Why not buy a Lotus Elise
Discussion
Hi all
We bought this car because it was built in England wanted to support our automotive sector. What a mistake to make. The vehicle is now just under 6 months old.
The day after we bought the car the brakes were locked and could not get it out of the garage (the AA man got it out in the end).
Due to this it had new pads and disks on it as they were warped, still binding when we drove it and caused the disk to get hot hot hot and warp. They still bind today.
The Hand brake cannot be put on this vehicle as they still stick and sometimes again cannot get it out of the garage, only after 12 hours of being parked there!
We then had an ABS failure (well the little light came on) we were told the speed sensor had to be replaced.
Now yesterday while driving down the motorway the front near side indicator jumped out and ended up bouncing over the bonnet. We had to removed it on the hard shoulder and again back to the dealer who said there was nothing they could do on a Sunday and tried to send us on our way driving a vehicle without indicators, is that legal? We did not think so! They did repair it in the end.
Why do the British car manufacturers make us buy cars made overseas due to their poor quality etc?
If anyone has any advice on how to get rid of this car without costing us lots of money please advice.
Thanks for listening / reading to a very frustrated customer!
We bought this car because it was built in England wanted to support our automotive sector. What a mistake to make. The vehicle is now just under 6 months old.
The day after we bought the car the brakes were locked and could not get it out of the garage (the AA man got it out in the end).
Due to this it had new pads and disks on it as they were warped, still binding when we drove it and caused the disk to get hot hot hot and warp. They still bind today.
The Hand brake cannot be put on this vehicle as they still stick and sometimes again cannot get it out of the garage, only after 12 hours of being parked there!
We then had an ABS failure (well the little light came on) we were told the speed sensor had to be replaced.
Now yesterday while driving down the motorway the front near side indicator jumped out and ended up bouncing over the bonnet. We had to removed it on the hard shoulder and again back to the dealer who said there was nothing they could do on a Sunday and tried to send us on our way driving a vehicle without indicators, is that legal? We did not think so! They did repair it in the end.
Why do the British car manufacturers make us buy cars made overseas due to their poor quality etc?
If anyone has any advice on how to get rid of this car without costing us lots of money please advice.
Thanks for listening / reading to a very frustrated customer!
What has your dealer said about the problems? Especially the brakes - that sounds like a terminal problem that needs replacing?!
If you're certain on selling the car, may I suggest www.pistonheads.com/sales. Sorry to see you come and go so quickly!
If you're certain on selling the car, may I suggest www.pistonheads.com/sales. Sorry to see you come and go so quickly!
grayntap said:
Hi all
We bought this car because it was built in England wanted to support our automotive sector. What a mistake to make. The vehicle is now just under 6 months old.
The day after we bought the car the brakes were locked and could not get it out of the garage (the AA man got it out in the end).
Due to this it had new pads and disks on it as they were warped, still binding when we drove it and caused the disk to get hot hot hot and warp. They still bind today.
The Hand brake cannot be put on this vehicle as they still stick and sometimes again cannot get it out of the garage, only after 12 hours of being parked there!
We then had an ABS failure (well the little light came on) we were told the speed sensor had to be replaced.
Now yesterday while driving down the motorway the front near side indicator jumped out and ended up bouncing over the bonnet. We had to removed it on the hard shoulder and again back to the dealer who said there was nothing they could do on a Sunday and tried to send us on our way driving a vehicle without indicators, is that legal? We did not think so! They did repair it in the end.
Why do the British car manufacturers make us buy cars made overseas due to their poor quality etc?
If anyone has any advice on how to get rid of this car without costing us lots of money please advice.
Thanks for listening / reading to a very frustrated customer!
a couple of key tips here
i) dont put the handbrake on when you leave the car in the garage, leave it in gear. Unless the car is in regular use the pads will stick to the disks of any garaged car.
ii) call Lotus cars customer relations number and explain you have had a load of problems with the brakes binding (which you say they are still doing) and ask them to resolve the issue for you permanently - which they will.
Bennno
Tracey
It's a real shame that you've had so many problems with your car. Know what you mean, when you;ve lost faith it's all you can do to see the back of the car.
It sounds as though you've ended up with a Friday afternoon car - I am sure all manufacturers have them; though it's not much consolation when the car is your pride and joy.
If there is still a glimmer of there being some sort of redemption; have you given Lotus a call. They tend to be very helpful and are keen to keep customers faithful to the marque.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
Andrew.
It's a real shame that you've had so many problems with your car. Know what you mean, when you;ve lost faith it's all you can do to see the back of the car.
