S3 for daily use circa 10k a year

[Shnozz]

J66JBo said:

Personally, I wishing. A Porsche would be much better suited. S3’s are much better suited to an ‘occasion’ car for when you are in the mood for it. As mentioned above, road noise, getting in and out, poor headlights and so on would all grind after a short while. Get one, but get a daily too.

That’s my own view but many do. Personally I found it frustrating and always ran a daily. On a cold, wet day and wearing business attire I wouldn’t relish being in an Elise. It’s doable but not pleasurable, at least to my mind. It’s why I went the other way to Porsche as a one car solution. Ultimately, however, that bored me in a few months.

[StevieBee]

Aside from the technical and practical considerations of using it as a daily driver, to me the biggest risk is that you get used to it.

It's a bit like having sex twice a day every day. It might be fun but the novelty wears off a bit. But looking forward to the weekend when you can head out for a ride (!) is, I find, often more rewarding.

[itcaptainslow]

Using one of my previous S1’s everyday killed the enjoyment for me. The shortcomings which don’t matter at the weekend became a pain, but the pin sharp handling also spoiled every other car for me

[esotericar]

Yes, think everyone is probably different in that regard.

I take the view that life is too short to spend time in a boring car when you could be in something a little bit joyous. It does normalise the experience a bit, I agree. But some aspects never get old - a really nice engine, really good primary controls etc. To an extent you probably have to make a little bit of an effort to consciously focus on the car a bit, if I was a hipster I'd say you need to work on being present when you are driving to get the most out of it.

While I do typically nip out a couple of times a week just to drive, I enjoy it much more when I have a good drive on the way to somewhere, when I'm actually travelling A to B rather than looping out from A and back just to drive. The latter I find that a bit empty and unsatisfying. When you're actually going somewhere and having a great drive, well, that's a real thrill.

[Shnozz]

esotericar said:

Yes, think everyone is probably different in that regard.

I take the view that life is too short to spend time in a boring car when you could be in something a little bit joyous.

I agree with this, but the last thing I would describe my Elises on a cold, wet winters day would be joyous! Sublime car on the right day and perhaps if you were based in warmer climes, but not for the UK.

I ran my Evora and Aston as dailies on the "life is too short" basis with no qualms at all but they felt more "car like" in a traffic jam in bad weather or plodding to the supermarket etc.

[highway]

You ‘could’ ride to work on a BMX.
You ‘could’ go for dinner at a restaurant in shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt, in November.
You ‘could’ commute on long haul motor way trips in an Elise.

Don’t get me wrong. I’d love an S3 Elise. Not at £40k plus where they are currently but at around £33-34 ownership really appeals. I wouldn’t want one as an only car though. You need the two car solution.

[Shnozz]

highway said:

You ‘could’ ride to work on a BMX.
You ‘could’ go for dinner at a restaurant in shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt, in November.
You ‘could’ commute on long haul motor way trips in an Elise.

Don’t get me wrong. I’d love an S3 Elise. Not at £40k plus where they are currently but at around £33-34 ownership really appeals. I wouldn’t want one as an only car though. You need the two car solution.

Exactly. How far you wish to compromise is up to the individual.

For me, the hardship of compromise on many factors that I encounter frequently would mean it would be unenjoyable. For others, they might be willing to make those sacrifices, plus everyone's circumstances are different in that they might live somewhere with less inclement weather, or a backroad commute, or WFH, or the use of a company car or whatever. They might also be a damn site younger than me, when I compromised comfort or practicality for silliness and giggles.

[highway]

There is no fun to be had driving a noisy, low, 4 cylinder engined car on a motorway, in the dark, in the rain. As said by others, crap headlights, crap stereo, crap experience.
In the right circumstances, on the right day and road, any Elise is a joy. That’s not every day.

[esotericar]

Tend to avoid motorways unless time is absolutely critical, but anyway the collective 'you' have sold me. Won't go down the Elise route. Will have to be another Cayman and live with the silly tax on parts and specialist labour!

At least I've done my due diligence.

Thanks all.

[Uncle_Dave]

Had an S3 for about 12 months, I wouldn't ever consider it a daily driver for any more than a quick 2 mile drive. They are uncomfortable, noisy and not great in all weathers. Incredibly good on fuel though, I have to say.