Ok, so I am going to keep a record similar to Patrick's, for a used 2005 Elise experience.
I am using my car as a Daily Driver. It is my only car. The wife has hers to chauffeur me around if need be. I drive all over Phoenix and AZ for that matter for design consultations and whatnot - plus I drive out to the canyons to relieve stress. I'm not planning on selling this car or driving it lightly. I am wholeheartedly intending on keeping it until the engine explodes or falls out. In the meantime, I'm making it livable for the Phoenix area and may try tracking it as well.
Here is the car information as it was when purchased:
- Purchased with 12,405 miles on 12/30/08
- Starlight Black / red leather
- Touring Pack
- Stage II Exhaust
- Upgraded trumpet intake
- No hard top
- The warranty is good on my car until 05/09
Here are the upgrades and miscellaneous things I have done so far - I am rating these on a scale of 1-10, 1 being "I shouldn't have wasted the money" 10 being "EVERYONE should do this.":
1. Sector 111 Shifter reEnforcer - 10
2. Stan's shifter mod - 15000 (this should be this way from the FACTORY):bow:
3. Purchased Jim Clayton's speaker rings for the front - 10
4. R&R'd speakers with 4 new 5.25" JL Audio speakers - AWESOME if you want a stereo - 8
5. HID lights - Great if you drive at night - DDM tuning = $83 shipped - 9
6. Stealth Bulbs from Bane - the simplest cosmetic upgrade is so worth the $25 - 10:bow:
7. Sector 111 Lid Bone - awesome if you use the hatch - 9
8. Used soft velcro on the back of plastic surfaces to quiet the jittery ride - 9
9. Hard Top - purchased used for the looks / weather - 8
10. The Stage II exhaust was killing me. I swapped it out for a stock one because of my driving habits. (this will not be rated as this was a personal choice)
11. 3M Crystalline Tint - awesome stuff, a 10 for the Phoenix area
12. Braille battery and Sector 111 battery holder - 10
13. new "Lotus" floormats - mine were trashed - 5
14. I removed the seats, pulled all the loose change, bolts, nuts, and whatever miscellaneous crap that was rattling around in the tub out. For those buying a used Elise, this is a 10 - I found about $3.00 in change, a nail file, hair, and a slew of rotten nastiness in my car tub, not to mention all the glue and wasted velcro... I used a 3M bug and tar remover to get rid of all the glue, and to clean the aluminum surface as well.
15. While inspecting the HVAC controls for failure, Andy pulled out the HVAC panel. I heard a rattle in the plastic shroud and recognized it as the ONLY remaining rattle in my car that I thought was under the center boards. well, I turned the HVAC controls towards the ground and out popped a small screw and a broken piece of plastic where it used to reside. If you have done the seats and still have a rattle, CHECK THIS! 10,000,000
I still have some upgrades left to do for my own personal gratification:
1. The Viper's A/C mods & insulation **** MUST DO for Phoenix residents.
2. maybe a Stealthbox and amp when I get the itch
3. Black/silver Lotus logos
4. LED tail lamps - I really want these done as I think it looks beautiful.
Brought in for service for a few miscellaneous issues and IOU items on 01/15/09 because of the holidays.
1. Star Shield appeared rippled, the Clam was determined to be defective and is a Warranty item (parts on order)
2. my headlight assemblies are being replaced under warranty (done)
3. alignment is off, they're fixing it for me for nothing (waiting)
4. new tires are being put on (done)
5. there is a strong gas/exhaust smell causing my eyes to water and my throat to get sore (not as strong with the stock exhaust, waiting to see if it is an issue anymore)
6. there is a scent of antifreeze coming from the front of my car when the temp goes above 190 degrees. (waiting for clam removal to inspect further) TADTS ??
7. They are unable to add an additional FOB to my alarm. They are warrantying my alarm as a result.
8. My HVAC is working intermittently - they're replacing the resistor pack when the front clam is removed for warranty work.
I am THOROUGHLY enjoying my Lotus experience! I am so grateful to have my car back today! More to come.
