US used car market confusion

[4N MISSL]

I’m in the market for a used Emira, but I’m confused on why the prices of these cars are so vastly different here in the states when it comes to the mileage/ price. I know that once a car drives off the lot it depreciates 10-20% Which is understandable. However, it seems like it has no effect on these cars and the price vs mileage on each one are so different it’s hard to know how much leverage I actually have when negotiating a good price. There’s cars that have around 1,000 miles that are going between $92k-$98k, and there are cars that have 2,000-7000 miles that are $93k-102k.

I feel that used with 1,000 miles should fall between 93-96k and anything with 3,000+ miles should be in the high 80’s and get lower as mileage goes up. These cars also sit for an average of 160 days before being sold, so I feel like there’s a lot of room to negotiate a slow selling car, but I feel like if I find one cheaper for less miles they will say ‘buy it from them instead’ anyone have insight on what might be the best practice/ negotiation I can have when buying one?

 

[PatrickJS]

for the good deals you have to look at the dealerships that aren't Lotus. any Lotus dealership will purposely hold onto the value. any other dealership that has a lotus will definitely go lower and I seen it happen. but also keep in mind the MSRP price went up for these cars so its a bit mixed and thats what you're seeing. and the 2026 modal likely will cost more since there is more safety-tech/cooling compared to 2024/2025

 

[geoffbland]

The differences in prices might be as some of the cars have issues, as unfortunately it seems around 30% of Emiras have the bubbling issue. Make sure you inspect the cars first car fully all over for paint issues especially. There is a good buyers check list here. As Patrick states, dealer prices are considerably higher same here in the UK. Your US prices seem very close to UK prices though; in the UK the number of used cars has been steadily dropping over the last 6 months and so second-hand prices are now increasing.

 

[NJemira85]

Part of issue is no new supply arriving due to tariffs. Another issue is lotus has raised base msrp twice since launch in US, welll over 10%. So used 2024s are being compared to new replacement cost, not just their own msrp

 

[NJemira85]

I too have been shopping last 2 weeks. It’s a real show.

 

[RoryBellows]

Every dealer is still starting high. If you want a good market of what you should be paying check the prices on cars and bids and bring a trailer. A number of Emiras have been sold on those platforms. Dont forget those values are also a little low because the buyer has to pay fees on top so they account for that in bidding. Lotus also didnt restrict options combos and there are some weird combos out there that are priced to sell and some safer combos holding higher values. Depending on what you want it could be hard to find. If you are open to color choices then you should have no problem getting a good deal. It may work out to your advantage to wait a few more months though. Once cars are coming into port they cant use tariffs as a negotiating tactic, although the MSRP is likely going up too. Id say if you can find what you want now under around 93k you are getting a good deal.

 

[DerTheDer]

Mines for sale no dealer fees.