I fancy an Elise, brief insite please
Discussion
as an everyday car
no problems - do 30K a year in mine
on early models what first mods (exhaust etc)
the usual - exhaust, induction, CRP or sports cat, quickshift
what breaks on them
I havnt had any major probs with mine...just niggles like windows, bits of trim
running costs - service (incl intervals) cambelt changes, mpg (got to be 30+, surely)
services are every 9K miles for most except Sport 160 which is every 6K
services go AABAAC every 9K with c being at 54K and a cambelt change
typical prices at my local Lotus dealer are A:£179 B: £280 C: £500
On the motorway at a steady 80-90mph I get around 35-40MPG ...never drops below 30Mpg except on track :-)
what are they like to drive a fair distance
suprisingly good ...a little noisy with the roof off (and sports exhaust/induction etc) so I wear ear plugs. The seats vary between models - the 111S and Sport 135 have comfier seats as std. Most have inflateable lumbar support. Done 8 hours before without back/legache which is good :-) Today i did a 4 1/2 hour drive roof off and other than being a bit sunburnt it was a pleasure
other good sources of info:
www.seloc.org (free Lotus owners club)
www.british-cars.co.uk (Elise Tech & Gen BBS - probably the most active on the web)
www.elises.co.uk (Rob Collingridges site - very comprehensive info)
HTH
bogie
no problems - do 30K a year in mine
on early models what first mods (exhaust etc)
the usual - exhaust, induction, CRP or sports cat, quickshift
what breaks on them
I havnt had any major probs with mine...just niggles like windows, bits of trim
running costs - service (incl intervals) cambelt changes, mpg (got to be 30+, surely)
services are every 9K miles for most except Sport 160 which is every 6K
services go AABAAC every 9K with c being at 54K and a cambelt change
typical prices at my local Lotus dealer are A:£179 B: £280 C: £500
On the motorway at a steady 80-90mph I get around 35-40MPG ...never drops below 30Mpg except on track :-)
what are they like to drive a fair distance
suprisingly good ...a little noisy with the roof off (and sports exhaust/induction etc) so I wear ear plugs. The seats vary between models - the 111S and Sport 135 have comfier seats as std. Most have inflateable lumbar support. Done 8 hours before without back/legache which is good :-) Today i did a 4 1/2 hour drive roof off and other than being a bit sunburnt it was a pleasure
other good sources of info:
www.seloc.org (free Lotus owners club)
www.british-cars.co.uk (Elise Tech & Gen BBS - probably the most active on the web)
www.elises.co.uk (Rob Collingridges site - very comprehensive info)
HTH
bogie
Well I'll agree with bogie here - I do 18000 miles per year and shes a hoot to own.
Mines an S1 Bogies is an S2 but to live with they're very similar the only major differences being...
Boot is a bit bigger on the S2.
The sills are'nt quite as wide on an S2 (an apparent selling point but they seem pretty much the same to me!)
Mines an S1 Bogies is an S2 but to live with they're very similar the only major differences being...
Boot is a bit bigger on the S2.
The sills are'nt quite as wide on an S2 (an apparent selling point but they seem pretty much the same to me!)
They are genuinely brilliant.
I remember when the first fuel protest was on, going to what I suppose at the time was a profligate 'Supercar Rally' at Prestwold Hall in Leicestershire in an Elise.
With a full tank, at the curiously ubiquitous 55 mph everyone was doing, I recall returning circa 65 mpg, no bullsh1t - remarkable!
For hooning around in they offer drivers of all abilities huge thrills with quite the most sublime handling chassis on earth.
Little wonder Lotus people are referred to as 'chassis gurus.' They are!
I remember when the first fuel protest was on, going to what I suppose at the time was a profligate 'Supercar Rally' at Prestwold Hall in Leicestershire in an Elise.
With a full tank, at the curiously ubiquitous 55 mph everyone was doing, I recall returning circa 65 mpg, no bullsh1t - remarkable!
For hooning around in they offer drivers of all abilities huge thrills with quite the most sublime handling chassis on earth.
Little wonder Lotus people are referred to as 'chassis gurus.' They are!
morning all... more info (and general enthusiasm) required!
up until now I've been doing about 13k work miles - 32 miles round trip commute, with a good mix of roads, including a little bit of motorway.
Just when I get myself all sorted to go and buy an Elise (my wife now has our 'family' car)... I have now changed sites.
so.... I'm now going to do about 20k work and commuting miles.. and half the time I'll be driving 60 miles (each way) up the motorway.
am I mad to even think about doing this in an Elise?
is the leaky roof as bad as I think it might be?
up until now I've been doing about 13k work miles - 32 miles round trip commute, with a good mix of roads, including a little bit of motorway.
Just when I get myself all sorted to go and buy an Elise (my wife now has our 'family' car)... I have now changed sites.
so.... I'm now going to do about 20k work and commuting miles.. and half the time I'll be driving 60 miles (each way) up the motorway.
am I mad to even think about doing this in an Elise?
is the leaky roof as bad as I think it might be?
No you're not mad, and no the leaky roof isn't that bad (so long as you don't get a VERY early ('96) S1).
I should probably warn you that 60 motorway miles a day in a decatted sports exhausted, induction filtered car will probably make you deaf and tired so leave the catalytic converter in to save yourself. Otherwise, no problems.
I should probably warn you that 60 motorway miles a day in a decatted sports exhausted, induction filtered car will probably make you deaf and tired so leave the catalytic converter in to save yourself. Otherwise, no problems.
Just to back up Bonces comments no your not mad although I suspect you will find a country road route rather than the 60miles Mway. I found with the M100 and I'm sure its true with the Elise is that they are that good on country roads that the difference in time between the Mway and country road is not that great and well worth it 
If noise is going to be a problem then get some ear plugs from bike retailers. Just remember to take them out when you arrive at work or you end up with a very quiet day
If noise is going to be a problem then get some ear plugs from bike retailers. Just remember to take them out when you arrive at work or you end up with a very quiet day
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