Delivery day next week/Couple of fee questions

[Aero]

I also bought my car from Carlock back in march 24. Ask them for a breakout of all of their fees if you havent already. Wasnt any surprises as I made them disclose all of them in writing at deposit. I was out of state and paid cash. These were my fees. The $2500 should be included on the MSRP and no way to get out of it but shouldnt be charged for it separately on top of MSRP.
Mine were: $999 document fee (I tried get that bs lowered. no success), $259 title fee. Drive Out (BS) $5.50; Tire Disposal (BS) $5.00. Also make sure they remove your deposit paid from your total balance. They forgot to do that first proof.
I didnt have any references for their PPF guys and they seemed high at the time compared to what I got locally, my PPF guy had seen their PPF work ...but i think they got a new company since then that does it.

 

[767Driver]

I remember you mentioning that you purchased from them. I did look over and discuss the breakdown in detail, no other surprises besides the transport and port fees. Totally agree with you on the inclusion of those fees! Seems deceptive otherwise.
My fees pretty much mirror yours. I tired hard to negotiate the dealer fee and had no luck as well. Also mentioned I’d never paid MSRP before and to throw me a bone of sorts, even asked for one of those high end Jura coffee makers as a parting gift.No luck thus far.
Their newer PPF shop does all the Aston’s, Mas, P cars too so they should be well versed with the Emira which they’ve done too before of course.
I’m still working the deal but think I’m pretty stuck with my numbers which I’m prepared to pay so.. all good for now.

 

[DigitalWiz]

Can’t say some of your points aren’t valid, probably not the best financial decision to invest even more money in a depreciating asset, but as a car I’ll drive a lot, would probably drive me nuts to let it get beat up too badly too quickly. Especially with what it’s costing already so, think I’ll probably do the at least the full front cap and windshield if not The whole enchilada!

In all fairness, I’m just like you in that regard. First 911, front ppf, Audi R8 Matte paint option, full 360 ppf, next 911, just half….Emira…you’re on your own buddy…

 

[767Driver]

In all fairness, I’m just like you in that regard. First 911, front ppf, Audi R8 Matte paint option, full 360 ppf, next 911, just half….Emira…you’re on your own buddy…

Wouldn’t be the worst financial decision I’ve made that for sure! Heck, $7500 didn’t even cover my monthly alimony after my one and only divorce awhile back.

 

[scf100]

I did buy from them. So far, they have been nice to work with. Seems like 7500 for the full PPF, ceramic on the wheels too is about the going rate. Who’s your guy in Atlanta? That’s where my usual guy is located that did my Maserati.

AP3 in Atlanta

 

[Aero]

I figured I had no leverage to negotiate their 'fees' since at the time (deposit Oct 2021) it was a car they could easily sell to someone else. But their fees were much less than anywhere else Id checked. Guess theyre still not willing to remove any. Even at delivery I tried to get a 1:18 diecast model ($200 value) they had thrown in since just gave them $100k+. Nope. Best they would do was to sell it at their cost which was $185. Not much of discount either. I think they offered to give me a shirt or something but didnt want. I dont think even their coffee is free there. But Tanner (whos left recently) was great to work with otherwise. We were done with the paperwork/delivery in 17 minutes at least. (unlike some dealers)

 

[me73]

Fair enough. Looks like it’s part of the price of doing business. But man, the price has sure gone up. My 2026 ended up at 121.9.

This is no longer a "$100,000 car"

 

[redgarl]

I took ownership of my 2026 SE Turbo Racing Line 2 weeks ago. The initial purchase agreement was not including the PDI freight fee, which I knew since I was negotiating with the 3 nearest dealers to find the best deal and they were adamant to charge me on the quote. At the final purchase agreement, the dealer tried to put back the fee in the quote.

To make a story short, they respected the agreed OTD price of the initial purchase agreement and waved the 5000$ fee.

