Can they be left outside?

[Pulse]

I'm wondering if Elises can be left outside or not. I know the VX220s suffer really badly from the paint blistering if they're left outside, and I don't have a garage. What do you all think? Would I be better waiting until I have a garage?

[-Neil-]

Mine lives outside, has done since April 2009 with no problems apart from ice on the inside of the screen in winter

Neil.

[satan 59]

Mine lives outside and it's my daily drive. No problems apart from the usual. No leaks now I've adjusted the windows.

[MadProf]

Mine lives outside,I don't have a garage,but I did invest in a really decent cover which is cut/made for the Elise shape,ok it cost £200 but it was worth it as it keeps the car in almost showroom condition.It is made of a similiar fabric to that of high tec rain coats,it allows moisture to pass through from the underneath out,but not from the outside in to the fabric,it really is superb.

It is made by the Cover Company and I think it is the 'Weathershield'cover.

http://www.thecovercompany.co.uk/car_covers.html?g...

Edited by MadProf on Saturday 29th January 09:38

Edited by MadProf on Saturday 29th January 09:39

[Pulse]

-Neil- said:

Mine lives outside, has done since April 2009 with no problems apart from ice on the inside of the screen in winter

Neil.

Thanks everyone. Neil your car looks FANTASTIC! I test drove an Elise Club Racer last year and loved it, but found it lacking in power. An Exige S Club Racer would be ideal!

[John D.]

My S1 lived outside for the first year or so I had it. The roof leaks slightly from where it meets the corner of the windows - solved by buying a 'shower cap' cover for it. As regards paint blistering I believe that is not exclusive to VX220, some S2 suffered the same. Think it is due to imperfect preparation of the fibreglass prior to spraying so if it is going to happen it probably will have by now (happened on my S1 after a re-spray within a couple of weeks in the heat of the summer, rectified once and never come back).

I moved flat and found one with a garage specifically so I could keep the Elise and my bike undercover. I think they are both generally happier to not be exposed to the elements all the time.

[Woza]

Mine is permanently outside, including when I lived in Edinburgh.

Absolutely no problems

[-Neil-]

Pulse said:

Thanks everyone. Neil your car looks FANTASTIC! I test drove an Elise Club Racer last year and loved it, but found it lacking in power. An Exige S Club Racer would be ideal!

Thanks, it's running about 270bhp so fast enough for me now

Neil.

[TIPPER]

Mine lived outside for four years. A shower cape keeps it totally dry inside and also helps with frost problems. Don't forget you can also buy tailor made covers for the car too (only take a couple of minutes to fit).
Paint blistering is due to poor prep prior to painting.

[cockneydevil]

Yes.

[CooperS]

Woza said:

Mine is permanently outside, including when I lived in Edinburgh.

Absolutely no problems

Snap on both accounts

Only issue i've found is the frost over the colder months but a cap would limit that