Those who have their Elise: problems? - LotusTalk

Surferjer · 11-23-2004, 08:44 AM

I thought it might be nice to see how ownership of the Elise has gone so far for those lucky ones who have one.

I see problems for many, but I've been trouble-free mechanically since delivery. How about you?

huggy bear · 11-23-2004, 09:20 AM

No mechanical problems. Knock on wood. Just minor paint fiinish problems.

Dan · 11-23-2004, 09:25 AM

My A/C wasn't working for the first 5 minutes of my road trip to southern CA, but has worked since then. No other problems..

designer · 11-23-2004, 09:30 AM

All is well here.

pianomaniac · 11-23-2004, 09:47 AM

Mine is fine.....except that it uses gas and the tires are wearing. Oh......also when over 6200rpm's, it screams and scares the animals. I must have this checked out.

Surferjer · 11-23-2004, 11:06 AM

Thanks for adding the last category, moderator. I'm pleased to see that 11 of 14 responses indicate no problems or problems not worth addressing (A/C, etc). That's very encouraging.

Moderator-want to make this a sticky, at least for a month?

Nathan111 · 11-23-2004, 11:28 AM

I voted 1 but it was really just wheel balance and sorted at the first service.

MotorCade · 11-23-2004, 12:34 PM

My radio is not working right. I start the car, and go to turn the radio on, and it looks like all is well, but no sound. I've found that if I pop the faceplate off and then put it back on, the radio will then work fine. Any suggestions?

Cade

huggy bear · 11-23-2004, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MotorCade
My radio is not working right. I start the car, and go to turn the radio on, and it looks like all is well, but no sound. I've found that if I pop the faceplate off and then put it back on, the radio will then work fine. Any suggestions?

Cade

Check the leads to see if they are clean.

TimMullen · 11-23-2004, 02:09 PM

My only problem was the rear tail light coming unplugged (which I fixed), but I didn't count that - it was caused by my top sliding around in the boot...

Surferjer · 11-23-2004, 05:51 PM

It is as I had hoped. There have been problems, and we've heard a lot about them, but the majority have not had problems of consequence. That's reassuring and I'm sure the Lotus folks will be happy to see it. I had a ton more problems with my Jeep when it was new.

wallabyguy · 11-23-2004, 06:05 PM

My problems have included:
1) bad power outlet (fuse)
2) speaker cover pop (one good mallet)
3) leaking doors (water on sills)
4) last night...... car would not alarm.... this morning fine
5) radio sometimes has static in sound, turn off and on again, no problem

Funny thing, and maybe it's because I've owned older lotus, frankly not one of the problems have really bothered me and given the chance again, I'd buy another lotus in a second. I love my car with all of it's, ummmm, character. remember it's not a car, it's an adventure!

Surferjer · 11-24-2004, 04:05 AM

I prefer my adventures on a surfboard or an AutoX course. Luckily the only thing I can say wasn't quite right on my Elise has been the poor A/C on one trip last summer. This has been the best 7,250 first miles driven on any vehicle I've ever owned, tied with my Mitsu Spyder!

Jim Itin · 11-24-2004, 11:24 AM

Only one very minor problem --- left rear speaker not working due to unattached lead. Had the dealer fix it while in for the 1000 mile service (otherwise, would have done it myself). After a few decades of Alfas (and two Jeeps), this does NOT qualify as a problem. Actually, the assembly and build quality are a little better than I expected (I had an MGB back in the dark ages, so the expectations were low). Now, if we can just get about 100 more dealers to provide service when we actually do need it in the future .....

MotorCade · 11-24-2004, 11:31 AM

it's not the leads on my car... when the radio works, it's crystal clear, and it isn't intermittent over bumps and such. Sometimes when I turn the radio on, I can hear a loud 'pop' sound from the speakers, then it's silent... I either turn it off and back on a few times until it comes on normally, or I take the faceplate off and reinstall it a couple times until it works normally. Never had this problem with any radio before. I have power to the radio even when switched off, and the clock doesn't reset, so I know the radio isn't reverting to standard settings every time the car is off. It's getting annoying... maybe I'll just delete the radio.

Cade

LotusLust · 11-24-2004, 03:24 PM

may not be the answer from some of your description, but you do know the internal amp can be switched off, don't you?

MotorCade · 11-24-2004, 03:31 PM

Nope, didn't know that... sounds like I need to delve back into the radio owner's manual.