That's the first part, the second part... like you I added all these dealerships add-ons at first. My seller told me all these were optional and agreed to a 2000$ rebate on MSRP so he could close the deal. I accepted and placed my custom order and get educated on PPFs... and thanks but NO THANKS. Dealers are playing with the emotions of people to protect paint, but they are not telling the following:

• A PPF removal can damage paint, and especially clear coats of many exotic cars since they use fiber glass or carbon fiber;
• Before applying a PPF, you need to do a proper paint correction job, especially on an Emira having so many orange peel problem;
• PPF can only be applied to paint that cured for at least 4 months;
• Emira are having paint issues on their First Edition vehicles, so adding a PPF will make things worst if you are facing those issues;
• PPF need to be removed every 8 years and the uninstall can be extremely problematic, adding a huge cost beyond a paint job;
• They are changing color even with all their claims, they are turning yellow with time;
• You can only truly applied specific care products to a PPF that are usually from the same brand;
• XPEL is the most popular but also the worst brand adding discoloration and orange peel effects;
• Dealers are using pre-cut machine leaving all the edges exposed which will leave a lot of issues;
• A PPF install is literally an art and it cost way above 6000$ for a full body install for a truly remarkable job;
• Cars like Emira will have many necessary tension release cuts because of the rounds body shape;

Ironically something made to protect your paint is one of the worst risk for your paint. I accepted the fact that a car needs to live and if VinWiki is able to drive a Bugatti without caring about rock chips, then so should I on a Lotus Emira, that will ultimately depreciate like any other cars that doesn't sit in a museum.

In the end, I didn't take any of these add-ons, saved myself 2000$ on MSRP, waved the 5000$ PDI fee and saved about 2200$ of taxes from these two rebates, for a total of 9200$ off my OTD.

I know it is kind of late for your decision, but this is my PoV.

 

[redgarl]

2. Not mentioned by anyone above, is the one benefit of having your dealer do the PPF: it'll be covered by your "dealer warranty"

WRONG... my dealer is the biggest Lamborghini dealer in North America, and they are all doing the PPF in-house, but Lotus and Lamborghini are NOT going to cover issues to their car by the installation of the dealer. The dealer is using the XPEL and other PPF warranty that only cover their install and the PPF, but if you have a bad install and damage due to its removal your dealer can easily let you holding the bag.

Not to mention they are installing the cheapest product into a precut fashion to save on installation. Go look at this and tell me that you want a PPF install from Joe Bloe shop or the dealer still. You need a professional detailers for doing such a job and it is financially not worth it.

 

[redgarl]

lifetime warranty

PPF are not lifetime warrantied. They need to be replaced before the 10 years mark or their glue might permanently damage your paint during the removal process because they cease. No PPF install shop is going to touch your car after the 8-10 years mark because the uninstall have a lot of chance to go wrong.

 

[docron]

I did full PPF, mine was about $6500 and that included doing the front windshield which I would recommend given the replacement windshield alone in the US is $3600 without labor.
See if you can have them include that in your price.

My installer did not use XPEL, he used a product called Incognito by Autobahn. My installer has done PPF for a long time and actually has trained most of the PPF installers that do exotics here in Central Ohio.

Ask your dealer if the PPF installer will use plotted XPEL templated pieces. There is a relief cut on the plotted xpel piece near the top corner of the side vents that bothered my OCD. A good PPF installer should be able to manipulate the film to not include any relief cuts.

My PPF has saved my paint on the front bumper, hood and side rockers so I’m an advocate of PPF. As well as my front windshield.

 

[redgarl]

Ask your dealer if the PPF installer will use plotted XPEL templated pieces. There is a relief cut on the plotted xpel piece near the top corner of the side vents that bothered my OCD. A good PPF installer should be able to manipulate the film to not include any relief cuts.

You cannot avoid relief cuts on many exotics because the film will not sit properly. Go take a look at the video I posted. Even Evan was not able to do it on the 458.

A PPF should be applied only if you are driving a car that will appreciate above the cost of the job, AND... that you are going to drive. So basically, if you need to drop 15-20k for transport and work, then your car must appreciate more over the 8 year period to justify the cost.

An Emira is not going to appreciate. I cannot recommend a PPF... not to mention if your paint start to bubble due to the panel issues, removing your PPF is going to pull off everything with it. It took me 2 months to decide to not apply one, and I think it is the only choice.

 

[docron]

Good thing we all have our personal opinions and choices.

 

[RoryBellows]

The dealer pays 100% of that delivery fee to Lotus. They will not negotiate on that fee. They have margins on the base car and options but the dealers really do pay Lotus 2500 for delivery

 

[Foxy87]

I took ownership of my 2026 SE Turbo Racing Line 2 weeks ago. The initial purchase agreement was not including the PDI freight fee, which I knew since I was negotiating with the 3 nearest dealers to find the best deal and they were adamant to charge me on the quote. At the final purchase agreement, the dealer tried to put back the fee in the quote.

To make a story short, they respected the agreed OTD price of the initial purchase agreement and waved the 5000$ fee.

That's the first part, the second part... like you I added all these dealerships add-ons at first. My seller told me all these were optional and agreed to a 2000$ rebate on MSRP so he could close the deal. I accepted and placed my custom order and get educated on PPFs... and thanks but NO THANKS. Dealers are playing with the emotions of people to protect paint, but they are not telling the following:

• A PPF removal can damage paint, and especially clear coats of many exotic cars since they use fiber glass or carbon fiber;
• Before applying a PPF, you need to do a proper paint correction job, especially on an Emira having so many orange peel problem;
• PPF can only be applied to paint that cured for at least 4 months;
• Emira are having paint issues on their First Edition vehicles, so adding a PPF will make things worst if you are facing those issues;
• PPF need to be removed every 8 years and the uninstall can be extremely problematic, adding a huge cost beyond a paint job;
• They are changing color even with all their claims, they are turning yellow with time;
• You can only truly applied specific care products to a PPF that are usually from the same brand;
• XPEL is the most popular but also the worst brand adding discoloration and orange peel effects;
• Dealers are using pre-cut machine leaving all the edges exposed which will leave a lot of issues;
• A PPF install is literally an art and it cost way above 6000$ for a full body install for a truly remarkable job;
• Cars like Emira will have many necessary tension release cuts because of the rounds body shape;

Ironically something made to protect your paint is one of the worst risk for your paint. I accepted the fact that a car needs to live and if VinWiki is able to drive a Bugatti without caring about rock chips, then so should I on a Lotus Emira, that will ultimately depreciate like any other cars that doesn't sit in a museum.

In the end, I didn't take any of these add-ons, saved myself 2000$ on MSRP, waved the 5000$ PDI fee and saved about 2200$ of taxes from these two rebates, for a total of 9200$ off my OTD.

I know it is kind of late for your decision, but this is my PoV.

Hmm, I believe there are a few points here that are just not true and false information and/or do not apply to the emira. I had a hard time deciding wether I should get PPF or not. I finally got it and I am super happy, best decision for piece of mind and the best ghing is no minor scratches and with the self healing feature the car looks spotless in the sun.

 

[767Driver]

I took ownership of my 2026 SE Turbo Racing Line 2 weeks ago. The initial purchase agreement was not including the PDI freight fee, which I knew since I was negotiating with the 3 nearest dealers to find the best deal and they were adamant to charge me on the quote. At the final purchase agreement, the dealer tried to put back the fee in the quote.

To make a story short, they respected the agreed OTD price of the initial purchase agreement and waved the 5000$ fee.

That's the first part, the second part... like you I added all these dealerships add-ons at first. My seller told me all these were optional and agreed to a 2000$ rebate on MSRP so he could close the deal. I accepted and placed my custom order and get educated on PPFs... and thanks but NO THANKS. Dealers are playing with the emotions of people to protect paint, but they are not telling the following:

• A PPF removal can damage paint, and especially clear coats of many exotic cars since they use fiber glass or carbon fiber;
• Before applying a PPF, you need to do a proper paint correction job, especially on an Emira having so many orange peel problem;
• PPF can only be applied to paint that cured for at least 4 months;
• Emira are having paint issues on their First Edition vehicles, so adding a PPF will make things worst if you are facing those issues;
• PPF need to be removed every 8 years and the uninstall can be extremely problematic, adding a huge cost beyond a paint job;
• They are changing color even with all their claims, they are turning yellow with time;
• You can only truly applied specific care products to a PPF that are usually from the same brand;
• XPEL is the most popular but also the worst brand adding discoloration and orange peel effects;
• Dealers are using pre-cut machine leaving all the edges exposed which will leave a lot of issues;
• A PPF install is literally an art and it cost way above 6000$ for a full body install for a truly remarkable job;
• Cars like Emira will have many necessary tension release cuts because of the rounds body shape;

Ironically something made to protect your paint is one of the worst risk for your paint. I accepted the fact that a car needs to live and if VinWiki is able to drive a Bugatti without caring about rock chips, then so should I on a Lotus Emira, that will ultimately depreciate like any other cars that doesn't sit in a museum.

In the end, I didn't take any of these add-ons, saved myself 2000$ on MSRP, waved the 5000$ PDI fee and saved about 2200$ of taxes from these two rebates, for a total of 9200$ off my OTD.

I know it is kind of late for your decision, but this is my PoV.

You certainly bring up some interesting points regarding the PPF debate so to speak, but my OPINION on some of your cons of PPF differ a bit.
Specifically, since the car just arrived about a week ago, and has at least in theory had very little contact,no wash, or detail etc with the relatively new paint, there should be very minimal paint correction involved. I’ve yet to see my car, picking her up on the 30th but there should not have been any swirl marks or other defects assuming it was delivered without blisters etc.
Although I don’t know how long the paint has actually been on the car, I’ve read that new car paint is actually baked in at the factory so to speak and has probably realistically been on the car for at least 6 weeks or more before arriving at the dealer. Hard to say but I know it’s very common for all brands including some very highly priced ones to get PPF immediately upon delivery too.
I typically don’t keep cars more than 3 years let alone 7 or 8, so not too concerned about the long term.
The Xpel Ultimate is supposed to be outstanding. I have Xpel on my white Maserati for the last 2.5 years and it still looks amazing with no yellowing, discoloration or orange peel at all and the ceramic on top has also held up providing a nice shine and luster to the paint thus far.
Totally agree on the art aspect of the install! I’ve had quite a few cars done before with varying results in skills so we shall see. However, the installer my dealer uses , which is an Aston, Maserati, Bentley, Alfa, and Porsche and Lotus retailer, apparently is quite reputable and really would have to be when working on those brands which cost considerably more than my Emira, He apparently can do the Emira without the release cuts and seams. We shall see but that’s what I’ve been told.
Lastly, I have in writing that should any blistering occur or any other paint defects, that the PPF replacement or cost would be taken care of by the dealer/ Lotus.
Anyway, sounds like you got a smoking deal with the rebates etc. My car ended up at 121.9 dollars plus the $7500 for the full Xpel, including windshield, and full ceramic including the wheels. So all in for 129.4. If you don’t mind sharing, after your rebates and discounts, what did you pay for your car? Hope we both enjoy the heck out of them!

 

[scf100]

PPF are not lifetime warrantied. They need to be replaced before the 10 years mark or their glue might permanently damage your paint during the removal process because they cease. No PPF install shop is going to touch your car after the 8-10 years mark because the uninstall have a lot of chance to go wrong.

Well that’s what the company that installed it gave me…..I’ll have to double check what exactly it says

 

[netsinah]

2. Not mentioned by anyone above, is the one benefit of having your dealer do the PPF: it'll be covered by your "dealer warranty"

redgarl:

WRONG... my dealer is the biggest Lamborghini dealer in North America, and they are all doing the PPF in-house, but Lotus and Lamborghini are NOT going to cover issues to their car by the installation of the dealer. The dealer is using the XPEL and other PPF warranty that only cover their install and the PPF, but if you have a bad install and damage due to its removal your dealer can easily let you holding the bag.

? No where in my post, did I mention a "Lotus" manufacturer warranty, applying to PPF installed by the dealer or installed by one of the dealer's preferred detailing shops. That would never happen. And a good dealer should repair or or organize the repairs to any PPF problems, for PPF they organized and had put on an Emira.

 

[scf100]

PPF are not lifetime warrantied. They need to be replaced before the 10 years mark or their glue might permanently damage your paint during the removal process because they cease. No PPF install shop is going to touch your car after the 8-10 years mark because the uninstall have a lot of chance to go wrong.

I stand corrected…..it’s a 10 year warranty on the XPEL Film

 

[redgarl]

I did full PPF, mine was about $6500 and that included doing the front windshield which I would recommend given the replacement windshield alone in the US is $3600 without labor.

A PPF will not save a WINDSHIELD. A PPF is made to protect scratching from debris, not to prevent impacts. It will not prevent a crack from an impact.

Not to mention in many countries, it is illegal to install any kind of films on the windshield.

The amount of desinformation I have read here about PPF is breathtaking.