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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 135 29.67%
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 9.89%
I have not had any mechanical problems 256 56.26%
I have had mechanical problems that I have ignored. 14 3.08%
Voters: 455. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 09-18-2006, 10:20 PM   #121 (permalink)
My other car's a mtn bike
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OverRevLimiter
I have a unique problem with my '05 Elise. During track events it will pop out of 3rd gear. Anyone else encountering this problem? Total mileage is 3K. Shifter lever has been replaced.
Time for a synchro and/or gear I'm pretty sure. My old Bugeye sprite had the same problem and that fixed her.
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Old 09-18-2006, 10:27 PM   #122 (permalink)
... _ . ..._ .
 
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a new one?...

black plastic cover over upper seat belt mount popped off (driver's side)
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Old 09-18-2006, 10:27 PM   #123 (permalink)
My other car's a mtn bike
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Me&MyE
12K Miles

Tranny replaced
Clutch replaced
Both front ball joints replaced
Rear speakers loose,
Rear tail light out
Front headlamp out
Engine lid prop-stick broke
Rear suspension squeaks
Speedometer off by 7mph

...still love my car

What sort of use (abuse ) does your car get? Just interested if your story is a harbinger of those same nightmares I endured as a child with lesser British sports cars. I finally made enough dough to actually repair the car this time around, but I was hoping the car wouldn't be that way.
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Old 09-18-2006, 10:48 PM   #124 (permalink)
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zero problems

I have not had a single issue with my 2006 but to be fair there are only 1700 miles on the car. I do believe the break-in period is critical and the break-in instructions in the manual and from your dealer should be followed to the letter. I was religious with the break-in procedure and have noticed that the car has settled in very nicely. The engine runs exceptionally well after the ECU update, virtually all of the rattles and other cabin noises have disappeared, and the shift linkage and gearbox have become noticably smoother in the last 300 miles or so.

I expected to see a handful of issues but I am very pleased to have not one. There is plenty of time for that and with so few miles on the car I don't think I can draw any conclusions but I am very pleased so far - it just keeps getting better!
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Old 09-19-2006, 12:10 AM   #125 (permalink)
Henry
 
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The only problem I had was the driver window would'nt go up all the way. It was the showroom car with the top off when I bought it. don't consider that as mechanical, more cosmetic.
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Old 09-19-2006, 12:18 AM   #126 (permalink)
Henry
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wheelz
My car arrived in November, 3 months ahead of schedule!!

At the time of my initial oil change, I noted the following "issues"

1) Rattle in passenger door upon closing
Fixed
2) Missing mini plug for connecting MP3 player
Added
3) Brakes groan just before completing a stop
Replaced a scored rotor
4) Can't attach rear license plate (delivered with UK mounts)
Fixed
5) Driver side mirror appers to be the UK passenger side mirror. In other words, "objects are closer than they appear" in both side mirrors.
All of the cars on their lot were delivered this way. Interesting......
6) Significant static in AM radio when braking or signaling
Common problem in '06 cars. Waiting for a new wiring harness.

All in all, a very fun car that seems to be well built. I just wish it would stop raining!!
I'm missing my mp3 plug too!
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Old 11-04-2006, 07:38 PM   #127 (permalink)
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Coming on my 1-year anniversary, problems have included:

1) replaced ECU - wouldn't go "on cam" (warranty)
2) window registers adjusted to seal with roof (warranty)
3) drivers window register came loose and rattled two times. Bolt came off and fell out of the door one of those times (warranty)
4) new windshield which broke when having the microMorror installed (install shop replaced)
5) scraped front clam ($1000 repair my cost)
6) radio installer broke clips on instrument cluster housing... new housing (installer replaced)
7) bodyshop driver rearended while moving car. New rear clam. (Driver of truck paid)

Still waiting to get it back from the rear-ender. Just in time to go in the garage for winter (except for the rare sunny day here in the NW).

I figure if I can just get it back and in tha garage, it will be OK.
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Old 11-04-2006, 07:43 PM   #128 (permalink)
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I had some AC problems which were addressed under warranty by the selling dealer without issue. Otherwise, the car has been as reliable as anybody could hope for any car, not to mention a specialty sports car.
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Old 11-10-2006, 08:46 PM   #129 (permalink)
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Hello everyone, I'm new here. I just got my Elise two weeks ago! I love it. What a car. But unfortunately the day after I bought it some nut came off the shift linkage and I was stuck in first gear. The dealer was good enough to tow it back to his shop on his dime and fixed it up very quickly, and I was back driving again a week later.
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Old 11-10-2006, 08:48 PM   #130 (permalink)
Genius!
 
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There isn't an option about having "gravity" problems.

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Old 12-28-2006, 04:32 PM   #131 (permalink)
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Lotus problems

Mine is a 2006 Sport. it has not left me stranded. I had a few problems within the first 3 weeks of ownership. It has been perfect the last 5 months.

