400 miles in an Elise ?

[Cotty]

Got a weekend coming up with two PH related events. Its a good 400+miles round trip, is this a wise move or will I need the services of a chiropractor by the end of it.

I wouldn't think twice in the BMW but not yet done a long run in the Elise.

[herebebeasties]

I did 1,000km in a day back from Bordeaux in my old early S2 (no carpets, sports exhaust), which was a little bit too much if I'm honest. You'll certainly notice 400 miles, obviously, but it'll be fine. I find it's more the wind noise than the seats, which I find extremely supportive and comfortable over long distances. Get some earplugs if you're the sensitive type, it'll cut out a lot of that.

[Cotty]

Ear plugs, thats a good idea, I have some left over from Silverstone.

Was that trip with the soft top or hard top on?

[herebebeasties]

Cotty said:

Was that trip with the soft top or hard top on?

Soft top. Who on earth would take their Elise to the south of France with only the hardtop?

[Cotty]

Good point. This will be UK only and I don't think we will be getting a summer this year so hard top will be staying on.

[ToadHall]

I have just come back from the Nurburgring in my 97 Elise.

I took a massive cushion,the extra comfort really helped.

[chevronb37]

I'm getting brave and doing a 400 mile round trip in the Exige next weekend. I think it's easy to overstate their fragility. Longest trip I did in the Elise was 550 miles in the day and I felt pretty good afterwards, despite many miles of motorway. As long as you're comfortable, I think they're actually very good long distance cars. Well except the Exige, obviously, which leaves you deaf, sweaty, stinking of petrol and vaguely poisoned.

[TonyHetherington]

It will be far easier than you imagine

[Mr E]

I find my 111S rides very well indeed, and is comfortable when doing significant distance.
Ear plugs are a must, however...

[Exige77]

Do quite a few 4000 Mile+ trips in Exige in 10 days with my Lotus chums.

No ill effects at all.

I find seats very comfortable.

I sleep well each night as you woudl imagine but no back problems at all.

Ex77

[simpo555]

Easy peasy. Dont even know why you question the idea. Hard top away during the summer for heavens sake.

[otolith]

I find mine pretty comfortable once I'm in it. The seat is good, the driving position is good, the ride is not bad. Only the noise and lack of AC really lets it down - and of course the getting in and out, though I'm now so used to it that it feels normal.

[Cotty]

simpo555 said:

Hard top away during the summer for heavens sake.

If we get a summer I might think about it. But I did not buy it because the roof comes off.

[ToadHall]

I drove all the way to and back from Germany with the Roof off :-)

[TIPPER]

All day on track and 400 mile drives home afterwards - no problem. Set of earplugs makes the car a nicer place to be when crusing on Mways.

[THHLEEDS]

Have just got back from a 10 day 3400mile European jaunt. The longest distance in a day was 450 miles without even a hint of back ache or numb arse. I can't get over how good the probax seats are in the elise.

I would certainly invest in some decent foam ear-plugs, and if the sun does shine I would advise some good old sun block for the forehead, unless you like the boiled head look.

Just get out there and drive the thing, its what they are built for.

[Cotty]

THHLEEDS said:

Have just got back from a 10 day 3400mile European jaunt. The longest distance in a day was 450 miles without even a hint of back ache or numb arse. I can't get over how good the probax seats are in the elise.

Good effort, I should just go and do it and see how I feel at the end.

THHLEEDS said:

Just get out there and drive the thing, its what they are built for.

Yep

[aelord]

Headphones and ipod, breaks to stretch your legs and the odd bj from the missus and you''l love it.

[chevronb37]

THHLEEDS said:

Just get out there and drive the thing, its what they are built for.

Best advice!

[sng45]

I did 2160 miles over four days in Europe recently in my Elise SC ( roof off 90% of the time)- longest day was 599 miles from Vittel in France home to Yorkshire ( via the tunnel) and could quite happily have done it all over again !