Hi! New to me Lotus owner here... - LotusTalk

chris157c · 09-15-2009, 09:06 AM

Hello everyone! I just bought a 2006 Lotus Elise with 12300 miles on it just yesterday. I got it for the low end of what the car is worth, and am very pleased with it so far. I usually do maintenance to my cars myself, but for some reason, this car intimidates me when it comes to maintenance. I'm worried I might mess up the body or something. Do you guys work on your car, or do you take it to the dealership? On average, what do Lotus dealerships charge for routine maintenance? It kinda sucks the dealership is about 150 miles away, but I'm willing to take it there if you guys think it's best.

I am the type of person who should prolly not own this kind of car, simply because it costs what I make in a year! You can believe I wanna take care of this awesome car the best I can, just in case it turns out I bit off more than I can chew, and need to sell it.

I usually don't make decisions like getting an expensive (to me) car, but my wife thinks I'm just going through a midlife crisis. Problem is, I'm only 26!!!

She loves the car though...

I look forward to learning as much as I can from you guys, as I'm sure you all know a boat load more than me about this beast!!! Thanks for having me!

fpitas · 09-15-2009, 11:41 AM

Most dealers charge a lot for routine stuff, for no apparent reason except they can get it. Most routine maintenance is easy.

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f221...rthread-25131/

V-RAPTOR · 09-15-2009, 11:45 AM

This is actually the first car I have owned that I feel comfortable working on and performing maintenance, due in part to this forum and all the help here. +1 to reading the uberpost !

chazzer · 09-15-2009, 02:04 PM

Go to "[b]The Sands Mechanical Museum" and look up the posts on the Lotus Elise. Very helpful on routine maintenance and oil changes etc. ( with Photos) also. There are many posts on many easy modifications that you can do yourself. Read alot on here and you'll soon feel alot more relaxed when doing it yourself maintenance. Learn of the Jacking Points on the car and also how to take the Bottom panels off for maintenence.

There are very many skilled and educated guys and gals on this Forum that will have almost any answer to any Question you might have on the car. Just read and read and then ask questions - but Search first on the Search mode/ function. Have fun and Be safe out there..

LARRY · 09-15-2009, 03:42 PM

Post pictures of your car!

09-15-2009, 09:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
chris157c Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 8	Hi! New to me Lotus owner here... Hello everyone! I just bought a 2006 Lotus Elise with 12300 miles on it just yesterday. I got it for the low end of what the car is worth, and am very pleased with it so far. I usually do maintenance to my cars myself, but for some reason, this car intimidates me when it comes to maintenance. I'm worried I might mess up the body or something. Do you guys work on your car, or do you take it to the dealership? On average, what do Lotus dealerships charge for routine maintenance? It kinda sucks the dealership is about 150 miles away, but I'm willing to take it there if you guys think it's best. I am the type of person who should prolly not own this kind of car, simply because it costs what I make in a year! You can believe I wanna take care of this awesome car the best I can, just in case it turns out I bit off more than I can chew, and need to sell it. I usually don't make decisions like getting an expensive (to me) car, but my wife thinks I'm just going through a midlife crisis. Problem is, I'm only 26!!! She loves the car though... I look forward to learning as much as I can from you guys, as I'm sure you all know a boat load more than me about this beast!!! Thanks for having me!

09-15-2009, 11:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
fpitas User, Registered Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 1,827	Most dealers charge a lot for routine stuff, for no apparent reason except they can get it. Most routine maintenance is easy. http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f221...rthread-25131/ __________________ Francis 2006 Chrome Orange Elise: LSD/TC, Nitron SAs with 425/650 springs, BWR 7/8" Front Bar, Eliseparts bumpsteer kit, VF Stage 2, 2bular Header + Sport Cat + 8x24 GT3 Muffler, ECU Tune by Jermaine, Smaay's fuel rail, ACT XT clutch, Saikou Michi dual catch can, Moroso pan, Manly's mount inserts & FF Engine Damper 2000 Black Integra Type R: - 213,000 miles...running again!

09-15-2009, 11:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
V-RAPTOR STARLIGHT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NOVA (Winchester) Posts: 656	This is actually the first car I have owned that I feel comfortable working on and performing maintenance, due in part to this forum and all the help here. +1 to reading the uberpost ! __________________ 2005 Starlight Black Biscuit Interior // Hard Top // Von Hep Exhaust // Von Hep Rear Delete // Full Heat Shield Removed // Fujita CAI // Rota Torque Wheels W/ Toyo R1R's // ForceFed Carbon Fiber Splitter // Carbon Fiber Engine lid cover // LidBone // JL Audio VR525-CXi Front and Rear // Micro Mirror // Painted interior bits // Bling Buttons // Darth Holder

09-15-2009, 02:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
chazzer Home Grown Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Provo, Utah Posts: 90	Welcome aboard Go to "[b]The Sands Mechanical Museum" and look up the posts on the Lotus Elise. Very helpful on routine maintenance and oil changes etc. ( with Photos) also. There are many posts on many easy modifications that you can do yourself. Read alot on here and you'll soon feel alot more relaxed when doing it yourself maintenance. Learn of the Jacking Points on the car and also how to take the Bottom panels off for maintenence. There are very many skilled and educated guys and gals on this Forum that will have almost any answer to any Question you might have on the car. Just read and read and then ask questions - but Search first on the Search mode/ function. Have fun and Be safe out there.. __________________ 2005 Elise Saffron Yellow- Janspeed Stage II exhaust, Soft top, Hard top, Painted center console, Painted valve covers, Starshield, Extra seat padding mod, shifter reinforcement mod, locking gas cap mod. 2001 Porsche Boxster (sold) 2008 Nissan Xterra 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse

09-15-2009, 03:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,150	Post pictures of your car! __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

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