Excel advice needed please!

[Chris71]

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying an Excel. There are a couple of cars I'm looking at (both 1984) - can anyone suggest particular points to look at.

One is allegedly pristine, the other [slightly cheaper] has a "minor crack" in the fiberglass at the front. Both are taxed and tested and said to be mechanically good, yet they are both significantly cheaper than the other (admitedly later) cars I've seen advertised.

Also, can anyone recommend ways to repair the cracked fiberglass, and does anyone know a good insurer for classic loti who'll do young drivers (best quote so far is £926 from Adrian Flux - cheapest by nearly £2000!!!)

Chris.

[Peter450]

repairing fibreglass is expensive as its a labour intensive job and it needs to be done properly or it will show, as to which car buy on condition so whichever is the best i'd take that one given choice between damaged or non damged i'd take non damaged it might be more but as mentioned proper repairs arn't cheap although it depends on the amount of damge obviously

[Rob-C]

Excels are notorious for rusted door beams failing.

Headlinings always deteriorate because the cars get F*****g hot in the summer sun. I have stopped noticing the saggy headlining so I couldn't care less It's easy to replace if your time is worth less than your money, otherwise pay extra for a car that someone else has re-trimmed. I've seen very few all-original cars that haven't had this problem.

On the other hand, the vast majority of problems I've had in the last 17k miles were electrical, so make sure absolutely everything electric works including radiator fans. Electric window switches particularly are now expensive when available, so make sure they ALL work. The otter switch is extremely expensive from Lotus, though I bought a VALEO switch for £4 at Donington, which fits fine but i'd rather it worked over a lower temperature range...

Many things like window motors, alternators etc are available used from lotusbits.com

So long as the cars are mechanically complete and unmodified and have been used regularly rather than standing for a long period, I'd say go for the car with the best body and interior. Don't waste your time faffing about with damaged bodywork - there are always better cars out there.

I drive my 1987, 132k example like I'd drive a modern car and I haven't found the engine or gearbox to be as fragile as some would have you believe, but it does leak oil due to what IMHO is a crap cam cover design. There again they run on the old 20/50 oil, which is about £3 a gallon so who cares?

In summary, I'd say go for it - I run mine as a high mileage daily driver and they are IMHO the second most practical Lotus after the M100 Elan (my previous car) and the high mileages many owners rack up are testament to how useable they are.