Keeping Elise outside - not garaged!

[dank]

I am hoping to get my elise towards the end of this year/start of 2004, when the weather is abit worse. My main concern is that I wont have a garage, and the car will have to be kept on street over night/in day when iam at work. Is this going to be a problem with just a soft top. Iam going to be looking for a car with a hard top, but if I cant find one then soft top it is. Will this flood the car when it rains, is this a bad idea!? Also, really after a 111s, as the standard mk1 feels about as quick as my mk1 clio 172 and I want something quicker, is this a good model to go for?

[james24]

i keep my s2 elise outside all the time and have no problems at all! apart from jumping up to look out of the window everytime i hear a noise! few times when it has been raining i find literally a few drops of water on the sills but nothing serious, should be fine mate

[Bonce]

Some elises leak more than others, but the worst that can happen is a small puddle on the sill - in my experience this only happens in the most extreme weather. It should be fine. Winter starting is no worse than any other car but deicing and demisting can be a bit of a bugger, you just have to be patient.

Oh and the 111S is the one to go for if you're not into doing major engine upgrading. The 111S has just the right balance of power in my opinion.

[Beefcake]

If it leaks you usually havnt fitted your soft top correctly (make sure you pull the cloth right to the edge when fitting) or you need your windows adjusting.

See here:

www.elise-faq.info/content/windows/index.php

[cuzza]

If you're worried about leaks you can get a shower cap from Eliseparts which covers the seals between the windows and the soft top which is where the water gets in.

[Mat glew]

If you get just a soft top then on the s1 it's going to leak to some extent. The main reason to get a hard top is if your going to use the car all year round as it cuts down on condensation and makes it easier to keep warm in the winter.

[rosko]

I keep mine outside my biggest problem is cats
I want to keep it under some kind of cover but not sure if shower covers ect will stick when it gets icy.

[chadwicke]

I've kept my Elise outside for the last three years, and overnight I've always used a weatherproof full cover from

Specialised Car Covers
Concours House, Main Street, Burley In Wharfedale, Yorkshire, LS29 7JP
Tel.: [phone]
Fax.: [phone]

I've never had a leak!

Also use the small cover from

Specialised Car Covers
Concours House, Main Street, Burley In Wharfedale, Yorkshire, LS29 7JP
Tel.: [phone]
Fax.: [phone]

when it's parked away from home.

[Dick Sternum]

I can also recommend Specialist Car Covers. My S1 sits on the drive under a full cover with no probs at all.

[gfun]

rosko said:

I keep mine outside my biggest problem is cats I want to keep it under some kind of cover but not sure if shower covers ect will stick when it gets icy.

Looked at shower caps myself but - decided at 100 notes was a bit much - so made one - its remarkably easy - a bit of rip stop water proof fabric some shock chord and 10min with my mums sewing machine had me a good looking shower cap - that keeps the birds and tree goo off as well as stopping the leaks - has not been icy yet but feels like it will take just about any abuse - if not I'll make another.

[mh1]

No problem for an S2 the roof is great and most you get is a few drops on the sills (unless you jet wash it!)