...and her name is Elise

[the1sen]

So, I just picked up my Elise ... photos coming she is a 2005, beautiful starlight black with a red interior, touring package and she rocks.

She is the best motorcycle on the road.

Please do not misunderstand the following comments - I am VERY happy with my purchase, but have a few questions after the ride home...

1. there is a smell emanating from somewhere. I noticed that my eyes were burning/watering badly on the way home and now I have a sore throat. I am unfamiliar with the scent. It's not antifreeze or oil. smells almost like brake cleaner and gas mixed... anyway, I took the roof off and it was still there... and it's ultra potent. any ideas?

2. the steering wheel is cocked to the right when i am going straight... ? how do I fix that one?

3. the car has rusted rotor hubs. The mechanic at Lotus says it's surface rust. I want to clean an paint it... so I pulled the lug nuts and had the car jacked up but couldn't pull the wheels off. I tried pulling the Lotus emblem off but couldn't. What am I missing?

4. brake pedal seems soft? softer than the one I test drove. ????

5. the fan for the HVAC is not working. I checked the fuse below the dash, it was ok... Ideas?

The car has a silver trumpet looking intake and a Stage II exhaust. When at speed, it drones somewhat, but not so bad.

I really really really really really like this car.

[Randy Chase]

1. It is easy to overfill and spill gas. Otherwise it is residue from some cleaning or something.

2. Needs an alignment. Not sure if this is something to tackle yourself. How handy are you?

3. Surface rust on the rotors is normal. Maybe that is why the wheel is stuck. You should not have to pull off the center caps with the emblems.

4. They are all different and can be tweaked to some extent.

5. Make sure the fan switch pack on the upper wheel well of the front passenger side is plugged in. Otherwise, I have no idea.

[the1sen]

thanks.

I'm going to have a nifty little drive tomorrow...

Overfill gas? Hmm... I shall search and see how to prevent this! Thank you.

[Phx Cobra]

Try using a rubber mallet to break the rust free and pull the wheels off.


Is it still under warrenty?
Either way if you bring it into Scottsdale lotus grab andy or chad and I am sure they can get you sorted out.
Mine had the issue with the a/c and ended up being the resistor pack, though mine still worked on low and medium setting. The replaced it no questions asked.

[Phx Cobra]

Also, I threw on new pads on mine and after bleeding the pedal feel was awesome.
Try bleeding them, you don't even need to take the wheels off.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by Phx Cobra

Try using a rubber mallet to break the rust free and pull the wheels off.


Is it still under warrenty?
Either way if you bring it into Scottsdale lotus grab andy or chad and I am sure they can get you sorted out.
Mine had the issue with the a/c and ended up being the resistor pack, though mine still worked on low and medium setting. The replaced it no questions asked.

Yes, I agree that they seem to be very nice gentlemen.

I will bring it to their attention. It is still under warranty, so I am sure it won't be an issue. I realize they are only 2 people though. Didn't know if it was anything I could handle without having to bother them.

[serpent]

congrats!!!

you've been here long enough to know we want pics!!!!

[Bavarian Motorist]

Drive it and the rust will go


Good luck!!

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by serpent

congrats!!!

you've been here long enough to know we want pics!!!!

Thanks sir.

Yes, they are forthcoming today... I promise.

[Darkside Eng]

It seems like we have the same car lol.

Starlight black rocks!

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by Darkside

It seems like we have the same car lol.

Starlight black rocks!

Yeah, but you have the cool little stripes and black wheels.

by the way, Starlight Black is the fastest color.

[Interceptor]

Congrats man.. I'd get your alignment fixed asap.

[milehitom]

Originally Posted by the1sen

So, I just picked up my Elise ... photos coming she is a 2005, beautiful starlight black with a red interior, touring package and she rocks.

First off-Congratulations!

Originally Posted by the1sen

5. the fan for the HVAC is not working. I checked the fuse below the dash, it was ok... Ideas?

Make sure the drain holes have been drilled near the resistor pack. There was a tsb about it-warranty item. Condensation can accumulate there and short the resistor pack out.

Sounds like a few minor issues and you will be rockin'!

Tom

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by milehitom

First off-Congratulations!

Make sure the drain holes have been drilled near the resistor pack. There was a tsb about it-warranty item. Condensation can accumulate there and short the resistor pack out.

Sounds like a few minor issues and you will be rockin'!

Tom

Hey, Thank you!

I'm rockin' anyway -

I am sure the Lotus Dealer is going to take care of the car. It's so awesome. I got a hard top for it tonight from Phoenix Cobra and he helped me put it on.

I also finally got a chance to take a photo. so here it is...

[the1sen]

Photos!

[cdn_alien]

Congratulations! And welcome to the Lotus family.

I love the red/black combination.

I had the rusted wheel centers too. Andy cleaned it off under warranty.

My fan/speed was fritzing on/off/one-speed-only. The contacts on the resister pack was heavily rusted. It was replaced under warranty and they drilled holes to get rid of the A/C condensation (service bulletin).

You are going to have a blast. Have you hugged your Lotus today?

[qu1Z]

Looks good - just smoke out the taillights and powder coat the rims and you're set.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by cdn_alien

Congratulations! And welcome to the Lotus family.

I love the red/black combination.

I had the rusted wheel centers too. Andy cleaned it off under warranty.

My fan/speed was fritzing on/off/one-speed-only. The contacts on the resister pack was heavily rusted. It was replaced under warranty and they drilled holes to get rid of the A/C condensation (service bulletin).

You are going to have a blast. Have you hugged your Lotus today?

Yeah, I am sure they are going to take care of it. It's going to be a LOT of fun. Andy is an awfully nice guy. So is Chad.

good thing it's not too hot right now. LOL...

you gotta see it in person - it is INCREDIBLE... and YES I hugged it!

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by qu1Z

Looks good - just smoke out the taillights and powder coat the rims and you're set.

LMAO - you're on the right track.

I actually ordered raised/beveled black Lotus lettering and just had the windows tinted (my guy did a great job cdn_alien).

Waiting for some warranty parts to come and some more goodies...

[IXLR8]

Originally Posted by the1sen

LMAO - you're on the right track.

I actually ordered raised/beveled black Lotus lettering and just had the windows tinted (my guy did a great job cdn_alien).

Waiting for some warranty parts to come and some more goodies...

I wouldn't dare smoke out the tail lens.
Not on a car like this.
Those are EURO tail lights.........note that they light up in halves UNLIKE the leds on the newer models.
The red accentualtes black perfectly.
If you were to find a metallic red lettering kit.......that to would look killa on black.

Black was my first choice when I started looking at Lotus'.
I then retracted this after having owned two Nissan 300zx's, one a twin turbo , the other a NA older model. In other words, I thought about it first.
Black is a bitch to keep clean.........and any little mark or smudge shows clearly.
That's why I went with red instead.
Come to think of it, this is why my last 4 cars have been red.

There is no FINER color on a Lotus Elise than black........in my opinion.
I just couldn't bring myself to go through the HELL it takes to keep a black car up. NOT AGAIN............

PS, I'd also lose the fender striping...........as a former Corvette owner, many in our clan would stripe their fenders.........I always thought it looked stupid and took away, rather than added. But that's just me.

PS again - I can see from the photos that your side vents need attention.
Get a rag and armor all...........polish those suckers down uintil your rag is clear of all the black/neglect that comes off.
Then buy yourself some " black wow" polish it in, follow instruction, and they will look like new again.
Same for the front grills.

Any slight inperfections in the paint, I'd recommend "Dr. Color chip" . Comes right to your door for like 40 bucks, brush included and works as well or better than any other touch up.

ENJOY THE CAR.
Much like you I have a racebike background.