|
04-23-2012, 09:50 AM | #1 |
Drives: Toyota Yaris Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: usa
Posts: 55
|
Purchasing a Lotus
Summers coming out and am in dire need of a convertible to enjoy the weather. A co working of mine is selling a red 1991 Lotus Elan for 5k. 125k miles
Very tempting, since I always wanted an MR2, Miata and Boxter. Example pic: What yall think? This car is rare and i've only seen it once outside of a nightclub in downtown of my city. |
04-23-2012, 11:13 AM | #2 |
Drives: it is kinda stock Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: united states
Posts: 1,258
|
whats your city?
__________________
|
04-23-2012, 11:35 AM | #3 |
Only Happy When it Rains
|
so sexy. Just make sure it is in good mechanical working order and that it doesn't take any special oils or anything else that would make repairs extremely expensive.
Def buy it.
__________________
Colin Chapman disciple |
04-23-2012, 12:47 PM | #4 | |
USAF_SrA_E-4
|
Oh my god I wants it!!
__________________
Quote:
|
|
04-23-2012, 01:24 PM | #5 |
ULTIMATE
Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canoga Park, CA
Posts: 14,859
|
Nice car. Do a compression test.
__________________
Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific. |
04-23-2012, 05:27 PM | #6 |
Small cars are a big deal
Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,144
|
Ah, the Lotus Elan.
For those that don't know: Front-drive Made in England Powered by Isuzu Sold as a Kia in Korea I just saw one of these in Portland last week or so. Always interested in these. Neat ride.
__________________
Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog |
04-23-2012, 05:37 PM | #7 |
Drives: Toyota Yaris Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: usa
Posts: 55
|
SF.
I'm gonna low ball my co worker to 4500 flat since he owes me $$ already. There are some dings on the fender and the seats are ripped. Sort of contemplating whether if this will be a smart buy. No leaks, no wierd sounds and tires are brand new. We'll see. |
04-23-2012, 10:16 PM | #8 |
Drives: 07 Yaris sedan Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Keremeos BC
Posts: 986
|
Lots of luck there. If the electrix are Lucas (Prince of Darkness), expect trouble.
If the car is built like many Lotii I have driven or dealt with, build quality is marginal, but they handle like no other. When Mazda designed the Miata, they mimicked the Lotus; old story, but you only need to drive one of each to see how that worked. Personally, I suggest that a used Miata will be far better investment, with less shop time, and be just as much fun... |
04-24-2012, 09:43 AM | #9 | |
Drives: Toyota Yaris Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: usa
Posts: 55
|
Quote:
|
|
04-24-2012, 10:27 AM | #10 | |
ULTIMATE
Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: USA, CT
Posts: 13,460
|
Quote:
I ended up buying a 92 Toyota Celica GT convertible and even though it needed a little bit of mechanical work (leaky steering rack and leaky oil pump from sitting for too long) the parts for it were unbelievably inexpensive and working on it is very easy.
__________________
|
|
04-24-2012, 11:06 AM | #11 |
Super Moderator
Drives: 2014 White VITZ Join Date: May 2007
Location: Huntington Bch, CA
Posts: 4,938
|
Nice looking car with an exotic feel about it. But, a used Miata would probably be a far wiser choice.
|
04-24-2012, 03:38 PM | #12 |
Only Happy When it Rains
|
lotus put their name on a fwd car? The horror!
__________________
Colin Chapman disciple |
04-26-2012, 03:59 AM | #13 |
Drives: it is kinda stock Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: united states
Posts: 1,258
|
seat covers
__________________
|
04-27-2012, 04:36 PM | #14 |
Drives: Black '08 Yaris Hatch S Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Johnson City, Tennessee
Posts: 320
|
Had a Toyota engine in it did it not? Like most of Lotus' other vehicles post ...90's? That alone makes it worth having for 5k. That car's sweet man. Lotus rocks. :D
__________________
-Will- |
04-27-2012, 08:39 PM | #15 |
Drives: 2009 5-Door Liftback Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 333
|
I'm not sure if I've seen a Lotus before, but I drool everytime I see a Boxter. But hey, if you can afford the maintenance costs, then why not?
|
04-28-2012, 01:04 AM | #16 |
Drives: Toyota Yaris Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: usa
Posts: 55
|
Thank you for all the responses. My eyes are set on an sc430 02-04. Coworkers lotus, wipers don't work and right side lock is broken and also theres a weird creak sound whenever turning left. Totaling an estimate of 6k of repairs. F that. Sc430 looks mean and i've been window shopping for one since last year. My job pays well but it takes patience to actually earn a whole sum to purchase one. Of course, still keeping the yar.
http://youtu.be/hXDBZQRXo68 |
04-28-2012, 08:28 PM | #17 |
Drives: 2009 5-Door Liftback Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 333
|
I don't understand how people who own something so nice can "let it go" like that. The mechanical problems in this Lotus that were never taken care of, dings, ripped seats, etc. Even if it wasn't your coworker who did that, someone in the past allowed that to happen and didn't care. That makes me so sad. But anyway, I watched that video, and a Lexus like that looks like it'd be a blast to own. If you're interested in that type of car, I'd go for it.
|
04-28-2012, 08:49 PM | #18 |
play every day
Drives: 2012 Yaris L 2dr 5sp Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,961
|
I believe that has to do with people not appreciating what they own. Even not letting something go that is not so nice can have its rewards. My wife bought a used '93 Hyundai for $3,500 and drove it for 14 years. We sold it ourselves in just one day for $1,700 when we bought a new Yaris.
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Lotus returns to supercars | fnkngrv | Off-topic / Other Cars / Everything else Discussions | 9 | 03-07-2023 05:37 AM |
Parked next to a Lotus Elise today | CtrlAltDefeat | Photo-Video-Media Gallery | 13 | 04-30-2010 07:23 PM |
$11,990 AUD Drive Away. Lotus Ride and Handling. | *MAD DOG* | Off-topic / Other Cars / Everything else Discussions | 7 | 12-04-2009 05:50 PM |
C64 Lotus Transmission in a Yaris? | arcticvitz | Performance Modifications | 18 | 08-26-2009 10:29 AM |
LOTUS EVORA using camry engine... | marcus | Photo-Video-Media Gallery | 13 | 06-23-2009 11:06 AM |