Buying your first Lotus Elise Things you must check
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- This video is about tips and tricks to check out that marvellous lotus Elise S2. The one you really want to buy. It addresses general items, the weak spots, the motor, suspension, brakes a road test and the associated costs for things that will or might fail.
A layman can gain a decent understanding of cars here, thanks: great presentation
I didn’t want to go through the hassle of a check list, so I simply skipped buying my first Lotus Elise and went straight to buying my second one.
what exactly does that mean?
@@JohnSmith-nz2yqbuying two at the same time I'd guess
😂
Just bought 2005 Elise. BEST video I’ve seen. Thank you!!! Huge service to all who are considering or own!
Glad it was helpful! and most of all enjoy your Elise
@@D3Sshooter thank you. I have Toyota engine. Should I do the thermostat modification? What kit would work for 2005 Elise? I live in Austin, TX. Thank you!
Wait, I’m kind of new to elises, is the toyota engine the 111r or 111s?
What a superb video. Your camera angles were great, lighting was great, and you were clear and comprehensive. This is a valuable resource to anyone considering this car. Thank you for taking your time to put this together.
Glad it was helpful!
Good instructional video. Much of what you said here can be applied to the purchase of a vehicle in general. Not just the Lotus.
The Spider Kelly txs
I always warm my 1988 Ferrari up by slower driving over ten miles or until the oil temperature gauge moves off the lowest position. Until that occurs do not try to use Second gear. Also no hard acceleration on cold tyres. Even on a warm day it takes 10-20miles to get some heat into the tyres. Many crashes occur due to cold tyres. On my 5th Ferrari the car was 19 years old, it had been driven 19,000 miles on 19 year old perfect looking tyres. Replace tyres every 5-6 years as the rubber goes hard. Even if they look perfect they put you at risk. I avoid buying low mileage cars. I want to see evidence of recent use. Making the mistake of buying a low mileage car meant early failure of all hoses! Replacement hoses to water & brake fluid is costly. Cars that stand about get failure on suspension dampers & bushes. Tyres become flat spotted. My current Ferrari has done 75,540 miles in 36 years, that’s normal annual use on cars which are not daily drivers. If a car has only a tiny mileage showing then it’s not been used and expect to have to renew hoses, bushes, dampers, gaskets, tyres, boots, and quite often the exhaust! I speak from experience! I’m on my 7th Ferrari. All manual gearbox cars.
That is by far the best "before you buy" car video I've ever seen. The level of knowledge displayed here is second to none and it's presented in a clear and understandable way. Kudos and thanks for helping me in my potential future purchase.
Glad it was helpful! and get that lotus, you will enjoy it
When I buy an Elise in 3 years I'll come back to this video
LMAO same plan here hahahahhaha
Me too 😂
2 years left. You got this👏
@@zodeadlifts9295 I will man, I have to - life is too short
Same
Even though I'm a Corvette owner, I'm a total car enthusiast. And I've always had this closet admiration for Lotus cars. Even though I'm not in the market for one, I found this video supremely interesting. All the hidden things about buying a this specific Lotus. Brilliant!! Much in this video applies to buying a lot of sports cars....Enjoyed it.
Thank you for the comments, we all share the same interest cars with character and power. Which corvette do you have ? The sting ray ? that is what I would love to get
@@D3Sshooter I've a 2013 Z06. I've got, now, over 70Kmiles on the clock. It's white /w ebony interior. No other options. The LS7 engine has been a real gem. It's also been remarkably reliable. My first couple of issues just came up. Hood strut dampers needed replacement. And there's a bad actuator for the HAVAC. Otherwise, the rest has been: battery, tires, front brakes...normal wear and tear stuff. No other electrical or mechanical issues thus far. And I love that it's normally aspirated. No turbo or SC issues to worry about..And it'll do 0-100 mph in well under 8 sec with Michelin PSS tires...And it drives brilliantly. The ride doesn't beat you up. This car makes amour with the road. Corners amazing. I highly recommend getting one!
I saw an Elise when they first hit the US and have wanted one ever since. I am now at the age and place where I may be able to have a weekend car. Thank you for the help;
Thanks for sharing!
“Now watch me suffering getting out”
Proceeds to smoothly exit Lotus.
Thanks for doing this...really prepared me to look an Elise over!
hi D3Sshooter - your one of the most knowledgeable person I have met on this great car. I appreciate all your videos and have learned much!! Your honest assessments and insights are really good. Thank you!
I appreciate that!.... Thanks for the comments
15 minutes in, and already a good video. It's a good watch, thanks!
Thank you for the comments
Thanks for making this. About to view my first lotus in a few days. Made me feel much more comfortable!
Thanks for the comments, good luck and buy one you will enjoy it
Im just about sorted now thanks to you videos. Last thing I did was remove the driving lights and fitted a full length grill. My 5 year old Grandson now says its a happy car , because its smiling.
Fantastic! I am sure he enjoys it.... must be fun to have a granddad with a lotus... Thanks for the comments
What an education! I'm not planning to buy one but I couldn't help but watch all of this as it was quite interesting and would recommend anyone to watch, especially those that think they know ;) Thanks.
Thanks for the comments
Well, I am somewhat overweight. And I find it surprisingly comfortable, even for long motorway drives.
That is great...
Maybe bigger buttcheaks makes it more comfortable to ride.
I should train my butt more often before i'll buy one...🧐🤔
@ 🤔 never thought about it that way ...
My feet are too wide and my legs are too long.
Very informative post. A few of these, owned by my friends, are racing and used as road cars in Guyana. New subscriber! They really appreciated this video.
Many thanks from the UK, I am 1.82m and 120Kgs was wondering about the fit. Having said that I learnt so much about buying a used car. For me, I know that anyone who irons creases in their jumpers is going to be thorough about everything!
txs
Outstanding. All buyer’s guide should be held to your video! Though, and informative! Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Tell you mate I love the elise but can't afford to by one, but I still thought I'd watch
What a fantastic video! Really in depth nice one mate👍🏼
Thanks for the comments, they are not that expensive here... but again its a toy car... not really a daily driver... some will disagree... but at the end it is a real fun car.
Excellent video. The best I have ever seen. Thanks so much for making this. I am going to go look at a 2009 lotus Elise next week. I am so glade I saw this
Glad it was helpful!
That was a fantastic video. Thank you for putting the time and effort into making it and sharing your knowledge.
Glad it was helpful!
I have enjoyed the video from the beginning to the end. Hat off, a really good video about a car,:actually the best I have found about a car, at least on youtube. Thank you. I am going to check the remaining 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the strangest episode of "Law & Order" guys. *_Thanks for making it!_* 🤣😎
Thanks for the comments
If you drill 3 little holes 5mm in the thermostat it will give you a little water flow from the beginning until the thermostat opens up. This will work on most cars, and will save your butt if your thermostat ever fail. It will take slightly longer for your car to get up to operating temp. But it will stop the sudden water temp fifference when the thermostat opens, it also makes it easier to bleed the water system after flushing water.
Dil Lee good tip. Txs
That's a little too much... the general guidance for these engines in the Caterham is a single 3-4 mm hole. You're only trying to allow a small amount of water to circulate slowly around the system to allow a degree of thermal stabilisation. 3x5mm holes will allow so much flow, that you'd be as well running with no stat at all.
I ran a modified 88degree stat, with a single 4mm hole in it... my car got up to temperature (around 90 degrees) and stayed there, no matter how hard it was driven and for how long. Engine was rock solid the day I sold the car.
@@1061shrink1061 That is a really useful tip. Thanks
Oh also on the Toyota engine you should have the Cams checked. The 2zz engine is a vvt engine and the secondary Cams can get worn and cause valve wipe.
Daniel Quaroni , yes indeed
Thanks for providing this very informative and educational video of the Elise.
Glad it was helpful!
Fabulous video. I feel now is the time to buy one. Values will only rise especially in the U.S. where this car is a quite rare. It’s the ultimate modern classic. Never driven one, but I’ve sat in an Elise. The driver focused ergonomics gave me all kinds of sensations. I want one bad.
TXS Joseph, Go and get one they are so great tp drive.... If you like go-carting, well that is kind of the feeling you get, its fast, low to the ground and it sticks on the road...
Boy you sure called it!
10:00 - Of course the water circulates on an inner-loop before the start opens - this typically includes the heater-radiator. If you let the engine warm gently for the first 10 mins, so the block warms through along with the head, you will have no problem. Driving hard from cold will warm the head more than the block, and stress arises. I love the KSeries, and have on in my MG MIdget and S2.
Indeed, that is what I was trying to explain,,,, txs for explaining it...
@@D3Sshooter In Poland we use K-Series in our car Polonez, to prevent temp shock also for quicker fulling water to system. We drill a little hole in termostat, that's when ur termostat is broken in full close still have a minimal flow
Even if i'm not on the market to buy, it's a really good video with coherent advices
TXS for the comments
Great video. Excellent detail and camera position showing all the parts to look at.
Sorry for the late reply , as i was away for work. But thanks for the comments.
Thanks for this video. Got my Elise yesterday for -500 eur. It was a 2002 K-Series in grey. Price beginning was 21.000 eur. Everything had to be done, -10% means 18.900 eur and then he let me take the car to our diagnostics professionals for one total day. Everyhing had minor problems, even the hardtop had some scratches. Bearings, differential, clutch, balljoints, toe links, springs, dampers, gearbox 5th gear problem, radiator, temperature constant 89 degrees Celsius, tires worn unregularly, window not closing totally, Rust and breaking not straight, car geometry not good, electric problems, battery worn out, driveshafts full of grease and the aluminium wisbone attachment had some cracks, best was the tuned pipe and engine tuning from 122 Pa to 140 Ps (I put minus 2.500 eur on my list). After 11 hours of checking the car, my friend working as a mechanic at Lotus told the owner that he should be lucky to only give us 500 euros that we take this heap of junk out of his courtyard. Ps: this was total fiction. Amazing video to buy a Elise, destructive video to sell one :-)
Thanks for the comments, I could see that... but that is on fact a reality... many are not well maintained and if you buy one.. better check it out... Like your story
i have one for 14 years, it’s on sale, but noone knows ifthere could be lots of small diseases that the buyer will find on the list and try to decrease the price. Then I’ll keep it. Of course it’s 25 years of listening sometings loud to music,but my Tinnitus comes because ofthe alarm with closed garage door since this march. I can’treally forgive my Elise for having done disease to my ears...but I won’t have a better life withoutmy Elise, just more space in the garage. Both sides have big advantages. To sell or not to sell, that’s the question :-)
Great video, thank you!
Thanks for the comments
Very informative, thank you sir.
Superb video. So much information presented in such a calm and engaging manner. Dissapointed to learn that, at 6' 4" (1.93m), this car is unlikely to be for me, as it is the most beautiful car I've ever seen.
Glad it was helpful!, The best thing to do is try it... sitting in it will be no issue... maybe the in and out will be... but than again we all crawl in and out our Elise... Give it a try,
@@D3Sshooter Thanks very much for that. I would love to drive, and possibly own, an Elise and doing the limbo to get in and out would be a small sacrifice. Thanks again for the superb video!
MAYBE YOU CAN GET THE TOW BAR MADE IN STAINLESS STEEL ,USE THE OLD ONE AS A PATTERN.,AT LEAST IT WOULDNT RUST.
What an amazing video. This really helps and inspires confidence on how to find a good 2nd hand Elise!
Very good video and good advice all around when looking to buy any used vehicle.
Thanks for the comments, my pleasure and hopefully you will find a good one.
@@D3Sshooter actually your video convinced me to stick with my SLK 55 AMG. I think Evora would be more for me based on your input so I'll keep any eye out for a good deal on one. I know the Elise handles better than my SLK but there are pluses and minuses to both vehicles.
This man is a real mechanic!
Great video, thanks for taking the time to put this together. Hoping to get an Elise soon!
TXS for the comments,
Great video 👍 very detailed and informative
Glad you liked it
Amazing content! Working on a review video for an Elise SC RGB edition and this helped.
