Those who have their Elise: problems? - Page 4 - LotusTalk

NMRJock · 03-29-2005, 10:10 PM

I've had no mechanical problems. My car goes in for its first service this weekend. I'm going a bit late and my car will have nearly 1500 miles on it when they do the d/l.
I do have a couple of little concerns. The brake light switch needed adjusted. I also needed to get a higher brake pedal (Thanks Shinoo!). I have a blemish on the inside of the lense for the instrument cluster. I will probably have to have the cluster replaced to get rid of it. It's such a tiny thing, but I don't want to look at it anymore.

apkom · 03-29-2005, 10:38 PM

Well, all the info on this site prepared me as to what to expect. So, I stay calm

I've had much worse car experience in the past (Soviet made Lada) as well as much better one now (Japanese brands). This Lotus is just below average for me. I hope warranty to take care of the issues or fix it myself afterwards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supra2nv

this thread scares me

globecom · 03-30-2005, 06:47 AM

From West Palm Beach on Saturday ( 17 miles delivered ) to Las Vegas on Tuesday morning (2673 miles) NO PROBLEMS at all - EXCEPT.... Never took more than $17.00 worth of gas to fill her up!

Cheapest gas I found was Louisiana $1.81 Supreme... Most expensive Nevada at $2.46 Supreme.

Some notable photos: Elise at Palm Beach Best Buy 19 miles. Elise at Texas Demolition Derby 1,056 miles. Elise finaly home after 16 months of waiting & Odometer of travel across the US @ 2690 miles and two samll road chips.....

ChrisB · 03-30-2005, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supra2nv

this thread scares me

The kinds of problems you see here and in other threads on EliseTalk are not uncommon for a hand-built, low-volume car from a company that doesn't have billions to spend on sophisticated design tools and testing facilities. From what I have seen so far, the Elise is much better than previous Lotus cars (although the Esprit spans many years of quality changes).

I'm guessing that someone owning two Acuras, a Toyota and an Infiniti, will have to undergo a serious change in mindset and expectations to be happy with an Elise. For some, ownership of a car like this can be a love/hate relationship, particularly if it is your only daily driver.

But nobody has ever said it isn't exciting!

JimK · 04-05-2005, 06:39 PM

991 miles and no problems so far. Getting first service done in about 1 week.
The car is slightly more tempremental about cold weather and idle speed issues (too slow) but just part of it's personality I guess. BTW, my last 8
cars have been Honda/Acura's.

cerven · 04-06-2005, 05:48 AM

All systems go - no problems - have about 700 miles on her so far

garycurtis · 04-08-2005, 04:15 PM

Had my first problem this week at about 1400 miles. I have the touring pack and the extra insulation in the top is attached by being glued into a slot in each of the end pieces. Minor issue really, but mine is no longer glued in at one end.

traknut · 04-08-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globecom

From West Palm Beach on Saturday ( 17 miles delivered ) to Las Vegas on Tuesday morning (2673 miles) NO PROBLEMS at all - EXCEPT.... Never took more than $17.00 worth of gas to fill her up!

Cheapest gas I found was Louisiana $1.81 Supreme... Most expensive Nevada at $2.46 Supreme.

Some notable photos: Elise at Palm Beach Best Buy 19 miles. Elise at Texas Demolition Derby 1,056 miles. Elise finaly home after 16 months of waiting & Odometer of travel across the US @ 2690 miles and two samll road chips.....

That is the coolist story yet! I would love to make a trip like that in my Elise!....Where did you fit your luggage? You are an inspiration!

ChrisStarrUSA · 04-19-2005, 11:58 AM

Few problems so far:

1) drivers side window stops 3/4 of an inch short of the top;
2) Rattle in the drivers side door (not related to #1);
3) Loud rattle from exhaust (fixed - dealer said heat shield was loose - tighened and it went away);
4) The Acapulco radio occasionally has problems reading home-made MP3s

Chris

lotusport · 04-21-2005, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisStarrUSA

The Acapulco radio occasionally has problems reading home-made MP3s

There's another kind?

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Seriously, only problem with the Ti Sliver is a rattle in the middle of the dash (nothing that can be silenced by touch/pressure) that goes away after the car is warmed up/driven to loosen up the chassis...something.

I have 2400 miles on 'er now and she's everything I wanted/expected and then some. I love this car!

Joecooool · 05-01-2005, 09:51 PM

My shift light constantly flickers but its not worth the effort to get it fixed. The paint job was not very good, I have many spots that need to be wet sanded down.

No mechanical issues...

apkom · 05-01-2005, 10:11 PM

Ok, at 1k service my dealer (SVAG) took a look at the door ratling thing and did not find anything. Today (200 miles after), while opening the door I noticed washer fell out of it. That must be the thing that rattled there. Nothing seems to be broken (and rattle is gone) so hopefully this is the end of it

Also, SVAG's bodyshop fixed that paint run on passenger's door.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkom

I got mine last Friday on 03/17. Noticed paint sag on lower part of passenger door. Yesterday, something came loose inside driver door and started bouncing back and forth. Otherwise all is good.
I've adjusted brake light and pedal hight to my liking.

ChrisB · 05-02-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joecooool

My shift light constantly flickers

Check your battery cable connections...both the part that attaches to the posts and the post adapter connections. Poor connections there appear to have been the cause of several flikering shift lights.

Nick · 05-03-2005, 08:14 AM

the insulation on the soft top fell off.

The drivers side window does not go up all the way.

The rubber stopper on the gas cover is missing.

There is a squeek when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds.

Tire pressure was 40 lbs on the right side of the car.

All minor and can be fixed.

have fun

Nick

Keith · 05-03-2005, 09:51 PM

Nick,

Please report back on the steering wheel squeek. I may have something similar and I am curious as to what the fix is for your problem.

Thanks,
Keith

Nick · 05-04-2005, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Nick,

Please report back on the steering wheel squeek. I may have something similar and I am curious as to what the fix is for your problem.

Thanks,
Keith

Will do.

Going to the dealer the week of the 17th (if they find the rim I need)

have fun

Nick

rsouthern · 05-25-2005, 02:47 PM

On the drive home after delivery, I noticed a shimmy in the steering wheel at around 80+mph. I suspect a wheel balance issue, although I haven't checked tire pressure yet. I noticed someone else noticed tire balancing in this thread and just wanted to ask if others have experienced a similar problem (balance issue) and what you did to resolve (did the dealer fix for you under warranty or did you just take it to your local tire place)?

rsouthern · 05-25-2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garycurtis

Had my first problem this week at about 1400 miles. I have the touring pack and the extra insulation in the top is attached by being glued into a slot in each of the end pieces. Minor issue really, but mine is no longer glued in at one end.

I have this same issue. Search the site, there's a thread on this. The short answer is it's a warranty issue. Notify your local dealer, they will probably want to see it first then they can order you a replacement.

Rawr · 05-25-2005, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Nick,

Please report back on the steering wheel squeek. I may have something similar and I am curious as to what the fix is for your problem.

Thanks,
Keith

UJ at the bottom of the first connection. I'll place money on it.

Chris D. · 05-26-2005, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsouthern

On the drive home after delivery, I noticed a shimmy in the steering wheel at around 80+mph. I suspect a wheel balance issue, although I haven't checked tire pressure yet. I noticed someone else noticed tire balancing in this thread and just wanted to ask if others have experienced a similar problem (balance issue) and what you did to resolve (did the dealer fix for you under warranty or did you just take it to your local tire place)?

I've had the same problem since day one. I've had the wheels balanced twice but to no avail. It's not a serious shimmy above 80 but it's definitely there.

DOOR PROBLEMS: Seems to be a lot of complaints and I'm not saying this is the cause -- only a potential cause. Don't let people slam your doors shut. I can see how this could cause some rattles over time. One of the things that I have pointed out to everyone who rides in my car is how the doors automatically close by themselves if you help them along halfway and then just let them go. Try it yourself.

