I ought to provide an update on the little Lotus. Still not tip-top, but on top of its previous state now…
I know I don’t show this British girl enough love publicly, but I do.
Yes, I actually daily it. While for Feriko where I can shower her with more unnecessary parts and changes – because of currency and Japanese-VS-European part prices, Elanmi remains… basic.
Say, if I want to do a full replacement of all suspension bushings on the Elan, I need to settle for roughly £700 (S$1,200) for a full set (mixed polyurethane and original because of the Elan’s raft design) including delivery to Singapore and excluding labour and tax. To replace the ones on the Civic is about RM300 (S$100) for polyurethane, if not a lower quote.
So its a combination of not able to spend, don’t want to spend. I know there are spicy bits available for the Elan (even “simple” things like roll bars), but the money for this daily runabout is sparingly utilized.
After what took like ages, a new steering rack has been installed in this car. I think in a super early entry did I comment that the steering at the straight-ahead angle had a few degrees of free play, which was frankly quite dangerous and also annoying to fight.
Luck had it that a nice chap was selling his old set for £100 which became £215 with shipping, and then another £122.37 for a steering rack repair kit (with shipping), and then another S$770 to repair and replace the steering rack.
To tally it up for you, that is S$574.88 without adding in the Singaporean side. Extra bitter is the original rack was already repaired prior with the same repair kit, meaning you may add another ~half of the total figure to sort out the steering.
Thankfully, if I ignore the seals that were brand new and installed two years ago that are turning brittle, I just need to sort the suspension bushings. Okay, electrics are 20-percent fried and the roof still doesn’t go down as a convertible, but if ya squint, its mint.
I’m fussed with the wheels which I will likely “dekit” and reinstall the original set still in my possession. Its a good wheel and color combo but and I’m pestered (with peer pressure) to swap to a nicer and original-manufacturer wheel set or revert to the Lotus alloys.
In any case though, Elanmi is fine. Its really quite different from Feriko despite both being front-wheel drive and manufactured in 1992.
Nothing to compare about grip – the Elan is on fresh Yokohama AD09s and the Civic is on Bridgestone Potenza RE004s. Steering is heavier (British power steering) but triumphs with staggering response to input compared to the larger steering ratio in the Civic. The Civic on coilovers has little body roll, while the Elan was designed from factoey to roll, disregarding the Protech shock absorbers.
As I hear, amongst the very few front-drive cars that handle similarly with the Elan was the Honda Integra Type R (DC2) – high praise alongside many Alfa Romeos.
There is no “plans” for the Elan. I have some for the Civic – strip and paint, more optional parts, possibly aftermarket… but the Elan is probably going to remain as is with basic additions where needed.
So much comments from friends to change or upgrade to something newer, more common – Honda Civic Type Rs, Mazda MX-5s… not for now, I think I’d get a Wira or a 5-door Daihatsu Charade in Malaysia if I’m getting a new deathtrap on wheels. But its wishful and unrealistic, and I’m already unhappy with the cost of repairs (which are no more expensive than the cars).
I’ll entertain and play with the idea of crazy mods, unorthodox setups and dream specs, but realistically, I’ll stick to the current arsenal and just hope for the best for the next three years.
~Linus
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Read more: Tourist in Japan: Tokyo to Odawara
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