It sounds as though you've ended up with a Friday afternoon car - I am sure all manufacturers have them; though it's not much consolation when the car is your pride and joy.
If there is still a glimmer of there being some sort of redemption; have you given Lotus a call. They tend to be very helpful and are keen to keep customers faithful to the marque.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
Andrew.
This sort of car needs a certain way to treat it.
Ok, not for the indicator light, that one is a documented flaw, but for the brakes: you need to store the car with them hot so as any humidity would dry out immediately.
Basically don't potter around in the rain and park it, they ARE going to bind.
There are other points to take care of, being a lightweight car, but... are you up for it?
Maybe it's not the car for you.
Ok, not for the indicator light, that one is a documented flaw, but for the brakes: you need to store the car with them hot so as any humidity would dry out immediately.
Basically don't potter around in the rain and park it, they ARE going to bind.
There are other points to take care of, being a lightweight car, but... are you up for it?
Maybe it's not the car for you.
As mentioned above, these things happen with new cars, and TBH they aren't huge problems, all of which should have been sorted under warranty - if they haven't been give the dealer a chance to sort it, and if you're not happy with them complain to Lotus.
If you're adamant you want rid and have a bad car (which I doubt you really have), then seek advice from a solicitor for returning it as not fit for purpose under the sale of goods act. AFAIK though, the dealer has the right under that to remedy all your issues.
Don't give up yet, you're just about to get to the good bit... summer in the Lotus!
If you're adamant you want rid and have a bad car (which I doubt you really have), then seek advice from a solicitor for returning it as not fit for purpose under the sale of goods act. AFAIK though, the dealer has the right under that to remedy all your issues.
Don't give up yet, you're just about to get to the good bit... summer in the Lotus!
Hi again all
I do understand that the pads may stick a little which happens at times but these pads are fused on, and warping the discs! We have been in-touch with Customer Services and they were as helpful as getting in-touch with dealer in Bromsgrove and we are awaiting their call. Our other fun car never had the brakes stick and that was in garage for upto 3 months without moving and never went back to the dealer for any problems. I do love the car and is a great car to drive but if the customers do not complain about basic things they will just be abused by the big car makers.
Will park it at the Garage tomorrow (would love to put a big sign on it!)
May sell it and buy another Porsche and that will hurt as I like to buy British (well sort of)
I do understand that the pads may stick a little which happens at times but these pads are fused on, and warping the discs! We have been in-touch with Customer Services and they were as helpful as getting in-touch with dealer in Bromsgrove and we are awaiting their call. Our other fun car never had the brakes stick and that was in garage for upto 3 months without moving and never went back to the dealer for any problems. I do love the car and is a great car to drive but if the customers do not complain about basic things they will just be abused by the big car makers.
Will park it at the Garage tomorrow (would love to put a big sign on it!)
May sell it and buy another Porsche and that will hurt as I like to buy British (well sort of)
Regarding the brakes binding - the way I read tracy's original post was not really a "pads bound a bit to the discs" - which would occur if left for a time after being wet, for example, but more like a problem with the brake system - some sort of fluid lock or sticking calipers (i.e. the pads actually being pushed onto the disc).
I am very surprised that your dealer has not been more helpful (taking the facts as they've been presented here).
I am very surprised that your dealer has not been more helpful (taking the facts as they've been presented here).
just give the car to me! Ive had 2 elises no more problems than other car ( except for some dull jap crap).
The key is mate is you have to drive it like it was intended to be driven and regulary and you'll get no problems! (basically drive it like you stole it)..
The cars are so good im having a exige come jan next year wayhey! Enjoy the micra you should swop it for ;-)...
The key is mate is you have to drive it like it was intended to be driven and regulary and you'll get no problems! (basically drive it like you stole it)..
The cars are so good im having a exige come jan next year wayhey! Enjoy the micra you should swop it for ;-)...
grayntap said:
Hi again all
I do understand that the pads may stick a little which happens at times but these pads are fused on, and warping the discs! We have been in-touch with Customer Services and they were as helpful as getting in-touch with dealer in Bromsgrove and we are awaiting their call. Our other fun car never had the brakes stick and that was in garage for upto 3 months without moving and never went back to the dealer for any problems. I do love the car and is a great car to drive but if the customers do not complain about basic things they will just be abused by the big car makers.
Will park it at the Garage tomorrow (would love to put a big sign on it!)
May sell it and buy another Porsche and that will hurt as I like to buy British (well sort of)
Pads don't 'fuse on and warp the discs' unless the handbrake is applied whilst the pads and discs are still roasting hot. If you park the car in gear, when the pads are hot the problem will not arise.
