Rear Badge Vs. Letters

[BMT216Z]

How hard would it be to remove the letters in the back & replace them with the badge?
Can any good body shop do it? can the dealer arrange to have it done? How much would this probably cost? Would there be any "ghosting of the letters after removal?

[Miguel]

Doesn't seem to be too bad since they are not clear coated. If they apply some heat they should come off easy. Someone sugested to use dental floss and a hair dryer. If any glue is left then use a clay bar.

Detail of Letter very close up:

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...0961#post70961

Suggestion of Hair dryer, dental floss and clay bar:

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...0182#post70182

[mapes]

The hairdryer should soften up the vinyl and you should be able to peel them off. Use 3M General Purpose Adhesive remover or any of those citrus based auto cleaners to remove any adhesive residue. No ghosting should exist if you remove the letters soon after delivery.

Your dealer can probably order the correct badge for the rear.

[J.Kozeka]

Althugh I did not sign up for an Elise as an investment, history has taught us that unique and small production run "enty level exotics" can increase in value over time. It amazes me that many have thoughts of changing, modifying, improving, and customizing the Elise. I made a decision early on to LEAVE IT ALONE UNLESS IT BREAKS. I am not particularly thrilled with the stick-on lettters, but I will bet that based on the loving care I plan to give this machine, they will be there five years form now. When they no longer look good, I may consider having a professional paint them on exactly as they looked new.

[kusheen]

Originally Posted by J.Kozeka

Althugh I did not sign up for an Elise as an investment, history has taught us that unique and small production run "enty level exotics" can increase in value over time. It amazes me that many have thoughts of changing, modifying, improving, and customizing the Elise. I made a decision early on to LEAVE IT ALONE UNLESS IT BREAKS. I am not particularly thrilled with the stick-on lettters, but I will bet that based on the loving care I plan to give this machine, they will be there five years form now. When they no longer look good, I may consider having a professional paint them on exactly as they looked new.

In my view it will be some time for the Elise to increase in value, if it ever does. Apart from the subjective question of whether or not the Elise is an exotic (not in my book), history has taught us that Lotus' road cars as a rule have not appreciated, and all of them are rarer than the Elise.

True, a very nice vintage Elan will cost you over $20K, compared to the $5k or so they were in the mid 60's, but with in terms of real dollars that is not an appreciation so much as inflation adjustment.

The other thing about Lotus is that although it has a racing pedigree that for a time was there with Ferrari and the other big boys, its road cars were never really class leaders in performance/build quality/engineering/value.

Most Lotus owners early on realize that they benefit from owner upgrades to the engineering shortfalls/low material quality/cosmetic gaffs that are all part of the Lotus experience.

Want to keep your car stock? That's great. But changing out the bare metal foil letters with laser cut ones or better yet the Lotus Badge will not diminish the car's value down the road.

[pip]

Originally Posted by mapes

The hairdryer should soften up the vinyl and you should be able to peel them off. Use 3M General Purpose Adhesive remover or any of those citrus based auto cleaners to remove any adhesive residue. No ghosting should exist if you remove the letters soon after delivery.

Your dealer can probably order the correct badge for the rear.

The badge is available from Sector 111 for 34.99. Looks good on the website.Check it out!pip

[kusheen]

Originally Posted by Phoenix SRT

That said, there are always exceptions. Some that occur to me right off the bat include the following. Although I don't know the production numbers of these cars, I am pretty sure that it is in the thousands or tens of thousands and they cost a pretty good dollar these days: Austin Healy 3000, E-type, XK120/140/150s, and I sure there are others.

I fully agree, but to throw a monkey wrench into the works: add the Lotus Elan to a car that has 'appreciated.' A $5K or $6K car when new, excellent examples today bring well over $20K.

Now, one can question that appreciation in terms of inflation, but...

[kusheen]

Originally Posted by Phoenix SRT

$5-6k forty years ago, now worth something over twenty? That isn't an investment. It probably isn't even keeping up with inflation.

But, the real question is: if the Elan had been modified (well executed and effectively so it isn't just some sort of freak), would it still be worth what a stock example in similar condition is worth? Probably, is my guess.

But, even if it isn't, the more important question is: if a modified example is worth somewhat less than a bone stock car in similar condition, so what? We're likely talking only a few thousand dollars and that's a small price to pay to have the car the way you want it...for 40 years.

Of course, once we're talking about an expensive collector car worth $100k +/- and up, then orginality frequently (usually/always?) counts for huge money. And my entire point is that while the Elise (like the Elan) will be an interesting vintage car, there are just too many of them to be worth huge money. Modifying them, then, is unlikely to carry a penalty when it comes time to sell if, as I said, it's a well executed mod.

On the other hand, if Lotus ever becomes the universally acknowledged standard of sports cars, like Ferrari is now, then I may have to eat my words. Although that gets back to the fact that even serial production Ferraris are nothing but used cars in terms of depreciation.

Anyway, don't fail to mod it if that will make it a better car for you.

Phoenix...

If you reread my post, I think you and I are saying the same thing. Factoring in inflation over 40 years, the cars you cited...the XKE and Big Healy, also could be seen as having appreciated nominally, if at all, during that time.

That said, re to mod or not mod. I'm in favor of anybody doing anything they want to their cars...it's theirs and that's that.

BUT if someone is looking to recoup money at some time when they choose to part with the car, they should look at the mods as they make them and determine how much they change the character of the car, and perhaps how easily they can be undone.

Yes, there are 'a lot' of Elises out there right now. But, after watching Barrett Jackson auction over the weekend, it's pretty clear that some of the very common and then 'run of the mill' muscle cars are insanely expensive right now, several bringing over $100K, and a few $200K+

For that value, those cars must be bone stock original or restored to original, right down to the overspray in the trunk and under the hood.

As for used Elise's, which I will probably buy at some point in addition to the one I bought new...there are some mods that I'd accept but certainly would not pay extra for: carbon fiber AC surround and center console for example. Putting that stuff in your car, you should either plan on giving it away in the car when you sell, or put the original stuff back in to sell the car and get 30 cents on the dollar back on the CF stuff through private sale.

I'd stay away from an aftermarket turbo'd car completely. That certainly would not add value to me and would actually cause me to walk away.

Actually, come to think of it. I'm not aware of too many, if any, aftermarket things you can do to ANY car that will make it more valuable.

IMHO

[kusheen]

Originally Posted by Phoenix SRT

True enough. But, as with the purchase of almost anything, you buy it because it makes you happy.

I agree completely. Because of this, I really have no concern at all as to what the market value of my Elise is. It's worth a lot to me, and I will only sell if life throws a curve such that it must go.

The few mods I have and will make are purely to enhance my enjoyment of the car, without thought to resale.

The only exception would be mods that would alter the car's ability to pass the required motor vehicle inspection which takes place (in Maryland) when a car changes hands and is titled to a new owner. I will never do those mods unless they could easily and inexpensively be undone.

Because we have such strict emission inspections here, I'm inclined to resist the temptation to go Turbo, especially if a given kit means altering the emissions system in any way.

[Chicago Elise]

If you want an investment, look elsewhere.

Take it to the track and beat on it.

You'll never make enough money in any car as an "investment" to make up for the fun you missed out on.

[Ev][L 1]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I don’t know what is sadder, the fact that you are worried about the value of you Elise 40 years from now, or the fact that I read this entire lame conversation. You will probably not be alive in 40 years…. So enjoy you car. This is the saddest like man I have ever seen.[/SIZE][/FONT]