looking to buy a elise
Discussion
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/45209.htm
Heres mine for sale.
As most people will tell you, the Elise is a very basic car, there isnt really that much to go wrong. The usual thing to look out for is suspension, as this is a weak spot, many S1's need the suspension changing around 30k, and head gasket failure. Both easy enough to spot in the usual way. White residue on the dipstick or under oil filler cap being the easiest way to see HGF.
Cars that have been used as a track car generaly have a lot more stress put upon the engine and suspension and pretty much everything else so low miles doesnt always mean better condition!!
Have a good look at the under tray for twisting and distortion etc etc, just the general checks as you would on any car.
Many elises have had a respray at the front end due to the car being so low hence attracting stone chips, so dont think that it has been in an accident just because its had a respray.
And finally...it is by far the best car you can buy for the money with no exeption and If you do buy one you will not regret it!!
Heres mine for sale.
As most people will tell you, the Elise is a very basic car, there isnt really that much to go wrong. The usual thing to look out for is suspension, as this is a weak spot, many S1's need the suspension changing around 30k, and head gasket failure. Both easy enough to spot in the usual way. White residue on the dipstick or under oil filler cap being the easiest way to see HGF.
Cars that have been used as a track car generaly have a lot more stress put upon the engine and suspension and pretty much everything else so low miles doesnt always mean better condition!!
Have a good look at the under tray for twisting and distortion etc etc, just the general checks as you would on any car.
Many elises have had a respray at the front end due to the car being so low hence attracting stone chips, so dont think that it has been in an accident just because its had a respray.
And finally...it is by far the best car you can buy for the money with no exeption and If you do buy one you will not regret it!!
Try taking a look at:
www.lotus-elise.nl/Buyers_Guide/buyers_guide.html
www.elises.co.uk/problems/index.html
www.elise-faq.info/
But don't get the impression that they are unreliable or badly built - they're actually very good, very simple and easy to maintain.
www.lotus-elise.nl/Buyers_Guide/buyers_guide.html
www.elises.co.uk/problems/index.html
www.elise-faq.info/
But don't get the impression that they are unreliable or badly built - they're actually very good, very simple and easy to maintain.
dan s yellow s1 said:
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/45209.htm
Heres mine for sale.
As most people will tell you, the Elise is a very basic car, there isnt really that much to go wrong. The usual thing to look out for is suspension, as this is a weak spot, many S1's need the suspension changing around 30k, and head gasket failure. Both easy enough to spot in the usual way. White residue on the dipstick or under oil filler cap being the easiest way to see HGF.
Cars that have been used as a track car generaly have a lot more stress put upon the engine and suspension and pretty much everything else so low miles doesnt always mean better condition!!
Have a good look at the under tray for twisting and distortion etc etc, just the general checks as you would on any car.
Dan, I know you want to sell your car (hence posting on only the "Looking for an Elise" threads) but some of that isn't true. 30k is conventiently below the mileage of yours making everyone think sub 30k cars are potential money pits but higher mileage ones are all sorted which is simply not true. I seem to remember you span someone else the "sub 30k = problems" yarn last week. I hope you manage to sell it soon and the get the house sorted out.
The suspension is hardly the weak spot Firstly the suspension does not fail, it wears out, bushes, track rod ends and ball joints all come to the end of their useful life and need replacing, the best way to check all oif these is with an inspection by a Lotus expert i.e. a specialist or dealer. The original Koni shocks start to get noisy afetr a while and will need replacing, best option is the shocks and springs from the S2.
Cars that ahve been on trackl will generally be much better looked after than those that sit in garages and come out at weekends as a track car will generally be run on better oil and have it changed more regularly as well as being checked over more regularly. There are admittedly some fairly tired track cars about too though.
Looking for distortion on the undertray tells you nothing, the undertray is not a load bearing structure and as such this tells you nothing in fact if the undertray is badly bent or distorted then the car will probably be on three wheels already! The best way to spot crash damage is back to the inspection, someone qualified will be able to get the undertray off and look at the chassis.
As has already been posted there are lots of FAQ sites around, make sure you look at plenty of cars and drive a few to give you an idea of what they're like. There are lots of cars around (160 odd on the classifieds here!) so be very choosy.
Cuzza
Did I say anything untrue? Do many elises not need there suspension changing after 30k? Every one I know has needed theres done! I was not spinning a yarn. I was stating a true observation!
Do cars that are used on track see alot more stress on parts than one that is used as a day to day car?
Wake up n smell the moulten rubber
Did I say anything untrue? Do many elises not need there suspension changing after 30k? Every one I know has needed theres done! I was not spinning a yarn. I was stating a true observation!
Do cars that are used on track see alot more stress on parts than one that is used as a day to day car?
Wake up n smell the moulten rubber
Moulton didn't have anything to do with the Elise, did he?
I thought 'twas only Minis and those funny pushbikes he makes that used Moulton rubber suspension?
...I think it does depend on how the car has been used, though. I sold my S1 at about 25K miles and there wasn't the slightest sign of the dampers or bushes being past their best, but then it had never been tracked and the previous owner to me had been a lady who used it mainly for posing down pub (by her own admission!)
I thought 'twas only Minis and those funny pushbikes he makes that used Moulton rubber suspension?
...I think it does depend on how the car has been used, though. I sold my S1 at about 25K miles and there wasn't the slightest sign of the dampers or bushes being past their best, but then it had never been tracked and the previous owner to me had been a lady who used it mainly for posing down pub (by her own admission!)
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