High delivery mileage on new order.

[Tomwa]

My car had less than 20 miles on it when I picked it up. This HAS to be a demo car, and very low chance those 327 miles were kept under 4000rpm and in tour mode. So, not a standard break-in

Read the lotus break-in again. Yes, it says to avoid going outside Tour Mode, and it says (paraphrasing) "do not sustain drive above 4k rpm". In the first 1k miles you should absolutely be going through the full rev range. You should take to red-line and engine brake, and spend time varying the revs.

I know my dealership was "bad" about stating as you have, I thought it was a weird thing to say, and the owners manual backs up. You should be seeing revs over 4k, just don't drive on the highway cruising at 4k+ rpm.

I think OP has plenty of info at this point telling him that he should not buy that car without a substantial discount, but unless the dealership was completely negligent engine damage is unlikely, and certainly not because the car saw 5000 rpm before it was out of break-in period.

 

[cyanmauve]

Been there done that and they couldn’t get it

That stinks.

 

[cyanmauve]

I think I’d have to call the deal off and look for a used Emira with similar spec.

 

[1swift1]

Read the lotus break-in again. Yes, it says to avoid going outside Tour Mode, and it says (paraphrasing) "do not sustain drive above 4k rpm". In the first 1k miles you should absolutely be going through the full rev range. You should take to red-line and engine brake, and spend time varying the revs.

I know my dealership was "bad" about stating as you have, I thought it was a weird thing to say, and the owners manual backs up. You should be seeing revs over 4k, just don't drive on the highway cruising at 4k+ rpm.

I think OP has plenty of info at this point telling him that he should not buy that car without a substantial discount, but unless the dealership was completely negligent engine damage is unlikely, and certainly not because the car saw 5000 rpm before it was out of break-in period.

You are correct...I edited my response. Thank you

 

[Superdavelotus]

I would reject too, it's a used car. Find another and you'll be glad you listened to our advise!

 

[hagen111]

On the paint: it is known that the original paint on the cars is very soft when it arrives from factory. I have seen and heard that even after the first wash, cars can be full of swirls - like in really bad! So I had my car first polished, then protected with glass coating and ppf on some parts. It looks magnificent.

Reading your story. I would decline the car, as it is clear it has some 'history'. Most likely something was wrong or somebody took a 'weekend test drive' in it, cracked the underside and washed after the weekend to tick the boxes on delivery inspection as all ok.

On the comments on mileage on a new car. It is very common for low production numbers hand build cars to have decent mileage on them. For those familiar with this market, most owners even insist there are enough miles on it, before taking ownership on the car. They have learned that 0 miles, means lots of small issues.

 

[Nova]

Waiting for @Emmy to come give us an update.

 

[Hargy]

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?

I had the most awful experience ever with Lotus customer care after the car went back to Lotus to amend paint issues for 5MONTHS!!!! and then faulty ignition issues for over 4MONTHS!!!!! which they could not resolve. I had to chase everything up with Lotus ( absolutely fucking no) Customer care. They were a disgrace!!!!! and eventually I handed the car back under warranty. I had to engage legal representation and threaten them with court before they finally reimbursed me. No compo for 11 months of incompetence and inconvenience!! Not even a notification that they had reimbursed me and not even a ‘sorry!!’ Disgraceful company!! I will never deal with them ever again and I would urge everyone to steer well clear of them!! Total shambles. Matt Einfle ought to hang his head in shame as boss of this terrible, terrible totally amateurish and uncaring company!!