lotus dealeship experiences

[jjmalez]

hello,


first time lotus-chatter. i know this is a broad question, but can you guys (and gals) share your experiences both good and bad with lotus dealers in the U.S. visited Fox Valley Motor Cars (outside chicago, illinois) recently.

interested in a new elise, just wondering what the dealer experience is like (sales & service)

thanks

joe

[RoadDad]

Welcome, Joe.

You have visited my favorite dealer in the US. You really can't go wrong with FVMC for your purchase and for parts/service in the future. Haven't heard a single thing negative about the entire crew there.

My next Lotus will be purchased from FVMC, although I live in Virginia and all of my contact has been via email and phone. I essentially only buy parts from John at FVMC currently. Even with shipping costs his prices are very competitive or better than others.

Hunting Ridge Motors also has a great reputation but I haven't had much personal experience with them.

Edit: I just checked and you seem to be under 100 miles from FVMC. There is your service location without question. I have considered shipping my car to them for any major service issue (again from Virginia). Purchase from who can give you the best price for the car you want and have them ship it to you if across country. My "local" dealer won't budge on a price even when other dealers are several thousand $ below for the same car .

[RoadDad]

Sorinne (at BMC in San Fran) AKA SuperVixen here on the board also seems to go above and beyond for people during sales.

[jjmalez]

Originally Posted by RoadDad

Welcome, Joe.

You have visited my favorite dealer in the US. You really can't go wrong with FVMC for your purchase and for parts/service in the future. Haven't heard a single thing negative about the entire crew there.

My next Lotus will be purchased from FVMC, although I live in Virginia and all of my contact has been via email and phone. I essentially only buy parts from John at FVMC currently. Even with shipping costs his prices are very competitive or better than others.

Hunting Ridge Motors also has a great reputation but I haven't had much personal experience with them.

Edit: I just checked and you seem to be under 100 miles from FVMC. There is your service location without question. I have considered shipping my car to them for any major service issue (again from Virginia). Purchase from who can give you the best price for the car you want and have them ship it to you if across country. My "local" dealer won't budge on a price even when other dealers are several thousand $ below for the same car .

thanks.

i had a pretty good feeling leaving there. bill nuccio jr. was courtious and informative. the dealership seems "no frills" which is probably good, all things considered. yes the bentley dealer in downtown chicago has moseic art and caviar... and its priced in their overhead.

love the elise. can't seem to find any w/out the hard top or dealer added accessories. still ferrari mondial/348 dreaming... but the elise may be the better choice...

joe from rockford

[Bavarian Motorist]

I have dealt with...


Manhattan Motorcars Manhattan - The sales-rep was not really honest and did not give me a good price on a left-over '06, but he was a young sales rep and my experience was limited. I'm sure if you buy a Bentley or Lamborghini from them, they're awesome, but the one Lotus guy I dealt with wasn't too willing.

Manhattan Motorcars of the Hamptons - Great sales reps, even though I was buying a lowly Lotus. Jeff Ilion is a good guy who will help you and do a lot of work for you. They are not really Lotus fanatics or enthusiasts, but that's understandable given the nature of the dealership (selling Spykers, Lamborghinis, Bentleys and Rolls-Royces). They want you to be a happy customer. One guy I know said they even picked up his car on a flat-bed for him to service it. The dealership has a nice restaurant on the top floor also.

Lotus of Durham - The dealers were willing to give excellent deals. They were helpful and were definitely enthusiasts. I would recommend.

Valenti Auto group - Did not have much experience, but the salespeople seemed zealous and eager to sell and help, but their prices were not competitive, even on NEW left-over 2005s. Well, whatever. Maybe they changed. I hate to say anything negative about a Lotus dealer.

Lotus of Greenwich - Best I've dealt with. Very welcoming atmosphere. I walked in there over a year ago to drive a car and they were friendly and helpful to me, even as a young potential buyer. They know a lot about the cars and they are ONLY a Lotus franchise, not a franchise of anything else. They also race the cars.


