The agony of indecision - Page 2 - LotusTalk

Rei · 12-21-2006, 02:11 PM

I know the elise is on the "fragile" side but I would say drive it like you wish it's your car. In my view point I would rack miles up on it fast its a car, a toy, nothing too special it can be replaced. What can't be purchased is the memories that you make with the car that can't ever be replaced. So in that respect drive it as much as you can to enjoy things.

HardDrive101 · 12-21-2006, 02:16 PM

I drove it down the 405 this morning in bumper to bumper traffic, with the top off... it's still a blast. I've used it as a daily driver for 3 week stretches, then I jump back into my jag or truck. I just drive the car I feel like driving that morning... and I tend to feel like driving the Elise quite a bit.

Allan Gibbs · 12-21-2006, 02:27 PM

The Elise isn't really designed to be a good daily driver. Since you've been lurking on this board, you already know how fragile and expensive the clam is.

Rather then compromise, if you want an Elise get it. If you need a dailiy driver, get a cheap commuter car. Why would spend $30K on a compromise just to duke it out in traffic? Get a beater and get an Elise. Use both at your discretion.

pianomaniac · 12-21-2006, 02:51 PM

[quote=petsounds] Pianomaniac, you say "you can't parallel park it safely." Are you being literal here, in that it is very hard to do in the Elise, or are you just saying that there is a higher chance of someone hitting you? Also, you say the clutch is delicate ... I'm not particularly hard on clutches, but are you saying that normal stop-and-go is going to wear it out quickly?

The clam is thin fiberglass and there are no bumpers. Any bump in either front or rear by another car and your in for costly or at least pain-in-the-butt repairs.

I have had no problem with the clutch on mine, but it's not a heavy duty clutch and pressure plate. Some people have burned their clutch and I could see this happening rather easily if one were forced to ride it or feather it.

joe13531 · 12-21-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megatron

Why the negativity toward people who care about their cars? Does putting a ton of miles on a car make it more justifiable to own the car? Not all of us live in the sunny warm states that can enjoy the car year around. Personally, the Elise is a fun non-Winter car for me. It is not a daily driver to work, becuase it is not business friendly. It is not my vehical of choice when spending time with the family, because there are no seats for the kids. Aside from that, there are other cars in the garage who also deserves some driving time...y don't go to waste. So, does that mean I shouldn't own an Elise? Or is it OK simply because I like the car and drive it when I can.

Care is not the issue. I wasn't implying that one should abuse the car. Caring for a machine like the Lotus should not be about driving only 1000 miles a year in fear because the value will lower and normal wear and tear will happen. The point was that the car should be driven, not just looked at in the garage. It's not a poster! One person here went so far to say that without SS, his front end looked like Swiss cheese after 1000 or so miles. This was an extreme exaggeration, so keep that in mind. There are extemes to both sides, but in the middle lies the answer. In other words, driving the Elise sparingly due to weather or circumstance is NOT the same as driving sparingly because of your fear that the car will lose value and get a couple paint chips. If you (meaning anyone) subscribe to the garage queen lifestyle, buy a poster, it's cheaper.

What happens when you spoil a kid rotten and shelter them from the rest of the world? That's right... in a short time, you sell them to the highest bidder when you grow tired of them .

ewalberg · 12-21-2006, 05:49 PM

i kinda wanna hesitate to recommend an elise as a sole car, but your wife does have a car also, so it's not really your only car as i see it. It's my 2nd car but also my DD. If i had a garage, i'd probably never put the top on but for a chance of rain that day. Get a nice jacket and wool hat and some gloves and leave the top in the trunk or behind the seats. With a more "sensible" set of tires, you should be able to drive safely in any weather LA can throw at you. I couldn't imagine it as a sole car in say New York, where it rains way more and freezes way more. It's not an ideal car to get in and out of in dumping rain... plus it's not perfectly sealed.

12-21-2006, 02:11 PM	#21 (permalink)
Rei Lotus/TRD Geek Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond WA Posts: 623	I know the elise is on the "fragile" side but I would say drive it like you wish it's your car. In my view point I would rack miles up on it fast its a car, a toy, nothing too special it can be replaced. What can't be purchased is the memories that you make with the car that can't ever be replaced. So in that respect drive it as much as you can to enjoy things. __________________ Kids in the Back seat causes Accidents Accidents in the Back Seat causes Kids Moral Stick with a Two Seater

12-21-2006, 02:27 PM	#23 (permalink)
Allan Gibbs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale, CA (formerly Gilbert, AZ) Posts: 5,399	The Elise isn't really designed to be a good daily driver. Since you've been lurking on this board, you already know how fragile and expensive the clam is. Rather then compromise, if you want an Elise get it. If you need a dailiy driver, get a cheap commuter car. Why would spend $30K on a compromise just to duke it out in traffic? Get a beater and get an Elise. Use both at your discretion. __________________ 2005 BRP Elise- SOLD 6/9/07 2006 MV Agusta F4S - SOLD 4/30/09 2008 Audi TT (MKII) 2009 Audi A4 2009 Ducati 1198

12-21-2006, 02:51 PM	#24 (permalink)
pianomaniac Elise #76 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,531	[quote=petsounds] Pianomaniac, you say "you can't parallel park it safely." Are you being literal here, in that it is very hard to do in the Elise, or are you just saying that there is a higher chance of someone hitting you? Also, you say the clutch is delicate ... I'm not particularly hard on clutches, but are you saying that normal stop-and-go is going to wear it out quickly? The clam is thin fiberglass and there are no bumpers. Any bump in either front or rear by another car and your in for costly or at least pain-in-the-butt repairs. I have had no problem with the clutch on mine, but it's not a heavy duty clutch and pressure plate. Some people have burned their clutch and I could see this happening rather easily if one were forced to ride it or feather it. __________________ Owner of '05 Elise S/T- touring- LSS-Stage 2 '07 Audi RS4 4.2L V-8 420 HP - 6 Sp..(sold) '07 Toyota Prius

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12-21-2006, 02:16 PM	#22 (permalink)
HardDrive101 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canyon Country, CA Posts: 377	I drove it down the 405 this morning in bumper to bumper traffic, with the top off... it's still a blast. I've used it as a daily driver for 3 week stretches, then I jump back into my jag or truck. I just drive the car I feel like driving that morning... and I tend to feel like driving the Elise quite a bit.

12-21-2006, 05:49 PM	#26 (permalink)
ewalberg Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 715	i kinda wanna hesitate to recommend an elise as a sole car, but your wife does have a car also, so it's not really your only car as i see it. It's my 2nd car but also my DD. If i had a garage, i'd probably never put the top on but for a chance of rain that day. Get a nice jacket and wool hat and some gloves and leave the top in the trunk or behind the seats. With a more "sensible" set of tires, you should be able to drive safely in any weather LA can throw at you. I couldn't imagine it as a sole car in say New York, where it rains way more and freezes way more. It's not an ideal car to get in and out of in dumping rain... plus it's not perfectly sealed.

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