Hard top/soft top dilemma
Discussion
Hi, I am a newby here, so please go easy on me.
I am looking to buy my first Elise in the next few weeks (hopefully a 2005/2006 111R - very excited!!), but the car will be kept on the street outside my house, rather than garaged and I am worried that if i go for a soft top it will deteriorate quickly (and go mouldy green) due to exposure. This made me look at the option of a hard top - also the security benfits would make me sleep easier, although this is really only a minor concern. However, because my finances force me to look to the second hand market for the car, my options are really slim for a second hand Elise with hard top. I considered the Exige, but I like the roof off idea and besides it might be a bit hardcore for me!
Is it possible to buy a hrad top after market for less than the Lotus dealers sell them (£1k, I understand)?
Am I just being daft - would a soft top be fine?
Thanks for taking the time.
B
I am looking to buy my first Elise in the next few weeks (hopefully a 2005/2006 111R - very excited!!), but the car will be kept on the street outside my house, rather than garaged and I am worried that if i go for a soft top it will deteriorate quickly (and go mouldy green) due to exposure. This made me look at the option of a hard top - also the security benfits would make me sleep easier, although this is really only a minor concern. However, because my finances force me to look to the second hand market for the car, my options are really slim for a second hand Elise with hard top. I considered the Exige, but I like the roof off idea and besides it might be a bit hardcore for me!
Is it possible to buy a hrad top after market for less than the Lotus dealers sell them (£1k, I understand)?
Am I just being daft - would a soft top be fine?
Thanks for taking the time.
B
The soft tops seem to stand up pretty well, as long as it's not the type of street where it's likely to get knifed.
You see hard tops on ebay for about 600 quid from time to time and they sometimes come up on the SELOC classifieds but you'd be lucky to find one the right colour and re-sprays are expensive.
You can get them a bit cheaper from places like:
http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php
You see hard tops on ebay for about 600 quid from time to time and they sometimes come up on the SELOC classifieds but you'd be lucky to find one the right colour and re-sprays are expensive.
You can get them a bit cheaper from places like:
http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php
Edited by kambites on Monday 9th February 13:49
Thanks for your quick responses that's great. Not too worried about the knife in roof scenario, although you never know. Maybe I'll keep the option open for a soft top, if the right one comes along. It certainly gives me more options!
When you say they all leak a bit, is that like LEAK, or maybe just slightly damp? ie. if I am driving in the rain, will I need my swimnming goggles? It's not a deal breaker, but I thought they would be pretty water tight.
I once drove a TVR and you could get your finger between the window and the sill, when the window was closed - we're not talking that type of "leak", presumably?
When you say they all leak a bit, is that like LEAK, or maybe just slightly damp? ie. if I am driving in the rain, will I need my swimnming goggles? It's not a deal breaker, but I thought they would be pretty water tight.
I once drove a TVR and you could get your finger between the window and the sill, when the window was closed - we're not talking that type of "leak", presumably?
I love my hard top, largely for cosmetic reasons. I think the line you get with it fitted just looks right when compared to the pram roof with any of the soft tops.
As for leaks, I suffered from some terrible problems with my S1 but with a little work and help from the gang on here I have a water tight soft and hard top.
Just noticed your getting an S2 and it's very rare to get any sort of leak with the short tail soft tops.
Good luck and enjoy it!
As for leaks, I suffered from some terrible problems with my S1 but with a little work and help from the gang on here I have a water tight soft and hard top.
Just noticed your getting an S2 and it's very rare to get any sort of leak with the short tail soft tops.
Good luck and enjoy it!
boomshanks said:
When you say they all leak a bit, is that like LEAK, or maybe just slightly damp? ie. if I am driving in the rain, will I need my swimnming goggles? It's not a deal breaker, but I thought they would be pretty water tight.
I once drove a TVR and you could get your finger between the window and the sill, when the window was closed - we're not talking that type of "leak", presumably?
Sadly yes in my car (2002 S2) - it leaks like a sieve and I am often seen bailing water out of the footwell when I forget to put the cover on....I once drove a TVR and you could get your finger between the window and the sill, when the window was closed - we're not talking that type of "leak", presumably?
The answer of course is a good waterproof shower cap / car cover!
miss notax said:
boomshanks said:
When you say they all leak a bit, is that like LEAK, or maybe just slightly damp? ie. if I am driving in the rain, will I need my swimnming goggles? It's not a deal breaker, but I thought they would be pretty water tight.
I once drove a TVR and you could get your finger between the window and the sill, when the window was closed - we're not talking that type of "leak", presumably?
Sadly yes in my car (2002 S2) - it leaks like a sieve and I am often seen bailing water out of the footwell when I forget to put the cover on....I once drove a TVR and you could get your finger between the window and the sill, when the window was closed - we're not talking that type of "leak", presumably?
The answer of course is a good waterproof shower cap / car cover!
Miss notax,
It shouldn't be that bad. I'd get the window alignment/seals looked at.
Mine lives outside come rain, come shine, with hardtop or softop. In a storm, I'll get a few spots of water on a sill (biggest I've seen in 12 months was maybe 5cm circle of water). It's not like my old beemer, but I don't hesistate for a moment to leave my car out in the rain, it's a non-issue for me
It shouldn't be that bad. I'd get the window alignment/seals looked at.
Mine lives outside come rain, come shine, with hardtop or softop. In a storm, I'll get a few spots of water on a sill (biggest I've seen in 12 months was maybe 5cm circle of water). It's not like my old beemer, but I don't hesistate for a moment to leave my car out in the rain, it's a non-issue for me
The usual problem with softtops (or anything for that matter) is infrequent use of the car and leaving it parked up for too long (weeks and weeks). If you use you car regularly so that any standing water is blown off or dried, you really shouldn't have any problems with a deteriorating roof.
BTW the roof panel on the S2 Exige is removable just like an Elise (in fact the soft top for an Elise fits an Exige). My black 07 plate one is up for sale if you are interested?
BTW the roof panel on the S2 Exige is removable just like an Elise (in fact the soft top for an Elise fits an Exige). My black 07 plate one is up for sale if you are interested?
Edited by Tango7 on Monday 9th February 18:53
Thanks for everyone's input. I am certainly less scared of a soft top now, I think I'd still like the option of a hard top, but maybe not essential.
Thanks again for your help.
B
Tango7 said:
BTW the roof panel on the S2 Exige is removable just like an Elise (in fact the soft top for an Elise fits an Exige). My black 07 plate one is up for sale if you are interested?
Thanks for that Tango7, I didn't know the roof was removable on an Exige, i thought it was a single piece. Like I said, I am a newby! I actually prefer the look of the Exige, but not sure a 2007 would be anywhere near my price range (do you have it listed in the classifieds?). Maybe for the flexibility, the way to go is buy an Exige and get a spare soft top?Edited by Tango7 on Monday 9th February 18:53
Thanks again for your help.
B
I have a 2006 Elise Sportsracer (111r), they came with both hard and soft roofs as standard. Right now the hard top is on and it doesn't leak at all, nor squeak, it's very good and the car looks at it's best with the hard top on. It did whistle a bit at 120mph but that disappears over that, so no problem there. The temptation is to leave the hard roof on. I reckon it takes about 15 mins to remove which doesn't sound much but you wouldn't be bothered doing it every day. If you wanted to leave it on most of the year round then finding a car with aircon becomes a good idea.
The soft roof is a work of genius. It's on and off in seconds and works very well regarding leaks and at high speed etc. If you're not worried about security then the soft roof will work fine. Besides, if it gets tired looking after a few years just buy a new one. They can't be much and more than likely far less than a new hard top. I leave mine on from March through to December (but it is garaged).
Overall you will love driving with the roof off. It adds a fantastic dimension (literally) to what is in my opinion, pound for pound the best drivers car in the world. It really doesn't get much better than a topless blat down your favourite road.
I've been lucky enough to own quite a few more expensive and powerful cars. But I wouldn't swap any of them for my Elise. 111r in particular is a masterpiece and don't let anyone on here tell you otherwise. There must be a good few for sale with hardtops included? It's a nice option to have.
Good luck finding a nice one, it's gotta be a buyers market out there.
The soft roof is a work of genius. It's on and off in seconds and works very well regarding leaks and at high speed etc. If you're not worried about security then the soft roof will work fine. Besides, if it gets tired looking after a few years just buy a new one. They can't be much and more than likely far less than a new hard top. I leave mine on from March through to December (but it is garaged).
Overall you will love driving with the roof off. It adds a fantastic dimension (literally) to what is in my opinion, pound for pound the best drivers car in the world. It really doesn't get much better than a topless blat down your favourite road.
I've been lucky enough to own quite a few more expensive and powerful cars. But I wouldn't swap any of them for my Elise. 111r in particular is a masterpiece and don't let anyone on here tell you otherwise. There must be a good few for sale with hardtops included? It's a nice option to have.
Good luck finding a nice one, it's gotta be a buyers market out there.
Agree with others in that the soft top is quite robust and holds up well. The leaks are more minor irritations than problems - you are not going to get drenched, just that some water finds its way down the sills depending on how bad and along the rain spell is.
Parked up, an additional shower cap will solve all problems with getting in a wet car.
A decent plan B for you might be to get a 2nd hand soft top off e-bay.....around 50-70 quid last I looked, and bung that on when you leave the car outside for extended periods.
If you do then keep your 'best' one all dry, treated and in front of the telly, it will last a l-o-n-g time.
Parked up, an additional shower cap will solve all problems with getting in a wet car.
A decent plan B for you might be to get a 2nd hand soft top off e-bay.....around 50-70 quid last I looked, and bung that on when you leave the car outside for extended periods.
If you do then keep your 'best' one all dry, treated and in front of the telly, it will last a l-o-n-g time.
I was in the market for a similar car to yourself. I was going to opt for the hardtop, but decided not to make it a deal breaker. I would also add that an 06MY onwards is a much nicer car to drive so I'd look towards one of those, rather than 05MY, if possible. I pick my car up on Saturday so I'll keep you posted on ownership!
When I got my S1 as a daily driver I intended to get a hard top for the winter. Sadly some 
put pay to that by attempting to park into it after a week and driving off.
The car was pretty waterproof when the roof was fitted properly, bar one time when I went to pick a young lady up and it was in very heavy rain. The whole car was waterlogged. But I cured this by getting some Renovo and proofing the roof. After that I got some leakage from the front corners where the roof met the windscreen, both standing and driving, and that was it. For the nights I did invest in a shower cap though.
Sadly both car and cap were lost in a fire before I could test it out under snow.
Also as said above true for both Loti and TVRs, adjust the windows and all is good.
put pay to that by attempting to park into it after a week and driving off. The car was pretty waterproof when the roof was fitted properly, bar one time when I went to pick a young lady up and it was in very heavy rain. The whole car was waterlogged. But I cured this by getting some Renovo and proofing the roof. After that I got some leakage from the front corners where the roof met the windscreen, both standing and driving, and that was it. For the nights I did invest in a shower cap though.
Sadly both car and cap were lost in a fire before I could test it out under snow.
Also as said above true for both Loti and TVRs, adjust the windows and all is good.
stuthemong said:
Miss notax,
It shouldn't be that bad. I'd get the window alignment/seals looked at.
Mine lives outside come rain, come shine, with hardtop or softop. In a storm, I'll get a few spots of water on a sill (biggest I've seen in 12 months was maybe 5cm circle of water). It's not like my old beemer, but I don't hesistate for a moment to leave my car out in the rain, it's a non-issue for me
Really? Wow. Mine is quite bad... I use my car every day so it's not like it's just left outside to fester. Maybe i'll get it looked at then.It shouldn't be that bad. I'd get the window alignment/seals looked at.
Mine lives outside come rain, come shine, with hardtop or softop. In a storm, I'll get a few spots of water on a sill (biggest I've seen in 12 months was maybe 5cm circle of water). It's not like my old beemer, but I don't hesistate for a moment to leave my car out in the rain, it's a non-issue for me
Thanks!!
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