Elise SC for everyday
Discussion
I am getting very close to buying either a new or nearly new Elise SC, but would like your experiences of using these cars all year round.
How reliable are they?
How do they cope with winter driving conditions?
Do they suffer from any corrosion issues?
Do they suffer from overheating....I seem to remember Elises had a problem of water hoses bursting, or was it the hose connector clips not being reliable?
I live not a million miles from Hethel....are there any recommended independant specialists around?
Any help or info appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
How reliable are they?
How do they cope with winter driving conditions?
Do they suffer from any corrosion issues?
Do they suffer from overheating....I seem to remember Elises had a problem of water hoses bursting, or was it the hose connector clips not being reliable?
I live not a million miles from Hethel....are there any recommended independant specialists around?
Any help or info appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
try www.seloc.org for a list of specialists/dealers that are recommended
How reliable are they?
as reliable as any other mainstream car these days
How do they cope with winter driving conditions?
fine, if you can drive RWD /mid engine and have had a bit of car control training, and drive to the conditions. If you try to drive it like a FWD car and take liberties it will bite you one day
Do they suffer from any corrosion issues?
better than most cars - they are aluminium and plastic, theres only 1 bit of steel on the chassis, and thats about it, so no, you can pick up a 10 year old ELise and it can be made like new again quite easily
Do they suffer from overheating....I seem to remember Elises had a problem of water hoses bursting, or was it the hose connector clips not being reliable?
no overheating as such, radiator end caps are a weak point on some cars it seems, but you just replace the rad with a new one - a few hundred quid, nothing major
there are thousands of owners with these cars that just use them daily as regular cars, and do like 20k miles a year in them
How reliable are they?
as reliable as any other mainstream car these days
How do they cope with winter driving conditions?
fine, if you can drive RWD /mid engine and have had a bit of car control training, and drive to the conditions. If you try to drive it like a FWD car and take liberties it will bite you one day
Do they suffer from any corrosion issues?
better than most cars - they are aluminium and plastic, theres only 1 bit of steel on the chassis, and thats about it, so no, you can pick up a 10 year old ELise and it can be made like new again quite easily
Do they suffer from overheating....I seem to remember Elises had a problem of water hoses bursting, or was it the hose connector clips not being reliable?
no overheating as such, radiator end caps are a weak point on some cars it seems, but you just replace the rad with a new one - a few hundred quid, nothing major
there are thousands of owners with these cars that just use them daily as regular cars, and do like 20k miles a year in them
It would cope fine with daily driving. I've used my 2004 111S every day for the last two years without a hitch (except the heater breaking, and they've fixed that one in the later cars), including in the snow we had last winter. It actually deals much better with snow than a front engined RWD car because it has more weight over the driven wheels.
I gleefully drive past lots of BMWs and Mercs stuck in ditches during that snowy period.
I gleefully drive past lots of BMWs and Mercs stuck in ditches during that snowy period.
Edited by kambites on Monday 7th September 09:09
I have owned plenty of dodgy handling rear wheel drive cars in my time...ie Triumph Herold, Vitesse, TR4 and 6, Fiat X19 ...then the situation improved with a TVR S3...I now have a TVRS1 eith 240hp Cosworth V6, which has a similar power to weight ratio...for trackdays etc. I also currently have a Yamaha Fazer with a power to weight ratio of approximately 750hp per tonne, so too much power is not an issue.
A couple of other questions...
What sort of range do you get from a tank of fuel when driving reasonably on motorways and A roads?
It make sense to me to get a hard top...the motoring press say they are then boomy inside....is this when compared with a Rolls Royce Phantom, or are they really unpleasant at motorway speeds? One of the reasons for putting this car high on my list is to attempt to slow me down a bit on long journey`s. I like my clean liscence (and I am experienced enough now to realise that driving at high speeds on any public road is stupid, no matter how good you think you are)
Mark
A couple of other questions...
What sort of range do you get from a tank of fuel when driving reasonably on motorways and A roads?
It make sense to me to get a hard top...the motoring press say they are then boomy inside....is this when compared with a Rolls Royce Phantom, or are they really unpleasant at motorway speeds? One of the reasons for putting this car high on my list is to attempt to slow me down a bit on long journey`s. I like my clean liscence (and I am experienced enough now to realise that driving at high speeds on any public road is stupid, no matter how good you think you are)
Mark
lots of threads on hardtops ...not very popular due to inconvenience of use - its not a 5 min job, neither are they guaranteed to be better than a soft top
I had one for a single winter, then sold it
I did 83K miles in an Elise over 6 years, the first 3 years as a daily driver
It will slow you down on the motorway, as they are simply not too comfortable to cruise at 3 figure speeds in, compared with a modern saloon or most "sportscars" ...it wont slow you down cross country though on B or A roads LOL ...thats what the Elise is for
I had one for a single winter, then sold it
I did 83K miles in an Elise over 6 years, the first 3 years as a daily driver
It will slow you down on the motorway, as they are simply not too comfortable to cruise at 3 figure speeds in, compared with a modern saloon or most "sportscars" ...it wont slow you down cross country though on B or A roads LOL ...thats what the Elise is for
bogie said:
It will slow you down on the motorway, as they are simply not too comfortable to cruise at 3 figure speeds in, compared with a modern saloon or most "sportscars" ...it wont slow you down cross country though on B or A roads LOL ...thats what the Elise is for
I'd say that they are comfortable enough. The issue is realy the noise. A SC is relatively quiet for an Elise but it's no Lexus. I keep the speeds down mostly to keep the noise down.Agree about hardtops too. Don't bother.
