High delivery mileage on new order.

[Emmy]

After about 8 months our Hethal yellow Lotus Emira has finally arrived at the dealer! Absolutely excited, but the first visit to see the car in person has dampen the mood quite a bit. The salesman was completely up front when we arrived and said the car needed quite a few things done to it before they passed it through PPI;

Rear bumper is missing paint. They are still working on getting a quote to respray the bumper.
Side guards are cracked (not significantly but there are hairline fractures).
Front splitter has a hairline crack.
Under side trim pieces missing.
The entire exterior paint is completely marred as if they washed it with steel wool.

The dealer apologized profusely and said that it was all being covered by Lotus, but that it was going to take some time to remedy. Before leaving they insisted we start it up to hear that great engine to remind ourselves what to look forward to. Well, upon doing so the odometer popped up and to my surprise read 327 miles. I faked enjoyment, then left afterwards without mentioning the mileage.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but what in the world is going on with this car? Is this normal? I can't help but feel something is very off. I tried looking around to find a similar spec car out there, but nothing comes close. I'd hate to walk away from something I've waited so long for with this level of personalization, but I'm honestly at a loss for words. Any advice would be appreciated and is this worth escalating or would Lotus even care?

 

[seriously]

After about 8 months our Hethal yellow Lotus Emira has finally arrived at the dealer! Absolutely excited, but the first visit to see the car in person has dampen the mood quite a bit. The salesman was completely up front when we arrived and said the car needed quite a few things done to it before they passed it through PPI;

Rear bumper is missing paint. They are still working on getting a quote to respray the bumper.
Side guards are cracked (not significantly but there are hairline fractures).
Front splitter has a hairline crack.
Under side trim pieces missing.
The entire exterior paint is completely marred as if they washed it with steel wool.

The dealer apologized profusely and said that it was all being covered by Lotus, but that it was going to take some time to remedy. Before leaving they insisted we start it up to hear that great engine to remind ourselves what to look forward to. Well, upon doing so the odometer popped up and to my surprise read 327 miles. I faked enjoyment, then left afterwards without mentioning the mileage.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but what in the world is going on with this car? Is this normal? I can't help but feel something is very off. I tried looking around to find a similar spec car out there, but nothing comes close. I'd hate to walk away from something I've waited so long for with this level of personalization, but I'm honestly at a loss for words. Any advice would be appreciated and is this worth escalating or would Lotus even care?

Sorry I would reject the car. I wouldn't even want it fixed. Who knows what they did to the car. Sounds totally out of the ordinary.

 

[Tomwa]

Completely agree. This sounds like they "found" a car that matches your spec, not that you got a car straight from the factory.

327 Miles? Was this a dealership test-drive car? what's going on here.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

My car had 10 miles on it when I got it from the factory. Reject this!

 

[EZcheezy]

mine was also 10 miles. suspicious

 

[netsinah]

Sorry to hear all this. Easy for all of us (who likely have our cars) to suggest rejecting it. If you're itching to get behind the wheel and don't want to wait to order another, I'd suggest asking for a minimum $5,000 reduction, to see what Lotus and the dealer have to say about that. You'll end up with a "repaired" vehicle, rather than something brand new, however others have had repairs done upon delivery as well, but the extent of yours is surprising. It would make taking the car somewhat more palatable, IMO, if you received a price reduction. You'll no doubt face more wait time, while waiting for the dealer to sort this with Lotus, then do the actual repairs and once again, that further justifies a "customer-I'm-sorry-we-know-you-were-excited-to-p/u-your-NEW-car" reduction.

BUT I'd also suggest you find out exactly WHY the extra mileage and damages, before making any decision. What if this is a "lemon-return-let's-send-it-to-N. America" that's already had other work done to it?? If so, that would likely be the nail in the coffin. Good luck, keep us posted and hope it works out to your satisfaction.

 

[centerpunch]

Get your money back and walk away.

Whatever the story is, don't believe it.

 

[Tomwa]

Also. if they are going to sell you a USED vehicle that they are trying to pass as a new vehicle. Well.. I'm pretty sure you can try to find a used Emira if you've come to decide you are ok with that, and probably get more than a 5k discount.

93k 410 Miles
98K 630 Miles
98K 680 Miles Hethel yellow

All of those cars are going to be pretty 'flexible' on prices I bet, and 98k is more than 5k off the sticker price, let alone dealer markup, plus delivery fees, etc.

