200 miles of welsh mountain roads in a Sportsracer

[The Pits]

after 6 hours of driving (I drove from Dublin to Somerset today, avoiding motorways) I've got nothing but praise for the elise and the toyota engine. What a glorious pair they make. And before the usual honda brigade lay siege to the thread, I have to say there were very few moments where I would have used the extra bhp of a supercharged honda conversion. Great though the Honda engined cars are (I never get any credit for mentioning that I like them) I have to say I'm a huge fan of the toyota lump. It's such a smooth, sweet revving unit and seems to relish the redline more than my Honda S2000 ever did. The car overall is hugely superior to an S2000. The grip is monumental and the steering isn't even comparable. Then again the elise has the best steering I've ever experienced.

But most surprising of all is the relative comfort of spending 6 hours behind the wheel. The probax seats really work well and I had the roof off for most of the latter half of the trip. Ok so the stereo wasn't up to much with the roof off but the car was a joy and a complete revelation on the empty stretches of road in between caravans. I know I'm preaching to the converted here but a journey like that really reminds you of what an amazing little car the elise is. I honestly can't think of a car I'd have enjoyed more.

[Morpeth]

<wipes tear from eye>

[hueandcry71]

The Pits said:

after 6 hours of driving (I drove from Dublin to Somerset today, avoiding motorways) I've got nothing but praise for the elise and the toyota engine. What a glorious pair they make. And before the usual honda brigade lay siege to the thread, I have to say there were very few moments where I would have used the extra bhp of a supercharged honda conversion. Great though the Honda engined cars are (I never get any credit for mentioning that I like them) I have to say I'm a huge fan of the toyota lump. It's such a smooth, sweet revving unit and seems to relish the redline more than my Honda S2000 ever did. The car overall is hugely superior to an S2000. The grip is monumental and the steering isn't even comparable. Then again the elise has the best steering I've ever experienced.

But most surprising of all is the relative comfort of spending 6 hours behind the wheel. The probax seats really work well and I had the roof off for most of the latter half of the trip. Ok so the stereo wasn't up to much with the roof off but the car was a joy and a complete revelation on the empty stretches of road in between caravans. I know I'm preaching to the converted here but a journey like that really reminds you of what an amazing little car the elise is. I honestly can't think of a car I'd have enjoyed more.

Just got home from doing the same. Had a cracking couple of days with the Mrs driving around mid Wales. I was around Barmouth, Tywyn. Aberdovey, Aberangell, Dolgellau etc.
Its the longest i have driven any Lotus for and loved it. Not sure about the comfort thing though as my arse was hurting after two hours.
Shame its going tomorrow to make way for the NA Exige that i ordered two weeks ago. Hope the new one is as good.

Edited by hueandcry71 on Sunday 20th July 12:23

[riwiho]

hueandcry71 said:

The Pits said:

after 6 hours of driving (I drove from Dublin to Somerset today, avoiding motorways) I've got nothing but praise for the elise and the toyota engine. What a glorious pair they make. And before the usual honda brigade lay siege to the thread, I have to say there were very few moments where I would have used the extra bhp of a supercharged honda conversion. Great though the Honda engined cars are (I never get any credit for mentioning that I like them) I have to say I'm a huge fan of the toyota lump. It's such a smooth, sweet revving unit and seems to relish the redline more than my Honda S2000 ever did. The car overall is hugely superior to an S2000. The grip is monumental and the steering isn't even comparable. Then again the elise has the best steering I've ever experienced.

But most surprising of all is the relative comfort of spending 6 hours behind the wheel. The probax seats really work well and I had the roof off for most of the latter half of the trip. Ok so the stereo wasn't up to much with the roof off but the car was a joy and a complete revelation on the empty stretches of road in between caravans. I know I'm preaching to the converted here but a journey like that really reminds you of what an amazing little car the elise is. I honestly can't think of a car I'd have enjoyed more.

Just got home from doing the same. Had a cracking couple of days with the Mrs driving around mid Wales. I was around Barmouth, Tywyn. Aberdovey, Aberangell, Dolgellau etc.
Its the longest i have driven any Lotus for and loved it. Not sure about the comfort thing though as my arse was hurting after two hours.
Shame its going tomorrow to make way for the NA Exige that i ordered two weeks ago. Hope the new one is as good.

Edited by hueandcry71 on Sunday 20th July 12:23

Must have missed that news. When is the exige coming? spec?