As Uldis pointed out, the binding can occur if the brakes are wet when the car is put away but this doesn't cause warping. Do you drive the car hard? It could be a build up of crap on the discs which can feel like warping - a really hard run (possible driving along for a while whilst left foot braking) can solve this.
The headlight falling out is a known problem but it should be rectified. If I had turned up at the dealer with a car in a non-roadworthy condition, I'd have demanded a loan car and, if that wasn't forthcoming, I'd have kicked up one almighty fuss.
The dealer really should pull their finger out - your dealing is with the dealer, not the manufacturer - they should make good all the problems. Threaten them with Trading Standards unless they take action.
Good point t_t.
If the car is really not used regularly, and the pads bind to the disc, it's probably exactly as is described above. Take the car out for a REALLY, REALLY enthusiastic drive, find somewhere that you can safely brake hard from 70mph down to about 30 and repeat several times, then go for a long drive.
If by the end of it all feels well, it's just a thin layer of rust & crap on the discs which will wear off with use.
If the car is really not used regularly, and the pads bind to the disc, it's probably exactly as is described above. Take the car out for a REALLY, REALLY enthusiastic drive, find somewhere that you can safely brake hard from 70mph down to about 30 and repeat several times, then go for a long drive.
If by the end of it all feels well, it's just a thin layer of rust & crap on the discs which will wear off with use.
Good point about the warping guys: remember I put my car away (no handbrake) for 1 week immediately after washing it and thought I fecked my discs/pads royally!!!
A couple of hard drives (which felt like hell because the discs were so non-flat!) and a quick rain shower (while driving) ensured all the rubbish came off and the discs are doing fine
A couple of hard drives (which felt like hell because the discs were so non-flat!) and a quick rain shower (while driving) ensured all the rubbish came off and the discs are doing fine
As far as I am aware, Elises have a pretty good record for reliablity. It sounds like you have been unlucky with yours, but I don't think it's fair to generalise that Lotuses are poorly manufactured - i really don't think your experience is the norm.
Remember it is a hand built car and costs half the price of a Porsche. So it's bound to be a little less 'solid'. Having said that, a friend of mine owns a Boxter S and has had countless problems with it, including the gearbox falling out on the motorway. I've never had to call the AA for my Lotus (touch wood).
If you enjoy driving, taking the roof off on sunny days, and want a car you can have a meaningful relationship with
I think you should get all the problems fixed under warranty, and keep the Elise - you will never have as much fun for that sort of money buying a foreign car!
Guys back me up here....
Remember it is a hand built car and costs half the price of a Porsche. So it's bound to be a little less 'solid'. Having said that, a friend of mine owns a Boxter S and has had countless problems with it, including the gearbox falling out on the motorway. I've never had to call the AA for my Lotus (touch wood).
If you enjoy driving, taking the roof off on sunny days, and want a car you can have a meaningful relationship with
I think you should get all the problems fixed under warranty, and keep the Elise - you will never have as much fun for that sort of money buying a foreign car! Guys back me up here....
mr-lovebucket said:
As far as I am aware, Elises have a pretty good record for reliablity. It sounds like you have been unlucky with yours, but I don't think it's fair to generalise that Lotuses are poorly manufactured - i really don't think your experience is the norm.
Remember it is a hand built car and costs half the price of a Porsche. So it's bound to be a little less 'solid'. Having said that, a friend of mine owns a Boxter S and has had countless problems with it, including the gearbox falling out on the motorway. I've never had to call the AA for my Lotus (touch wood).
If you enjoy driving, taking the roof off on sunny days, and want a car you can have a meaningful relationship with
Guys back me up here....
Right on the money. After a succession of so say 'higher performance' Germanic cars, nearly all bearing substantially higher purchase prices, my 111R is the one that has recaptured my interest in driving for driving's sake.
HI all
After all your help (bar the take up gardening comment) the Lotus guy is meeting me at the dealer to test the cars brakes as he feels they may be be as they should be.
He agrees that we have had more problems that is the norm and said the dealer should never of told us there is an problem with putting the brake on in the garage after being out in the wet.
Again thanks for all the constructive help and will let you know what they say when we meet.
Tracy
After all your help (bar the take up gardening comment) the Lotus guy is meeting me at the dealer to test the cars brakes as he feels they may be be as they should be.
He agrees that we have had more problems that is the norm and said the dealer should never of told us there is an problem with putting the brake on in the garage after being out in the wet.
Again thanks for all the constructive help and will let you know what they say when we meet.
Tracy
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