Daily use

[pt06j3b]

Hi guys loooking to buy either an S1 or S2 soon and will be using it for the daily commute.

Is there anything I need to look out for? are they ok in the rain with the vents etc?

Also during winter it will be outside on the drive, will there be any problems with the rain/cold weather?

Should I be looking for a hardtop?

Cheers for the advice,


Jamie

[Loudman]

This comes up on here often so suggest doing a search. Normal response seems to be that no real problem, S2 significantly more livable with than S1, and S2's with the newer front seal (little ears at the top of windscreen corners - post 2005?) is pretty much leakproof, Earlier S2s (like mine) can be made fully watertight with adjustment but can be prone to slight leakage at front corners. I have a hardtop and loved it, it was on between Nov and March, but others not so bothered. No problems with reliability or cold starting. Mine was a commuter car for 3 years, no problems, (even practical?)

[kambites]

The cups on the A-pillar seal were introduced in MY04.

[hueandcry71]

i absolutely adore all things Lotus and have had a number of different variants, however in my humble opinion i did not find either of the Elises or Exiges that i have owned comfortable enough for a daily commute to work hence me buying a number of them in a realtively short space of time. I really wanted my everyday Lotus experience to be good but personally i found them too uncomfortable. Saying that I would certainly not hesitate in buying anther one of the above and keeping it for special days however in the current economic climate i couldnt really justify doing that.

Also I certainly would not contemplate owning either of the above and NOT keeping it in a garage but perhaps that is because i live in Scouseland and from a security point of view i wouldnt sleep at night if i did.

To compromise between my love of Lotus and my need for comfort i sold my Exige and purchased an A5 and a 91 Elan instead. I totally love the Elan, i have more confidence driving it and it is far more comfortable as a daily driver should i have the desire to use it every day. I would recommend an Elan to anybody and even though it doesnt have the looks,power or handling of an Elise it still draws admiring glances and comments and has that rarity/unique factor on the road.

There will be plenty, indeed i am probably in a minority of one, that will have conflicting views with mine about an S1 or S2 Elise as a daily driver and each to their own. Im just commenting on my own findings and experiences.

One thing is for sure though, if you do purchase one whenever you drive your Lotus and then park up somewhere you will ALWAYS look back and smile. They are great cars owned by mainly very nice people and the help and support you will get from the Lotus community is second to none whichever variant of Lotus you drive.

[chevronb37]

I'm sure you can find a million answers and everyone is different. The biggest issue with daily use I found was what I was prepared to use the car for. Supermarkets are a no-no as is street parking in many places and poorly maintained roads/speed bumps can be very upsetting. I also felt it was a bit flash to use for work so always felt a bit uncomfortable meeting clients and contractors in it. We all know they're relatively inexpensive to run but the general public doesn't seem to and in the middle of a recession and working in the construction industry this made me quite self-conscious.

Apart from that, they will generally not leak too much, start first time, not use too much fuel and fulfill the role of "car" quite well. You do get that special feeling when you wake up and realise you're getting to spend time with it again. They're a brilliant little car, but only you can judge whether they're appropriate daily transport.

[hueandcry71]

chevronb37 said:

I'm sure you can find a million answers and everyone is different. The biggest issue with daily use I found was what I was prepared to use the car for. Supermarkets are a no-no as is street parking in many places and poorly maintained roads/speed bumps can be very upsetting. I also felt it was a bit flash to use for work so always felt a bit uncomfortable meeting clients and contractors in it. We all know they're relatively inexpensive to run but the general public doesn't seem to and in the middle of a recession and working in the construction industry this made me quite self-conscious.

Apart from that, they will generally not leak too much, start first time, not use too much fuel and fulfill the role of "car" quite well. You do get that special feeling when you wake up and realise you're getting to spend time with it again. They're a brilliant little car, but only you can judge whether they're appropriate daily transport.

Your first paragraph sums up what i was trying to say. Funnily enough the bit about meeting clients also had an influence on me as well. It doesnt help when your a good lookin bas***d like me as well People do have this perception that the car is worth a lot more that they actuially are and also have an unfair perception that you are flash. When i sold my Exige i wanted something more "business" like to use daily hence the A5 purchase.

[Loudman]

I've never found supermarkets a problem, but then I never buy that much at a time (I'm a basket man, rather than trolley), I've had 6 chock-full sainsbo's bags in the boot no problem, and then there's always the pax seat, guess it depends on what you consider to be acceptable. I guess security could be a problem, mines in a garage but there is a guy around the corner who has his on the street, don't think he's ever had a problem. Also mine has got an (aftermarket) removable steering wheel which I always take off if leaving it for a long time. I don't see that it is less secure than any other convertible.

Flashness would definitely be a problem if you're in that sort of market, they aren't exactly understated...

[bordseye]

Its not a question of whether the car can do it - it can - so much as whether what you now see as its attractions will become irritations in daily use. It isnt that comfortable. Its noisy. It rattles. Its difficult to get in and out particularly in a parking bay. The ride is a bit harsh. There are security issues.

Sure its a hoot on a windey B road but it isnt a brilliant car in a nose to tail commuting traffic jam. So personally I would recommend a cheaper Elise and getting a second car for the daily use.

[chevronb37]

hueandcry71 said:

chevronb37 said:

I'm sure you can find a million answers and everyone is different. The biggest issue with daily use I found was what I was prepared to use the car for. Supermarkets are a no-no as is street parking in many places and poorly maintained roads/speed bumps can be very upsetting. I also felt it was a bit flash to use for work so always felt a bit uncomfortable meeting clients and contractors in it. We all know they're relatively inexpensive to run but the general public doesn't seem to and in the middle of a recession and working in the construction industry this made me quite self-conscious.

Apart from that, they will generally not leak too much, start first time, not use too much fuel and fulfill the role of "car" quite well. You do get that special feeling when you wake up and realise you're getting to spend time with it again. They're a brilliant little car, but only you can judge whether they're appropriate daily transport.

Your first paragraph sums up what i was trying to say. Funnily enough the bit about meeting clients also had an influence on me as well. It doesnt help when your a good lookin bas***d like me as well People do have this perception that the car is worth a lot more that they actuially are and also have an unfair perception that you are flash. When i sold my Exige i wanted something more "business" like to use daily hence the A5 purchase.

I get a lot of grief at work from colleagues over it - goes with the territory I suppose. I don't think in my line of work it's a discrete way to make an entrance. With other car enthusiasts I suppose they're an ice-breaker but I'd rather choose who knows what's tucked up in the garage than announce it loudly.

Just to embellish the supermarket comment, I refuse to park mine in most car parks. My Pug's picked up so many little scratches and dents from street parking and car parks. The Elise is only taken to places where I know it will be safe - it's too precious to me to risk. Felt great when it was snowing and I knew I could leave it tucked away for a couple of months out of harm's way. They are perfectly capable of carrying shopping bags though and I'm sure loads of folk use them for all manner of trips.

[bogie]

everything is relative - if you do 10 miles each way per day, you could no doubt cope on a push bike if you really wanted to to

I have previously commuted 15K a year on motorbikes, so an ELise, with a roof and heater was luxury...I had no probs in using it every day for 20-25K miles a year for the first 2 years of its life (until I had funds for something more sensible)

It has its shortcomings, but you adapt your expectations ...

Many run them daily

Many have them as 2nd cars and a more sensible car for commuting

I must say one of the best "upgrades" I ever had (and I had a few) was getting a more mundane saloon to use everyday, as you become accustomed to your ELise, it becomes the norm as a daily driver ....but drive a wafty barge a few days a week, and the Elise really feels special again

[John D.]

I'm currently doing 116 miles a day commute in my S1 Sport 160, 99% motorway. Not finding it bad at all. But then maybe I'm a bit odd Its only a temporary situation until I get my bike licence then I will be riding instead in the summer months. A diesel Clio is looming for the winter.

'Worst' things with my Elise is that stop-start traffic can get a bit tedious due to it being a bit lumpy at low revs (this is pretty much unique to the S160 though) and it does get rather warm on the way home in this weather. I can live with that though. Can't live with the service intervals clicking round every 10 weeks though! These kind of dull miles are wasted on an Elise anyway.

Conversely I'd rather do these kind of miles in it than a 2 mile run to the station every morning. Caught the bus instead when I used to work in London.

[John D.]

chevronb37 said:

hueandcry71 said:

chevronb37 said:

I'm sure you can find a million answers and everyone is different. The biggest issue with daily use I found was what I was prepared to use the car for. Supermarkets are a no-no as is street parking in many places and poorly maintained roads/speed bumps can be very upsetting. I also felt it was a bit flash to use for work so always felt a bit uncomfortable meeting clients and contractors in it. We all know they're relatively inexpensive to run but the general public doesn't seem to and in the middle of a recession and working in the construction industry this made me quite self-conscious.

Apart from that, they will generally not leak too much, start first time, not use too much fuel and fulfill the role of "car" quite well. You do get that special feeling when you wake up and realise you're getting to spend time with it again. They're a brilliant little car, but only you can judge whether they're appropriate daily transport.

Your first paragraph sums up what i was trying to say. Funnily enough the bit about meeting clients also had an influence on me as well. It doesnt help when your a good lookin bas***d like me as well People do have this perception that the car is worth a lot more that they actuially are and also have an unfair perception that you are flash. When i sold my Exige i wanted something more "business" like to use daily hence the A5 purchase.

I get a lot of grief at work from colleagues over it - goes with the territory I suppose. I don't think in my line of work it's a discrete way to make an entrance. With other car enthusiasts I suppose they're an ice-breaker but I'd rather choose who knows what's tucked up in the garage than announce it loudly.

Just to embellish the supermarket comment, I refuse to park mine in most car parks. My Pug's picked up so many little scratches and dents from street parking and car parks. The Elise is only taken to places where I know it will be safe - it's too precious to me to risk. Felt great when it was snowing and I knew I could leave it tucked away for a couple of months out of harm's way. They are perfectly capable of carrying shopping bags though and I'm sure loads of folk use them for all manner of trips.

This lot made me chuckle

I too work in construction and have just started with a new company. Had the same misgivings about rocking up on site in a 'flash' car. Did try and avoid this by sorting a motorbike but ran out of time before my first day (not helped by failing my first attempt at the test ). Have already had to explain to the security guard why I have a nicer car than my boss Also on the first day I parked it outside on the road as I wanted to conduct a recce of the site car park prior to entering in case there were any insurmountable bumps or holes within!

So far it has simply been a nice ice-breaker and something to chat about with new colleagues. Several of them are interested in cars and/or are bikers as it happens.

You guys have raised a very good point though.

Edited by John D. on Wednesday 19th May 21:44

[Grinnders]

It's all very personal. It's about what YOU can put up with and not us. I think it also depends on your body shape and whether the limited driving adjustments... seat slides back and forth (that's it) is sufficient to get you comfy for a longer commute. short arms/long legs or long arms/short legs can make positioning tricky can't remember if it's both or one more than the other.

I have an S2 Exige (the model is probably a little irrelevant) but an S2 with Probax seats is comfy enough for me 35 miles each way.(6ft/12.5 st/33" inside leg/arms 1-2" longer than norm). Anyway don't ask our opinions, it's not our money, you really need a long trial run.

[chevronb37]

John D. said:

chevronb37 said:

hueandcry71 said:

chevronb37 said:

I'm sure you can find a million answers and everyone is different. The biggest issue with daily use I found was what I was prepared to use the car for. Supermarkets are a no-no as is street parking in many places and poorly maintained roads/speed bumps can be very upsetting. I also felt it was a bit flash to use for work so always felt a bit uncomfortable meeting clients and contractors in it. We all know they're relatively inexpensive to run but the general public doesn't seem to and in the middle of a recession and working in the construction industry this made me quite self-conscious.

Apart from that, they will generally not leak too much, start first time, not use too much fuel and fulfill the role of "car" quite well. You do get that special feeling when you wake up and realise you're getting to spend time with it again. They're a brilliant little car, but only you can judge whether they're appropriate daily transport.

Your first paragraph sums up what i was trying to say. Funnily enough the bit about meeting clients also had an influence on me as well. It doesnt help when your a good lookin bas***d like me as well People do have this perception that the car is worth a lot more that they actuially are and also have an unfair perception that you are flash. When i sold my Exige i wanted something more "business" like to use daily hence the A5 purchase.

I get a lot of grief at work from colleagues over it - goes with the territory I suppose. I don't think in my line of work it's a discrete way to make an entrance. With other car enthusiasts I suppose they're an ice-breaker but I'd rather choose who knows what's tucked up in the garage than announce it loudly.

Just to embellish the supermarket comment, I refuse to park mine in most car parks. My Pug's picked up so many little scratches and dents from street parking and car parks. The Elise is only taken to places where I know it will be safe - it's too precious to me to risk. Felt great when it was snowing and I knew I could leave it tucked away for a couple of months out of harm's way. They are perfectly capable of carrying shopping bags though and I'm sure loads of folk use them for all manner of trips.

This lot made me chuckle

I too work in construction and have just started with a new company. Had the same misgivings about rocking up on site in a 'flash' car. Did try and avoid this by sorting a motorbike but ran out of time before my first day (not helped by failing my first attempt at the test ). Have already had to explain to the security guard why I have a nicer car than my boss Also on the first day I parked it outside on the road as I wanted to conduct a recce of the site car park prior to entering in case there were any insurmountable bumps or holes within!

So far it has simply been a nice ice-breaker and something to chat about with new colleagues. Several of them are interested in cars and/or are bikers as it happens.

You guys have raised a very good point though.

Edited by John D. on Wednesday 19th May 21:44

Haha yes, when senior management all drive the standard issue Vauxhall Insignias, it only serves to make you look more flash! I think if you worked in a more gregarious industry then it wouldn't be a problem. I bought mine at a time when a lot of people were being laid off - including neighbours of mine. It made me feel a bit awkward to be honest. These days the Elise leaves the garage at the crack of dawn and returns in the evening so neighbours only see it when it's being cleaned and I've taken business use off the insurance. That moment of appearing on a site and wondering how on earth you navigate the potholes is sadly lost to me! Glad to hear your own experiences in a new firm have been positive.

I would say though that I miss the buzz of driving it every day. It so great when you do get a clear run somewhere. It's just for commuting those moments were so rare that I far prefer using my Pug which has better visibility and is so much quieter and more discrete.

[boobles]

I managed in my first S1 Elise for 18 months as my daily drive. Covered 30k in that time aswel.
If you can live with the roof leaking a little bit (some are better than others) & if you can live with crappy heaters, then do it because what you get in return is the biggest smile on your face every single time you drive it! Even going 1 mile down the road to Tesco use to take me an hour because i would end up going the long way around!

[danwebster]

John D. said:

chevronb37 said:

hueandcry71 said:

chevronb37 said:

I'm sure you can find a million answers and everyone is different. The biggest issue with daily use I found was what I was prepared to use the car for. Supermarkets are a no-no as is street parking in many places and poorly maintained roads/speed bumps can be very upsetting. I also felt it was a bit flash to use for work so always felt a bit uncomfortable meeting clients and contractors in it. We all know they're relatively inexpensive to run but the general public doesn't seem to and in the middle of a recession and working in the construction industry this made me quite self-conscious.

Apart from that, they will generally not leak too much, start first time, not use too much fuel and fulfill the role of "car" quite well. You do get that special feeling when you wake up and realise you're getting to spend time with it again. They're a brilliant little car, but only you can judge whether they're appropriate daily transport.

Your first paragraph sums up what i was trying to say. Funnily enough the bit about meeting clients also had an influence on me as well. It doesnt help when your a good lookin bas***d like me as well People do have this perception that the car is worth a lot more that they actuially are and also have an unfair perception that you are flash. When i sold my Exige i wanted something more "business" like to use daily hence the A5 purchase.

I get a lot of grief at work from colleagues over it - goes with the territory I suppose. I don't think in my line of work it's a discrete way to make an entrance. With other car enthusiasts I suppose they're an ice-breaker but I'd rather choose who knows what's tucked up in the garage than announce it loudly.

Just to embellish the supermarket comment, I refuse to park mine in most car parks. My Pug's picked up so many little scratches and dents from street parking and car parks. The Elise is only taken to places where I know it will be safe - it's too precious to me to risk. Felt great when it was snowing and I knew I could leave it tucked away for a couple of months out of harm's way. They are perfectly capable of carrying shopping bags though and I'm sure loads of folk use them for all manner of trips.

This lot made me chuckle

I too work in construction and have just started with a new company. Had the same misgivings about rocking up on site in a 'flash' car. Did try and avoid this by sorting a motorbike but ran out of time before my first day (not helped by failing my first attempt at the test ). Have already had to explain to the security guard why I have a nicer car than my boss Also on the first day I parked it outside on the road as I wanted to conduct a recce of the site car park prior to entering in case there were any insurmountable bumps or holes within!

So far it has simply been a nice ice-breaker and something to chat about with new colleagues. Several of them are interested in cars and/or are bikers as it happens.

You guys have raised a very good point though.

Edited by John D. on Wednesday 19th May 21:44

Thats funny, I start a new job with Interserve in a couple of weeks...my new gaffer is mad about cars so mine was a real talking point. I had the option of a company car but as that was an insignia I decided to stick with mine.

[chevronb37]

danwebster said:

Thats funny, I start a new job with Interserve in a couple of weeks...my new gaffer is mad about cars so mine was a real talking point. I had the option of a company car but as that was an insignia I decided to stick with mine.

Which division of Interserve will you be working for? I'm in Regional Building...

[danwebster]

Strategic Projects in Birmingham

[Grinnders]

boobles said:

Even going 1 mile down the road to Tesco use to take me an hour because i would end up going the long way around!

yep I popped out for a paper on Sunday (could have got one within half a mile) but decided a round 60 mile route would be much more satisfying!

[John D.]

chevronb37 said:

danwebster said:

Thats funny, I start a new job with Interserve in a couple of weeks...my new gaffer is mad about cars so mine was a real talking point. I had the option of a company car but as that was an insignia I decided to stick with mine.

Which division of Interserve will you be working for? I'm in Regional Building...

Small world (I own Dan's old car btw).

My new company operates a 'Green' car scheme which gives you an allowance rather than a company car. My Elise does not fit into the scheme very well as its too old (pre 2001) to have a CO2 rating on the V5, so despite being relatively fuel efficient it is given an arbitary rating of 186g/km. Whilst Google tells me an 04 111S is officially 163g/km; two VED bands away which equates to a higher allowance.

Not that I really want to use the Elise for this purpose anyway. It is fun when the road finally opens up though


Sorry if that bored you