my list of issues - so far!

[Stan]

It's hard to diagnose noises on any car...particularly the Elise. As it has so many overlappings sounds within it's symphony. Some are related to a relative lack of sound damping. Some are ringing of the frame elements. Some are negligible but disconcerting and are fixable. The front suspension sounds louder than the rear overall...the squeaky toy noise from the lower a-arm bushing at the frame, the ringing of the frame elements and panels and so forth. It can help your piece of mind if you have someone with more time in the car take a ride with you...some of the sounds are not a problem at all in terms of function and safety and are basically part of the nature of the car.

[J-Son]

anyone else have brakes that squeak when almost at a complete stop?
its more like a horn-type sound. i only have about 400 miles on it so far and when almost at a complete stop that brake sound occurs.

[Gridlock]

Originally Posted by rucnok

anyone else have brakes that squeak when almost at a complete stop?
its more like a horn-type sound. i only have about 400 miles on it so far and when almost at a complete stop that brake sound occurs.

I also had that sound for the first few hundred miles, but it went away shortly after that. I believe .

[raggedy1]

my brakes never squeaked, but you can hear a slight grinding as you're coming to a stop (aggresive pad material against rotor). all sounds are amplified in this car!

[apessino]

Originally Posted by Gridlock

I also had that sound for the first few hundred miles, but it went away shortly after that. I believe .

Same here... indeed!

[Less Moore]

I thought it was kind of cool that the brakes sqealed a bit just as the car came to stop at slow speeds. Reminded me of race cars rolling around the paddock at Mid-Ohio. After some easy use (first 500 miles), followed by a few fairly hard applications, the squeak/squeal disappeared. I cannot tell you exactly how many miles, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear it again when I get the car out next spring after a few months of hibernation.
The 'grinding' noise is just normal pad-on-rotor noise that's insulated from the driver in most cars. I personally like all the mechanical sounds. Even some clanking and clunking in the shift linkage is fine as long as it keep shifting. Incidentally, the shifter has gotten really smooth now that I have a bit over 1k on the car.
The driver's door had a faint squeak since new that went away after shooting the hinge with some spray lube. Only other 'defect' is the velcro-attached covers over the rear top mounting bolts. The glue that holds the 'block' with the velcro attached let go on one side, leaving it dangling by the fabric cover. When I attempted to remove the other side cover, it pulled loose from its 'base' also. I think I'll re-glue with contact cement and then store them in case I ever sell the car.
Overall, I'm so thrilled that I could buy a new car that's so simple, direct, with such outstandingly responsive handling, that I guess I'm not really bothered by anything that doesn't affect performance. Face it, it's a race car that's been barely civilized . . . especially if you got the LSS.

[raggedy1]

I knew I would be making some sacrifices in getting the Elise, but I will not be forgiving of having NO a/c. I would have been happier if a/c wasn't even offered and I would NOT have checked the a/c option box - if it were an option.

the door rubbing the fender shouldn't be forgotten about. if left alone it would wear through the paint and why should i let that happen if it's an easy fix?

the jiggling front suspension bit(s) don't bother me as long as it's not the sound of something about to fall off!

I like the grinding brakes. Like you said it's a mechanical sound closer to a race car than a cushy passenger car.

the washer or bolt that's rolling around my floorpan is not a pleasant mechanical sound of a race car; it makes the car sound cheap. it should be an easy fix/find...

[lucksta]

I found a new issue on mine a few days ago: I went to remove the soft top (only the second time -- had the hard top installed), and found one of the support pieces was broken. My dealer quoted me about $25 for each, but I think this is warranty issue. I sure as heck didn't break it.

My was broken also. Replaced as warranty repaired at 1,000 mi service.

[fastliz]

"The glue that holds the 'block' with the velcro attached let go on one side, leaving it dangling by the fabric cover. When I attempted to remove the other side cover, it pulled loose from its 'base' also."

Same thing happened to one of my covers when I removed it the FIRST time after bringing the car home from the dealer. Gorilla Glue solved the problem!

I've got a squeak in the right front suspension area. I notice it when I go over a small bump or when the front of the car drops off the driveway onto the street.

Mike

Mike

[raggedy1]

car going in tomorrow for service and "issues."

I dropped the removable tray and didn't find anything loose that would cause the sound of something rolling around while I change directions. I don't know where this sound is coming from! AH!!!!!

[JonOrangeElise]

Anyone else have a squeaky shifter? This problem started after the car's first track day. It squeaks when going into the three gears at "the top" (first, third, fifth). It makes no squeak when downshifting from those gears. Nor does it squeak when going in/out of the other gears.

FWIW, the car shifts fine; it just makes a squeak. Sounds like some kind of bushing squeak.

So... How do I remove the leather shifter covering? Does it pull right out? And any suggestions on the specifics of this problem?

[raggedy1]

shop didn't have time to look into the "loose nut" rolling around.

next week maybe...

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by JonOrangeElise

Anyone else have a squeaky shifter? This problem started after the car's first track day. It squeaks when going into the three gears at "the top" (first, third, fifth). It makes no squeak when downshifting from those gears. Nor does it squeak when going in/out of the other gears.

FWIW, the car shifts fine; it just makes a squeak. Sounds like some kind of bushing squeak.

So... How do I remove the leather shifter covering? Does it pull right out? And any suggestions on the specifics of this problem?

You just need to lube up the whatchamacall'em joints where the cables connect to the shifter. Look for one of the threads about painting the tunnel and you'll find the directions for removing the housing. Can't take off the leather boot until the tunnel is out of the car anyway as it's pushed into place from below.