Well I’ve been thinking about selling my S1 Exige for a while as work and family mean I never get time to use it. Haven’t made my mind up yet but I am swaying more to it going than staying. So I wanted to ask if anyone with experience buying or selling an Exige or similar can give me any tips on what to be careful of when and if advertising a car like this and what to look out for from prospective buyers apart from the obvious like age and insurance before allowing them a test drive.
Thought I’d bump this post, I see a few people have read it but has no one come across any pit falls or scams I (and others) might want to look out for?
I have recently sold my Elise 190 on Pistonheads. All I can advise is that you be wary if someone is coming from a blinged up Nova or similar to drive your car, try to find out if the buyer is knowledgable of your car, I think an serious Exige buyer would be clued up. If selling get them to pay by bank transfer or if cash go with them to pay it in to the bank.
I was fortunate that my buyer already had an Elise and was looking for a more performance orientated model and was a genuine guy.
I would have thought that anyone genuine about buying an S1 Exige would know everything about them and be serious from the begining … I personally wouldnt give any time to anyone who didnt, as would be clear that they are just a time waster.
The S1 Exige must have reached such a status that its simply about spec and condition and if everything adds up the sale is done.
When someone asks for your address, just give them the postcode (or the postcode of somewhere nearby) and then go and meet them, not in the car you are selling. At least you get chance to check them out before you take them into your house.
Not sure about the advice of meeting someone away from your house - as that might put people off. I recently bought an Exige S privately and I was really paranoid about who I might be dealing with. It was important to me that I went to their house and saw how genuine they were. If they had suggested a meet somewhere I think I would have just walked away. Selling is a two way thing with trust needed from both sides. I would say exchange a few emails with people first and see how much they know and how interested they are. Just my 2p worth
From my very recent experience (in the last 2 weeks)is that do as many checks as you can, explain up front how you want the money to be paid, meet them at your house and if paying by cash, take them and the cash to the bank where they will verify the readies in seconds.
My buyer is from Belgium (yup, my S2 is heading ‘overseas’) - just make all the checks you can.
Some good advise. I would be much happier selling to someone who is a lotus club member as they are likely to be genuine and not time wasters. I hadn’t even thought about advertising in a Lotus magazine.
Knowing the buyers address and details are genuine makes good sense as well. I would be very wary of meeting someone at an arranged location I don’t know, I’ve heard a few stories of people being ripped off that way.
Thanks for your thoughts so far, more are welcome.
As Sean says, as the SELLER you should specify a first meeting at a public place, BEFORE going to your house - you can then assess the potential buyer.
As it’s unlikely a deal will be finalised on the day, you can then decide where to meet the buyer in future (their house?), & then proceed with them to a bank etc.
As a first step, why not advertise it here, & see where that takes you - it’s free after all!
PS Beware of Brummies with short ginger hair, who turn up mob handed with mates called John & Burt.
