Looking to buy an Elise that had been in an accident - LotusTalk

DrFatz · 04-18-2009, 01:21 PM

Hi all! I am new to this forum, but have been on the Esprit forums for years. I have spent the last 3 years totally rebuilding a wrecked Esprit which has been a ton of work, but really rewarding as well. Either way I am now looking at getting a used Elise from a (non Lotus) dealer. The car is beautiful with low millage and is the color and has the options that I want. The ONLY problem is the CarFax has the car listed as having been in a front end accident. The car was fixed and then driven around for several more years and was then picked up by this dealer. My question is should I be concerned about the Elise having been in a front end accident? I know Lotus says that the front crash frame can just be removed and a new one bonded in place, but are there going to be problems down the road? The car looks like it was fixed properly, but who can ever be sure. I am really hesitant because of the accident report, but this car is right in my price range and its exactly what I want!

Any comments would be appreciated!

Flash G · 04-18-2009, 01:31 PM

Post the VIN

.

wantanelise · 04-18-2009, 06:43 PM

Ask the dealer what the history of the car is. If they hide it,, pass. If they're honest then thats a plus. Car should be under 25k though!

Minnis · 04-18-2009, 09:17 PM

I repaired this to better than new and the crash structure as well, granted I know what I'm doing, but you should be fine. A lot of Elise's have been repaired.

DrFatz · 04-19-2009, 12:54 AM

Here is the VIN: SCCPC11176HL32206
The dealer is a non lotus dealer so they really don't know anything about Lotus because they got it on a trade. However, I managed to find the dealer who originally sold the car and serviced it and will be giving them a call on Monday. I guess my main concern is that the chassis is in good shape. I am "assuming" that if the damage was at all severe ie more than a front crash structure it would have needed a new chassis. To replace the front crash structure do you need to temper the adhesive like they do during the original chassis construction? Also what is the story on the front clam? Do people repair those or is it easier to just order a new one?

Cheers!

Aedo · 04-19-2009, 06:30 AM

The front crash structure is attached with a room tep curing adhesive - different to the chassis adhesive. In terms off clam replacement rather than repair there are two points - firstly it is unlikely that much was left of the original if the crash structure was damaged - and secondly the fibreglass is very thin (2mm) and not easy to repair beyond minor damage.

DrFatz · 04-19-2009, 11:17 AM

Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for? I assume the only people that fix these cars usually are Lotus dealers?

xtn · 04-19-2009, 04:50 PM

That would not be a wise assumption. There are many threads on this board dealing with individuals attempting to repair damaged cars, some including chassis damage.

I would inspect all suspension attachment points and the materials surrounding same for any signs of something being damaged or any signs of previous repair.

xtn

DrFatz · 04-21-2009, 04:09 PM

I have the car scheduled to be inspected by a Lotus dealer. We shall see!

Aedo · 04-21-2009, 06:20 PM

All the best!

04-18-2009, 01:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
DrFatz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stanford, CA Posts: 7	Looking to buy an Elise that had been in an accident Hi all! I am new to this forum, but have been on the Esprit forums for years. I have spent the last 3 years totally rebuilding a wrecked Esprit which has been a ton of work, but really rewarding as well. Either way I am now looking at getting a used Elise from a (non Lotus) dealer. The car is beautiful with low millage and is the color and has the options that I want. The ONLY problem is the CarFax has the car listed as having been in a front end accident. The car was fixed and then driven around for several more years and was then picked up by this dealer. My question is should I be concerned about the Elise having been in a front end accident? I know Lotus says that the front crash frame can just be removed and a new one bonded in place, but are there going to be problems down the road? The car looks like it was fixed properly, but who can ever be sure. I am really hesitant because of the accident report, but this car is right in my price range and its exactly what I want! Any comments would be appreciated!

04-18-2009, 01:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Flash G Double Trouble Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Hills Posts: 3,178	Post the VIN . __________________ Turn your flatscreen TV into a work of art. Modern Art DVD \| Plasma Aquarium DVD \| Widescreen Fireplace DVD 11 Esprit??? (Wish List) 07 Exige S - Ardent Red, Stage II Exhaust, LSD, Touring pack 06 Range Rover Sport - Java Black 05 Elise - Ardent Red, Stage II Exhaust, Touring pack

04-18-2009, 09:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Minnis '010 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vegas/Phila. Posts: 770 Images: 1	I repaired this to better than new and the crash structure as well, granted I know what I'm doing, but you should be fine. A lot of Elise's have been repaired. Attached Images

04-19-2009, 04:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
xtn McLareghini Bugatterrari Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 6,845	That would not be a wise assumption. There are many threads on this board dealing with individuals attempting to repair damaged cars, some including chassis damage. I would inspect all suspension attachment points and the materials surrounding same for any signs of something being damaged or any signs of previous repair. xtn __________________ 2006 McLareghini Bugatterrari, Storm Titanium... <mods> installed: air horn, Scroth 4-point ASM harnesses, Sector111 halon extinguisher and mounting bracket, Von Hep exhaust and rear panel delete, Pagid brake pads, red Volks CE28n wheels, Toyo RA-1 tires, Nitron SA coilovers, Sector111 (WorksBell) quick-disconnect steering wheel kit. awaiting installation: Scroth "pull-up" lap belts, Sector111 RTD Brace, Tony's heater bypass mod, and dropped steering rack mounting plates. </mods>

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04-18-2009, 06:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
wantanelise Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: upstate NY Posts: 1,298	Ask the dealer what the history of the car is. If they hide it,, pass. If they're honest then thats a plus. Car should be under 25k though!

04-19-2009, 12:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
DrFatz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stanford, CA Posts: 7	Here is the VIN: SCCPC11176HL32206 The dealer is a non lotus dealer so they really don't know anything about Lotus because they got it on a trade. However, I managed to find the dealer who originally sold the car and serviced it and will be giving them a call on Monday. I guess my main concern is that the chassis is in good shape. I am "assuming" that if the damage was at all severe ie more than a front crash structure it would have needed a new chassis. To replace the front crash structure do you need to temper the adhesive like they do during the original chassis construction? Also what is the story on the front clam? Do people repair those or is it easier to just order a new one? Cheers!

04-19-2009, 06:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
Aedo anglophile in exile Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 2,569 Images: 88	The front crash structure is attached with a room tep curing adhesive - different to the chassis adhesive. In terms off clam replacement rather than repair there are two points - firstly it is unlikely that much was left of the original if the crash structure was damaged - and secondly the fibreglass is very thin (2mm) and not easy to repair beyond minor damage.

04-19-2009, 11:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
DrFatz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stanford, CA Posts: 7	Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for? I assume the only people that fix these cars usually are Lotus dealers?

04-21-2009, 04:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
DrFatz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stanford, CA Posts: 7	I have the car scheduled to be inspected by a Lotus dealer. We shall see!

04-21-2009, 06:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Aedo anglophile in exile Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 2,569 Images: 88	All the best!

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