Glad it helped!
anyone seriously considering buying an elise has refined taste.
Thanks for the comments
We've just brought an S1 and I'd love to know more about the thermostat modification
I got in at 6'3" 250lb (190cm 113kg) had to take my boots off and loosen my belt one notch. But I did it. And did it well.
Thanks for the comments
Amazing video! Well explained and easy to follow! I learned a lot.
Thank you
thanks Steve great vlog can't wait for the next one :)) from the UK
Thanks Richard.....will try.....
A was very fortunate to own a second hand 240R. Great years messing around. Let me down on only one occasion. Sold on for a reasonable price. After 10 years it has worked out to be my cheapest car ever due to resale value.
TXS for the comments
Nice video :) But getting in is too easy on the S2, with the lower sill, I took my S1 out for a spin yesterday, and oh boy, I'm about to sell it because I don't use it enough, but as soon as I get in... Well, I guess you know that feeling... ;) And BTW, it's a very bad idea to use the windshield to help to get in, Lotus did use the lighter (and thinner) they could find, and as such, they're prone to cracking...
"If you're watching this video you're most likely about to buy a Lotus Elise"
Me not even having drivers license: 😐😐😐😐😐
This video is spot on. D3Sshooter is clearly an expert: he taught me more than I ever knew about my Lotus Elise SC.
As an overweight, aging Lotus Elise owner who never tracked my never-crashed car, I proclaim this video speaks the truth. While I battle daily with advancing age and against metabolic trends that lend themselves an every-increasing BMI, I love my Lotus Elise and enjoy it every weekend. Blessed with short stature, I have devised what I believe are very agile and graceful techniques to enter and exit the vehicle.
In addition to the ultra-stiff suspension, which embosses your spine with a record of every flaw in the tarmac, the ultra-low profile presents certain difficulties that the next buyer must consider: in Texas, pickup truck drivers cannot see your Lotus when you are stopped to their passenger side - as like at a stoplight. In addition, the normal headlight height of standard cars and trucks will blind you once night descends. The Elise driver must exercise advanced, wisdom-infused defensive driving, which consists of using caution, brakes and quickness to anticipate and avoid danger. If you love him, do not buy a Lotus Elise SC for your impetuous son.
I love this video because it confirms that my one-owner, low milage Lotus Elise SC remains the gem I dreamt of. Mine has been a happy mating. D3Sshooter armed me with lots of nerd -info that will allow me to maximize any future transaction price.
Great write-up Hugo and thanks... I can only agree with you
thank you a ton, I'm about to make my first lotus purchase i'll be sure to check these 😁
Neon , my pleasure
This is very informative thanks you sir for time making this video I've always loved the lotus Elise and hope to get one soon thanks for all the tips
Thank you for the comments, and go and get one....
where can I find more information on the cooling modification kit mentioned at 12:20?
Here you have some info on a kit that does exactly that www.elise-shop.com/pressure-relief-remote-thermostat-elise-exige-s1-340r-only-rover-engines-p-79.html?zenid=4ug81pq1loa3v4jvh4tah6bbe2
@@D3Sshooter Thank you so much. and thanks for a great video.
@@D3Sshooter I just aquired a 111S that has been mostly in storage for 10 years without much service so I am still familiarizing myself with the car and starting to work my way through everything that may need service etc. I see on eliseparts that their equivalent kit does not work with that model. Is it not necessary that version?
Great video..I have a VX220 looks identical with the clams off...
Interesting!
Superb video watched it twice and reviewing again after view an S2 today. The thermostat kit you mention does it have a name i only found a gradula pressure system when i googled for the cooling system mod?
He aprendido mucho con tu video,
Gracias, gran trabajo...
Thanks for the comments
Hi Steve, Lotus revised the cambelt change frequency in line with Rover recommendations. It's now every four years/90,000km, whichever comes first, and an inspection at the midway point.
Tango Nuevo , thanks Tango. Good update.
Looking at various K engined cars and came across an MGF Trophy that said it had the cambelt, head gasket and water pump done 15000 miles ago. With receipts.
