Hi All,

 

I've been looking around for some time and have come across a red X180 normally aspirated car which overall seems to be in very good condition (apart from a couple of small parking repairs to the front and rear bumpers), FSH and less than 80,000 miles.

 

Only obvious things that I can see need doing are the seats need re-trimming, two front tyres are pretty much on the limit, the fuel pump makes a knocking noise and both windows need attention as they either run slowly or stick.

 

The question is, I have been asked to make an offer on the car and was thinking of around £7- £8 K.

 

Does this sound about right?

would have thought 7500 max

If that. There's a blue on for sale..work required for just under 8k. Strong money me thinks...and over the mark..

Blue one for sale, mate of mine phoned about it, not been turned over for 11 years, owner wont move on price.

If it was 4k id have had it. John...arnt you supposed to be in Oxfordshire right now

If it's got a fsh with recent bills for expenditure, that seems a fair price. There are plenty of dogs out there that are cheaper (and will cost you a fortune to put right), but a good one is worth spending the money on.

But if its not turned for 11 Years...service history can mean absolutely nothing.a stamp in the book doesnt mean that it's been looked after..

On the road mot tax in pretty good order its only really 10k..so a project at 2k under seems expensive..

Thanks for the input guys… very helpful

 

One I've been looking it is red and is in regular use.

 

Just had a new clutch and has a full service history with the current owner having had the car for 13 years.

 

Managed to negotiate a good price not too far off £7K so looks like I may be changing my profile from 'still looking'… Happy days!

But if its not turned for 11 Years...service history can mean absolutely nothing.a stamp in the book doesnt mean that it's been looked after..

On the road mot tax in pretty good order its only really 10k..so a project at 2k under seems expensive..

That blue one's a dog. Yes, it hasn't been looked after.  But a stamped service book and the corresponding receipts is worth good money.  You can tell if they've been faked.  I have fsh on mine with £16,000 worth of receipts I've spent on it.  That means it's been looked after.

 

Brian, seems you got a good price, congrats .

Thanks Mark.

Should be picking her up next week. Feel like a small boy waiting for Christmas at the moment, Happy Days!

The other thing to consider is - a folder full of old receipts shows that it has been looked after - once. Doesn't mean it has been looked after recently. Esprits go through owners like heck. Normally one every two years. Because they run out of enthusiasm or money - normally money. There is the odd previous owner who cherished the car and who has the money to spend on getting the car in good order. There are also those owners in an Esprits life who buy the car just after it has had a small fortune spent on it and live off the investment for a couple of years until the car starts going wrong again. You still have all of those old receipts - but of course the car has moved on.

Recent receipts (within the past 2 years) of at least parts being supplied is what I'd look for.

I fully take your point which is absolutly spot on. The good news is that The last owner who I bought the car from had it for 13 years and used it every week. He is responsible for most of the receipts which included new clutch assy, hydraulics, started, alternator etc etc in the last year plus servicing at a specialist according to the Lotus schedule. In fact the service book has had pages added to accommodate the stamps.

Still have things to sort out including an exhaust blow which started yesterday from the centre pipe near where it joins the back box.

Sounds like you could have a keeper!

I thought someone on this forum bought a Red 88/89 Stevens from Slades garage for around £8k and 40k miles? Interior needed changing back to original but from what I knew mechanically it was pretty sound.

Yes I remember seeing that car for sale a few months back. I think it was up for just under 9k so probably did end up going for closer to 8k.

At the time I was working overseas so couldn't physically view the car.