Requests to Lotus - Page 5 - LotusTalk

Joetz · 10-15-2005, 05:19 AM

I'm trying to think of things that wouldn't ruin the character of the car or add weight or too many $. Things I would change:

Some kind of skidplate by the front spoiler. My car has only made contact one time with asphalt and it did a lot of damage. I know there is some sort of plastic cover, but it's not substantial enough. If you can't come up with any kind of protection without adding weight, then maybe you could make the front spoiler a separate piece so it could be unbolted and replaced after it gets damaged.

How about a bumper made out of something more could take a small tap without costing 1000+ dollars to fix. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just some kind of bolt on piece made out of flexable plastic.

We have very hot and humid weather in many parts of the US and on days where it is 90-100 degrees fahrenheit, the Elise can not be driven. My car has cold a/c, but it can't keep up because the chassis gets too hot. Maybe the coolant hoses that run through the car could be better insulated. I also noticed that there is almost no difference in airflow between fan position one or three. I think the blower motor is powerful but it just can't move enough air. Maybe the elise needs bigger vents for more airflow, but using the Elise in july or august is almost completely out of the question because the heat makes driving unbearable.

FlyLo · 10-17-2005, 07:44 AM

Tilt steering wheel.

Race cars have removable steering wheels for a reason. You can't do that with an airbag, so a tilt wheel seems like a perfectly reasonable feature that would materially add to the functionality of the car. How much could it weigh? Could this be retrofitted to existing cars?

huncher · 10-17-2005, 07:51 AM

Make the tool used to remove/install the hard top 1" shorter.

Work on the shift linkage. Other mid-engined cars have smoother shifts. From Europas, through Esprits and now the Elise, Lotus, for all their engineering prowess, can never seem to get their arms around this.

LBC111 · 10-17-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Gibbs

Retrofitable factory supercharger, please.

It's coming!!

Spoke to Newport European yesterday, who spoke to Lotus last week, and it sounds like one is coming in '06 as a warrantied retrofit!!

vidoprof · 10-17-2005, 09:42 AM

And tons of dealers are saying that. Until there is a part number I would take it with a grain of salt.

Ryan

Better yet, until you can ORDER it I would take it with a grain of salt.

MyElise · 10-17-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBC111

It's coming!!

Spoke to Newport European yesterday, who spoke to Lotus last week, and it sounds like one is coming in '06 as a warrantied retrofit!!

JCW here we come.

Price?

andykeck · 10-17-2005, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBC111

It's coming!!

Spoke to Newport European yesterday, who spoke to Lotus last week, and it sounds like one is coming in '06 as a warrantied retrofit!!

I'll believe that when I see the press release from Lotus. Until then, I'll file that into the 'crazy things the dealers say' bin.

Surferjer · 10-17-2005, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Make the tool used to remove/install the hard top 1" shorter.

bwahahahaha! Yes, it's amazing the little things you discover when you actually have to live with a vehicle. Here's one: quit using the horrible inset hex bolts, and switch to a metric standard head bolt. The bolt heads might be better in tight places, but they strip easily. I try to replace each one I take out with something sturdier.

We're picking nits though. Don't change the big stuff. The Elise is a fabulous car.

TimMullen · 10-17-2005, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surferjer

quit using the horrible inset hex bolts, and switch to a metric standard head bolt. The bolt heads might be better in tight places, but they strip easily.

I just bought a supply of extra bolts when I discovered that the dealer had "stripped" the bolts that hold on the front cover and and the vents. I have no problem using my tools on them, but if you don't fulling insert the Allen head wrench, it does tend to strip...

Tyger · 10-17-2005, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surferjer

bwahahahaha! Yes, it's amazing the little things you discover when you actually have to live with a vehicle. Here's one: quit using the horrible inset hex bolts, and switch to a metric standard head bolt. The bolt heads might be better in tight places, but they strip easily. I try to replace each one I take out with something sturdier.

If you try to use the hex key on a torx bolt (which is used for the hard top) it will not work very well and will tend to strip it. Are you sure you're using the right one, Jer?

deblanc · 10-22-2005, 03:40 PM

Rotate the electric door lock button on the center console 90 degrees so that it moves up (unlock) and down (lock) instead of left and right. I can never remember which direction to toggle it to lock/unlock the doors.

Make the passenger seat movable. I know if will add some weight, but have you dropped anything behind it yet? Try to get your dropped CD or roadmap out from behind the passenger seat sometime. Or have you tried to clean behind it?

Full length carpet on the passenger side that goes under the (removable) footrest. For log legged passengers, the footrest is in the way. I removed it and now I have a half-carpeted passenger area.

Something to hold toll money.

YOU HAVE LIGHTS ON YOUR KEYS ?!?!?! My keys do not have built-in lights.

And of course, the smaller rear-view mirror.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some harder ones:

Cup holders. I can think of two possibilities. 1) Spring loaded ones that pop out of the driver and passenger cubbies in the dash, or 2) actual holes in the door sills. I'm looking into the cost to weld in a couple of oversized aluminum cups into the door sills that would hold a 'normal' sized stainless steel thermal mug. This shouldn't really add any weight and shouldn't affect structural integrity. These could double as change holders. You would need to remove your mug to get in and out of the car.

Adjustable steering wheel (tilt and length).

A radio with a knob and push buttons. The Lotus is a twitchy car and the radio requires some concentration to control. Kind of dangerous while you are driving. Then again, the sound is so bad you can't really hear it while you are driving anyway.

Better overall quality. I've had two dashboards, both had bubbles.

LotusFamily · 10-22-2005, 04:02 PM

Dear Lotus,
Please look into the possibility of making the outside mirrors electric, it's really hard to get them back to the proper location if someone else drives the vehicle and we have one of the worst cars for rearward visibility, so proper mirror placement is important. Would gladly trade electric windows for mirrors. Just a thought.

jtanner · 10-22-2005, 04:23 PM

Cup holders are coming in '06, and can be added to '05s. Check the thread on the 2006 options. An Alpine head unit (with satellite radio) is also coming as an option.

BTW, did I mention that the Deal's Gap meet rocked?

Jim

tvacc · 10-22-2005, 08:11 PM

To copy some of what others have said...

Cruise Control. It is just a program in the ECU and a switch. I would like to have it retroed to the current car.

Locking gas cap

Bigger fuel tank....would be nice..like only another 2 gal.

Accurate Speedometer (this is super important in the ol usa...6-7 mph off is rediculous and totally uncalled for)

Metal L O T U S letters instead of decals that come off easily.

Removable rear window like the S1 has (or one that goes up and down with a button)

Driving lights standard.

Lockable cubby in the cabin

A 90-94 Miata like sun visor. The stock Miata visor is a big as the Elises...but then it unfolds to 2 times it size. The design was out there...why did not use it?

Slag · 10-22-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deblanc

Rotate the electric door lock button on the center console 90 degrees so that it moves up (unlock) and down (lock) instead of left and right. I can never remember which direction to toggle it to lock/unlock the doors.

That's an easy fix - When I put my center console back on, I put the switch in that way (Thanks Neil!).

Dear Lotus-

More power in the Exige!!

TimMullen · 10-23-2005, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deblanc

Make the passenger seat movable. I know if will add some weight,

The passenger seat not moving has nothing to do with weight. The seats are offset to the right on the Fed car (opposite for RHD cars). The frame (sills) taper in on the sides. Even if the seat was on a track, it couldn't move forward as it would hit the sills.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvacc

Cruise Control. It is just a program in the ECU and a switch. I would like to have it retroed to the current car.

This might work with the 2006 throttle by wire system, but the 2005 models have a mechanical throttle - cruise control would be a lot more than an ECU update and a switch.

tvacc · 10-23-2005, 04:50 PM

Cruise control..

No...it really should not be. I have friends that converted Fords and such. If it is programmed into the ECU...as it is on the Fords...all you do is add the switch and connect to the harness. It is all done with the computer....

Now I agree you cannot adapt a 2006 system (if there is going to be one) to a 2005 because of the fly by wire..but if it was programmed into the ECU...than it would be simple..at least it is with other cars.

