Elise S1 as daily driver
Discussion
Herman Toothrot said:
You will find you need to adjust your driving style to be more comparable to a biker, people just don't see you and pull out in front if you, reverse into you etc, you are invisable.
I've not noticed much of the pulling out in front, but I recently had to lean on the horn in the queue for a drive-through petrol station kiosk when the mong in front tried to reverse their 4x4 over me.OP, what's your commute like?
If you've got a decent distance of entertaining roads and secure parking at either end then it might be worth the commitment required by something like an Elise or Caterfield. If you've got a 5 mile speed hump-infested suburban grind then it's probably not.
I'm perhaps stating the obvious there, but you will have to make sacrifices, so make sure you're going to get adequate reward. Otherwise maybe consider a cheap runaround for the daily slog and a toy for the weekends.
If you've got a decent distance of entertaining roads and secure parking at either end then it might be worth the commitment required by something like an Elise or Caterfield. If you've got a 5 mile speed hump-infested suburban grind then it's probably not.
I'm perhaps stating the obvious there, but you will have to make sacrifices, so make sure you're going to get adequate reward. Otherwise maybe consider a cheap runaround for the daily slog and a toy for the weekends.
Commute varies daily as I work for myself.
Every two weeks I travel 180miles at least and work there for two days with a little drivig about and the drive back.
Rest of time is varied shortish journeys to customers house or work.
I do about 30k a year.
Noise no issue both my subarus and v loud.
Only issue I see if both my cars would be two seaters as one subaru has roll cage and no rear seats, so maybe a shed wouldnt be a bad idea for the occasion when I need to transport something or the wife car broken to use for the kids
Simon
Every two weeks I travel 180miles at least and work there for two days with a little drivig about and the drive back.
Rest of time is varied shortish journeys to customers house or work.
I do about 30k a year.
Noise no issue both my subarus and v loud.
Only issue I see if both my cars would be two seaters as one subaru has roll cage and no rear seats, so maybe a shed wouldnt be a bad idea for the occasion when I need to transport something or the wife car broken to use for the kids
Simon
kambites said:
JollyGrnMonster said:
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Lorry - Motorway - I did think about and wonder how they hold up in an accident?
Is the S2 safer being newer?
Does the S2 suffer the same damn issues?
The passenger cell is extremely strong and the lack of an engine in the front means they have a huge crumple zone, but almost anything you hit is going to be significantly heavier than you, so they will never be great in a head-on with another car. They have been known to go under other cars in accidents, which generally works out OK because the shape of the chassis directs the other car over your head. Lorry - Motorway - I did think about and wonder how they hold up in an accident?
Is the S2 safer being newer?
Does the S2 suffer the same damn issues?
The S2 generally suffers from a whole load of different problems. They are a bit more usable but mostly because they're better damped and quieter. Generally the newer the car, the better built they were, regardless of which model it was. MY04 onwards S2s fixed the last of the leaks if the windows are set up right, but that age is starting to get a bit more expensive. The S2 has a much simpler roof mechanism, if you like driving with the roof off.
I would not use my Elise as a daily driver, some do/have too but I never used my other sports cars as as daily either. Buy one!
Edited by Bebee on Thursday 30th December 19:37
OK not the same thing but related. My wife used a VX220 for 3 years as a daily driver, racking up about 25K per yer and she loved every minute of it. Yes, there were occasions of scraping oce off the inside of the windows but there were more occasions of enjoyment.
I also used the car on a regular 500 mile motorway trip and I've got to say the VX makes a great motorway car. Ours was bright yellow and the outside lane became your own. Nobody likes a bright yellow car a few feet behind them so they pulled over and let you pass.
There were no reliability issues other than wife driving the car through a ford (the watery kind not the crap Dagenham kind) resulting in a blown heater motor fuse.
It was a great car and am tempted by a Europa for the same reasons but we sold the VX because I got too fat to get in an out.
It depends on what you are used to and can accept I guess but as long as you are warm, dry and the car is reliable you are OK.
Why not just try it for a few months. The prices hold up so well that it will cost you nothing to run one for a few months and see how you get on.
I also used the car on a regular 500 mile motorway trip and I've got to say the VX makes a great motorway car. Ours was bright yellow and the outside lane became your own. Nobody likes a bright yellow car a few feet behind them so they pulled over and let you pass.
There were no reliability issues other than wife driving the car through a ford (the watery kind not the crap Dagenham kind) resulting in a blown heater motor fuse.
It was a great car and am tempted by a Europa for the same reasons but we sold the VX because I got too fat to get in an out.
It depends on what you are used to and can accept I guess but as long as you are warm, dry and the car is reliable you are OK.
Why not just try it for a few months. The prices hold up so well that it will cost you nothing to run one for a few months and see how you get on.
I drove a Sport160 for 2 years come rain, snow and sunshine, - I even got business use and drove it to clients sites, although if your a traded service it doesn't always get positive responses as for some reason, they start asking if they're "paying you too much" :/
In conclusion, Man Up and do it
In conclusion, Man Up and do it
After a year of daily driving my S1, my main regret is not buying one sooner.
Its fun, quick, economical and practical (well, for me anyway!) What's not to like?
If you drive it right through winter though, people will accuse you of being stupid/ not right in the head, they assume it becomes an ornament in the slightest bit of snow.
Definitely get at least a run around in a couple first though (I didn't
) people say the suspension knocks and rattles, but get an idea of what sort of knocks and rattles to expect! Suspension parts are generally quite reasonable, but if you need a few bits at once it can add up!
Its fun, quick, economical and practical (well, for me anyway!) What's not to like?
If you drive it right through winter though, people will accuse you of being stupid/ not right in the head, they assume it becomes an ornament in the slightest bit of snow.
Definitely get at least a run around in a couple first though (I didn't
) people say the suspension knocks and rattles, but get an idea of what sort of knocks and rattles to expect! Suspension parts are generally quite reasonable, but if you need a few bits at once it can add up!MattyB_ said:
I drove a Sport160 for 2 years come rain, snow and sunshine, - I even got business use and drove it to clients sites, although if your a traded service it doesn't always get positive responses as for some reason, they start asking if they're "paying you too much" :/
In conclusion, Man Up and do it
I work on fast cars so dont think it will be any difference to turning up in an impreza In conclusion, Man Up and do it
Ian974 said:
After a year of daily driving my S1, my main regret is not buying one sooner.
Its fun, quick, economical and practical (well, for me anyway!) What's not to like?
If you drive it right through winter though, people will accuse you of being stupid/ not right in the head, they assume it becomes an ornament in the slightest bit of snow.
Definitely get at least a run around in a couple first though (I didn't ) people say the suspension knocks and rattles, but get an idea of what sort of knocks and rattles to expect! Suspension parts are generally quite reasonable, but if you need a few bits at once it can add up!
Its fun, quick, economical and practical (well, for me anyway!) What's not to like?
If you drive it right through winter though, people will accuse you of being stupid/ not right in the head, they assume it becomes an ornament in the slightest bit of snow.
Definitely get at least a run around in a couple first though (I didn't
) people say the suspension knocks and rattles, but get an idea of what sort of knocks and rattles to expect! Suspension parts are generally quite reasonable, but if you need a few bits at once it can add up!
I had a 1998 (R) Elise S1 for 2 years as a daily driver which lived on the street in London.
My main concern was ensuring other drivers couldn't bump park against it. I had no problems with the hood leaking i think that's more to do with ensuring you put it on and align it correctly.
The only problem I had was the suspension seemed quite easy to get knocked out of alignment with speed bumps and if the geo's out the handling suffers.
Other than that just go and buy one.
They're fantastic cars, reasonally quick of the mark, handle well, look great and I always got alot of positive comments.
My main concern was ensuring other drivers couldn't bump park against it. I had no problems with the hood leaking i think that's more to do with ensuring you put it on and align it correctly.
The only problem I had was the suspension seemed quite easy to get knocked out of alignment with speed bumps and if the geo's out the handling suffers.
Other than that just go and buy one.
They're fantastic cars, reasonally quick of the mark, handle well, look great and I always got alot of positive comments.
Ian974 said:
After a year of daily driving my S1, my main regret is not buying one sooner.
Its fun, quick, economical and practical (well, for me anyway!) What's not to like?
If you drive it right through winter though, people will accuse you of being stupid/ not right in the head, they assume it becomes an ornament in the slightest bit of snow.
Definitely get at least a run around in a couple first though (I didn't ) people say the suspension knocks and rattles, but get an idea of what sort of knocks and rattles to expect! Suspension parts are generally quite reasonable, but if you need a few bits at once it can add up!
Suspension knocks I am used to, no issue there and if it fails it would get coilovers. Its fun, quick, economical and practical (well, for me anyway!) What's not to like?
If you drive it right through winter though, people will accuse you of being stupid/ not right in the head, they assume it becomes an ornament in the slightest bit of snow.
