Contemplating parting ways with my Evora

[Kimbers]

My life is changing quite a bit right now and I think it's the Evora that may suffer instead of the family (another grand kid on way) or early retirement. So here's my dilemma and I would appreciate your true thoughts instead of a "Don't do it".

1. Money. I am not a rich man, the industry I am in is very hard right now and I see at least 6 months coming up where we have nothing to sell or very little so my job is likely to be paid Basic instead of my normal 33% Basic 66% commission. As you can guess that leaves me with very little. My loan is small on the car but £200 a month plus insurance, RFL and running costs on top.

2. Market. The market at present is way up and frankly MJK thinks it will stay high after as the Evora is going to get rarer and rarer, especially when Lotus go 100% electric. Petrol Lotus's will be in great demand. This means I get a good deal now and the buyer gets a good investment

3. My car. I like to think its one of the most sorted around. @C8RKHwill tell you it has a hugely upgraded interior, Tubular Manifold that makes it sound stunning, its dyno'd at 314 HP, had a complete brand new Air Con system, front end respray by Lotus Paint Tech to get rid of any blemishes or chips, front Splitter and barge boards all painted by paint tech as well, loads of extras like painted engine cover, newly powder coated Black alloys, painted grills throughout and a full service last year including plugs points etc. AND 28,000 miles gen with FSH (books not there but all old invoices are).

4. I don't drive it in winter and don't have a garage to put it in so it will sit through all weathers if I keep it, blocking the drive, getting wet and nasty.

5. Before I advertise it if anyone wants the best NA around please PM me. I am thinking £32500 for a quick sale (been offered £30k already by a dealer)

[Reindeer]

I had to let mine go due to divorce therefore loss of a driveway/garage/move into the city.

I'm incredibly sad, but, it was the right thing to do. It sounds like right now the Lotus may be additional stress that you don't need.....

I think a lot of people will say keep her....but from my previous experience with cars.. once you get to the point of basically listing it and coming up with a price you want......then its time to let go.......

[PaulCP]

It certainly is a cracking car @Kimbers and one that will be well sought after.👍

Sometimes you have to let your head overrule the heart. I had a similar wrestle between head & heart with mine almost 3 years ago when a certain medical issue resulted in me having to inform DVLA of it resulting in me having to surrender my licence for 2 years (subsequently reduced to 15 months 🙄).
My wife, being a bit of a midget, couldn’t drive it (she couldn’t get the seat forward enough to depress the clutch sufficiently) so my dilemma was keep it knowing I’d be so frustrated looking at it in the garage every day, or sell it.

In the end I decided to sell it since the value at that time was circa £50k and I knew that the cash may come n handy for other things if my medical condition couldn’t be brought under control.
My wife always fancied an MX5 so we used part of the proceeds to buy one so we could both enjoy some open top motoring (with her driving of course) and pocketed the rest.

When I finally got my licence back 12 months later I considered buying another Evora, as I still do so at times, but I know that the particular medical condition could return at anytime so I keep resisting.
Yes I could have by now enjoyed another 20 months with an Evora since getting my licence back, but I know the day will come when that medical condition will return, so I console myself knowing that I don’t want to face such an agonising decision again and in the knowledge that I have owned the best affordable sports car model ever produced (IMO of course😉)

[21gg]

£200 month isnt massive but i can fully appreciate if things are tight its an easy expense to off load. I did this in the last recession, i was lotus-less for 3 years, but jumped back on board as soon as I could. All 2nd hand car  prices are high at the moment, I think Evoras may dip a little when current owners trade in for Emiras thus putting a few back on the market. A well sorted car will always sell quickly if realistically priced. I would personally be tempted to hang on for a bit but I do use mine over winter and it is garaged when not in use. A car is replaceable, your health & family arent. Do what you need to do and when things pick up you can always return. Good luck with what ever you decide.

[rudolphwolven]

*****

@ Kimbers

That is very pity to you this new situation........

I wish you all the best both with the near future and the sales of your beautiful Evora.......

Kind regards, Ruud

[Bruss]

Its only a car. If you have no use for it and you do have a use for the cash it can realise, then sell it. 

[Frickin_idiot]

I sold my S2 Exige to fund a 400 purchase - I regretted this decision.

I recently sold my 400 to fund an Emira - I have also lived to regret this decision.