Again.....you never know however..I am not a ECU programmer or specialist. I was only describing what we did on other cars.

TimMullen · 10-23-2005, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvacc

Cruise control..

No...it really should not be. I have friends that converted Fords and such. If it is programmed into the ECU...as it is on the Fords...all you do is add the switch and connect to the harness. It is all done with the computer....

Maybe your friends Fords were "drive by wire". With an ECU controlled throttle (2006 Elise), the computer could be re-programmed to add a cruise control. But with a mechanical controlled throttle, something has to move it besides your foot. Since it can't be controlled by the ECU, a cruise control unit would have to be added (additional hardware). Usually they use vacuum to control a diaphragm to "pull" on the throttle cable. The cruise control unit can be controlled by the ECU, but it has to be done with hardware...

DesignIt · 10-23-2005, 05:33 PM

Adding a couple of things to my list.
1. Better contrast ratio between the LCD digits and background.
2. Easier to clean forged wheels. Specifically, use a ball-end mill bit instead of a square-end bit for the machining, and simplify the design. Also, my wheels have a very porous, rough silver paint which makes it almost impossible to get brake dust off. Had I known how bad these wheels are to clean I would have skipped the LSS option and bought a set of forged Volks.

P.S. I suppose another option would be to offer "brake dust gray" powdercoating.

John

jtanner · 10-23-2005, 07:21 PM

DesignIt, supposedly newer LSS wheels are clearcoated, and easier to clean than the first-gen painted ones.

Jim

10-22-2005, 03:40 PM	#91 (permalink)
deblanc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1	Here's some easy ones Rotate the electric door lock button on the center console 90 degrees so that it moves up (unlock) and down (lock) instead of left and right. I can never remember which direction to toggle it to lock/unlock the doors. Make the passenger seat movable. I know if will add some weight, but have you dropped anything behind it yet? Try to get your dropped CD or roadmap out from behind the passenger seat sometime. Or have you tried to clean behind it? Full length carpet on the passenger side that goes under the (removable) footrest. For log legged passengers, the footrest is in the way. I removed it and now I have a half-carpeted passenger area. Something to hold toll money. YOU HAVE LIGHTS ON YOUR KEYS ?!?!?! My keys do not have built-in lights. And of course, the smaller rear-view mirror. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some harder ones: Cup holders. I can think of two possibilities. 1) Spring loaded ones that pop out of the driver and passenger cubbies in the dash, or 2) actual holes in the door sills. I'm looking into the cost to weld in a couple of oversized aluminum cups into the door sills that would hold a 'normal' sized stainless steel thermal mug. This shouldn't really add any weight and shouldn't affect structural integrity. These could double as change holders. You would need to remove your mug to get in and out of the car. Adjustable steering wheel (tilt and length). A radio with a knob and push buttons. The Lotus is a twitchy car and the radio requires some concentration to control. Kind of dangerous while you are driving. Then again, the sound is so bad you can't really hear it while you are driving anyway. Better overall quality. I've had two dashboards, both had bubbles.

10-22-2005, 04:23 PM	#93 (permalink)
jtanner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 643	Cup holders are coming in '06, and can be added to '05s. Check the thread on the 2006 options. An Alpine head unit (with satellite radio) is also coming as an option. BTW, did I mention that the Deal's Gap meet rocked? Jim __________________ 2005 Ardent Red--Sport Pack--Hard Top

10-22-2005, 08:11 PM	#94 (permalink)
tvacc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,761	To copy some of what others have said... Cruise Control. It is just a program in the ECU and a switch. I would like to have it retroed to the current car. Locking gas cap Bigger fuel tank....would be nice..like only another 2 gal. Accurate Speedometer (this is super important in the ol usa...6-7 mph off is rediculous and totally uncalled for) Metal L O T U S letters instead of decals that come off easily. Removable rear window like the S1 has (or one that goes up and down with a button) Driving lights standard. Lockable cubby in the cabin A 90-94 Miata like sun visor. The stock Miata visor is a big as the Elises...but then it unfolds to 2 times it size. The design was out there...why did not use it? Last edited by tvacc : 10-22-2005 at 08:19 PM.