Cade

wallabyguy · 11-24-2004, 06:18 PM

I forgot, my bolts on my engine cover (the plastic one with Lotus Performance written on it) are rusting badly.

Thomas Praetzel · 11-24-2004, 06:52 PM

My light doesn't work. Thats right, the light on the key no longer operates. It's making me nuts! Lotus will here about this, aside from AC, flying speaker grills, loose drivers seat, stalling, and some other crap, this damned light has to be repaired asap.

Aloha,
Thomas Praetzel
Happy Thanksgiving

clrodrick · 11-25-2004, 01:34 AM

I had a similar problem with my current car and it's aftermarket stereo. I would power on the stereo and hear a high volume bass THUNK and then nothing. Not good. I was convinced it was one of my amps gone bad. However, thorough testing at the stereo shop determined I had a short in one of my speakers. Disabling one of the rear tweeters fixed it.

Quote:

Originally posted by MotorCade
it's not the leads on my car... when the radio works, it's crystal clear, and it isn't intermittent over bumps and such. Sometimes when I turn the radio on, I can hear a loud 'pop' sound from the speakers, then it's silent... I either turn it off and back on a few times until it comes on normally, or I take the faceplate off and reinstall it a couple times until it works normally. Never had this problem with any radio before. I have power to the radio even when switched off, and the clock doesn't reset, so I know the radio isn't reverting to standard settings every time the car is off. It's getting annoying... maybe I'll just delete the radio.

Cade

View Poll Results: For current owners only: what has been your experience with your Elise mechanically?
I've had mechanical problems which needed dealer repair work	136	29.82%
I've had mechanical problems which needed other 3rd party repair work	5	1.10%
I've had mechanical problems which I repaired myself	45	9.87%
I have not had any mechanical problems	256	56.14%
I have had mechanical problems that I have ignored.	14	3.07%
Voters: 456. You may not vote on this poll

11-23-2004, 08:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: West Chester PA Posts: 8,608	Those who have their Elise: problems? I thought it might be nice to see how ownership of the Elise has gone so far for those lucky ones who have one. I see problems for many, but I've been trouble-free mechanically since delivery. How about you? __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 1999 Dodge 4 X 4 tow vehicle 1993 Miata (hey, it was FREE!) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (under repair) 1984 Chevy Citation (future Lemons car)

11-23-2004, 09:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dan Elise Owner Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: (650) Posts: 686	My A/C wasn't working for the first 5 minutes of my road trip to southern CA, but has worked since then. No other problems.. __________________ "If you think conventionally and expect the ordinary, this is not for you." —Lotus Engineering

11-23-2004, 09:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
designer luv my gut Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 321	All is well here. __________________ PRESENT: 2005 Saffron Yellow, touring, hard top, stage 2 exhaust, yellow console, reverie diffuser, gut spoiler and splitter. 2008 Mini Cooper S. PAST: 98 Panoz Roadster, '00 C5 Corvette, '98 Viper GTS Coupe, '88 911 Turbo, BMW M3, '95 911 Coupe.

11-23-2004, 09:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
pianomaniac Elise #76 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,531	Mine is fine.....except that it uses gas and the tires are wearing. Oh......also when over 6200rpm's, it screams and scares the animals. I must have this checked out. __________________ Owner of '05 Elise S/T- touring- LSS-Stage 2 '07 Audi RS4 4.2L V-8 420 HP - 6 Sp..(sold) '07 Toyota Prius

11-23-2004, 09:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
huggy bear Pow Pow Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,167	No mechanical problems. Knock on wood. Just minor paint fiinish problems.

11-23-2004, 11:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: West Chester PA Posts: 8,608	Thanks for adding the last category, moderator. I'm pleased to see that 11 of 14 responses indicate no problems or problems not worth addressing (A/C, etc). That's very encouraging. Moderator-want to make this a sticky, at least for a month? __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 1999 Dodge 4 X 4 tow vehicle 1993 Miata (hey, it was FREE!) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (under repair) 1984 Chevy Citation (future Lemons car)

11-23-2004, 11:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Nathan111 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 228	I voted 1 but it was really just wheel balance and sorted at the first service.

