Lotus of Austin--Closing or Moving Again?? - LotusTalk

Scott Bowman · 06-11-2008, 10:10 AM

I drove by Lotus of Austin on Hwy 183 Sunday afternoon and everything looked "normal." I was in that vicinity again today and the signs are down on one building, most of the (used car) inventory is gone, and a crew was preparing to pull down the remaining signage. Anyone know what is going on?

geezer · 06-11-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Bowman

I drove by Lotus of Austin on Hwy 183 Sunday afternoon and everything looked "normal." I was in that vicinity again today and the signs are down on one building, most of the (used car) inventory is gone, and a crew was preparing to pull down the remaining signage. Anyone know what is going on?

That dealership never quite seemed to commit to being anything other than a mid/hi range used car store with one or two Loti hanging around out front.

I miss Autostrada.

texige · 06-11-2008, 11:25 AM

They just told me they were moving but not going out of business.

carlover · 06-11-2008, 11:31 AM

I heard from an insider in early May that the owner was considering discontinuing the Lotus franchise because he wasn't making money at it. He supposedly was continuing his high end used car business.

Kevlar · 06-11-2008, 12:19 PM

its an epidemic

chotto · 06-11-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevlar

its an epidemic

No, its a step in the right direction. That is a joke of a dealership.

FIRME · 06-11-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chotto

No, its a step in the right direction. That is a joke of a dealership.

+111

The only thing good there was there service after there top enthusiast sales staff left.

NJdrool · 06-11-2008, 01:02 PM

Who's next?

Charlie Lunsford · 06-11-2008, 03:10 PM

There are some obvious changes in the works right now, but please don't let this discourage you. I will be here on the service end as well as in sales and Jeff will continue to be the tech, we have no plans of leaving. Unfortunately, this is all I can offer as of now. The service department is still open and will continue to be. We are still schedualing cars in for work and are operating at 100%. I will keep everyone informed as much as possible.

TorsinADoc · 06-11-2008, 04:09 PM

This is not a good sign with the other dealer closing. I just cant believe people posting on this board could be so callous to diss a dealership possibly closing.

Scott Bowman · 06-11-2008, 06:50 PM

In my opinion, a small, local dealer is certainly better than no Lotus dealership! I started this discussion out of curiosity, not to stir up concerns about a trend of dealer struggles. There are dozens (at least) of Lotus cars in the Austin/Central Texas area, so I know there's a market for the service--at least for warranty work--on existing cars, if not for sales on new cars. Hopefully, whatever changes are underway will keep the Lotus franchise intact.

LELOPEZ210 · 06-11-2008, 08:00 PM

are you guys at all tied in with Lotus of San Antonio? I have needed some work done on my Esprit and those guys here in SA are a joke, they have no idea and have had no idea why my CHECK ENGINE light keeps coming on and when they say they fixed it (4-5) separate times, it comes on 5 miles down the road. They went through changes in service recently and those guys took a class from the original service guys, ugggg! where can I get help, and I mean, good HONEST help without ripping my eyes out and replacing parts that don't fix the problem? ( i'm done with that kinda crap)

Charlie Lunsford · 06-12-2008, 06:55 AM

Other then being a Lotus franchise, we are not associated with the San Antonio dealership. I would be more then happy to schedual in a time for you to bring your Esprit by. Shoot me an email LELOPEZ210. Jeff works on Esprits quite often and is very familiar with their quirks. Scott you are correct about the need for work here in central Texas. I have at least 27 "regular" Lotus customers. The Franchise is staying intact, and i will continue to be here for any of your service or sales needs.

chotto · 06-12-2008, 11:34 AM

I experienced the same problems and its worse for me because I'm a spoiled expat from Michigan that had a dealer that would jump through hoops for me. I now take my car to Soulspeed in Austin as a result of the advice I received from others here. I couldn't be happier. These guys know what they are doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LELOPEZ210

are you guys at all tied in with Lotus of San Antonio? I have needed some work done on my Esprit and those guys here in SA are a joke, they have no idea and have had no idea why my CHECK ENGINE light keeps coming on and when they say they fixed it (4-5) separate times, it comes on 5 miles down the road. They went through changes in service recently and those guys took a class from the original service guys, ugggg! where can I get help, and I mean, good HONEST help without ripping my eyes out and replacing parts that don't fix the problem? ( i'm done with that kinda crap)

Charlie Lunsford · 06-12-2008, 11:52 AM

The guys at soulspeed are actually very good friends of mine. I speak very highly of Jasper and Jensons work as I know they would of mine and Jeff's.

