not a problem as such

[cynic-al]

but I couldn't think where to post it.

Thinking of flogging my MX5 for an elan, much more stylish and faster too apparently, and maybe as reliable?

I need to be able to get a bike in or on the car. Can one put a rack on the boot of the elan? I am guessing not. Is the boot big enough to take a wheel? If so I may be able to put the dissembled bike in the passenger seat. Anyone care to measure the internat width of the cockpit between door cards?

thanks in advance

[Candles]

The space available for the passenger is large, and the boot quite roomy, but I reckon the best way, if you must take a bike on it, would be to modify a standard tailgate bike rack. There are plenty of edges and things to strap it to. Some of the owners on here carry snowboards regularly and they strap them on the top of the boot I think. I've carried skis, but courtesy of a helpful passenger with the roof down!

As for your comments on the car, yes, the Elan is faster and depending on who you ask, is nicer to drive. You will find it lacking in the following areas though: Stock brakes are frankly frightening unless maintained perfectly. Most people upgrade. The loss of rear-wheel drive may bother you! You'll find the roof almost certainly leaks in a very annoying fashion that drips onto the driver's leg. In terms of reliability, yes, the Elan is good for a Lotus! Lots of forum members use them as daily-drivers and indeed, this is the regime in which they fare best. Don't be fooled though, there are lots of things that can and will go wrong. Luckily, most are a very simple fix away, it is just that garages won't tell you this; they'll simply fleece you!

Now, having said all of that, these problems are all fixable (apart from the rear-wheel drive!). The best thing is that you won't have to fend off continuous offers from old grannies and hairdressers who want to buy your car.

Good luck, Candles.

[Enright]

Jeffbro has transported a complete mountain bike in the boot before.
He had to remove both wheels, the seat post and I think the forks too. But he managed it.
The boot is surprising spacious - do a search for any posts by Clemo, look at his avatar, and there's your proof!

What you have to take into account with the Elan is it's a hand-built British sportscar, not a mass-produced Jap one. Therefore they all have their little "foibles". We tend to view them as quaint and idiosyncratic around here, but others can be driven to distraction by them (and consequently driven off). It's all about the charm of being part of a select band of enthusiastic amateurs. There are bound to be pros and cons.

[lotuska]

Two bikes carried without any issues...apart from sorting the extra number plate and lights.

You could even drop the roof without any problems.

[cynic-al]

cheers - just clip rack on in std way? thought fibreglass might not be strong enough...

[lotuska]

Was a rack that I'd used previously on a hatch back, I think it was a Thule Freeway bike carrier.

The majority of the weight of the bikes was on the back of the car just forward of the boot lid and the bumper and it was held in place by a set of straps that fitted into the gaps around the boot lid itself...Not using the standard metal clips but the optional round type blocks that fit inside the boot...if that makes any sense.

[gmacz]

http://www.armybikes.com/index.htm
Try this link.I am thinking of getting one of these.
Yours Gmacz

[cynic-al]

http://www.armybikes.com/index.htm
Try this link.I am thinking of getting one of these.
Yours Gmacz

cheers - I'm well into my bikes and won't comprimise with a folder though!

[gmacz]

The Montague or Hummer bikes are advertised as true mountain bikes with decent components,that fold.Lifetime guarantee etc.My problem is that I am tall and like a test run on a bike to see if it fits my frame.I need a 45 degree stem or an adjustable stem to bring the handlebar upwards or I suffer backache.There are no bike shops in Scotland selling the bikes.So no test run.Seems like a decent solution to the bike/elan problem.Yours Gmacz