Bay Area Dealers - No 2009s?

[JimInSF]

Hi all, I've been shopping around a bit and I notice that neither BMCD nor SVAG in the Bay Area has any stock whatsoever, and SVAG's sold but still listed cars are both 2008s.

At Boardwalk, the only Bay Area dealer that appears to have any inventory, they have several 2008s in stock and no 2009s, and it was explained to me that Lotus would not give them any 2009s unless/until they sold all the 2008s, of which they have at least 4 on the showroom floor.

A couple of questions then. One, have ZERO 2009 Elise/Exiges been sold in the entire Bay Area?

Two, I saw some old threads where people where unhappy with Boardwalk, then some later threads where they were apparently improving, but the guy who introduced himself to me at the dealer as handling Lotus now did not appear to be the same guy who was posting in threads here a few months ago. Any ideas about whether this dealership is still stable vis-a-vis the brand, and why they have inventory while no one else around here seems to?

I'm a bit concerned about the prospects of all of the Bay Area dealers and even Lotus as a whole as a viable enterprise if basically no new cars are moving at all, and about what folks think of (and the status of) the various dealerships here. Any/all info and advice much appreciated!

[JetFuel]

I just bought a 60th anniversary Elise from Silicon Valley Auto Group in Los Gatos. My experience with them was excellent. Adam (the lamborghini manager) was as responsive as any car sales guy I've ever dealt with. I would recommend them highly and rarely recommend dealerships. I bought the car remotely (I live in Austin) and they exceeded my expectations.

Hope that helps.

[twaszak1]

We have some 2009's in stock. I know we are a bit far, but aranging transportation is easy. Fox Valley Motorcars / Lamborghini Chicago - Inventory

2009 Ardent Red Exige S240
2009 Laser Blue Elise Naturally Aspirated 190 hp
2009 Ardent Red Elise
2009 Sloar Yellow Elise Purist Edition
2009 Burnt Orange Elise SC

T.J.
Fox Valley Motorcars

[JimInSF]

Congratulations JetFuel! Yep, they have a 60th anniversary edition at Boardwalk and it was really attractive and the one I chose to sit down in, although I think the black on black Exige was perhaps even better if one were willing to forgo open top motoring and a rear window. (And this is a 2008 car - not that it matters much for you as I'm not aware of any changes to the SC for 2009, but goes to the point of extremely slow sales to the point of no 2009 models moving here.)

And thanks TJ. It's not so much that I felt the need to get a 2009, more concern about the continued viability of local Lotus dealerships for service, etc., if few or no 2009s have been sold here this year. Hopefully sales of the Evora will ensure that some local dealerships endure!

[kwancho]

Originally Posted by JetFuel

I just bought a 60th anniversary Elise from Silicon Valley Auto Group in Los Gatos. My experience with them was excellent. Adam (the lamborghini manager) was as responsive as any car sales guy I've ever dealt with. I would recommend them highly and rarely recommend dealerships. I bought the car remotely (I live in Austin) and they exceeded my expectations.

Hope that helps.

I was literally JUST about to buy that car when they lowered the price to $49k. That was a steal! Congrats!

[RoadDad]

Originally Posted by twaszak1

Burnt Orange

[ewalberg]

My feeling (and observation at the time of purchase back in 2006) is that the dealers around here don't usually give the best deals on the cars... and given that buyers around here are likely to be stingy about getting a good deal... it's hard to sell cars here. The great part is that there are 3 dealers to service your car in short proximity (and dietrich's who is independant, a sponsor here and is well recommended) so you have lots of resources for services... and they all know it... so it keeps them working for you. Don't expect any free lunches, but if you raise a legitimate concern with them i'd be surprised if they didn't step up to meet you in the middle at least. I think this is one of the best places to own a lotus with no less than 4 shops for service, 3 of which are factory authorized... i can't imagine all three dissapearing.

Also consider plenty of people in the bay area who might like a lotus are buying Tesla's becuase they have a local dealer in Menlo Park. I'm defenitely seeing more Tesla's on the road now than Lotus'. Probably at a rate of 2 or 3 Tesla's to per lotus. They may be losing some sales to Tesla for that.

Frankly i don't really understand why there are so many new car dealerships (of all types of cars)... having many Factory Authorized Service stations makes sense, but new car dealers? I don't see why. And i think lotus is probably in some of the most financially sound shape it's been in a long time... their successfully manufacturing cars again which gives them all the more credibility with their consulting and have electric car experience now Tesla including building them, and parts supply. Chilton autobody is the only authorized Tesla body shop in northern california and every time i'm there they've got a new Tesla cracked open and usually and elise too. I bet their making a fine profit on those clams.

and given only more electric cars are on their way, Lotus' lightweight philosophy and experience is now a practical advantage for a manufacturer trying to figure out how to make their electric cars go a little bit further...

[Mr. Know]

Originally Posted by JimInSF

I'm a bit concerned about the prospects of all of the Bay Area dealers and even Lotus as a whole as a viable enterprise if basically no new cars are moving at all, and about what folks think of (and the status of) the various dealerships here. Any/all info and advice much appreciated!

We are in a recession...luxury goods like sports cars are the first to go by the wayside. Heck, they had to use a government subsidized program just to sell regular cars...

[Tom@Bwalk]

My name is Tom Sutton and I am one of the Lotus Certified Salesmen at Boardwalk Lotus. There are 3 of us that are Certified. Daniel in Service is one of the best mechanics around. Not just with Lotus, but everything.

Business is very slow with the Lotus brand and our owner decided not to buy 2009's until the 2008's are gone. The owner also has 2 other Lotus cars in the Reno dealership. We watch the other 2 dealership websites in the area to compare pricing and we can do similar deals. We have the Black 60th Anniversary, Exige S 240 in Black and Storm Titanium left. We have taken 2 orders for the Evora.

The owner is committed to staying with Lotus. In fact, I will be heading a Historic Lotus special display at the Palo Alto Concours in June 2010 where we will have an Evora featured.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our Lotus dealership please contact me at tsutton@bwalkauto.com.

Thanks