Need a nudge in the wrong direction

[PaulB81]

I currently use my 330ci as my daily drive. I also have a 320d that the mrs uses and an off road prepped pajero.

I actually work full time from home so I only really use the 330 for going to the shops, going out to eat once a week and running errands Most weeks I probably only drive a few times. It's not slow but not really special enough to drive purely for pleasure. I do live in the sticks and even between here and the nearest shops is 20 min of lovely fast a / b roads

I've had a major lotus craving for ages now. I'm out of parking space so would need to chop the 330 for it.

I have spotted a really nice Elise 111r for sale locally.

So, as winter is starting, help convince me it's a good idea to swap my big comfy powerful cruiser for something cramped and a bit uncomfortable.

So far I've got as far as the Elise being better on fuel, more fun and this one has a hard top so it's going to be toasty warm in the winter right?

[PaulB81]

I should also add, the beemer is worth about 5k and the lotus is about 20k so there is a bit of cash involved too :/

[Rovinghawk]

Winter. Out in the sticks. Low-slung car on snowy roads. Lots of power, little weight.

Right.

RH

[LuS1fer]

I'd try one first. I test drove an Elise 111R and couldn't get out of it fast enough to get back into my Z28. Sometimes a frail car with no creature comforts can't really tempt you and the theory is often better than the reality. Of course, you may like it...

[Ramses]

Rovinghawk said:

Winter. Out in the sticks. Low-slung car on snowy roads. Lots of power, little weight.

Right.

RH

Perfect.... I had an Exige on cut-slicks, lived at 750ft above sea level in a remote village. I only had a drama once (in 4-5" snow), and still didn't get stuck.


To the OP....just do it. The rest of your garage is perfectly set-up to allow a Lotus.

[Alfa numeric]

If mine's anything to go by it's always toasty and warm!

I swapped a Megane R26 for an Elise R and don't regret it for a second. You've got a sensible car for everyday stuff so why not? Economy's good, RFL is cheap and with the roof down you can enjoy the sunshine. Go for it.

[PaulB81]

Rovinghawk said:

Winter. Out in the sticks. Low-slung car on snowy roads. Lots of power, little weight.

Right.

RH

ive got this for when its snowy



I wouldnt drive the lotus in the snow.

[muthaducka]

eerr.. 111r should be closer to 10-15k. That aside, go for it. I work from home like you but I also have to do at least one long motorway drive each week (like 5-600 miles etc). The BM is a 325i, comfy, etc, you know all about that. Reliable, great for the motorway run and you can have fun with the rwd but doesn't set the world on fire. Wife has a 116d.

If I didn't have to do the long motorway stints, I would go for a weekend type car. Lotus should be great, good mpg and great resale. If you don't like it, flog it towards the end of next summer. Should get a reasonable deal at this time of year. It's the kind of thing I would like to keep garaged / covered though.
Handling and feedback should be sublime and nipping out for lunch might become more than once a week

p.s. this is a nudge in the right direction (or is that wrong??) Get the elise.

[R300will]

There is next to no insulation in that car. In the winter you will not be warm. Good fun on icy roads though best of luck to ya

[Ramses]

R300will said:

There is next to no insulation in that car. In the winter you will not be warm. Good fun on icy roads though best of luck to ya

bks. The Prototype Elise (S1) might not have been great, but the 111R/Exige are fine.

[R300will]

Ramses said:

R300will said:

There is next to no insulation in that car. In the winter you will not be warm. Good fun on icy roads though best of luck to ya

bks. The Prototype Elise (S1) might not have been great, but the 111R/Exige are fine.

I never said they weren't great you tit. i said it will be cold in the winter in them and fun on icy roads (due to light weight and rear wheel drive). HTH

[toon10]

Ramses said:

Perfect.... I had an Exige on cut-slicks, lived at 750ft above sea level in a remote village. I only had a drama once (in 4-5" snow), and still didn't get stuck.


To the OP....just do it. The rest of your garage is perfectly set-up to allow a Lotus.

That's the thing, I'd never have an Elise if it was my only car but if you have the practical hack and the misses is happy with hers then why not if you can afford it.

