Anyone travel in their Elise?
Discussion
Thinking of getting a puddle jumper for work and an Elise as a second car.
Only problem with this - me and the girlfriend wish to travel over the course of a year sampling the likes of the ring, spa, monza, alps etc etc. Can the Elise (S1 or S2) cope with this? My biggest concern is luggage space for both of us.
Also - is aircon essential? Don't fancy having her moaning in the middle of the sweltering heat somewhere in italy
Thanks
Only problem with this - me and the girlfriend wish to travel over the course of a year sampling the likes of the ring, spa, monza, alps etc etc. Can the Elise (S1 or S2) cope with this? My biggest concern is luggage space for both of us.
Also - is aircon essential? Don't fancy having her moaning in the middle of the sweltering heat somewhere in italy
Thanks
I hope they're ok for travelling as we're using my S1 for a tour of France in August. I've done a few weekends away with two of us and full camping gear and that was no issue. The key is to pack soft things. The boot is suprisingly accomodating but doesn't suit bags or cases or general awkward shapes. Take as few shoes as possible and remember to leave room for taking the roof off. There is some useful storage area behind the seats as well. My girlfriend is quite ok with the idea of packing light so I don't envisage any major problems but I'm going to a 'trial pack' sometime before we go. You could consider a boot rack but that would mean that access to the boot and engine would be tricky on the move.
On the aircon issue. If you're looking at S2's aircon would be a major plus for touring. Driving big miles with the roof off in high temperatures can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and a lobster complexion. Putting the roof up in such conditions is like sitting in an oven so aircon here would at least give you options. Otherwise carry plenty of bottled water in a cool bag.
On the aircon issue. If you're looking at S2's aircon would be a major plus for touring. Driving big miles with the roof off in high temperatures can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and a lobster complexion. Putting the roof up in such conditions is like sitting in an oven so aircon here would at least give you options. Otherwise carry plenty of bottled water in a cool bag.
yeah - thousands of people use Elises like that
the main issue is usually how accomodating the girlfriend is with travelling light and putting up with the car LOL
a later car is more comfy of course and air-con will help a great deal when its 30deg outside and you cooking in there
you just have to travel light, and be creative with the packing - a few squashy bags each that fit into all the nooks n crannies in the cabin
other than that, the Elise makes a highly enjoyable GT car
the main issue is usually how accomodating the girlfriend is with travelling light and putting up with the car LOL
a later car is more comfy of course and air-con will help a great deal when its 30deg outside and you cooking in there
you just have to travel light, and be creative with the packing - a few squashy bags each that fit into all the nooks n crannies in the cabin
other than that, the Elise makes a highly enjoyable GT car
Hi there,
Well I only use my car for these trips and I have an S2 111R (No aircon). I also have the uprated seats (2006 - onwards) which are fantastic on long journeys.
It is wonderful for this touring, if you pack light! But that is half the fun, you can fit clothes behind the seats (without bag) and some more in the boot if you pack well, the boot has more than enough room for hot climates. Only problem is you have to allow for putting the roof in the boot. But you get down to a fine art!
Aircon might be a good idea in Italy, although personally I will just have the roof off this year when heading down there. (But as above keep lots of sun creme and keep stopping for cold water!)
Touring suspension is a must for this kind of thing, can is fantastic. On the motorway the car is ok, but now I have realised it is far more fun picking the most twisty way possible around Europe !!!
I have driven S1's and other S2's and to be honest for this kind of thing the S2 is built for it far more than the S1. I love the S1 but it is more for shorter journeys (IMO!!!!) and try both, as it is hourses for courses with selection!
S2 is no GT, but choose the twisties around Europe and book into some nice hotels with the bird and you will be addicted. Persuading the other half to pack light maybe a bit harder, but she will love it. (I hope)
Enjoy, and Spa, ring and the alps are a must, also see my post in the Italian section for track days, as Muggello is worth a go!
Well I only use my car for these trips and I have an S2 111R (No aircon). I also have the uprated seats (2006 - onwards) which are fantastic on long journeys.
It is wonderful for this touring, if you pack light! But that is half the fun, you can fit clothes behind the seats (without bag) and some more in the boot if you pack well, the boot has more than enough room for hot climates. Only problem is you have to allow for putting the roof in the boot. But you get down to a fine art!
Aircon might be a good idea in Italy, although personally I will just have the roof off this year when heading down there. (But as above keep lots of sun creme and keep stopping for cold water!)