LELOPEZ210 · 06-12-2008, 07:50 PM

so maybe someone can tell me what might fix this problem since the guys in SA can't...
OKAY, so here's what I got. The code is P0447, CONTROL SYSTEM VEN-CONTROL CIRCUIT OPEN-EVAP CANNISTER STUCK CAUSED BY CARBON BUILDUP. They replaced the cannister and after driving off, light came back on. They also replaced some vent/shut/valve non-stk and that didn't work either. They also replaced the gas cap with what they told me was a GM part. Light still came on...has any one had this problem and what fixed it?

P0447 "Vent Control Circuit Open"

carlover · 06-12-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LELOPEZ210

so maybe someone can tell me what might fix this problem since the guys in SA can't...
OKAY, so here's what I got. The code is P0447, CONTROL SYSTEM VEN-CONTROL CIRCUIT OPEN-EVAP CANNISTER STUCK CAUSED BY CARBON BUILDUP. They replaced the cannister and after driving off, light came back on. They also replaced some vent/shut/valve non-stk and that didn't work either. They also replaced the gas cap with what they told me was a GM part. Light still came on...has any one had this problem and what fixed it?

P0447 "Vent Control Circuit Open"

I'd start a new thread, most of the folks that might be able to help you won't be reading this one.

LELOPEZ210 · 06-12-2008, 08:02 PM

i'm new to this, point me in the right direction?

carlover · 06-12-2008, 09:33 PM

Fair enough. Go to the top banner, click "forums." When the browser takes you to the list of forums click the one that you think best suits your category. For example "Lotus Esprit" which is the sixth one from the top. Then click the "new thread" button near the upper left part of the page. Hope this helps. Btw, PM sent.

Joe

shred · 06-13-2008, 05:37 PM

Cruised by today.. all signage gone except a 'For Sale/Lease' on the property. Some cars there, but no Lotus (Exige & Esprit as of last week)

Guess I'm too late to grab the Exige for a song..

06-11-2008, 10:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Scott Bowman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Leander, TX Posts: 425 Images: 21	Lotus of Austin--Closing or Moving Again?? I drove by Lotus of Austin on Hwy 183 Sunday afternoon and everything looked "normal." I was in that vicinity again today and the signs are down on one building, most of the (used car) inventory is gone, and a crew was preparing to pull down the remaining signage. Anyone know what is going on? __________________ 2006 Elise British Racing Green; LSS, LSD-TC, 2bular exhaust, Blackwatch Racing front bar, BWR Supercharger, Tillett Seats

06-11-2008, 12:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kevlar Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MA. sandbox Posts: 57	wtf, its an epidemic __________________ smg4.underground@yahoo.com

06-11-2008, 01:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
NJdrool Finally Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 479	Who's next? __________________ Bob in NJ 06 Sport Elise # 23 Stage II/Micromirror/Green wire mod/S111 tow hook/BWR front plate holder/Green filter/desnorkled/HID's-Hi & Low/Stealth Bulbs.

06-11-2008, 03:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
Charlie Lunsford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 352	There are some obvious changes in the works right now, but please don't let this discourage you. I will be here on the service end as well as in sales and Jeff will continue to be the tech, we have no plans of leaving. Unfortunately, this is all I can offer as of now. The service department is still open and will continue to be. We are still schedualing cars in for work and are operating at 100%. I will keep everyone informed as much as possible. __________________ Charlie Emotion Motorsports (512)818-0083 clunsford578@gmail.com formally of Lotus of Austin (yes all 3 of them!)

