New Elise Owner - What don't I know?

[99 Elise]

I've just bought my first Lotus, a 99 Lotus Elise S1 with just 20k miles on it.

What do you wish someone had told you when you got your first Lotus?

Hit me with your best advice, tips & tricks, and warnings!

[richbk]

They rattle

they leak

a Corsa Sri will beat you off the lights

you will spend too much money on upgrades

tyre pressures and fuel levels will become obsessions

you will do a track day

kids, mums and old guys will smile and point as you drive by.

mloc will be your top pinned bookmark

you will love driving and will find any excuse to take the long way home

welcome to lotus ownership

[99 Elise]

5 minutes ago, richbk said:

welcome to lotus ownership

Beautiful reply

I was thinking more along the lines of "here's how to find the inertia switch..." but yeah, "it leaks" also a welcome warning

 

 

[John FISH Curtis]

Welcome.

• Look after it, it's an investment.
• Service every year according to the service procedure, ideally through a specialist.
• Id recommend updating the plastic end-capped radiator to an alloy type.
• Fit a PRRT kit..… (Google search)
• Alternators can cook/fail. Never swap one without first disconnecting the battery
• One day, you will get head gasket failure.
• Learn to drive it before going daft in the twisty stuff..... you will end up in the ditch!
• The front tow eyes do rust through, change with the radiator.
• Batteries go flat, very quickly and  can cause all sorts of problems. Connect to a battery conditioner when car isn't used.

[kayj_prod]

Agree with all the above, plus:

When the fuel gauge says ‘refill’, just do it (and ideally before then as they’re not that trustworthy).

Take your time with the soft top- those cam fixings that pull the back tight onto the body are heavy and pointy and will easily mark/scratch/chip your probably pristine 20k paintwork if allowed to flap.

[99 Elise]

Great todo list @John FISH Curtis thanks

I didn't know about the fuel gauge, so thanks for the warning @kayj_prod!

[duncx]

Welcome 

Sorry if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs but remember this is rear wheel drive car with the engine over the rear axle. If you enter a corner too enthusiastically and then lift off the throttle mid corner it's akin to dabbing on the handbrake - possible to lose the back end and snap into a spin. These are fantastic handling cars but as Fish says, take it easy and learn the car 

[99 Elise]

8 minutes ago, duncx said:

remember this is rear wheel drive car with the engine over the rear axle

Yes, absolutely. I've driven quick cars, but they've all been front-wheel drive. Though I have driven Elises, Caterham 7s, and similar on corporate track days.

I plan to get some car control training and have had a couple of recommendations. I'd welcome more if anyone knows of car control training (South Birmingham)?

 

 

[DeanB]

Always always always check coolant level whenever you drive it - a sudden drop usually means head gasket failure.

Also - don't let it overheat in traffic.  Get used to turning it off before it gets too hot, and remember the water pump doesn't pump very much on tickover so increasing the revs a little will bring the temperature down, at least until it gets really hot. If you cook it your head gasket will fail.

 

[Martin R]

Welcome to MLOC. Make sure the rubber mats have been removed from the footwells..

[DeanB]

1 hour ago, Martin R said:

Welcome to MLOC. Make sure the rubber mats have been removed from the footwells..

Excellent and important advice from Martin, as usual  😊  the footwells corrode away if you don't.

Can we see a picture of it by the way please?

[Elisemadray]

If at this stage you have not put it back up for sale 😂 Welcome and enjoy  

[99 Elise]

I haven't canceled my order yet...

 

[John FISH Curtis]

That's a beaut!!!!!

[99 Elise]

2 hours ago, John FISH Curtis said:

That's a beaut!!!!!

I thought so