2005 Lotus "computer dump"

[Draven]

I'm presently in negotiations with a dealer in Georgia selling a used 2005 Lotus Elise with but 1000 miles on it. The previous owner seemingly endured the excrutiating period of break-in only to trade the car in for an Exige. Since this invariably sounded fishy to me, I requested a printout of the "computer dump" done at the 1000 mile maintenance and was told that the 2005 Elises are not "drive by wire" and therefore no "computer dump" is possible.
Is everything I'm reading about Lotus monitoring the break-in period applicable only to the 2006, or is this guy maybe trying to sell me an abused Elise?

[Allan Gibbs]

By computer dump, I assume you mean reading the ECU....the ECU which all Elise have. Yes, a ECU readout can be done on the 2005 models.

But as for the Elise trade-in for the Exige, it does happen. I'd do it if I didn't take a hit.

Also, I don't think he's deliberately trying to sell you a used Elise. I think he just doesn't want the hassle of getting a readout and potential problems if you find something you don't like.

Originally Posted by Draven

I'm presently in negotiations with a dealer in Georgia selling a used 2005 Lotus Elise with but 1000 miles on it. The previous owner seemingly endured the excrutiating period of break-in only to trade the car in for an Exige. Since this invariably sounded fishy to me, I requested a printout of the "computer dump" done at the 1000 mile maintenance and was told that the 2005 Elises are not "drive by wire" and therefore no "computer dump" is possible.
Is everything I'm reading about Lotus monitoring the break-in period applicable only to the 2006, or is this guy maybe trying to sell me an abused Elise?

[Draven]

Thanx Allan. That's what I thought.
I've no doubt the previous owner traded up for an Exige. What worries me is that he did so without ever having opened her up (assuming he respected the engine break-in period). So when I request the computer read-out from the dealer, and he replies, and I Quote:

... the 2005 cars were not drive by wire. Hence, there is no computer dump to be done on the 05’ model year cars.

That leaves me very suspicious of how the car was actually driven during the crucial break-in period.

[Yeti]

I agree with Allan.

Plus+++

If this is a Lotus dealer and they are already giving you a hard about seeing the dump it doesn't start the relationship on the right foot. It is a car you're buying not asking a woman for her STD history from the county health department. If the dump were good you'd think it would be posted as a plus.

Good Luck

[Yeti]

Originally Posted by Draven

Thanx Allan. That's what I thought.
I've no doubt the previous owner traded up for an Exige. What worries me is that he did so without ever having opened her up (assuming he respected the engine break-in period). So when I request the computer read-out from the dealer, and he replies, and I Quote:


That leaves me very suspicious of how the car was actually driven during the crucial break-in period.

[FONT='Times New Roman']Not to mention the competency of the dealer or at least the salesman.[/FONT]