First Time Eliser!
Discussion
Hi all....
My Name is George, I'm 25, I'm in New Zealand and tomorrow afternoon I pick up my first ever Lotus.... a day I have dreamed of most nights since I was about four years old!
I've always dreamed of having a car like this and never really thought of it as a possibility in the near future. I've finished uni and paid back my student loans and had been pouring silly money into my TR7 project when I got fed up and in a moment of weakness I bought her:
Other pics HERE and HERE
In NZ Elises are rather rare... estimates put the count at about 15-20 S1s in the whole country and maybe another 10-15 S2s. In that light they tend to hold their value a little more over here than in the UK.
I've ridden in a few Elises in my time (never driven one before) and she's the tightest I've ever been in. She's a NZ-New '98 Standard S1 with 15k original miles... that's right... 15k! I picked her up for NZ$39k, which is about UKP15k. She's almost completely immaculate minus a few very minor stone-chips around the nose and a couple of very minor paint-scratches. Apart from that this car is showroom perfect. It has full Lotus NZ service history and just goes so very well. Steering and suspension etc seems tight, she's always been a dry-weather car and being a NZer the car is COMPLETELY free of corrosion... the undertrays still shine like brand-new sheet-alloy! She's never been crashed or had any fibreglass or paint repairs. No obvious leaks, no interior rattles, no major clunks from the suspension, no vibrations.. this car just had to be too good to be true... but it just isn't!
The only thing non-standard about her is the 6-spoke factory magnesium wheels she came with from new and the Pioneer stereo that was fitted aftermarket.
I've got my insurance sorted and I'm skating outta work early tomorrow afternoon to go and pick her up and I'm going to LOVE every moment of the trip back. I'm praying for sunshine, not rain
Only annoying thing is that the guy I'm buying the car off isn't going to be there tomorrow when I pick it up to show me how the soft top works (have you guys got a general consensus on the best procedure? I tried a forum search but the search function is down at the moment) and just give me one final school-up before I drive this baby out of his life and into mine. Any of you guys able to give me any pointers? I'm sure I'll have a million and one questions when I've actually had the car a few days and I'm expecting that there WILL be a few niggles/problems that become apparent when I've had the car for a while and I'm hoping you guys can help me through them.
Good news is that the old owner is a NZ Club Lotus stalwart and I'll be seeing him regularly so he'll still be seeing plenty of me... He had to sell this as he's just imported a V8-GT Esprit from the UK and had one too many toys in the shed.
So yeah.. that's me... I'm completely buzzing out as I type this, the anticipation is almost unbearable, I'm so euphoric... just driving her at normal traffic speeds is enough to ignite the soul and make you feel like you're the only person on the road.
Seeing as I'm going to be frequenting this place from now on (regular in other PH forums but first time here) why don't you introduce yourselves? And if anyone can shed any light on my hood query, it'd be much appreciated.
Happy Elising.
George.
>> Edited by Esprit on Tuesday 10th May 09:59
My Name is George, I'm 25, I'm in New Zealand and tomorrow afternoon I pick up my first ever Lotus.... a day I have dreamed of most nights since I was about four years old!
I've always dreamed of having a car like this and never really thought of it as a possibility in the near future. I've finished uni and paid back my student loans and had been pouring silly money into my TR7 project when I got fed up and in a moment of weakness I bought her:
Other pics HERE and HERE
In NZ Elises are rather rare... estimates put the count at about 15-20 S1s in the whole country and maybe another 10-15 S2s. In that light they tend to hold their value a little more over here than in the UK.
I've ridden in a few Elises in my time (never driven one before) and she's the tightest I've ever been in. She's a NZ-New '98 Standard S1 with 15k original miles... that's right... 15k! I picked her up for NZ$39k, which is about UKP15k. She's almost completely immaculate minus a few very minor stone-chips around the nose and a couple of very minor paint-scratches. Apart from that this car is showroom perfect. It has full Lotus NZ service history and just goes so very well. Steering and suspension etc seems tight, she's always been a dry-weather car and being a NZer the car is COMPLETELY free of corrosion... the undertrays still shine like brand-new sheet-alloy! She's never been crashed or had any fibreglass or paint repairs. No obvious leaks, no interior rattles, no major clunks from the suspension, no vibrations.. this car just had to be too good to be true... but it just isn't!
The only thing non-standard about her is the 6-spoke factory magnesium wheels she came with from new and the Pioneer stereo that was fitted aftermarket. I've got my insurance sorted and I'm skating outta work early tomorrow afternoon to go and pick her up and I'm going to LOVE every moment of the trip back. I'm praying for sunshine, not rain
Only annoying thing is that the guy I'm buying the car off isn't going to be there tomorrow when I pick it up to show me how the soft top works (have you guys got a general consensus on the best procedure? I tried a forum search but the search function is down at the moment) and just give me one final school-up before I drive this baby out of his life and into mine. Any of you guys able to give me any pointers? I'm sure I'll have a million and one questions when I've actually had the car a few days and I'm expecting that there WILL be a few niggles/problems that become apparent when I've had the car for a while and I'm hoping you guys can help me through them.
