New guy just about to buy HELP,!!

[Ellclover]

I've just posted this in another section and think it was wrong sorry mods


Hi everyone, my names Elliot I'm from derby and thinking of buying an elan I've been into cars as long as I can remember and classic cars over the past few years. I've loved elans since my uncle bought a brand new one all those many years ago. I've been to see an elan today to. I was pleasantly suprised by its performance and build quality for a car that was both hand built and 20+ years old, the engine was really smooth and the body work pretty faded but nothing a rep ain't wouldn't sort, the main thing that concerned me was the perishing rubbers, they look like foam pipe insulation? Is this factory fit? I've took some pictures so you guys could give me an idea of how much it's going to cost so I can add it to my list of KNOWN costs before I make an offer on this car

Thanks in advance chaps

[epipete]

Hi, and welcome.

There is a great guide to buying the Élan in the Wiki above, and additionally, a word in the search will bring up loads of information from this forum on any matter you can dream up.

Seals are an ongoing problem with the Élan, they were made out of rubbish, are now showing their age and are generally unavailable. Though all is not lost - this thread shows the current situation in respect of the Hood Seals from which it seems a good DIYer can fabricate for themselves

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=23622

The A pillar seal (down the windscreen/door is available from Lotus iirc about £75 per side.
The glass seal (along the door) is available from (I forget where) again iirc about £75 per side or there is a method of fabricating your own somewhat cheaper on here somewhere

And finally, the actual door seal (which goes all the way around) is currently unobtainium!

DVB breakers may be able to provide used seals that would be better than the ones in your photos but at what price????

[dapinky]

The glass seal (along the door) is available from (I forget where) again iirc about £75 per side or there is a method of fabricating your own somewhat cheaper on here somewhere

PNM EngineeringLotus Elan M100 Door Top Weather Seals (pair) - £ 84.00 - Part Number PNMB0772K....

somewhat cheaper than Pete thought, but with postage, still quite a hefty price (but they are well made and stainless steel, so won't decay as easily as the originals).

[Ellclover]

I've worked out that this car is the one another guy has been to look at off the forum after winning on ebay and wasn't happy with the description, I went to see the car as it was only 40 minutes away from me I went to have a look. It's a project like I wanted but I think the guy just wants to much for it for how much it needs spending on it, I'm not scared of the work and have plenty of experience in this sort of thing, but if I'm going to end up spending more money on a project than a god one would cost it's just not worth it? So I think I'm going to leave this one!

I will keep looking for one, I'm sure one will show up!

Thanks

[epipete]

I gotta say that considering the pics you provided that that might be a good course of action

[Ellclover]

Surely every elan is worth saving? Do they not all have a problem with the roof seals?

[Faraday]

Hi and welcome to the LEC, as you can see, I am just a tinkerer, but I agree with you 100% they are ALL worth saving, BUT, at what cost. From my experience having bought one 2 years ago, it has cost a fortune to get her back to roadworthy condition and there is still more to do. It all depends really on time, ability and money, and if I were to wind back the clock, I would not buy one that needs a project doing on it shall we say.
That being said, I love her to bits and am not that far away if you would like me to pop over and have a chat sometime.
The Lotus Elan M100 is something very special to drive

[epipete]

Surely every elan is worth saving? Do they not all have a problem with the roof seals?

Well if replying with my heart then the answer is 'yes', but if with my head then the answer is 'no' as you yourself point out "if I'm going to end up spending more money on a project than a god one would cost it's just not worth it? So I think I'm going to leave this one! "

Hopefully someone will take it on board and save it, it all comes down to time, cost and quality !

[tweetdriver63]

I think a lot depends on whether you're looking for a project or not. Some people just like fixing 'em up so much, that they don't mind if it's going to cost them more in the end than buying one that doesn't need so much.

Most of us like to tinker, but not that much. I personally wouldn't buy one that was going to cost more than a good one. That's just poor business, as it were.

I'm sure somebody will eventually buy that car and restore it, which almost always means paying more than it is worth after it's restored. Most people don't restore them to make money, though. If you're looking for a car to drive and enjoy, and not one to spend money on and restore, then keep looking and let somebody else save this one.

I don't know how many of these are still available, but there a quite a few listed on this page.

http://cars.trovit.co.uk/used-cars/lotus-elan-m100

[Ellclover]

I think your right guys I do like to tinker so an absolute minter wouldn't be for me. I was hoping to pick something up for around 3k that needed a bit of work. Do you think I need to up the budget a bit? There doesn't seem to be a lot around at the minute

Thanks

[epipete]

Somewhere between £3&4k should keep you cheerfully skint for several years