I dont mean the seats are not comfy...they are more comfy than a lot of more heavily padded ones
What I mean is, that its too noisy, and you are too "connected" to the road, to be relaxed say cruising at 95-100mph, like many business drivers do every day in their German saloons on the motorway
After many Euro jaunts in the Elise, driving 10 hours a day at high speed on motorways, it really is a tiring car at such speeds and you get out knackered, with ears ringing like youve been in a nightclub LOL
for long journeys, daily on the motorway, earplugs are a good buy
What I mean is, that its too noisy, and you are too "connected" to the road, to be relaxed say cruising at 95-100mph, like many business drivers do every day in their German saloons on the motorway
After many Euro jaunts in the Elise, driving 10 hours a day at high speed on motorways, it really is a tiring car at such speeds and you get out knackered, with ears ringing like youve been in a nightclub LOL
for long journeys, daily on the motorway, earplugs are a good buy
I use my SC as my everyday car, including twice-weekly long journeys, all year round. Don't see the point of a hardtop, car has proved reliable and even squeak-free in 18 months and 18k miles. Comfortable for me even if I'm no longer in my 30s ... Sport exhaust is a must for an SC, though :-)
go for it, won't regret.
ps - only real world drawback is the limited carrying capacity for people and stuff ...
go for it, won't regret.
ps - only real world drawback is the limited carrying capacity for people and stuff ...
Have Elise SC for over a year and use more and more as a daily driver as it is so much fun.
Noise pre-2bular upgrade was not an issue at all, also at prolonged motorway driving.
Only solution for phone is jawbone headset, which allows conversation without background noise on motorway.
With 2bular exhaust it is certainly louder, but adds to fun, but I suppose a matter of taste, stock exhaust is least loud, but sounds a little to thin for some.
Also I have the touring pack which is supposed to reduce noise slighly with extra padding, I find that you can cruise at 100-120 mph on German motorway for some time without experiencing anything like ringing ears, but I would recommend this car if that is what you intend to mainly use it for. Nevertheless you will find if that is what you require occasionally, you can do it without too much discomfort.
300 miles per tank is in my opinion not realistic with the SC, if mostly traffic free motorway you may get 250, mixed cycle more like 200 or less.
Seats in SC are great, more comfy than many others, but you have limited options with the driving positions, either you like it or you don't.
Hard top looks great, but I agree does not make much difference, I still like to have mine on during the winter.
Driving in winter is ok unless there is a lot of snow, which is unlikely in the UK, if you live in a frequent sub-zero temperature area, think about getting winter tyres.
In my 16 months of ownership from new, if have had no issues of any kind, and I drive it the way it was intended to. (-:
Not sure how SC compares to all older models, but if feels refined and reliable, certainly much more civilised than S1 I've been in, so for a daily driver probably the best Elise.
Noise pre-2bular upgrade was not an issue at all, also at prolonged motorway driving.
Only solution for phone is jawbone headset, which allows conversation without background noise on motorway.
With 2bular exhaust it is certainly louder, but adds to fun, but I suppose a matter of taste, stock exhaust is least loud, but sounds a little to thin for some.
Also I have the touring pack which is supposed to reduce noise slighly with extra padding, I find that you can cruise at 100-120 mph on German motorway for some time without experiencing anything like ringing ears, but I would recommend this car if that is what you intend to mainly use it for. Nevertheless you will find if that is what you require occasionally, you can do it without too much discomfort.
300 miles per tank is in my opinion not realistic with the SC, if mostly traffic free motorway you may get 250, mixed cycle more like 200 or less.
Seats in SC are great, more comfy than many others, but you have limited options with the driving positions, either you like it or you don't.
Hard top looks great, but I agree does not make much difference, I still like to have mine on during the winter.
Driving in winter is ok unless there is a lot of snow, which is unlikely in the UK, if you live in a frequent sub-zero temperature area, think about getting winter tyres.