Good news is that the old owner is a NZ Club Lotus stalwart and I'll be seeing him regularly so he'll still be seeing plenty of me... He had to sell this as he's just imported a V8-GT Esprit from the UK and had one too many toys in the shed.
So yeah.. that's me... I'm completely buzzing out as I type this, the anticipation is almost unbearable, I'm so euphoric... just driving her at normal traffic speeds is enough to ignite the soul and make you feel like you're the only person on the road.
Seeing as I'm going to be frequenting this place from now on (regular in other PH forums but first time here) why don't you introduce yourselves? And if anyone can shed any light on my hood query, it'd be much appreciated.
Happy Elising.
George.
>> Edited by Esprit on Tuesday 10th May 09:59
Firstly, welcome to the fold. Enjoy!
Hood - straightforward but not quick.
Open both doors.
Install the side rails, ensuring the clips on the pillar are holding them in place.
Fit the cross-bars, leaving them lying forwards.
Spread the hood over and slide the front rail into the slot in the top of the screen, making sure the small tab in the centre of the hood rail sits in its detent.
Place the tangs on the hood tail into the corresponding slots in the buttresses.
Wrap the hood under the side rails and attach the poppers. At this stage cross-check that the hood is sitting centrally.
Tighten the rear tangs using the 7mm (?) allen key that stores behind the driver's seat, just under the seat belt. (180° turn)
Pivot the two cross-bars up to tighten the hood.
Voila.
>> Edited by thub on Tuesday 10th May 10:21
Hood - straightforward but not quick.
Open both doors.
Install the side rails, ensuring the clips on the pillar are holding them in place.
Fit the cross-bars, leaving them lying forwards.
Spread the hood over and slide the front rail into the slot in the top of the screen, making sure the small tab in the centre of the hood rail sits in its detent.
Place the tangs on the hood tail into the corresponding slots in the buttresses.
Wrap the hood under the side rails and attach the poppers. At this stage cross-check that the hood is sitting centrally.
Tighten the rear tangs using the 7mm (?) allen key that stores behind the driver's seat, just under the seat belt. (180° turn)
Pivot the two cross-bars up to tighten the hood.
Voila.
>> Edited by thub on Tuesday 10th May 10:21
Thanks Thub... thought it was something like that.... I'll take my time and take care doing it... I've heard it can be a little tricky.. I'm sure it's the sort of thing you become better with as you practice!
And thanks rjben, I've yet to meet a PHer I didn't like so I'm sure you lot are going to be nothing less than wonderful motoring companions. It's mainly motorway driving on the way back so as long as I can steer her clear of the numpties, I'll be fine.
To top it all off, my father's E-Type Jag 3.8 Roadster is almost finished after we've spent 7 years building it so that's going to be hitting the streets soon.... this seems to indeed be a red-letter period inmy motoring life!
And thanks rjben, I've yet to meet a PHer I didn't like so I'm sure you lot are going to be nothing less than wonderful motoring companions. It's mainly motorway driving on the way back so as long as I can steer her clear of the numpties, I'll be fine.
To top it all off, my father's E-Type Jag 3.8 Roadster is almost finished after we've spent 7 years building it so that's going to be hitting the streets soon.... this seems to indeed be a red-letter period inmy motoring life!
George, welcome 
and well done old chap!! Quality choice, take it easy at first and be careful in the wet. Gentle inputs all the way.
No quite thub - always pivot up the cross-members BEFORE you tighten the hood using the allen key operated cam's. Doing this the other way round risks snapping the flexible cross-members.
The full procedure should be shown in an insert which comes with the documents.
Take your time the first couple of go's - some things I've found out to keep an eye on...
- Make 100% sure that when you seat the front plastic strip it's centred using the nib and always double check the left and right sides are hooked in properly before tightening the hood.
- Once you've got the leading edge in and got it centred I find it's easier to clip the front poppers shut to hold it in place while you straighten everything out.
- Watch out for the cam's flapping about, they will t
t big lumps out of your paintwork if they fall down onto the car.
- Make sure the cam's are correctly seated (in>down>back) before you tighten them - if they are at an angle they can scrap the bodywork as you tighten them.
and well done old chap!! Quality choice, take it easy at first and be careful in the wet. Gentle inputs all the way. thub said:
Firstly, welcome to the fold. Enjoy!
Hood - straightforward but not quick.
Open both doors.
Install the side rails, ensuring the clips on the pillar are holding them in place.
Fit the cross-bars, leaving them lying forwards.
Spread the hood over and slide the front rail into the slot in the top of the screen, making sure the small tab in the centre of the hood rail sits in its detent.
Place the tangs on the hood tail into the corresponding slots in the buttresses.
Wrap the hood under the side rails and attach the poppers. At this stage cross-check that the hood is sitting centrally.
Tighten the rear tangs using the 7mm (?) allen key that stores behind the driver's seat, just under the seat belt. (180° turn)
Pivot the two cross-bars up to tighten the hood.
