Andjons Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I am looking at a tidy 1998 GT3. It turns out that it was an insurance write-off (category C) in 1998. It was repaired and inspected in 2000. I do not know what the damage was, neither does the present owner (who wasn't aware that it had been written off) but I am trying to get the inspection report. I am going to have a Lotus specialist inspect the car before I go any further anyway. Would you be worried? Would you walk away? Or would you still consider it? Please help me out of this quandry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentenths Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I'd certainly consider it but only if the inspection report gave it a clean bill of health AND the price fully reflected its Cat C status. Not convinced I'd buy one as my first Esprit though... My 2p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwmackenzie Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 If all the reports were good and a lotus specialist gave it the all clear and maybe an AA check as that carries some sort of guarantee... Then the price would need to be heavily adjusted to compensate for the cat C status. Cat C is pretty serious not just pannel damage as that's cat D... tread carefully but I would buy if the price was right and the checks came back good.. Mark Quote Mark MacKenzie Elise S2 135 Sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karluk29 Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 price tag?? Quote OUR CURRENT COLLECITON :- MODIFIED LOTUS ESPRIT, FULL VEILSIDE SUPRA (BEAST 409.3bhp), NEW ADDITON TO THE TROOP, 1996 S CLASS MERC (FULLY PIMPED OUT, DUB EDITION) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Just make sure there are receipts for work carried out, and by that I mean labour and not just parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advantage Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGFCrasher Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 HI Andrew, Just my 2p worth. My sport 350 was Cat D,and thats not as bad as a Cat C. Be very very careful. I had previous experience of this sort of thing and I would never again,at least not an Esprit. Not meaning to sound negative but you can knock up to 40%off for cat C in todays market place. So if the car is average and up for say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russellbosier Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 No! Even if it doesn't put you off it will put others off if you need to sell in the future. And of course, it has to be much cheaper than a good original car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matk Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I'd say yes subject to all the provisos above, however if the previous owner didn't know, presumably he paid top whack for it, so he's now looking at a substantial loss. Sadly there's a good chance he'll pull the sale, wait and relist pretending he doesn't know to another buyer......... Quote Regards Mat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andjons Posted July 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Thank you all for your views. In answer to one of your questions, we had provisionally agreed c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matk Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I think if you've got Quote Regards Mat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentenths Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Personally, I'd be looking at < Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russellbosier Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 (edited) I always thought a Cat D was worth at most 75% of normal value, so a Cat C in todays buyers market cannot be worth a huge amount. There may well be nothing wrong with the car, but the rating is somethimg that will never go away. I should imagine somebody like Kimbers would be able to give you the best market value percentage wise on Cat C. Edited July 9, 2008 by russellbosier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advantage Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwmackenzie Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Yeah i'd probably give circa Quote Mark MacKenzie Elise S2 135 Sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdavelotus Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Hi Andrew, Only pay less than Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nello Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Would not go for a C but nothing wrong with Cat D - I've had a D - traced the history etc and Had absolutely zero trouble - the cars mint and was a complete bargain. Just do your homework. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyliesmith.com Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 As mentioned above it will be hard to sell once bought, so look at keeping it for the long haul and enjoy it. Get it inspected, make sure chassis is straight and repairs done top notch. If its done well dont let it put you off. Could end up being a better car than started with Quote No.23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydclements Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Also discussed this same topic a couple of months back. http://www.lotusespritforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=16485 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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