Another Newbie
Discussion
Hi all!
I've been reading the posts on the forum on and off for a while, and finally decided to face the abuse.
I was sitting at my desk last October contemplating a replacement for my MGF; good open top fun, but the hairdresser image and hatch back ride weren't quite enough.
I mockingly wondered what sort of car I could get as a company car and logged onto the lease company web site. Imagine the schoolboy grin on my face as I stumbled across the LOTUS section. I couldn't believe it; I spent the rest of the day frantically working out how much over my allowance I'd have to pay, how much company car tax I'd have to pay etc Weighed up the free insurance, free servicing, free tyres etc and after changing the batteries on my calculator a couple of times realised I could afford it.
Now I just had the issue of pushing the application through as quietly as possible; it wasn't that long ago we had rules about having to have 4 doors, 4 seats and a roof, so I wasn't holding out much hope.
Well, mid December a lorry rolled up outside my office, just big enough to fit a shiny new S2 inside; I'm convinced the lorry was built specifically for delivering Elises.
I hadn't even test driven one before it arrived; that would have delayed delivery by a whole week!
Any way, 8 months later and I am amazed at how great it is. It really is an every day car; I drive it to work every day so I'll be knocking up over 50K over the 3 years I've got it. The new style roof is really quick to use, it's practical enough for 2 of us to go away for the weekend, the seats are a lot more comfortable than I expected (even on long journeys), even my golf clubs fit in the passenger seat/footwell.
OK, I don't have to worry about insurance, servicing, repairs or depreciation, especially considering the number of miles I do; but there is a downside. All this talk about upgrading exhausts and brakes etc will have to fall on deaf ears because it isn't mine. And worst of all, I'd need the owners permission to take it on a track day; I can just see how that conversation would go!
Any way, if any body is still awake, Hi once again; especially to anybody in the Dorset area.
I've been reading the posts on the forum on and off for a while, and finally decided to face the abuse.
I was sitting at my desk last October contemplating a replacement for my MGF; good open top fun, but the hairdresser image and hatch back ride weren't quite enough.
I mockingly wondered what sort of car I could get as a company car and logged onto the lease company web site. Imagine the schoolboy grin on my face as I stumbled across the LOTUS section. I couldn't believe it; I spent the rest of the day frantically working out how much over my allowance I'd have to pay, how much company car tax I'd have to pay etc Weighed up the free insurance, free servicing, free tyres etc and after changing the batteries on my calculator a couple of times realised I could afford it.
Now I just had the issue of pushing the application through as quietly as possible; it wasn't that long ago we had rules about having to have 4 doors, 4 seats and a roof, so I wasn't holding out much hope.
Well, mid December a lorry rolled up outside my office, just big enough to fit a shiny new S2 inside; I'm convinced the lorry was built specifically for delivering Elises.
I hadn't even test driven one before it arrived; that would have delayed delivery by a whole week!
Any way, 8 months later and I am amazed at how great it is. It really is an every day car; I drive it to work every day so I'll be knocking up over 50K over the 3 years I've got it. The new style roof is really quick to use, it's practical enough for 2 of us to go away for the weekend, the seats are a lot more comfortable than I expected (even on long journeys), even my golf clubs fit in the passenger seat/footwell.
OK, I don't have to worry about insurance, servicing, repairs or depreciation, especially considering the number of miles I do; but there is a downside. All this talk about upgrading exhausts and brakes etc will have to fall on deaf ears because it isn't mine. And worst of all, I'd need the owners permission to take it on a track day; I can just see how that conversation would go!
Any way, if any body is still awake, Hi once again; especially to anybody in the Dorset area.
Hi and welcome to PH 
Hi and welcome
- I actually started off with mine as a company car with my old company - transferred it onto a personal scheme that they do when I left (PCP with full maintenance)
Its so much better when you dont have to worry about the running costs
Ive taken it on airfield training days and as I never intended on giving the car back (final payment to buy the car outright is £7K in 18 months time) have modified it.
It says in my contract 'no permanent modifications' ...well define 'permanent' ...stick an official Lotus sports exhaust on there - as its a factory option it could have come with the car
- I actually started off with mine as a company car with my old company - transferred it onto a personal scheme that they do when I left (PCP with full maintenance)
Its so much better when you dont have to worry about the running costs
Ive taken it on airfield training days and as I never intended on giving the car back (final payment to buy the car outright is £7K in 18 months time) have modified it.
It says in my contract 'no permanent modifications' ...well define 'permanent'
...stick an official Lotus sports exhaust on there - as its a factory option it could have come with the car 
, bogie's notes on mod's are well founded, you could also stick on a decent induction system for a few more hp and laughs for less than £200, then whip it off when you have to give it back and put it on your next one Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff