Classic Car Weekly: 13/11/08

[Oliver]

Anyone else read the rubbish that Classic Car Weekly wrote about the M100 in their `classic road test` this week ?
It really dissappointed me as i otherwise like the paper, but this article is largely uninformed drivel, anyone else had the misfortune to read it ?

Oliver

[Monty]

I don`t buy Car Mags
Any chance off scanning the article? or maybe a quote or 2 from there mag?

[Rambo]

Here's a taster - ya' cheapskate Northern monkey

Get down to Smiths or Menzies like the rest of us

[GeoffSmith]

Get down to Smiths ...

That's no good 'cause I'm a cheapskate Northern monkey too.

[tigerdog]

Get down to Smiths or Menzies like the rest of us

At least paraphrase, for Pete's sake! It's a long way to Smiths or Menzies for some of the rest of us. You might think it's a long way 'round to the chemist, but that's peanuts compared to the universe...

[martin_bailey_1]

For the benefit of our friends in the US (or for 'Cheapskate Northern monkies') here's a (very) swift summary of the article:

Adam starts off with a production history of the Elan, describing the original performance figures and detailing some differences between the UK and US models. He then mentions the introduction of the S2 and the later KIA incarnation.
Strangely, in this introduction, he intimates that the car received mixed reviews and that some of the press had 'mocked' the car's handling when compared to the original Elan. He also states that the S2 was slightly slower, but that 'some handling issues had been ironed out'.

The main body of the article is then somewhat scathing of the car's exterior looks, especially when compared with the original Elan or the Mazda MX5, and describes the interior as looking like it's been assembled by someone who required a guide dog.
Speaking of visibility, or lack thereof, Adam also then bemoans the sloping bonnet and rearward blind spots.

The next part of the road test is somewhat more complimentary, as he describes driving the car as being 'an addictive experience', praising the steering weighting and mentioning the safe and predictable handling, (although he also highlights high speed wind noise and the 'crashing and banging' over rough surfaces'.)

The review then becomes negative again, as he describes how part of the interior trim falls off, and how various guages only work intermittently when prompted by driving over potholes etc.

Finally he concludes the write up, by saying that it's easy to overlook the good points (badge, performance, driver satisfaction, driving position and cornering) because of the poor build quality.


I'm very new to this Lotus ownership lark, having only purchased my Elan a couple of weeks ago. However, I'm puzzled by some of the comments in the article.......

Yes, I think it's absolutely fair to say that my Elan isn't exactly screwed together like my 'daily' car (a Lexus) ....... but then again the Lexus isn't an 18 year old hand built British sports car ! I wouldn't dream of being critical of someone else's car, but I'd venture that most of the Elans owned by LEC contributors ( even my own ) might have stood up to the road test somewhat better than the example featured.

I'd also suggest that restricted visibility and soft-top wind noise at 70 MPH, might reasonably be expected in an elderly sports car. To criticise these things seems to be rather missing the point ? ..... Or maybe it's me that's missing something ?

Hope this short write-up is of some help ........... over to you folks for further comment

Cheers,
Martin.

PS .... the actual car featured in the test is also up for sale, at the princely sum of £3,495 ( details at http://www.lyonsfarmcars.co.uk )

[Enright]

Glad you put the "PS" in Martin - I think it says it all!
If a trader is selling it for that amount, what price must they have bought it for? And what does that say about how it was looked after?

I don't think I've driven an S2 but reports suggest that the handling feels a bit different - perhaps a bit taughter. I'd hardly go as far as to say that was an "issue" though. The biggest issue is lift-off oversteer if you bottle it in a corner, but if some dopey journo had experienced that, then they'd probably not be around to write about it!

As for the looks compared to the original Elan, what sort of progress did they expect in 30 years? Obviously just a reliable clone with no actual demonstration of imagination, like for example, an MX5.

I have to agree to a point about the quality of finish of the interior, but then with an entire prodution run of less than 5000 cars I've often wondered if Lotus ever made 2 the same! Lets see how anything else of a similar vintage and price stands up though. I'd argue that unless it was made in Germany, it's probably dead by now.

"Blind spots"?!? It's hardly big enough to have any! Was he trying to park it in a fridge?

I bet all of us know our various ratlles, squeaks and associated noises intimately. It's part of the ownership experience, listening out for new ones and seeing if you can cure them.

Oh and a PS of my own - I'm not taking pot shots at the messenger!

[tigerdog]

Thanks for the synopsis. With regard to the review, I can't comment on negative press at introduction; maybe there was some, but I have yet to encounter anything but hardy praise. Styling is always a personal choice and we must, I suppose, "agree to disagree" with the writer on this count. The Elan made no pretense of being anything but a modern car whilst the conteporaneous MX5 played on the sympathies of lovers of classic roadsters. To me, there's no comparison. 1991 MX5s get hidden by parking valets in Southern California. 1991 Elans get placed on the front line next to Ferraris, Bentleys and Lambos and turn just as many heads on the street. I tend to agree on your assessment of the condition of the car under review versus cars at LEC. Certainly my Elan is as reliable as any 19 year old car has a right to be. Compared to the underhood wiring nightmare that is my '94 Merc E320, the Lotus is holding up quite well. I'm not sure where the concerns have arisen regarding wind noise. The Elan is one of the only open cars in which I've ever been able to hold a normal conversation at 70+ MPH with the hood down.
I would definitely take his writing at face value and not worry overmuch on the negative points. You're an Elan owner now and in a much better position to judge for yourself.

