Elise S2 Kept on the Road

[Jameschillman]

Hello,

Am currently considering buying an 2001/2002 plate S2, At the moment it will be parked on the street as I don't have a drive/driveway. Other then the security aspect would you say keeping an S2 on the road will be a problem?

[Loudman]

S2 of that age you 'may' get some rain leakage from the corners of the hood, a well known problem and some say easily cured. I've never really tried as mine lives in a garage but mine does leak a bit in heavy rain.

Quite a few have aftermarket removable steering wheel, which aids security.

[Gavola]

I own a Y reg (2001) S2 which is garaged but when it is left out in the rain I have no problems as at all with leaking roof. Suggest you take the roof of and on a couple of times when buying to see how 'tight' the connections and seals are.

[matc]

My S2 lived outside for just over a year of my 2 year ownership and it never leaked at all, the only water I ever got inside was when I opened the doors after it had been raining pretty heavily. Apart from the security/jealousy risk I don't think you'll have any problems at all.

Good luck, they really are awesome cars!

[Jameschillman]

Thanks for all the replys, Living on an island (isle of wight) has its advantages on the security side of things...

My only other concern which is holding me back is the comfort on longish journey's. I will only be doing theese vary rarely (3/4hour journey) maybe once a year The rest of its use will be mainly short trips.

[matc]

I lived on the Isle of Wight until is was in my early 20's and you're right, the vandalism/security risks would be pretty much zero. I did take mine over there for the weekend once though and I must say, the ride on those lovely IoW roads was a little uncomfortable to say the least! Still it wouldn't put me off, a blast along the military road on a Sunday morning with the roof off would be worth a weeks uncomfort!

I did a few reasonably long journeys in mine, mainly down to Cornwall and found it fine, maybe a bit hot in the summer and the noise on motorways would take it's toll after a while. (I had a Lotus Sports Exhaust on mine)

[TonyHetherington]

Jameschillman said:

Thanks for all the replys, Living on an island (isle of wight) has its advantages on the security side of things...

My only other concern which is holding me back is the comfort on longish journey's. I will only be doing theese vary rarely (3/4hour journey) maybe once a year The rest of its use will be mainly short trips.

You'll be utterly surprised how comfortable they are on long journies. I had an S2 Elise, and then Exige (so same interior, basically) and did 9 long driving trips (3000 miles in 10days, sort of thing)....absolutely fine on long journeys, in fact really comfortable, and would regularly do 8 or 9 hour days in the car.

I should stress I'm not really that "dedicated" either, in the grand scheme of things, just found it an awesome awesome car to do stuff like that with.

I've been on a few of the roads on IOW and they are great - you'll love having an Elise there. Do it

[otolith]

Mine lives outside. It leaks, and the paint on the driver's door has started to bubble, but apart from that it's fine...

The car is comfortable for long journeys in the sense that the seats and driving position are comfortable. The noise levels are not ideal, though.

[Jameschillman]

I was contemplating buying an outdoor cover for it but not sure if this will be a good idea if keeping it on the roadside or not?

Im pretty set on buying one, just need to find the right one now I guess! (And have a good drink after ive paid for the insurance as im only 22)

[TonyHetherington]

Unless you're going to clean it before you put the cover on it (which is quite ok), don't get a cover. If there's any dirt on the car it will scratch it, unfortunately - so if you do have a cover the car needs to be PERFECTLY clean (i.e. just washed) to use it

Oh, insurance wise, I had my Elise at 23 I think and paid around £900, which I didn't think was TOO bad.

[Jameschillman]

I was thinking more about using the Cover in winter when the weather is at its worst as I doub't it will get a huge amount of use in the winter obviously giving it a full clean before I put it on.

£900 sounds cheap to me! I've had quotes for more then double that.

[TonyHetherington]

Ah, in which case the cover would probably work quite well! I bought mine from www.classicadditions.co.uk (have bought a few from them now) and they're brilliant.

Insurance wise - assume you've tried Adrian Flux, and also A-Plan? They're the two that were best for me.

[GKP]

If your early S2 does suffer from water ingress, the best way of curing it would be to fit the later door seal (part no: A116V0273F approx £85.00). It's easy to do (about an hour) and will stop most of the drips - assuming windows are adjusted correctly etc.

[otolith]

Mine is a late 2004 111R with (I think) the newer seal. It doesn't leak from the A-pillar, it leaks from somewhere around the rear of the driver's window and drips into the carpet behind the seat.

[Jameschillman]

Thanks for all the information, Ill give A-Plan + Adrian Flux a call for a quote and hope it will come down a bit from £1500!

Am now keeping my eyes peeled for any 2001/2002's for sale!

[NWTony]

I keep an S2 on the road all year round and my only problems have been paint flaking and chipping through frost and a green roof through stuff growing on it! Never been vandalised or stolen touch wood and I live just outside Liverpool!

[Jameschillman]

TonyHetherington said:

Insurance wise - assume you've tried Adrian Flux, and also A-Plan? They're the two that were best for me.

Thanks for the suggestion of Adrian flux! Much cheaper at £1200! Will get a quote from A-Plan too.

[TonyHetherington]

Good stuff - for a 22yr old on an Elise that doesn't sound too bad!