Will Your Elio Retain Its Resale Value?

[KN16]

Elio stores could simply remove the body panels and take the rest to their local scrap yard... maybe even the plastic panels too.

Given proper care the body panels will outlive everything else on the car (note living in NM and parking outside 24/7 is not proper care)

 

[Craig]

Given proper care the body panels will outlive everything else on the car (note living in NM and parking outside 24/7 is not proper care)

The entire body and interior is only around six pieces that costs less than $260.00. Do you really think they would be worth the cost of recycling?

 

[KN16]

The entire body and interior is only around six pieces that costs less than $260.00. Do you really think they would be worth the cost of recycling?

Nope. I'm just saying the body can outlive everything under it. When the frame gives out and breaks in two or the motor mounts leave your engine laying on the ground your body panels have the ability to still look factory fresh.

 

[Edward]

I don't want to break your heart but, your <$7K commuter is not going to be as robust as those other cars. Not to mention many people are going to drive them hard since there will be very little penalty at the gas pump. They don't say "if you're buying a used car you're buying someone else's problems" for nothing.

Not as robust as a Corolla? I've owned two Corollas (one was a Geo Prizm which was basically a rebranded Corolla), plus a Camry and an old Beetle. Clutch and struts lasted at least 150k miles. I was just starting to think about replacing the struts on the Camry at 225k miles when I crashed it.

 

[KN16]

Not as robust as a Corolla? I've owned two Corollas (one was a Geo Prizm which was basically a rebranded Corolla), plus a Camry and an old Beetle. Clutch and struts lasted at least 150k miles. I was just starting to think about replacing the struts on the Camry at 225k miles when I crashed it.

Yes not as robust as a Corolla. You can but a new Elio for the price of a used Corolla. The clutch in the Corolla is substantially bigger. You'll be able to palm Elios.

 

[Horn]

Exactly how much clutch do you think you're going to get on a <$7K vehicle? As for shocks there's no manufacturer that claims their shocks will last half of 150K The smaller the shock the shorter the useful life. No amount of maintenance can extend the life of a shock absorber so being "well maintained" is irrelevant.

Maintenance, not really, but the way you drive your car will make a big difference on how long your struts/shocks last. By "well maintained", I mean driven nicely and not like a 16 year old. So that actually does make a difference.

In terms of clutch, it sure as hell better last more than 75k. The metro was around $5500 new (back in the early 90s) and the clutch held up great. The elio is supposed to be significantly lighter so it shouldn't even need as strong of a clutch.

"Exactly how much clutch do you think you are going to get on a $7k vehicle?"......Hopefully that isn't the motto on all other elio parts. She would expect the engine and trans to be very cheap like the clutch then?

 

[Horn]

Not as robust as a Corolla? I've owned two Corollas (one was a Geo Prizm which was basically a rebranded Corolla), plus a Camry and an old Beetle. Clutch and struts lasted at least 150k miles. I was just starting to think about replacing the struts on the Camry at 225k miles when I crashed it.

Exactly. They are solid cars.

 

[Horn]

Yes not as robust as a Corolla. You can but a new Elio for the price of a used Corolla. The clutch in the Corolla is substantially bigger. You'll be able to palm Elios.

And the car is bigger. The engine is more powerful. I think you are imagining putting an elio clutch (which hasn't been made yet) in a heavier car.

 

[KN16]

Maintenance, not really, but the way you drive your car will make a big difference...snip...

And that brings us back full circle to buying a used one. MANY of these will be driven hard and with a clutch that compares to a motorcycle not a Toyota your used Elio will more than likely need a new one soon or they wouldn't be getting rid of it.

 

[Horn]

And that brings us back full circle to buying a used one. MANY of these will be driven hard and with a clutch that compares to a motorcycle not a Toyota your used Elio will more than likely need a new one soon or they wouldn't be getting rid of it.

Not necessarily. It all depends. I didn't realize this all came from the fact you said a used Elio won't hold significant value....which I agree 1000%.

It all depends on the previous owner. Many people just want a different or newer car. Doesn't always mean it needs major work. There will be cheap plastic on these cars and they will break (like door handles)....then maybe they will need brakes and some people at that point won't want to put money on them.

You will be able to tell (or have a good idea) if one of these has been driven hard.

I would compare the clutch more to a metro since the engine is pretty much derived from it. If so, the clutch will be more than adequate.