Owning an Elise but no garage
Discussion
fine, mine lived outside for 6 years/83k miles ...as does my Aston ...its a car, they dont dissolve in the rain or suchlike, buy it, drive it (lots), enjoy it...and clean it occasionally 
...if you are really worried and it will spend more than a day or two without being used, just get a full outdoor cover
...if you are really worried and it will spend more than a day or two without being used, just get a full outdoor cover
Bazzer_D said:
Will intend to use it most of the year too. Am I mad?
What do you think the rest of us do? not go anywhere for 4 months? I think from a recent pole over 50% of owners have elise as a regular/only car, its no less capable of being used all year round than any other 'normal' car.Loudman said:
Bazzer_D said:
Will intend to use it most of the year too. Am I mad?
What do you think the rest of us do? not go anywhere for 4 months? I think from a recent pole over 50% of owners have elise as a regular/only car, its no less capable of being used all year round than any other 'normal' car.Go ahead. I have an S2 from 01 with 40,000 miles on the clock. It lived out until last September. Fine if you use it every day, I used to drive about 1,000 miles a week in mine. When it rained the stereo would turn up it's toes for the first 20 minutes - until it warmed up/dried out? After that it was fine. I say this because after two years, I stopped using it every day or driving so far... and the stereo died...
Otherwise, thoroughly recommended.
Cheers
Scary
Otherwise, thoroughly recommended.
Cheers
Scary
the very first morning after picking mine up it rained. and it leaked. but still i loved it.
so i got a mafe shower cap (covers the engine bay as well) and now its fine.
starts every day, i even leave the roof off overnight sometimes, and it lives on the street, not even a drive (admittedly right by the police station!).
enjoy.
so i got a mafe shower cap (covers the engine bay as well) and now its fine.
starts every day, i even leave the roof off overnight sometimes, and it lives on the street, not even a drive (admittedly right by the police station!).
enjoy.
boomshanks said:
I have a 111R, it lives outside, I love it. In hard rain it leaks a little bit, nothing to worry about though. Thought about going down the hard top roof for security purposes, but glad I didn't.
Buy one, you'll love it.
B
I think I'd prefer the Hard Top option and I'm guessing these are less prone to leakage. Can always wip it off for the odd summers day that we get. Buy one, you'll love it.
B
Edited by Bazzer_D on Monday 13th July 18:33
Just to put a bummer on the love-in - you've either got to be lucky or maintain the thing *perfectly* for an Elise soft-top to be weatherproof enough that it doesn't piss you off. The fact that you asked the question speaks volumes - most of the guys here who say 'no problem with leaks' simply don't care if the car gets wet, you'll hear the 'get leather so you can wipe the seats off' etc.
For me, I simply can't stand leaky cars, the ages spent in winter trying to demist a windscreen that's damp because the aluminium under the seats is an inch under water, etc. etc. I had an M100 Elan which I loved until the weather turned. If that makes me 'not a Lotus guy' then so be it.
So all my Elise type thingies have had hardtops. The S1 had a carbon hardtop, the VX220 turbo had a Thorney hardtop, and my Exige has, well, an Exige roof. All have lived outside. The S1 still filled with water - Lotus hadn't sorted out the window seals by that stage and really, going back in time with a modern set of seals, all would be good.
The VXT did two winters living outside with an owner who gets *really* upset when his car leaks... it did, under *extreme* provocation (it had the S2 seals, but not the latest ones with 'ears' on) but mostly into the roof and soaking into the headlining (and this was probably because it was an aftermarket design and didn't fit perfectly).
The Exige? Well - the passenger carpet was damp last weekend. I've had it since October and picked it up in a massive rainstorm. It's the *first* time I've noticed any dampness, but we *have* had that insane-rain in the interim (monstrous thunderstorm). But it's certainly not 'leaky' and I drive it all year round. Winter tyres in the snow was cool
But I wouldn't be 100% sure that a Lotus soft-top could do the job so well. Yes - get the very latest seals, they work. Soak the thing in Thompson's water seal (my choice treatment when I owned a TVR - kept it completely watertight, but the Tiv only had a small back fabric panel, the main part of the roof being solid) and you *should* be OK. But heavy rain will get in. And if you're constantly whipping the roof on and off, then the wear on the seals will make it worse. As I said - you'll need to maintain it well.
The question you have to ask is whether you want a convertible, or whether you want the finest handling sportscar that reasonable money can buy. If, like me, you really don't like some of the Lotus 'niggles' but absolutely love the car... get a hardtop as well. If you get a 'leaky one' and a few trips to the dealers can't get it perfectly watertight with the soft-top, then sling on the hardtop before you end up getting pissed off with the car.
