S1 111S as a station car and daily driver??
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Regrettably I had to sell my GTS Blue TVR Tuscan 4.0l back in June due to the arrival of my first son and the need to buy a decent family car. Now five months on the bank account has settled down enough for me to warrant purchasing a new ‘toy’. I have always thought that an S1 Elise was a cracking little car and the 111S seems to tick all of the boxes when it comes to ‘bang for buck’ and ‘smile factor’.
Now, I’ve trawled though all of the previous posts re S1 Elises being used as daily drivers etc, but mine would need to cope with being non garaged, early winter morning starts and being left at the station for my daily commute into London.
I have always let my heart rule my head in the matter of cars, but at the same time have always entered into ownership knowing any potential pitfalls (e.g. TVR Speed 6 engines!) so any advice or views will be gladly received.
Many Thanks
Regrettably I had to sell my GTS Blue TVR Tuscan 4.0l back in June due to the arrival of my first son and the need to buy a decent family car. Now five months on the bank account has settled down enough for me to warrant purchasing a new ‘toy’. I have always thought that an S1 Elise was a cracking little car and the 111S seems to tick all of the boxes when it comes to ‘bang for buck’ and ‘smile factor’.
Now, I’ve trawled though all of the previous posts re S1 Elises being used as daily drivers etc, but mine would need to cope with being non garaged, early winter morning starts and being left at the station for my daily commute into London.
I have always let my heart rule my head in the matter of cars, but at the same time have always entered into ownership knowing any potential pitfalls (e.g. TVR Speed 6 engines!) so any advice or views will be gladly received.
Many Thanks
I've used my 111S for the last three and a half years as a daily driver with absolutely no problems at all. I've been fortunate enough to be able to keep mine in a garage overnight which means no problems with puddles or frost in the morning, but 60 seconds throwing a shower cap over the car at night would prevent both those problems (the shower cap covers the windscreen as well as preventing leaks in heavy rain).
Demisting the windscreen can be a pain in winter, and getting in and out in smart shoes with no grip when it's raining can be awkward (trainers are fine!).
Incidentally, I'm about to sell my 111S, hoping to place the advert on PH later today. Email me through my profile if interested.
Demisting the windscreen can be a pain in winter, and getting in and out in smart shoes with no grip when it's raining can be awkward (trainers are fine!).
Incidentally, I'm about to sell my 111S, hoping to place the advert on PH later today. Email me through my profile if interested.
I'd recommend a shower cape (type that covers grilles in engine bay ideally) + plastic box with lid to put it in when wet to stop it making everything else wet, and if you don't use it a the weekend put it on a battery conditioner/trickle charger for peace of mind.
Station parking depends on which station and your attitude to risk of theft/damage I guess.
AdrianR
Station parking depends on which station and your attitude to risk of theft/damage I guess.
AdrianR
I haven't got any long term running reports, but I have just bought a 1999 S1 for a daily car. I also have a young family and couldn't fund 3 cars hence my daily driver and Stylus went in favour of an Elise.
It sits outside and has already seen some pretty shitty weather, I have no puddles inside the car in the morning at all. The roof seems to seal perfectly well and driving in rain and wind still sees no sign of drafts/leaks.
All I would say is go for it, sitting outside is not a problem AFAIK and I am still grinning each morning/evening.
Mark B
It sits outside and has already seen some pretty shitty weather, I have no puddles inside the car in the morning at all. The roof seems to seal perfectly well and driving in rain and wind still sees no sign of drafts/leaks.
All I would say is go for it, sitting outside is not a problem AFAIK and I am still grinning each morning/evening.
Mark B
malcolm
I used my 111S everyday until recently. It's a perfect car for the job; reliable mechanics, cheap to run, fun to be in.
Mine's for sale: www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/detail.asp?i=31199&s=12
Do drop me a line if you're interested as it's going this week.
cheers
james
I used my 111S everyday until recently. It's a perfect car for the job; reliable mechanics, cheap to run, fun to be in.
Mine's for sale: www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/detail.asp?i=31199&s=12
Do drop me a line if you're interested as it's going this week.
cheers
james
Use mine every day but have yet to brave a winter in it. It's not garaged and I don't have any trouble with the roof leaking despite several heavy downpours this year - the steamed up windows can be a pain but no more than any other car. I've also left it parked up in town centre multi-storey car parks with no problem.
Bonce - what are you getting instead??
Bonce - what are you getting instead??
Great alternative Not a 111s just the 111 S1 used daily 84,000 miles 5 years every day.
Keep it serviced Main dealer if you want to waste money or use a specialist like 'Steve Williams' www.swlous.com' Join Club Lotus 01362 694459, SELOC www.seloc.org.
IMHO invest in driver training to get the best out of the car and use it every day. The more the car is used the less will go wrong.
Also do not be put off by a high mileage car that is used every day. A high miler IMO is better than a low mileage badly stored car (left outside in winter). Ask to see the place the car is stored in the winter it may help your decision.
Gary
Keep it serviced Main dealer if you want to waste money or use a specialist like 'Steve Williams' www.swlous.com' Join Club Lotus 01362 694459, SELOC www.seloc.org.
IMHO invest in driver training to get the best out of the car and use it every day. The more the car is used the less will go wrong.
Also do not be put off by a high mileage car that is used every day. A high miler IMO is better than a low mileage badly stored car (left outside in winter). Ask to see the place the car is stored in the winter it may help your decision.
Gary
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