Using an Elise Everyday
Discussion
Following a big change in my life, I usually change cars. My last purchase was somewhat subdued as it was a 101000 mile Astra 1.6 Estate, which has served me well and suited my needs at the time.
I havehad another big change and I feel it is time to change again.
I shared an Elise (which was not in the best way) with a friend earlier on in the year and have to say throughly enjoyed it. I had so much fun every day in it.
Now looking at a new everyday car, I have been considering a good 200SX, but the oppurtunity to own an Elise has come up.
From long term owners, can I realistically use the car to go to the station and back every day, throughout the year without it breaking down dramatically. I can live with the impracticalities, space etc. Just the reliability. I can ensure it's warmed up every day before the short drive and it WILL get a good blast every few days.
I am reasonably handy with a spanner, have a very kitted out garage and worked on an Elise previously, which I found very easy compared to the TVR.
So am I being realistic?
Cheers
Chris
I havehad another big change and I feel it is time to change again.
I shared an Elise (which was not in the best way) with a friend earlier on in the year and have to say throughly enjoyed it. I had so much fun every day in it.
Now looking at a new everyday car, I have been considering a good 200SX, but the oppurtunity to own an Elise has come up.
From long term owners, can I realistically use the car to go to the station and back every day, throughout the year without it breaking down dramatically. I can live with the impracticalities, space etc. Just the reliability. I can ensure it's warmed up every day before the short drive and it WILL get a good blast every few days.
I am reasonably handy with a spanner, have a very kitted out garage and worked on an Elise previously, which I found very easy compared to the TVR.
So am I being realistic?
Cheers
Chris
tter.Buy it, cannot think of a better way to enjoy getting to the station.
Wildfire said:
No, I wouldn't be leaving it idling in the driveway. Very bad for the engine!!
I would take the "long" (read fun) way to the station.
I'm thinking of an S1. I've found one in my budget, in good condition. Hopefully seeing it on Sunday.
I would take the "long" (read fun) way to the station.
I'm thinking of an S1. I've found one in my budget, in good condition. Hopefully seeing it on Sunday.
Edited by Stu_00 on Wednesday 24th September 16:32
I'm always banging on on here about how good the Elise is to use everyday but it did occur to me that my commute is probably better than most. Of the 12 miles I drive, only one or two of those are in nose to tail traffic so I do get a chance to drive even on the way to work. If my commute was literally nose to tail traffic, I'm not so sure I'd be so keen. But why not give it a go and see how you get on? The worst that could happen is that you get frustrated and sell it on. Better to have tried though than wonder 'what if?'
Gad-Westy said:
I'm always banging on on here about how good the Elise is to use everyday but it did occur to me that my commute is probably better than most. Of the 12 miles I drive, only one or two of those are in nose to tail traffic so I do get a chance to drive even on the way to work. If my commute was literally nose to tail traffic, I'm not so sure I'd be so keen. But why not give it a go and see how you get on? The worst that could happen is that you get frustrated and sell it on. Better to have tried though than wonder 'what if?'
Same as me. 10-15 miles, 8-13 of which are country lanes. (depending on route) Love it.
Crikey, most of you barely seem to get the oil properly warm on your commutes! On and off I've used mine as a daily driver for three years and had no trouble. Now just shy of 70k miles (30k put on by me) and I can't decide if I should crack open a good engine to get the head ported.
Like most modern cars the Elise is very reliable: If I had to drive 400 miles tomorrow I'd just fill the tank up and go. Look for regular oil changes and see if the current owner rags the engine from cold. Walk away if he does.
Like most modern cars the Elise is very reliable: If I had to drive 400 miles tomorrow I'd just fill the tank up and go. Look for regular oil changes and see if the current owner rags the engine from cold. Walk away if he does.
I love my Elise, fun to drive, gives me a buzz every time I get in it. Would I want it as an every day driver? No.
Why? It's probably just me, but it's just not a relaxing car to drive. OK, you can "poodle" around in it no problem but it cries out to be driven in a certain way and that's not an "every day driving" sort of way.
My daily driver is at present an old Mitsubishi L200. It's comfortable, lends itself to a "laid back" driving style and people get out of its way. But the best thing of all about it is the way it makes the Elise seem so special every time I get in it.
Why? It's probably just me, but it's just not a relaxing car to drive. OK, you can "poodle" around in it no problem but it cries out to be driven in a certain way and that's not an "every day driving" sort of way.
My daily driver is at present an old Mitsubishi L200. It's comfortable, lends itself to a "laid back" driving style and people get out of its way. But the best thing of all about it is the way it makes the Elise seem so special every time I get in it.
grumpy said:
I love my Elise, fun to drive, gives me a buzz every time I get in it. Would I want it as an every day driver? No.
Why? It's probably just me, but it's just not a relaxing car to drive. OK, you can "poodle" around in it no problem but it cries out to be driven in a certain way and that's not an "every day driving" sort of way.
