Would you buy a write-off?

[Andjons]

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.

[Tentenths]

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

[mwmackenzie]

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

[karluk29]

price tag??

[Daniel]

Just make sure there are receipts for work carried out, and by that I mean labour and not just parts.

[Advantage]

A

[MGFCrasher]

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

[russellbosier]

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.

[matk]

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.........

[Andjons]

Thank you all for your views. In answer to one of your questions, we had provisionally agreed c.

[matk]

I think if you've got

[Tentenths]

Personally, I'd be looking at <

[russellbosier]

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

[Advantage]

[mwmackenzie]

Yeah i'd probably give circa

[superdavelotus]

Hi Andrew,

Only pay less than

[nello]

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.

[kyliesmith.com]

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

[andydclements]

Also discussed this same topic a couple of months back.

http://www.lotusespritforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=16485