Elise model year changes - LotusTalk

Dasher · 02-17-2013, 01:14 PM

I've been researching a lot and having a hard time finding any detailed info of all variations between model years (used search function, sorry if I missed a thread like this). I'm looking at 2005 to 2008ish Elises. Was the engine always the same 1.8L? Electronic throttle control came in 2008? What else is reasonably significant that I would want to keep in mind while looking for my first Elise?

Drew09 · 02-17-2013, 01:45 PM

They went to electric throttle in 2006. The 2006 seats are probax seats which are more comfortable than the 2005.

volvoqn88 · 02-17-2013, 02:16 PM

Don't forget the "coffee thong"

I think that was 2006 too...

kestrel74 · 02-17-2013, 02:21 PM

05's were the quickest ( Especially the Orange ones )

Drew09 · 02-17-2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestrel74

05's were the quickest ( Especially the Orange ones )

Chrome orange is definitely the fastest color.

SirLotus · 02-17-2013, 03:23 PM

Other than supercharging in later years, most significant was that from 2006, a limited slip diff and traction control became an available option.
Michael

Mr.C · 02-17-2013, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvoqn88

Don't forget the "coffee thong"

I think that was 2006 too...

But only as an option.

And I can't remember when the bumperettes were added. Was that in 2007 or 2008? And the head lights changed in 2007. LED tail lights were added in 2006.
The standard non sport pack cars came with single oil coolers except for a few early '05 which had dual coolers without the sport pack. And then there was the change from anodized to painted wheels when you had LSS between 2005 and 2006, and there was also a rim width change of the LSS wheels from 6,5" to 6" but I can't remember when that happened. And at some point Lotus ran out of the LSS wheels and installed Euro style wheels on some of the cars.
I'm sure there are a few more...

And Storm Titanium is faster than that color with the name of a shiny fruit

Dasher · 02-17-2013, 06:29 PM

Ok, good information, thank you. (I don't have a favorite color yet... just can't decide but calling Chrome Orange a shiny fruit made me laugh)

juniorbean43 · 02-19-2013, 10:19 AM

^ IMO... don't get too caught up with color. Find one that has everything you want in the condition you are looking for, and go for it. You can always do a vinyl wrap later to change the color...

Dylan · 02-19-2013, 10:43 AM

white to black gauges
short wheel caps versus tall wheel caps
Sensosoft rubberized matte-finish interior panels versus glossy
pre-wired/not pre-wired for driving lights (which is not exactly what it sounds like).
up-shift lights
Blaupunkt to Alpine
Probably others

Dasher · 02-20-2013, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan

white to black gauges
short wheel caps versus tall wheel caps
Sensosoft rubberized matte-finish interior panels versus glossy
pre-wired/not pre-wired for driving lights (which is not exactly what it sounds like).
up-shift lights
Blaupunkt to Alpine
Probably others

Do you know what years these changes took place? It sounds like the biggest changes were the addition of TCS and limited slip dif in 06....

addertooth · 02-20-2013, 04:51 AM

Dasher,
TCS and LSD were *available*, but not on every car, especially the LSD. Most people will tell you they drive with the TCS off.

Dasher · 02-20-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addertooth

Dasher,
TCS and LSD were *available*, but not on every car, especially the LSD. Most people will tell you they drive with the TCS off.

Right, I misspoke (mistyped?). Thanks for the clarification. I think I'd drive with TCS off if I ended up getting one with it.. I just like to know whats out there! I'm an engineer, I over analyze everything

02-17-2013, 01:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 9	Elise model year changes I've been researching a lot and having a hard time finding any detailed info of all variations between model years (used search function, sorry if I missed a thread like this). I'm looking at 2005 to 2008ish Elises. Was the engine always the same 1.8L? Electronic throttle control came in 2008? What else is reasonably significant that I would want to keep in mind while looking for my first Elise?

02-17-2013, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
volvoqn88 Emily Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 98	Don't forget the "coffee thong" I think that was 2006 too... __________________ 2005 Elise (Ardent Red) 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 1984 Volvo 240 Turbo

02-17-2013, 02:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 11,319	05's were the quickest ( Especially the Orange ones ) __________________ Elise #2292 / CO / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / DBA 4000 Wiper Slot Rotors/ V1 / SS lines w/Pagid Black / G-Pan / Odyssey PC680 with RLS Bracket / Difflow 5 Element diffuser / Stebel Nautilus horn "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous "

02-17-2013, 03:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
SirLotus U.S. Cobra Distributer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Delray Beach FL Posts: 6,315	Other than supercharging in later years, most significant was that from 2006, a limited slip diff and traction control became an available option. Michael __________________ My eBay Store (note; link seems only to work in Internet Explorer) www.SamplexUSA.com 1) Emergency Alarm/Immobilizer/CDL Override 2) Alarm/Immobilizer Programming 3) Guide to Alarm/Immobilizer/CDL Problems-Elise/Exige/Esprit 4) Alarm/Immobilizer PIN 5) Esprit Cobra 6422 Alarm System 6) Cobra 8186 Manuals 7) Improved AC & Heating 8) Battery Choices and Information 9) Light Bulb Types 2005

02-19-2013, 10:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
Dylan Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,357	Not significant, but white to black gauges short wheel caps versus tall wheel caps Sensosoft rubberized matte-finish interior panels versus glossy pre-wired/not pre-wired for driving lights (which is not exactly what it sounds like). up-shift lights Blaupunkt to Alpine Probably others

02-17-2013, 01:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Drew09 Chrome orange is faster! Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,013	They went to electric throttle in 2006. The 2006 seats are probax seats which are more comfortable than the 2005.

02-17-2013, 06:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 9	Ok, good information, thank you. (I don't have a favorite color yet... just can't decide but calling Chrome Orange a shiny fruit made me laugh)

02-19-2013, 10:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
juniorbean43 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The QC Posts: 14	^ IMO... don't get too caught up with color. Find one that has everything you want in the condition you are looking for, and go for it. You can always do a vinyl wrap later to change the color...

02-20-2013, 04:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
addertooth Painful Novice Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,007	Dasher, TCS and LSD were available, but not on every car, especially the LSD. Most people will tell you they drive with the TCS off. __________________ Storm titanium 2005 Elise with carbon fiber spoiler, BWR sway bar, BOE toe links, gPan2, LidBone, sector 111 wheel studs, Grey RAC Monolite wheels with toyo R1R, Team Dynamics 1.4 with Hoosier A6/R6s, Katana2 Supercharger, ECU with 265 flash. PPE headers w/decat, CEL angle eliminator, Silent touch catback, Rear Panel Eliminator, HKS intake, V2 fuel tank, Walbro255 fuel pump. HID lights.

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