2008 model year - gripes
Discussion
More magnificent "development" by Lotus...
1) Airbag wheel is about 2 cm nearer the driver than the non airbag wheel. Not good if you have short legs and long arms.
2) Said airbag wheel is slippy when cold...
3) The (frankly embarrassing) ENGINE START button remains lit when the engine is running (like, WHY??) and reflects REALLY BADLY in the side window at night...
4) The (higher mounted) vents on the dash - with the roof off it is much harder to get sufficent hot air to the lower part of the interior.
5) The much vaunted new key/fob ! Have you ever seen such a long key in your life ? Are they trying to compensate for something over there in Hethel?
It's a real pocket-wrecker - I expect hangar111 to be stocking a kevlar pocket- liner soonish.
6) Da cupholder- already much discussed, and dammit I confess I have used it (McDonalds regular hot chocolate)- but I'd be happy to do without it, it really does look like something from Madame Cynthia's dungeon.
7) The horn buttons. Surely the most poorly positioned horn buttons ever on a car ? reverse parking, 3 point turns, etc etc constantly sounding the horn by accident. It's way too embarrassing- people think you are trying to get their attention, and then they glance in and are dazzled by your ENGINE START button. Oh my god.
1) Airbag wheel is about 2 cm nearer the driver than the non airbag wheel. Not good if you have short legs and long arms.
2) Said airbag wheel is slippy when cold...
3) The (frankly embarrassing) ENGINE START button remains lit when the engine is running (like, WHY??) and reflects REALLY BADLY in the side window at night...
4) The (higher mounted) vents on the dash - with the roof off it is much harder to get sufficent hot air to the lower part of the interior.
5) The much vaunted new key/fob ! Have you ever seen such a long key in your life ? Are they trying to compensate for something over there in Hethel?
It's a real pocket-wrecker - I expect hangar111 to be stocking a kevlar pocket- liner soonish.
6) Da cupholder- already much discussed, and dammit I confess I have used it (McDonalds regular hot chocolate)- but I'd be happy to do without it, it really does look like something from Madame Cynthia's dungeon.
7) The horn buttons. Surely the most poorly positioned horn buttons ever on a car ? reverse parking, 3 point turns, etc etc constantly sounding the horn by accident. It's way too embarrassing- people think you are trying to get their attention, and then they glance in and are dazzled by your ENGINE START button. Oh my god.
having recently driven an Elise SC, I'll say that, while the original elise wheel is one of the best ever, the new airbag wheel was much smaller than it looks in pictures and actually still a superb wheel to use. Overall I found the new interior very good and very comfortable.
However, I'm still buying a 2006 car.
However, I'm still buying a 2006 car.
Esprit said:
R.P.M said:
Welcome to pistonheads Mr Plato.
Classic!I agree with the original poster though, I can see the benefit of a cupholder, but why do we need an engine start button? Just more tat really that serves no other purpose than to look wanky.
I agree me personally I like the looks of the 2008 interior, find the wheel better to use, like the heater vents and speakers where they are (own an Exige so roof off times are very limited) and also like where the head unit and heater contols are.
Airbag's don't bother me, I'd still have that dash for the looks whether it had the extra saftey or not.
As for the cup holder, yep its a bit pointless but may come in handy some early mornings in Rotterdamn or Zebrugge where a bottle of Lucozade is required.
Fortunatly mines a 57 car with super touring so I have the old key and clock style.
Airbag's don't bother me, I'd still have that dash for the looks whether it had the extra saftey or not.
As for the cup holder, yep its a bit pointless but may come in handy some early mornings in Rotterdamn or Zebrugge where a bottle of Lucozade is required.
Fortunatly mines a 57 car with super touring so I have the old key and clock style.
LivinLaVidaLotus said:
Safety is the answer to that - although having said that, I don't know if the key still goes in the column or not on 2008 models, if it does, then ignore that.
yes it does, and it still turns to the "starter motor" position too !oh, and it is 4 cm longer than the 2007 key!
RobM77 said:
You're finding the steering wheel too close in an Elise?! Most people that I know drive with straight arms or have to modify their cars.Blown said:
RobM77 said:
You're finding the steering wheel too close in an Elise?! Most people that I know drive with straight arms or have to modify their cars.RobM77 said:
Unless you have very unusual dimensions, you'll probably find that you prefer having the wheel closer after you're used to it. I've never seen anyone driving a standard Elise who looked like they were even remotely too close to the steering wheel.
Then I must have unusual dimensions ! . I seem to be all elbows with the new wheel. Then again I don't like the "Thumb hooks" on the wheel either. Whinge whine moan. I have only done 1800 miles in it so far, perhaps i will adapt given time (old dog new tricks etc)... Blown said:
RobM77 said:
Unless you have very unusual dimensions, you'll probably find that you prefer having the wheel closer after you're used to it. I've never seen anyone driving a standard Elise who looked like they were even remotely too close to the steering wheel.
Then I must have unusual dimensions ! . I seem to be all elbows with the new wheel. Then again I don't like the "Thumb hooks" on the wheel either. Whinge whine moan. I have only done 1800 miles in it so far, perhaps i will adapt given time (old dog new tricks etc)... Give it a month or so I guess and then enquire at your dealer about having the wheel changed for a non-airbagged model. It might be worth calling them asap actually; as you may get a discount given how new the car is.
RobM77 said:
Blimey - that's something I've got to see. Someone driving an Elise with comfortable legs and bent arms!! Most people have legs bent up round the indicator stalks and straight arms.
Give it a month or so I guess and then enquire at your dealer about having the wheel changed for a non-airbagged model. It might be worth calling them asap actually; as you may get a discount given how new the car is.
I have the seat right back - and I slouch when driving !Give it a month or so I guess and then enquire at your dealer about having the wheel changed for a non-airbagged model. It might be worth calling them asap actually; as you may get a discount given how new the car is.
and... as the airbags were one of the major selling points to my other half of (yet another)new elise, I think Id rather suffer the wheel than the rolling pin!
The old wheel was just so lovely though wasn't it. (sigh)
Blown said:
RobM77 said:
Blimey - that's something I've got to see. Someone driving an Elise with comfortable legs and bent arms!! Most people have legs bent up round the indicator stalks and straight arms.
Give it a month or so I guess and then enquire at your dealer about having the wheel changed for a non-airbagged model. It might be worth calling them asap actually; as you may get a discount given how new the car is.
I have the seat right back - and I slouch when driving !Give it a month or so I guess and then enquire at your dealer about having the wheel changed for a non-airbagged model. It might be worth calling them asap actually; as you may get a discount given how new the car is.
and... as the airbags were one of the major selling points to my other half of (yet another)new elise, I think Id rather suffer the wheel than the rolling pin!
The old wheel was just so lovely though wasn't it. (sigh)
RobM77 said:
Yes, the standard Lotus wheel is lovely. Sadly I had to change mine to a Momo wheel to put a spacer in. Momo do do an identical model, though the spokes are metal rather than the lovely alcantara Lotus ones.
Just looked on your photos page- that wheel's so bladdy close to you it looks like it is practically bumping your lid ! Posts like these make me so happy to be an MY05 owner. No laggy drive-by-wire, no extra wide (and IMHO inferior) pro-bax seats, nice simplistic and functional interior, less sound proofing for a more raw experience and a bit less weight, no electric windows... and the best: no airbags that don't work with my 4 point schroth harnesses anyway. 
Edited by Phil-CH on Tuesday 1st April 09:18
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