On-street parking with Elan +2

[Drastignac]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a classic car that I can use on weekends and the occasional trips to France once or twice a year. The Lotus Elan +2 seems to tick a lot of boxes for me: great looking car with extra oomph, great drive (from what I'm hearing), practical enough and most importantly just enough space for my 9 and 7 year old kids for short road trips (2 hours max).

However it will be parked on the street and that will be unfortunate and unavoidable as I'm in London and garages in my neighbourhood are unavailable (the alternative is to £300 a month for a garage 15 minutes away which I'm unwilling to do)

I was wondering if an Elan would take kindly to being parked on the street (ignoring people scratching/denting it) or if its going to suffer? I was hoping that since it's fiberglass, and providing that it has a newish galvanised / Spyder chassis it would be ok for the next 3 to 5 years at least. Am I being naïve?
Also, would it have a massive impact on my insurance premium or would it be reasonable?

Budget is anything from £15k to £22K depending on the condition but the car needs to deprecation proof and be able to survive on the street.

An advice on the above or any suggestions?

Many thanks

[Baggy2]

Hi
Your right - it wont rust - mostly. You do have the front and rear bumpers that can rust especially if they are already a little 'second hand'.
I'd say the most likely problem you'll encounter is leaking. Most +2's leak a bit - and getting into a car with soggy carpets is no fun. When buying your car it could be a good idea to buy one that has been kept outside and still have no evidence of damp.
Regarding your planned usage my +2 was the family car for a while with a carry cot across the rear seats and later my wife managed to get seven small children in on at least one occasion. However, I think you might be pushing it a bit for a 7 and 9 year old on a two hour journey - half an hour should be ok. Also perceptions have changed regarding safety of rear seat passengers - rear seat belts in a +2 are rare and, as far as I know those that are fitted are lap belts only - no diagonal. No doubt you could get something made that fits more with todays standards if this is a concern?
This is not meant to be in any way negative - the +2 is a truly great and practical car that is a joy to drive but you did ask the questions ..........

[Quart Meg Miles]

I kept a S130 with a Webasto roof on my drive for five years and didn't have a water ingress problem that I remember. You can buy covers.

The Lotus galvanised chassis is fine, as is all the standard equipment though a later car with, or conversion to, an alternator is probably advisable for a London car. Things will go wrong, it's still a 50 year old car, but virtually everything is fixable!

I had adults in the back for half-hour journeys but if you get a S130 (which is a fantastic drive) your kids may end up deaf! Belts in the back?.....drive carefully daddy! And enjoy, there's no other reason to buy one.

Ask a specialist classic car insurance company about premiums and on-street parking. You usually have to declare an annual mileage, and foreign travel (post-Brexit) has been discussed here recently. (Search in Help)

[ericbushby]

You may have problems with insurance. My cover is for the car to be garaged overnight when at my home address.
Only away from home is it insured when left outside. They are too easy to steal.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[Drastignac]

Many thanks to your replies. As much as it saddens me to admit it, the Elan+2 might not be the most sensible choice for me at this time.
I will definitely revisit once the kids have moved out and I have access to a garage.
Thanks again for your help.
David

[richardcox_lotus]

You could consider an excel. More room, Toyota running gear, and much cheaper to buy!

[Baggy2]

The Excel is a great idea - why didn't I think of it !

[Frazer Douglas]

I have a 1979 Eclat that I’d consider selling that would be perfect for London.

[JJDraper]

My +2 lived on the street outside my house for the last 20 years until some low-lifes stole the bonnet (!) last year and I had to move it into a local farmer's barn. Due to the problems of the last year I haven't been able to do anything with it and it still sits there. Anyway, be prepared for damp interiors and budget for new carpets and an interior re-trim every few years - still cheaper than a garage at your quoted price. My insurer is OK with this and it is written into the schedule. Other problems include drivers reversing onto the front, especially SUVs, as they can't see it. Paintwork does suffer, so will need extra care. If the car already suffers with micro blisters, it will get worse.

Anyway, on street parking is doable, but if I had a garage I would use it!

Jeremy
PS if anyone has a +2 bonnet for sale, please contact /PM me.

[jono]

How about an Evora?

[LaikaTheDog]

I have daily driven two plus 2s over the years, neither leaked after the rubber seal was returned on the a post above the light switches... Often removed and never returned.

The only fear is theft, they are very easy to steal with nothing more than a firm yank, I have fitted fuel cutoffs, battery cutoffs and even a tracker... Never had to use any, yet.

[JonB]

Mine had a professionally fitted Thatcham graded immobiliser fitted, a jolly good idea if you get one. Apart from that' keep the interior clear of stealables.

[Gasbag]

HI,
I'm a new sign up and don't have an Elan yet, but I do have a Mgc gt currently which until recently I kept on the road with a cover. My insurer was ok with this but the value limit was capped at 20 k, which was near enough as it was worth 22k. Having the cover does keep away prying eyes and I also fitted a steering lock for peace of mind. However I do think the cover not a good idea on an Elan as it may promote blistering, even though it is breathable a certain amount of moisture will build up in some conditions. Vandalism in parts of any major city is more likely than theft I think , the point about parking dinks is also valid as I've had careless parkers hit my bumpers [and that was outside my house ]
When I swap the MG for an Elan it will go in the now cleared out garage !