[s111dpc]

The Pits said:

after 6 hours of driving (I drove from Dublin to Somerset today, avoiding motorways) I've got nothing but praise for the elise and the toyota engine. What a glorious pair they make. And before the usual honda brigade lay siege to the thread, I have to say there were very few moments where I would have used the extra bhp of a supercharged honda conversion. Great though the Honda engined cars are (I never get any credit for mentioning that I like them) I have to say I'm a huge fan of the toyota lump. It's such a smooth, sweet revving unit and seems to relish the redline more than my Honda S2000 ever did. The car overall is hugely superior to an S2000. The grip is monumental and the steering isn't even comparable. Then again the elise has the best steering I've ever experienced.

But most surprising of all is the relative comfort of spending 6 hours behind the wheel. The probax seats really work well and I had the roof off for most of the latter half of the trip. Ok so the stereo wasn't up to much with the roof off but the car was a joy and a complete revelation on the empty stretches of road in between caravans. I know I'm preaching to the converted here but a journey like that really reminds you of what an amazing little car the elise is. I honestly can't think of a car I'd have enjoyed more.

Be interested to see what roads you took as I'm doing the reverse soon (Wiltshire to Dublin via holyhead) for a week touring around the emerald Isle.

Must say after a few hours of driving around with the roof off today i can't wait until August. That said knowing my luck it'll be pi55ing it down for the week in Ireland.

[hueandcry71]

riwiho said:

hueandcry71 said:

The Pits said:

after 6 hours of driving (I drove from Dublin to Somerset today, avoiding motorways) I've got nothing but praise for the elise and the toyota engine. What a glorious pair they make. And before the usual honda brigade lay siege to the thread, I have to say there were very few moments where I would have used the extra bhp of a supercharged honda conversion. Great though the Honda engined cars are (I never get any credit for mentioning that I like them) I have to say I'm a huge fan of the toyota lump. It's such a smooth, sweet revving unit and seems to relish the redline more than my Honda S2000 ever did. The car overall is hugely superior to an S2000. The grip is monumental and the steering isn't even comparable. Then again the elise has the best steering I've ever experienced.

But most surprising of all is the relative comfort of spending 6 hours behind the wheel. The probax seats really work well and I had the roof off for most of the latter half of the trip. Ok so the stereo wasn't up to much with the roof off but the car was a joy and a complete revelation on the empty stretches of road in between caravans. I know I'm preaching to the converted here but a journey like that really reminds you of what an amazing little car the elise is. I honestly can't think of a car I'd have enjoyed more.

Just got home from doing the same. Had a cracking couple of days with the Mrs driving around mid Wales. I was around Barmouth, Tywyn. Aberdovey, Aberangell, Dolgellau etc.
Its the longest i have driven any Lotus for and loved it. Not sure about the comfort thing though as my arse was hurting after two hours.
Shame its going tomorrow to make way for the NA Exige that i ordered two weeks ago. Hope the new one is as good.

Edited by hueandcry71 on Sunday 20th July 12:23

Must have missed that news. When is the exige coming? spec?

2006 Storm Titanium with Sport Pack and Air Con. Being delivered to my workplace tomorrow by Dream Machines in Sussex. Cant wait as i have longed for an Exige for quite a few years and as you know i have come close to a few S` but chickened out at the last minute. The power in the NA is more than adequate for me hence me finally taking the step into one.

Was in CN last week to discuss what exhaust to put on it as the one on is standard. I want the same sound as my SR which has a Quicksilver so may go for one of those.

Stopped at a petrol station today and the bloke who came out to fill up for me said when he heard me pull up he hoped that the car was going to match the sound and it did. He said it made him laugh some of the noisy exhausts on the most mundane cars that he sees.

[riwiho]

hueandcry71 said:

riwiho said:

hueandcry71 said:

Just got home from doing the same. Had a cracking couple of days with the Mrs driving around mid Wales. I was around Barmouth, Tywyn. Aberdovey, Aberangell, Dolgellau etc.
Its the longest i have driven any Lotus for and loved it. Not sure about the comfort thing though as my arse was hurting after two hours.
Shame its going tomorrow to make way for the NA Exige that i ordered two weeks ago. Hope the new one is as good.

Edited by hueandcry71 on Sunday 20th July 12:23

Must have missed that news. When is the exige coming? spec?