Latch switch broke at trunk

New key system do not shut of the electric system unless it is wiggled. Kills battery. Graphite helps

Both windows poorly adjusted with soft top 1/4 drivers & 3/8 passenger sides. Perfect fit with hard top go figure!

Plastic cover broken that covers seat belt

Great car love it! The dealer has been great
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Old 12-29-2006, 06:59 AM   #132 (permalink)
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I have had a minor "cosmetic" problems but no real mechanical trouble at all. The only thing that could of been considered mechanical was the reverse lockout ring comming loose but a little "goop" glue and it has been as good or better than new since.

Gotta love this car with exotic look and performance but solid as Toyota for the most part!!
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Old 12-29-2006, 07:13 AM   #133 (permalink)
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I have a 2005, on stage II number 3 (this one seems to be doing fine, new manufacturer?). Other than that the only problem is that I look for reasons to drive it, currently at 18k miles (previous owner liked to drive it too )......
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Old 03-24-2007, 09:05 AM   #134 (permalink)
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I just wanted to express my gratitude to those who have posted on this thread.

Usually, it's hard to get people who've just spent a small fortune on a car to acknowledge the car's shortcomings. On this thread, however, you folks have gone far above and beyond.

I was thinking of an Exige as a near daily, but after scanning this site, it's clear that such use may push the car outside its comfort zone.

Further, I'd expect a bit more in terms of fit and finish in a car at this price range. I understand that the driving experience these cars offer is unequaled, and it hurts that I can't afford to have one waiting for me in a garage for that hour's drive and/or occasional trip, but as a daily, I'll need to look elsewhere.
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Old 03-29-2007, 11:33 PM   #135 (permalink)
I can run very fast
 
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rattles everywhere...
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Old 05-23-2007, 10:04 AM   #136 (permalink)
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I got my elise 4 days ago, so no problems yet... but my cover in the interior on the side is kind of falling apart. But other then that... it drives beautifully.
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Old 05-23-2007, 11:49 AM   #137 (permalink)
It's never too light!
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FightWeight
I just wanted to express my gratitude to those who have posted on this thread.

Usually, it's hard to get people who've just spent a small fortune on a car to acknowledge the car's shortcomings. On this thread, however, you folks have gone far above and beyond.

I was thinking of an Exige as a near daily, but after scanning this site, it's clear that such use may push the car outside its comfort zone.

Further, I'd expect a bit more in terms of fit and finish in a car at this price range. I understand that the driving experience these cars offer is unequaled, and it hurts that I can't afford to have one waiting for me in a garage for that hour's drive and/or occasional trip, but as a daily, I'll need to look elsewhere.
As a biased NSX owner, may I suggest....... an NSX?

Seriously though, it's a "good compromise between the comfort side and the sporty side..." So says Ayrton Senna. Fit and finish is unparalleded for many many years since its intro. It's also the car that drove Ferrari and Lamborghini to rethink/revamp their quality standards.

Visit NSXprime if you haven't already, they are a very helpful community in your search for a clean low-mile NSX.

Good luck!
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Old 05-23-2007, 12:08 PM   #138 (permalink)
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Radiator hose leaked - warranty fix
Front turn signals lenses flew off - warranty fix
A/C not cold - warranty fix
Speedo off - who cares?
Rattles - come and go

Nothing else. Great car. Daily Driver.
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Old 05-23-2007, 12:11 PM   #139 (permalink)
It's a Lotus
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FightWeight
I just wanted to express my gratitude to those who have posted on this thread.

Usually, it's hard to get people who've just spent a small fortune on a car to acknowledge the car's shortcomings. On this thread, however, you folks have gone far above and beyond.

I was thinking of an Exige as a near daily, but after scanning this site, it's clear that such use may push the car outside its comfort zone.

Further, I'd expect a bit more in terms of fit and finish in a car at this price range. I understand that the driving experience these cars offer is unequaled, and it hurts that I can't afford to have one waiting for me in a garage for that hour's drive and/or occasional trip, but as a daily, I'll need to look elsewhere.
Your choice. But you're missing out on the most exciting daily drive there is.

Comfort zone?

You should be at another website...
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Old 05-23-2007, 12:49 PM   #140 (permalink)
....well, you are....
 
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Thumbs up

In the first 4500 miles, only one mechanical / Electrical concern, the rest were trim type concerns - very minor.

1. Engine loses power at random times as if ignition turned off/on again - ongoing.

2.Seat Belt Covers come apart
3. Window alignment w. soft top
4. Recall
5. Gas Flap stopper fell off
6. Inner trunk release cable came apart
7. Rattles - Who really cares... LOL
8. Clear coat flaking off passenger side rear 1/4 panel top edge... no impact.

Love the car, would do it again!

Steve
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