 

[Beardedbradley]

I’d be looking for a substantial amount off this vehicle or reject it. We are not emotionally invested in this particular vehicle like you are, as I understand it you were expecting to see your new Lotus and that clearly isn’t what you were shown. My only advice would be “if it doesn’t feel right, walk away”.

 

[Aero]

Sounds like a car that was never titled/registered so its technically new but probably a dealer test drive demo car. I'd been super upset as well and would absolutely reject the car. No way you know how hard those 300+ miles were given how bad the condition is.

 

[Carig5A]

After about 8 months our Hethal yellow Lotus Emira has finally arrived at the dealer! Absolutely excited, but the first visit to see the car in person has dampen the mood quite a bit. The salesman was completely up front when we arrived and said the car needed quite a few things done to it before they passed it through PPI;

Rear bumper is missing paint. They are still working on getting a quote to respray the bumper.
Side guards are cracked (not significantly but there are hairline fractures).
Front splitter has a hairline crack.
Under side trim pieces missing.
The entire exterior paint is completely marred as if they washed it with steel wool.

The dealer apologized profusely and said that it was all being covered by Lotus, but that it was going to take some time to remedy. Before leaving they insisted we start it up to hear that great engine to remind ourselves what to look forward to. Well, upon doing so the odometer popped up and to my surprise read 327 miles. I faked enjoyment, then left afterwards without mentioning the mileage.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but what in the world is going on with this car? Is this normal? I can't help but feel something is very off. I tried looking around to find a similar spec car out there, but nothing comes close. I'd hate to walk away from something I've waited so long for with this level of personalization, but I'm honestly at a loss for words. Any advice would be appreciated and is this worth escalating or would Lotus even care?

It’s a pass. The history could even be worst. Good luck

 

[DerTheDer]

Run away and blast the dealer, very shady. I would understand 100ish (on the very high end) to diagnose any road noise or other issues. But cut your losses now.

 

[MIGZ]

Pass, and just search for another car.

With that much stuff , who know how it’s been driven.

post what spec you want I’m sure you can get something close with delivery miles.

 

[MIGZ]

Run away and blast the dealer, very shady. I would understand 100ish (on the very high end) to diagnose any road noise or other issues. But cut your losses now.

Not sure blasting the dealer is right. He will still need a place to get his car serviced. It could also be what they got off the truck and Lotus is telling them it’s going to all be sorted.

 

[Lotustoronto]

10k off or Reject the car. - 5K isn't enough compensation. In the "high" end car market 327 Miles is not a new car.

I personally would reject the car no matter what discount offered - purely based on the unknown history of mileage, the vehicle and all the suspect damage.

 

[Emmy]

Thank you everyone for your honest take and support. I will try contacting the dealer tomorrow. I don't want to name and shame just yet, because it is possible that they have no idea what happened and perhaps will attempt to make this right. Also as mentioned I will hopefully need a Lotus service center in the future so I'm not trying to burn any bridges until I get more information. As soon as I hear back from the dealer I will let everyone know. As of now I will be walking away unless I can get some reassurance as to what actually happened to this vehicle and some form of compensation. I'm sadden, but at the same time relieved that it wasn't an overreaction on my part and others share the same suspicion. Thanks again everyone, I'll keep this post updated.

 

[Jinba ittai]

So did they lock in your spec, give you a VIN, etc.? If this is your order and not a random car, that is insane. Who puts that kind of mileage on someone else’s brand new car and expects it to be OK? I agree with others about rejecting the car. Sounds like it was abused so unlikely that proper break in protocol was followed. I wouldn’t blast the dealer as I doubt they condoned whatever happened. I’d use their willingness to right the wrong to put me into a new car. A lot of us waited 3+ years. 8 months is nothing. Settling for this car will bother you more than the additional wait.

 

[idleuser]

327 Miles before delivery? RUN as fast as you can. It took me 2.5 months to add 320 miles. I took delivery at 7 miles.

 

[Lotus64]

10k off or reject the car and put this dealer on blast! What they did is sickening and infuriating. The car is repaired and no longer like new. Sorry that they did this to you. These cars are our pride and joy and they've marred the experience for you. You need to be compensated for depreciation, negligence and pain and suffering!! My car came with 1X miles and even then I was annoyed.

 

[Vampyre]

My car had 2 miles on it when I got it new.