06-11-2008, 04:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
TorsinADoc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 508	This is not a good sign with the other dealer closing. I just cant believe people posting on this board could be so callous to diss a dealership possibly closing. __________________ http://foas.us/images/sigs/mclaren.jpg

06-11-2008, 11:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
texige Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: austin texas Posts: 839	They just told me they were moving but not going out of business.

06-11-2008, 11:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
carlover できそこないの傲慢嫌い Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,374	I heard from an insider in early May that the owner was considering discontinuing the Lotus franchise because he wasn't making money at it. He supposedly was continuing his high end used car business.

06-11-2008, 06:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
Scott Bowman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Leander, TX Posts: 425 Images: 21	In my opinion, a small, local dealer is certainly better than no Lotus dealership! I started this discussion out of curiosity, not to stir up concerns about a trend of dealer struggles. There are dozens (at least) of Lotus cars in the Austin/Central Texas area, so I know there's a market for the service--at least for warranty work--on existing cars, if not for sales on new cars. Hopefully, whatever changes are underway will keep the Lotus franchise intact. __________________ 2006 Elise British Racing Green; LSS, LSD-TC, 2bular exhaust, Blackwatch Racing front bar, BWR Supercharger, Tillett Seats

06-11-2008, 08:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
LELOPEZ210 ELVIS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Posts: 35	are you guys at all tied in with Lotus of San Antonio? I have needed some work done on my Esprit and those guys here in SA are a joke, they have no idea and have had no idea why my CHECK ENGINE light keeps coming on and when they say they fixed it (4-5) separate times, it comes on 5 miles down the road. They went through changes in service recently and those guys took a class from the original service guys, ugggg! where can I get help, and I mean, good HONEST help without ripping my eyes out and replacing parts that don't fix the problem? ( i'm done with that kinda crap)

06-12-2008, 06:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
Charlie Lunsford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 352	Other then being a Lotus franchise, we are not associated with the San Antonio dealership. I would be more then happy to schedual in a time for you to bring your Esprit by. Shoot me an email LELOPEZ210. Jeff works on Esprits quite often and is very familiar with their quirks. Scott you are correct about the need for work here in central Texas. I have at least 27 "regular" Lotus customers. The Franchise is staying intact, and i will continue to be here for any of your service or sales needs. __________________ Charlie Emotion Motorsports (512)818-0083 clunsford578@gmail.com formally of Lotus of Austin (yes all 3 of them!)

06-12-2008, 11:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
Charlie Lunsford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 352	The guys at soulspeed are actually very good friends of mine. I speak very highly of Jasper and Jensons work as I know they would of mine and Jeff's. __________________ Charlie Emotion Motorsports (512)818-0083 clunsford578@gmail.com formally of Lotus of Austin (yes all 3 of them!)

06-12-2008, 07:50 PM	#16 (permalink)
LELOPEZ210 ELVIS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Posts: 35	so maybe someone can tell me what might fix this problem since the guys in SA can't... OKAY, so here's what I got. The code is P0447, CONTROL SYSTEM VEN-CONTROL CIRCUIT OPEN-EVAP CANNISTER STUCK CAUSED BY CARBON BUILDUP. They replaced the cannister and after driving off, light came back on. They also replaced some vent/shut/valve non-stk and that didn't work either. They also replaced the gas cap with what they told me was a GM part. Light still came on...has any one had this problem and what fixed it? P0447 "Vent Control Circuit Open"

06-12-2008, 08:02 PM	#18 (permalink)
LELOPEZ210 ELVIS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Posts: 35	i'm new to this, point me in the right direction?

06-12-2008, 09:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
carlover できそこないの傲慢嫌い Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,374	Fair enough. Go to the top banner, click "forums." When the browser takes you to the list of forums click the one that you think best suits your category. For example "Lotus Esprit" which is the sixth one from the top. Then click the "new thread" button near the upper left part of the page. Hope this helps. Btw, PM sent. Joe

06-13-2008, 05:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
shred Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	Cruised by today.. all signage gone except a 'For Sale/Lease' on the property. Some cars there, but no Lotus (Exige & Esprit as of last week) Guess I'm too late to grab the Exige for a song..

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode