• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.

    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Elan m100

paulwilliam

Freshman Member
Offline
Hi, has anyone worked on one of these ? I'd just like to know if they are hard to repair (or even restore !). What kind of longevity can one expect from an Elan ?
 
These front wheel drive M100 Elans have no parts in common with rear wheel drive Elans (that most of us would be more familiar with). Most of their mechanical parts are sourced from Isuzu, which would probably make them pretty reliable. I did look at the engine in one some time back. It looked similar to any Isuzu sedan (or any other small Japanese sedan for that matter). These are pretty recent cars, so I doubt your have to do a complete restoration on one.
 
Thats a nice car...very much underrated in the market place and the many of mechanicals (motor) coming from Izuzu should make the maintaince quite easy...

Depending on the price offered..they can be excellent deals..

The car supposedly handles with the best of what Lotus Produced..

I've never driven one but thats what the reports of the day stated...

I like the car..it was just overly expensive when it was released... and the competition..was able to beat its price/value relationship..

but used....

I'd go for it..

True heritage and handling excellence..for not a lot of money!
 
Nice car but I think it was ignored as it was fwd and overpriced. The Miata offered better value for money.
 
Thanks for giving your opinions.

Yeah, they are supposed to be pretty hot in the handling departement. I remember reading some quite stunning reports when it came out (I couldn't afford one at the time!). CAR magazine(UK) compared it to the Lancia Integrale Evolution and the Porsche 911(964) Carrera 4 ! Another journalist wrote about how it blew an Esprit S4 away (on a WET circuit!).
I'm not really looking for out and out speed, just good fun and feedback, and I'm not sure the Elan would be as fun as an Elise. But the m100 is a beautiful car. If I do buy one, I'd like to keep it for many years, which is why I'm worried about longevity and restauration.

Has anyone driven a Miata ?
I'm told it's comparable to the "old" Elans.

cool.gif
 
I drive an M2 Miata every day............it's nothing like an old Elan.

1. It starts every day
2. It's comfortable
3. It never breaks down
4. The top goes up/down in seconds
5. It's got air conditioning
6. Weird electical stuff never happens to it.

All kidding aside, I love old Brit roadsters, but having the Miata allows me to drive a roadster when I don't have time for a "fussy" car. It handles great, has nice steering, etc. It's a decent autocrosser too. I can't think of a better "low maintainence" daily driver for an enthusuiast.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by aeronca65t:
I drive an M2 Miata every day............it's nothing like an old Elan.

1. It starts every day
2. It's comfortable
3. It never breaks down
4. The top goes up/down in seconds
5. It's got air conditioning
6. Weird electical stuff never happens to it.

All kidding aside, I love old Brit roadsters, but having the Miata allows me to drive a roadster when I don't have time for a "fussy" car. It handles great, has nice steering, etc. It's a decent autocrosser too. I can't think of a better "low maintainence" daily driver for an enthusuiast.
<hr></blockquote>

You missed one - it politely waves goodbye to well-sorted Elans when they pass. Seriously, I have an M2 also, but I'd love a good Elan - to UK spec, mind you!
 
Back
Top