12.5 hour round trip in Elise R
Discussion
…and no back pain, leg pain or anything else despite being 6'4" !
I'm sure you guys will all come up with lots of much more hard core journeys than that, but it's certainly the longest one I've ever done.
Car performed perfectly despite the very high external temps, with engine temp generally 86-88. It didn't use a drop of oil or water and returned over 30mpg (well over on the way back actually, but there was lots of 6th gear cruising).
I think it's pretty impressive that such a focussed car can do long cruises so effectively.
I was in convoy with a 2.5 imprezza WRX and, so long as I wasn't caught in the wrong gear, the elise was always noticeably quicker in a straight line even at high speeds. You really do have to be in the second cam zone though, otherwise the lack of torque just kills it (I was 2 up with heavy luggage in boot).
All in all, I love my car even more now. Only down side is that I didn't get a single Spotted!
I'm sure you guys will all come up with lots of much more hard core journeys than that, but it's certainly the longest one I've ever done.
Car performed perfectly despite the very high external temps, with engine temp generally 86-88. It didn't use a drop of oil or water and returned over 30mpg (well over on the way back actually, but there was lots of 6th gear cruising).
I think it's pretty impressive that such a focussed car can do long cruises so effectively.
I was in convoy with a 2.5 imprezza WRX and, so long as I wasn't caught in the wrong gear, the elise was always noticeably quicker in a straight line even at high speeds. You really do have to be in the second cam zone though, otherwise the lack of torque just kills it (I was 2 up with heavy luggage in boot).
All in all, I love my car even more now. Only down side is that I didn't get a single Spotted!
Surbiton (London) --> Midhurst (West Sussex) --> St Mawes (near Falmouth, Cornwall) and back.
One thing that struck me was the sheer volume of speed cameras. It's a while since I've done a long journey and I hadn't realised how the numbers have just exploded. It takes a lot of the fun out of the journey with the paranoia it induces (or maybe I just worry too much)!
One village (and I'm not making this up) had 8 speed cameras, 4 in each direction, and the village was only about 200 yards long. I got to the other end and suddenly realised that I couldn't have told you anything about the road I'd just driven through (hidden exits etc) as I'd had my eyes pinned to the speedo the whole way...
One thing that struck me was the sheer volume of speed cameras. It's a while since I've done a long journey and I hadn't realised how the numbers have just exploded. It takes a lot of the fun out of the journey with the paranoia it induces (or maybe I just worry too much)!
One village (and I'm not making this up) had 8 speed cameras, 4 in each direction, and the village was only about 200 yards long. I got to the other end and suddenly realised that I couldn't have told you anything about the road I'd just driven through (hidden exits etc) as I'd had my eyes pinned to the speedo the whole way...
Try 900 miles non-stop (apart from fuel/coffee) from Carcassonne (south France) to UK, all roof down, stupendous and the car didn't miss a beat (S1 Sport 160)
And .... not one speed camera passed!
And .... twice over the fabulous Millau bridge of Top Gear fame. Every Elise driver should try it once!
And .... not one speed camera passed!
And .... twice over the fabulous Millau bridge of Top Gear fame. Every Elise driver should try it once!
Edited by stevie111s on Friday 14th September 13:15
I thought after buying a 111R I would be suffering on Long Journeys, but agreed it is amazing on Long trips. My only concern now is that I just want to keep driving & millage may go sky high !
Millau bridge sounds cool - I think I better plan my next trip !
Millau bridge sounds cool - I think I better plan my next trip !
Edited by Stu_00 on Friday 14th September 14:22
Edited by Stu_00 on Friday 14th September 14:23
Surbiton (London) --> Midhurst (West Sussex) --> St Mawes (near Falmouth, Cornwall) and back.
You did that in a day? Just for the hell of it? That's some drive just for laugh!
You did that in a day? Just for the hell of it? That's some drive just for laugh!
Edited by redevil on Friday 14th September 14:50
Edited by redevil on Friday 14th September 14:50
Edited by redevil on Friday 14th September 14:51
Well I didn't do it just for the hell of it - even I'm not that crazy! I was moving people/things around (a bit of a domestic disaster).
I would have definitely done the trip roof off as it was in the first week of September when it was roasting hot, but unfortunately the boot was full to the brim with luggage - so that would be 2 bags then
I would have definitely done the trip roof off as it was in the first week of September when it was roasting hot, but unfortunately the boot was full to the brim with luggage - so that would be 2 bags then
DsDetective said:
Well I didn't do it just for the hell of it - even I'm not that crazy! I was moving people/things around (a bit of a domestic disaster).
I would have definitely done the trip roof off as it was in the first week of September when it was roasting hot, but unfortunately the boot was full to the brim with luggage - so that would be 2 bags then
That's even better if you had an excuse to do it. Some great roads in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and no better car to enjoy them.I would have definitely done the trip roof off as it was in the first week of September when it was roasting hot, but unfortunately the boot was full to the brim with luggage - so that would be 2 bags then
Edited by redevil on Friday 14th September 16:37
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