# High Maintenance? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** lotus, elise\ **Created:** [April 5, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-maintenance/46972 "2010-04-05T01:05:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![samson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@samson](https://community.cartalk.com/u/samson)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-maintenance/46972/1 "2010-04-05T01:05:53Z")
I am thinking of buying a Lotus Elise. When I checked Consumer Reports it said it is high maintenance but did not say why. Since it has a Toyota drivetrain why should that be? Since the price goes from $48,000-$85,000 what options do you suggest I get? Can I get a gauge package?(oil temp,oil pressure, coolant temp, voltmeter). ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-maintenance/46972/2 "2010-04-05T01:27:05Z")
The drive train is a highly tuned Toyota unit. With a horsepower increase of 43%, it will put more strain on the drive train. Also, you are likely to drive an Elise a lot harder than you would drive a Corolla. Both use a 1.8L Toyota engine, but for different purposes. Go here and check out what is available on the Elise or Exige. You should get most of your questions answered. > **[Lotus](https://www.edmunds.com/lotus/?)** > > In this overview, we examine Lotus' history as a maker of Sports Cars like the Elise and Esprit. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-maintenance/46972/3 "2010-04-05T02:18:01Z")
It’s all the stuff around the Toyota engine that can be high maintenance. Just like old Jaguars - it’s not the engines that caused most of the problems, it’s everything else. You might want to find a Lotus forum for advice on options, not too many Lotus drivers around here! ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-maintenance/46972/4 "2010-04-05T02:21:23Z")
[http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Elise-Sport-190R-Elise-Sport-190R\_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a5981b29dQQitemZ250609775261QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Elise-Sport-190R-Elise-Sport-190R_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a5981b29dQQitemZ250609775261QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks) There are quite a few of them on E-bay…They sell for $20-$30K or they don’t sell… ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-maintenance/46972/5 "2010-04-05T02:58:36Z")
Is your plan to track race or auto-rx the car? If not I would suggest looking at used as you may tire very quickly of it. It is an awful daily driver but incredible for its purpose. ---
**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/high-maintenance/46972/6 "2010-04-05T12:55:20Z")
I agree with andrew here . . .the limited space, driving position, harsh ride, loud exhaust, etc of an “almost” race car will grow old as a daily driver very fast. But like Ferris Bueller says: “If you have the means . . . I suggest that you pick one up”. Rocketman