[tweetdriver63]

If that car in the link is actually the one used in the road test, it looks like a decent example, with only 65K miles. However, based on the asking price, there must be something about its condition that is lacking a bit.

This kind of article just sucks because it's some idiot hurting the value of our cars with his stupid opinions. Certainly, if he compared it to other cars of the day, he'd have to have nothing but praise. To compare it unfavorably, in any way at all, to an MX5 is outrageous! Sure, the MX5 is a good car, but gimme a break! I wouldn't be seen standing close to one, much less driving it! The only use an MX5 has, is providing some aftermarket windblockers that can be easily modified for an M100.

Other than my speedo being wildly inaccurate, everything in my car works exactly as advertised. I don't even recall anybody ever asking for help on LEC about other gauges working intermittently, as in the test car, other than the boost gauge, which is always just an earthing issue, easily fixed in 2 minutes.

[chris.t]

from what i gather then is that his article is written from a personal perpective based on one particular car and copious amounts of verbage from his rectum!

[Steve_P]

Reviews and reviewers are iffy at the best of time for all sorts of product. Some years ago I designed Hi-Fi products for a living and regularly submitted new products for review in the mags. We normally did pretty well but on one occasion received a very indifferent review on a new pre-power amplifier. I didn't recognise the name of the reviewer so phoned the editor to ask who he was!? Turned out he was the graphic designer from What Caravan? There were other examples such as this over the years to the point where I now rarely take much notice of any reviews and instead use my own judgement - however flawed it may be, it has to be better, particularly if it's me who has to pay for and live with it!

I agree with the comments, all Elans are different and it is impossible to make any sensible assessment of the cars handling ability unless you know its been renovated to as near original spec as possible. Any Elan still sitting on its original springs 15+ years after leaving the factory will not be set-up correctly, and will be twitchy as the springs sag and the geometry goes out. In my humble view a fresh Elan (new S2 springs/dampers/Michelins and steering rack free of play) is still a fine handling car even by modern standards, with performance (after a little boost ) comparable to a 'sensible' current day hot hatch - that for me is rather good for a 20 year old Lotus

Put the review in the recycling where it belongs and enjoy your Elan

[Doug]

thanks for the synopsis, Martin.

[trig]

Its funny I recently brought my Elan based on a Classic Car mags review the review had nothing but praise for the overlooked Elan and although I was not in the market for a Lotus ( I was looking for a A/C Cobra copy ) I brought the Elan based on the superb fwd handling and the reliable Isuzu lump and I have not been disappointed
My car is 16yrs old done 111k and looks like new and everything works!!

Reviews do influence peoples opinions and car prices so its annoying when they get it wrong

[nitroman]

If that car in the link is actually the one used in the road test, it looks like a decent example, with only 65K miles. However, based on the asking price, there must be something about its condition that is lacking a bit.

This kind of article just sucks because it's some idiot hurting the value of our cars with his stupid opinions. Certainly, if he compared it to other cars of the day, he'd have to have nothing but praise. To compare it unfavorably, in any way at all, to an MX5 is outrageous! Sure, the MX5 is a good car, but gimme a break! I wouldn't be seen standing close to one, much less driving it! The only use an MX5 has, is providing some aftermarket windblockers that can be easily modified for an M100.

Other than my speedo being wildly inaccurate, everything in my car works exactly as advertised. I don't even recall anybody ever asking for help on LEC about other gauges working intermittently, as in the test car, other than the boost gauge, which is always just an earthing issue, easily fixed in 2 minutes.

With any older car, it's amazing how much a few knowledgeable turns of a wrench adjusting things will add to driving pleasure.

[lotos]

Have to say ... I disagree with the article. I have been madly obsessed with the M100 since the first road test in an American car mag. I waited, saved up, and kept a lookout for "my car". Then I hear a firsthand report from a Supra owner that he drove an Elan once and it was a crappy little car, felt junky. So I shifted my attention towards maybe just getting a cheap Elan because I still loved the way it looked. Then one showed up locally and I drove it. It was a total piece of crap, but it was also apparent that it was utterly abused and neglected. Every single piece of the car (every body panel, every interior piece) was in very used condition. So I forgave the encounter as being a POS car with a naturally POS driving experience. Anyway, I bought my car and although it isn't a Lexus, it's not a junky car at all. I've had more squeaks in a year-old luxury car. As you've all said to me repeatedly lately, it's a hand-built car and it's pushing 20. Start with that frame of mind, and you'll be impressed.

[Jackonicko]

If anyone can pick up a copy for me, please do. I've tried everywhere!

[martin_bailey_1]

Jackonicko.....

I still have my copy.........and if you'd like it, it's yours.

Let me have your name/address details, and I'll happily pop it in the post.

Cheers,

Martin.

[theelanman]

Martin
there are other whod be interested too so how about scanning it in ??......
cheers
G

[Jackonicko]

Thanks, Martin, I'd like it and will happily pay for it and pay postage. If it's not too much trouble, though, I'd be indebted to you if you could scan it first, or if that's a problem, send it to me via the Elanman, so that he can scan it.

I have a shedload of articles that I'll be sending to Gareth to be scanned - I haven't forgotten, I just have about a dozen to cut out and file before sending the two portfolios.

[theelanman]

I have a shedload of articles that I'll be sending to Gareth to be scanned

news to me........

however it may give me something to do......