Elio Kit, Would You Still Buy?

[fred bott]

No way, Jose !

I built a Bugatti kit from ground up. Loved it but I was 40 years younger.
I have a Gazelle kit that I am reconditioning at this time.

This is not the first time this discussion has come up...And the answer is almost 90% NO.

Hmmmmm If ELIO doesn't deliver as planned, do you suppose We can demand out $1000.00 back PLUS INTREST FOR THE 2 YEARS I have waited ?

 

[outsydthebox]

Hmmmmm If ELIO doesn't deliver as planned, do you suppose We can demand out $1000.00 back PLUS INTREST FOR THE 2 YEARS I have waited ?

NO. Because it is a "non refundable" deposit. If any of us put money down without being "informed" (reading the fine print) it is our own problem.

 

[Mark Ambrose]

Seeing that Elio Motors is not likely to raise its 200M by next year, would you still buy if the business model changed to producing a kit version?

Assume kit includes:

• frame, chassis, doors, hinges
• Signals, mirrors, exterior lights, glass
• Interior bits--dash, HVAC controls with flaps, heater, AC box, fan, blank port for radio/GPS/electronics
• Reinforced engine and transmission mount points and customizable hardware for most transverse 3 or 4 cylinder donor engines, including fluid-filled pendulum style mount bushings. Includes "dog-bone" bushings and various mounting points to prevent front/back engine swing.
• exhaust mount hangers and brackets with many mount locations and heat shielding kit.
• Emblems, paint options, protective coatings options.
• Latches, locks, pre-keyed. Hood and trunk struts as options.
• Recommended tire and wheel list.
• Suspension components with options for tune-ability.
• Brakes or brake recommendations for 'plug & play' friendliness.
• Engine/transmission recommended list with build sheets and wiring harness rewiring guides.
• gas tank or bladder with mounts and pumps.
• Shipping to your front door

If you had to provide the drivetrain and integrate it, would you buy?

Please be open-minded and just treat this as a "what if?" question.

In heartbeat. I wouldn't pay $6,200 for it though. I'd pay $4,500 - maybe...MAYBE as much as $5,000 if it came with nice mag wheels for the front.

 

[AllIn5450]

No, I would definitely NOT buy it as a kit car.
I already have one that I have been trying to get back on the road and can never seem to find the time or the energy or the gumption.
In case you are wondering, it is a Bradley GT II

 

[Jayne Shelby]

Not no but hell no! I want what was advertised and not a pile of junk laying around in my garage. I am not able to build something like that, nor do I have the money to pay someone to assemble it.

 

[wheaters]

Yes, I would do it.

My present kit car here in UK has a 850cc engine, was built by myself and is soon to be converted to Suzuki G10 power, same engine as the Elio prototypes.


I also have a Suzuki Swift with a 14,000 mile G10 engine.......
The kit car is used as a tourer but has already proved itself as an MG beater for off-road trials competition work and with the extra output of the G10 it will be even better.

Having said that, a UK kit car has to go through an individual type approval, there is a well tried system in place for this, unlike the rest of Europe, where kit cars are almost impossible to register. Once completed, insurance isn't a problem, we have a number of specialist companies over here. I've emailed Elio pointing out one area where the new prototype would not comply with the lighting regulations, they responded very quickly, a welcome sign.

If Elio could provide a (UK regs compliant) painted, wired and trimmed body/chassis that could use a single donor car (G10 engined Swift) I'd certainly want one and there would no doubt be a number of others who would, too. We do have a number of UK companies offering kit build trikes but no one is presently offering a viable commuter; all but one of them have no roof! Elio could take the market.

 

[ehwatt]

Seeing that Elio Motors is not likely to raise its 200M by next year, would you still buy if the business model changed to producing a kit version?

Assume kit includes:

• frame, chassis, doors, hinges
• Signals, mirrors, exterior lights, glass
• Interior bits--dash, HVAC controls with flaps, heater, AC box, fan, blank port for radio/GPS/electronics
• Reinforced engine and transmission mount points and customizable hardware for most transverse 3 or 4 cylinder donor engines, including fluid-filled pendulum style mount bushings. Includes "dog-bone" bushings and various mounting points to prevent front/back engine swing.
• exhaust mount hangers and brackets with many mount locations and heat shielding kit.
• Emblems, paint options, protective coatings options.
• Latches, locks, pre-keyed. Hood and trunk struts as options.
• Recommended tire and wheel list.
• Suspension components with options for tune-ability.
• Brakes or brake recommendations for 'plug & play' friendliness.
• Engine/transmission recommended list with build sheets and wiring harness rewiring guides.
• gas tank or bladder with mounts and pumps.
• Shipping to your front door

If you had to provide the drivetrain and integrate it, would you buy?

Please be open-minded and just treat this as a "what if?" question.

 

[spikepower]

no problem i would, i love building things the way i want, having owned several british sports car and learning how to keep them running i would love to build an elio. BRG with yellow stipe, and yellow basket weaves.

 

[Smitty901]

Price would have to be right. Yes I would and have the place to do it also. Great winter project.
However I would rather pay for it and drive it home .

 

[Jeff Bowlsby]

True to the stated Elio goal of affordability, a DIY kit could shave off more cost to the consumer and make it even more affordable. They don't look too difficult to construct for someone with average mechanical skills...and the time and interest.

Any consideration been given to offering the Elio as an unassembled kit? Maybe with and without drivetrains, interiors, gauges, radios, wheel shrouds....?

Part two of this discussion is...what interest do you have in building one if it were available?