I reckon they look cool with hard tops on too. I don't buy this 'roof off everywhere' mantra you sometimes hear - these things aren't MX-5s - they're for driving, and if you can easily fit in with a hardtop on then there's little out there that entertains better
Don't worry about the all year round thing - they're absolutely fine. I'd attempt to use sensible rubber in the winter (rather than tiptoe around on A048Rs) but the modern cars have heaters that work, some even have aircon - they're worlds apart (and a couple of hundred kilos heavier). The only thing that *will* slow you down with the car living outdoors is if it leaks in the winter. Once water's in the car, it'll evaporate and condense on the windscreen, making *every* journey annoying in the winter. If your daily drives are long enough to dry the interior out thoroughly then great, but you won't be on the road instantly. If they are short journeys, then winter + leaks are a BAD THING in a Lotus.
But a hardtop and new seals? Fill yer boots. They're pretty much perfect cars, IMO.
For me, I simply can't stand leaky cars, the ages spent in winter trying to demist a windscreen that's damp because the aluminium under the seats is an inch under water, etc. etc. I had an M100 Elan which I loved until the weather turned. If that makes me 'not a Lotus guy' then so be it.
So all my Elise type thingies have had hardtops. The S1 had a carbon hardtop, the VX220 turbo had a Thorney hardtop, and my Exige has, well, an Exige roof. All have lived outside. The S1 still filled with water - Lotus hadn't sorted out the window seals by that stage and really, going back in time with a modern set of seals, all would be good.
The VXT did two winters living outside with an owner who gets *really* upset when his car leaks... it did, under *extreme* provocation (it had the S2 seals, but not the latest ones with 'ears' on) but mostly into the roof and soaking into the headlining (and this was probably because it was an aftermarket design and didn't fit perfectly).
The Exige? Well - the passenger carpet was damp last weekend. I've had it since October and picked it up in a massive rainstorm. It's the *first* time I've noticed any dampness, but we *have* had that insane-rain in the interim (monstrous thunderstorm). But it's certainly not 'leaky' and I drive it all year round. Winter tyres in the snow was cool
But I wouldn't be 100% sure that a Lotus soft-top could do the job so well. Yes - get the very latest seals, they work. Soak the thing in Thompson's water seal (my choice treatment when I owned a TVR - kept it completely watertight, but the Tiv only had a small back fabric panel, the main part of the roof being solid) and you *should* be OK. But heavy rain will get in. And if you're constantly whipping the roof on and off, then the wear on the seals will make it worse. As I said - you'll need to maintain it well.
The question you have to ask is whether you want a convertible, or whether you want the finest handling sportscar that reasonable money can buy. If, like me, you really don't like some of the Lotus 'niggles' but absolutely love the car... get a hardtop as well. If you get a 'leaky one' and a few trips to the dealers can't get it perfectly watertight with the soft-top, then sling on the hardtop before you end up getting pissed off with the car.
I reckon they look cool with hard tops on too. I don't buy this 'roof off everywhere' mantra you sometimes hear - these things aren't MX-5s - they're for driving, and if you can easily fit in with a hardtop on then there's little out there that entertains better
Don't worry about the all year round thing - they're absolutely fine. I'd attempt to use sensible rubber in the winter (rather than tiptoe around on A048Rs) but the modern cars have heaters that work, some even have aircon - they're worlds apart (and a couple of hundred kilos heavier). The only thing that *will* slow you down with the car living outdoors is if it leaks in the winter. Once water's in the car, it'll evaporate and condense on the windscreen, making *every* journey annoying in the winter. If your daily drives are long enough to dry the interior out thoroughly then great, but you won't be on the road instantly. If they are short journeys, then winter + leaks are a BAD THING in a Lotus.
But a hardtop and new seals? Fill yer boots. They're pretty much perfect cars, IMO.
Thanks Cyberface, thats a pretty thorough post there mate and a good read.
I like your point about do you want a Great Drivers car as opposed to a Convertable. I don't want it for the Open Roof aspect, I want one for the raw driving pleasure that I imagine they provide.
At the same time, I would soon start to hate the experience if the cockpit continuosly filled with water which for me, would take the shine of the experience.
I have booked myself on a 'Scare yourself sensible day' at Hethel to try one out on track. Having previously driven EVO's I want to see how they compare. Like chalk and cheese I'd imagine but I have done numerous trackdays thus far with the EVO and now fancy a new challenge thats lighter on the wallet.
I like your point about do you want a Great Drivers car as opposed to a Convertable. I don't want it for the Open Roof aspect, I want one for the raw driving pleasure that I imagine they provide.
At the same time, I would soon start to hate the experience if the cockpit continuosly filled with water which for me, would take the shine of the experience.