In my 16 months of ownership from new, if have had no issues of any kind, and I drive it the way it was intended to. (-:
Not sure how SC compares to all older models, but if feels refined and reliable, certainly much more civilised than S1 I've been in, so for a daily driver probably the best Elise.
I ended up travelling down to Brands Hatch in my dad's E92 M3 at the weekend. At motorway speeds it is phenomenal - quiet, powerful, composed. It encourages you to cruise at silly speeds because it's so good at it. However, we ended up having a trek across a nice, fast B-road and it seemed fairly ungainly and travelling at quite a lick was nothing like as composed and reassuring as the Elise.
If saving your licence on the motorway is a priority, an Elise is great. The problem is that it is frighteningly capable cross-country and the way it paints itself to the road and lays down the power so perfectly means that you can get into licence-losing territory on just about any piece road you care to mention.
Buying an Elise was the culmination of a 20 year fantasy about owning a Lotus and never regretted it for a second. Enjoy it!
If saving your licence on the motorway is a priority, an Elise is great. The problem is that it is frighteningly capable cross-country and the way it paints itself to the road and lays down the power so perfectly means that you can get into licence-losing territory on just about any piece road you care to mention.
Buying an Elise was the culmination of a 20 year fantasy about owning a Lotus and never regretted it for a second. Enjoy it!
I'll be honest with you: sports exhausts + fidgety steering + cruising at 80 == tiring.
That said, having an Elise once you've driven all the way up to the Highlands of Scotland from London is easily worth it. Or down to the Tarn Gorge. Or to the hills in the Auvergne. Or... you get the idea. ;-)
Other practical issues:
- As everyone says, the boot is huge compared to what you expect, provided you pack soft bags.
- The heater in my K-series S2 doesn't really work worth a damn. I've never figured out if it all just needs a good clean, or if they're just hopeless. Compared to TVRs and Porsche convertibles I've been in, which are semi-volcanic, it's pathetic.
- In winter my screen sometimes randomly mists up very rapidly and with no warning five minutes after I start driving, which can be very annoying (if not downright dangerous).
Other than that, it's all good. Buy one. You will love it.
That said, having an Elise once you've driven all the way up to the Highlands of Scotland from London is easily worth it. Or down to the Tarn Gorge. Or to the hills in the Auvergne. Or... you get the idea. ;-)
Other practical issues:
- As everyone says, the boot is huge compared to what you expect, provided you pack soft bags.
- The heater in my K-series S2 doesn't really work worth a damn. I've never figured out if it all just needs a good clean, or if they're just hopeless. Compared to TVRs and Porsche convertibles I've been in, which are semi-volcanic, it's pathetic.
- In winter my screen sometimes randomly mists up very rapidly and with no warning five minutes after I start driving, which can be very annoying (if not downright dangerous).
Other than that, it's all good. Buy one. You will love it.
kambites said:
The heater is something else they've gradually improved over the years.
Yes, quite possibly: the 08-and-later dash seems to me to be more efficient in heating / cooling the small Elise cabin.
BTW, as for the OP other questions:
- I had no engine overheating problem, not even when stuck in queues in summer.
- I get between 250-280 miles from an SC tank. I bet I'd get at least 300 with motorway driving
almaw said:
I'll be honest with you: sports exhausts + fidgety steering + cruising at 80 == tiring.
That said, having an Elise once you've driven all the way up to the Highlands of Scotland from London is easily worth it. Or down to the Tarn Gorge. Or to the hills in the Auvergne. Or... you get the idea. ;-)
Other practical issues:
- As everyone says, the boot is huge compared to what you expect, provided you pack soft bags.
- The heater in my K-series S2 doesn't really work worth a damn. I've never figured out if it all just needs a good clean, or if they're just hopeless. Compared to TVRs and Porsche convertibles I've been in, which are semi-volcanic, it's pathetic.
- In winter my screen sometimes randomly mists up very rapidly and with no warning five minutes after I start driving, which can be very annoying (if not downright dangerous).
Other than that, it's all good. Buy one. You will love it.
Thought OP as asking about an Elise SC??That said, having an Elise once you've driven all the way up to the Highlands of Scotland from London is easily worth it. Or down to the Tarn Gorge. Or to the hills in the Auvergne. Or... you get the idea. ;-)
Other practical issues:
- As everyone says, the boot is huge compared to what you expect, provided you pack soft bags.
- The heater in my K-series S2 doesn't really work worth a damn. I've never figured out if it all just needs a good clean, or if they're just hopeless. Compared to TVRs and Porsche convertibles I've been in, which are semi-volcanic, it's pathetic.
- In winter my screen sometimes randomly mists up very rapidly and with no warning five minutes after I start driving, which can be very annoying (if not downright dangerous).
Other than that, it's all good. Buy one. You will love it.
My S1 111s is so far removed from my S2 SC - S1 more fun, S2 so much more civilised
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