Elise as a daily
Discussion
Morning all,
I have around 25k to spend on my next car. Needs to be a daily. Mileage will be circa 12k per year. Will be used for business and pleasure - business is only driving to clients homes etc but need to be able to use some sort of hands free system. Is this possible in the Elise with the soft roof on or does road noise prevent this?
Also in winter are they usable as a daily and does the heater etc make them reasonable?
I have been looking at more obvious choices (M3, C63) and someone just mentioned the Elise as a curve ball in terms of driving experience, limited depreciation etc, but unsure if it would work for my needs as above? There are only two of us, so no practicality to consider as such. Other half has a Jag XF for anything where more space etc is needed.
Any advice received with thanks.
I have around 25k to spend on my next car. Needs to be a daily. Mileage will be circa 12k per year. Will be used for business and pleasure - business is only driving to clients homes etc but need to be able to use some sort of hands free system. Is this possible in the Elise with the soft roof on or does road noise prevent this?
Also in winter are they usable as a daily and does the heater etc make them reasonable?
I have been looking at more obvious choices (M3, C63) and someone just mentioned the Elise as a curve ball in terms of driving experience, limited depreciation etc, but unsure if it would work for my needs as above? There are only two of us, so no practicality to consider as such. Other half has a Jag XF for anything where more space etc is needed.
Any advice received with thanks.
I've used mine as a daily driver for the last eight years, albeit for a much lower mileage than you.
I think the answer is certainly that yes, it's possible, but whether you'd want to for that sort of mileage is another matter. They're not very good motorway cars (too low and too loud) and are pretty tiring to drive more than a couple of hours in one stint. The hyperactive steering which makes them such a delight on back-roads is a pain in the arse on the motorway, too. I've never tried using a hands-free kit but I'd imagine an in-ear type one that puts the microphone a couple of inches from your mouth should work fine.
Assuming we're talking about an S2, the heater is fine. It's only got a tiny area to warm up. You'd definitely want air-conditioning if you're going to drive to clients in it.
If you can stretch the budget a bit, you'd get an early Evora which would probably do the job better; if not, maybe consider a Europa if you can find one?
I think the answer is certainly that yes, it's possible, but whether you'd want to for that sort of mileage is another matter. They're not very good motorway cars (too low and too loud) and are pretty tiring to drive more than a couple of hours in one stint. The hyperactive steering which makes them such a delight on back-roads is a pain in the arse on the motorway, too. I've never tried using a hands-free kit but I'd imagine an in-ear type one that puts the microphone a couple of inches from your mouth should work fine.
Assuming we're talking about an S2, the heater is fine. It's only got a tiny area to warm up. You'd definitely want air-conditioning if you're going to drive to clients in it.
If you can stretch the budget a bit, you'd get an early Evora which would probably do the job better; if not, maybe consider a Europa if you can find one?
Did 20kpa in mine for 2 years a couple of years back. It was great, didn't bother with a hands free, used iphone balanced in the cupholder for sat nav.
Depending on your job you may want to park it out of sight for client visits, I got grief on occasion as it looks and sounds a million dollars despite being a £25k bit of plastic with a toyota engine
Depending on your job you may want to park it out of sight for client visits, I got grief on occasion as it looks and sounds a million dollars despite being a £25k bit of plastic with a toyota engine
Both the Evora and the Europa look significantly better in person than in pictures. Unfortunately both are rare enough that no-one ever sees them.
If you can stretch to an Evora that's definitely where my money would go. Values of the early cars have been static for a while now; I can't see them falling significantly so you shouldn't lose much if anything on one.
If you can stretch to an Evora that's definitely where my money would go. Values of the early cars have been static for a while now; I can't see them falling significantly so you shouldn't lose much if anything on one.
I'd go Evora if there's a professional use for the car. Sorry guys, I'd forget the Europa for this particular usage. I loved my Elise, love my Exige, using both throughout the year, 10K miles. Always for fun and plasure, wearing jeans etc. Not so practical in suit and tie etc etc. No matter how I love it, wouldn't recommend for the intended use. Nevertheless, it's up to you
I had the S1 and must admit winter and rainy days and if you pull any kind of muscle can be a bit of a pain getting in or out of them. I would suggest putting £1k aside and buy a cheap fiesta or something for those days when weather is bad and supermakret runs also makes you enjoy the lotus far more when you get back in it!
