Elise S1 daily drive bad idea?

[selym]

Lefty said:

ikatoro192 said:

I am just wondering how to demist inside of window in cold rainy winter day? I guess simply wipe out using some kind of demist spray?
and water leaking I suppose A pilar window head
corner only? or anywhere else?
thanks

I fitted a heated screen to mine - best mod so far!

The heater isn't the best, and Lefty's suggestion is probably the best option for you. As a VX220 owner, I had an uprated heater fitted by an enthusiast which has been an absolute godsend. I'm pretty sure there wasn't one made by him for the Elise.

[bordseye]

ikatoro192 said:

I am thinking to buy green S1 at Paul Matty MY98 only 27000 mile it says cam belt will be fitted and full service plus MOT 13995£ looks fabulous trading my Audi A5
it must be my every day car. Is this bad idea? Most of people buy S1 as second car I know but I wanted for long time S1 Green and magnolia leather it looks perfect.
Is S1 usable every day in relibility wise ?
any advice appreciated
thanks

There is no doubt at all that the S2 with the Toyota engine is a much better reliability proposition. Certainly you cannot expoect Audi reliability from a car with a Rover K series engine.
However the practicality depends on your daily drive. If for example you had a 30 mile motorway commute through heavy traffic I would advise against though it does depend on your tolerance of discomfort and noise. I(f you have a 10 mile back road thrash then its a different matter. The Elise is hard core by most peoples standards so using it as a daily driver rather depends on your age and attitude.

[kambites]

bordseye said:

There is no doubt at all that the S2 with the Toyota engine is a much better reliability proposition. Certainly you cannot expoect Audi reliability from a car with a Rover K series engine.

With the exception of the head gasket, the K-series is fine and even the head gasket probably wont go a second time if fixed properly and then not abused.

Our Elise has certainly been more reliable than our Octavia which is mechanically much the same as an A3. In nine years of daily use, the Lotus has never broken down; I've had to rescue the wife when the Octavia has gone wrong three times in six years.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 20th April 21:19

[RYH64E]

bordseye said:

If you have a 10 mile back road thrash then its a different matter.

My commute is a 10 mile back road thrash, a few years ago I found myself in a position where I had to use my S1 every day through November and December, and after a few weeks of that I'd have started using the bus had there been one available. An Elise is fantastic when the sun's shining and you're in the mood for a drive, but having to use it in the dark, when it's cold and wet outside (and inside), really isn't much fun.

[ikatoro192]

Thank you guys again. It is very helpful
I already fell in love with tiny S1 maybe kicking out A5 to switch anyway I am going to
test drive this weekend and making a decision.
cheers

[ikatoro192]

Oh Noooo I planned test drive tomorrow but it just sold out now!! Aaaaa too late this Paul Matty green S1 was beautiful exapmle.
I had to deposit first so reglet.

[MrC986]

ikatoro192 said:

I am thinking to buy green S1 at Paul Matty MY98 only 27000 mile it says cam belt will be fitted and full service plus MOT 13995£ looks fabulous trading my Audi A5
it must be my every day car. Is this bad idea? Most of people buy S1 as second car I know but I wanted for long time S1 Green and magnolia leather it looks perfect.
Is S1 usable every day in relibility wise ?
any advice appreciated
thanks

I've just seen you latest thread & I'm sorry to hear your search has been frustrated. Can you'd send me a PM (it doesn't look like you're settings allow emails) as I might be able to help you as I know where there's a low mileage S1

[bordseye]

kambites said:

With the exception of the head gasket, the K-series is fine and even the head gasket probably wont go a second time if fixed properly and then not abused.

At a guess, you work in PR?

[kambites]

bordseye said:

kambites said:

With the exception of the head gasket, the K-series is fine and even the head gasket probably wont go a second time if fixed properly and then not abused.

At a guess, you work in PR?

Nope, I'm an engineer.

The K-series has a single significant design floor but it's not a generally unreliable engine. Anyone who's worried about having a £400 quid repair bill every ten years or so really shouldn't be running a car like the Elise, IMO. If it fails more than that it's not being fixed properly in the first place. I picked K-series car over a Toyota one for how it drives but it's undoubtedly cost me less to run than a 111R would have.

Edited by kambites on Monday 25th April 14:26