Lotus Elite owners? | FerrariChat
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Lotus Elite owners?

Discussion in 'British' started by GrigioGuy, Oct 22, 2004.

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  1. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
    33,118
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Snike Fingersmith
    #1 GrigioGuy, Oct 22, 2004
    I ran across a 1980 Lotus Elite for $1500, running and driving according to the ad. I've done the basic google and know it's a fiberglass 4 cyl, and with an auto and air it's going to be slow. Still, the thought of adding a Lotus to the stable for the cost of a 328 waterpump is attractive.

    Anyone own one of these, or owned one in the past? What's the driving experience like, and how are parts availability/reliability? They're extremely rare here in the States

    Thanks
    T
     
  2. rloewy

    rloewy Karting

    Aug 4, 2004
    51
    #2 rloewy, Oct 22, 2004
    Do not have one, but know a guy that does. Personal opinion - not worth the hassle...

    If you want a Lotus and do not want to spend big money - I would try to look at a Europa if I were you.
     
  3. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Dec 21, 2000
    6,440
    B.C., Canada
    #3 Peter, Oct 22, 2004
    I considered getting one of these cars in the past, so I read up on them. What to look for:

    -Rear crossmember that supports the shocks (the separating felt can get wet and cause the crossmember to rust. Eventually the suspension can crash up through the bodywork).

    -Bodywork fibreglass crazing around door handles and headlight pods.

    -Rear suspension (fixed-length driveshafts put strain on wheelbearings).

    -Oil seals on diff's can leak and get oil on the rear inboard brakes.

    -Weak gearboxes

    -Potential leaks around the windshield.

    Basically, look for a well-taken-care-of example...
     
  4. Fan512bbi

    Fan512bbi Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Mar 25, 2004
    20,938
    Wales-UK
    Full Name:
    Steve.
    #4 Fan512bbi, Oct 23, 2004
    The Elite had a problem with cylinder head warping apparently it was a frequent thing that would happen, a lot of UK owners had a V8 conversion done which really transformed these cars.
     
  5. bdog

    bdog Formula Junior

    Jul 10, 2004
    330
    #5 bdog, Oct 23, 2004
    Think they would take a 572 from GM for 25,000 in get and do that
     

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