Discussion
I am contemplating bitting the bullet and getting myself a S1 Elise. It will be my daily driver and a bit of a step up for me as have been using my Westfield for the last year or so rain, snow or shine. From reading some of the articles on here it appears many of you use your cars daily. I just wondered if you could help me with a few issues i have:
1. How 'fiddley' is the roof to put up?
2. Is it water tight when left standing and driving around?
3. Are their any areas of potential rot i should be looking out for when looking? (I have been put of the TVR option for this reason)
Any advice would be great.
Thanks in advance
James
1. How 'fiddley' is the roof to put up?
2. Is it water tight when left standing and driving around?
3. Are their any areas of potential rot i should be looking out for when looking? (I have been put of the TVR option for this reason)
Any advice would be great.
Thanks in advance
James
1. How 'fiddley' is the roof to put up? It's easy enough, but when doin it on your own you do a few laps of the car as you attend to both sides. Probably takes me 3-4 mins to put the roof on/off.
2. Is it water tight when left standing and driving around? No. Some cars are better than others though (mine is about as close to water tight as an S1 gets). Unless you get a bad roof, or really heavy rain you should find that you get the odd drip but nothing much more inside (also depends on your windows and how they are adjusted)
3. Are their any areas of potential rot i should be looking out for when looking? (I have been put of the TVR option for this reason). There is a buyers guide, and loads of stuff around other places on the internet etc. No major rot issues as such, but early S1s had a corrosion (only cosmetic anyway) of the floorpan in the footwells (due to the carpet glue I think).
Get yourself over to seloc.org and join the forums, loads of great advice and there is a lotus specific wiki.
ETA - this webpage is also very useful: http://www.elises.co.uk/
2. Is it water tight when left standing and driving around? No. Some cars are better than others though (mine is about as close to water tight as an S1 gets). Unless you get a bad roof, or really heavy rain you should find that you get the odd drip but nothing much more inside (also depends on your windows and how they are adjusted)
3. Are their any areas of potential rot i should be looking out for when looking? (I have been put of the TVR option for this reason). There is a buyers guide, and loads of stuff around other places on the internet etc. No major rot issues as such, but early S1s had a corrosion (only cosmetic anyway) of the floorpan in the footwells (due to the carpet glue I think).
Get yourself over to seloc.org and join the forums, loads of great advice and there is a lotus specific wiki.
ETA - this webpage is also very useful: http://www.elises.co.uk/
Edited by fleetelise on Wednesday 16th January 16:18
Edited by fleetelise on Wednesday 16th January 16:18
S1 ownership is like white-water rafting - challenging but ultimately rewarding (and you get wet!)
Seriously, get one! Mine leaks from the front of the side windows if it pisses it down, but not too much it bothers me. I don't drive mine everyday but it is my only car so I use it all weathers.
If you search the forum, some people clain to have made theirs watertight by adjusting the glass and fitting a strio of foam or the like.
Seriously, get one! Mine leaks from the front of the side windows if it pisses it down, but not too much it bothers me. I don't drive mine everyday but it is my only car so I use it all weathers.
If you search the forum, some people clain to have made theirs watertight by adjusting the glass and fitting a strio of foam or the like.
They're not great!
I had terrible problems and ended up shelling out 600 for a hard top to end my woes and I know others have experienced the same.
That said when driving it very rarely lets water in,when stationary use a wind screen cover (£70) as it only leaks really in the front corners and finally ensure that the roof you get has its platic runners in-tact and provides a good snug fit.
There are some that don't leak, so you might get lucky!
Don't let it put you off though, they are fantastic cars and this is just one of their qerks!
You can fit all the components into the boot/behind the seats with out any trouble.
I had terrible problems and ended up shelling out 600 for a hard top to end my woes and I know others have experienced the same.
That said when driving it very rarely lets water in,when stationary use a wind screen cover (£70) as it only leaks really in the front corners and finally ensure that the roof you get has its platic runners in-tact and provides a good snug fit.
There are some that don't leak, so you might get lucky!
Don't let it put you off though, they are fantastic cars and this is just one of their qerks!
You can fit all the components into the boot/behind the seats with out any trouble.
jamesclarkson said:
One of the cars i am considering comes with a hard top which does appeal. Are these totally water tight?? And a big job to fit?
Mine is now 100% water tight, even in the storms of the past few days, my feral elise has been dry. As for fitting, I took mine off just to make it easier to clean the inside this weekend!
5 minute job tops.
the level of leek depends abit on how you put them on, the longer you have an S1 the less it seems to leek. it must be a pratice thing, they all leak a bit, as for stowage the roof bows fit around the engine opening fixed down with 2 flaps and you can stow the top behind the seats. (unless youve got harnesses)but your be dryer than a 7
I have looked on the there at a review by Tiff for an old Top Gear i think and that briefly showed the hood going on, will have a look for that thanks.
I have only ever been in a Elise with the roof off, im 6foot2 and just wondered how easy access is with the hood on?
Does any one know of a Lotus specialist in the West Mids area?
