Sounds like a busted compressor. Mine did the same a few years ago. I spent 400$ fixing it. I did it myself though. It would have been less but my low pressure line was leaking.
Elio production my guess is 4th quarter 2017. We do not really know until some solid funding information is presented. They have been doing well lately so hopefully that shows something is going on we do not know about.
As for plates not sure in my state only one plate would be issued and it...
I have been getting speed cravings. I test drove a C6 and a C5 Z06 I liked both but haven't pulled the trigger as I want my Elio. Its very tempting. I am going to see a base model C5 today its half the cost of the other two. So maybe i will satisfy me without spending 20K$+
Aren't most automatic transmission 1000-1200$ options ? That's generally what I see on new cars. Elio is no different. I am shifting my own gears so automatic price doesn't matter to me .