Lotus -- Daily Driver Blog by Patrick Shim

[PatrickShim]

I just hope Lotus would do the right thing here. I know they read the threads on LotusTalk.com. (Lotus UK and Lotus USA, I know you're watching. )

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

The cat was changed 2x....

So far, we've changed the following re. this P0420 issue.

- ECU/ECM
- Cat 2x
- Exhaust (Stage-II) 2x
- O2 sensors
- Wiring Harnesses
- Cam (not related to the P0420, but was found to be wearing unevenly during the check)

It is getting very ridiculous....

Sorry to hear about your problems, Patrick. Hope it all works out for you!

BTW, I added you to this list because of your cam issue: Code 1302 & 1301 years and miles

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

Sorry to hear about your problems, Patrick. Hope it all works out for you!

BTW, I added you to this list because of your cam issue: Code 1302 & 1301 years and miles

Thanks!

I just hope Lotus USA would do the right thing.

[6_speed]

Patrick,

I just finished reading your entire thread. You have more patience than Mother Teresa did

As a fellow Elise owner, it pains me to say this but I also think it's time to call in the Lemon Law.

My wife and I had a lemon too - her '93 Ford Probe - don't laugh
We bought it new back in 1993 and in about 1 year of ownership, it had its entire brake system replaced 3x which was enough to kick in the Lemon Law. We got a full refund after 3 months of submitting supporting documentation.

Your CEL issue is much more severe IMO and you have given Lotus US enough chances to correct them.

Best of luck.

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Thanks!

I just hope Lotus USA would do the right thing.

Me too! Though it seems as they're doing it more from the hush-money angle now - just my impression. In other words, "If we take care of these as they come up now, there will be fewer complaints to the NHTSA and such and then we don't run the risk of a recall." They learned that lesson with the breaking shifters where they accused owners of negligence. However, I ask: But what about those out of warranty? That's why I think that anyone affected, covered or not, should report the problem to the NHTSA.

Best of luck in getting a resolution!

[Stevetweis]

just curious, when your car is in the shop.. what are you driving? Is the dealership giving you a car to drive?

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by 6_speed

Patrick,

I just finished reading your entire thread. You have more patience than Mother Teresa did

As a fellow Elise owner, it pains me to say this but I also think it's time to call in the Lemon Law.

My wife and I had a lemon too - her '93 Ford Probe - don't laugh
We bought it new back in 1993 and in about 1 year of ownership, it had its entire brake system replaced 3x which was enough to kick in the Lemon Law. We got a full refund after 3 months of submitting supporting documentation.

Your CEL issue is much more severe IMO and you have given Lotus US enough chances to correct them.

Best of luck.

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

Me too! Though it seems as they're doing it more from the hush-money angle now - just my impression. In other words, "If we take care of these as they come up now, there will be fewer complaints to the NHTSA and such and then we don't run the risk of a recall." They learned that lesson with the breaking shifters where they accused owners of negligence. However, I ask: But what about those out of warranty? That's why I think that anyone affected, covered or not, should report the problem to the NHTSA.

Best of luck in getting a resolution!

Thanks, guys!

When I did submit a Lemon case last time, they threatened that they will fight it since I took the car to the track. That was a bad move for them. Considering Lotus gave away track events to the customers, and also market the brand/car as track car, that case won't work. Plus the car had the problem even before I took the car to the track. The fact that they threatened they want to fight made me want to fight even more.

I know they read this thread. I hope they would do the right thing.

Originally Posted by Stevetweis

just curious, when your car is in the shop.. what are you driving? Is the dealership giving you a car to drive?

They have been getting me rental cars. I have other cars, so I just drive my cars, and use the rental cars to get to/from the dealership.


Thanks, guys, for all your support!

[Dmbrown34]

Im no lawyer, but I would suggest speaking to one before posting more about your situtation on this forum.

[PatrickShim]

I am hitting close to 21,000-mile mark now, after about 10-1/2 month of ownership.

The car is running pretty much perfect now, except a minor noise I hear (around 4k RPM), which I'll get checked out this week.

[edaddy]

Almost 50K here and the only problem is with a persistent P420 code (with FF header and high flow cat). I'm replacing the second OX sensor next week....

[MattGold]

Been lurking for sometime now, and figured I'd chime in - just to ask: Have you guys with the P0420 considered going back to the stock exhaust for any length of time to see if the code stays away?

Great thread, great info...

-M

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

I am hitting close to 21,000-mile mark now, after about 10-1/2 month of ownership.

The car is running pretty much perfect now, except a minor noise I hear (around 4k RPM), which I'll get checked out this week.

I got the noise checked out today by Lotus Bev. Hills. It is another cracked Stage-II exhaust... We'll put a new one in next week....

I cannot believe I went through another Stage-II... (this one lastest less than 2,000 miles...)

[edaddy]

Originally Posted by MattGold

Been lurking for sometime now, and figured I'd chime in - just to ask: Have you guys with the P0420 considered going back to the stock exhaust for any length of time to see if the code stays away?

Great thread, great info...

-M

I'm not going back. The stock system is HEAVY, ugly, and too quiet. I'll figure out how to keep the P420 gremlin away, one way or another.

[MattGold]

Originally Posted by edaddy

I'm not going back. The stock system is HEAVY, ugly, and too quiet. I'll figure out how to keep the P420 gremlin away, one way or another.

Well, Im not saying you can NEVER go back to an aftermarket exhaust. But if you went back to stock and the problem went away, at least it would be pinpointed.

Or is it common knowledge that the Stage II *is* the root of the problem?

As far as just making the P420 go away, why not just run an O2 simulator?

-M

[PatrickShim]

09/16/2008

On the way back from work, I hit a big piece of tire on the freeway. I knew something went bad...

[032603]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

09/16/2008

On the way back from work, I hit a big piece of tire on the freeway. I knew something went bad...

Ouch!!
Same thing happend to me on the passengers side lower panel. Mclaren Mercedes threw up a metal pipe on the highway and I got hit. There was a 1 inch crack in the clam. $1100 repair. I went to Speciality Car Craft, and they finished the job in 2 days. Great people.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by 032603

Ouch!!
Same thing happend to me on the passengers side lower panel. Mclaren Mercedes threw up a metal pipe on the highway and I got hit. There was a 1 inch crack in the clam. $1100 repair. I went to Speciality Car Craft, and they finished the job in 2 days. Great people.

Just got off the phone with Steve at SCC. I am going to drop off the car this evening.

[Rob T]

Man, have you had some bad luck with your car or what?!

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Just got off the phone with Steve at SCC. I am going to drop off the car this evening.

Just got back from SCC. Steve was wonderful. He showed me around and gave me a great deal. I look forward to seeing my "new" car soon!

Just got off the phone with Mercury Insurance to make a claim as well. Another great service!

Since there were no other cars involved, there will be no points against my premium, or increase in my premium.

This is awesome.

[polojcp]

Originally Posted by paulhastings

Nice to hear the A/C- ECU you cut out is resolved for some. I cannot seem to get it to be fixed due to my car being an '07 and the TSB is for '06.

Well.... I got my fixed by Alen 2 month ago.