My daily driver is at present an old Mitsubishi L200. It's comfortable, lends itself to a "laid back" driving style and people get out of its way. But the best thing of all about it is the way it makes the Elise seem so special every time I get in it.
I'd agree with this. You just cannot sit in the 'slow' lane with the Elise. I also find its image means you may well get yourself into trouble if you don't drive, shall we say, briskly.Why? It's probably just me, but it's just not a relaxing car to drive. OK, you can "poodle" around in it no problem but it cries out to be driven in a certain way and that's not an "every day driving" sort of way.
My daily driver is at present an old Mitsubishi L200. It's comfortable, lends itself to a "laid back" driving style and people get out of its way. But the best thing of all about it is the way it makes the Elise seem so special every time I get in it.
The heat in the car can make summer commuting a pain, too.
But fair do, if you can pootle along then few cars will beat it for mpg.
If money is a worry, then remember you can get e-bay specials, 11 months MOT, for around 100 quid...then scrap the car for 20 and buy again.
As said above, the Elise feels bloody g-r-e-a-t when you jump in it after a week or so.
Edited by jondude on Thursday 25th September 04:31
Money isn't a huge worry, my current daily drive is getting around the 30-35 mark most weeks and I have decided I don't need to drive around with 5 seats and massive amounts of luggage space all the time. Passenger wise, I' ve usually only had 2 seater cars, it's just me I have to cater for.
But I don't want to buy a car I will constantly be taking apart because it breaks. If I break it by taking it apart that's my problem.
It's my effort at going green! I will minimise the weight that I am lugging around each day.
It's more so I can just go for a blast on the way back from work if I feel like it. Also so I can go out in less than favourable weather without the feeling that my chassis is rusting away beneath me and threatening a huge outrigger replacement bill.
Also I want to get some tidying done on the Griff over winter.
But I don't want to buy a car I will constantly be taking apart because it breaks. If I break it by taking it apart that's my problem.
It's my effort at going green! I will minimise the weight that I am lugging around each day.
It's more so I can just go for a blast on the way back from work if I feel like it. Also so I can go out in less than favourable weather without the feeling that my chassis is rusting away beneath me and threatening a huge outrigger replacement bill.
Also I want to get some tidying done on the Griff over winter.
From my experience over the recent 2 and a bit years of using an Elise daily, it's been as reliable as any other car, you get the odd niggle from time to time, usually fixed easily by our local lotus dealer (often free of charge), other than that consumables and servicing is the only expense, so no different from any other car.
Using it daily is fine as long as you're comitted to what the Elise is about, and understand what it is and why it is. That way you understand its pretty much no frills motoring. If you want something comfy, quiet, relaxing then the Elise ISNT for you. If you want something fun, exciting, head-turning, something that stands out, then the elise IS for you.
Only downside, as others have said, it can be 'hard work' in bumper to bumper traffic jams. Clutch is fairly heavy, and it doesn't feel happy. Once you've cleared the jam and you can get the revs and speed up, it starts to smile again ;o)
Last point - consider luggage, the boot is deceptively large, but the entrance to the boot isn't, so any single item can't be larger than the average hold all, otherwise you're looking at using the pax seat.
Using it daily is fine as long as you're comitted to what the Elise is about, and understand what it is and why it is. That way you understand its pretty much no frills motoring. If you want something comfy, quiet, relaxing then the Elise ISNT for you. If you want something fun, exciting, head-turning, something that stands out, then the elise IS for you.
Only downside, as others have said, it can be 'hard work' in bumper to bumper traffic jams. Clutch is fairly heavy, and it doesn't feel happy. Once you've cleared the jam and you can get the revs and speed up, it starts to smile again ;o)
Last point - consider luggage, the boot is deceptively large, but the entrance to the boot isn't, so any single item can't be larger than the average hold all, otherwise you're looking at using the pax seat.
Cheers guys. I'm pretty much decided. Just need to find the right car now! Much more confident in longterm ownership now.
Traffic driving isn't an issue. I drove my S3 for 2 years as a daily driver and my Griff for 2 as well and the clutch on the Elise is featherweight compared to my Griff.
When I did drive one previously, I did have problems getting my laptop bag in the boot!
Just on the look out for a good car in Kent/Surrey/London/Surrounding area now!
Traffic driving isn't an issue. I drove my S3 for 2 years as a daily driver and my Griff for 2 as well and the clutch on the Elise is featherweight compared to my Griff.
When I did drive one previously, I did have problems getting my laptop bag in the boot!
Just on the look out for a good car in Kent/Surrey/London/Surrounding area now!
The big bang on mine was when the head gasket went and pressurised the oil and water, causing a water pipe to burst and an oil seal to blow (was racing a 540i down a slip road at the time). Lots of smoke and steam and it very nearly made it home...
The time before was the inlet manifold failing and all it's water coming out.
Other than that the only issue was the distributor getting wet so it wouldn't start the other week. RAC man mended it...
The time before was the inlet manifold failing and all it's water coming out.
Other than that the only issue was the distributor getting wet so it wouldn't start the other week. RAC man mended it...
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff