"Light damage" ... riiiigghhhhht

[charliex]

look at this one for $20K from auto europe, if you can get the other one up and running and the frame isn't damaged, i bet you're going to be in the same ballpark.

eBay Motors: Lotus : Elise (item 170293829638 end time Jan-18-09 20:12:30 PST)

actually scratch that i didn't see the windshield and wheel damage.

[E_Swift]

Originally Posted by charliex

look at this one for $20K from auto europe, if you can get the other one up and running and the frame isn't damaged, i bet you're going to be in the same ballpark.

eBay Motors: Lotus : Elise (item 170293829638 end time Jan-18-09 20:12:30 PST)

actually scratch that i didn't see the windshield and wheel damage.

Funny, we actually looked at this yellow Michigan car a few months ago when it was priced at $14k locally. Also the driver door mounting to the chassis on the yellow ebay one is completely... fubar.

The nice thing was that it actually had some of the lights intact!

[charliex]

yeah 14k/10k it'd be the one, but at 20k with that level of damage, too much..

i saw a red and white stripe for less, but i can't believe its not completely totalled as its a roll over.

they always look really bad because of the dirt and fibreglass, i'd want to laser the frame and see if its ok, but otherwise it doesn't look that bad.

[E_Swift]

Here's a load of pictures taken this weekend, have I missed anything?

We're not looking to rebuild a concourse car. Rather a street-legal track car - that's what an Elise is, after all, isn't it?

Do let me know if there is a disaster that I have missed!

I know I don't have suspension parts on my list yet, and there is something clearly off in one of the front corners due to visible and excessive toe-in. Assuming the lower front mounting points don't show distortion once I have the car on stands and the wheels off, I will probably get it tomorrow. If they do, I'm running like hell!

x

[cornbeef]

how bad could it have been hit if the airbags didn't deploy?

[cd4age]

Maybe we're just misunderstanding the ad maybe they meant light as in weight reduction cuz it looks alot lighter now that it's missing all the bodywork

[E_Swift]

Originally Posted by cd4age

Maybe we're just misunderstanding the ad maybe they meant light as in weight reduction cuz it looks alot lighter now that it's missing all the bodywork

Perhaps you're on to something! Based on the remaining visible damage, I'm guessing that the lights, etc probably "walked off" in any of the lots the car has been sitting since it was wrecked last Oct. At least, I doubt they all were completely unsalvageable. Luckily, all the glass is still good and the key and fob haven't gone missing.

Originally Posted by cornbeef

how bad could it have been hit if the airbags didn't deploy?

That was my thought as well...

[Aedo]

I'd like to know how often they have started it to demo it since there is no radiator or coolant

In this photo it seems the wishbone may be bent - although it could simply be distortion in the image - worth checking


Can't see anything else that jumps out. As you say - putting in your own labour will reduce the cost and you may achieve a sub $20k repair. In terms of items you need the front indicator lights are a few hundred each. Not very recent but the following quote details some major component costs including the crash structure:

Originally Posted by akandok

Those prices are close to what I got

Front crash Structure = 1204.97
Chassis = 8706.29
Oil cooler = 358.37
Rear clam = 2362.09
Front clam = 2124.23

Originally Posted by cornbeef

how bad could it have been hit if the airbags didn't deploy?

Airbags deploy in a frontal impact above a certain deceleration figure. The damage to this car looks like it could have been in a spin, wiping front and rear off but no big deceleration .

[Conan]

Originally Posted by E_Swift

Rather, explain to me how I won't be able to get this on the road for less than $17k.

Actually, $17K in parts is what I estimated as well. So, even putting a value of $0.00 on your time you have:

$17,000.00  Parts
$ 8,900.00  Car
----------
$25,900.00 Total

You can buy an '05 in near perfect condition for close to that (or even equal to it, if you're patient). So I think that says it right there.

[xtn]

Originally Posted by E_Swift

Rather, explain to me how I won't be able to get this on the road for less than $17k. (don't forget, 100% free labor via sweat equity)

The only things I don't have prices for are the crash structure and the front indicator lights. Plus, surely some of these parts could be found used.

Car starts right up, no warning lights or apparent issues thoughout warm-up.

When I threw out the $30K figure, it was figuring having a really good shop to the work. So you could certainly do it for less! But you should at the very least add 50% to your budget spreadsheet. There will be more parts necessary than you've listed of course; such is the nature of projects like this.

Just glancing at a few of the pics I'll guess:

upper radiator shroud,
radiator,
A/C condenser, plus cost to recharge system,
front underpanel,
possible oil cooler shroud/mount? Doesn't look like damage to actual coolers?
Can't tell what's up with the sway bar end link pics? Doesn't look right?

And a hundred misc fasteners, clips, retainers, etc.

The main attach points do look okay, at least the ones pictured. There is a simple procedure for checking squareness of the chassis outlined in the service manual. If you're going to have it up in the air I suggest you check that, but it LOOKS like it would probably be okay from the pics. Wouldn't risk it based on looks along though... check it yourself!

xtn

[choi0706]

Originally Posted by Conan

Actually, $17K in parts is what I estimated as well. So, even putting a value of $0.00 on your time you have:

$17,000.00  Parts
$ 8,900.00  Car
----------
$25,900.00 Total

You can buy an '05 in near perfect condition for close to that (or even equal to it, if you're patient). So I think that says it right there.

ditto.. theres a chrome orange elise for sale for 24.5k under cars for sale.. no accidents too..

[E_Swift]

Thanks for the help, comments, and criticism all.

The car is now safe at home in the garage. Look out for a future thread with the build-up.

You are probably right that if I replace every single broken, missing, or lightly scuffed part with a new copy straight from the dealer, and farm out the labor, it will end up that expensive. I can tell you now that is not the intended path with this project. I'll be updating my spreadsheet - in the end we'll see where it ends up. I was never looking for nor intending to build a concourse car. Perhaps we will dispel some myths about what it takes to bring a straight, salvage elise into a street-registered, track-intended car.

Aedo, that wishbone may indeed be bent, bard hard to tell against a straight edge while still on the car. I found that the primary issue with the front suspension (extreme toe-in) is that the passenger tie rod's ball joint has separated. All of the suspension mounts look pristine. I did most of the recommended frame measurements outlined in the service literature, and she looks straight!

Detailed pics to come... but not tonight!

[charliex]

Good luck man, it'll be interesting to see where you go with it.

I don't think its a myth though, its all about the level of damage, where it is and what you define as acceptable, you might be lucking out.

[Aedo]

Best wishes with the work - should be fun and probably frustrating at the same time

[Mr. Know]

I guess that "Welcome to the Lotus Family" is in order. However, I don't envy that hill you are going to climb...good luck.

[mzizzle]

Hi all! This is E Swift's wife. We realize we could get one in much better condition for less than we will probably put into this one, but we don't want instant gratification. We are both really excited about having a project to work on together, for us that's the fun part!

[mjf]

Good luck to you both and welcome to the forums!

[Tickle]

E-Swift, Be sure to talk to your local DMV before you begin the project. There are often hidden steps in getting a car title transferred from a salvage to a street.

We had a local Chicago member who just went through the same process that you are about to undertake. However he didn't get the DMV information until he was finished. He almost wasn't able to get the title fixed due to not following the specific rules.

I don't know the whole story, but I believe that he had to disassemble part of the car so that a "State Authorized" mechanic finished and signed of on the work.

Be very careful and get all the information before you start buying parts.

[E_Swift]

Originally Posted by Tickle

E-Swift, Be sure to talk to your local DMV before you begin the project. There are often hidden steps in getting a car title transferred from a salvage to a street.

We had a local Chicago member who just went through the same process that you are about to undertake. However he didn't get the DMV information until he was finished. He almost wasn't able to get the title fixed due to not following the specific rules.

I don't know the whole story, but I believe that he had to disassemble part of the car so that a "State Authorized" mechanic finished and signed of on the work.

Be very careful and get all the information before you start buying parts.

Thanks Tickle.

The process is quite a bit more lax here in Indiana as I understand it. Basically, a police officer must make an inspection. The primary intent of the process in Indiana is to physically check the chassis VIN, engine, and other serial numbers to make sure you have not used any parts from an unrecovered stolen, or supposed-to-have-been crushed vehicle. It is important that one keeps track of all receipts and source VIN numbers from donor parts cars!

http://www.in.gov/icpr/webfile/formsdiv/44606.pdf

[E_Swift]

Link to the new build-up thread: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/e...edition-67486/