Another new member...

[vxpert]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for accepting my registration.

Not currently an Elan owner but considering buying if I can find the right car (yes, I'm working my way through the buying guide info on here as well as lots of owners' YouTube videos). Ideally, the plan would to get one as a daily driver (no doubt someone will be along soon and tell me I'm nuts!), therefore the preference would be to buy a car needing little doing to it and maintaining that condition rather than taking on a project. I'm totally open-minded to quirks and fiddly little faults having quite a bit of experience owning Loti (Lotuses...Lotus?) in the past (VX220 Turbo - hence my username - and more recently an Evora) and other obscure low volume British sportscars (with Reliant badges). I presently own a Scimitar Sabre Turbo that has been non-running and standing some time and plan to turn my attention to this year, hence not wanting to saddle myself with another restoration.

Anyway, enough of my wittering on... I'm based in Berkshire, in case there's anyone else on here knocking around in this neck of the woods (not that anyone can meet at the moment, but hey-ho!)

Cheers,

Jeff

[Jamie N]

I remember away back in the day when I first started looking on LEC (Over 15 years ago now ), any newbies would be
welcomed aboard within minutes of posting usually, how times have changed eh!, maybe most owners are on Faceboak these days?,
anyway welcome to the board Jeff, best wishes in securing yourself an M100 and keep us posted how you get on. Good luck.

[Simon_P]

Welcome!

Ideally, the plan would to get one as a daily driver (no doubt someone will be along soon and tell me I'm nuts!),

There are plenty of people on LEC who have and still do use their elan as a daily drive. They are pretty reliable and its a practical proposition. I have several times most recently in 2019. It can be a bit damp on occasion and if doing long journeys youll prefer a quiet exhaust.
Usual sort of servicing but these days plan ahead and have a plan b if something gets stuck or broken, as you probably can't get parts in a hurry.

[scotlan]

Hi vxpert,

Welcome aboard, this is a great Forum full of experts in every aspect of the Elan M100 many willing to help.
It has helped/is helping me no end when I have had issues with mine, as I am not an expert.
As for buying an Elan, good choice. I have had two previous ones and compared to other sports cars I have owned there is nothing that can give the same thrill. On balance they are reliable and relatively cheap to sort. Biggest bonus: No body rust!
Good luck in your search

[gov]

Hi Vxpert

Welcome to the forum - good luck in your search - there are a few M100's around at the moment and I'm sure as Spring approaches more will appear

These cars do get under your skin - I bought my 91 SE in 2008 - sold it 3 years later ( regretted it straight away ) 8 years later was offered the car back again from the same chap who bought it off me - couldn't resist as he had really looked after it and the fact he had spent a lot on upgrades including brakes , short shift gear conversion , new hood etc and much more made it a no brainer !

Many on here have been members for years and you won't find any forum that has so much information and advice.


Tony

[Fredjohn]

Hi and welcome to LEC. You'll find it a great site with loads of knowledge and helpful people. Agree with comments already made. We even manage to meet up in the real world occasionally!

Put your location in your profile, makes things easier when help advice etc needed.

Also if you look on faecesbook Lotus Elan M100 owners & enthusiasts group you'll see 2 for sale. A blue one at £20k and a silver one at £9k. Might be worth looking at both. Can't (?) discuss prices on here, but compare it to Eddie Jones' and Owen Farrell's comments on the refereeing after the Wales England game!

[vxpert]

I remember away back in the day when I first started looking on LEC (Over 15 years ago now ), any newbies would be
welcomed aboard within minutes of posting usually, how times have changed eh!, maybe most owners are on Faceboak these days?,
anyway welcome to the board Jeff, best wishes in securing yourself an M100 and keep us posted how you get on. Good luck.

Thanks Jamie! Actually, that's a question - does this group have any presence on Faceache, or are there any other Lotus Elan groups on there you'd recommend (since I tend to loiter on there quite a lot!)

[vxpert]

Welcome!

Ideally, the plan would to get one as a daily driver (no doubt someone will be along soon and tell me I'm nuts!),

There are plenty of people on LEC who have and still do use their elan as a daily drive. They are pretty reliable and its a practical proposition. I have several times most recently in 2019. It can be a bit damp on occasion and if doing long journeys youll prefer a quiet exhaust.
Usual sort of servicing but these days plan ahead and have a plan b if something gets stuck or broken, as you probably can't get parts in a hurry.

Thanks Simon, that's reassuring. Although I plan for this to be my sole vehicle, it won't be the sole vehicle in the household, so there will also be a Plan B.
I'm very used to parts shortages...when I had my Evora, sometimes there would be a delay in weeks or months - even rumours they might scavenge parts from the production line in order to meet spares demand!

[vxpert]

Hi vxpert,

Welcome aboard, this is a great Forum full of experts in every aspect of the Elan M100 many willing to help.
It has helped/is helping me no end when I have had issues with mine, as I am not an expert.
As for buying an Elan, good choice. I have had two previous ones and compared to other sports cars I have owned there is nothing that can give the same thrill. On balance they are reliable and relatively cheap to sort. Biggest bonus: No body rust!
Good luck in your search

Thanks Scotlan! I was very impressed/happy with both my VX and Evora, but I'm not sure I can justify the outlay for either right now, so the Elan seems to offer just the right mix of affordability vs desirability right now. Oh, and yes, I've always found a GRP body an asset (save maybe when it comes to finding competent professional body repair)! Love the colour of yours by the way!

[Blaster]

Thanks Jamie! Actually, that's a question - does this group have any presence on Faceache, or are there any other Lotus Elan groups on there you'd recommend (since I tend to loiter on there quite a lot!)

Try this group https://www.facebook.com/groups/18414574095

[vxpert]

Hi Vxpert

Welcome to the forum - good luck in your search - there are a few M100's around at the moment and I'm sure as Spring approaches more will appear

These cars do get under your skin - I bought my 91 SE in 2008 - sold it 3 years later ( regretted it straight away ) 8 years later was offered the car back again from the same chap who bought it off me - couldn't resist as he had really looked after it and the fact he had spent a lot on upgrades including brakes , short shift gear conversion , new hood etc and much more made it a no brainer !

Many on here have been members for years and you won't find any forum that has so much information and advice.


Tony

Thanks Gov! This was another reason that drew me towards this car and this group - I feel a rekindled need in me for cameraderie (probably brought on by pandemic cabin fever). I can't wait to get back in a car that I can wave to fellow owners from!

[vxpert]

Hi and welcome to LEC. You'll find it a great site with loads of knowledge and helpful people. Agree with comments already made. We even manage to meet up in the real world occasionally!

Put your location in your profile, makes things easier when help advice etc needed.

Also if you look on faecesbook Lotus Elan M100 owners & enthusiasts group you'll see 2 for sale. A blue one at £20k and a silver one at £9k. Might be worth looking at both. Can't (?) discuss prices on here, but compare it to Eddie Jones' and Owen Farrell's comments on the refereeing after the Wales England game!

Thanks Fred. I thought I'd saved my location, although I could be more specific (I'm based in Reading).

I'll search for the group on Flakebook. I suspect £20k might be a little rich for me, but if I'm after something decent then I suppose I shouldn't rule anything out. Plus, as the old adage says, you get what you pay for (actually, I prefer the alternative "you can't polish a turd" ) Onwards and upwards!

[Fredjohn]

Thanks Jamie! Actually, that's a question - does this group have any presence on Faceache, or are there any other Lotus Elan groups on there you'd recommend (since I tend to loiter on there quite a lot!)

See also my post above. I'm in both groups, but always suggest people refer to this forum as the best source of information.