Me Elise is wrecked: Cost to repair, 18,000+

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:22 AM

Well I was in my parking garage and a guy in a Jeep was ronding the corner to the lower level of the garage. He made a wide turn, and I was at a lower elevation than he was. He didn't see me and didn't hear my horn going off. Needless to say he crashed into my car. The insurace has decided that it is 100% his fault, and his insurance is paying for everything. I got off of the phone with the repair shops that are sanctioned by Lotus, and because the front crash structure is carbon fiber and is bonded to the aluminum chassis, it needs to be replaces and cut out of the car. The costs are unbelievable.

There is suspension damage, and it is possible that the shassis is bent, in which case my car is totaled. This was a 10 MPH incident, although he was accelerating and was uphill of me. There was not even a scratch on his car.

This incident has really shown me just how dangerous my car is. If they do decided to total it, an EVO is on the list. Actually I would love an Audi RS4, but that is out of my price rance and not here yet!

Here are a few pics of the damage.....

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:24 AM

#2

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:25 AM

#3

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:26 AM

#4

astrocreep96 · Jul 8, 2005, 12:26 AM

Wow that sucks. Hate to see something like that happen to such a beautiful car. On the other hand, thank you for single-handedly convincing me never to buy an Elise if I plan on driving it. I'd be thinking about that $18K minimum for a fender bender too often.

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:27 AM

#5

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:29 AM

#6 This is the front crash structure. It is bonded into the chassis with a type of adhesive that is currently backordered throughout the country. It is 11,000 to replace and if there is damage to the radiator or mounting lines, that is thousands more.

SilverEvo8owner · Jul 8, 2005, 12:29 AM

:tear:

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:31 AM

#7 Check and see, no damage, hardly even ruffled the dust on the Jeep.

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:33 AM

Last one. This is the position of the steering wheel when the wheels are pointed straight. They are NOT in alignment. It is possible that the mounting points have been bent in which case my care is toast.....

trevor · Jul 8, 2005, 12:41 AM

Damn! At least they admitted fault or whatever though. Gotta hate those bigass SUVs with terrible drivers

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 12:44 AM

To be fair it was a hard turn for the guy to make, but I felt lucky that he stopped where he did. His bumper was 18 inches away from the A piller and the headlight was right in my face. I was lucky not to be hurt.

This car is a death trap. I am 50-50 on wanting it to be totaled.

machron1 · Jul 8, 2005, 01:13 AM

I think you know this, but...eh...the only reason to drive an Elise on the road is because you are driving to/from the track, or maybe canyon carving

On the other hand, I've done an entire track event in my Evo, took a bunch of people to BK, came back to the track for late night drags, went to a friend's house and took 3 people and their luggage to the airport...all in the same car...on the same day...and the sheetmetal is a lot easier to repair/replace. I would say for your needs the Evo would be great.

Evoisdream · Jul 8, 2005, 01:27 AM

wow sad to hear such a awsome car! but ull like the evo as much i promise

hehe

Mean TT · Jul 8, 2005, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by machron1

I think you know this, but...eh...the only reason to drive an Elise on the road is because you are driving to/from the track, or maybe canyon carving

I know where you are coming from, and I am beginning to think that this is especiall true in LA, where i currently live.

Another thing to consider is how enjoyable is driving a car where you are constantaly thinking about how you can die and which cars to avoid. If you take a look at www.elisetalk.com it is silly how many people are self imposed rules about driving their cars which not even most of the die hard fans follow. Sorry, but you have to parallel park sometimes. You have to pass, and there will always be SUVs around.

The Elise is a pleasure to drive, and it is very rewarding. Remeber there is no power steering, and the responsiveness is amazing. But with 18,000 repair bills and danger around EVERy corner, I question the wisdom of such a car.....