| Author | Message | ||
| Ben Morrison (Datsun260z)
Junior Member Username: Datsun260z Post Number: 52 Registered: 6-2003 |
Dr. J - Performance, Handling, General reliability, fun to drive. I prefer hard-tops over cabriolets because of the saved weight. I will probably wait a few years before I actually make a car purchase, though. | ||
| Nibblesworth (Nebulaclass)
Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 740 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ben - I saw one on the road near my home a few weeks ago and intrigued me. I went online and looked around. I found a few for anywhere from $12k - $15k. I can't remember the mileage, and it may have been more than 22k, but it wasn't anything ghastly. If you are truly interested, do some shopping. At $19k, there are quite a few cars out there that would make for much more fun than the Elan. As has been mentioned, you could get a 308i, a 308 GT4, or a 400i. Maybe even an early model Mondial. | ||
| Dr. J C928 (Attitude928)
Junior Member Username: Attitude928 Post Number: 109 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ben - what do you want from the car? Convertible? historic? looks? handling? performance? heritage? red? relative reliability?......etc. | ||
| Dennis (Bighead)
Member Username: Bighead Post Number: 262 Registered: 2-2003 |
Ben, pretty good 328s are in the low to high $30k range (some late late model 328s are still somewhat higher). So a 308qv is in the high $20k range. A 308i is thus in the low $20k range. How much then for a carb'ed car? Deduct a few thousand for some needed mechanical work and/or rougher cosmetic condition and/or unusual colors.... vty, --Dennis | ||
| Ben Morrison (Datsun260z)
New member Username: Datsun260z Post Number: 49 Registered: 6-2003 |
Thanks for the link, Dr. J! Dennis: I was actually just thinking about pricing the Esprit from that era. But I didn't think an OK 308 could get that low? -Ben | ||
| Dennis (Bighead)
Member Username: Bighead Post Number: 260 Registered: 2-2003 |
Hey, for $19k, you can find some decent Lotus Esprits from circa late 80's and early '90s, with higher mileage. Heck, you can probably find a cosmetically rougher but mechanically OK 308 for that price!  vty, --Dennis | ||
| Dr. J C928 (Attitude928)
Junior Member Username: Attitude928 Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ben - Check out www.jackals-forge.com/lotus/ | ||
| Dr. J C928 (Attitude928)
Junior Member Username: Attitude928 Post Number: 104 Registered: 11-2002 |
M-100 Elan is almost a cool car. Reliable, but sticks to the road too good. It didn't last because Lotus had to charge too much for it. Resale price has been falling as of late, so wait, watch & bargain when you have the $. Rated C by Sports Car Market Magazine (just like other 90's cars such as the Esprit & the following Ferraris: 456, 512M, 512TR, 348 & Mondial t). "C" means some inherent interest, but few special or desirable characteristics. | ||
| Ben Morrison (Datsun260z)
New member Username: Datsun260z Post Number: 45 Registered: 6-2003 |
Thanks! | ||
| Bob Harris (Autobob)
New member Username: Autobob Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have had good results with both of these outfits. The 1991 would be the M100 Elan. Run a search on, M100 Elan, see what you get. JAE 805-967-5767 Calif. Dave Bean Engineering 209-754-5802 Calif. | ||
| Ben Morrison (Datsun260z)
New member Username: Datsun260z Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2003 |
Bob, you've got me interested in the car again, I guess I would have to test drive one to make a final decision. About the numbers, sure! Thanks, Ben | ||
| Bob Harris (Autobob)
New member Username: Autobob Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2003 |
Several years ago I had a client with a yellow Elan turbo. My impressions of the car were actually quite favorable. I favor rear wheel drive cars but Lotus did quite a good job on the Elan suspension. It had no torque steer and was a blast to drive. We did a mild boost upgrade along with an ecu change and built a free flow exhaust to give it more of a note. Lotus USA headquarters was in Atlanta and I found them very helpful and enthusiastic, I have no idea how they are to deal with now. The car was reliable and easy to service. I recall some minor trim issues but nothing major. There are a couple of good USA Lotus parts importers that you should visit with if you develop further interest. Let me know and I will give you the phone numbers. | ||
| Ben Morrison (Datsun260z)
New member Username: Datsun260z Post Number: 41 Registered: 6-2003 |
