A&Q about Lotus
Q:
First of all i want say hello to every one and this is my first post and i am new here. Lotus has always been my favorite car for some time now and i think its time for me to get one. I have an acura NSX now wich i love very much and after driving the lotus i thought it'll be fun to have one as well. Both cars are different in thier own ways unique and exotic.The car that i am interested in is a 2005 Elise with 1000 miles on it. It been in an accident and needs to be fixed. I am getting a great deal on it as well. The damage is in the front end. Needs the front clam hood, headlights and i believe its the A/C condencer with the two fan shrouds that are attached to it. I have located the front end parts as well. The rear drivers side wheel is alittle out of wack so i am thinking it might be the lower and upper arm control not sure. But it doesnt look too bad. I could not find an illustration of the front end. Wanted to know if any one has a picture of what under the front shell looks like after its removed so that i could putt the fans/radiator or a/c condinser back. Also how do i remove that front end. Any help would be greatly preciate it. Also if anyone had the targa top i might want that as well some looks like some one stole it from the insurance place where it was examened thanks a bunch Casey.
A:
You will want to get the Lotus service manuals. $25 gets you a one-day access to download the manuals. There is a complete sticky thread on the subject here:
I believe the parts manuals are available from the Club111 web site. I assume you would have to join the club to get access, but it is a nominal charge.
Two things to look out for:
1. Any suspension damage that bends the extruded aluminum parts of the chassis, means the chassis is toast. It can be replaced but the cost is significant and the labor extensive. An Elise can appear to be not very damaged, but still have non-repairable chassis damage...look closely, particularly at the suspension mount points.
2. Check out the crash structure (the dark fiberglass chunk in the front). I'm not sure how expensive the part is, but it requires a lot of labor and proper technique to replace it.
I'm sure others will pop in with more advice, as well.
A:
This might help with the clam removal...
A:
Be careful, what looks like a little damage can be extremely extensive and expensive!!! It was probably totalled for a reason.
A:
Originally Posted by pete k
Be careful, what looks like a little damage can be extremely extensive and expensive!!! It was probably totalled for a reason.
+1
A:
Originally Posted by pete k
Be careful, what looks like a little damage can be extremely extensive and expensive!!! It was probably totalled for a reason.
+2
Also, the 'wheel out of whack' is very troubling to me. I would not go anywhere near that car unless the dealer had been through it and inspected the suspension.
A:
Woow scary guys, i was told by a bodyshop that its not a bad hit it can be repaired easy. The only thing that scares me is the rear wheel that is bent. I dono i am getting the parts really cheap and the car too. Not sure what to do i have to purchase them by this wednesday for sure.
A:
If it were me and I could not get a dealer inspection I'd walk away. The damaged wheel could have transmitted shock to the frame and bent the chassis. Then again it may not have done so, only one way to be sure.
A:
Just because it's cheap doesn't necessarily mean it's a good deal. The repair costs could be staggering depending on the extent of the damage. The Elise is built differently than any other car out there. You need to deal with a bodyshop who has experience with them.
Don't let the anyone pressure you into buying it until you are sure of the damage and have a written estimate of the costs.
Much better to walk away from the wrong deal. There will always be another car out there worth buying.
A:
Why dont you trade me your NSX and I wll give you my 05 CO elise with only 2k on it and no damage at all!!
A:
These guys are right nsx. If any chassis problems or pedal box, you'll be talking large $$$$ to do it right. Make sure the chassis and suspension mounting points are undamaged.
A:
my car didn't look to bad when it was totalled until you started to look inside the clam.
What color is this car and where is it. may be mine! if so i can tell you all about it!
if it is storm titanium with red leather PM me.
A:
The Elise is extremely expensive to repair. Tread carefully here and make sure you're not buying a salvage title, too.
A:
Hay Cory lol you want my nsx? naaa bro i thanks i just dumped $8000. on it timing belt , 60k service, new clutch new tires all dealer. I really want the lotus man. So lets forget about the rear suspension cus if worst comes to worset i'll just get a new complete suspension for it you know. How about hte front end now. what is that thing that is attached to the two front fan shroud under the hood is that the radiator or A/C condenser? Also yea it well end up having a salvage title i am told. I think if i can get it for around 10k its worth it dont you guys think? i man the car is worth atleast 25 thousand with a rebuilt title isnt it??? brand new car. thanks
A:
Originally Posted by 97NSX
Hay Cory lol you want my nsx? naaa bro i thanks i just dumped $8000. on it timing belt , 60k service, new clutch new tires all dealer. I really want the lotus man. So lets forget about the rear suspension cus if worst comes to worset i'll just get a new complete suspension for it you know. How about hte front end now. what is that thing that is attached to the two front fan shroud under the hood is that the radiator or A/C condenser? Also yea it well end up having a salvage title i am told. I think if i can get it for around 10k its worth it dont you guys think? i man the car is worth atleast 25 thousand with a rebuilt title isnt it??? brand new car. thanks
Did you read any of these posts???
A:
Originally Posted by 97NSX
Hay Cory lol you want my nsx? naaa bro i thanks i just dumped $8000. on it timing belt , 60k service, new clutch new tires all dealer. I really want the lotus man. So lets forget about the rear suspension cus if worst comes to worset i'll just get a new complete suspension for it you know. How about hte front end now. what is that thing that is attached to the two front fan shroud under the hood is that the radiator or A/C condenser? Also yea it well end up having a salvage title i am told. I think if i can get it for around 10k its worth it dont you guys think? i man the car is worth atleast 25 thousand with a rebuilt title isnt it??? brand new car. thanks
Not if it needs a new chassis!
A:
Originally Posted by babak
+2
Also, the 'wheel out of whack' is very troubling to me. I would not go anywhere near that car unless the dealer had been through it and inspected the suspension.
+3
A:
Hi everyone and thnak u all for the replys/help. I am still undecided really like the car but we'll find out on wednesday how much they want for it and all that. If i get it really cheap then i'll get and take my chances but if not theni'll let her go and hopefully find another one, i'll keep u guys posted thanks.
A:
I would get someone who knows what he is looking at to check it out for you... If this car is not at a dealer body shop, is there a dealer nearby? The car has unusual construction and the average body shop is not going to know what they are looking at. Long shot - but perhaps you could pay someone from a dealer shop to monlight and evaluate it for you?
I would not pay $10k for this car when there are 2005s babied with low mileage being offered on this site in the 30s...
You could spend the difference fixing it and you may have something unsafe.
A:
Originally Posted by 97NSX
How about hte front end now. what is that thing that is attached to the two front fan shroud under the hood is that the radiator or A/C condenser?
The A/C condenser is mounted horizontally under the radiator - so you are looking at both of them. And if they are damaged I suspect the "shroud" holding them is also damaged... and that shroud is the front crush structure. As already mentioned the crush structure is replaceable but difficult and time consuming.
That level of damage would probably not make the car an economic write-off and as such it is EXTREMELY likely that there is further damage that cannot be economically repaired.
At <$10k it may be a good parts car...