I finally had my first mechanical problem with my Elise.

When driving the other day, I noticed that the set screw on the bottom of the parking brake lever had backed itself out (caught my finger when I grabbed the handle).

I debated heavily onto whether I should demand that the dealer tow the car in and fix it, but in the end, I grabbed a small inspection mirror and my metric Allen wrenches, and tightened it up. It took about 1 minute (after I found the wrenches). The hardest part was getting in and out of the car... get yourself a lawyer, I'd say... ditto, what he said! Lawyer up Immediately and let us know how it goes. Chronic back pain, neck strain, not to mention muscle spasms from being bent over like that. All that pain and suffereing needs to be accounted for. Your dealer should at LEAST offer to replace the car. Tracy has a point. You might have gotten a lemon. It's something to consider. Usually once something like this happens once, it'll happen again and again. Imagine having this happen again and being somewhere far from home. I dont think anyone would want to be put in that position. Tim what is your VIN number? Sorry but your car is now "tainted", you know, like a flood car. Oh well. That books as a one hour job. I figure the least your dealer could do is pay you $75 plus $15 in "shop fee." If he won't pay up, you should put a mechanic's lien on the car.
Tim what is your VIN number? Sorry but your car is now "tainted", you know, like a flood car. Oh well. Oh no!!! Should I seek diminished value?

I think I'll keep my VIN a secret for now - just in case... Once you tightened the set screw did that annoying rattle disappear? At least you have a reliable Elan to help you get around while this issue is addressed. Did you torque it to specs? Maybe you should replace the set screw with the new limited edition titanium set screws(annodized any color) for $95 each(they come in packs of 12).These set screws save .01gram over the original equipement specifications,and will add 5hp at the wheels.Touring version of course is available for slightly more. SELL it now while you still can ( and the mileage is still low ) let someone else deal with the problem...... ( I heard those chrome orange ones have the most problems !! ) "these cars are just falling apart! no wonder they have no resale value!"

to date, i had more problems with my BMW than with my Elise Once you tightened the set screw did that annoying rattle disappear? I actually found and fixed my annoying buzz that started a couple of days ago (happened when decelerating through ~2,200 RPM). Some fool (who shall remain nameless) had dropped a Tootsie Roll Pop on the floor and it slid under the passenger seat.

Lotus should have to install an anti-Tootsie Pop shield to prevent this type of thing from happening again... Whoa! A screw loose you say?

Good thing I read about this problem before purchasing my Elise. This type of problem might have forced me to sell two weeks after I purchased for a huge depreciation hit. Oh well, I suppose I better head on over to the Honda forum and see about the S2000 instead....


LOL I betcha the loose screw is due to 'touring' wheels Oh man Tim, did you set yourself up for these replys!!! All good too!

Bruce So far the only screw that has come lose in my Elise is the one in my head when I go for a drive.......

At least that's what I sometimes hear from bystanders when I get out of the car!

-C