Cost to "sort" an unloved LE

[Kilmany]

Hi all,

I have been lurking on TLF for years, whilst trying to justify an Evora purchase. Was about to get a SR last year, didn't, and am obviously regretting it now given residuals!

Now that SRs are commanding early 400 prices, I'm looking at LEs, but I'm put off by the condition of some. Has anyone tried (or could hazard a guess at the cost) of taking an unloved LE and making it top notch? So pax air bag fix, gear cables, clutch and a re-trimmed leather interior? 

I'd like the car to be a reliable and comfortable GT to tour Europe, NC500, the odd commute (fast A roads) and Sunday blatts. A 400 strikes me as better value for money now than a SR or LE + cost to fix, but is a 400 too extreme for my intended use?

For context, previous fun cars have been a TVR Chimaera and Subaru BRZ. If I could combine the reliability, steering and handling of the BRZ, with the power, comfort and touring ability of the TVR I'd be delighted.

Many thanks!

[Celica]

What’s the budget?

there aren’t that many LE to choose from

[Bruss]

No Evora is too extreme for any road use, just make sure it doesn't have the very expensive carbon sport seats.

 

Re the LE. Better to buy one that has been sorted over the years. To bring one up to current spec with clutch and flywheel changes plus the cables will be eye wateringly costly at one hit.  Of course if you found one at around 20 K or less then it could be worthwhile.

The interior on any car will wear dependent on use. Look on here for refinishing products that people have used. There is also a chance that you can find new seat covers advertised from Lotus specialists( original from Lotus).

If you like your music then the LE cars do not have the best players or speakers.  Another additional cost possibly.

Generally post 2012 cars will have the essential updates.

Personally I'm not keen on the looks of the 400 and would go for a late SR, but that's just personal preference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kilmany]

Not so much a question of budget, more value for money.  Does spending x? £ on a £30k LE stack up against £50k on a 400. Either are within budget.

Probably the 2nd question is how difficult are all the fettling jobs on a LE? I'm in Scotland so wouldn't enjoy the same proximity to Lotus specialists as someone in the Midlands/South East.....

[jep]

400 is in no way too extreme for every day use. Suspension is a delight and egress and access easier than earlier cars (which are not tricky in my view unless tight to open door fully). 

I have used a Sport 410 for commute and 250+ mile business meetings and it was a delight. Suspension on Sport 410 is firmer than a 400.

Bell and Colvill had a bargain NA last week at £32k. I assume sold now ...why buy a doggy car for £25k or thereabouts, just buy a good car and enjoy.

Retrim will cost thousands if done properly. Airbag and cables is not expensive, max £1k. Clutch - Hangar111 do a cheap 'box in' clutch change but by the book it is near £5k. 

My 2010 na has done 72,000 miles. Trim is very tidy, paint a bit indifferent in places (roof), clutch done at 68,000 with lightened flywheel, CR box repaired same time, discs and pads also all new.  It is probably worth £26k but I know it is as good as superficially tidier cars. 

Find a good clean car, pay your dosh and enjoy it. A £20k dog, if it exists, will cost more to fix than buying a good car.

Justin

[Kilmany]

Thanks Bruss, I'm more of an engine noise fan than music lover. I too prefer the SR, but I baulk at paying £50k when a newer, lighter car can be had for the same. Plus I am still sulking about missing out on a SR IPS in perfect colours for £38k last year!

 

Jep, just seen yours. Thanks for that. I was thinking of either the Empire Green or the Ruby Red LEs on at the moment. Your figures suggest £5k plus a few 000's for niggle things, so £35k + all in. Does push me towards a 400....

Edited December 22, 2021 by Kilmany

[jep]

5 minutes ago, Bruss said:

, just make sure it doesn't have the very expensive carbon sport seats.

I adore the carbon seats and find them comfortable. Some passengers say they are too narrow and pinch but that was blokes....the girls never complained.

Justin

[jep]

Don't get hung up on LE. A good car is more important than it being one of the first 450 (?) cars. And most LE don't have the CR box, which for me was important, though others disagree. For my driving, 3rd and 4th gear grunt are important. My NA always surprises me with how brisk it feels, esp in 3rd...and I also drive a McLaren, so I am used to a bit of oooph. The smaller tyres also help I suspect, I wouldn't want the S larger rims on a NA - others disagree. 

None of my business but I think you need to forget what has gone ..nail what you want in your head, search every day and act fast, don't overthink it. I impulse bought a Lotus in 2021...and sold it recently for a tidy profit, having paid full dealer price on purchase. Luck of course but you make your own luck by being in the game.

Justin

[Ba55uma]

there is a MY12 Evora S with Will Blackham for £38K, at that price it's a bargain considering how the market has panned out over the last few months and what's currently available. Fully loaded loaded will all packs and 2012 updates 

[Kilmany]

Apologies, I was using the term "LE" as a generic pre 2012 model cars descriptor.

Ba55uma, now that this thread has given me some "cost to fix" indicators, your SR does indeed look very good vfm. Time for some more man maths 👍

[TdM]

37 minutes ago, Kilmany said:

Thanks Bruss, I'm more of an engine noise fan than music lover. I too prefer the SR, but I baulk at paying £50k when a newer, lighter car can be had for the same. Plus I am still sulking about missing out on a SR IPS in perfect colours for £38k last year!

