Okay, I know somebody around here must know some stuff about the Lotus Elise.
Uses Elises are almost becoming affordable.
As I recall, there was some kind of upgrade to the 2006 models that made them much more desirable than the '05, but I can't remember what it was.
Anybody?
I'm not that familiar with the Series 2 Elise, but Wikipedia has a description of the major changes between 2005 and 2006. IIRC 2006 have LED rear lights and better seats.
I think there was something more significant than that. LEDs and seats wouldn't have stuck in my memory.
That's what Wikipedia has to say:
"2006 models also differ from the 2005 models in a few aspects. 2006 models sport LED tail lights, drive by wire (an updated ECU), improved gas mileage, as well as more comfortable ProBax seats."
I don't necessariy consider a drive by wire ECU an improvement 
Didn't they add LSD as an option as well?
I'd like to see the "Buyer's Guide" for these cars... stuff to look for on a car that was glued together - do they de-laminate when fatigued? What are some common problems (other than the usual "engulfed in flames" issue).
Also, how do you fix one after tapping a tire wall... because the MIG won't help me... hot glue gun? JB Weld?
How do you jack one one up enough to look underneath without a lift? I have heard horror stories of people damaging the chassis with a floor jack at the track.
they also improved the petals. The 05's had the brake petal higher that the clutch petal that hampered heel-toe movements, the 06's had them adjusted...
LSD is what I remember.
walterj wrote: Also, how do you fix one after tapping a tire wall... because the MIG won't help me... hot glue gun? JB Weld?
If you're lucky enough, it's "only" the fibreglass clam and/or front crash structure. In that case, unbolt, replace broken stuff ($$$), fix up the fibreglass, bolt back on, job done.
If the chassis is bent?
Put it out with the rest of the beer cans for recycling. Seriously, if they're damaged and the damaged bit doesn't bolt on, they're scrap metal. Very expensive scrap metal.
walterj wrote: How do you jack one one up enough to look underneath without a lift? I have heard horror stories of people damaging the chassis with a floor jack at the track.
Dunno about Series 2 but my Series 1 has explicit instructions regarding the jacking points. The ones for the floor jacks are even marked on the chassis.
Dont want to end up like this...
That pic is the classic "fail" lift pic. If I recall, that tire shop bought him a new one.
I remember LSD becoming an option. I also remember the factory saying that one with LSD was slower around the test track than one with an open diff, but everyone wanted LSD, so they offered it. Also, I think the cup holder came out about then, didn't it? That was a big change.
There's an 05 in the paper here in NW AR. He wants over 30 for it, which I think it a bit high in today's economy. It is the only one around, and one of 6 Loti in this area, 3 of which are mine.
Dr. Hess wrote: It is the only one around, and one of 6 Loti in this area, 3 of which are mine.
Hess. I bow down to you.
All old Lotus owners have more than one. That improves the odds of having a functional Lotus, as they like to take extended naps.
Well, if i were in the market for an Elise, i would opt for a 06 with the Sport Pack with a Stage 2 exhaust (sound ungodly), then change out all the grilles to Exige grilles. Think the Sport Pack came with Power Windows, and the Advan A048s on Exige wheels, and get in Storm Titanium...
Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote: Well, if i were in the market for an Elise, i would opt for a 06 with the Sport Pack with a Stage 2 exhaust (sound ungodly), then change out all the grilles to Exige grilles. Think the Sport Pack came with Power Windows, and the Advan A048s on Exige wheels, and get in Storm Titanium...
I sit in wait for the Exige 240S to fall to where the Elise is now.
walterj wrote:Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote: Well, if i were in the market for an Elise, i would opt for a 06 with the Sport Pack with a Stage 2 exhaust (sound ungodly), then change out all the grilles to Exige grilles. Think the Sport Pack came with Power Windows, and the Advan A048s on Exige wheels, and get in Storm Titanium...I sit in wait for the Exige 240S to fall to where the Elise is now.
true... how much are the Exiges and the S sitting now and days???
Keith wrote: All old Lotus owners have more than one. That improves the odds of having a functional Lotus, as they like to take extended naps.
True... one of our SCCA region members has one... he currently lists it as "REALLY broken" after an auto-x event a couple of months ago resulted in some nasty transmission noises... his 'spare' Lotus is a Gen2 MR2.
I'd love to have an Elise... ...but I would only buy one if/when I can afford to pay cash for it... so that won't be for awhile...
The local dealer currently has an '08 Exige S-240 in stock. 3K miles... original MSRP: $70K. Currently asking $57.5K (saw it on the lot this morning)
They also have an '05 Elise w/ 4K miles for $31K (sale pending, but I also saw it on the lot this morning).
BoxheadTim wrote: That's what Wikipedia has to say:
Then it must be true...
Dr. Hess wrote: I remember LSD becoming an option. I also remember the factory saying that one with LSD was slower around the test track than one with an open diff, but everyone wanted LSD, so they offered it. Also, I think the cup holder came out about then, didn't it? That was a big change.
I remember reading something about that, too. My guess is that with such a short wheelbase, an LSD might contribute to a bit more oversteer.
A client of mine time trials an Elise. The ruleset is such that he is forced to run the stock open differential. We've spent a lot of time trying to tune the tradeoff between understeer and rear wheelspin inducing twitchy oversteer, as well as tuning his driving around the wheelspin. I respect Lotus and I know "they say" it doesn't need a limited slip diff. But my experience indicates that the car really, really wants a limited slip.
David
i have to post this again...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GiEN8ec_PI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nfiXL2_cbs
I believe Lotus' objection to a slippy diff is that it promotes turn-in understeer and dulls the steering. Seems like it's time for a Torsen in that case, but whatever.
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