New 410 musings - Ex Cayman

[ByJoveByJingle]

I really don’t want to wade into the discussion too much because it’s obviously an emotionally charged one. But I’ve just taken delivery of my third Evora—2010 NA to special ordered 2014 S to 2017 400. The 2010 NA had been sitting in Oman for two years before I bought it. It definitely had some teething pains. But besides sitting for two years, it was also the first year of a brand new model for Lotus. The other two cars came in perfect, as expected condition. It’s tempting to draw broad conclusions from anecdotal experiences . . . but it’s also unfair and often inaccurate. 

[tim_marra]

1 hour ago, jonnyboy said:

"...by all means order a new one but inspect it meticulously/forensically or pay someone to do that for you before you accept delivery of it. Do not assume as I did (as a time served indie dealer in the Lotus world if you din't know) that everything will be more or less right with it. 

Hmm, by default you have paid for someone else to inspect it, so really that is where any issue should be identified. Sadly this has not been the case for you.

But more or less right though? Looking at some comments about other cars on this thread some may say yours isn't all that bad, that is to say redeemable such it is acceptable to you. Please keep us posted with updates on any resolution with your lovely car.

I am now going to sit back and wait for troll boy's inevitable contribution *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*not you Jonny btw 

[Bibs]

11 minutes ago, tim_marra said:

I am now going to sit back and wait for troll boy's inevitable contribution *

https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/guidelines/

Quote

• No flaming of other members to incite or perpetuate an argument. Personal attacks or name-calling is not permitted.

 

[tim_marra]

Sorry Bibs, I thought I was being sufficiently obtuse, but clearly not. I will step away from the keyboard for now fella 

[Bibs]

Quote

Obtuse: (of an angle) more than 90° and less than 180°.

Clearly not, that's 45° if I'm a day!

Rules are rules though, play nice  :)

 

[EGTE]

10 hours ago, jonnyboy said:

This may be Stockholm syndrome but even with all the hassles and extended period of  abandonment I have experienced and even my previous advice to "just buy a Porsche" I could still not advise you to completely rule out buying an Evora just purely because it's a very very good car to drive.  Being separated from it for so long has reinforced to me what a truly great car it is. 

My revised advise after many weeks to sit and consider the situation would be to either buy a used one or by all means order a new one but inspect it meticulously/forensically or pay someone to do that for you before you accept delivery of it. Do not assume as I did (as a time served indie dealer in the Lotus world if you din't know) that everything will be more or less right with it. I would treat any new Lotus with the level of caution you would if you were buying it from a bloke you had just met in a pub who may also be selling fresh cuts of meat from a sports holdall. 

Good advice, very fair. 

[jonnyboy]

UPDATE!

I'm delighted to say that I have had confirmation today that my 410 will be receiving a new roof panel!

I'm having the car back soon and have agreed that the work can be carried out over winter as the car would be off the road in any case. 

Williams advise me that Andy French (now Sir Andy French) is responsible for pushing for it so I will be writing him a personal note of thanks. 

I am assured that the new management structure is making things like this progressively easier for the staff and dealers to resolve so it was basically JMG's fault

So there we have it. I'm saved from the doom of having to run about in a boring Cayman GTS I'd been eyeing up and very much looking forward to getting my lovely 410 back for a celebratory drive out I think.  Hopefully get the love affair back on track. Back to happy customer I'm really really pleased. Hopefully get the new Prodrive stuff on there as well I guess. 

 

[Bruss]

Pleased for you, and for Lotus finally doing the right thing.

[Bibs]

[C8RKH]

That's excellent news @jonnyboy and I'm very glad that Lotus have stepped up here and you will get your faith restored in Lotus and the car. The 410's really are wonderful.

Any news on the seat brackets lol.......

 

[marcfair]

Fantasic news!

[EGTE]

Wonderful news and hopefully a reflection that the "New Era" will be a good one!

[pete757]

Result mate!

Good on you. Lets hope the new panel is perfect!!! 😎

[Solstice]

Well done for persevering in such a level headed way, great outcome.

[jonnyboy]

2 hours ago, C8RKH said:

That's excellent news @jonnyboy and I'm very glad that Lotus have stepped up here and you will get your faith restored in Lotus and the car. The 410's really are wonderful.

Any news on the seat brackets lol.......

 

Picking up tomorrow

[tim_marra]

Well done Jonny.

I have held hope that you would get a suitable outcome such that you can enjoy your amazing car. Great news 

[PaulCP]

Great news Jon, hope all goes well hereafter 

[scotty435]

Great news just shows what can be achieved when stick to your guns, and bravo to lotus, things are looking great to all you new potential new owners, go out there and buy with with confidence with the new ownership in place.

[2GOOD]

@jonnyboy Have they told you any details about the work John? Where’s it being done back at the factory or Williams?

[jonnyboy]

It's factory surgery this one Steve 

[DJW]

Great to hear.  Hopefully the new owners will get Lotus on track with customer service 

Great example of how it should be done is here.  Owner picked up a new AM Vantage and posted 

“Few little trim issues which I've reported direct to the factory and they couldn't jump high enough”

 

[BatMobile]

This is great news and I am glad logic prevailed.

having been through the mill with my exige (won’t bore you with the details) I can completely agree with the Stockholm analogy.

you become overjoyed at getting the thing back even though it shouldn’t have been gone in the first place! Go figure! 

Enjoy the car.....

 

[bosshog]

Great news.

[KAS-118]

Great News - perhaps the front page of this site should have that as the 'Clear Indication A New Era Has Begun' rather than the price re-allignment story 👍

[jonnyboy]

Well she's back! 

Great to be back in the saddle again. The prolonged period without the car was a bittersweet thing. I've had a chance to use a couple of the other cars which are normally parked up mainly my beloved little VX220 which is such a sweet drive. 

Anyway the 410 is back with me now with added AC! Luckily it was actually chilly when it left me so I haven't had to bear much of the heat without the AC but it is now effective. I have been very busy at work so haven't had chance to do much else other than a slight detour home the other night but I'm reminded again of the positives of this slightly bumpy journey so far. The steering. Oh my the steering. It's just so good. The ride is firm but fair. Now the seats are sorted the lateral support they give is much more noteable too. Next step for me is switching of the TC and enjoying that power and LSD!  My hertz/Pioneer sound system sounds even sweeter as I've only had the stock system in my T5 to listen to of late (pioneer HU and whatever speakers they are) I actually have another upgraded HU waiting to go in another alpine that gives us screen mirroring so will hopefully be able to run torque on the screen for engine temps and other info. 

As we know the car does need to go back into Lotus later in the year so will hopefully have chance for an adventure of some kind in the car. I had planned to do the NC500 maybe September this is still a possibility but there is talk of a Spa trackday which I may be tempted to take the 410 instead of our usual VX220 track car. We will see.