10-23-2005, 05:33 PM	#99 (permalink)
DesignIt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Magnolia TX Posts: 425	Adding a couple of things to my list. 1. Better contrast ratio between the LCD digits and background. 2. Easier to clean forged wheels. Specifically, use a ball-end mill bit instead of a square-end bit for the machining, and simplify the design. Also, my wheels have a very porous, rough silver paint which makes it almost impossible to get brake dust off. Had I known how bad these wheels are to clean I would have skipped the LSS option and bought a set of forged Volks. P.S. I suppose another option would be to offer "brake dust gray" powdercoating. John __________________ 1991 Miata "slightly" modified 2004 MINI Cooper S JCW 2005 CO LSS Elise 1948 MGTC 1957 Thunderbird

10-23-2005, 07:21 PM	#100 (permalink)
jtanner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 643	DesignIt, supposedly newer LSS wheels are clearcoated, and easier to clean than the first-gen painted ones. Jim __________________ 2005 Ardent Red--Sport Pack--Hard Top

10-15-2005, 05:19 AM	#81 (permalink)
Joetz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Stamford CT Posts: 378	I'm trying to think of things that wouldn't ruin the character of the car or add weight or too many $. Things I would change: Some kind of skidplate by the front spoiler. My car has only made contact one time with asphalt and it did a lot of damage. I know there is some sort of plastic cover, but it's not substantial enough. If you can't come up with any kind of protection without adding weight, then maybe you could make the front spoiler a separate piece so it could be unbolted and replaced after it gets damaged. How about a bumper made out of something more could take a small tap without costing 1000+ dollars to fix. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just some kind of bolt on piece made out of flexable plastic. We have very hot and humid weather in many parts of the US and on days where it is 90-100 degrees fahrenheit, the Elise can not be driven. My car has cold a/c, but it can't keep up because the chassis gets too hot. Maybe the coolant hoses that run through the car could be better insulated. I also noticed that there is almost no difference in airflow between fan position one or three. I think the blower motor is powerful but it just can't move enough air. Maybe the elise needs bigger vents for more airflow, but using the Elise in july or august is almost completely out of the question because the heat makes driving unbearable.

10-17-2005, 07:44 AM	#82 (permalink)
FlyLo Laughin' Easy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,863	Tilt steering wheel. Race cars have removable steering wheels for a reason. You can't do that with an airbag, so a tilt wheel seems like a perfectly reasonable feature that would materially add to the functionality of the car. How much could it weigh? Could this be retrofitted to existing cars?

10-17-2005, 07:51 AM	#83 (permalink)
huncher Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 244	Make the tool used to remove/install the hard top 1" shorter. Work on the shift linkage. Other mid-engined cars have smoother shifts. From Europas, through Esprits and now the Elise, Lotus, for all their engineering prowess, can never seem to get their arms around this.

10-17-2005, 09:42 AM	#85 (permalink)
vidoprof Patiently awaiting my car Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 594	And tons of dealers are saying that. Until there is a part number I would take it with a grain of salt. Ryan Better yet, until you can ORDER it I would take it with a grain of salt.

10-22-2005, 04:02 PM	#92 (permalink)
LotusFamily Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Greenfield, In. Posts: 720	Dear Lotus, Please look into the possibility of making the outside mirrors electric, it's really hard to get them back to the proper location if someone else drives the vehicle and we have one of the worst cars for rearward visibility, so proper mirror placement is important. Would gladly trade electric windows for mirrors. Just a thought.

10-23-2005, 04:50 PM	#97 (permalink)
tvacc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,761	Cruise control.. No...it really should not be. I have friends that converted Fords and such. If it is programmed into the ECU...as it is on the Fords...all you do is add the switch and connect to the harness. It is all done with the computer.... Now I agree you cannot adapt a 2006 system (if there is going to be one) to a 2005 because of the fly by wire..but if it was programmed into the ECU...than it would be simple..at least it is with other cars. Again.....you never know however..I am not a ECU programmer or specialist. I was only describing what we did on other cars.

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