I have only ever been in a Elise with the roof off, im 6foot2 and just wondered how easy access is with the hood on?
Does any one know of a Lotus specialist in the West Mids area?
jamesclarkson said:
I have looked on the there at a review by Tiff for an old Top Gear i think and that briefly showed the hood going on, will have a look for that thanks.
I have only ever been in a Elise with the roof off, im 6foot2 and just wondered how easy access is with the hood on?
Does any one know of a Lotus specialist in the West Mids area?
The car is low, the sills are wide and high, the doorway opening is small with the roof on - you'll struggle to get in and out at first, but given a few weeks you'll develop a technique that suits you!I have only ever been in a Elise with the roof off, im 6foot2 and just wondered how easy access is with the hood on?
Does any one know of a Lotus specialist in the West Mids area?
I'm 6ft and there is plenty of headroom once in, my issue is that I'm a big fatty!
Hi,
I'm yet to have mine serviced but i have been recommended these from the Midlands Lotus Owners Club (http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/index.php?act=idx)
Just do a search on the tinternet and you should be able to find the websites.
Horizon in Cradley Heath,
Top Gear Automotive in Wolverhampton,
Nick Whale Sports Cars,
Hope this helps
andy
I'm yet to have mine serviced but i have been recommended these from the Midlands Lotus Owners Club (http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/index.php?act=idx)
Just do a search on the tinternet and you should be able to find the websites.
Horizon in Cradley Heath,
Top Gear Automotive in Wolverhampton,
Nick Whale Sports Cars,
Hope this helps
andy
My S1 leaks quite a bit in heavy rain, but I think it's on its original hood and it looks pretty tired. Having said that it's my second car and lives under a waterproof cover, I have a Mondeo as a daily hack for business miles and long motorway trips, so it's not a major problem for me.
Most leak but only really onto the sills and this gets soaked up by the pads on the sill. You get some drips on your legs when you go round corners but by god, you own a Westfield! It's luxury in comparison.
Drive one because it might not seem powerful depending on the engine you have in your car at the moment.
I can't imagine wanting to own a front engined car for a while yet.
Drive one because it might not seem powerful depending on the engine you have in your car at the moment.
I can't imagine wanting to own a front engined car for a while yet.
I've had a couple of Westfields, one of which was my only car and have now had an S1 for about two months and use it daily so I think I can offer a reasonable frame of reference.
Firstly getting the roof on and off isn't difficult, in the way that putting a Westfield hood up used to be, however it does take a couple of minutes. In all honesty mine has been on most of the time since I've bought it simply because the weather has been crap so I've not really considered roof removal/fitting to be much of an issue. If you were doing it on every journey I could imagine it getting tiresome. My car lives in the garage so I imagine in summer time, the roof will remain off most of the time.
Its not 100% waterproof but coming from a Westfield, you'll think its wonderful! The only place mine leaks is at the front corners. From the outside you can see the gap that water gets through so its prefectly possible to use some sort of sealing strip to make the roof 100% waterproof. The only times when water has ever actually come into the car when I've been driving was in a torrential downpour when I was stuck in traffic so barely moving. Even then, it drops straight onto the leather sill so its more of an irritation than a problem. Again, if you're used to a Westfield hood you'll think its pretty good. I remember water droplets used to rise up the windscreen on my old Westie, work their way onto the underside of the hood then slowly make their way backwards until directly above my head then divebomb me kamikaze style. The windows do need to be adjusted correctly to get a good level of watertightness on an Elise but its a pretty simple DIY job to do. The only other time the car has leaked is when its been stood for a while outside in the rain. Again the water drops onto the sills. I keep a cloth in the car and give it a wipe if it happens. Simple as that. Of course, the fact that its not 100% watertight means that it can steam up a little when it has been raining.
I've not got a hardtop but I have read up a bit about them. I think I'd quite like one but one disadvantage is that they have no rain gutters so as you open the door, you may well get a dollop of rainwater falling onto the sills. The softtop has gutters of sorts sewn in so this isn't an issue with them. Just something to bear in mind. I think overall, a hardtop is a good idea for everyday winter use. BTW to answer your question the softop can be stored either behind the seats or in the boot.
Getting in and out with the roof on is a pain, no two ways about it (again much easier than a westfield though). If you can open the door fully, its not too bad. My garage is narrow so I maybe notice it as being a problem more than others do.
The biggest difference between an Elise and the Westfield is that Elise feels like a proper car in comparison. Its got a secure boot. You can listen to the radio. Its got a proper working heater. Its got storage space in the cabin. You can do long journeys and not feel like you've conquered Everest. A couple of things help on my car here in particular. Its got carpets, which I'm certain make a huge difference to noise levels and it has a subwoofer (chav I know) so the stereo can be heard at any speed, oh and its a 111s so has a little more seat padding. Oddly enough I think you can probably carry more in a Westfield simply because you can strap stuff to the rollbar as well as filling the boot. Overall the Elise is a hugely better everyday proposition. On the flipside its never felt quite as special as the Westfields did and not in the same league performance wise. On the right summer day I'd take a Westfield everytime but 95% of the time I'd take the Elise. Like I say its a proper car.