Great I thought...until I saw it was 10 years ago. But the seller argued mileage and wouldn't have it that age effects it too. As it happens the header tank was grey/brown so walked and bought a 1ZZ Elise S.
Very informative, thank you for the detailed video!
Wish he lived local. I would pay him to check out my next one. Brilliant video for first time buyers.
Thanks for the comments, and good luck
I'm 6' 3". Getting in and out is no joke, but once you're installed there is tons of leg room and my head doesn't brush the ceiling. I actually fit.
Thanks for the comments, that is good to hear... I guess I must be to fat...
Fantastic information
Excellent video . Thanks
As others have said great informative video. Just a point the rear toe links shown are uprated ones as the OEM ones don't have shear brackets. Beautiful 135R you are restoring, please more content on it.
Txs for the comments, and more is to come
Mansfield dmvngn
Great video sir...thank you
Would you recommend checking engine compression? I always do to check cylinders about same. Another huge consideration for a car like this is to see any sort of rust or corossion to see if it was winter driven... More likely probably on a Miata a cheaper version of this hehe
Thank you for the comments, I would not wurry to much about a compression test. Of course if they allow you why not. But those engines (K) are easy to get. Corrosion , less of an issue as its alu, although there are some area's that are prone for Alu corrosion. ( front wishbone to the chassis), I would ne more worried about a twisted chassis.. as that final
Excellent video!
Excellent work, definitely a good reference vid
Brian David txs david
Thanks D3S. We noobs very much appreciate the effort you put in to our education.
I got a offer for a vtec swaped S1. But that was used on tracks😢. I dont know what to do ?
If you look for a good car that was not recked or abused , then don't buy a track day car... the fact that its a track used car says alot about the driver.. I do drive on the race track with FF's and a MGB GT.... I have friends on the track with an Elise and those are pushed to the limit, have rough handling of the clutch and gearbox... my advice, don't unless you want to race on the track
@@D3Sshooter thank you Sir !
I better keep away from it ☝️
Very helpful, thanks a lot
Thanks for the comments
I actually found the suspension in an S1 no harder than my gt86. They ride pretty well.
I keep getting temped to buy one to replace the gt86, but the 86 is bomb proof (and suprisingly handles almost as good) and the potential costs of the Elise scare me off :d
thanks for the comments , Give it a try... they are so much fun
Excellent.
Many thanks!
Thank you so much for this video
Why don’t these cars get more recognition.. there beautiful. Also my uncle daily drives a lotus Elise and he switched the seats out for more comfort
BloxusOG txs, yes they are great, sporty and spatan
BloxuusOG
They probably don't get a lot or recognition, esp. in the US because of how rare they are. I've been racing for years and I've never seen one in person.
177SCmaro I’ve seen a few in person besides my uncles
BloxusOG
Lucky man. Even the nearest Elise for sale to where I live is a few to several hundred miles away up in Washington state or down in California. I'd love to buy one someday but they're just so rare these parts.
I would say they do it is just their prices (not least insurance) tend to make them mostly affordable to those who perhaps already have families and bills to pay, meaning the lack of practicality (2 seats, little trunk space) ends up putting all but the hardest enthusiast off. But once you buy one, you never regret it.
Very nice video !thanks
I heard i have to check the good centering of the exhaust but i don’t understand why..can you tell me? Thanks a lot 🙏🏻
Let me check
The only issue is it can knock against the surrounding body/trim if it's to far off center.
brilliant video well done!!!
Hello Steve ,have yo considered putting all of your videos onto DVD YOU COULD THEN SELL THEN AS A BOXED SET,Melvin,from UK.
07:00 if the engineers designed this with a quickly detachable rear body to access the engine, like a racecar it would’ve been fantastic IMO, or maybe it can be done
thanks for the comments, indeed but they did not
Thank you very much! Very helpful.
Y NM My pleasure, are you planning to buy one ?
Excellent advice. My issue is to find a vendor letting check all this 😳
Thanks for the comments, well if he has nothing to hide, they should else walk away ... That is what I do
I would address the temp surge issue by either getting a lower temp thermostat (less than $20 US) or simply drilling a tiny hole in the one in there so the hot coolant can slowly warm up the engine itself. Is there any problem with these suggestions?
