400 Miles a week in an Elise - Possible or insanity?

[Wolfsbait]

Having gone round the houses a bit and flirting with an Exige some time ago, but then settling for the 'one car fits all' approach with an RS4 Avant, I'm now back considering an elise as a second car.

Thing is, this would become more used than the 'first car' as I'm having to commute from Darlington to Leeds on average 3 times a week. (Roughly 140 miles each trip)

So my question is, with a budget of circa 12k, would I get something that is realtively cheap to run in terms of fuel and servicing? Or should I just stop myself the world of hurt and get myself a nice oil burner and join the rep-race?

(On a motorway run, what can you expect out of an Elise?)

[cej]

I don't drive my Elise much on the motorway,basically because it's boring, but it's a brilliant car for it

It's got good gas mileage . I've never been below 40 mpg in my Elise, and my best was 52mpg. It's a 1998 S1 by the way. Buy one,you know you want to in yellow obviously

[bogie]

yeah - I did it in my S2 for 2.5 years - 150mile round trip commutes, day trips from Essex to Teesside etc ..no probs - get an S2 as the seats are comfy. As std its very economical so you can actually make money on fuel payments from work

[bing]

Yes do-able!!!

[noodleman]

S1 111s seats are also v.comfy

[Wolfsbait]

bogie said:

As std its very economical so you can actually make money on fuel payments from work

They pay out at 40p a mile....so the odd trip to London might be a good idea!

Thanks for the tip

[bogie]

you will be doubling your money every trip then - helps pay for the servicing...although for motorway use a std S2 is very light on its tyres/pads etc - Tigga on SELOC has done over 100K motorway miles in his and managed 40K miles on a set of fronts once ...I know its not exactly what an Elise is designed for, but its no real hardship using it for long commutes - I did 55K miles in the 1st 2.5 years...since then Ive had a 2nd car so its now only showing 78K miles at 5.5 years old

[Wolfsbait]

...on the subject of servicing, how reasonable is it on say an early S2? What are the recommended intervals?

[boobles]

I drive ALOT of miles in my S1 week in week out & have no issues or problems anymore.
To put it into perspective, ive driven 18k in 15 months.

[Wolfsbait]

...no issues or problems 'anymore'...

Do you mean you started off with a few?

[GhostyDog]

I'm quite interested in this thread, i'm currently looking for a new car of the 2 seater bit quick but good for everyday use variety, didn;t think an elise would come into this bracket, I do a 12 mile trip each day that takes anything between 45mins and an hour (each way) all of it through towns and crap minor countryside roads.

Is an Elise up to this in some semblance of comfort?

[bogie]

GhostyDog said:

I'm quite interested in this thread, i'm currently looking for a new car of the 2 seater bit quick but good for everyday use variety, didn;t think an elise would come into this bracket, I do a 12 mile trip each day that takes anything between 45mins and an hour (each way) all of it through towns and crap minor countryside roads.

Is an Elise up to this in some semblance of comfort?

yep no probs...Ive sat in mine for 2.5 hours each day each way etc before...12 miles is nothing

[Stephanie Plum]

I've done 30k miles in the last 12 months in my S2111S with no mechanical problems, or comfort issues for that matter. As Bogie says they're good on fuel, and I think the more you use them the better they run.

Go for it

[bogie]

Wolfsbait said:

...on the subject of servicing, how reasonable is it on say an early S2? What are the recommended intervals?

every 9K miles

A, B and C service in order AABAAC (so C at 54K miles)

prices vary but at an indy:

A = £150
B = £250
C = £500

[whygee02]

Ghostydog - my journey to work sounds similar to yours and my s2 suits me fine for it. B roads is what the elise is made for, and urban jungle rush hour keeps me occupied/amused watching all the admirers ;o)

I personally keep the roof up during rush hour, even in nice weather, just didnt want to draw tooo much attention.

Temperature readout can at first become alarming in rush hour, but once you get used to it and accept it as normal, its fine.

[Wolfsbait]

bogie said:

Wolfsbait said:

...on the subject of servicing, how reasonable is it on say an early S2? What are the recommended intervals?

every 9K miles

A, B and C service in order AABAAC (so C at 54K miles)

prices vary but at an indy:

A = £150
B = £250
C = £500

Very reasonable...I'm more used to friendly German prices...! It all seems to make more and more sense!

The wife is interested in a Fiat Panda 100HP for circa £10k, but I think this makes much more sense in terms of depreciation etc...never thought I'd utter the words 'more sense' in relation to an Elise!!!!

[GhostyDog]

I've got a back2back test drive with an S2000 and a 350z tomorrow, I think on the basis of what you folks have said I might have to add something to my list.

Thank you

Sean

[Wolfsbait]

GhostyDog said:

I've got a back2back test drive with an S2000 and a 350z tomorrow, I think on the basis of what you folks have said I might have to add something to my list.

Thank you

Sean

I ran an S2000 a few years ago. Can't speak highly enough of the thing....utter red-line screaming bonkers-mobile!

Ahhhh the memories

[hahithestevieboy]

cej said:

in yellow obviously

No no no!!! Starlight Black!!!

[4pot]

Also ear in mind that the Standard 120bhp S2 has a close ratio gearbox, perhaps not ideal for mainly mortorway driving. The S2 111s has a longer legged gearbox.