[Ramses]

R300will said:

Ramses said:

R300will said:

There is next to no insulation in that car. In the winter you will not be warm. Good fun on icy roads though best of luck to ya

bks. The Prototype Elise (S1) might not have been great, but the 111R/Exige are fine.

I never said they weren't great you tit. i said it will be cold in the winter in them and fun on icy roads (due to light weight and rear wheel drive). HTH

You will only be cold in them until the engine warms up. Just like most cars (except those of us in luxo-barges with heated everything).

"You Tit"

The only cold bit is the metal gear-knob.

[Ramses]

toon10 said:

Ramses said:

Perfect.... I had an Exige on cut-slicks, lived at 750ft above sea level in a remote village. I only had a drama once (in 4-5" snow), and still didn't get stuck.


To the OP....just do it. The rest of your garage is perfectly set-up to allow a Lotus.

That's the thing, I'd never have an Elise if it was my only car but if you have the practical hack and the misses is happy with hers then why not if you can afford it.

I had an Elise, then an Exige as my only car for a combined three years (and a total of 63,000 miles). I ONCE needed a more space so I hired a bigger car for the weekend.

[R300will]

Ramses said:

R300will said:

Ramses said:

R300will said:

There is next to no insulation in that car. In the winter you will not be warm. Good fun on icy roads though best of luck to ya

bks. The Prototype Elise (S1) might not have been great, but the 111R/Exige are fine.

I never said they weren't great you tit. i said it will be cold in the winter in them and fun on icy roads (due to light weight and rear wheel drive). HTH

You will only be cold in them until the engine warms up. Just like most cars (except those of us in luxo-barges with heated everything).

"You Tit"

The only cold bit is the metal gear-knob.

Given that most of the interior is uncovered metal i would say more than the gear knob is cold.

You Tit.

Just so we are clear i am not against the elise in anyway i think they are briliant cars which is why i wish the OP the best of luck if he gets one.

[Ramses]

R300will said:

Ramses said:

R300will said:

Ramses said:

R300will said:

There is next to no insulation in that car. In the winter you will not be warm. Good fun on icy roads though best of luck to ya

bks. The Prototype Elise (S1) might not have been great, but the 111R/Exige are fine.

I never said they weren't great you tit. i said it will be cold in the winter in them and fun on icy roads (due to light weight and rear wheel drive). HTH

You will only be cold in them until the engine warms up. Just like most cars (except those of us in luxo-barges with heated everything).

"You Tit"

The only cold bit is the metal gear-knob.

Given that most of the interior is uncovered metal i would say more than the gear knob is cold.

You Tit.

Just so we are clear i am not against the elise in anyway i think they are briliant cars which is why i wish the OP the best of luck if he gets one.

The 111R has carpets and all sorts of trim.....but the gear knob is the only metal bit your skin touches. But winter driving is not cold once the engine has warmed up.

[toon10]

Ramses said:

toon10 said:

Ramses said:

Perfect.... I had an Exige on cut-slicks, lived at 750ft above sea level in a remote village. I only had a drama once (in 4-5" snow), and still didn't get stuck.


To the OP....just do it. The rest of your garage is perfectly set-up to allow a Lotus.

That's the thing, I'd never have an Elise if it was my only car but if you have the practical hack and the misses is happy with hers then why not if you can afford it.

I had an Elise, then an Exige as my only car for a combined three years (and a total of 63,000 miles). I ONCE needed a more space so I hired a bigger car for the weekend.

I know a lad who has an S1 Elise as his only car. I would have happily lived with it when I was younger but I'm 37 and used to a bit of luxury, comfort and heated seats! Some more hardy types might not be as bothered but I'd definately only have one as a fun car alongside something more practcal.

[R300will]

Really? in which case i stand corrected.

[PaulB81]

R300will said:

Really? in which case i stand corrected.

I think they were an option. The one im looking at has the 'comfort pack' which gives carpets + AC + a bit more trim.

[Ramses]

PaulB81 said:

R300will said:

Really? in which case i stand corrected.

I think they were an option. The one im looking at has the 'comfort pack' which gives carpets + AC + a bit more trim.

Even my Exige had trim, aircon and carpets!!