Chopd65 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I'm new here though I've been lurking for a few months trying to determine what it might take to appease my growing Seven distraction. While I recognize that I have no cache here, I really appreciate the commentary as it adds to my slowly growing understanding of the wide and varied subject matter. That and I find it humorous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airboy808 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Please keep as - is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Keep it as it is now. Otherwise, how are sellers supposed to have any feedback as to their presentation and/or car and it's real condition (vs their hyped condition). Bill S. A question for the USA7s members. Another forum member has raised concerns in a polite PM to me that my conjecturing based on the advertisement and other personal impressions is unhelpful to the seller and misleading to other forum members who may be buyers. I will note that the ad in question was not a for sale ad on USA7s but one of my links to his Ebay/Craigslist ad off forum. I can sort of see his point of view as a seller. My view is the advertisement was inadequate inviting conjecture from forum members as we all tried to assess what was up for sale and the value being sought. The forum member is not a paid up club member so could not advertise directly on USA7s. I am aware of the USA7s forum protocol on not criticizing other forum member's own for sale ads when listed on this site but this would not apply when it is a re-link from Ebay or Craigslist and the seller is not bothering with the forum. For what it is worth, I believe that an advertisement should stand on its own with good description and photos if you expect someone to buy it on the internet through a site like Ebay. Unfortunately, most ads do not meet that standard. However, I think the Bringatrailer model works well in that situation as you get a variety of intelligent input that can make up for the advertisment inadequacies. Its why I respect other USA7s members chiming in here with their views. But am I wrong as it was pointed out to me? So an informal survey - should we expand the current USA7s forum rule on no conjecturing or opinions to apply to re-linked ads in this thread? Or should we keep it as it is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Keep it as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikker Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 The most popular commentary on here , week in week out. Do not change a thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadog7 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Another "don't change" vote here. Although there may be a disgruntled or disillusioned seller or two out there, there are many more eager readers appreciative of your efforts and candid comments. I would doubt that there is another single person who has helped foster and facilitate ownership more than Croc. Kudos and much thanks!:hurray: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I concur with above posts: I look forward to the Saturday morning insights MORE than I look forward to the particular LSISs available for sale. Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 It ain't broke. Some people need a reality check as to price or desirability. Leave it as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Agree with everyone above. The point of ''no criticisms" of For-sale posts on this Forum by members of this Forum is that the criticisms and debate can overwhelm the sales thread. A very defensive and (often) legitimately angry seller can over-react to real and perceived criticisms of his or her "baby." And no one wins. But off-site ads seem like fair game. I see one now where an "original" Lotus 7 is offered for sale and, as far as I can tell, the only original part is the Lotus badge and VIN plate. It doesn't hurt for potential buyers to have a source of information on such things and Croc tends to offer generally candid, but not particularly harsh observations. So our community of member benefits from his honest and often humorous evaluations. And everyone is free to do their own assessment, contact the buyer, take the car for a spin and do their "due diligence". This section of the Forum is a starting point, not the end of the discussion. And, it is by far our most popular feature. So-keep up the good work Croc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I see one now where an "original" Lotus 7 is offered for sale and, as far as I can tell, the only original part is the Lotus badge and VIN plate. Sounds like a Stroker owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler501 Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 I find the comments invaluable…and appreciate the humor as well. Getting a more experienced take on some of these ads has kept me out of trouble a couple times now. Please continue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorichard Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 i find the comments invaluable…and appreciate the humor as well. Getting a more experienced take on some of these ads has kept me out of trouble a couple times now. Please continue... i agree 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Blue Stalker near Dallas, Texas. http://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/5241471454.html http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_elvAiyD6F3r_600x450.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimm Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Found while searching my local craigslist for Lotus: A "special" for those of you that think a Lotus 11 is a wee bit oversized: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5251250629.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 (edited) Many thanks for the comments - I find it always helpful to reset one's thinking with some outside feedback to make sure I am not going off the rails. Although I did get 3 new negative PMs (no paid up members) so I guess they must be upset sellers plus another from the original messager. Interestingly none of the critical guys made their views public - I leave it to others to conclude why. Advertised as a 1968 Lotus 7. It has a Caterham VIN with the SDK prefix. It says it is a 40th anniversary but it does not have the anniversary paint job - spec'ed as a BRG with yellow stripe with clams. Dash plaque confirms it as a true anniversary edition. It says it is a classic - so that was the basic model when it was offered. So I guess it is a 1997? It does have a crossflow from the photo and the text says 1600cc and a 5spd. I like the effort made by the original builder to give it the "historic look". The best bit is the all the records of build and receipts. Interesting Monterey Motorsports Reunion plaque on the dash from 2010 - could you buy those or did you have to enter something? Current bid is $16620 with 7 days to run. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replica-Kit-Makes-Classic-40th-Anniversary-Super-7-LOTUS-7-/321888101105?