Touring suspension is a must for this kind of thing, can is fantastic. On the motorway the car is ok, but now I have realised it is far more fun picking the most twisty way possible around Europe !!!
I have driven S1's and other S2's and to be honest for this kind of thing the S2 is built for it far more than the S1. I love the S1 but it is more for shorter journeys (IMO!!!!) and try both, as it is hourses for courses with selection!
S2 is no GT, but choose the twisties around Europe and book into some nice hotels with the bird and you will be addicted. Persuading the other half to pack light maybe a bit harder, but she will love it. (I hope)
Enjoy, and Spa, ring and the alps are a must, also see my post in the Italian section for track days, as Muggello is worth a go!
Lawsome said:
Thinking of getting a puddle jumper for work and an Elise as a second car.
Only problem with this - me and the girlfriend wish to travel over the course of a year sampling the likes of the ring, spa, monza, alps etc etc. Can the Elise (S1 or S2) cope with this? My biggest concern is luggage space for both of us.
Also - is aircon essential? Don't fancy having her moaning in the middle of the sweltering heat somewhere in italy
Thanks
Only problem with this - me and the girlfriend wish to travel over the course of a year sampling the likes of the ring, spa, monza, alps etc etc. Can the Elise (S1 or S2) cope with this? My biggest concern is luggage space for both of us.
Also - is aircon essential? Don't fancy having her moaning in the middle of the sweltering heat somewhere in italy
Thanks
Edited by Stu_00 on Wednesday 29th April 09:42
The Elise is absolutely fine for long distance, but you need to bear in mind a couple fo things. Luggage space is always an issue, particularly with a btter half
- Try and break up any Euro trip with some nice roads, as hammering down the motorway is just boring and can be loud, depending on your exhaust.
- Fill up before you get to Refill
- You can use salining bags to pack, as this gives you more room for luggage.
/veteran of several Stelvio 3.5k trips, ring jaunts and 1k non-stop drives to Northern Spain:up
- Try and break up any Euro trip with some nice roads, as hammering down the motorway is just boring and can be loud, depending on your exhaust.
- Fill up before you get to Refill
- You can use salining bags to pack, as this gives you more room for luggage.
/veteran of several Stelvio 3.5k trips, ring jaunts and 1k non-stop drives to Northern Spain:up
..... and wear a cap!!!!!
Bit chav-like but will save you burning your bonce when the sun is out and I also find that it reduces the pummeling your head gets from the air stream when pushing on a motorways etc (surprisingly tiring).
All when running roof off (is there any other way?) of course
Bit chav-like but will save you burning your bonce when the sun is out and I also find that it reduces the pummeling your head gets from the air stream when pushing on a motorways etc (surprisingly tiring).
All when running roof off (is there any other way?) of course
Speaking like a pro, Salining bags are a good idea!
Thanks!
Thanks!
4pot said:
The Elise is absolutely fine for long distance, but you need to bear in mind a couple fo things. Luggage space is always an issue, particularly with a btter half
- Try and break up any Euro trip with some nice roads, as hammering down the motorway is just boring and can be loud, depending on your exhaust.
- Fill up before you get to Refill
- You can use salining bags to pack, as this gives you more room for luggage.
/veteran of several Stelvio 3.5k trips, ring jaunts and 1k non-stop drives to Northern Spain:up
- Try and break up any Euro trip with some nice roads, as hammering down the motorway is just boring and can be loud, depending on your exhaust.
- Fill up before you get to Refill
- You can use salining bags to pack, as this gives you more room for luggage.
/veteran of several Stelvio 3.5k trips, ring jaunts and 1k non-stop drives to Northern Spain:up
Edited by Stu_00 on Wednesday 29th April 10:26
The best way to pack is to line the boot with a large sheet of plastic and then pack everything loose into the boot: much more efficient use of the space. Get a couple of small soft holdalls and transfer stuff to those each night if you're touring and put the used kit into plastic shopping bags.
You'd be amazed at how much you can actually get into an Elise using every nook and cranny and a bit of imagination. If you really need extra luggage space then Eliseparts sell a bootrack that you could strap a case to.
You'd be amazed at how much you can actually get into an Elise using every nook and cranny and a bit of imagination. If you really need extra luggage space then Eliseparts sell a bootrack that you could strap a case to.