If I had my time again would I sell either? Absolutely not.

[windymiller]

i always say "if you feel you cant decide on something then decide not to decide" !!! 🙄 be a shame to sell such a lovely example but sometimes needs must

[Kimbers]

have a spare garage for me?

[windymiller]

at the moment yes i do !!! its meant to have the cooper s in  (which will fit) an evora that side of the garage would need a practice fit !!!

[Cdm2018]

I always bought my Evora on a premise that if finances took a down turn or indeed I found Bad health then I would sell the car.

However I found recently that my 10 year old daughter keeps saying to me please Dad can I have the Lotus when get older ! 
Now how do I answer that ? As I am about 16 months left on the loan left if I can get to that point I can breathe easy

Ultimately you decide yourself and what is best for your family good luck with your decision 🤞🏻🙏👍🏻

[TdM]

If it means you can take early retirement I'd take it. I love cars but, hell I'd take free time with my loved ones I've the car every time.

[Celica]

I would off load , as it’s replaceable 

better to have less stress 

funds could always buy something cheaper and even more fun in my eyes

 

out of interest where are the side barge boards from?

[PAR]

I don’t think you should feel bad about selling it, takes pictures and put some on a wall but avoid the financial stress.

If things get better in the industry, then you can treat yourself to a new project.

Tell yourself it will be better for the car as well.

[C8RKH]

3 hours ago, Celica said:

out of interest where are the side barge boards from?

The side barge boards are Genuine Lotus Motorsport, not many of those about!

@johnpwalsh- now is your chance. You know you always wanted that car!

A deal to be done for one of your M100 Elan's plus a wedge of cash? 

[Cdm2018]

out of interest where are the side barge boards from
 

I got mine from a guy who made them and sold on eBay unfortunately he decided a few years ago to stop and move down south to a farm 

I know some consider these to be dirt holders and a tripping hazard but I like the way it finishes the side profile of car 

[andyj007]

I parted with my N/a coupke years back now.. pulled at my heart as took lad to prom in it..  thought it be nice to have the money.. and a extra garage space  truth be told every time i drove it i thought the cr gearbox was going to implode ..and as some take ages to shift if  needed the cash liquidating it might have taken a while..    it sold after 3 months via silverstones   .. and it didnt last long..  the money that is..  i now have  westfield, a lotus elan sprint, and lotus europa s2  (69)    dont miss the evora one bit..   just look back on it fondly..  at the time.. and always pop back to look at all your cars on here...    i now have 3 cars that i enjoy very much , the two classics have no road tax - not mot and cost 80 quid each a year to insure ..  All or individualy  can be offloaded quickly if an emergency came up. and cash nedeed .  i tried to buy them carefully pouncing when the right one came up.. so the current return is significantly better than i would have got in the bank..anyhow..   basically i still have cars , but have spread the exposure and have options if needed to release cash.   30k from a dealer is really excellent..  the market has moved upwards considerably in teh last two years it appears..  godd luck whatever you do...   but my saying is .. once the poison is in (the thought of selling) theres no turning back..   Lovely car yours..  was actually the inspiration for my re trim ..

R

andy

 

[johnpwalsh]

7 hours ago, C8RKH said:

The side barge boards are Genuine Lotus Motorsport, not many of those about!

@johnpwalsh- now is your chance. You know you always wanted that car!

A deal to be done for one of your M100 Elan's plus a wedge of cash? 

If only I could, it would be here in a flash. It's a cracking good car. Now, if Kimber's were to take 2 M 100's, a 503 and 504 Elite, and a couple of Excels. A deal could be done. As for my Esprit turbo. No chance. It's staying put.

[Kimbers]

Thanks everyone. After another weekend of sitting in the drive (thats 3 weeks now without turning a wheel) she is going. I have turned down an offer of £27k from a garage, because I really do think she's worth more with everything done to her.

So If anyone wants a well sorted N/A let me know. I'll be putting together and Ad shortly.

MJK is gutted but totally on board with my reasons,

[EGTE]

Bad luck Kimbers, must be terribly difficult. Hope it all works out for you.

[Cdm2018]

Hope you get the best price you can maybe this time is good for selling the car as prices seem to be peaking and there’s a bigger interest in lotus brand ? 
good luck 🤞🏻