[JSC]

Jeff in Tampa checking in here, I need some advise on a fair price for this nice stock red 05 elise with touring package, no hardtop, one owner car here locally with only 13.5k, cosmetically almost perfect, drives great, maintenance records since new, (radiator replacement is sector III), clean carfax, car has not been tracked, wheels are perfect, inspection generally good.

Oil cooler line wetness in front - Lotus of Orlando ran the vin and said according to Lotus corporate this car is NOT covered by the Oil line recall! Why would that be? A local lotus owner says this could cost $1500-$2000.

AC is fine but the recirculate button does not work - mechanic thinks its either a control module or something in the airbox. Lotus of Orlando says the front clam removal/reinstall alone is $1000 labor plus whatever the parts cost.

Other stuff includes windshield sprayer inoperative, cause unknown, and two busted access panels on the dash including the one holding the push button start.

He's asking almost 34k though and it also needs tires. Other consumables appear ok. Any advise on these repairs and fair price would be appreciated.
thanks, Jeff

 

[jbs986]

For 2005, Price is on the high side.

 

[AndrewS]

With all those issues maybe 29k?
Can't think of any reason this car would not be eligible for the oil line recall. I would call lotus directly and find out the real deal.

Try this guy & give him the VIN.



Ron Mann
Customer Services
&Warranty Manager
Lotus Cars USA, INC.

2402 Tech Center Parkway, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
T (770) 476-6564
F (770) 476-6541
[email protected] www.lotuscars.com


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[JSC]

Oil Line Recall Not Covered - Thks I'll doublecheck

Thanks!

I will give him a buzz and double check...I did give the vin to the Orlando dealer who ran the vin and then said an additional email indicated the oil cooler recall was not covered. He also said if I brought it in and they sent additional documentation to Lotus they might still cover it...

If I had to pay for this myself what do you think it would cost assuming the clam does not need to be removed?

 

[3carmonte]

With the other issues he mentioned, offer him 30K and let him think about it. It's a base car right?

 

[lotus90]

AC is fine but the recirculate button does not work - mechanic thinks its either a control module or something in the airbox. Lotus of Orlando says the front clam removal/reinstall alone is $1000 labor plus whatever the parts cost.

This could be a problem. This could be a resistor pack issue. it is not cheap to have fixed and PIA to do your self

 

[Uncle Sam]

Front clam off and on $1000? :huh: I was under the impression that it was one hour off and one hour on, but let's say it is twice that, four hours - $250 an hour labor rate?

 

[lotus90]

The clam is the easy part. getting to the resistor pack is PIA

 

[SwingLo]

I'd be very concerned about the oil cooler line wetness in front. I'd be even more concerned about it be NOT under recall - that makes no sense.

The price is very high. Miles are low, but for the issues it has, that's high. I would say $31K for a pristine '05 would be the limit.

$35K is just dumb. I paid a bit more for my '08 - similar miles. Supercharged. Bone stock (no mods) and mint condition (with hardtop).

I would think that $29K is realistic considering the issues and impending costs. I'd really get that oil cooler recall thing squared away - would probably go right to Lotus Cars USA in Atlanta for that.

 

[Doge]

I still think 29k is on the high side with the given issues. I'd probably say around 26-27k.

 

[GR82DRV]

I don't think the oil line thing is an issue because it must be covered by the recall. That said, I don't know that I've ever used the recirculate button on my car anyway, and other issues seem minimal. Quite low miles for a '05...

Still, 34k is a very aggressive starting point for this car. I agree that a realistic buyer's goal for a car like this without a hardtop and base features only is closer to 29k. Add a hardtop and LSS wheels, etc and maybe 31 or so.

 

[bri3d]

A point of comparison: I bought an '06 with <25k miles, touring + LSS, and a hardtop for $31k just a few months ago.

It had a couple of very minor cosmetic issues, most notably a bend/paint crack on the rear clam, curb on the RR wheel, and a somewhat questionably installed sound system, and cheaper but almost new tires, but no functional issues.

Overall I think that price is quite high given the real functional issue with the car and lack of hardtop (~$1k even used). Plus it's winter so you can probably get a car from a winter state at a seasonal discount, have it shipped, and still come out ahead.

 

[countryboyshane]

Yes, with those busted panels, no hardtop, and issues, I would start the negotiations at 25K and go from there. Lotus parts are expensive and if you're not going to do it yourself it gets REAL pricey. Especially if you can't find someone local who really knows these cars.

I paid 30K for mine and it had about 30,000 miles on it. But, it had the hardtop, LSS wheels, custom Exige seats, and a harness bar already. To me it was a good deal since getting those extra parts from Lotus or used is really expensive. I really do not like the look of the stock Elise seats. Ick.

All 2005 models are covered under the motor vehicle safety act. That's at least what I understand. My 2005 was serviced free of charge for the oil cooler fittings.

 

[JSC]

Thanks for the info and validation. I was really close to pulling the trigger but I am bagging this one. I noticed whenever I contact the dealers they never have the service records and are high on the prices! I got the price down a bit to 32.5 and really nice cosmetically but the oil line wetness and question is to much for me, i'm told that is due to radiator being replaced recently and the oil cooler lines needed go be disconnected anx were not wiped down completely? Talked to the mechanic who did the ppi though in person who said he would recommend they be changed, On top of new tires, ac recirculate, washer sprayer, panels, double sided foam falling away black top of the side sills, no hardtop, etc. the searc continues!
Thks, Jeff

 

[GR82DRV]

Thanks for the info and validation. I was really close to pulling the trigger but I am bagging this one. I noticed whenever I contact the dealers they never have the service records and are high on the prices! I got the price down a bit to 32.5 and really nice cosmetically but the oil line wetness and question is to much for me, i'm told that is due to radiator being replaced recently and the oil cooler lines needed go be disconnected anx were not wiped down completely? Talked to the mechanic who did the ppi though in person who said he would recommend they be changed, On top of new tires, ac recirculate, washer sprayer, panels, double sided foam falling away black top of the side sills, no hardtop, etc. the searc continues!
Thks, Jeff

Keep in mind that the double sided adhesive under the door sills always keeps slowly oozing out, if that's what you're referring to here. That's not a problem at all.

OTOH, the part about the broken interior panels puzzles me. Sounds like a do-it-yourselfer was messing around with something behind the panels and ended up busting them. Who knows what other damage was done on the other side...