Definitely get at least a run around in a couple first though (I didn't
) people say the suspension knocks and rattles, but get an idea of what sort of knocks and rattles to expect! Suspension parts are generally quite reasonable, but if you need a few bits at once it can add up!Ian974 said:
After a year of daily driving my S1, my main regret is not buying one sooner.
Its fun, quick, economical and practical (well, for me anyway!) What's not to like?
If you drive it right through winter though, people will accuse you of being stupid/ not right in the head, they assume it becomes an ornament in the slightest bit of snow.
Definitely get at least a run around in a couple first though (I didn't ) people say the suspension knocks and rattles, but get an idea of what sort of knocks and rattles to expect! Suspension parts are generally quite reasonable, but if you need a few bits at once it can add up!
Suspension knocks I am used to, no issue there and if it fails it would get coilovers. Its fun, quick, economical and practical (well, for me anyway!) What's not to like?
If you drive it right through winter though, people will accuse you of being stupid/ not right in the head, they assume it becomes an ornament in the slightest bit of snow.
Definitely get at least a run around in a couple first though (I didn't
) people say the suspension knocks and rattles, but get an idea of what sort of knocks and rattles to expect! Suspension parts are generally quite reasonable, but if you need a few bits at once it can add up!Mine was only used as a weekend toy....
It was a great car for a blat around the lanes, but utterly impracticable to use (for me at least) apart from that. At night I stopped driving her due to being blinded by other car headlights in the mirrors. In the rain, she misted up and refused to clear even with the heater doing it's "best". Getting in and out of her was an interesting challenge, especially in a tight space....
It was a great car for a blat around the lanes, but utterly impracticable to use (for me at least) apart from that. At night I stopped driving her due to being blinded by other car headlights in the mirrors. In the rain, she misted up and refused to clear even with the heater doing it's "best". Getting in and out of her was an interesting challenge, especially in a tight space....
I've got a vx and its my only car, although I cycle most days to work.
You do need a sense of humour at times but generally they are brilliant. I've considered selling in the spring but really can't think what can replace it for the money.
You'll not know if you can live with one until you've tried it, go for it, if you don't like it, sell it.
You do need a sense of humour at times but generally they are brilliant. I've considered selling in the spring but really can't think what can replace it for the money.
You'll not know if you can live with one until you've tried it, go for it, if you don't like it, sell it.
You can use an Elise every day; whether you should depends on the sort of person you are. If you only use an Elise occasionally, you may be willing to overlook some of the shortcomings - you need to ask yourself if that would be the case if it was your only car.
I'm not saying they're all like this but...I ran an S2 as a daily driver and, while it never broke down, the accumulation of small irritations grew to the point where, despite the great drive, I grew to hate it and got rid of it. A lightweight, simple car is a great idea but there's no excuse for flaws when the technology is so basic.
The roof leaked, the heater controls jammed, the windows fell out of their runners, the door lock mechanism fell apart, the air vents blew crap into the cabin, the paint began to blister, the lights and alarm came on at random, the speedo went haywire, etc, etc. This was a well cared for car with full service history too. I suppose I should have been grateful the head gasket didn't go.
They're fun to drive, and the philosophy of adding lightness is a good one - just be aware that the execution of that philosophy was a bit hit and miss at times.
I'm not saying they're all like this but...I ran an S2 as a daily driver and, while it never broke down, the accumulation of small irritations grew to the point where, despite the great drive, I grew to hate it and got rid of it. A lightweight, simple car is a great idea but there's no excuse for flaws when the technology is so basic.
The roof leaked, the heater controls jammed, the windows fell out of their runners, the door lock mechanism fell apart, the air vents blew crap into the cabin, the paint began to blister, the lights and alarm came on at random, the speedo went haywire, etc, etc. This was a well cared for car with full service history too. I suppose I should have been grateful the head gasket didn't go.
They're fun to drive, and the philosophy of adding lightness is a good one - just be aware that the execution of that philosophy was a bit hit and miss at times.
Edited by Risotto on Thursday 30th December 20:24
JollyGrnMonster said:
Suspension knocks I am used to, no issue there and if it fails it would get coilovers.
There are some very good third-party suspension setups for the Elise, one of the Nitron models being the favourite, but for the road there is little point IMHO. The S2's dampers are pretty well judged for the road (and can be retrofitted to the S1). For the track, I'd definitely fit Nitrons or similar; but then for a track toy, I wouldn't buy an Elise.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 30th December 20:22
retrorider said:
I had an S1 111s as a weekend drive and it gave me a bad back & neck & made me deaf.All you ever got through the vents were fumes and flies, but apart from that it drove ok.My midlife crisis thankfully only lasted a few months.I still have the earplugs as a memento...
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