LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community - View Single Post - The official, ONE AND ONLY, Can This Lotus Be Used As A Daily Driver thread

David Craig · 10-13-2009, 05:22 AM

I bought my car intending it to be a daily driver.

Here are my impressions after one month.

Gear shifting

I had not expected this but for a few weeks I felt awkward performing gear shifts. I am much more comfortable now and as a result am really enjoying the car. The first 2 weeks I felt a bit on edge.

Cockpit

It is really really small. I have gotten used to it now. I can get in and out fairly easily. However I also open the driver's door and lean across to put a briefcase on the passenger side. That aspect is awkward. I'm still debating whether I need the briefcase. It dates back to when I used to wear a suit to work. Now I wear jeans every day and the briefcase is really just a business "lunch box".

Attention

Gets positive friendly attention. I enjoy that.

Rain

I've driven in the rain for an accumulated time of 5 or 6 hours and there has been no leaking in the cockpit. I didn't see any obvious leaking in the trunk either but to be honest I didn't check too carefully. The AD07 tires seem OK in the rain. Pleased about that.

Reliability

Small rattle in the driver's door. Everything else is perfect. Enigine sounds great and the ride is good. I plan to look into the rattle myself in a couple of weeks.

Noise level

I expected it to be fairly noisy and it is. It turns out to be about the same amount of road noise as my 1986 Tercel. So I am used to that. The Lotus noise is more "sporty" and satisfying though. The fan on level 1 is fairly loud too. It competes a bit with the CD/Radio so I sometimes turn off the fan so I can hear the CD player better. If this fan were in a new Toyota Camry I'd be a bit upset about the noise level but in the Lotus the engine sound sort of drowns it out.

Convertible

I don't have the top off very much for my daily drive. With the top off I have to give up on the radio and it is quite windy on the highway. On weekends though with friends, having the top off is a blast. I really enjoy it.

Colour

Saffron Yellow. Loved it from day one and still love it. I think even my wife, who was trying to disuade me from buying the car, loves the colour.

Heating / AC

The engine generates a fair bit of heat. On days that are 30 C (86 F) I wouldn't use AC in my Tercel but in the Lotus I feel like I need it. On the other hand on days that are 10 C (50 F) I might put on the heater in my Tercel but in the Lotus I could leave it off. The heating and AC in the Lotus are fine for Toronto weather.

Regrets

None. Having a lot of fun.

10-13-2009, 05:22 AM	#78 (permalink)
David Craig Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 68	One month I bought my car intending it to be a daily driver. Here are my impressions after one month. Gear shifting I had not expected this but for a few weeks I felt awkward performing gear shifts. I am much more comfortable now and as a result am really enjoying the car. The first 2 weeks I felt a bit on edge. Cockpit It is really really small. I have gotten used to it now. I can get in and out fairly easily. However I also open the driver's door and lean across to put a briefcase on the passenger side. That aspect is awkward. I'm still debating whether I need the briefcase. It dates back to when I used to wear a suit to work. Now I wear jeans every day and the briefcase is really just a business "lunch box". Attention Gets positive friendly attention. I enjoy that. Rain I've driven in the rain for an accumulated time of 5 or 6 hours and there has been no leaking in the cockpit. I didn't see any obvious leaking in the trunk either but to be honest I didn't check too carefully. The AD07 tires seem OK in the rain. Pleased about that. Reliability Small rattle in the driver's door. Everything else is perfect. Enigine sounds great and the ride is good. I plan to look into the rattle myself in a couple of weeks. Noise level I expected it to be fairly noisy and it is. It turns out to be about the same amount of road noise as my 1986 Tercel. So I am used to that. The Lotus noise is more "sporty" and satisfying though. The fan on level 1 is fairly loud too. It competes a bit with the CD/Radio so I sometimes turn off the fan so I can hear the CD player better. If this fan were in a new Toyota Camry I'd be a bit upset about the noise level but in the Lotus the engine sound sort of drowns it out. Convertible I don't have the top off very much for my daily drive. With the top off I have to give up on the radio and it is quite windy on the highway. On weekends though with friends, having the top off is a blast. I really enjoy it. Colour Saffron Yellow. Loved it from day one and still love it. I think even my wife, who was trying to disuade me from buying the car, loves the colour. Heating / AC The engine generates a fair bit of heat. On days that are 30 C (86 F) I wouldn't use AC in my Tercel but in the Lotus I feel like I need it. On the other hand on days that are 10 C (50 F) I might put on the heater in my Tercel but in the Lotus I could leave it off. The heating and AC in the Lotus are fine for Toronto weather. Regrets None. Having a lot of fun.