Used Lotus tips

Looking to get a used Lotus Eliese. I noticed a lot of them for sale recently. I have looked at a few and a lot of them have been in accidents. Anything else to look for with these cars?
Are these the kind of cars folks buy on a whim and then get rid of ?

 

Usually someone buys one becuase they like its looks and so forth. Then they realize its really a drivers car and is tough for some to get accustomed to the getting in and out aspect of the car. Its sparten and has no creature comforts. Lightness is what they are about.
Cars backing into them is common or not seeing them and the fiberglass cracks. Its about lightness and they are like egg shells. But doesnt mean the whole car has been damaged. Obviously if you can have the tub and suspension checked out. They are really fun and a great sports car. Do not expect intense acceleration but they do get up and move. I love driving them, when I have the chance.

 

I have had a number of TVR's and a Lotus Seven so I am very much into the vibe of the car.

 

Sounds like you get it then and are a great candidate to pick one up.

 

How is the Espirit market holding up for an low mileage example of one of these vehicles.

 

www.elisetalk.com is a great resource.

 

From the experience I had shopping for my Exige, there are AMAZING deals out there to be had, you just have to keep looking until you find what you want and not what is acceptable. Unfortunately for a lot of people who are looking to sell, it looks like the economic downturn has pulled the resale prices on these cars even lower. If there has been ANY possibility that the car was in a collision (even with a curb) have it checked at a dealer to make sure the frame wasn't damaged. Personally, I wouldn't buy anything with a questionable past, especially at this price point. It doesn't take much and the car will never be the same.

Happy hunting!

+1 on checking on elisetalk.com it was (still is) an invaluable tool when it comes to the Elise/Exige.

 

Get an ECU dump. It will tell how the car has been treated. (Redline trips, clutch dumps etc...)

 

Thanks I did not think of that.

 

Elise/Exige can be a PITA since it's difficult to enter/exit when the roof is on. Expect to crack the front fiberglass bumper on the bottom on slightly larger speed bumps or parking to road transitions. The seats you can endure on a 4 hour drive but it'll be VERY bumpy and there is alot of road noise in the vehicle at any speed.

The heat/AC work well but this may be b/c of the size of the cabin. It's not over the top when it comes to acceleration feel but packs a decent punch and it's fun to see the RPM hit nearly 9,000. The car is small so parking is a breeze.

But the reason you buy an Exige is for those moments you enter a larger (4 lane) intersection to make a 90 degree left turn at 55mph and don't worry about any under/oversteer b/c it is so easy to correct in case you need to. Meanwhile your passenger who has never experienced those Gs on pavement will scream and most likely give you a sucker punch for the scare

 

Good choice!!!

Yes people do buy them on a whim - but also many buy them as a second/third car and as such low milage examples are common. In terms of accidents make sure you get a professional inspection of the chassis for signs of damage - worth the money for peace of mind.

now www.lotustalk.com (www.elisetalk.com still works)

 

+1000!!!!!!!!!!!

I sure wouldn't be forking over any of my hard-earned shekels for one of those unless I could see how well it was treated. I have a friend who owns one and it's his DAILY car...yes, even in Ohio winters. It's got north of 40K on it now and according to him, he has had nary a problem with it. He did mention the ECU dump, which I guess Lotus periodically does on cars that come into their workshops so they can gauge warranty claims on engines, etc..in the future.

It is tremendously fun to drive, handles like it's on rails, although it will test your limits. I had another friend who tragically died in his Elise after he put it around a telephone pole. Moral of that story: While it will test your own driving abilities, it will also test your will in terms of keeping the spirited driving on the racetrack.

I remember getting into the 308 after driving the Elise and thinking I was piloting the Queen Mary

Cheers,
Aaron

 

I have had mine for 2 years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. It's impeccably reliable and during summer it has practically been my daily driver. Brakes are easy to swap out on your own. Tires are pricey and usually last me a year of driving, but worth it. Above all else, DONT LIFT IN TURNS! Keep on the gas, the car WILL stay in the turn if you have the intestinal fortitude to keep the foot planted.

 

I still remember the Road & Track quote from 40+ years ago about the Super Seven... "Long before the ragged edge is reached, the passenger will have his eyes closed and the driver will be under arrest"... Nothing handles like a Lotus!

 

I still remember the Road & Track quote from 40+ years ago about the Super Seven... "Long before the ragged edge is reached, the passenger will have his eyes closed and the driver will be under arrest"... Nothing handles like a Lotus!

PS.. I've seen a lot written about the problems of frame damage with these cars that can't easily be fixed.

 

If you are buying or selling your Elise/Exige, solicit the expertise of people who perform buys and sells for a living not simply own the cars. As pointed out, without a lengthy checklist and reviews, you can end up with a car that has been in a small wreck but serious consequences have resulted (to the cars true value and its road capabilities). Lotus "E/Es" are thinly disguised track cars, have a history of being modified and raced by a much higher percentage of motor car owners than any I know of. Dealers who receive thee cars in trade often haven't a clue about what they are or what to do with them. NADA doesn't offer much assistance especially in 05-07s. The market is top full of owners who want X but their cars are truly worth less. They have a sincere tendency to get their noses out of joint when market comes to call (or not at all) yet Lotus E/Es have had fabulous recovery of MSRP and remarkable resale (low depreciation). Go figure.

The E/Es can be great bangs for the bucks or a travesty in purchase.

P.S. Owners can know a great deal about this market and their car, weight their evidences accordingly.

 

I'd love to find a Sun International Honda Type-R engine converted Series I Elise.

 

Approximately how much is maintenance on an Elise and on an Exige?

Thanks,
-G.B.

 

A broad question but N/A 05+ models have Toyota engines/trans. A lot of DIY work is possible. They have a tendency to go through tires (Yokos every 4-6K or so).

 

Funny about that, I am looking at a K20 conversion in an S2, this is a BMF let me tell you.