Oh, and something to bear in mind if your other half is going to be taking cosmetics - keep them in the cabin (or maybe in a well insulated bag in the boot). The guy I bought my car from made the mistake of putting his girlfriend's make-up bag in the boot for a trip, only to find it all melted/ruined because of heatsoak from the engine/exhaust.... Cue a VERY big bill to replace it all!
I'm glad he told me as I almost certainly would have made the same mistake.
I'm glad he told me as I almost certainly would have made the same mistake.
I moved countries in it ! - I will have to dig out a picture!
1 - Bag passenger foot well
2 - Suits and shirts behind seats (without bag)
3 - Crash hat and gloves in Passenger seat
4 - More clothes in the boot - All without bags
5 - Socks and pants down the side of the seats and in the dashboard bit - pure class!
Customs were laughing at me and my shirts were very creased ! LOL
LOL - Lucky I did not bring the hi-fi or kitchien sink...
1 - Bag passenger foot well
2 - Suits and shirts behind seats (without bag)
3 - Crash hat and gloves in Passenger seat
4 - More clothes in the boot - All without bags
5 - Socks and pants down the side of the seats and in the dashboard bit - pure class!
Customs were laughing at me and my shirts were very creased ! LOL
LOL - Lucky I did not bring the hi-fi or kitchien sink...
TIPPER said:
The best way to pack is to line the boot with a large sheet of plastic and then pack everything loose into the boot: much more efficient use of the space. Get a couple of small soft holdalls and transfer stuff to those each night if you're touring and put the used kit into plastic shopping bags.
You'd be amazed at how much you can actually get into an Elise using every nook and cranny and a bit of imagination. If you really need extra luggage space then Eliseparts sell a bootrack that you could strap a case to.
You'd be amazed at how much you can actually get into an Elise using every nook and cranny and a bit of imagination. If you really need extra luggage space then Eliseparts sell a bootrack that you could strap a case to.
I took my S1 across France, Belgium and Germany up to Scandinavia.
Before I owned the Lotus, I had only ever driven motorbikes. The Lotus is exactly the same in that a) it forces you to travel light and b) no, you will not be able to relax and enjoy the view....you will just love letting the car do what it was made for...spirited driving, especially in Germany....
Unlike the bike, you can actually drive hundreds of miles in a day if you wish, as it is so comfortable.
I'd recommend a TomTom, unless you know where you are going, as the less you have to worry about apart from driving on the wrong side of the road, the better. Very helpful with petrol stations in remote places...good when again as a bike, the Elise has such a small range.
OK, if you really, really love your girl, it may be different.....but you are much better off leaving her at home. The Elise demands no distractions - and you will, too.
It is, as a competitor says wrongly about their cars - the ultimate driving experience...Lotus Elise, open roads in Europe....no where to go but to go only...
I'm doing it all again hopefully in 8 weeks
Before I owned the Lotus, I had only ever driven motorbikes. The Lotus is exactly the same in that a) it forces you to travel light and b) no, you will not be able to relax and enjoy the view....you will just love letting the car do what it was made for...spirited driving, especially in Germany....
Unlike the bike, you can actually drive hundreds of miles in a day if you wish, as it is so comfortable.
I'd recommend a TomTom, unless you know where you are going, as the less you have to worry about apart from driving on the wrong side of the road, the better. Very helpful with petrol stations in remote places...good when again as a bike, the Elise has such a small range.
OK, if you really, really love your girl, it may be different.....but you are much better off leaving her at home. The Elise demands no distractions - and you will, too.
It is, as a competitor says wrongly about their cars - the ultimate driving experience...Lotus Elise, open roads in Europe....no where to go but to go only...
I'm doing it all again hopefully in 8 weeks
I can only but agree with everyone, in 2006 we did a 2,000 mile trip including Stelvio and many of the Alpine passes, and in 2007 , a 5 week trip through France, Northern Italy and back thro Switzerland and the French vinyards. It was galling not to have room for some v cheap champagne from that region, to bring home. This was in a 111R. Think camping/sailing/fishing shops for clothes and bags. We chose our hotels/lodging in advance and with care, and I cant think of anywhere that we became worried re security. Driving in Nice and Monaco was a memorable nightmare, but the car never missed a beat and we arrived home unscathed. This year, in new Exige, its the Ardenes, including a goldtrack day at Spa... newbee to that circuit... anyone any good driving road tips for that area??
This is an old thread about camping in the Elise which may be of interest:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
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