Anyone out there know about older cars Lotus Europa in particular?

[ndubz]

I have a unique opportunity to buy a lotus Europa special at what seems well under market price. I've done a bit of research and ones like this (a 73 europa special) should sell for $15-20k. It seems to me there is some profit to be made here, but I don't wanna just spend money without doing my homework. Does anyone on here know anything about these cars or know someone who does? What is the market like? Cuz I wouldn't mind having a couple weeks with the car but I don't want to wind up having it really past summers end. This is about profit after all, the fact that I'd get to drive a cool car is a bonus.

Can anyone tell me anything here? Lol

[turboman808]

Cars are worth in reality about 1/3 of market value right now.

You didn't mention the condition or the price so it's tough to say. No one wants to buy a basket case car right now thats gonna need 20 grand in work to finish.


bought my porsche for 30 grand but it needed alot to finsih it off and make it perfect. 3 years later, 45 grand for in my money, toss in one bad economy and I got a car that realistically could sell for 25k right now. Things are ****ed up right now.


Now if your gonna buy it to drive for a few years then turn around and sell it then it sounds like a great idea. Thats a very unusual car so if it needs any work you could lose your money on it.

[twastheglow]

Originally Posted by turboman808

Cars are worth in reality about 1/3 of market value right now.

For the most part, I agree. However, that completely depends on the car. Try finding an e30 M3 for 1/3 of the market value. ****, the "market value" starts at 50% higher than the blue book on them. And that's if you can find one.

[jjm4life]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f120/

[ndubz]

Originally Posted by jjm4life

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f120/

Thank you. I think this may be the first positive exchange u and I have had. This may be the start of grand things to come (giggidy)
How is ur exige holding up as ur DD btw?

And I looked around during class today. I found a site dedicated to europas, and they have a "sold" section. As of late it does seem they have slumped in value. the 10k the one im looking at costs is more near the top of what theyre going for right now. I dont think I will be pursuing this investment.

if any of you are interested in buying it though, PM me for the link to it. it is a beautiful car.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

I have one.. If it needs and engine and your going for all original dont buy it. This has been the hault to my europa. Just to import one over here from europe is a good $5K and it will need to sit in custom's for inspection which is a by the day storege charge. And the price you have seen them going for is for all original numbers matching and that price has slumped majorley. Not to mention mine is a john player eddition which is a very hard to find model. If you dont persue it would you send me the info as to where it is and what the price on it is? I need a second car for my europa and i might end up going with an alternet 4 cylinder motor for it.

[turboman808]

I'm planning to get something very soon. I had alot of ideas but have settled on getting a 80-85 jaguar XJ6. These cars are at an all time low. I won't have a problem getting a mint condition XJ6 for around 5 grand or less. Even if the price doesn't move I won't have invested much. I have a feeling in 5 years the price for a XJ6 in good condition will be over 10 grand. They are not making anymore and the cost to restore far outweighs the value. Also guys are cutting them up and doing stupid **** to them. So it seems like a good investment plus my fiance can drive it.

I was really more interested in a Mark 9 or a Rolls S1 but I would be dumping 35 grand into something that could be expensive to repair down the road and even go down in value further. Something cheaper that will keep it's value and I can enjoy with my family makes more sense now I guess.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

Originally Posted by turboman808

I'm planning to get something very soon. I had alot of ideas but have settled on getting a 80-85 jaguar XJ6. These cars are at an all time low. I won't have a problem getting a mint condition XJ6 for around 5 grand or less. Even if the price doesn't move I won't have invested much. I have a feeling in 5 years the price for a XJ6 in good condition will be over 10 grand. They are not making anymore and the cost to restore far outweighs the value. Also guys are cutting them up and doing stupid **** to them. So it seems like a good investment plus my fiance can drive it.

I was really more interested in a Mark 9 or a Rolls S1 but I would be dumping 35 grand into something that could be expensive to repair down the road and even go down in value further. Something cheaper that will keep it's value and I can enjoy with my family makes more sense now I guess.

Jags are nice but my family's history with them has never been good. much the same with rangerover's, There all good up until around 70K miles than the problems come around. My uncle's XK8 needed a new engine at 60K miles and be babied that thing. I hear they have gotten better since ford took them over.

[ndubz]

Originally Posted by i_ride_fieroGT

Jags are nice but my family's history with them has never been good. much the same with rangerover's, There all good up until around 70K miles than the problems come around. My uncle's XK8 needed a new engine at 60K miles and be babied that thing. I hear they have gotten better since ford took them over.

Honestly, its probly because he babied it that the motor blew. Cars like that need to really be driven. I know with ferrari's if u dont run them hard, the cats get all clogged and other stuff starts going wrong. Basically, they need to be trashed to stay healthy lol.

And ford doesnt own Jaguar anymore. Tata owns them and Land Rover now. Ford still has some part in them though.