Poll: K Series

[ryallm]

My Elise didn't get HGF, and it was a 135 Sport which is supposed to be especially prone to it. I have had HGF in a Ford Focus, VW Polo, and my mother had it with huge expense in a Subaru Legacy (boxer engine, hence engine out job to fix). As the yanks would say, go figure

[alicrozier]

...happy with only 40% HGF rate

Ah, but you can only vote once...
...think that may skew the stats.

[Scotty C]

i had 3 k powered cars with 4 engine rebuilds, only one was due to HGF.

never had any problems with my honda or my toyo.

[Corranga]

Maybe you need to look at other considerations if it's all cost wise.
What's the fuel economy / tax / insurance costs on a 111r compared to a little K S1?
The S2 runs larger tyres, do these cost more?
What about service costs and consumables like wheel bearings?

Something in my head tells me that a 'Yota car isn't necessarily going to be the cheap, reliable run about you're looking for. These cars were all built in the same shed, the number of modification parts available through Elise Parts and others shows this. Also remember Lotus didn't move from K series to 'Yota because of reliability issues!

Chris

[Stumpy Nugget]

Every engine has problems. The K series is cheap to repair and with the AA is even cheaper. My old RAV 4 (reliable as a a swiss train) cost me 2K to get the dual mass flywheel done and that was 900 miles outside of warranty... On the other hand I could not break my MR2 - and I sure tried. If reliability is a serious issue with you my advice would be stay away from an old Elise. There is always something to be done with it. To me thats the best part either fixing it or looking at what bits to upgrade. The best summary for me on the K elise is that it is a HOBBY not a car.

[vx220]

I certainly seemed to have touched a nerve, sorry guys!

The reason for the poll is that someone said you will only ever get to hear about the failures not all the ones that have been fine for years, I thought that was a good point hence the poll to give me a better insight to how far and wide the issue was/is.

As to whether or not a Lotus in general is for me, well thats my decision to make, and can only be made once you have all the information to hand, hence the questions.

As to whether an S1 with K is for me, still unsure to be honest, they havent been discounted from the list yet!

Its not about the running costs of the car either, as this is my 3rd car it only gets used for pleasure when I want to use it, so its more about the potential issues with the car and what work is required to fix them.

Thanks for the constructive replies, I know you have probably been asked all these questions before so your patience is appreciated, as a prospective owner there is plenty to get to know before jumping in and handing over the dosh!

[Shug]

It's nothing to do with touching nerves. There's only so many times people are prepared to tell you the same information.

If you want one, buy one, get AA P&L and expect niggles. Simples.

It's nothing more complicated than that, despite how much you want to try and make it...

[Gareth]

Had S1, S2 135R, 340R...all with K's. Not one suffered any issues.
New owner blew up the 340R....but he didn't check the oil..!
Now back in a S1 Elise with K and no problems.

Just buy one you fanny <jovial>

[DDtB]

Had S1, S2 135R, 340R...all with K's. Not one suffered any issues.
New owner blew up the 340R....but he didn't check the oil..!
Now back in a S1 Elise with K and no problems.

Doesn't count when you only hang onto them for a month at a time though!!

[Gareth]

I knew someone would say that.... but I understand the OP's concern.

Once upon a time we all had K's....then the K haters set in and Honda/Yota was the best thing since sliced bread.
Then all of a sudden (from reading other threads) the K series is flavour of the month again! And some say I'm fickle

[DDtB]

When my current K blows up... might try one of those Duratec things.... they sound fun...

[robin]

The best part of 10K to install though, and not more fun than a Honda.

[DDtB]

The best part of 10K to install though, and not more fun than a Honda.

Future Dave can worry about the money.

I like the fact you get a brand new engine and it doesn't suffer from any of the problems the Honda install seems to cause. Seems like the best option for upgrading from a K....

[Gourlay83]

The best part of 10K to install though, and not more fun than a Honda.

Future Dave can worry about the money.

I like the fact you get a brand new engine and it doesn't suffer from any of the problems the Honda install seems to cause. Seems like the best option for upgrading from a K....

Deep Breath, nope not saying anything ....

[kenny]

Future Dave can worry about the money.

For 10k I would be getting the Honda.