2006 Storm Titanium with Sport Pack and Air Con. Being delivered to my workplace tomorrow by Dream Machines in Sussex. Cant wait as i have longed for an Exige for quite a few years and as you know i have come close to a few S` but chickened out at the last minute. The power in the NA is more than adequate for me hence me finally taking the step into one.

Was in CN last week to discuss what exhaust to put on it as the one on is standard. I want the same sound as my SR which has a Quicksilver so may go for one of those.

Stopped at a petrol station today and the bloke who came out to fill up for me said when he heard me pull up he hoped that the car was going to match the sound and it did. He said it made him laugh some of the noisy exhausts on the most mundane cars that he sees.

Brilliant. Great colour option as well. I am sure you will be over the moon with it. Such a nice way to take delivery of a car as well, lets hope it does not arrive till later on or you may well be running out the office early in the day to take the car out for a 'getting to know you' session.

I popped over to CN a couple of days ago to take a quick look at their exiges. I know I want one and hope to purchase one at some point but not just yet. Going over to CN does not help the situation either as I can feel my fingers tapping on the old wallet and my heart saying 'go on rick, why not just buy it' !

Look forward to the pictures

[hueandcry71]

riwiho said:

hueandcry71 said:

riwiho said:

hueandcry71 said:

Just got home from doing the same. Had a cracking couple of days with the Mrs driving around mid Wales. I was around Barmouth, Tywyn. Aberdovey, Aberangell, Dolgellau etc.
Its the longest i have driven any Lotus for and loved it. Not sure about the comfort thing though as my arse was hurting after two hours.
Shame its going tomorrow to make way for the NA Exige that i ordered two weeks ago. Hope the new one is as good.

Edited by hueandcry71 on Sunday 20th July 12:23

Must have missed that news. When is the exige coming? spec?

2006 Storm Titanium with Sport Pack and Air Con. Being delivered to my workplace tomorrow by Dream Machines in Sussex. Cant wait as i have longed for an Exige for quite a few years and as you know i have come close to a few S` but chickened out at the last minute. The power in the NA is more than adequate for me hence me finally taking the step into one.

Was in CN last week to discuss what exhaust to put on it as the one on is standard. I want the same sound as my SR which has a Quicksilver so may go for one of those.

Stopped at a petrol station today and the bloke who came out to fill up for me said when he heard me pull up he hoped that the car was going to match the sound and it did. He said it made him laugh some of the noisy exhausts on the most mundane cars that he sees.

Brilliant. Great colour option as well. I am sure you will be over the moon with it. Such a nice way to take delivery of a car as well, lets hope it does not arrive till later on or you may well be running out the office early in the day to take the car out for a 'getting to know you' session.

I popped over to CN a couple of days ago to take a quick look at their exiges. I know I want one and hope to purchase one at some point but not just yet. Going over to CN does not help the situation either as I can feel my fingers tapping on the old wallet and my heart saying 'go on rick, why not just buy it' !

Look forward to the pictures

I love going there, shame i havent bought this car from them but i am sure the service i get will be just as good.
If i win the lottery i am going to work there three days a week for free !!

[Scuffers]

Morpeth said:

<wipes tear from eye>

I must say he does seem to have the largest chip in the universe on his shoulder....

sort of reminds me of the phrase, "me thinks she doth complain too much"

[S Works]

Can't agree with you on the Toyota lump bit, but I wholeheartedly agree about the seats the Elise and the Welsh Mountains!

[The Pits]

s111dpc said:

The Pits said:

after 6 hours of driving (I drove from Dublin to Somerset today, avoiding motorways) I've got nothing but praise for the elise and the toyota engine. What a glorious pair they make. And before the usual honda brigade lay siege to the thread, I have to say there were very few moments where I would have used the extra bhp of a supercharged honda conversion. Great though the Honda engined cars are (I never get any credit for mentioning that I like them) I have to say I'm a huge fan of the toyota lump. It's such a smooth, sweet revving unit and seems to relish the redline more than my Honda S2000 ever did. The car overall is hugely superior to an S2000. The grip is monumental and the steering isn't even comparable. Then again the elise has the best steering I've ever experienced.