Thanks for the comments, its the actual flow that is need. The littel hole will not help that much. This is especially an issue when driving hard, beating that engine.
To be honest any optional extras on any car no matter how people try to sell it are unfortunately in the used car market just a better means of selling your car first over anybody else’s, they do not ever add value.
When this Video came out I was doing research, Found several around 7-9k lowest price 10-15k mid . Now they have sky rocketed from 35k up to 100K with mid price 50k . Yeah I should have pulled the trigger.😅
Thank you for this nice video and explanation.
Thank you for the comments
Very useful informative video, thanks for taking the time to make it!👍🏻
Txs for the nice comments, and my pleasure
Hello Sir!
I bought my first Lotus An Elise S2 from 2008 with only 16.500 km on it a few weeks ago. I have a few questions that I wonder if you could help me with.
Firstly, could you recommend a good workshop manual for the Elise? I want the correct torques and so on for all bolts and nuts.
Also, I think you mentioned in one of your videos that you had got a complete set of new hardware from somewhere. Could you please give me a link if got that right.
I love your videos, they are fun to watch and very instructive.
Cheers Poul
Use the proper lotus service manual,all the torque settings are in there.
Great video and I haven't watched to the end!
Excellent video. Thank you for making it!
Thanks for the comments
What happens when you run out of older Euros in and there's still more in the car
This is good info thank you for making this vid. What would a front end replacement cost when it's wrecked up to or just before the frontwheels? Thanks in advance
Hi Matt, TXS for the comments. The cost ? Well that would be a new Clamshell (3000 euro),New radiator (500), new Radiator shroud 300, possible new lights at 1000 per side, a paint job and the work 2000. Assuming that the chassis is not hit, and the wishbones are clear. Total cost : about 6000 to 8000 euro.
@@D3Sshooter Thanks
I have seen them from,£3,500.to £6,000
Can you make a small hole in the thermostat just to keep some water circulating?
I don't think that will help much , as the whole has to big enough . The good thing is , there is a replacement kit that fixes the issues. That is what `i have installed on mine,,,
This video helped me so much... Thank you ✌️
Glad it helped! Thanks for the comments,
If I had an S1, id be very tempted to swap the engine. And S2000 engine would be amazing
Sorry for the late reply , as i was away for work. But thanks for the comments.
Continuity things you must check: opening the door with the window up, then cutting to a closed door with the window down.
Thanks for the comments
Have you finished the Elise yet? I was looking forward to seeing the end result. Hope you’re well!
TXS for the comments, as good as 100% soon a video
I've been seriously considering buying a Lotus Elise. I love the design, and I've heard they're great weekend cars for fun. I really wanted to know if I'd fit in one at 6'4" tall. Well, 3:50 answered that for me. I couldn't fit in a Ferarri 348 at all, and the space in the Elise looks even smaller.
You could always give it a try, some claim they can..
@@D3Sshooter I've found one at a dealer near me, so I'm about to go do just that. I figured I may as well try and see what happens.
@@korndogz69 , indeed give it a try...
good luck
@@D3Sshooter Well, I was technically able to fit in it (after some effort), but my knees were right up against the steering wheel, so I wouldn't be able to drive it. I also managed to bruise a rib exiting the vehicle haha!
Thank you so much for this video. It's so informative! I have a question: should you use 98 ron gasoline in these lotus elises? It are just rover/toyota engines and aren't tuned or have forced induction. So will you be alright just using 95 RON gas, or is 98 required/recommended?
Aaron Mattheus 98 is what is recommended. Its all about the octane content. That affects the combustion rate so for different octane values other ignition times apply. Although i have never sensed the difference. In each case 98 octane is recommended
Best not to pull on the screen surround getting in or out as this can sometimes crack the screen (windshield). Great video though..
Good point!
Very good, Thx!
Thank you too!
How long should the warm-up phase be for a Rover K-engine?
Hello there, wel I take it easy until the thermostat opens.. When I say easy, I start gentle and slowly start to rev higher when time elapses..until the thermostat opens.... So going low upper rev's until about 50-60 degrees