2008 Elise SC - things to look out for ?

[halfpenny43]

Looking at a 2008 Elise SC from the Lotus importer here in the Netherlands.
Looks a nice clean car from the pictures - 30,000km on the clock. Going to look at it in the weekend.

15 years or so ago - had a Rover vvc-engined Elise, toyota Exige then a 111R Elise which I exported when I moved to NL some 12 years ago.

Anything specific to watch out for on the SC model ??

Thanks
1/2p

[lj04]

Yes, your grin will be bigger than your face

[halfpenny43]

lj04 said:

Yes, your grin will be bigger than your face

[lj04]

Mines an early S3 with the same 2zz engine. Feels great but I prefer the non served brakes of the rover cars, apart from that it's the usual things to look for. Worth asking on Seloc if anyone knows the car.

[Turn7]

Supercharger whine is addictive !

I did around 2000 miles in an Exige S and loved every minute of it.

Sadly, I didnt own it....

[andySC]

I had a 2008 SC for a few years. Other than servicing & brakes/ tyres it never missed a beat. They’re a very impressive package. Feel as muscular as the numbers suggest. Track days, touring and even the odd commute in mine. I moved it on to make way for a Cayman, in truth I should’ve held onto the Lotus although the Porsche was a great car. Values (...in the UK) have remained firm too it seems.

It’s a 10 year-ish old Elise so I’d be checking for damage/repairs. Suspension components may be worn? If it has aircon, does this work. Electrics all ok? Oil leaks? The consensus is that the engine is robust.

[halfpenny43]

andySC said:

I had a 2008 SC for a few years. Other than servicing & brakes/ tyres it never missed a beat. They’re a very impressive package. Feel as muscular as the numbers suggest. Track days, touring and even the odd commute in mine. I moved it on to make way for a Cayman, in truth I should’ve held onto the Lotus although the Porsche was a great car. Values (...in the UK) have remained firm too it seems.

It’s a 10 year-ish old Elise so I’d be checking for damage/repairs. Suspension components may be worn? If it has aircon, does this work. Electrics all ok? Oil leaks? The consensus is that the engine is robust.

Awesome - thanks !
I did think about about Cayman (2011 S Black Series PDK with 80,000km) but have been burnt a couple of times here with Porsches and dealers and it dampened my enthusiasm for a marque. Over the last 15-16 years I've gone Elise 111s - Exige S2 - Elise 111R - Porsche Cayman S - 993 C2 - 996 Turbo to my current car a breathed on Mini JCW.

But need something to "drive" again before I'm too old and decrepit to get in and out of an Elise

[_Bandit_]

Check there’s no crunches on the gearbox 2nd or 3rd gear and make sure it’s been serviced every 9k miles or 1 year, whichever came first.
Brake fluid should have been changed annually too. S/c belt and spark plugs need doing every 5 years (if I recall). Make sure the cat isn’t rattling as they don’t seem to last (2zz).

Otherwise check for the usual things, crash/chassis damage, overall condition and history.
If all checks out, have fun

[Turn7]

_Bandit_ said:

Check there’s no crunches on the gearbox 2nd or 3rd gear and make sure it’s been serviced every 9k miles or 1 year, whichever came first.
Brake fluid should have been changed annually too. S/c belt and spark plugs need doing every 5 years (if I recall). Make sure the cat isn’t rattling as they don’t seem to last (2zz).

Otherwise check for the usual things, crash/chassis damage, overall condition and history.
If all checks out, have fun

Can you still get ECU print outs off the car ?

[Tickle]

A friend had his cat go, sounded quite terminal when it did! The feedback he got was the standard cats are a weak point.

[Fonzey]

Tickle said:

A friend had his cat go, sounded quite terminal when it did! The feedback he got was the standard cats are a weak point.

Based on the fact my Exige had an aftermarket (not a performance) cat on it with just 16k miles on the clock - I'd agree with that feedback!