Scottish Elises

Had the car 3 weeks now and i must admit i don’t agree with the idea that you need to compromise to use the exige on a daily basis.

Granted it maybe a different story in the winter, but so far with lots of sunny days and even a couple of wet days it been an absolute joy to drive.

Took a 40 mile round trip yesterday to purchase a single bottle of Tesco Finnest French Wheat Beer

Got 5 bags of shopping in boot no problem.

But not much fun leaving a plastic car in a packed car park. But you could says this about any car you love.

And had to borrow my wife’s car to take a suitcase to station.

All in all its great fun and very easy to live with so far.

Cheers
Scott

good point ! thankfully i waited for one with air con though.

nice one mate, glad you're enjoying it.

Completely agree Scott - don't think you need to compromise to use an Elise or an Exige on a daily basis (although I'm only speaking for S2s here, as I've not had an S1). I've had my Elise since August last year and have lived through tail end of summer, autumn, winter, spring and now almost summer again as my daily driver and it's been absolutely fine. I can fit my guitar and skis in the pax seat, can get most bags I ever use in the boot and only had the odd leak during winter rain.

Who says you can't use a Lotus as a daily driver?!

dezzy wrote: Who says you can't use a Lotus as a daily driver?!

thanks for reply everyone.

nobody in particular, i had been posting for a couple of years before i got the car (in se & ph) and the topic of "compromisation" (is that even a word ) occurred a good few times in warning to my inpending purchase.

scott_e wrote:
Got 5 bags of shopping in boot no problem.

Be careful with stuff in the boot, the little gel coat star cracks (common on lots of Exige rear clams) are mainly caused by impacts from things moving about inside. I think you can get a boot liner though, if you don't already have one. The velcro'd tool wrap is the prime suspect as it can come loose on spirited drives so I've put mine in the passenger footwell under the footrest to be safe.

I put the wee toolpack, along with lots of other gubbins I carry in the car, in an old camera bag (handy wee compartments for stuff) and used really strong velcro tape to fasten it to the boot carpet. Only time it's ever came loose was during heavy spinning at a Walshy day.

I try to wedge things in so they don't roll around and crack the paintwork, but if in doubt, I usually put things in the passenger seat . . . although word of warning for those as stupid as me: don't brake hard when you've got a bottle of wine in the pax seat! Thankfully didn't smash when it hit the pax foot rest!

Anything can be used as a daily driver if you're determined (or stupid) enough.I'm using the 7 every day just now as the tin top needs fixed.
And since i've been encouraged (conned) by Thinfourth to ditch the hood as it's too much hassle i've only been soaked a couple of times.

Get stared at a lot in traffic (especially when it's raining).

Use the car as often as possible - that's what they're for!

Totally agree - my 111r was the AMP3 stock wagon for a while when i forst opened my oCean Terminal store - got a few looks with boxes out of the roof, but apart from that used it every day for 2 years.

Was longing to have it back int he sunshine yesterday, while trying to stay awake and alert in the Merc - was never an issue in the Elise.

It also managed to take me, and full Ice Hockey bag and my golf Clubs (in a solid case) down to Manchester Airport for my holiday 2 years ago. Thought i was going to get pulled for that one though

Mine has been my daily driver for 2.5 years and since myself and mrs donkey parted company I don't even have the option of borrowing another car.

No problems so far, although I fear moving house might be a touch inconvenient

I'm afraid that in the current climate your Exige is a compromise, unless you've got a soft top kit for it.

Derek (roofless faction)

Derek wrote:I'm afraid that in the current climate your Exige is a compromise, unless you've got a soft top kit for it.

Derek (roofless faction)

thats is a good point ... but what i would say is i had an Mr2 t-bar for a couple of years and had the roof off twice ... just could not be bothered with it . Horses for courses and all that .... you will have a better tan

scott_e wrote:

Derek wrote:I'm afraid that in the current climate your Exige is a compromise, unless you've got a soft top kit for it.

Derek (roofless faction)

thats is a good point ... but what i would say is i had an Mr2 t-bar for a couple of years and had the roof off twice ... just could not be bothered with it . Horses for courses and all that .... you will have a better tan

That argument works until the first time you turn up on a dry day at an SE run in an elise with the roof on...

At least with the Exige, you have an excuse

Shug wrote:

scott_e wrote:

Derek wrote:I'm afraid that in the current climate your Exige is a compromise, unless you've got a soft top kit for it.

Derek (roofless faction)

thats is a good point ... but what i would say is i had an Mr2 t-bar for a couple of years and had the roof off twice ... just could not be bothered with it . Horses for courses and all that .... you will have a better tan

That argument works until the first time you turn up on a dry day at an SE run in an elise with the roof on...

At least with the Exige, you have an excuse

.... ah i see, the roof on faction gets a little stick do they what happens in winter ? same pressure to get the roof off ?

Well, there's an old saying:

"The rain don't come in if you're driving fast enough"

Seriously though - there's no real stick, but some banter is to be expected if you buy a car that was designed without a roof and never take it off!

Like I say though, the Exige is a bit of a getout clause (even though you can still take it off)

Until you've done 130 tuts with the wind in your hair (on the Autobahn, obviously), you've really not experienced the full elise 'thing'