when do things start to go wrong?

[theweeninjaguy]

at what milage or age do things start to go wrong?

i'm about to buy a second hand elise and i'm wondering what i should stear clear of. i've noticed from previous cars that at about 70k miles or 7 years old things start to get costly, new alternator, new petrol pump, various switches not working too well etc.

when does the elise start to require repair not normally covered in the service regime?

ninja

[james24]

Isn't that a bit like asking how longs a piece of string? I think all cars are different to be honest. Some cars could probably go 100k without too many major problems and some may go just 10k!

I'm sure other people may be able to help you a bit more than me, just seems like a bit of an odd question.

[gooby]

Problems at 10k miles? you would have to be bloody unlucky to get problems at 10k.


sob.....

[karlosfandango]

How long can you hold your breath?

[james24]

gooby said:

Problems at 10k miles? you would have to be bloody unlucky to get problems at 10k.

You know what I mean

[xxplod]

I had a steering rack go at 25K, but I think that was bad luck. It's not a common issue as far as I know. Lotus eventually did it at the factory FOC, but I had to argue my case very hard.

Other than that, nothing broke in the 33K I did in the car in 2.5 years. I think its all about how you treat a car. E.g. Mine was on its original brake discs and pads at 33K and they didn't need replacing urgently.

I always serviced mine well within the 9K intervals at Lotus garages, checked the levels etc... All routine stuff, but if the car has been properly looked after there is no reason why a 50K+ miler should suddenly start to fall apart. And even if the odd thing does give up the ghost, most jobs are not expensive - its a K series in there!

[stormcloud]

If you buy an S1, check the clutch hose is not a standard red one. These go soft in the heat and you'll lose the clutch, and so any gear changes.

Yes, happened to me at the weekend.

[theweeninjaguy]

i thought it was a fairly sensibel question tbh!

most car's 've had have started to go wrong at about 6 years old or maybe 70k when the alternator, clutch, starter motor etc ahve all given up the ghost within a few months of each other.

ninja

[S Works]

I think it's a fair question mate, but the gist of the answers is pretty much that it's a tough one to call as components will naturally wear out but depending on the driving style of the owners, general wear and tear is pretty hard to call.

I guess the best advice is to look carefully at the service sheets, receipts and history and get a feel for what's gone and what's potentially still going to be big(ger) bills.

There are Elises out there on big miles (comparatively) which have had few problems at all - likewise there are low mileage one's which are total dogs.