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

03-29-2005, 10:10 PM	#61 (permalink)
NMRJock A smile a mile. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 3,309	I've had no mechanical problems. My car goes in for its first service this weekend. I'm going a bit late and my car will have nearly 1500 miles on it when they do the d/l. I do have a couple of little concerns. The brake light switch needed adjusted. I also needed to get a higher brake pedal (Thanks Shinoo!). I have a blemish on the inside of the lense for the instrument cluster. I will probably have to have the cluster replaced to get rid of it. It's such a tiny thing, but I don't want to look at it anymore. __________________ Paul Parkanzky Magnetic Blue with Biscuit Touring, LSS, Starshield

03-30-2005, 06:47 AM	#63 (permalink)
globecom Forge ahead! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 272	No problemo! From West Palm Beach on Saturday ( 17 miles delivered ) to Las Vegas on Tuesday morning (2673 miles) NO PROBLEMS at all - EXCEPT.... Never took more than $17.00 worth of gas to fill her up! Cheapest gas I found was Louisiana $1.81 Supreme... Most expensive Nevada at $2.46 Supreme. Some notable photos: Elise at Palm Beach Best Buy 19 miles. Elise at Texas Demolition Derby 1,056 miles. Elise finaly home after 16 months of waiting & Odometer of travel across the US @ 2690 miles and two samll road chips..... Attached Images __________________ 03 H2 Yellow,05 Elise Ardent, Hardtop, Touring 05 BMW K1200 LT,56 190SL Convertible/Balck/Black 05 1/2 Giallo Orion Murci Roadstr,06 Ducatti 800 SSFF 008 Busa 1300; 2008 BMW 328ix; 08 Ferrari F430 Spider,09 GTR Skyline, Gun Metalic Rocks!

04-06-2005, 05:48 AM	#66 (permalink)
cerven Elise Fondler Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: N. KY Posts: 1,243	All systems go - no problems - have about 700 miles on her so far __________________ Eschew Obfuscation Got mine 03-25-05 Ardent /biscuit /touring /3M / hard top

05-03-2005, 08:14 AM	#74 (permalink)
Nick Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Campbell the capital of San Jose Posts: 443	my problems the insulation on the soft top fell off. The drivers side window does not go up all the way. The rubber stopper on the gas cover is missing. There is a squeek when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds. Tire pressure was 40 lbs on the right side of the car. All minor and can be fixed. have fun Nick

04-05-2005, 06:39 PM	#65 (permalink)
JimK selling stuff 2 race Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bettendorf, IA Posts: 2,031	991 miles and no problems so far. Getting first service done in about 1 week. The car is slightly more tempremental about cold weather and idle speed issues (too slow) but just part of it's personality I guess. BTW, my last 8 cars have been Honda/Acura's.

04-08-2005, 04:15 PM	#67 (permalink)
garycurtis Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Posts: 45	Had my first problem this week at about 1400 miles. I have the touring pack and the extra insulation in the top is attached by being glued into a slot in each of the end pieces. Minor issue really, but mine is no longer glued in at one end.

04-19-2005, 11:58 AM	#69 (permalink)
ChrisStarrUSA Second cam junkie! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,118	Few problems so far: 1) drivers side window stops 3/4 of an inch short of the top; 2) Rattle in the drivers side door (not related to #1); 3) Loud rattle from exhaust (fixed - dealer said heat shield was loose - tighened and it went away); 4) The Acapulco radio occasionally has problems reading home-made MP3s Chris

05-01-2005, 09:51 PM	#71 (permalink)
Joecooool Old Dirty Bastard Join Date: May 2004 Location: Jacksonville Florida Posts: 649	My shift light constantly flickers but its not worth the effort to get it fixed. The paint job was not very good, I have many spots that need to be wet sanded down. No mechanical issues...

05-03-2005, 09:51 PM	#75 (permalink)
Keith Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 366	Nick, Please report back on the steering wheel squeek. I may have something similar and I am curious as to what the fix is for your problem. Thanks, Keith __________________ * Feb 03, 2005 - Nightfall Blue, Starshield, Clear Shield, Multivex, CG Lock, RTD Brace, microMirror *

05-25-2005, 02:47 PM	#77 (permalink)
rsouthern Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 56	Wheel balance? On the drive home after delivery, I noticed a shimmy in the steering wheel at around 80+mph. I suspect a wheel balance issue, although I haven't checked tire pressure yet. I noticed someone else noticed tire balancing in this thread and just wanted to ask if others have experienced a similar problem (balance issue) and what you did to resolve (did the dealer fix for you under warranty or did you just take it to your local tire place)? __________________ -Richard -------------------- 92 VRF - Black (for sale ) 00 M5 - Anthracite/black+silver/titanium trim 00 Insight - Silver (63mpg life time average) 00 540iA -Oxford Green (wife's car) 05 Elise - Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, sport+touring

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