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4af206a2f1&item=321888101105 I infer this as a 2002 Birkin although listed as a 1967 Lotus. Zetec engine with throttle bodies. Sort of looks like a Dick Brink car based on the spec and choice of upgrade parts (thats not a bad thing either). Quite a good list of upgrades. However.... This car will cost apr 65k to reproduce from Birkin or Caterham and currently model year 2002 models are going for 43k and up (with out all the extra stuff). I accept on the reproduce cost but 2002 Birkins going for $43k? Ummm...where? I just spent 30 minutes going through old price records back to 2008 and I cannot see a Birkin pricing over $40k unless it was brand new or within 1-3 years of new. 2002 year would put it into the 20s and low 30s based on prior sale comparables. Hell, I would sell my maroon 2002 Caterham SV with zetec for $35k if I was in the mind to sell. Seller asking $45k buy it now. Opening bid $39900 with zero bids and a day to go. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-series-3-/191706687848?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2ca29be968&item=191706687848 2010 Brunton Super Stalker. Titled in GA as a 2010 Lotus 7. 3.8L SC V6. Photos seem to show it put together well and well looked after. Lambo orange with black highlights looks great. Current bidding is at $15k with active bidding and 3 days to run. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replica-Kit-Makes-Brunton-Super-Stalker-Open-roadster-/231710117183?forcerrptr=true&hash=item35f2ffcd3f&item=231710117183 Also listed on Craigslist here http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5252953895.html 1988 Caterham (titled as a 1967 in CA). 1700cc crossflow. Ex-Sevens & Elans. CA car. BRG upper with polished ali lower. Current bid $15877 with 7 days to go. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replica-Kit-Makes-DE-DION-LONG-COCKPIT-SUPER-SPRINT-1700cc-LOTUS-7-/321888100201?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4af2069f69&item=321888100201 Locost built in the UK on a Triumph Spitfire. 1.3L I4. Buy it now is $9995 and bidding at $2550 with 5 days to run http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replica-Kit-Makes-LOTUS-SUPER-7-/252119098628?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3ab3782504&item=252119098628 1962 Lotus 7 SB1308 - freshly restored. Asking $44500 http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/5216024604.html Locost with Ford V8 back again. Asking $14500 http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5228239176.html 1995 Westfield with Toyota engine in Barney purple back again. Asking $19950 http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/5249878334.html Clone chassis for sale $4850 - long time advertised. http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/5238209056.html RNR's (forum member) WCM Ultralite for sale. Ad speaks for itself - nicely comprehensive and well sorted. Asking $26999 in CA http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/5252863852.html Advertised as a Lotus 7, it is a 1980 Blakely Bearcat asking $8000 http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/5259380019.html 2003 Superperformance S1 in dark metallic blue. Asking $25000 in RI http://southcoast.craigslist.org/cto/5226272058.html Midengined Locost in progress build - quite well advanced. Looks interesting. Asking $5000 http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5261477041.html 1958 Lotus 7 needing work and verification at $25k http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/5217456408.html STalker in TX. 3.8L V6 SC with T5 asking $24k Can someone explain to me the gearbox linkage on this - how it works? http://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/5241471454.html These next series of ads are Hemmings which I can never tell are still live or not as the website is only updated for subscribers and I am not a subscriber 2009 Caterham SV at $40k http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/caterham/unspecified/1775640.html 2002 Caterham SV at $34500 http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/caterham/super-7/1773111.html 1979 Caterham at $20k http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/caterham/super-7/1773111.html 2000 Caterham Superlight "R500" Zetec at $30k http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/caterham/superlight-r500/1757619.html Westfield with V6 $32000 http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/super-seven/1770714.html Stalker at $28k http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/1726421.html And this one http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/lotus/super-seven/1763637.html Edited October 11, 2015 by Croc fixed typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 (edited) Oh and for the dealer who was critical on my views of his car's sale price and emailed me personally off-forum, I would point out that if your car is under sale for a long period and has not sold then I conclude one or more of several things: 1) The seller has not marketed the car properly and does not know how to do their job properly. 2) The price is too high for what the car is. Again seller has not done their homework on comparables or know their market. 3) The car does not withstand critical inspection in person. 4) The ad is a fake and intended to draw people in under false pretenses Edited October 11, 2015 by Croc added one extra reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 . . . . . I find it always helpful to reset one's thinking with some outside feedback to make sure I am not going off the rails. Mike, I think you're a bit late on that one. :willy_nilly: STalker in TX. 3.8L V6 SC with T5 asking $24k Can someone explain to me the gearbox linkage on this - how it works? http://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/5241471454.html On the early Stalkers (such as mine), the V6 cars used a--at the time--late model V6 Camaro five speed tranny. The shifter housing exited beneath, and mostly forward of, the center dash panel that butted up to the trans tunnel which, in turn, gave rise to builders coming up with various solutions (see photos below) such as remote shifters, remote linkages, shifter mods, etc. The car in the add has a shifter handle mod (perhaps self-built or a 5.0 Mustang unit such a Steeda, etc.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Croc, Take a deep breath. It seems one of the tirade emails got under your skin: "Oh and for the dealer who was critical on my views of his car's sale price and emailed me personally off-forum, I would point out that if your car is under sale for a long period and has not sold then I conclude one or more of several things: 1) The seller .... 2) The price ... 3) The car ... 4) ... " I always say, when something doesn't sell in a reasonable time, there is SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ...(CAR, HOUSE. ETC) And, no matter what is wrong with it, there is a buyer out there. What is Really wrong with it is the PRICE. Relax. The real (paid) members are with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 What an interesting sequence of events. Critical feedback from Mike should be gold to sellers because it gives them feedback on what the market could be seeing from a community that has as much knowledge about this stuff as anyone (for free). Being a public forum he or she has the opportunity to: A) improve the add, B) correct misunderstandings by publicly responding to such criticism, C) ignore the feedback, or D) get mad. I can understand emotion driving sellers to jump to "D", but in the end this is the least productive reaction. Keep it coming Mike! Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 I like the line in one of the ads that touts "tons of carbon fiber", on a car that weighs just over half a ton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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