New member, shopping for an Elise. - LotusTalk

GammaB · 10-11-2009, 09:57 PM

I've been shopping around for an elise lately and stumbled upon one with a great price and low mileage. I went out and took a look at it today, but I need to get a few questions answered about the cars, and it seems like this forum has a great knowledge base.

The first thing I noticed about the car was that the rear diffuser sections were missing, is this a common problem, a sign of abuse, or simply an oversight by the seller? There also seemed to be a film on the paint. I am assuming this is the starshield? Anything else I should look out for when looking over an elise? I'll obviously be doing a carfax, having it checked out by a mechanic, and making sure it passes my own driving test. Just want to see if theres anything I'm overlooking. The car I am looking at is an 05, with just 8k miles on it.

rear diffuser

paint film:

Thanks!

Seb · 10-11-2009, 10:07 PM

Ask the owner what the hell happened there. It's totally missing.

Get the car up on a lift (using the correct method, or else it'll fall off) and check out the underside of the car.

Carfax is only useful in telling you when you are looking at a destroyed car. It doesn't always mean you're looking at a clean car when there is no iffy report on it. My brothers Elise has had loads of bodywork plus about 20 dealership visits, and yet it comes up clean.

If there is no good explanation as to why the diffuser is missing, walk away.

kestrel74 · 10-12-2009, 04:21 AM

Who would sell a car without a diffuser ?? !!

Yes, that's a clear bra ( Starshield ) but the crack in the clam just above the reflector isn't normal. I'd be asking questions about this car !

Tejs · 10-14-2009, 03:42 PM

Something is definitely not right if there is no diffuser. I'd walk away, there are tons of better taken care of loti (?) on the for sale section here.

rackhenry · 10-14-2009, 04:03 PM

This car in the San Diego CL??????

GammaB · 10-18-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rackhenry

This car in the San Diego CL??????

yeah, i went up and took a look at it in my search. I ran a carfax on this thing, found it it had multiple issues. Guy told me the car had no problems. I find it hard to believe that people think they can pull a fast one, especially when theres a million ways to get caught.

GR82DRV · 10-18-2009, 05:46 PM

You did right to run this past the Forum here. It's really difficult to slip a shady deal past this crowd...

Good luck on your hunt.

10-11-2009, 09:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
GammaB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	New member, shopping for an Elise. I've been shopping around for an elise lately and stumbled upon one with a great price and low mileage. I went out and took a look at it today, but I need to get a few questions answered about the cars, and it seems like this forum has a great knowledge base. The first thing I noticed about the car was that the rear diffuser sections were missing, is this a common problem, a sign of abuse, or simply an oversight by the seller? There also seemed to be a film on the paint. I am assuming this is the starshield? Anything else I should look out for when looking over an elise? I'll obviously be doing a carfax, having it checked out by a mechanic, and making sure it passes my own driving test. Just want to see if theres anything I'm overlooking. The car I am looking at is an 05, with just 8k miles on it. rear diffuser paint film: Thanks! Last edited by GammaB : 10-11-2009 at 10:21 PM.

10-12-2009, 04:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,312	Who would sell a car without a diffuser ?? !! Yes, that's a clear bra ( Starshield ) but the crack in the clam just above the reflector isn't normal. I'd be asking questions about this car ! __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

10-14-2009, 03:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tejs I like less than 2.0L Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Addison, TX Posts: 148	Something is definitely not right if there is no diffuser. I'd walk away, there are tons of better taken care of loti (?) on the for sale section here. __________________ 2005 Ardent Red Lotus Elise View 2007 Sunlight Silver Mazda RX-8 View

10-14-2009, 04:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
rackhenry Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 177	This car in the San Diego CL?????? __________________ 2006 Lotus Exige - Mods: Lotus Sport ECU, Stage Two Exhaust, RTV Brace, V2 Arms, Harness Bar, Hawk HT-10 pads

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10-11-2009, 10:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Seb <3 QR25DE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 754	Ask the owner what the hell happened there. It's totally missing. Get the car up on a lift (using the correct method, or else it'll fall off) and check out the underside of the car. Carfax is only useful in telling you when you are looking at a destroyed car. It doesn't always mean you're looking at a clean car when there is no iffy report on it. My brothers Elise has had loads of bodywork plus about 20 dealership visits, and yet it comes up clean. If there is no good explanation as to why the diffuser is missing, walk away.

10-18-2009, 05:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
GR82DRV Et tu Lotus? Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 197	You did right to run this past the Forum here. It's really difficult to slip a shady deal past this crowd... Good luck on your hunt.

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