S1 Elise - Daily Driver - 250 Miles a week - Clever or not?

[nickopolodis]

Hi there, im more of a lurker, than a poster, but needed some advice from people in the know.

As the title reads really, I work full time, and have a 50 mile round trip to get me home again in the evenings, all on b roads.

Is an elise a clever idea, to do this many miles in? After reading the stats supplied by Parkers, fuel consumption *should* be better than my current Audi A3, which is something thats fairly important to me (i dont want a car, i cant afford to run!).

I have between 7-8k to spend and am hoping to get a low-as-possible mileage S1, or S1 111 if i can find one.

Does anybody on here do that sort of mileage, and would you recommend it?

Alternatively, Im also contemplating an S2000. Ive never driven either, but am expecting a few biased opinions! (anybody owned both?)

Sorry for the jibbering, and any help/input much appreciated.

Nick

[Gad-Westy]

I work that out at 13,000 miles per year which is more or less what I do in mine. I certainly don't have any regrets. A few things I'd say that make a big difference are:

111s seats

Full Carpet + sound-proofing (goes against the ethos but makes the car very habitable in terms of noise and comfort)

Uprated headlights

Uprated Wiper assembly

Audible stereo

Beyond that I see no issues. The only thing that I ever think I dislike about using it a lot is the physical act of getting in and out when you're tight on space.

[fleetelise]

That mileage shouldn't be any problem at all.

Do you really want to though - do you think it will feel as special at the weekends if you're commuting in it?

[Gad-Westy]

fleetelise said:

That mileage shouldn't be any problem at all.

Do you really want to though - do you think it will feel as special at the weekends if you're commuting in it?

In my experience over 18 months and 20,000 miles it will feel special every single journey. We have a Clio as well and it barely gets touched by me unless I really have to move something that won't fit in the Elise. Even the cats go to the vet in the Elise! And yet at the weekend I still try to think of excuses to just go out for the sake of it and it always delivers. I'm not saying that an S1 is going to be right for everyone but for me it offers a perfect blend of usablilty and drama.

[nickopolodis]

Thanks for your thoughts.

I understand what fleetelise says with 'feeling special', but I very rarely get the opportunity to just 'go for a drive', for the sake of it, so Im after something that will make every journey enjoyable and 'fun'.

[miro]

Are you happy driving it in rain, wind, hail, snow, ice... plus although its better on petrol it may not be as cheap on garage bills its going to be a 10 year old car after all.

Is do it if i could afford to .. my commute is about to go from 0 to 80 miles per day . dont thik i can afford the depreciation/tyres/brakes/suspension(almost considered a consumable) on mine

[noodleman]

Yep, it's big AND clever.

I got moved to an office just across the road from my house and really miss using it daily.

[BBL]

It must be something about Audi A3's.

That's the company car I'm just about to give up in order to get my first Elise. I plan to use it almost everyday, my wife has an automatic Mini Cooper - I'm not driving an automatic!

[swannynhb]

Ive owned both. currently have a S1 elise, sold my S2000 last october. The honda is faster in a straight line, easy to get in and out of, didnt leak, built well, in fairness still one of my favorite cars, although the electric power steering lacks feel. only sold it cos it was dropping hundreds every month in the glass's guide and I work in the trade so Im not one for losing money on my own car. the elise on the other hand leaks, its a pain to get in and out of, the suspension is noisy, the build quality is crap its not very fast.....but its a great driving experience and the elise still looks cool imo. if i had to choose one for a daily driver and i didnt care about losing money id buy the honda

[mikey P 500]

I drive my s1 Elise everyday to work also about 50 miles (for about 8mths now). Love using it for every journey. Funnily enough I was also choosing between an Elise and a S2k I thought the Elise handled better, did more mpg and was much more fun. Although the S2K was a lot easier to get in and out of (the only real negative to the Elise in a busy car park).

[bordseye]

no it isnt a sensible daily drive, certainly not at that end of the elise market. its noisy, the ride is hard, its not very coimfortable and the K series is unreliable. great as a fun car but not really serious all weather transport.

but then people do the daily ride to work on motorbikes.

[boobles]

Used my S1 for 18 months & covered 30k in that time! Drive it & enjoy it.

[bordseye]

should add that what you are prepared to tolerate when young is a lot more than at my stage of life. so my comments are from the perspective of a 60 year old.

[Gad-Westy]

bordseye said:

should add that what you are prepared to tolerate when young is a lot more than at my stage of life. so my comments are from the perspective of a 60 year old.

I must admit that even at the tender age of 28, the whole getting in and out thing is a bit of a pain. Its particularly a problem in my garage or in a multi story (ever noticed that you can park miles away from anyone and there'll be someone parked 6 inches from your door when you come back to the car?). The rest of it, I can't fault.

[Fatrat]

My S1 is a daily driver of about 50 miles a day mainly on B roads. Despite my initial concern (I have now owned the car for 7 months) the car remains a delight. I also have an old Merc which was going to "share" the commute but I find myself having to take the Merc out at weekends for a short run to keep it running as I always seem to have the Lotus keys in my hand!

Yes, there is no elegant way of getting in and out but despite one of the worst winters for years I LOVE IT!

[nickopolodis]

Thanks again for all the replies. It encourages me greatly to hear other people use it day in day out.

At 25, I should hope my back, and dignity would stand up to getting in and out of cramp spaces! And it really is very rare to find myself in a multi-storey carpark - so im sure I could deal with that.

To those that do a similar distance to me, have you found yourself with big garage bills, and lots of replacement parts? And what about reliability?

It seems so long as you can put up with a bit of discomfort, its worthwhile for the smile factor. Think i need to take one for a drive and see just how uncomfortable were talking!

Thanks.

Nick

[Gooby]

I have been doing that milage daily!

[fleetelise]

nickopolodis said:

To those that do a similar distance to me, have you found yourself with big garage bills, and lots of replacement parts? And what about reliability?

Budget for £2k a year i'd say, and make sure you have that money in your pocket on the day you buy the car. Some years you'll be up on the deal, some years down. And thats before your head starts getting filled with upgradeitis.

Your front tyres will last forever - in fact they'll go hard/slippery long before you wear them out. Don't let this happen.

Reliability - don't worry. The engines not highly stressed so if you're mechanically sympathetic to it then it shouldn't be any worse than any other small volume british made car

Good luck - and sign up to Seloc.org, great source of information, cameraderie, social events etc etc

[bordseye]

Reliability? Just put HGF into the search facility and see how much time S1 owners spend bemoaning it.

[Fatrat]

I have had no reliability issues. Starts first time every time, even when left on the drive unused for a coupe of weeks whilst on holiday in December.
So far the only money I have spent is money I wanted to spend on upgrades (S2 suspension, 52mm throttle body, Hurricane induction kit and sports exhaust)