Robert: No, I didn't know that it was front wheel drive....that alone makes me want to stay away from the car. I don't like FWD at all. Thanks for your responses, everyone, but I will probably stay away from this car. -Ben | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1573 Registered: 3-2001 |
If I recall, the 90's Elan had a Kia connection late in its short-lived life. I believe Kia bought the rights to manufacture the car for a brief period of time in the mid 90s after Lotus gave up on the project. Yes, a Kia Elan. For the most part, the entire "new" Elan was a complete disaster. Lotus (Ford) never made a dime off it. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3328 Registered: 2-2001 |
When the Lotus Elise (?) arrives in the US it will have a Toyota engine & trans | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member Username: Craigfl Post Number: 698 Registered: 1-2001 |
That Elan should be priced at about $16K to $18K. I'm not a big fan of the '91 Elan but it is a nice car and is a Lotus-- small and outstanding handling for a FWD. Lotus in the past has used engines by others many times including the S1 & S2 Europa's Renault engine. Before I'd spend that kind of $$, I would buy an original Elan 60s or early 70s-- a much truer Lotus for about the same price (and IMO a much better looking car). | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3323 Registered: 2-2001 |
The 91 Elan is to Lotus what the FIAT Dino was to Ferrari. Actually thats being a little rough on the FIAT Dino I would run away & hide from that car especially for $20k, I bet the car will be unsold 1 year from now. There just are not a lot of buyers looking for that car. If you Must have a Lotus, well I hope you are a trained mechanic who specializes in electronics and buy a fire extinguishher too As I was saying if you Must have a Lotus you can get a nice old Espirit which is Much bettter looking, faster, and more collectable than the Elan for under $15k | ||
| Robert McNair (Rrm)
Member Username: Rrm Post Number: 699 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ben I don't know if you are aware of this or not but the 91's are front wheel drive. | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
Member Username: Wax Post Number: 550 Registered: 7-2003 |
Ben, since a Lotus Elan catches your eye, and therefore, lights up a room - you might enjoy this very informative site, though it tends to lead towards the earlier production: http://www.lotuselan.net First Lotus I ever saw belonged to a neighbor in the mid-70's. His pop was a surplus dealer. To give you an idea of the type of entrepeneur his pop was - when parked, the '72 Europa sat next to a 40' flatbed holding an enormous jet engine. But, I digress. Bottom line is, that was the coolest car that rinky-dink town saw for the next 20 years. Suppose you come across a car which meets your criteria and gets the nod from gentlemen such as Omar or Jean-Louis who freely offered their insights. You should have a checklist which applies to any vehicle. http://www.lotuselan.net/publish/buyers_guide_master_list.shtml There's at least one thoroughly modern Lotus man in F-Chat - he knows what he likes, and likes what he knows. http://www.tvrfreak.com/Albums/Auto/Lotus/Main.htm | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 727 Registered: 11-2002 |
That price is high and it has an isuzu engine. open the hood it says right on the engine. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Intermediate Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 1077 Registered: 9-2002 |
Short answer...no. Other cars are better for less. | ||
| Ben Morrison (Datsun260z)
New member Username: Datsun260z Post Number: 40 Registered: 6-2003 |
I was riding around today just to get out of the house, and I passed by a BMW dealership with a car that I recognized as a Lotus parked out front. I went and checked it out, and as I got closer I realized it was an Elan. After speaking with a salesman who snuck up behind me without me realizing he was there until I turned around, I found out they were only imported for 1 year, 1991 I think he said. But the price is what got my attention, it was just below $20k at $19.5k. Now, right now I can't afford that, but in the next few years I *might* be able to, and so I ask you all, would an Elan be worth it? Is that price right? Are they good, reliable, fun cars? Thanks, Ben I forgot to mention, it had 28,000 miles and looked very clean. I also did a quick search of the board but I didn't find anything on the Elan. |