ETA
There's no major worries regarding rot. Aluminium chassis and GRP bodywork so no worries there. Check the rear subframe and the wishbones but TBH they're probably all showing some rust. Just make sure there is nothing serious looking. Crash damage to the chassis is of more concern. Look particularly hard at the suspension mounting points.
Firstly getting the roof on and off isn't difficult, in the way that putting a Westfield hood up used to be, however it does take a couple of minutes. In all honesty mine has been on most of the time since I've bought it simply because the weather has been crap so I've not really considered roof removal/fitting to be much of an issue. If you were doing it on every journey I could imagine it getting tiresome. My car lives in the garage so I imagine in summer time, the roof will remain off most of the time.
Its not 100% waterproof but coming from a Westfield, you'll think its wonderful! The only place mine leaks is at the front corners. From the outside you can see the gap that water gets through so its prefectly possible to use some sort of sealing strip to make the roof 100% waterproof. The only times when water has ever actually come into the car when I've been driving was in a torrential downpour when I was stuck in traffic so barely moving. Even then, it drops straight onto the leather sill so its more of an irritation than a problem. Again, if you're used to a Westfield hood you'll think its pretty good. I remember water droplets used to rise up the windscreen on my old Westie, work their way onto the underside of the hood then slowly make their way backwards until directly above my head then divebomb me kamikaze style. The windows do need to be adjusted correctly to get a good level of watertightness on an Elise but its a pretty simple DIY job to do. The only other time the car has leaked is when its been stood for a while outside in the rain. Again the water drops onto the sills. I keep a cloth in the car and give it a wipe if it happens. Simple as that. Of course, the fact that its not 100% watertight means that it can steam up a little when it has been raining.
I've not got a hardtop but I have read up a bit about them. I think I'd quite like one but one disadvantage is that they have no rain gutters so as you open the door, you may well get a dollop of rainwater falling onto the sills. The softtop has gutters of sorts sewn in so this isn't an issue with them. Just something to bear in mind. I think overall, a hardtop is a good idea for everyday winter use. BTW to answer your question the softop can be stored either behind the seats or in the boot.
Getting in and out with the roof on is a pain, no two ways about it (again much easier than a westfield though). If you can open the door fully, its not too bad. My garage is narrow so I maybe notice it as being a problem more than others do.
The biggest difference between an Elise and the Westfield is that Elise feels like a proper car in comparison. Its got a secure boot. You can listen to the radio. Its got a proper working heater. Its got storage space in the cabin. You can do long journeys and not feel like you've conquered Everest. A couple of things help on my car here in particular. Its got carpets, which I'm certain make a huge difference to noise levels and it has a subwoofer (chav I know) so the stereo can be heard at any speed, oh and its a 111s so has a little more seat padding. Oddly enough I think you can probably carry more in a Westfield simply because you can strap stuff to the rollbar as well as filling the boot. Overall the Elise is a hugely better everyday proposition. On the flipside its never felt quite as special as the Westfields did and not in the same league performance wise. On the right summer day I'd take a Westfield everytime but 95% of the time I'd take the Elise. Like I say its a proper car.
ETA
There's no major worries regarding rot. Aluminium chassis and GRP bodywork so no worries there. Check the rear subframe and the wishbones but TBH they're probably all showing some rust. Just make sure there is nothing serious looking. Crash damage to the chassis is of more concern. Look particularly hard at the suspension mounting points.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Thursday 17th January 22:24
I have one of these shower cap things and it is 100% watertight. Mine came with my car but i think you can get one for around £50.
When on the move i've only ever had issues when it rains heavily and when stuck in traffic. At a decent pace i never get any water entering the cabin.
The roof itself doesn't leak atall - it's the gap between that the windows that's the issue!
Not something to worry about if you ask me though.
When on the move i've only ever had issues when it rains heavily and when stuck in traffic. At a decent pace i never get any water entering the cabin.
The roof itself doesn't leak atall - it's the gap between that the windows that's the issue!
Not something to worry about if you ask me though.
I've got an S1 hardtop for sale on Ebay! Really enhances the car in terms of noise, styling and security....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
James
I've recently gone from a Westfield to an S1 and I don't regret it one bit - and I loved my Westfield!
As others have said they do all leak slightly, but I've just adjusted the side windows and it's pretty good now, hardly a drop. I'm sure others with far more experience of the cars will have something to say but all I'd recommend is to buy a good one. All the cheap ones I looked at needed money spending on them so in the end I went for a mint late S1.
Btw, I'm over 6'2" and don't struggle getting in or out
I've recently gone from a Westfield to an S1 and I don't regret it one bit - and I loved my Westfield!
As others have said they do all leak slightly, but I've just adjusted the side windows and it's pretty good now, hardly a drop. I'm sure others with far more experience of the cars will have something to say but all I'd recommend is to buy a good one. All the cheap ones I looked at needed money spending on them so in the end I went for a mint late S1.
Btw, I'm over 6'2" and don't struggle getting in or out
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