Voila.
No quite thub - always pivot up the cross-members BEFORE you tighten the hood using the allen key operated cam's. Doing this the other way round risks snapping the flexible cross-members.
The full procedure should be shown in an insert which comes with the documents.
Take your time the first couple of go's - some things I've found out to keep an eye on...
- Make 100% sure that when you seat the front plastic strip it's centred using the nib and always double check the left and right sides are hooked in properly before tightening the hood.
- Once you've got the leading edge in and got it centred I find it's easier to clip the front poppers shut to hold it in place while you straighten everything out.
- Watch out for the cam's flapping about, they will t
t big lumps out of your paintwork if they fall down onto the car. - Make sure the cam's are correctly seated (in>down>back) before you tighten them - if they are at an angle they can scrap the bodywork as you tighten them.
Thanks for the tips S Works.... one of the only scratches the car has is around the cam-lock mounts and I'm assuming this is from this... it's probably the only one on the car that won't buff out so I'll look at having it repaired at some point down the line.... having said that it's barely noticeable.
I can see I'm going to enjoy my stay here..... as for the taking it easy in the wet, I've already had a tail-out moment in her in the wet, although it was semi-intentional... I was amazed at how placid it was when the tail stepped out... as long as you're awake and not doing anything stupid then you should be fine.... I shall be taking it VERY gently... believe you me!
It comes with all the paperwork and owners' manual so the hood-instructions should be on there hopefully
I can see I'm going to enjoy my stay here..... as for the taking it easy in the wet, I've already had a tail-out moment in her in the wet, although it was semi-intentional... I was amazed at how placid it was when the tail stepped out... as long as you're awake and not doing anything stupid then you should be fine.... I shall be taking it VERY gently... believe you me!
It comes with all the paperwork and owners' manual so the hood-instructions should be on there hopefully
I collect my 111R a week Saturday - it feels like an age since I ordered even though it'll only be six or so weeks in total. The british weather (Norfolk anyway) is not the best over the last few days so just hope the sun comes out for the drive home as well...
Let us know how you get on with the experience - always interesting to read this kind of stuff...
By the way, I have the original S1 Lotus review from Top Gear, I'll try and host it if you're interested? Also have the Vauxhall VXT vs 111R and the 111S review from Top Gear.... The file sizes are +30MB...
Let us know how you get on with the experience - always interesting to read this kind of stuff...
By the way, I have the original S1 Lotus review from Top Gear, I'll try and host it if you're interested? Also have the Vauxhall VXT vs 111R and the 111S review from Top Gear.... The file sizes are +30MB...
Well... I've got the car home now and she's just SUCH a delight... everything seems good and seems to be as it should.
Only thing remotely out of the ordinary that I've noticed is that on the Aluminium sill where it runs past my right foot, next to the accelerator there's a little bit of chalky white deposit (that I can easily rub off)... I've not investigated it yet because it was dark by the time I got it home but the chalkiness almost feels like dried coolant... or so that's what I'm thinking. Could this possibly be a leaking hose/junction or heater matrix? The water level seems to be constant (I'll monitor it as I rack up my first few hundred miles) at about 3-4mm above the COLD/MIN level so that all seems ok.
I'll have to look into this tomorrow and see if I can trace the cause of this deposit... might even just clean it off and see if any more forms.
anyone experienced anything similar? At least it's not HGF-related
Only thing remotely out of the ordinary that I've noticed is that on the Aluminium sill where it runs past my right foot, next to the accelerator there's a little bit of chalky white deposit (that I can easily rub off)... I've not investigated it yet because it was dark by the time I got it home but the chalkiness almost feels like dried coolant... or so that's what I'm thinking. Could this possibly be a leaking hose/junction or heater matrix? The water level seems to be constant (I'll monitor it as I rack up my first few hundred miles) at about 3-4mm above the COLD/MIN level so that all seems ok.
I'll have to look into this tomorrow and see if I can trace the cause of this deposit... might even just clean it off and see if any more forms.
anyone experienced anything similar? At least it's not HGF-related
sounds like your footwells are corroding...
whip the mats out - if there is an adhesive black rubber mat stuck to the floor - rip/cut it out as soon as you can - not sure if the recall/fix will apply out in NZ, but contact your dealer, who will reskin the floor and fit some nice new mats
(the old rubber mats contained something which reacted with the aluminium floor, causing a reaction and corrosion)
if you can feel lumps and bumps under the rubber mat, sounds like you have got it bad!
whip the mats out - if there is an adhesive black rubber mat stuck to the floor - rip/cut it out as soon as you can - not sure if the recall/fix will apply out in NZ, but contact your dealer, who will reskin the floor and fit some nice new mats
(the old rubber mats contained something which reacted with the aluminium floor, causing a reaction and corrosion)
if you can feel lumps and bumps under the rubber mat, sounds like you have got it bad!
check that there arent any recalls afecting your car by entering your chassis number in here.
www.grouplotus.com/generic/generic.php?page=35
www.grouplotus.com/generic/generic.php?page=35
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