Lotus Elan - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pentoman · #1 08-30-2002, 08:01 PM

Anyone ever have one of these?

I've been watching them race in the historic saloon class this weekend, nice cars, I never grew up with them so wasn't too familiar with them but they seem nice, quick, and pretty 'cosy' inside.
Your experiences?

later!

JCE · #2 08-31-2002, 01:50 AM

I had just started autocrossing/slalom events at that time, wanted a Lotus SOOOO badly! Lotus Elite, Elan, 7; (There are several shops doing lotus 7 replicas in the US, and one California site that rented them out for cruising the coast roads!) While the Lotus 7 was more or less the original street legal shifter cart as far as weight, size, etc, with zero creature comforts, the Elan was sort of a stripped down Mazda RX7 of the period (In a positive way - great handling and performance but in the British tradition - minimal creature comforts.) Tweaky electricals and hydraulics as I recall.

william rogers · #3 08-31-2002, 02:30 AM

Had a Europa way back ,cornered like was on rails was about as easy to shift as a 47 Chevy dump truck as transaxel was behind engine and linkage was designed by Rube Goldberg,also am sure that submarines have better vision......wish I still had it would be great Auto Cross car....
William Rogers

jsmith · #4 08-31-2002, 08:57 AM

i think we have a member who owns an Elise. heard that's a real blast to drive. i think i saw maybe one or two Elans some years back. after the Europas, the next thing i saw on the road was the Esprit...

rickg · #5 08-31-2002, 06:05 PM

Worked with a guy about ten years ago that had a Lotus something-or-other, and all I remamber him saying about it is what a POS it was from a maintance standpoint. He had it for 4 or 5 years and never did get all the bugs fixed, and was just trying to sell (I.E. dump, get rid of) it for whatever he could get out of it. But don't know if it was just the year/model he had, or if it's typical of the breed.

84300DT · #6 09-05-2002, 10:20 AM

didn't "Mrs.Peel" from the Avengers have one of those?!
or was it another?

#7 09-05-2002, 02:34 PM

I think Emma (Ms. Peel) did have one and I too have always wanted one. Beautiful car. Probably terrible ergonomics but nice to play with. Project 37-B on my list.

Nic
'85 300CD

84300DT · #8 09-05-2002, 02:41 PM

I thought dear Emma had one of those - course i think i was
ogling her leather outfit moreso than the car at the time...LOL

bdrought · #9 11-11-2002, 11:39 AM

I have an Elise, and its a blast to drive.

200bhp, and 720kg ;-)

Makes the 500E seem a bit lethargic!

Bri

DALE DORIA · #10 11-11-2002, 03:40 PM

Just read today that the Elise is coming to the USA in 2004. The bumpers need modification and of coarse other federalization quirks need to be fulfilled, but it's promised to come stateside!

Performance estimates are 0-60 in 4.5 sec, and a top spped of 154 mph. Engine to be used is Toyota's Celica's 1.8 litre 180 hp. with a 6 speed trans either from the Celica or the MR 2. Should be interesting and worth a look!

Diesel-Lover · #11 11-12-2002, 09:59 AM

Hi All,

My son has Gran Tourismo on his Play Station 2 it is a fab game.
You can drive the Lotus stable, the cars are supposed to behave as per specs. They also have tracks from all over the world which provide specific performance issues to the cars. The whole process is very realistic, unfortunately the controls are not realistic and neither are the gravitational effects!!

But for the money its a blast. He is learning about performance enhancements and saftey features as all these are provided on the cars and he can spend funds to upgrade etc.

Happy Driving

TTaM · #12 11-14-2002, 10:06 PM

My good friend used to have an Elan, though it was one from tthe 90's which Lotus ended up selling to Kia. It had an Izuzu engine, was rather reliable, and a hoot to drive. He sold it thought to het a Lotus Elise 190 sport. He got that a few years back, the 3rd one here in the States. It's tagged and insured, don't know how, didn't want to ask. Man, now that's a car. He's gotten a ticket at 130+, whoops.

bdrought · #13 11-15-2002, 07:35 AM

Volk,

who's that? I know a few of the people with Elises in the US.

Bri

royaiii · #14 11-15-2002, 03:38 PM

I have a friend that has an Exige. I drove it once and I felt like I was in a F1 car. The exige, rides so low that there are tires taller than this car. Amazing car, not street legal. He still drives it on the street.

bdrought · #15 11-16-2002, 07:20 AM

Royaii... I know of 2 Exiges in the states. One of the guys also owns a few ferraris, lambos etc.

Nice!

Bri