Should I take the plunge?

[Cool Runnings]

Hello there. I'm giving serious consideration to moving over from a Chimaera to an Elan and am looking for some guidance. The obvious question is should I? I have enjoyed the TVR experience but I do fancy a change and the Elan has caught my eye. I've not driven one and can't remember seeing one recently in this neck of the woods (SE Hampshire, UK).

[Rob P]

Have never driven a Chimera but given it is more of a Muscle car (Big engine and rear wheel drive) the Elan will be something different for sure, The Elan gets down the road pretty rapid for a little 1600 with a Turbo and packs a fair punch for it's size but it is more about the way the car drives along those twisty country lanes from my experience.

I would suggest trying one before you buy to see if it suits you, personally I think you'll love it, I certainly don't regret picking mine up even though I have had one or two niggling issues over the period (nearly two years) that I've had her.

[Cool Runnings]

Thanks Rob P. There doesn't seem anything not to like about them (well apart from the niggles I read about on here - I enjoy a good fettle!) but until you try you never know, as you say.

[GeoffSmith]

Drop Gazza a PM. He's just gone from S2 to Tamora.

[steve291274]

I remember my father's Chimaera that he had around 15 years ago I my claim to fame is its the fastest I've ever driven in a car and let's just say if the Elan was flat out for a hour I would have been 13 miles in front maybe slightly more. And then there's that engine, what sound it makes . The Elan though is just amazing little car in every way In my opinion(Im on my third). You can drive it in any condition, if you want, It's got enough power to get you out of trouble, reasonably cheap to run compared to most exotic, and the handling is sublime, as a Lotus should be. Go drive a good one and then decide, I don't think your be disappointed and best of luck..

[Cool Runnings]

Thanks for the replies guys. Is there a good car reasonably locally to me that I could try? A big ask I know!

[Cool Runnings]

Well I've driven a couple over the last few days and must say I'm impressed; It's not like a Chimaera but then that's a bonus to be honest. I'm still keen to speak to any 'local' experts if that can be arranged. Happy to travel actually. Anyone?

[Tuga2112]

check the regional elan meetings part of the forum, you may find something close by.

Personaly I had mine for only a few months and done about 1300 miles on it, already had a couple of hicups but nothing major, It was a choice betwen a GT4 or the Elan, and i dont regret having picked the elan. (although i still want the GT4)

I dont know what else to say about the car, if you spend long enough reading the posts you will probably get a better "feel" about the general opinion of the car.

My before i bough the car a friend of mine told me "to have one is to love one, you will only keep it if you love it cus they break all the time" in my experience its nowere near as bad as an MGF, but not as reliable as Celica or yaris.

the biggest issue you may find in the forum is that regardless of how objective the current forum members try to be, you will very likely get a biased opinion anyway.

[epipete]

the biggest issue you may find in the forum is that regardless of how objective the current forum members try to be, you will very likely get a biased opinion anyway.

My experience of the advice on the forum is that it is great, however, it is sometimes confusing due to the variance of opinion, for example suggestions for oil or tyre replacements is utterly boggling!

[Cool Runnings]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Now looked at and driven three Elans at different parts of the market. The example at the bottom was a money pit and the two in the middle of the price range were potential money pits. Guess I'll wait til spring and hope there's more choice.

[Tuga2112]

the biggest issue you may find in the forum is that regardless of how objective the current forum members try to be, you will very likely get a biased opinion anyway.

My experience of the advice on the forum is that it is great, however, it is sometimes confusing due to the variance of opinion, for example suggestions for oil or tyre replacements is utterly boggling!

I was refering to the fact that in the forum we are mostly Elan enthusiasts. therefore even trying to be objective about the car (in the perspective of a possible future owner) we will probably describe the car in nice terms than the reality.

and your very right, I never got any clear idea what oil to get, so used the most generic i found to be on the safe side. and thankfully i have no need to replace tyres for the moment.