11-23-2004, 12:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
MotorCade Will race for sushi Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 2,340	My radio is not working right. I start the car, and go to turn the radio on, and it looks like all is well, but no sound. I've found that if I pop the faceplate off and then put it back on, the radio will then work fine. Any suggestions? Cade

11-23-2004, 02:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
TimMullen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 10,689 Images: 19	My only problem was the rear tail light coming unplugged (which I fixed), but I didn't count that - it was caused by my top sliding around in the boot... __________________ Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels. I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/ 05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple. 94 Miata R Package - Black 72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White

11-23-2004, 05:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: West Chester PA Posts: 8,608	It is as I had hoped. There have been problems, and we've heard a lot about them, but the majority have not had problems of consequence. That's reassuring and I'm sure the Lotus folks will be happy to see it. I had a ton more problems with my Jeep when it was new. __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 1999 Dodge 4 X 4 tow vehicle 1993 Miata (hey, it was FREE!) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (under repair) 1984 Chevy Citation (future Lemons car)

11-23-2004, 06:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
wallabyguy Club111. Got the groove? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,330	My problems have included: 1) bad power outlet (fuse) 2) speaker cover pop (one good mallet) 3) leaking doors (water on sills) 4) last night...... car would not alarm.... this morning fine 5) radio sometimes has static in sound, turn off and on again, no problem Funny thing, and maybe it's because I've owned older lotus, frankly not one of the problems have really bothered me and given the chance again, I'd buy another lotus in a second. I love my car with all of it's, ummmm, character. remember it's not a car, it's an adventure! __________________ Robert (aka Sith Lord of LB) Former Lotus Sales 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

11-24-2004, 04:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: West Chester PA Posts: 8,608	I prefer my adventures on a surfboard or an AutoX course. Luckily the only thing I can say wasn't quite right on my Elise has been the poor A/C on one trip last summer. This has been the best 7,250 first miles driven on any vehicle I've ever owned, tied with my Mitsu Spyder! __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 1999 Dodge 4 X 4 tow vehicle 1993 Miata (hey, it was FREE!) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (under repair) 1984 Chevy Citation (future Lemons car)

11-24-2004, 11:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
Jim Itin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Delaware Posts: 468	Only one very minor problem --- left rear speaker not working due to unattached lead. Had the dealer fix it while in for the 1000 mile service (otherwise, would have done it myself). After a few decades of Alfas (and two Jeeps), this does NOT qualify as a problem. Actually, the assembly and build quality are a little better than I expected (I had an MGB back in the dark ages, so the expectations were low). Now, if we can just get about 100 more dealers to provide service when we actually do need it in the future ..... __________________ '62 Alfa Sprint '65 Alfa Spider Veloce (2) '88 Alfa Milano 3.0L '91 Ducati 900 S/S '05 Elise (#0294),Magnetic Blue, Blk Touring, hardtop

11-24-2004, 11:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
MotorCade Will race for sushi Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 2,340	it's not the leads on my car... when the radio works, it's crystal clear, and it isn't intermittent over bumps and such. Sometimes when I turn the radio on, I can hear a loud 'pop' sound from the speakers, then it's silent... I either turn it off and back on a few times until it comes on normally, or I take the faceplate off and reinstall it a couple times until it works normally. Never had this problem with any radio before. I have power to the radio even when switched off, and the clock doesn't reset, so I know the radio isn't reverting to standard settings every time the car is off. It's getting annoying... maybe I'll just delete the radio. Cade

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11-24-2004, 03:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
LotusLust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: da woods of tn Posts: 3,634	may not be the answer from some of your description, but you do know the internal amp can be switched off, don't you? __________________ Storm Titanium, LSS, touring, hard top. my other car is a ...oh yeah i remember the other car...a spyder club111 member. i tried to buy a lower spot and become member #13 but was spurned! "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" -benjamin franklin

11-24-2004, 03:31 PM	#17 (permalink)
MotorCade Will race for sushi Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 2,340	Nope, didn't know that... sounds like I need to delve back into the radio owner's manual. Cade

11-24-2004, 06:18 PM	#18 (permalink)
wallabyguy Club111. Got the groove? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,330	I forgot, my bolts on my engine cover (the plastic one with Lotus Performance written on it) are rusting badly. __________________ Robert (aka Sith Lord of LB) Former Lotus Sales 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

11-24-2004, 06:52 PM	#19 (permalink)
Thomas Praetzel BANNED Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 270	My light doesn't work. Thats right, the light on the key no longer operates. It's making me nuts! Lotus will here about this, aside from AC, flying speaker grills, loose drivers seat, stalling, and some other crap, this damned light has to be repaired asap. Aloha, Thomas Praetzel Happy Thanksgiving