Smashing Times
Discussion
Dear All,
It is with great delight that I post this message to you this evening - due to the simple fact that I am alive to do it!
Today at 12 noon we mourn the loss of an Elise.
Our little lightining yellow 'Custard' was in collision with a Renault Migrain that decided to pull out straight in front of me.
The result was a totally destroyed Elise - the front end was no longer part of the car - my drivers front wheel ended it's days 3 meters behind the final resting place.
Although due to the totally, fantastic, wonderful, amazing etc. etc car. I am still, although slightly damaged writing to you now.
Basically to enthuse about how bloody brilliant the Elise truly is - buy another "Oh YES!" For us there is no way any other motor would be in consideration, especially after what the very nice copper told my partner about a very similar crash the night before involving metal motor - they sadly passed over.
Thank you Lotus.
Even though our ex-Elise was flatbedded away, with tramua on both our parts - it saved me.
It will no doubt come as some sad news to the previous owner, Paul, who maintained the car to perfection and left a linage which we did; and intended to keep. This guy cleaned the car with a toothbrush. In some strange respect we are sorry for the loss on his behalf too.
So we await the insurance - then we hit the nearest Lotus garage for a 111R! Every cloud eh?
Best - safe & happy driving.
Kay(driver of the day!) & Steve - redhotwheels.
It is with great delight that I post this message to you this evening - due to the simple fact that I am alive to do it!
Today at 12 noon we mourn the loss of an Elise.
Our little lightining yellow 'Custard' was in collision with a Renault Migrain that decided to pull out straight in front of me.
The result was a totally destroyed Elise - the front end was no longer part of the car - my drivers front wheel ended it's days 3 meters behind the final resting place.
Although due to the totally, fantastic, wonderful, amazing etc. etc car. I am still, although slightly damaged writing to you now.
Basically to enthuse about how bloody brilliant the Elise truly is - buy another "Oh YES!" For us there is no way any other motor would be in consideration, especially after what the very nice copper told my partner about a very similar crash the night before involving metal motor - they sadly passed over.
Thank you Lotus.
Even though our ex-Elise was flatbedded away, with tramua on both our parts - it saved me.
It will no doubt come as some sad news to the previous owner, Paul, who maintained the car to perfection and left a linage which we did; and intended to keep. This guy cleaned the car with a toothbrush. In some strange respect we are sorry for the loss on his behalf too.
So we await the insurance - then we hit the nearest Lotus garage for a 111R! Every cloud eh?
Best - safe & happy driving.
Kay(driver of the day!) & Steve - redhotwheels.
Glad you're OK and seeing the whole thing in context - everyone living to tell the tale is the only important thing. It's nice to hear you so clearly attribute walking away to the integrity of the car. My other half often tells me she feels a bit dwarfed and vulnerable in the Exige, particularly driving around London dwarfed by Minis, 206s etc. I always tell her the construction of the car means she's safer in the Lotus than in one of those flimsy tin boxes but now I know it's true!
Hope your insurance get resolved quickly and to your satisfaction so you can get in that 111R!
Chris
Hope your insurance get resolved quickly and to your satisfaction so you can get in that 111R!
Chris
on the fact you're ok, 
the megane driver. 
in a nice new whip in time for summer 
Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Makes you wonder how the Renault driver is going to explain to their insurers how they didn't see one of the most visible colour cars on the road...lol
I've a medium blue Elise (sorry don't know the exact colour) and people are always changing lanes and side swiping me (no hits yet though, too damn quick); I'm sure they're not used to such a low car in their mirrors
Still, keep hammering on the insurers door for your cheque - there's a 111R with your name on it out there
I've a medium blue Elise (sorry don't know the exact colour) and people are always changing lanes and side swiping me (no hits yet though, too damn quick); I'm sure they're not used to such a low car in their mirrors
Still, keep hammering on the insurers door for your cheque - there's a 111R with your name on it out there
Thanks for all your best wishes people. We are indeed not being blamed for the accident...the Migrane that pulled out on us just didn't look since she was flashed out by a car in line - what a complete TW-T!
She is of course stating that she was 'nudging out' - an impossibility since she was hit on the rear passenger door!
In answer to your questions, the speed of impact would be a shade under 30mph. The Megane is built like a brick outhouse. The Megane is a right-off too I think as the entire passenger side is stoved in and the chasis damaged by the look of it. The woman was definately more shook up (physically) than Kay in the Elise. The Elise lost a front wheel and all of the front end. The dash has been pushed back a couple of inches and the screen cracked - drivers door moved and generally a big mess - however ther was no intrusion or deformation to the monocoque. Kay basically got out with only a little bruising to her leg and whiplash. So, in answer to the question regarding did it absorb the impact - an absolute yes. It did what it was supposed to do. It protected the driver. A crumple zone would probably have intruded into a limb.
Regarding visibility - yes yellow does stand out and we always drive with the headlights on! Blind as a bat!!!
The plod have accepted our lack of fault and the insurers (Admiral) are fighting on our behalf as we both have clean licences and full no claims. We have been driving sports and supercars for years (other car is a HC ESPRIT). So, the problem now is getting enough cash for a replacement... least we want is same car spec!
So - Lightning Yellow Elise, touring pack, drilled discs, hard top, Clarion stereo wanted...what price and what chances of finding one? LOL. Rare colour too!
Again thanks for your best wishes - any other questions fire away.
Best Steve & Kay (redhotwheels)
>> Edited by redhotwheels on Saturday 26th March 10:43
She is of course stating that she was 'nudging out' - an impossibility since she was hit on the rear passenger door!
In answer to your questions, the speed of impact would be a shade under 30mph. The Megane is built like a brick outhouse. The Megane is a right-off too I think as the entire passenger side is stoved in and the chasis damaged by the look of it. The woman was definately more shook up (physically) than Kay in the Elise. The Elise lost a front wheel and all of the front end. The dash has been pushed back a couple of inches and the screen cracked - drivers door moved and generally a big mess - however ther was no intrusion or deformation to the monocoque. Kay basically got out with only a little bruising to her leg and whiplash. So, in answer to the question regarding did it absorb the impact - an absolute yes. It did what it was supposed to do. It protected the driver. A crumple zone would probably have intruded into a limb.
Regarding visibility - yes yellow does stand out and we always drive with the headlights on! Blind as a bat!!!
The plod have accepted our lack of fault and the insurers (Admiral) are fighting on our behalf as we both have clean licences and full no claims. We have been driving sports and supercars for years (other car is a HC ESPRIT). So, the problem now is getting enough cash for a replacement... least we want is same car spec!
So - Lightning Yellow Elise, touring pack, drilled discs, hard top, Clarion stereo wanted...what price and what chances of finding one? LOL. Rare colour too!
Again thanks for your best wishes - any other questions fire away.
Best Steve & Kay (redhotwheels)
>> Edited by redhotwheels on Saturday 26th March 10:43
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff