Engine and transmission reliability?

XCamaroman · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2005, 06:56 PM

Hello all. How are you enjoying your Elise's? I was just wondering how your cars were holding up. I had a 2000 Toyota Celica GTS for about 3 years and was involved with a group of guys who also had GTS's. Some heavily modified some lightly modified. I was probably right in the middle. I was also a member of newcelica.org.

Anyway, alot of owners of GTS's have blown engines, threw rods and bearings, destroyed drivetrains and transmissions. I know the GTS engine and drivetrain is tightly wound in the first place so I was wondering if any Elise owners have had any problems? I am going to make a purchase by next summer as I will have plenty of $$$$ by then. I really want to by the Elise but am having reservations because of the GTS issues. Please give feedback. If the Elise is having issues I might go Corvette Z06 route.
Thanks.

XCamaroman · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 08:58 AM

Anyone care to comment on any problems they have had?

soulmn · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 09:36 AM

I believe you might be just a little too cautious about this. The engine is actually a pretty good engine. No one that I know of so far has had any engine issues with the elise.

Some of the issues that the GTS was having was due to people boosting and some low oil/high temp issues. At least that is what I have read mostly. IMHO it was more user induced than engine failure. Quite a few guys have been tracking the elise so far and have had no issues. Some one correct me if I am wrong, but I thought lotus also added a second oil cooler to take care of some of the issues the GTS had, temp issues at high rpm etc..

elise vs vette that's like mighty mouse vs superman, apples and oranges. Both great cars but two very different breeds. I say get the elise, of course, better looking, better handling, but it's all opinion.

soulman

XCamaroman · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the response. And I do have to agree, I think a lot of the problems people had with the GTS was driver error. Miss shifts and adding too much power. Me personally , I never had any problems with my car.

And you are right, the two are totally different vehicles. But the Elise looks better, drives better, from what I have heard and is very exclusive. I have only seen one Elise in my city since it was released. I see Vette's everyday.

cozwas · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 10:06 PM

I love the Vette for what it is, Pure American muscle And probably the best all out power for the buck...but they are a dime a dozen and eat there weight in fuel...