Lotus Exige S2 as a daily driver

[Reavenger]

I've seen a few threads briefly touching on this on here and SELOC but I'm interested in further opinion.

I only do 6000 miles every year including commuting to work and I don't need to go into work every day. I don't carry much or take passengers that often.

Based on mileage I don't think the reliability and running costs will be huge.

I'm prepared for the following:

- Winter tyres when temperatures require
- Lights from other cars shining my eyes, bad visions at junctions, potholes sending huge jolts through the car etc
- Taking the car cover off and having to demist when needed
- Watching for other drivers more closely

I'm a fairly hardy sole when it comes to cars I think and I want that's fun that I can take on a track day or two.

Like I say, my mind isn't made up and I'm interested in opinions or threads I may have missed about driving in the UK.

[Reavenger]

kambites said:

I do it in an S2 Elise which is much the same apart from having slightly more sensible tyres. Other things to be aware of.

- You need a LOT of space to get in and out because the doors are so thick and the sills so wide. Not so bad in an Elise because you can just roll the roof back and climb over the door, but I can see it being a pain in an Exige.
- Spray on the motorway can be horrific because you're so low down and the windscreen wipers aren't the best.
- The boot is a reasonable size but gets quite hot, which isn't ideal for trips to the supermarket to buy frozen stuff.
- Many passengers wont be able to get in, or worse wont be able to get out again. Passengers who aren't used to the car will try to pull themselves up on the windscreen frame which will break the windscreen.
- There's no spare wheel and nowhere to put one.
- If you're an OCD sort of person, keeping one in perfect condition is very difficult. The front is very prone to stone chips and it's extremely easy to damage bits of the interior squeezing in and out.

I've had my Elise as a daily driver for 8 years now and still adore it.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 29th January 09:17

Thanks for your thoughts. Interesting insights. Glad you're still enjoying it.

- Fortunately, the places where I park (at work and shopping), space isn't usually as issue. It's not something I really noticed though.
- I hadn't thought that. I hardly ever drive on the motorway although same principle applies to other roads.
- Passenger seat for shopping
- What do people do about the spare wheel problem for Europe trips etc? Guessing a puncture repair kit somewhere.
- I've heard about stone chips on the clam. From my experience, a lot have armourfiend or equivalent. If it didn't, I'd check the paint and get it done I think.

[Reavenger]

kambites said:

As above, you definitely want working air conditioning, especially if it's going to be kept outdoors.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 29th January 13:33

I have a good insulted car cover that I already use religiously on my current car. Air conditioning was top of my priority too.

[Reavenger]

kambites said:

A cover doesn't really help unless the car leaks (which it shouldn't). With such a small cabin volume, it takes very little moisture to create a lot of condensation and the best car cover in the world wont actually dehumidify the car for you (unless it's a carcoon or similar). My Elise lives in a dehumidified garage, but when I was rebuilding the garage a few years ago it would take me nearly half an hour some mornings to de-ice and dehumidify the car enough to drive it safety.

I didn't realise they were that prone to misting up. I thought a fully working air conditioning and an old trick like a sock full of cat litter on the dashboard would solve the moisture problem.

Thanks for your insights by the way.