 

Jep, just seen yours. Thanks for that. I was thinking of either the Empire Green or the Ruby Red LEs on at the moment. Your figures suggest £5k plus a few 000's for niggle things, so £35k + all in. Does push me towards a 400....

Sounds a little bit like you want to justify a 400 😄 I think these are pretty personal decisions to make. As mentioned, your best bet is to buy one that's been looked after. Nothing wrong with needing to replace a clutch etc. if you are going in eyes open but if it's a long list then questions might start to build as to the history of the car and how well it's been maintained? Good ones will come up you just need to be patient.

The 400 vs S1 really is very very personal. I don't like the 400 (interior or exterior really) and wouldn't buy one TBH, that's my personal choice. I would consider one of the GT4xx cars, but, again, I personally would feel that it's probably too capable on the road (they sound wonderful though!). I prefer less poke and more fun. I would even agree with @jep that the smaller wheels are a bit more lively (I've got the larger on mine but have driven both).

Anyway, I would advise you go and look at the options in person and drive an S1 and a 400 and see which you prefer. Literally, everyone has a different opinion, they are all great cars and it depends on what you want.

[Bruss]

I think you will be looking at 30K for a good LE, another 5k on top will get you in to an S if you shop around/look out for the ads as soon as they go up.

Speak to WILLB who is a good chap and Lotus dealer and often will look out for cars if you give him a spec and price range.

 

 

 

[Cdm2018]

I have 10 plate with only tech pack not really missed the other packs but I have upgraded brakes and discs 

I have done NC500 last summer with my daughter and enjoyed the car didn’t break any speed limits but still hugely enjoyed the experience 

so it’s horses for courses you really need to test drive a number of cars but you probably need to be quick then do man maths 

in any car purchase no guarantees about future issues 

[Kilmany]

I looked at the Sytner Grey 400 and was wowed by the interior and easier access compared to a SR. I need to move from tyre kicking to an actual comparison drive. 

I'm very much torn between the softer, lighter, purer NA opposed to the weapon that evidently is the 400. I have an old Suzuki Swift as an expendable shopping trolley, and I get far more fun out of hustling that than anything more powerful. However, I'm also of an age where an IPS is desirable (especially for a GT car), and the supercharger/IPS combo in a 400 would definitely fit the bill.

I shall stop time-wasting and get on with some test drives in the new year. Thanks

[Colin P]

4 hours ago, jep said:

cables is not expensive, max £1k.

I did the MY12 cables on my N/A in 2015 and they were £2.5K then. If you replace just the cables on a like for like basis on the pre 2012 cars it is a lot cheaper and woudl be around the £1K mark, but if you want the full MY12 gear change you need to replace the handbrake/gear leaver mechanisms and they are expensive. In fact IIRC there were 4 nuts that go on the gear box end of the MY12 cables that alone were over £100.

[Celica]

Have you seen any examples you’re interested? Small pickings really

[Kilmany]

The green NA at Atherstone, as discussed on the Market Watch thread. I'd want to completely re-upholster the interior. As already suggested, some warning flags as to its previous use, car and attention.

The Grey 400 IPS with Sytner. Gorgeous as is.

[Celica]

2 minutes ago, Kilmany said:

The green NA at Atherstone, as discussed on the Market Watch thread. I'd want to completely re-upholster the interior. As already suggested, some warning flags as to its previous use, car and attention.

The Grey 400 IPS with Sytner. Gorgeous as is.

Is there a link the the NA one?

[windymiller]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12714626

 

nice example

[Ba55uma]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12684337

 

Link to NA in Atherstone 

Edited December 22, 2021 by Ba55uma

[Kilmany]

Discussed with links p187 of Market Watch

[Celica]

7 minutes ago, Ba55uma said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12684337

 

Link to NA in Atherstone 

Thanks. 
acquired taste on colour combinations 

10 minutes ago, Kilmany said:

Discussed with links p187 of Market Watch

Thanks 

I remember reading about their lack of prep work. 
 

I’m keeping an eye on market as I have a LE not really being used, tucked away in the garage and may sell at the right price 

[jep]

35 minutes ago, Colin P said:

I did the MY12 cables on my N/A in 2015 and they were £2.5K then

Gosh...........I did better than I realised when I bought mine from B&C in 2018. It has (so they say) MY12 cables. The invoice on file from 2014 is £1,691, B&C did the work which included service, gearbox oil, handlamps refurbished and MY12 cables.

Justin

[TdM]

I really like the colour combo on the green one... Maybe it's just me.

That one probably isn't that bad. You could also get a number of the things sorted by the dealer, at least the wheels and such I would think. Leather, there are products to clean that up that's cheaper than re-upholstering. Would be looking carefully though to make sure there's nothing else going on that isn't called out.

[C8RKH]

6 hours ago, Kilmany said:

Not so much a question of budget, more value for money.  Does spending x? £ on a £30k LE stack up against £50k on a 400. Either are within budget.

Probably the 2nd question is how difficult are all the fettling jobs on a LE? I'm in Scotland so wouldn't enjoy the same proximity to Lotus specialists as someone in the Midlands/South East.....

In Scotland we have one of the best independent Lotus "specialist" outfits in Craig Moncrieff in Edinburgh (Sighthill). He can sort any of the mechanical niggles and is one of the leading Evora specialists.