Winter!

Author
Discussion

FBRF

Original Poster:

5 posts

259 months

Wednesday 9th April 2003
quotequote all
Having read the posts on this forum, I fancy an elise, which I will drive everyday to work come rain or shine. I'm test driving an S1 on Sat at HROwen.

I understand that as long as you take a few minutes fixing it correctly that the soft-top is plenty waterproof, although it is sensible to put a showercap on as well in bad weather (my car will be sitting on the drive, not garaged - thats for the motorbikes).

I assume though that if I buy the hard top, when this is fitted the car is totally waterproof, and is a better solution for the winter?

Also, I only have a 3 mile journey to work, and whatever car I've owned this results in windscreen clearing problems and being very cold during the winter months! How good is the Elise heater?

alunr

1,676 posts

271 months

Wednesday 9th April 2003
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Softtop is pretty good although extreme weather will push in some water where the windscreen,side windows,roof meet.

With the shower cape on it should cover the screen so clearing ice is not a problem and the heater is pretty effective if you give it a few minutes.

Dr Bob

637 posts

269 months

Wednesday 9th April 2003
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Hiya, good choice,


I assume though that if I buy the hard top, when this is fitted the car is totally waterproof, and is a better solution for the winter?


Hardtop is great if it's going to be a daily drive and kept outside... I have one and it was fine this winter.


Also, I only have a 3 mile journey to work, and whatever car I've owned this results in windscreen clearing problems and being very cold during the winter months! How good is the Elise heater?


I reckon it'll still be heating up by the time you get there, I have a 9 mile trip and it's fine before i get halfway there.
If you are going to keep it outside though, you can buy a big tub of silica gel or something from camping shops and boots the chemist that sucks the moisture out of the air, so when you leave it overnight in the damp, the screen doesn't mist up... which it will otherwise - even with rain-x anti fog all over the shot!!

enjoy your test drives! CH

zebedee

4,592 posts

285 months

Wednesday 9th April 2003
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FBRF - Walk to work or cycle you lazy £$%*!!!!!

twit

2,908 posts

271 months

Wednesday 9th April 2003
quotequote all
One question linked to this. If it is left outside all night without a cover and it rains what about water getting in the vents on both the bonnet and boot, is this an issue?

Twit

alunr

1,676 posts

271 months

Wednesday 9th April 2003
quotequote all
Water into either of the vented areas will not be a problem - but you must clear out all the leaves etc from winter as reduce teh abilities of the radiator/airflow

Just get yerself a showercape from elise parts

>> Edited by alunr on Wednesday 9th April 18:29

charisma

93 posts

265 months

Wednesday 9th April 2003
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You won't get any heat out of the vents until the engine temperature reaches 82 deg.C

On many occasions I have got 1 mile down the road and have had to pull over because the windscreen started to mist up, you then have to wait ages for the heat to come through. (Either that or hold your breath for the first 5 minutes of your journey).

As regards the roof, a few drips will appear - more so without the hard top. This is not a problem as you will only get a small puddle on the plastic sill anyway which you can wipe up. These cars don't rust and there's not much carpet to get wet.

Buy an Elise, don't be put off by people saying that they aren't practical. It doesn't stop people from buying the new MR2 does it?

FBRF

Original Poster:

5 posts

259 months

Thursday 10th April 2003
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Cheers Zebedee! unfortunately I am lazy! my only excuse for ever walking is when I am going to be wearing my beer coat and shoes home!



Charisma - I have a solution, I will learn to hold my breath for 3 miles, and pray for no traffic!

Cheers for your help gents, I think my mind is pretty made up. I was going to test drive one at HROwen St Albans this weekend, but they've gone and bl**dy sold it! - damn, need to source a test drive in NW London somewhere.

F**kin Big Right Foot