 Canyon Red elise to buy. So far I am having a hard time finding one. I did find one in Chicago though:

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

Another board member carfaxed it for me and it turns out to be a rental. So my questions for you guys are:

how bad of an idea is it to buy a used rental car?

If I were to buy it, what things should I check before picking it up?

Aedo · 05-18-2008, 05:39 PM

You will get a lot of KEEP AWAY comments from that questions (search for threads on the rental subject!). HOWEVER - it does mean that you may get a bargain! A thorough PPI by a Lotus specialist focussing on the chassis (there is a test for trueness), suspension components - particularly attachment points to the chassis, and bodywork for signs of repair. Finally you will need to have an ECU dump to find out how the engine (and car has been treated).

An Elise can be written off due to chassis damage and bodywork is expensive to repair properly - if you cover these areas (and get a VERY good deal) an ex-rental can work!

Good luck!

breinhar · 05-18-2008, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the response. Fox Valley isn't far away from the car, how much would this type of inspection usually cost?

Man of Steel · 05-18-2008, 05:53 PM

We purchased our 2006 Ardent Red Elise from a Ford dealer in Chicago a couple of months ago. Carfax indicated that it was origianaly titled as a rental in Nebraska. We had the car thouroughly checked out by Lotus and a number of (very expensive) issues were cheerfully repaired or replaced under warranty. There was no front end clam damage, and the paint, body and suspension were in excellent shape. There was a little more wear in the interior than one would expect from a single owner (i.e. we replaced the floor mats, there are a few blemishes).

We got a very good deal and are thrilled with the car.

Obviously, as expressed earlier, buyer beware.

jbrodek · 05-18-2008, 06:51 PM

I bought a rental thru Fox Valley in Chicago 4 months ago (06 canyon red as well) and had them thoroughly check it out before taking possession. It's been fine so far.

The car was owned by Huntington Ridge in the Northeast until Fox Valley shipped it in. You'll probably have to get one out of town, but be sure to go thru a reputable dealer who will check and cover everything for you until warranty is up (which on most of these is still a long way off).

Mr. Know · 05-18-2008, 07:33 PM

Before I settled on a rental, I'd seriously look around. There's LOTS of Elises available.

breinhar · 05-18-2008, 07:44 PM

I have been keeping my eyes pealed. I won't go with the rental unless its a great deal and everything checks out good with a dealer.

ML1media · 05-18-2008, 08:41 PM

Do you live IN Chicago?
That 'dealer' is on the south side of Chicago ---somewhere between Marquette Park (not a great, but improving, neighborhood) and Englewood (not for the faint of heart even if you're packing). FVMC is 40 miles away, but as far as area is concerned --another Universe (which is to say a nice, safe, clean, uncrowded location). Best of luck,
john m

breinhar · 05-19-2008, 04:23 AM

No I don't live there. Looks like I will need to consider more than just the car. Thanks.

Vampyre · 05-19-2008, 04:39 AM

I would skip it... if you were talking about a domestic car, that would be one thing, but many people rent a Lotus and put it though hell, just to see what the car can do.

tesprit · 05-19-2008, 06:55 AM

Just about every photo of that car from the link is poorly focused or too far away to show any details so there is no way to tell the wear and tear on the car from the photos. Considering the history you have on it, I wouldn't consider this car unless the price was below $30,000 and then only if you can get it inspected. It could be a great deal or just a disaster waiting for the right sucker to buy it. Beware!!

NavyLt · 05-19-2008, 07:20 AM

Two phrases spring to mind: 1. Drive it like a rental.
2. Beaten like a rented mule.

KeepItClear · 05-19-2008, 07:24 PM

Be very careful, I was talking to an autobody shop down here in florida and she said enterprise(or some rental company) had bought a ton of them and they were all getting beat up. Make sure you can get an honest accident history on a rental, most people dont know how to drive such a light car.

esoteric · 05-19-2008, 08:11 PM

Hey check out four pages of people's opinion on this very topic:
Would you buy an ex-rental Elise?

And this thread was only posted 4 days ago so it very recent...

05-18-2008, 04:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
breinhar Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 68	Bad Idea? Buying a used rental elise? Hey guys, I have been trying to find an 06 Canyon Red elise to buy. So far I am having a hard time finding one. I did find one in Chicago though: Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com Another board member carfaxed it for me and it turns out to be a rental. So my questions for you guys are: how bad of an idea is it to buy a used rental car? If I were to buy it, what things should I check before picking it up?

05-18-2008, 05:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Man of Steel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 92	We purchased our 2006 Ardent Red Elise from a Ford dealer in Chicago a couple of months ago. Carfax indicated that it was origianaly titled as a rental in Nebraska. We had the car thouroughly checked out by Lotus and a number of (very expensive) issues were cheerfully repaired or replaced under warranty. There was no front end clam damage, and the paint, body and suspension were in excellent shape. There was a little more wear in the interior than one would expect from a single owner (i.e. we replaced the floor mats, there are a few blemishes). We got a very good deal and are thrilled with the car. Obviously, as expressed earlier, buyer beware. __________________ 2006 Ardent Red Elise Touring Pack, Star Shield, hard top, Valentine 1 and bracket, sun visor delete, micro mirror, carpet buttons, new mats, Sector 111 "bootie", racing stripes FAIL :-( ;Chuforia graffix, Stage II exhaust, de-snorkeled, Green filter.

05-18-2008, 07:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 1,192 Images: 5	Before I settled on a rental, I'd seriously look around. There's LOTS of Elises available. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S

05-18-2008, 08:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
ML1media Trvlr thru time & space Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Elmhurst, IL Posts: 30	Do you live IN Chicago? That 'dealer' is on the south side of Chicago ---somewhere between Marquette Park (not a great, but improving, neighborhood) and Englewood (not for the faint of heart even if you're packing). FVMC is 40 miles away, but as far as area is concerned --another Universe (which is to say a nice, safe, clean, uncrowded location). Best of luck, john m __________________ The garage is FULL. Boxster S, Toyota Tundra, Honda Ascot and a 39 year old topless german ........but looking for an Elise anyway...

05-19-2008, 04:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
Vampyre Sports Cars Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,505	I would skip it... if you were talking about a domestic car, that would be one thing, but many people rent a Lotus and put it though hell, just to see what the car can do. __________________ 2006 Chili Red / Touring / LSD / TC / Forged Wheels / Hard & Soft Top / Lifestyle Paint / Desnorkeled / Odyssey Battery / Sector 111 Extinguisher Bracket / Sector 111 LidBone / CF Splitter / CF License plate frame / Pure :X 1981 C3 Corvette Stroker 383 TPI Pure Power /1976 MG Midget / Buick Rainier CXL AWD / Dodge Van / Had too many cars to list!

05-18-2008, 05:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aedo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 1,101 Images: 50	You will get a lot of KEEP AWAY comments from that questions (search for threads on the rental subject!). HOWEVER - it does mean that you may get a bargain! A thorough PPI by a Lotus specialist focussing on the chassis (there is a test for trueness), suspension components - particularly attachment points to the chassis, and bodywork for signs of repair. Finally you will need to have an ECU dump to find out how the engine (and car has been treated). An Elise can be written off due to chassis damage and bodywork is expensive to repair properly - if you cover these areas (and get a VERY good deal) an ex-rental can work! Good luck!

05-18-2008, 05:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
breinhar Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 68	Thanks for the response. Fox Valley isn't far away from the car, how much would this type of inspection usually cost?

05-18-2008, 06:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
jbrodek Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 7	I bought a rental thru Fox Valley in Chicago 4 months ago (06 canyon red as well) and had them thoroughly check it out before taking possession. It's been fine so far. The car was owned by Huntington Ridge in the Northeast until Fox Valley shipped it in. You'll probably have to get one out of town, but be sure to go thru a reputable dealer who will check and cover everything for you until warranty is up (which on most of these is still a long way off).

05-18-2008, 07:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
breinhar Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 68	I have been keeping my eyes pealed. I won't go with the rental unless its a great deal and everything checks out good with a dealer.

05-19-2008, 04:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
breinhar Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 68	No I don't live there. Looks like I will need to consider more than just the car. Thanks.

05-19-2008, 06:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
tesprit Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 1,120	Just about every photo of that car from the link is poorly focused or too far away to show any details so there is no way to tell the wear and tear on the car from the photos. Considering the history you have on it, I wouldn't consider this car unless the price was below $30,000 and then only if you can get it inspected. It could be a great deal or just a disaster waiting for the right sucker to buy it. Beware!!

05-19-2008, 07:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
NavyLt Say ello to my lil friend Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 78	Two phrases spring to mind: 1. Drive it like a rental. 2. Beaten like a rented mule.

05-19-2008, 07:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
KeepItClear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boca Raton, Fl Posts: 131	Be very careful, I was talking to an autobody shop down here in florida and she said enterprise(or some rental company) had bought a ton of them and they were all getting beat up. Make sure you can get an honest accident history on a rental, most people dont know how to drive such a light car. __________________ 05 Elise - Storm Titanium Red Leather/Touring/Starshield/Hard Top and Soft Top Larini Sports Exhaust SE/Larini DeCat/Fujita Intake/CF Zoom Rearview/CF Binnacle/HID Lights 6000k 55watt/Painted Storm Titanium Console, A/C Surround/Black Wheel Badges, Black Front Emblem/Ardent Red Engine Covers, E-brake Handle/Interior Carpeting Removed,Sound Deadening Foam

05-19-2008, 08:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
esoteric Turns corners & heads EZ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,263	Hey check out four pages of people's opinion on this very topic: Would you buy an ex-rental Elise? And this thread was only posted 4 days ago so it very recent... __________________ '05 Elise, Seibon CF front clam, Stage II exhaust, Pioneer ICE, Starshield I don't believe in shooting stars but I do believe in loot & cars. PhlypSide quote - Tell people you prefer your cars to be like your women: "lightweight, fast, low maintenance, and easy on the eyes."

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