I don't remember dealing with Princeton or Park Ave Lotus....



Anyways, hope I helped.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by jjmalez

bill nuccio jr. was courtious and informative.

Sr and Jr are both class acts. I have a dealer about an hour from me in Columbus OH (MAG) yet I flew to Chicago, and drove my Elise 7 hours back home...if that gives you any idea Best of luck...

[delise]

Originally Posted by jjmalez

thanks.
love the elise. can't seem to find any w/out the hard top or dealer added accessories. still ferrari mondial/348 dreaming... but the elise may be the better choice...

joe from rockford

Get the hard top, it is worth it, and very expensive to find in your color after the fact. The car is beautiful with the hard top on, it really completes the lines, BUT that said, there is nothing like zipping along on a summer day with the top off. I just put my hard top on for the winter and the car just looks incredible ! It is pretty cool to have the option of going hard top or soft top seasonally, almost like having 2 cars, a targa and a coupe. Also I have yet to come across a completely bare bones, hand crank, no package Elise at a dealership. The touring package is great, the electric window option is actuallly lighter than the hand cranks btw! The sport package is great but might be overkill if it is just going to be a fun weekend backroads car.

[tdl]

I did not have a positive experience at Downtown Jaguar LandRover and Lotus of Minneapolis, MN. Any future Lotus purchases or service will be done elsewhere.

[jjmalez]

Originally Posted by Dave

Sr and Jr are both class acts. I have a dealer about an hour from me in Columbus OH (MAG) yet I flew to Chicago, and drove my Elise 7 hours back home...if that gives you any idea Best of luck...

thanks.

that says a lot.

joe

[Tristar Racing]

Bill Jr and Tony are great guys. The manager that felt the need to talk to me like I was trying to buy a used Chevy from a Chevy dealer left a sour taste in my mouth. Id recommend FVMC as long as your dont have to deal with that guy.

[IM_O.K.]

I bought my Exige from FVMC and was very happy. I also took it in for the 1K mile service and some warranty work. I told them I was going to wait for it and they had me in and out in about 2 hours with a serviced and washed vehicle.

If you get your car let me know and we can get together for a drive as I am just south of you in Oregon. I am always looking for an excuse to drive.

[J. Salmon]

I'd put in another plug for Lotus of Durham. Good sales experience, and they haven't let me down since either. They have been very good about helping me get little stuff (touch up paint, grommets for the soft top, etc.) and have been real helpful when questions have come up during projects. Good guys down there, will keep using them.

-J.

[chuck_risen]

FVMC rocks. Their staff are very knowledgeable and are very helpful. I have only had good experiences with them.

[Moto44]

The Fox Valley group is as good a dealer as you will ever find. Happy hunting and welcome! I work in Rockford and grew up in Roscoe.

[Thomasio]

Fox Valley Motorcars (FVMC). The best experience I've ever had w/ purchasing (two) vehicles.

Tony Nuccio and Bill Jr. are fantastic for sales. TJ in service and John in parts are great too. I love these guys! And the cars aren't 1/2 bad, either!

Thomas

[ChicagoMikeW]

I want to add to it for FVMC there have been great to me, purchase and service since, fast helpful the whole 9 yards. I will recommend them to any and everyone.

[LARRY]

In the west:

Lotus Beverly Hills: Brandon super friendly, knowledgable - great service bays

South Bay Exotics - Qais is the best Lotus mechanic around. Abe is fantastic and friendly manager.

Lotus Thousand Oaks - Nice people - super clean service bays

Lotus Calabasas - brand new.

Newport Lotus - hear they're pretty good...

Lotus San Francisco - really great place. Sorinne (salesperson) is very knowledgeable about our cars and really great.

[Stephen@EcLotus]

Roaddad, Glad to hear you live in VA. Why not come by sometime and check us out at Euroclassics Lotus in Richmond.