99 Elise Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richbk Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99 Elise Posted January 5, 2019 Author Share Posted January 5, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John FISH Curtis Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayj_prod Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99 Elise Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Great todo list @John FISH Curtis thanks I didn't know about the fuel gauge, so thanks for the warning @kayj_prod! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncx Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99 Elise Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 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)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanB Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin R Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Welcome to MLOC. Make sure the rubber mats have been removed from the footwells.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanB Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisemadray Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 If at this stage you have not put it back up for sale 😂 Welcome and enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99 Elise Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 I haven't canceled my order yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John FISH Curtis Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 That's a beaut!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99 Elise Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 2 hours ago, John FISH Curtis said: That's a beaut!!!!! I thought so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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