I have been using my Elise as a daily for about 7 years and it now has more than 80k miles.
Not a problem - usually a joy.
However I only have been relaxed about driving it in winter since I started using winter tyres. I suggest not to drive it all year round with the regular (summer tyres),.
As for phone calls - I have to stop the car too have a good conversation.
But listening to music / audiobooks not a problem really - fact is, I either listen to audio OR drive the car properly :-)
Not a problem - usually a joy.
However I only have been relaxed about driving it in winter since I started using winter tyres. I suggest not to drive it all year round with the regular (summer tyres),.
As for phone calls - I have to stop the car too have a good conversation.
But listening to music / audiobooks not a problem really - fact is, I either listen to audio OR drive the car properly :-)
PompeyPaul said:
Morning all,
I have around 25k to spend on my next car. Needs to be a daily. Mileage will be circa 12k per year. Will be used for business and pleasure - business is only driving to clients homes etc but need to be able to use some sort of hands free system. Is this possible in the Elise with the soft roof on or does road noise prevent this?
Also in winter are they usable as a daily and does the heater etc make them reasonable?
I have been looking at more obvious choices (M3, C63) and someone just mentioned the Elise as a curve ball in terms of driving experience, limited depreciation etc, but unsure if it would work for my needs as above? There are only two of us, so no practicality to consider as such. Other half has a Jag XF for anything where more space etc is needed.
Any advice received with thanks.
I have around 25k to spend on my next car. Needs to be a daily. Mileage will be circa 12k per year. Will be used for business and pleasure - business is only driving to clients homes etc but need to be able to use some sort of hands free system. Is this possible in the Elise with the soft roof on or does road noise prevent this?
Also in winter are they usable as a daily and does the heater etc make them reasonable?
I have been looking at more obvious choices (M3, C63) and someone just mentioned the Elise as a curve ball in terms of driving experience, limited depreciation etc, but unsure if it would work for my needs as above? There are only two of us, so no practicality to consider as such. Other half has a Jag XF for anything where more space etc is needed.
Any advice received with thanks.
I've done 10.5k miles in my S3 Elise S from new-to-date. And that includes a cold, little bit icy, little bit snowy central belt of Scotland. No real problems except for possibly being visible to others at all times.
I have the TRD Stage 3 exhaust and airbox installed and I wouldn't bother with handsfree; it's too noisy. It's less road noise and more the engine noise that causes problems with telecoms.
I have the TRD Stage 3 exhaust and airbox installed and I wouldn't bother with handsfree; it's too noisy. It's less road noise and more the engine noise that causes problems with telecoms.
Loads of us drive them daily in all weathers. Standing water on the motorway is the thing I worry about most. Car takes mileage well if you keep it clean and look after it. My last 111R was the most reliable car I have owned and never let me down in the 7 years I ran it. Hands free is fine round town, motorway speed caller won't hear you. Wireless earbuds may be an answer.
Car is a bit marmite, you will either love it or hate it. Get over to a dealer Snows Hedge End or Bell and Colville West Horsley are the closest to you. Look at a few cars and take a long test drive. Sign up on Seloc, come along to one of the regional events and talk to a few owners.
Evora might be a good bet for you, more expensive, but if you are up for M3 or C63 running costs, then the glacial depreciation may make one affordable. Take a good look and take one for a test drive.
Car is a bit marmite, you will either love it or hate it. Get over to a dealer Snows Hedge End or Bell and Colville West Horsley are the closest to you. Look at a few cars and take a long test drive. Sign up on Seloc, come along to one of the regional events and talk to a few owners.
Evora might be a good bet for you, more expensive, but if you are up for M3 or C63 running costs, then the glacial depreciation may make one affordable. Take a good look and take one for a test drive.
OP I mentioned the Elise on your BMW thread and looks like you are taking it seriously 
Definitely go and see and drive a few and make up your mind. I reckon you could get a very good Elise for less than budget and have some spare change for enjoying the thing eg trackdays
Get on SELOC - all the info needed is on there and a lot busier than here TBH.
Jamie at Bell and Colvill is a good bloke and will happily show you a few possibilities.
Definitely go and see and drive a few and make up your mind. I reckon you could get a very good Elise for less than budget and have some spare change for enjoying the thing eg trackdays
Get on SELOC - all the info needed is on there and a lot busier than here TBH.
Jamie at Bell and Colvill is a good bloke and will happily show you a few possibilities.
SidewaysSi said:
OP I mentioned the Elise on your BMW thread and looks like you are taking it seriously
Definitely go and see and drive a few and make up your mind. I reckon you could get a very good Elise for less than budget and have some spare change for enjoying the thing eg trackdays
Get on SELOC - all the info needed is on there and a lot busier than here TBH.
Jamie at Bell and Colvill is a good bloke and will happily show you a few possibilities.
Thanks, sure am and will do! Definitely go and see and drive a few and make up your mind. I reckon you could get a very good Elise for less than budget and have some spare change for enjoying the thing eg trackdays
Get on SELOC - all the info needed is on there and a lot busier than here TBH.
Jamie at Bell and Colvill is a good bloke and will happily show you a few possibilities.
I used my last Elise S2 for around 5 years as a daily, went sensible for a couple of years due to a new baby, and couldn't wait to get back into my newer S2, which I've been using daily for around 2 years.
I find it perfectly fine as a daily, lots of compromises to be made, but if you fancy being a bit different go for it. It's the best feeling in the world doing the commute home with the roof off, after a long day at work.
Only caveat as others have said is snow, I've tried to get away with it, with mixed successes/failures, luckily this year the winter has been very good to us.
Go for it, life's too short not to.
I find it perfectly fine as a daily, lots of compromises to be made, but if you fancy being a bit different go for it. It's the best feeling in the world doing the commute home with the roof off, after a long day at work.
Only caveat as others have said is snow, I've tried to get away with it, with mixed successes/failures, luckily this year the winter has been very good to us.
Go for it, life's too short not to.
I have used my 111R as a daily driver for a considerable time. They are good and bad. Any drive in an elise is an occasion and something to be enjoyed. But they are car you have to drive and require concentration and attention. Arriving for a serious meeting after a couple of hours in the Elise is not that easy.
I have just done 6 months with a 170 mile per day commute cross country every day.
I hate to say it but the Elise was used only a handful of times, the M5 was the weapon of choice as it munched the miles and left me ready to do business at the other end.
This may have a lot to do with the way I drive the elise....
My Elise was and is only really happy as a daily / regular car. Since my use of her reduced she has had nothing but problems. The poor girl misses her thrashing!
I have just done 6 months with a 170 mile per day commute cross country every day.
I hate to say it but the Elise was used only a handful of times, the M5 was the weapon of choice as it munched the miles and left me ready to do business at the other end.
This may have a lot to do with the way I drive the elise....
My Elise was and is only really happy as a daily / regular car. Since my use of her reduced she has had nothing but problems. The poor girl misses her thrashing!
My 111R is just over 10yrs old and has been used pretty much every Monday-Friday and a lot of weekends. My commute is only 8miles each way, but I enjoy the thought of the drive home roof off, especially on a bad day at work.
As Gooby says, longer commutes, when you need to arrive fresh, may not be the best use of an Elise, but the shorter commutes, or ones where your ability to jump straight into a meeting is not needed, it is perfectly fine.
My car is pre Probax seats, so the more recent cars benefit from this and should make the drive even less arduous on the longer trips
As Gooby says, longer commutes, when you need to arrive fresh, may not be the best use of an Elise, but the shorter commutes, or ones where your ability to jump straight into a meeting is not needed, it is perfectly fine.
My car is pre Probax seats, so the more recent cars benefit from this and should make the drive even less arduous on the longer trips
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