Lotus Elan

[MiniGibbo 142]

Havent seen one of these for years then on my way home today i spotted one for sale locally in a garage, it was blue and looked very clean ill give it that.. but the price :fcuk:

£6995 on a J, christ when did they become so expensive!!

Think id rather by an mx5 and pocket the change tbh...

[judley 3]

I thought when I saw the thread title that it was going to be the original Elan. Not much of a fan of this model - weren't they front wheel drive as well?

[blue_haddock 2]

Yes they were front wheel drive with a 1.6 turbo isuzu engine.

 

However a friend of mine sold his 968 porker in favour of one of these and says he much prefers it.

[MiniGibbo 142]

Yeah ive always heard bad reveiws of them.. im tempted to go test it to get an opinion for my self..

[petert 587]

They still pull big dollars over here:

http://www.carsales.com.au/car/brand%20new/dealer/demo/private/LOTUS/ELAN?eapi=2&sort=default&vertical=Car&silo=Stock&base=1216&Range=Price:Min,Max~0.5

 

I still like the early ones better too. A friend has a modified '69 which has been widened 100mm. You'd never notice unless you know what you're looking for. It's got a hot big valve engine, fuel injected, 5 spd etc. It is sooo quick and handles sublimely. 205's can't get near it.

[MiniGibbo 142]

Veiwed the car this today, its an SE with 40k miles and is in very good nick tbh.. theyres no cracking on the firbe glass and all the gaping is good.

Looks to of had a new roof too, i passed on road testing it as the garage was heaving and it was in the middle of the forecourt. He offered me the car on the weekend though saying he was sure we could make a deal on it :smt005

[Baz 421]

There's a reason why.

 

Older ones are a totally different car and indeed they are quick in the right hands. I race against a chap who's had a +2 for 35yrs and he's ridiculously quick in it!

[Chris_Mi 6]

I always loved the Lotus design philosphy. Lightweight cars that handle extremely well. I friend used to have an Elan in red several years ago (did they do a Turbo version, because I'm sure that was what it was). Not a powerful car in terms of bhp, but it felt bloody quick, and it handled sublimely! He swore by it, and claimed the Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious badge was just German/Euro propoganda because they felt their Euro sports car sales were under threat.

 

His only problem was that the offside wing came unstuck at speed and started to pull away from the car. I seem to remember he "no more nails" ed it back on Think he sold it in 2007 for around £4k.

 

Would love a Lotus if I had some spare dosh!!

Edited April 11, 2012 by Chris_Mi

[MiniGibbo 142]

Yeah they have an Isuzu turbo engine.

[Batfink 201]

There's a reason why.

 

Older ones are a totally different car and indeed they are quick in the right hands. I race against a chap who's had a +2 for 35yrs and he's ridiculously quick in it!

 

I got me one of those one day I might finance a restoration.

Edited April 11, 2012 by Batfink

[muddatrucker 125]

It makes the MX5 look like a juggernaught, looks like a shoe.