How to Buy a Lotus Elise: Model Year Differences & Where to Shop

[@TheCleverMillionaire]

I just bought my first Lotus and im loving it so far

[@AutoSugar]

Awesome! Did you get an Elise?

[@TheCleverMillionaire]

yes a 2005 @@AutoSugar

[@OscarLopez-sx8ij]

Nice. Really interested in this car. Found one for sale nearby. Any issues so far? Anything to look out for?

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

Lots to look out for :D Mostly for any damage to the chassis around the suspension mounts (if it's been crashed these may be bent and it cannot be repaired). If it's a Rover engined one probably avoid unless you know what you are looking at because they can be a big problem. Bodywork damage can mean a new clam (£1500+), but most of the time it can be repaired by a fibreglass expert. I've been Running a 2006 Elise S, with 80k miles daily for 7 months now and no real problems. It needed a new wiper motor and a MAF sensor wire re-soldering and that's it.

[@solis4920]

Can you talk about preventative Maintanace when is a good time for transmission fluids, timing belts things like that.

[@AutoSugar]

Absolutely! I'll cover some of those topics in my next video. Thanks for watching and checking out the channel!

[@Number27]

Great guide! am fitting same gear knob as in your car to my Evora! Subscribed

[@AutoSugar]

Thank you! I'm subscribed to you as well - hope to see a video when you've got the new gear knob on!

[@AutoSugar]

Loved your video with Jay Em!

[@AutoSugar]

Please don't forget to like, comment and subscribe! Also, please let me know what questions you have about buying a Lotus!

[@IcelanderUSer]

Have you watched the evora rebuild on B is for Build? It’s one of the most insane and yet incredible KZbin series yet. Seriously. I learned so much about lotus. Lotus even got involved in his project which made the drama even more delicious. I even want to say that that rebuild is what got me hooked on KZbin in the first place. Anyhow. Just wanted to share my tiny lotus story.

[@AutoSugar]

Definitely - I watched that entire build and rewatched a big chunk of it too! That's honestly been my favorite series on B is For Build - it's honestly a really great look at how Lotus are constructed so differently from "typical" cars. Thank you for sharing the story!

[@Chris-ws2oh]

Hope to buy this fall/spring. Good information here, thank you very much.

[@AutoSugar]

Thanks so much Chris! I'm working on lots of videos so, if you have questions during the buying process, please leave a comment or get in touch and I'll do my best to talk about it on the channel!

[@kman5711]

I am a lifelong Lotus nut, so you have earned a subscriber :)

[@AutoSugar]

Thank you so much! I've been a fan of Lotus ever since I was a kid in the '90s - I always loved the Esprit, and it's definitely a dream come true to have my own Lotus!

[@AutoSugar]

Thank you for subscribing - and I will have lots more videos rolling out next week!

[@davedarling2246]

Good overview. I've always wondered about the production numbers, so thanks for those. Mine's an '08 Supercharged. There is no substitute.

[@AutoSugar]

Oh man that’s awesome! What color?

[@colemanmcbride5619]

"My Fiat 500 is broken" What did you expect from a Fiat???

[@AutoSugar]

lol...it's all too true...but I still really like it...in spite of the fact that it seems to be built out of aluminum foil.

[@colemanmcbride5619]

Question: do you have more reliability issues with your Fiat or the Lotus?

[@AutoSugar]

Fiat for sure. I've owned it for 1 year and have replaced the starter, alternator, done a tune-up, replaced 1 fuse, had electric cable replaced, and replaced part of the exhaust (and it still needs a few more things fixed, I just don't know what they are...it has a semi-rough idle...so it could be an O2 sensor.) The Lotus has been solid, I've had it 2 years. I've only had to replace the fan control unit. Aside from that, in the last day or so I think it's become clear that I will need a new clutch soon...but I don't really consider that a reliability issue, since it's a part that wears out by design. The Lotus really is a good, solid car. British..yes...quirky...yes...but most of the components in the car itself are solid.

[@schwinnbiking]

How much less should you pay for a good rebuild?

[@AutoSugar]

Hard to say right now - the market is a little bit bananas.

[@hogster5935]

Question. What is your take on installing a SC kit? Or is it best to keep it oringinal?

[@AutoSugar]

I think it all depends. If originality is important to you, I think going with the OEM SC kit makes sense since it was an option that Lotus made officially available. If you live in CA, I believe the OEM kit is the only one that's CARB compliant. So that's definitely important. If originality isn't terribly important to you, then one of the kits from BOE seem like the way to go - they are a little less expensive, and make a bit more power. I have not yet driven an SC model, but I hope to this summer, so that I'll be able to speak to this subject with more authority.

