Would a lack of A/C put you off a Elise 111R?
Discussion
Well as the title says, should i be concerned that a potential Elise 111R doesn't have A/C?
I'm in scotland and tbh i'm not sure whether i need to pick an A/C car or does my budget of 18k would get one?
I've been to look at a very clean 111R and tbh if it had A/C i wouldn't think twice but will i miss it?
I want to go to the ring next year and other events but how much does having the roof off or windows down help matters.
If it was an Exige it would be a deal breaker but for an Elise i've got it into my head that it may not matter.
Need help in the next few hours
Help!
Thanks in advance.
I'm in scotland and tbh i'm not sure whether i need to pick an A/C car or does my budget of 18k would get one?
I've been to look at a very clean 111R and tbh if it had A/C i wouldn't think twice but will i miss it?
I want to go to the ring next year and other events but how much does having the roof off or windows down help matters.
If it was an Exige it would be a deal breaker but for an Elise i've got it into my head that it may not matter.
Need help in the next few hours
Help!
Thanks in advance.
Black Sport 160 said:
O/T: John, its good to see you spending more time on the Elise forum! Pondering on getting one dear chap? 
Yes I am mate. 111R would be my ideal choice but I don't have the budget for one unfortunately! Probably opt for a VX220 or VXT. Am also giving a bike serious consideration too 
That'll come first if so.I dont have ac but I have wished for it on occasion. Stuck in London traffic with the heat washing in on you from the hot rad on a hot day. But if that was only once a year I would be over estimating it. For those 3-4 occasions in 5 years then no. I wouldnt bother. If I was specking a new car then, yes.
Swings and roundabouts. I normally feel heat more than the cold but I might miss it once or twice a year and I'll do two or three European trips a year. Plus I've heard of a few cars needing a/c repairs and some of them are clam-off jobs. So the best advice I reckon is not to base your decision on a/c.
With all due respect, as usual those who say no dont have ac. I have it on my 111s and its a god send if im out with my daughter and the sun and fun all gets a bit much, or on my way back from a got run out without sun cream. So many 111Rs have it, i'd buy one with. If you find you dont want it or it breaks and you really notice the extra 30kgs, remove the compressor, change the alt belt and youre no worse off. Surely thats better than always wondering whether it might have been worthwhile?
Bought an R yesterday and was going through this very same dilemma, drove it home 4 hours from where i bought it so had a decent time to make my mind up.
Winter driving in theory its cold in the uk so the fact the vents blow warm air in is quite a good thing, summer driving you have the top off or the windows open, noise wise its a tiny bit quieter with hard top on and windows up but was not that noticeable on the motorway, so in conclusion, no just open your windows or take the top off, i was very sceptical about people who said this but actually they are right. My type r had a/c and i never used it except for the 5 mins at the start of the trip to get the cabin temp right, then changed to normal air, if you use it all the time then may be different though.
Winter driving in theory its cold in the uk so the fact the vents blow warm air in is quite a good thing, summer driving you have the top off or the windows open, noise wise its a tiny bit quieter with hard top on and windows up but was not that noticeable on the motorway, so in conclusion, no just open your windows or take the top off, i was very sceptical about people who said this but actually they are right. My type r had a/c and i never used it except for the 5 mins at the start of the trip to get the cabin temp right, then changed to normal air, if you use it all the time then may be different though.
to me, one of the postives about the 111R is the A/C and so yes, I would always want it.
If I want an Elise without all the extras and luxuries for daily driving - aircon, stereo, heater that works etc, id buy an early S2 for £12K instead
the difference to me with the Toyota engined Elise is all the things that make it a more practical daily proposition
no point in having the weight penalty and then not having the benefits
the last time I was stuck in traffic for an hour in Rouen on the way to LeMans, with no aircon, I would have killed for it ...and using an Elise as a daily driver, wearing a shirt and tie ....well aircon again for me please, to save carrying a change of shirt in the boot during summer months
...if its a weekend toy, then I wouldnt be so bothered, but then I wouldnt be paying a price premium for a later more modern car, without the modern bits LOL
If I want an Elise without all the extras and luxuries for daily driving - aircon, stereo, heater that works etc, id buy an early S2 for £12K instead
the difference to me with the Toyota engined Elise is all the things that make it a more practical daily proposition
no point in having the weight penalty and then not having the benefits
the last time I was stuck in traffic for an hour in Rouen on the way to LeMans, with no aircon, I would have killed for it
...and using an Elise as a daily driver, wearing a shirt and tie ....well aircon again for me please, to save carrying a change of shirt in the boot during summer months...if its a weekend toy, then I wouldnt be so bothered, but then I wouldnt be paying a price premium for a later more modern car, without the modern bits LOL
bogie said:
to me, one of the postives about the 111R is the A/C and so yes, I would always want it.
If I want an Elise without all the extras and luxuries for daily driving - aircon, stereo, heater that works etc, id buy an early S2 for £12K instead
the difference to me with the Toyota engined Elise is all the things that make it a more practical daily proposition
no point in having the weight penalty and then not having the benefits
the last time I was stuck in traffic for an hour in Rouen on the way to LeMans, with no aircon, I would have killed for it ...and using an Elise as a daily driver, wearing a shirt and tie ....well aircon again for me please, to save carrying a change of shirt in the boot during summer months
...if its a weekend toy, then I wouldnt be so bothered, but then I wouldnt be paying a price premium for a later more modern car, without the modern bits LOL
ahhh i agree with above (well not the argument for getting a S2 tourer bit about commuting etc) however I'm 99% to buying it If I want an Elise without all the extras and luxuries for daily driving - aircon, stereo, heater that works etc, id buy an early S2 for £12K instead
the difference to me with the Toyota engined Elise is all the things that make it a more practical daily proposition
no point in having the weight penalty and then not having the benefits
the last time I was stuck in traffic for an hour in Rouen on the way to LeMans, with no aircon, I would have killed for it
...and using an Elise as a daily driver, wearing a shirt and tie ....well aircon again for me please, to save carrying a change of shirt in the boot during summer months...if its a weekend toy, then I wouldnt be so bothered, but then I wouldnt be paying a price premium for a later more modern car, without the modern bits LOL
I think the reality is that unless i up my budget or sold my car for more than the current Px price (which is very good) i don't think i'd be able to get one for a while.
If it becomes such a big issue i can always swap later (even i don't think thats good advice)
Cant wait!
Oh also has anyone found the stage 2 exhaust to loud for long journeys? I'll be doing at least 4 long distance trips (450 miles down south) plus a trip to the ring. On the test drive i loved it but is it a bit much to live with day to day?
Black Sport 160 said:
John D. said:
No.
^^^Not needed. My old R didn't have a/c and I never felt the need TBH.
Was a 2nd car for me though, so no commuting to work wearing a suit, etc.
O/T: John, its good to see you spending more time on the Elise forum! Pondering on getting one dear chap?
edo111s said:
No. Don't bother too much.
I only found it essential when visiting a client in summer in business suit.
If I hadn't it I'd have gone roof off and changed in the car park I suppose ...
I only found it essential when visiting a client in summer in business suit.
If I hadn't it I'd have gone roof off and changed in the car park I suppose ...
...used to do that all the time for about 3 years, with the ELise as an only car, for work - spare clothes in the boot, change on arrival ...what we put up with to own an ELise eh bogie said:
edo111s said:
No. Don't bother too much.
I only found it essential when visiting a client in summer in business suit.
If I hadn't it I'd have gone roof off and changed in the car park I suppose ...
I only found it essential when visiting a client in summer in business suit.
If I hadn't it I'd have gone roof off and changed in the car park I suppose ...
...used to do that all the time for about 3 years, with the ELise as an only car, for work - spare clothes in the boot, change on arrival ...what we put up with to own an ELise eh tbh cant believe after all this time of talking about getting one that i'm so close to delivery.
As for work, i wont be using it for work other than commuting, if i have a meeting off site the other sites are either 50 miles away or the other end of the country so i get travel arranged for me.
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