Lotus Elan M100--cool or not?

Yesterday I spied one of those front-wheel-drive Lotus Elans in my neighborhood--British Racing Green and very clean.

So, future classic or oddball product?

Both, I think. The guys who own them say they are very fast and handle extremely well.

Also, before the Elise came out, the M100 Elan was referred to in Lotus circles as "The Reliable Lotus."

I think Id rather have a CRX than one of those.

I just bought an Elise about 2 weeks ago...Get on of those. Youll never regret it.

Leo

I've owned one for about 5 years. Fantastic car. Parts are hard to find though. The car came about while GM owned Lotus. Lots of parts from different cars. Isuzu engine, GM switches, Ford AC vents, etc.

www.lotuselancentral.com is a great site for support

In the 5 years I've owned mine, I've never seen another. I get a lot of stares and people wanting to know what it is.

I always thought they were pretty cool. I was looking at a blue one for sale a few years ago. I had some pictures of it up on my computer at work and a co-worker (who owns a '79 911 Targa) asks me "Is that a Mecury Capri ?" I wasn't so hip on M100 Elans after that.

FWD= La Grande Merde!

Good to see the language police does not speak French!

I'd like to have one. Have thought about those and looked into them. I like them.

I think they will be both future classic and oddball FTW.

Yes, had 2 and 1 I removed the IHI turbo added a Garrett with 18 lbs of boost, Al flywheel, and Quaife. Fast car when I finished. Only interested in the early Elans now. On my second a RHD Series 2 now (very early with mostly S1 parts)

Years ago I was looking for a stablemate for my first TR8. Something the wife would enjoy driving. Went to a big car show in NJ called out of the woodworks. It was a weekend long deal and I got to swap cars with several people. One of the cars I swapped out was the Lotus M100. It only had 5000 miles, but the darn thing was falling apart. Hate would be too strong a word, but I really disliked the thing. Turns out the owner of the M100 went out and bought a TR8 after driving mine. When all was said and done, I ended up buying a TVR 280i. Wife loved that thing, until I tore it apart to install a 5.0

I've always thought they were cool. Even though fwd, they supposedly handle very well. Maybe thinking Fulvia, Integra will make fwd more palatable. I'm just not crazy about the econo plasticky looking interiors. Just my 2 cents

These cars have a real exotic presence, something about the slant of the hood and the overall width makes you know you're not looking at a Miata or Barchetta, etc., right off the bat. I'd be tempted if I found a deal. Not a time capsule like this one, however.

I think tragically uncool.

They are super expensive, for a fwd car with econobox interiors and japanese drivetrain, on top of it despite NA Miatas and AW11 and SW20 MR2s being out at the time time and being vastly superior cars as well that lotus should of made themselves.

I would think why get this. If you want a car that matchs that get a MR-2 Turbo. Similar looks, turbo, rwd, mid engine. More lotus than this.

The other issue the M100 has now is that the prices for nice ones are going up, often as high as Peter Stevens Esprit territory price wise. The Esprit is a way cooler car.

Another plus vote. I've always liked them, although like Andy, I'd rather have a Peter Stevens Esprit (with a good fire system). But I sure wouldn't throw one out of the garage.

I'm with Andy. The real issue with them is there are far better Lotus' than the M100. I've driven one and thought it was OK, but the problem is that the Esprit, Elise and others exist. Now that the price gap is smaller, it's a tougher sell. As a car I think they are decent, as a Lotus it has stiff competition.