[mariar508]

I am looking to buy a new exige s, but the only problem is that I am located in Wichita, Kansas and the nearest Lotus dealership is in St. Louis almost 8 hours away! I know that there are very few Lotus dealerships in the country. I just want to know what other people do. Is there any other dealerships that work on these cars? Suggestions?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
ERik

 

[Vishus_1]

I understand your point. I think as a consumer, it is in your best interest to shop around across the country. The internet makes that easy to do and you will find varying offers/deals. I have found as much as $10000 difference in what I was looking for. Depending on the savings, you can then arrange to have the car shipped or delivered.

But - the main issue is maintenance then. If you are handy, some of the routine stuff can be performed. However there are some things and warranty issues you will need to have an actual dealership do regardless. In these circumstances, if you don't have a dealership nearby, you will need to have the car shipped. That can be a big head ache depending on the issue. I happen to live in St. Louis which oddly has 1.25 Lotus dealers. I consider one to only be a quarter of a Lotus dealer - their primary business is used cars. Anyway, despite living near 1.25 dealers, I still face a problem if I ever need bodywork - no one in this area has enough understanding to work on these cars - so the best place is to have it shipped to Chicago.

 

[Sleazy E]

Owning a Lotus might not be in your cards unfortunately.

 

[the1sen]

If I were in that position, and was determined to get a Lotus, I would buy it and have it shipped.

Knowing now what I know now, there is really nothing to this car. Warranty issues, fine - go for a ride. 8 hours is easy in this car.

Good luck.

 

[evilfij]

I would buy used out of warranty. An 8 hour drive renders any warranty worthless IMHO.

 

[Monsi]

I live on an island with no lotus dealers

 

[RoadDad]

I have a dealership within a few hours drive and I won't let them touch my car again. Too much damage already done there. So just living "close" to a dealership doesn't always mean much. Living "close" to a quality service department is key (here that T.J.? When you moving?).

 

[aschen]

I live on an island with no lotus dealers

You'll pardon us if we don't shed any tears . Poor guy has to live in Hawaii.....

 

[twaszak1]

I have a dealership within a few hours drive and I won't let them touch my car again. Too much damage already done there. So just living "close" to a dealership doesn't always mean much. Living "close" to a quality service department is key (here that T.J.? When you moving?).

"SHOW ME THE MONEY!!" rotfl
LOL, i am always at your disposal roadDad, just send me a round trip plane ticket and a check. I am sorry you dont have a dealer you feel you can trust..but you know if i can help via phone i always will.

T.J.

 

[Agent ONE]

I am looking to buy a new exige s, but the only problem is that I am located in Wichita, Kansas...

Dude, move.

... for reasons WAY beyond Lotus ownership

 

[Minnis]

Dude, move.

... for reasons WAY beyond Lotus ownership

+1

 

[MpBrady7]

I have a dealership within a few hours drive and I won't let them touch my car again. Too much damage already done there. So just living "close" to a dealership doesn't always mean much. Living "close" to a quality service department is key (here that T.J.? When you moving?).

Right there with you. I have a dealer 1.5 hours from me. I'll keep taking mine to the dealer I know will take care of me and my car even if it is 5 hours away....which it is

 

[Whitey#1]

HOWS COME NOBODY TOLD HIM TO GOOGLE IT LIKE THEY TELL ME?????

:shrug::shrug::shrug:

 

[Patricko]

HOWS COME NOBODY TOLD HIM TO GOOGLE IT LIKE THEY TELL ME?????

:shrug::shrug::shrug:

We told him to move :wave:

 

[MpBrady7]

We told him to move :wave:

rotfl Very good point, I'd rather be told to google something than move anyday

 

[TrapperJohn]

If you want something unusual and above average, you may have to go to unusual and above average lengths to get it and keep it. I'd suggest you look into an out of warranty Elise, and learn the basics of maintenance.

My nearest Lotus dealer is in Dayton, OH, last time I looked, about four hours away. Prior to that, there was one twenty minutes away, but it wasn't exactly a quality operation - was shut down by Jaguar when they were caught forging warranty claims.

 

[Whitey#1]

My nearest Lotus dealer is in Dayton, OH, last time I looked, about four hours away.

there's a Lotus dealer in Dayton? or did you mean Dublin?

Mike

 

[Agent ONE]

HOWS COME NOBODY TOLD HIM TO GOOGLE IT LIKE THEY TELL ME?????

:shrug::shrug::shrug:

Every thread you start has many other threads dedicated to the same topic. THIS topic specifically hasn't been discussed. You would have known this if you had done a search.

 

[Flash G]

Wow. I've been bitching about the nearest dealership being 35 miles away now. (It was 1 mile away up until last year.) I can't imagine driving 8 hours for service. That's like living in L.A. and taking your car to S.F. for service. (Or Manhattan to Greenville N.C.)

I say move.



-poke-