But most surprising of all is the relative comfort of spending 6 hours behind the wheel. The probax seats really work well and I had the roof off for most of the latter half of the trip. Ok so the stereo wasn't up to much with the roof off but the car was a joy and a complete revelation on the empty stretches of road in between caravans. I know I'm preaching to the converted here but a journey like that really reminds you of what an amazing little car the elise is. I honestly can't think of a car I'd have enjoyed more.

Be interested to see what roads you took as I'm doing the reverse soon (Wiltshire to Dublin via holyhead) for a week touring around the emerald Isle.

Must say after a few hours of driving around with the roof off today i can't wait until August. That said knowing my luck it'll be pi55ing it down for the week in Ireland.

Be sure to head north of abergavenny towards builth wells over the brecon beacons on the A4270 (or something like that - relying on memory here!) that's as good a stretch of road as you'll find anywhere and truthfully better than much of what Ireland has to offer. It's fast, smooth and constantly turning and undulating. The more famous Snowdonia roads are slower, windier and bumpier - great in an elise, but no better than the brecon beacons stuff. Endless caravans does take the shine off it and the trip did remind me that you just can't push the car too hard on the roads and that driving the elise as its maker intended is best reserved for the track. The speed differential to ordinary cars is just too big round corners. Unless you have to go to Dublin I'd recommend getting the ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare and driving straight over to Cork and on to Kerry and the like. Even if you do have to go to Dublin, the road from Rosslare is a cracking, smooth, wide, fast, single carriage A-road most of the way. It takes about 2 hours. I'll be doing it tomorrow. The only reason I use Holyhead a lot is because there's a much better choice of sailing times. An Elise is about the best car you could have in ireland but overall I think the taffs have even better roads to play on. That said, I've only seen 1 speed camera in the whole of ireland and that's on the motorway heading south from belfast - Bliss!

[s111dpc]

The Pits said:

s111dpc said:

The Pits said:

after 6 hours of driving (I drove from Dublin to Somerset today, avoiding motorways) I've got nothing but praise for the elise and the toyota engine. What a glorious pair they make. And before the usual honda brigade lay siege to the thread, I have to say there were very few moments where I would have used the extra bhp of a supercharged honda conversion. Great though the Honda engined cars are (I never get any credit for mentioning that I like them) I have to say I'm a huge fan of the toyota lump. It's such a smooth, sweet revving unit and seems to relish the redline more than my Honda S2000 ever did. The car overall is hugely superior to an S2000. The grip is monumental and the steering isn't even comparable. Then again the elise has the best steering I've ever experienced.

But most surprising of all is the relative comfort of spending 6 hours behind the wheel. The probax seats really work well and I had the roof off for most of the latter half of the trip. Ok so the stereo wasn't up to much with the roof off but the car was a joy and a complete revelation on the empty stretches of road in between caravans. I know I'm preaching to the converted here but a journey like that really reminds you of what an amazing little car the elise is. I honestly can't think of a car I'd have enjoyed more.

Be interested to see what roads you took as I'm doing the reverse soon (Wiltshire to Dublin via holyhead) for a week touring around the emerald Isle.

Must say after a few hours of driving around with the roof off today i can't wait until August. That said knowing my luck it'll be pi55ing it down for the week in Ireland.

Be sure to head north of abergavenny towards builth wells over the brecon beacons on the A4270 (or something like that - relying on memory here!) that's as good a stretch of road as you'll find anywhere and truthfully better than much of what Ireland has to offer. It's fast, smooth and constantly turning and undulating. The more famous Snowdonia roads are slower, windier and bumpier - great in an elise, but no better than the brecon beacons stuff. Endless caravans does take the shine off it and the trip did remind me that you just can't push the car too hard on the roads and that driving the elise as its maker intended is best reserved for the track. The speed differential to ordinary cars is just too big round corners. Unless you have to go to Dublin I'd recommend getting the ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare and driving straight over to Cork and on to Kerry and the like. Even if you do have to go to Dublin, the road from Rosslare is a cracking, smooth, wide, fast, single carriage A-road most of the way. It takes about 2 hours. I'll be doing it tomorrow. The only reason I use Holyhead a lot is because there's a much better choice of sailing times. An Elise is about the best car you could have in ireland but overall I think the taffs have even better roads to play on. That said, I've only seen 1 speed camera in the whole of ireland and that's on the motorway heading south from belfast - Bliss!

Thanks for that, will take your advice on the way up.

We're in Island for a week doing a circuit around the coast starting in Dublin and going anti-clockwise.