A&Q about Lotus
Q:
how important is the blakpunkt stereo? unsure how to spell it? is it a goo d system inthe 05 elise.?
how many of you feel that automatic windows and auto power locks are really truly important over the standard for the 05 elise?
thank you!!
A:
I've got roll up windows and like them alot. Once in a while I think it might be nice to have power windows.
btw... is it possible to upgrade?
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Its spelled blaupunkt and it means blue point in Deutsch.
A:
I really like my manual windows. They're easy to use, look good, and I think in the spirit of the car. I think that the other items that come with the Touring pack are a bigger factor in that decision. I specifically would not want the extra carpet and sound deadening that comes with the Touring pack, and I prefer the half leather/half cloth seats from the '05 cars without Touring over the other options.
A:
Power windows are easier to use and lighter than manual.
The stock stereo (head unit and speakers) should be replaced if you car about sound at all (other than engine, of course).
A:
Originally Posted by ZakSkiGuy
I've got roll up windows and like them alot. Once in a while I think it might be nice to have power windows.
btw... is it possible to upgrade?
Eliseparts in the UK do an upgrade - clicky
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Originally Posted by ChrisH
Power windows are easier to use and lighter than manual.
I thought they weighed the same?
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The factory BlowChunk stereo head unit is a real POS. So are the speakers. Uh... well... that about covers that.
xtn
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I got the touring option on my car. I like the way the biscuit leather interior looks against the magnetic blue. The power windows are pretty nice too because when I’m changing from road to highway I like to be able to put them up quickly. I can’t imagine it would be as easy to manually roll up the far window if I were also trying to drive.
The stereo head unit is actually OK, it’s not great or fantastic by any means but it’s better than most standard units you’d find in many American made cars. The speakers however are total garbage. I have speakers and a new head unit just waiting to be installed but I keep finding other things to do with the car (like drive it before winter hits in Minnesota). There’ll be plenty of time to take the thing apart when there’s snow on the ground.
The other notable thing the touring pack comes with is a better-insulated soft top. I like this since I’m in a colder climate. But it’s a mixed blessing because the glue holding the top together has come apart twice now. I haven’t bothered taking it back in this last time. I’ll get around to it just before I store my baby for the season.
I like the sound dampening that came with the touring pack. Maybe that’s the reason I actually think the stereo deck is OK. I’m sure without that extra insulation the engine and road noise is a bit more drastic then you’d theoretically need a higher-powered deck or separate amplifier. The Blaupunkt stereo certain isn’t very powerful.
Are you looking to buy an 05 Elise? If your decision is between a touring model and a non-touring there's no way the stereo should sway your decision.
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I replaced speakers only in about two hours. Just hangin in the garage workin slow.
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I'm one without the Touring Pack - I wouldn't have it any other way.
The wind up windows work just fine, and you don't have to have the key in to work them (important if it starts raining unexpectedly). They look right and are fitting for the purpose of the car. It really is no problem at all to reach over and wind the passenger window (instead of leaning over and pushing the switch). The weight of the two types of window mechanisms is within a few ounces of each other, so weight isn't a concern. Many people have had problems with adjustments on their power windows, and/or bolts coming loose and hanging things up - I haven't heard of any problems with wind up windows (but there's less of them so...???).
The Touring Pack carpeting on the side sills hide the nice beautiful aluminum. And many people have had problem with the carpeting "falling down".
The Touring Pack extra sound insulation isn't that much - most people really can't tell the difference.
The Touring Pack extra insulation on the soft top might be nice, but it depends on how much you are going to use your top. Mine is never on, so it would have been meaningless. As noted above, many have had trouble with the insulation pulling loose.
The Touring Pack radios have extra capabilities, but it depends on your needs. The Standard radio works just fine, but it doesn't have the ability to play MP3 discs. I tend to listen to broadcast radio 90% of the time, so it doesn't matter to me. As for the general quality of the Blaunkput radio, although many believe they are trash, I'm more than satisfied with mine. It's the best sounding radio I've ever had in any car (and that includes the speakers). I'm not an audiophile, but then again, the Elise is not exactly a sound proof chamber that lends itself to good audio reproduction. I'm also not one to install an amp so that I can play my radio extra loud to the annoyance of anyone within a hundred yards of my car. The OEM radios are more than satisfactory.
The Touring Pack seats give you the advantage of choosing different colors for the interior. But in my case, I wanted a black interior, and I don't like leather seats. The cloth seats in my car are just fine, and don't get nearly as hot as leather ones would. I prefer them. I would have only chosen the leather seats if I was going for a different color combination.
The Touring Pack storage net may be useful, but if you really want it, you can order it from the parts department and install it your self if you don't opt for the Touring Pack. I haven't bothered.
It will be harder to find a non-Touring Pack car in the used market. Probably 80% (or more) of the cars have the Touring Pack. Some ordered the car with the Touring Pack because they wanted it; some because they were ordering the car "with everything"; some because they were bought off the dealers lots, and the dealers ordered the cars with the Touring Pack for a greater profit margin; and even some of them because a few dealers required people to order Touring Pack for the early orders (again to maximize dealer profit).
On a new car, getting with or without the Touring Pack will depend on availability and/or if you are willing to wait for your order instead of taking what's available now.
PS: All the cars have power locks. It doesn't depend on the option package...
A:
I'm another non-tourer and agree with everything in Tim's post.
I did changed my radio to the touring model though specifically to play MP3s. It was cheap
For some reason, my car came with an insulated soft top... maybe this was an Aztec Bronze only feature
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Power windows very nice.
Blaupunkt Radio fine, antenna not so good.
'05 Elise great choice!
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What Tim said.
My car is a little newer than Tim's though, and came with the Touring radio. MP3s work great, and I do like that feature because you don't have to change discs so often.
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Tim, I think the lack of hearing about window problems on cars with the manual windows is likely due to the fewer number of them. I have had the chronic window guide loose - window won't go all the way up problem. I also had the window lift mechanism scissor pivot bolt fall out. I think both of those are identical to the models with the power windows.
Chirofox, regarding the Touring radio versus the base model radio, there were several of each in the '05 model year. Both the Touring and the base model each had at least two and maybe three different radios during the year. At the time I bought mine, both the base and Touring models had the same radio (the Acapulco). I never turn it on so can't comment much on its quality.
And as for the power door locks you mentioned, all cars have them. They can be a real pain in the a$$. There are four pages in the owners manual just on the door locks! And you can search here for something like "HELP, I'm locked out!!!" and see some of the consequences and workarounds.
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Am I the only one whose car came with an Alpine stereo and not Blaupunkt?
A:
Originally Posted by eighteenseconds
Am I the only one whose car came with an Alpine stereo and not Blaupunkt?
Did you get the premuim upgrade (on top of Touring) with satellite radio, different seat stitching etc? I think the Alpine came with that package.
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Ahhh yeah I did. that explains it.
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Originally Posted by catapult
Did you get the premuim upgrade (on top of Touring) with satellite radio, different seat stitching etc? I think the Alpine came with that package.
Premium pack includes the Alpine CDA-9820XM head unit.
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Originally Posted by ChrisB
Tim, I think the lack of hearing about window problems on cars with the manual windows is likely due to the fewer number of them.
Most likely. However, I prefer to believe it's because the smart ones among us wisely chose to go the simple route and went manual.
I have had the chronic window guide loose - window won't go all the way up problem. I also had the window lift mechanism scissor pivot bolt fall out. I think both of those are identical to the models with the power windows.
The guides appear to be the same, but the window lift mechanism differs between manual and power. Manual in blue, and power in red in the diagram from the parts manual: