Who knows about Elan M100's ?
Discussion
I did some research a few years back - plenty of info out there if you Google. I can't remember anything specific but basically it seemed to me that if you have a garage to keep it in then they're a fairly safe bet.
I've seen the same one pootling around Cambridge for the last 9 years which gives me some confidence
Now I'm thinking about them again
Bugger
I've seen the same one pootling around Cambridge for the last 9 years which gives me some confidence
Now I'm thinking about them again
Bugger
I wanted one several years ago. I test drove 4. I did not complete a single test drive without a major problem. I had a car that cut out every 10ft, I had one that didn't want to engage a gear at all, I had one that I managed to get onto the road and actually got going but then a wing mirror and the interior mirror fell off and the last one I had to stop the test drive because the rain came down rather heavily and the windscreen wipers refused to operate.....
Saying all that, I'd still buy one if I could find one that actually completed a test drive.....
Saying all that, I'd still buy one if I could find one that actually completed a test drive.....
wemorgan said:
I'm always one to toot SELOCs horn, but LEC has us beat when it comes to Elan knowledge. 
I had an original M100 brochure kicking round the house for years. Last summer I met an M100 owner at Goodwood and got chatting. He'd only recently bought the Elan and didn't have much info' about the cars. He was dead chuffed when I offered to mail the brochure to him.
Always glad to be of service.... OzOs
Always glad to be of service....
OzOs I've owned my Elan M100 since 2002 and love the car. Have no intention of selling it.
Not the fastest Lotus on the market. But for a 25+ year old car it is still totally amazing. 10 / 10 smile factor when driving it.
Find a well maintained car and take it for a test drive. You will love it.
Good performance (especially with the Everest chip upgrade), superb handling, and still has the looks of a modern sports car that will attract attention wherever you go. Very rare and limited numbers still left on the roads.
I'm not new to Lotus ownership. I also own an Evora. If I had to choose between the 2 cars. I'd keep the Elan.
It's often overlooked as it is a FWD car. You can pick them up for a good price at this time. But values seem to be going up for low millage cars and the S2 cars.
Isuzu engine is often quoted as bullet proof. Very reliable. Fibreglass body means no rust problems.
Bad points are:
It's a dry weather car. The roof seals will probably leak. The OEM brakes are poor, but upgrades are available from Hispec, etc. Body outriggers and wishbones can rust. some spare parts are getting harder to find. Most are still available, especially engine parts as a lot of companies are making spare parts for the Isuzu engine.
Best review available is at: http://wikilec.9600.org/index.php/Buyers_guide
Not the fastest Lotus on the market. But for a 25+ year old car it is still totally amazing. 10 / 10 smile factor when driving it.
Find a well maintained car and take it for a test drive. You will love it.
Good performance (especially with the Everest chip upgrade), superb handling, and still has the looks of a modern sports car that will attract attention wherever you go. Very rare and limited numbers still left on the roads.
I'm not new to Lotus ownership. I also own an Evora. If I had to choose between the 2 cars. I'd keep the Elan.
It's often overlooked as it is a FWD car. You can pick them up for a good price at this time. But values seem to be going up for low millage cars and the S2 cars.
Isuzu engine is often quoted as bullet proof. Very reliable. Fibreglass body means no rust problems.
Bad points are:
It's a dry weather car. The roof seals will probably leak. The OEM brakes are poor, but upgrades are available from Hispec, etc. Body outriggers and wishbones can rust. some spare parts are getting harder to find. Most are still available, especially engine parts as a lot of companies are making spare parts for the Isuzu engine.
Best review available is at: http://wikilec.9600.org/index.php/Buyers_guide
Had 2 s2 elans and the handling for a front wheel drive car is incredible.The only main fault I encountered was a faulty cam angle sensor that made the car kangaroo down the road but a fairly cheap fix.As said above window seals can perish and the roof is prone to letting water in but these little things are soon forgotton when attack a nice road.I still think they are an eye catching site with the roof down on a sunny day and remember can be insured on a classic policy dirt cheap.
I've been thinking about buying one of these for some time now, I like the whole concept. I am looking for a well looked after car, not too bothered about the mileage. prices seem all over the place, it would appear that the S2 cars hold a premium for various reasons. However after recently reading about the 'internal corrosion' around sills and 'outriggers' this has made me really think twice.
I guess with the youngest cars now being 20 years old and their reputation for water ingress, what's the chance of finding one that doesn't need major rectification work in these areas ? They all look good on the outside of course, some have even got tidy interiors but it's what is lurking underneath all that lovely fibreglass that worries me, at least with Italian cars all you need is a magnet ;-)
I guess with the youngest cars now being 20 years old and their reputation for water ingress, what's the chance of finding one that doesn't need major rectification work in these areas ? They all look good on the outside of course, some have even got tidy interiors but it's what is lurking underneath all that lovely fibreglass that worries me, at least with Italian cars all you need is a magnet ;-)
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