This may all seem like a lot, but the stuff I am mentioning is not really a big deal and will all be taken care of. My Lotus experience has me begging for more, and is a HUGE compliment to my day. I'm kicking myself, HARD, for not getting one sooner. :shift:
I am using my car as a Daily Driver. It is my only car. The wife has hers to chauffeur me around if need be. I drive all over Phoenix and AZ for that matter for design consultations and whatnot - plus I drive out to the canyons to relieve stress. I'm not planning on selling this car or driving it lightly. I am wholeheartedly intending on keeping it until the engine explodes or falls out. In the meantime, I'm making it livable for the Phoenix area and may try tracking it as well.
Here is the car information as it was when purchased:
- Purchased with 12,405 miles on 12/30/08
- Starlight Black / red leather
- Touring Pack
- Stage II Exhaust
- Upgraded trumpet intake
- No hard top
- The warranty is good on my car until 05/09
Here are the upgrades and miscellaneous things I have done so far - I am rating these on a scale of 1-10, 1 being "I shouldn't have wasted the money" 10 being "EVERYONE should do this.":
1. Sector 111 Shifter reEnforcer - 10
2. Stan's shifter mod - 15000 (this should be this way from the FACTORY):bow:
3. Purchased Jim Clayton's speaker rings for the front - 10
4. R&R'd speakers with 4 new 5.25" JL Audio speakers - AWESOME if you want a stereo - 8
5. HID lights - Great if you drive at night - DDM tuning = $83 shipped - 9
6. Stealth Bulbs from Bane - the simplest cosmetic upgrade is so worth the $25 - 10:bow:
7. Sector 111 Lid Bone - awesome if you use the hatch - 9
8. Used soft velcro on the back of plastic surfaces to quiet the jittery ride - 9
9. Hard Top - purchased used for the looks / weather - 8
10. The Stage II exhaust was killing me. I swapped it out for a stock one because of my driving habits. (this will not be rated as this was a personal choice)
11. 3M Crystalline Tint - awesome stuff, a 10 for the Phoenix area
12. Braille battery and Sector 111 battery holder - 10
13. new "Lotus" floormats - mine were trashed - 5
14. I removed the seats, pulled all the loose change, bolts, nuts, and whatever miscellaneous crap that was rattling around in the tub out. For those buying a used Elise, this is a 10 - I found about $3.00 in change, a nail file, hair, and a slew of rotten nastiness in my car tub, not to mention all the glue and wasted velcro... I used a 3M bug and tar remover to get rid of all the glue, and to clean the aluminum surface as well.
15. While inspecting the HVAC controls for failure, Andy pulled out the HVAC panel. I heard a rattle in the plastic shroud and recognized it as the ONLY remaining rattle in my car that I thought was under the center boards. well, I turned the HVAC controls towards the ground and out popped a small screw and a broken piece of plastic where it used to reside. If you have done the seats and still have a rattle, CHECK THIS! 10,000,000
I still have some upgrades left to do for my own personal gratification:
1. The Viper's A/C mods & insulation **** MUST DO for Phoenix residents.
2. maybe a Stealthbox and amp when I get the itch
3. Black/silver Lotus logos
4. LED tail lamps - I really want these done as I think it looks beautiful.
Brought in for service for a few miscellaneous issues and IOU items on 01/15/09 because of the holidays.
1. Star Shield appeared rippled, the Clam was determined to be defective and is a Warranty item (parts on order)
2. my headlight assemblies are being replaced under warranty (done)
3. alignment is off, they're fixing it for me for nothing (waiting)
4. new tires are being put on (done)
5. there is a strong gas/exhaust smell causing my eyes to water and my throat to get sore (not as strong with the stock exhaust, waiting to see if it is an issue anymore)
6. there is a scent of antifreeze coming from the front of my car when the temp goes above 190 degrees. (waiting for clam removal to inspect further) TADTS ??
7. They are unable to add an additional FOB to my alarm. They are warrantying my alarm as a result.
8. My HVAC is working intermittently - they're replacing the resistor pack when the front clam is removed for warranty work.
I am THOROUGHLY enjoying my Lotus experience! I am so grateful to have my car back today! More to come.
This may all seem like a lot, but the stuff I am mentioning is not really a big deal and will all be taken care of. My Lotus experience has me begging for more, and is a HUGE compliment to my day. I'm kicking myself, HARD, for not getting one sooner. :shift: