Lotus Elise Ownership ... The Reality?

[Martin R]

I believe im correct in saying, as long as they use origonal Lotus parts for servicing at an independant the warrenty is still valid.

[Steve J]

Don't even need to use original parts, so long as they are of similar quality and the garage is vat registered.

[Chorlton]

Everyone else has answered all your questions, get one and enjoy it..

[catman]

ooh - you mention taking a bike out. I had assumed I'd have to put the bike on the missus' car - are you suggesting there's a bicycle carrier that fits the elise?

 

With that kind of budget I would try and get an 08 on car. They have a much better dashboard and the Toyota engine.

 

I would see if you could get a hardtop included as this is very useful in winter. If you also get a car with air con (de mist in winter), you have a great all year round car.

 

However, if it snows you would be quicker walking to work.

 

Its been my only car now for 4 years and 40k miles. Driven round Europe several times, trackdays, shops, baby carrier and I even take my Mountain Bike out in the Elise, if I cant borrow the family waggon.

[jimbo07g41]

There is an american guy who does a kit, but this involves drilling a hole in the clam.

 

I found a thread about using a roofrack and thats what I do. Even got spotted on here bringing the wifes birthday present home on top of the Elise.

 

Does look a bit strange but for a days cycling in the peaks its worth it.

 

I use a Thule traditional kit with a fit kit for a mk5 fiesta. Of course you need a hardtop for this.

[Elise+Imp]

I know of a lady with an elise that gets a bike In the car, she had an S1 and when she upgraded to an S2 she asked the dealer if she could try it to see if it fitted, they were stunned when managed it.

I think because she has the seat quite far forwards the handlebars go across behind the seat somehow and the frame in the passenger seat, using an old blanket to keep chain oil off things, both wheels have to be taken off the bike and i imagine only possible with the roof off.

[bella2769]

Hi there

 

I went from a Clio which was fantastic in the winter to the Elise last year, I kept the Clio but tbh I've not needed to use it.

 

Winter driving you just need to take it steady and its fine (in my experience anyway) I did do a slightly impressive sideways exit from the estate one morning and a not so glamourous skid on ice a couple of weeks back but other than that no impacts *touch wood*

 

Biggest winter problem I have is the door locks freeze on an icy morning - its parked on the driveway unfortunately (a fix for that would save me being constantly late for work)

 

I have a hardtop for winter driving which I suspect helps the de-frosting, I find if I leave the engine running while I scrape the windscreen & door windows its normally ok.

 

I personally find the car warms up inside quite quickly - presume its cos there's not much area to heat (and this from a girl who is ALWAYS cold) mind you I do wear a coat and gloves, but again do the same in the Clio.

 

I use mine daily, my commute its around 12 miles each way, its great and its now my 7 days a week car. I started off with insurance for 5000 miles but now upped it to 7500. Its about the same mileage I'd do regardless of car I own.

 

luggage racks - mine came with luggage rack, not used it so far and we did go away for 5 days with the car last year - I can even do a weekly food shop with it. (some girls can travel light - although I probably did have the lions share of luggage allowance)

 

Tyres, I put Toyo TR1's on following advice from here but it is personal choice.

 

all I can say is do it, they are fantastic little cars - almost guaranteed to have me arrive at work with a smile (frozen door locks dependant!) I had never driven one before I test drove this and never regretted it.

[darryl]

Thanks again for all the info folks.

 

I have found an independent specialist who is very local (http://www.thelotuscentre.com/). They have an interesting claim on their servicing page: "As well as servicing all models of Lotus cars, we also service other makes and models. You no longer have to take your vehicle to an authorised dealer in order to maintain your warranty, as long as manufacturers OE parts are used."

 

Has anyone had experience of using non-Lotus servicing with a car still under warranty?

 

I must admit, their Elise servicing is quite reasonable (compared to the local Mazda dealer).

 

One of the best independents!

 

You will find Southwest Lotus / the lotus centre very helpful speak to Phil Webb always done me proud, on anything Lotus

 

We previously owned a S2 2002 111S Rover K series producing close to 160 horses with AC hard and soft tops, now have a 111R (lots of smiles both on the track and on the road), with the Toyota lump also with hard & soft tops but no AC which you do miss in winter as others have mentioned.

 

We have found the Toyota Elise a lot easier to live with 6 speed box/ABS and more soft options, and a lot cheaper on servicing, we have managed to do a long weekend at Le Mans camping, if you pack the boot properly use the small space behind the seats and the passenger footwell you will be amazed at how much you can fit in the little car. Don't shop for the freezer, and as others have said roll your clothes up.

 

Depending on how you drive/how many track days you do you can expect the front tyres to last twice as long as the rears, we have found 20K front and 10K rear is good

 

One thing to note if you have a garage do try and put the Elise in it during the winter the GRP does not take kindly to being under snow and freezing temps, our 111R is going to local bodyshop for some work to the rear clam where after two winters the paint bubbles have embarrassed us into spending some money.

[catman]

Thanks Darryl & Sue. Had to google "GRP". The car will be garaged at night. I quite often chuckle to myself when I drive out of the garage on a frosty morning, and see my fellow neighbours doing the spray'n'scrape. Evil, I know .

 

Visitted the South West Lotus Centre on Saturday and spoke to Phil's son, James. He was very helpful, and gave me lots of information. He also showed me around an S1 that he had in bits (completely), and went through the running costs, Etc. To be honest, it's looking like a more attractive proposition by the minute. My MPS isn't cheap to run, i.e.:

 

i) Runs on 215/45 R18's, which I'm always told is an "unusual" size, and get charged £140 a corner for Toyo TR-1's. Being 4WD, it goes through all four tyres in a similar time frame.

ii) Drinks super-unleaded / tesco momentum like it's going out of fashion.

iii) Pumps out 245 grammes of CO2 per km, therefore costing £425pa in tax.

 

I'm now trying to decide whether to go for a test drive at the Bristol dealership, or try to locate a local owner who'd be willing to take me out as a passenger. Also looked into insurance on an S2 S and S2 R, and both are the same for me .

 

 

One of the best independents!

 

You will find Southwest Lotus / the lotus centre very helpful speak to Phil Webb always done me proud, on anything Lotus

 

We previously owned a S2 2002 111S Rover K series producing close to 160 horses with AC hard and soft tops, now have a 111R (lots of smiles both on the track and on the road), with the Toyota lump also with hard & soft tops but no AC which you do miss in winter as others have mentioned.

 

We have found the Toyota Elise a lot easier to live with 6 speed box/ABS and more soft options, and a lot cheaper on servicing, we have managed to do a long weekend at Le Mans camping, if you pack the boot properly use the small space behind the seats and the passenger footwell you will be amazed at how much you can fit in the little car. Don't shop for the freezer, and as others have said roll your clothes up.

 

Depending on how you drive/how many track days you do you can expect the front tyres to last twice as long as the rears, we have found 20K front and 10K rear is good

 

One thing to note if you have a garage do try and put the Elise in it during the winter the GRP does not take kindly to being under snow and freezing temps, our 111R is going to local bodyshop for some work to the rear clam where after two winters the paint bubbles have embarrassed us into spending some money.

 

 

[catman]

Thanks Bella. Looks like you commute is similar to mine. Having now seen the boot (?) in an Elise, I reckon I won't need a luggage rack.

 

Hi there

 

I went from a Clio which was fantastic in the winter to the Elise last year, I kept the Clio but tbh I've not needed to use it.

 

Winter driving you just need to take it steady and its fine (in my experience anyway) I did do a slightly impressive sideways exit from the estate one morning and a not so glamourous skid on ice a couple of weeks back but other than that no impacts *touch wood*

 

Biggest winter problem I have is the door locks freeze on an icy morning - its parked on the driveway unfortunately (a fix for that would save me being constantly late for work)

 

I have a hardtop for winter driving which I suspect helps the de-frosting, I find if I leave the engine running while I scrape the windscreen & door windows its normally ok.

 

I personally find the car warms up inside quite quickly - presume its cos there's not much area to heat (and this from a girl who is ALWAYS cold) mind you I do wear a coat and gloves, but again do the same in the Clio.

 

I use mine daily, my commute its around 12 miles each way, its great and its now my 7 days a week car. I started off with insurance for 5000 miles but now upped it to 7500. Its about the same mileage I'd do regardless of car I own.

 

luggage racks - mine came with luggage rack, not used it so far and we did go away for 5 days with the car last year - I can even do a weekly food shop with it. (some girls can travel light - although I probably did have the lions share of luggage allowance)

 

Tyres, I put Toyo TR1's on following advice from here but it is personal choice.

 

all I can say is do it, they are fantastic little cars - almost guaranteed to have me arrive at work with a smile (frozen door locks dependant!) I had never driven one before I test drove this and never regretted it.

[DeanB]

If you want one for every day get a hardtop. Much warmer in winter and less attractive to thieves. I had a vx220 for 2 years as daily driver parked outside and it was fine. I now have a base spec k series s2 which is probably a bit lacking in creature comforts for everyday. A 111r with aircon and touring would be just the ticket. Much cheaper to run than a scoob. And better!

[rocketian]

I have a 111R - use it every day 10 miles each way to work. It lives outside on the drive and the paint is fine - no blisters (got a few stone chips though). It has a soft top, never been vandalised, even when I leave it outside the pub. The heater is not that great, but if you use the eyball vents, not the footwell vent, it gets nice and cosy, specially if you are not going too fast.

 

I have the (laughingly called) Tourer plus or something, it has extra soundproofing, carpets (with "Elise" embroidered on them), remote central locking and elec window, two airbags, sunvisors that are only any use for sticking warning signs on about babyseats, and possibly the most useless cup holder in the history of motoring.

 

I find it easy to live with - reasonably economical (35mpg ish). Except on ice and snow when it is very good at slow motion ballet. When the roads turn white I steal my wife's C-max, and she has to walk to work - its good for her.

 

Go for it