[@heimerblaster976]

good video !

[@atichartarunwong1794]

Awesome video man even though I'm in Thailand but this video helps me a lot. Keep up the good work :)

[@AutoSugar]

Thanks so much for watching, and let me know what you'd like to see in the future!

[@Aries1rbh]

Hope all is well with you. I really have gained a huge interest in the Lotus. I am unfortunately 6'4" and I am worried that I may not fit in the car. I am willing to risk it. Thanks for the very informative information.

[@AutoSugar]

Thanks so much for writing. The cool thing about the Elise, is that even though it's a small car, it can fit taller passengers, than, say, a Miata can. I believe Todd (One of the hosts of "EveryDay Driver") is 6' 3" or maybe 6' 4" and he is able to fit in one. You should definitely give it a try as it just might work for you!

[@rombierto]

Inokinetic (sector111) sells seat rails that drop the seat height a few inches. They are called 'tall rails'

[@Ιωάννης-δ1ψ]

Man i am from Greece, i got some questions. Do you recommend buying a soft top or hard top Lotus Elise? What are the advantages and the disadvantages of these two options? I am afraid that if i buy a soft top Elise there will be a risk of getting the inside of the car flooded when it rains outside, but i don't really know. On the other hand, having a hard top model seems more safe to me when it rains or snows. What;s your opinion? Thanks, John

[@AutoSugar]

Hi John! Thanks for the question. All Elise models can have both the hard top and the soft top. My soft top actually does a better job of keeping out the rain than my hard top does (I have both). The hard top would be better for the winter, when it snows, etc., but like I said, you can have both. You can start with the soft top and then buy a hard top later if you decide you need one.

[@Ιωάννης-δ1ψ]

Oh really? Soft top does a better job in case it rains? Sounds weird to me. Yes, i know i can buy either of them (S2 hard top costs about 1300 euros from eliseparts.com), but i mean what do you suggest as an option wher the car is for sale and you go to buy it. I am between a 2002 hard top and a 2004 sof top. Thanks, John

[@AutoSugar]

Hi John - yes, in my case the soft top seals slightly better than the hard top -- it's not a huge difference, but i do get a tiny amount of rain in the car when i'm driving with the hard top on, and less when I'm using the soft top. If you are shopping for a car, I definitely think it's nice to have both the hard top and the soft top if you can afford it, as it is usually cheaper to buy a car with a hard top already than to buy one later. That said, if you can't afford the car with the hard top, then go ahead and get the soft top and don't worry about it too much! I'd choose the one that I can afford and the one in the best condition...I don't think a hard top is essential, it's just nice to have (looks better and nice to have if you go to a track.)

[@Ιωάννης-δ1ψ]

Thanks for the advice man . So i guess that the first criterion to consider should not be the roof. Electric or manual windows? :)

[@AutoSugar]

I will definitely vote for power windows.

[@Flopsaurus]

50 for sale at any given time? If that's true, people have been snatching them up like candy. Now there are maybe 15.

[@AutoSugar]

Yep, even fewer now!

[@samgao]

can you seal 2006 headlights?

[@AutoSugar]

That's a great question - I am going to talk to my friend Dan, who just recently bought an '06 Elise and see what he knows about that! I will share the news I get!

[@rombierto]

no

[@divadofm4028]

Do you still own this car if so does it still run as good?

[@AutoSugar]

I do indeed, and yes, it is running beautifully!

[@MadelnMachines]

How do Lotus Elises always managed to sound great despite the small engines?

[@AutoSugar]

Race car tuning!

[@rollingon5359]

Performance...has to be driven for what their made for...

[@jirenbee2762]

I wanna get one while I can! I never understood the magnitude of rareness these are. I'd rather have a soft top Lotus than no Elise at all.

[@AutoSugar]

Totally, and you can always add a hard top later! What's your favorite color for the Elise?

[@jirenbee2762]

Little Lost Lotus I really liked the nightfall blue because it's my favorite color, but gray takes the cake for me. The car just looks really good in gray; it makes the curves and shape of the car really stand out, which is awesome because gray can make some cars seem very dull. I've noticed a few Elise's I was looking at disappeared. They don't stay on the market for long. It also seems that the people buying them at the lower prices end up flipping them for higher. Smart, but makes it harder for guys like me to snag one up. Haha

[@AutoSugar]

Oh man, nightfall blue is gorgeous - and I agree, these cars look great in gray! Yeah, competitively priced Elises tend to get snatched up very very quickly - right now is a tough time in the market, there's just not a ton of inventory, at least in the USA.

[@-__-_-_--__--_-__-_____--_-___]

You really gotta be a lotus owner before you can own a lotus huh

[@AutoSugar]

LOL