Buying an Emira - Lots of Questions

[noticket]

Hey there,

I just registered because I am thinking of buying an Emira. But I have some questions.

I’m from the SF Bay Area, so I’m lucky to have a few dealers around, but most dealers in the Bay Area aren’t that great, and I don’t really know what to expect.

Would you all recommend using a local dealer like Los Gatos Lotus, or Boardwalk Lotus? Or should I look to Texas or elsewhere and have the car shipped?

In general, are dealers adding a lot of ADM? Or can you expect to pay MSRP for these cars?

Is there anything else I should be aware of going into this?

I’ve researched the car plenty, but have very little idea what to expect from the buying process.

Thanks!

 

[Time2Fly]

Los Gatos doesn't get a lot of allocations so I wouldn't expect to get your spec for a while. That said they have cars for sale right now. Check the orphaned Emira thread. And they're only asking MSRP.

 

[noticket]

Los Gatos doesn't get a lot of allocations so I wouldn't expect to get your spec for a while. That said they have cars for sale right now. Check the orphaned Emira thread. And they're only asking MSRP.

Thanks! I read through that thread and the only one I’d be interested (yellow) seems to have been sold.

Would you recommend working with Boardwalk? Or maybe go outside of California?

 

[netsinah]

All info suggests dealers are selling the Emira at MSRP. If buying "an orphan" check to see if it's a First Edition "first generation" (sold at a lower MSRP) vs a First Edition "second generation" (sold at a higher MSRP). Dealers tend to price them both at the higher "second generation" pricing, but you may get lucky and only have to pay the lower/original MSRP if it's a "first generation". Although buying a first generation may mean an older production date and more gremlins with the car.

Find out if the dealer is asking extra money for a document fee, or an unusually high freight or PDI charge, or "forcing" you to pay for financing or "mandatory" PPF/Ceramic coating or other options, at a high price. Compare with other dealers to see if you'll do better elsewhere. Best to get things like that in writing, when the deposit is paid (ie. you confirm in an email, what the dealer promised you).

As mentioned by Time2Fly, it's ++++ important before plunking down a deposit, to know exactly where you'd be on a list, how many allocations the dealer gets, and a realistic time-line when you'd get your allocation. After making those enquiries, I pulled a deposit with one dealer and have since dealt with a second dealer who had far more allocations and a smaller list. I should have figured that out and saved time, before placing a deposit with the first dealer.

Finally, ask around or Google, to see if any particular dealer has a bad reputation and complaints that sound legitimate. Ideally, it's nice to buy from a dealer close to your home with properly trained techs to service your Emira, plus a dealer that provides good all-round customer service. I find you get better "warranty work" done by a dealer who sold you the car (such as faster service; a loaner vehicle). It may be worthwhile to drive a few extra miles, for a better dealer. Good luck!

 

[Blackthought_]

All info suggests dealers are selling the Emira at MSRP. If buying "an orphan" check to see if it's a First Edition "first generation" (sold at a lower MSRP) vs a First Edition "second generation" (sold at a higher MSRP). Dealers tend to price them both at the higher "second generation" pricing, but you may get lucky and only have to pay the lower/original MSRP if it's a "first generation". Although buying a first generation may mean an older production date and more gremlins with the car.

Find out if the dealer is asking extra money for a document fee, or an unusually high freight or PDI charge, or "forcing" you to pay for financing or "mandatory" PPF/Ceramic coating or other options, at a high price. Compare with other dealers to see if you'll do better elsewhere. Best to get things like that in writing, when the deposit is paid (ie. you confirm in an email, what the dealer promised you).

As mentioned by Time2Fly, it's ++++ important before plunking down a deposit, to know exactly where you'd be on a list, how many allocations the dealer gets, and a realistic time-line when you'd get your allocation. After making those enquiries, I pulled a deposit with one dealer and have since dealt with a second dealer who had far more allocations and a smaller list. I should have figured that out and saved time, before placing a deposit with the first dealer.

Finally, ask around or Google, to see if any particular dealer has a bad reputation and complaints that sound legitimate. Ideally, it's nice to buy from a dealer close to your home with properly trained techs to service your Emira, plus a dealer that provides good all-round customer service. I find you get better "warranty work" done by a dealer who sold you the car (such as faster service; a loaner vehicle). It may be worthwhile to drive a few extra miles, for a better dealer. Good luck!

Where are you seeing posts that suggest that emiras are being sold at FE 1 pricing? (96k). Everything I’ve seen on all forums suggest that it’s FE 2 pricing (105k) and/potentially markup. I don’t think I’ve seen the FE1 pricing.

 

[Time2Fly]

Where are you seeing posts that suggest that emiras are being sold at FE 1 pricing? (96k). Everything I’ve seen on all forums suggest that it’s FE 2 pricing (105k) and/potentially markup. I don’t think I’ve seen the FE1 pricing.

Los Gatos was selling one at FE pricing. Apparently it's sold already.

 

[Deeznuss]

Hey there,

I just registered because I am thinking of buying an Emira. But I have some questions.

I’m from the SF Bay Area, so I’m lucky to have a few dealers around, but most dealers in the Bay Area aren’t that great, and I don’t really know what to expect.

Would you all recommend using a local dealer like Los Gatos Lotus, or Boardwalk Lotus? Or should I look to Texas or elsewhere and have the car shipped?

In general, are dealers adding a lot of ADM? Or can you expect to pay MSRP for these cars?

Is there anything else I should be aware of going into this?

I’ve researched the car plenty, but have very little idea what to expect from the buying process.

Thanks!

Boardwalk had a few orphaned Emiras. Not sure about pricing. Here’s an orphaned Vivid Red for sale as of a week ago.

 

[24Emira]

Buy anywhere in the US and have them shipped, it's not a big deal. Call around to the ads you see on cars.com, cargurus, and autotrader; most are pre-sold but you'll find some

 

[axm]

Would you all recommend using a local dealer like Los Gatos Lotus, or Boardwalk Lotus? Or should I look to Texas or elsewhere and have the car shipped?

I live in Texas and had my car shipped from Boardwalk. They were fantastic.

 

[DVGregori]

Where are you seeing posts that suggest that emiras are being sold at FE 1 pricing? (96k). Everything I’ve seen on all forums suggest that it’s FE 2 pricing (105k) and/potentially markup. I don’t think I’ve seen the FE1 pricing.

I don't know why people are quoting 105K pricing ($105,400) Zero people can buy a FE2 for that price as that is the base price of the FE2 before any options or transportation and port charges ($2350) that EVERYONE has to pay, it's all on the Monroney sticker and not ADM. The least expensive MSRP on a FE2 is $107,750 and if it has the full black pack that's another $1400, so your MSRP for a FE2 sitting on a lot with black pack is $109,150. Lotus of OC has some but they are now pricing them at $119.999.

 

[Mateo]

All info suggests dealers are selling the Emira at MSRP. If buying "an orphan" check to see if it's a First Edition "first generation" (sold at a lower MSRP) vs a First Edition "second generation" (sold at a higher MSRP). Dealers tend to price them both at the higher "second generation" pricing, but you may get lucky and only have to pay the lower/original MSRP if it's a "first generation". Although buying a first generation may mean an older production date and more gremlins with the car.

Thank you for the distinction. I couldn't understand why I ended up pay less than expected for my Emira. It turns out that it was a first generation car!