ALL ELANS IN AUTOTRADER

[surfboardfiller]

Can you get the vin if you go to see it.

[Jackonicko]

Kev

I'll take a look at it for you if you want - it's on my patch.
G117 VRY is in the database. It's a Leicester car (although VR suggest it was first registered in Manchester) and Calypso red too.

Helpful registration guide page.

You look at the 'last two' of the three, Sy, not the first two. RY makes it a Leicester car.

I know this because UD is South Oxfordshire, and we see *UDs all the time.

[Sy V]

... what a penis!

[Jackonicko]

You're always boasting, Sy......

It doesn't drain that much blood from the brain, surely?

[GeoffSmith]

:oops: ... what a penis!

PEN15 - That would be Bury (Manchester)

[surfboardfiller]

I hope it's not green with a yellow stripe down the middle!

[Sy V]

No, that would be syphilitic (which comes somewhere between s**t and sympathy, in my dictionary).

[GeoffSmith]

No, that would be syphilitic (which comes somewhere between s**t and sympathy, in my dictionary).

Oh no it doesn't. Don't you remember the helpful little ditty: 'M' before 'P', except after 10 pints of zider.

[Sy V]

Yeah, OK, I had to use some poetic licence on the usual saying, but eh... who reads anything that I type literally?

[GusMangoFish]

Hi there

Sometime browser, first time poster. Great site and forum btw

I've been looking at a couple of Elans on Autotrader and wondering if anyone here knew anything about the two I've been looking at (e.g. maybe someone here owns one of them, or used to), and also any advice on a higher mileage newer car (S2) vs a lower mileage older car (SE) for the same price.

Having previously owned an Elan SE, that I sadly wrote off a couple of months ago, I'm really wanting to get hold of another one.

Here's the two I've been looking at:
S2, 1994, 100k miles:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... egLetter=M

SE, 1991, 73k miles:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... egLetter=J

I'm not sure of the cream interior on the green one, but think I could live with it / get it changed (a friend has two spare Elan seats from a car that was broken for spares).

[rip]

Gazza keeps a database of S2s. You could try PMing him.
I know what you mean about the cream interior. I love it, but when the leather starts to crease it starts to look tatty more quickly. A session with Liquid Leather will help and I've also heard that some upholsterers can almost work miracles when restoring leather seats.

[surfboardfiller]

With cars this age; Mileage holds little weight as to the predictability in mechanical condition.

Elans can vary greatly in mechanical condition with similar miles. I'd say full service history from a decent service centre is more important.

I'd trust a car which gets used, over one sat in a damp garage.

[GusMangoFish]

Thanks rip and surferphil.

rp, will PM Gazza later.

[Jackonicko]

There are two good Elans on offer from known and trusted LEC members at the moment, both Calypso red.

Surferphil's is in extraordinarily good fettle, and with a recently rebuilt engine.

I suspect that Beats' car (which is a good, honest car that's had a lot done) will be available for a very good price.

Phil is a thoroughly honest and decent bloke, and I'd have more confidence and peace of mind buying from him than from anyone else, including Lotus main dealers, or even Will B. He's a multiple Elan owner himself, and this car is outstanding.

I don't know Beats, but he seems like a similarly solid dude.

[GusMangoFish]

Cheers Jackonicko. I'll take a look at both those on the boards.

Just found a post from surferdude here: viewtopic.php?t=12424 , so will PM details of my written off Elan to him too.

[Specky]

I've seen Beats motor in person.... all thou it was a while back,

IIRC.... a good solid motor.... and he was asking a very reasonable price

TTFN

[Jackonicko]

Hurry if you want Beats' car. I've been looking for a friend, who is soon back from the States, and it's high on his list of prospects, though he's iffy about Calypso.

[wayne]

Quite an interesting Elan for sale at the moment...

registered 1993? supposed to be the last S1 off the production line. currently 16,000 miles. Price seems way over the top!??

No use to me as the steering wheel is on the wrong side but Just thought it was an interesting find that someone may be interested in

Reguards

Wayne

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... egLetter=K

[ashm]

Has anyone had a look at this one, or know anything about her?

H146 LDA

I was in the area today and stopped for a quick look. The exterior looks nice from a distance due to what I assume is a recent respray, but there are some stray spots of red paint on the number plate and below the windscreen...
She seems to drive ok, but I only rolled her around the block. The boost dial sat at zero even when I got the revs up, so there may be an issue with the dial or the turbo? Rear wishbones have quite a lot of surface rust, but I don't know how deep it goes. Dealer prepared to rectify this in case of sale. Headlight motors work, as do windows etc. Seats slightly tired, seams splitting but no obvious ripped leather. Hood ok, one slightly frayed area rear top left, window very slightly cloudy but not too noticeable. Gear changes are ok, no stickiness or crunching. Brakes a little spongy, but that's normal, right? Steering felt solid but quite a bit heavier than my Focus! Nothing weird under the bonnet. A little grime and oil, but no leaks or strange mods, all looks stock.
Service book has garage stamps for all services in the book, finishing around 100k. Does this mean the cambelt will definitely have been changed?

The car was a trade-in. The previous owner apparently claimed the front wheels were "buckled" due to hitting something, the dealer says they will be repaired/replaced if sold, but I worry that hitting something hard enough to damage the wheels would also damage the powertrain/bearings/suspension/whatever.... any thoughts as to what I might look for? The car will come with a warranty, but the dealer is also keen to rectify any serious issues before letting her go.

Currently never owned an elan... but looking to change that.
Cheers!

[Sy V]

Front off-side sidelight U/S.
Turbo problem will almost certainly be a the earth to the gauge.

H146 LDA SE Calypso Red 108,000 miles on 26/08/07 was in Autotrader - Driver Motor Sales, Northwich, Norfolk. ORP (Open rear plate)