I have booked myself on a 'Scare yourself sensible day' at Hethel to try one out on track. Having previously driven EVO's I want to see how they compare. Like chalk and cheese I'd imagine but I have done numerous trackdays thus far with the EVO and now fancy a new challenge thats lighter on the wallet.
Personally I have a hardtop for the winter (strictly end of Oct until end of March in Elise terms) which is great, makes the car as watertight and civilised as any normal coupe, i reckon that outside of those times I have the roof off over 50% of the time, at this time of the year more like 80-90% of days.
Just thought I'd put my 2 pence worth in:
I bought an 05 111R at the beginning of March this year and have been using it as an only / everyday / commuting car and leaving it outside all the time and we've had quite a bit of heavy rain since then.
I've only had the odd drip or two on the sills when I get in after heavy rain. I might just be lucky but I think it is probably mostly down to the fact that Lotus have evolved the roof over time and it is now pretty much damn near waterproof.
From looking at forums before I bought mine (because I was worried about this as well and did alot of looking around) the new style seals help an enormous amount, characterised by a cup type thing on the top corners of the windscreen pillars - there's a picture on here somewhere I think (can anyone help me out?)
OR you could get a breathable tailored outdoor car cover - I have one for sale at the moment for £120, unused since I bought it new for £200 in March, if you're interested?
In summary though - DO NOT let this issue put you off buying one. THe elise IMO is a fantastic everyday ownership experience.
Thanks
Tom
I bought an 05 111R at the beginning of March this year and have been using it as an only / everyday / commuting car and leaving it outside all the time and we've had quite a bit of heavy rain since then.
I've only had the odd drip or two on the sills when I get in after heavy rain. I might just be lucky but I think it is probably mostly down to the fact that Lotus have evolved the roof over time and it is now pretty much damn near waterproof.
From looking at forums before I bought mine (because I was worried about this as well and did alot of looking around) the new style seals help an enormous amount, characterised by a cup type thing on the top corners of the windscreen pillars - there's a picture on here somewhere I think (can anyone help me out?)
OR you could get a breathable tailored outdoor car cover - I have one for sale at the moment for £120, unused since I bought it new for £200 in March, if you're interested?
In summary though - DO NOT let this issue put you off buying one. THe elise IMO is a fantastic everyday ownership experience.
Thanks
Tom
Mine lived outside, either soft or hardtop after a torrential downpour I'd have a 3cm circle on drivers sill. NO problem. In winter months it did take a while to demist, but not an eternity. Once car was warm was fine.
One thing I'd caution. When it gets frosty get a cover. I left mine out in the snow/ice last year and it caused paint bubbles
I think that with a cover on it I'd not have had a problem
One thing I'd caution. When it gets frosty get a cover. I left mine out in the snow/ice last year and it caused paint bubbles
I think that with a cover on it I'd not have had a problem Bazzer_D said:
Thanks Cyberface, thats a pretty thorough post there mate and a good read.
I like your point about do you want a Great Drivers car as opposed to a Convertable. I don't want it for the Open Roof aspect, I want one for the raw driving pleasure that I imagine they provide.
At the same time, I would soon start to hate the experience if the cockpit continuosly filled with water which for me, would take the shine of the experience.
I have booked myself on a 'Scare yourself sensible day' at Hethel to try one out on track. Having previously driven EVO's I want to see how they compare. Like chalk and cheese I'd imagine but I have done numerous trackdays thus far with the EVO and now fancy a new challenge thats lighter on the wallet.
I ran an Evo 7 for 5 years, they are excellent machines, but by comparison are very expensive to maintain - As an example, my Elise just had new brake discs after 35K on the originals - Evo every 15K. My Evo ate clutches and tyres. By comparison, the Elise is quite inexpensive to maintain and fuel economy is remarkably good.I like your point about do you want a Great Drivers car as opposed to a Convertable. I don't want it for the Open Roof aspect, I want one for the raw driving pleasure that I imagine they provide.
At the same time, I would soon start to hate the experience if the cockpit continuosly filled with water which for me, would take the shine of the experience.
I have booked myself on a 'Scare yourself sensible day' at Hethel to try one out on track. Having previously driven EVO's I want to see how they compare. Like chalk and cheese I'd imagine but I have done numerous trackdays thus far with the EVO and now fancy a new challenge thats lighter on the wallet.
For performance, although my Elise has about 160 bhp (S1 was 118 bhp as standard) it feels much, much slower than the Evo - It is a totally different beast although I do find the Elise more challenging to drive to it's full potential as it is nowhere near as forgiving. The design of things like the roof is a bit, well, 'Norfolk' if you get my drift?
Hope the Hethel day is a blast!
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