ELISE AIR CONDITIONING - LotusTalk

MR_TEN · 07-22-2008, 02:36 PM

Hi everyone,

I have been in love with the Lotus elise ever since I first saw it in the UK a few years ago and am currently in a position to buy one, I am a little concerned about the air conditioning, I live in Miami and decent A/C is a necesity not a luxury. I have read very little on the subject but havent been able to get a clear picture in order to make a dessicion.

can anyone tell me if the cars A/C is up to the task in the Miami summer?

...BTW this would be my daly driver.

JSteffen · 07-22-2008, 02:38 PM

YOU FUNNY MAN...............

TheViper · 07-22-2008, 02:40 PM

Yes it is, it does need to be modified but I fixed mine and it works great, I am in Boca.

MR_TEN · 07-22-2008, 02:43 PM

Viper:

what was the problem with yours, BTW how expensive is it to maintain the car here in South Fla?

rcw82 · 07-22-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR_TEN

Hi everyone,

I have been in love with the Lotus elise ever since I first saw it in the UK a few years ago and am currently in a position to buy one, I am a little concerned about the air conditioning, I live in Miami and decent A/C is a necesity not a luxury. I have read very little on the subject but havent been able to get a clear picture in order to make a dessicion.

can anyone tell me if the cars A/C is up to the task in the Miami summer?

...BTW this would be my daly driver.

I lived in Houston and A/C really isn't a necessity (at least not to me). The Elise AC is sub par compared to most cars, but just enough to barely do its job. Then again, I prefer slightly warmer temperatures than most people. In the end it comes down to personal preference. If you like it cold inside the car, then you will probably not like the A/C. Since you are in Miami, wouldn't driving around with the top down be ideal?

TheViper · 07-22-2008, 02:50 PM

There is a lot wrong with the A/C and I had to make many mods. If you are unwilling to work on the car, you may have regrets. I am certainly willing to share my experience if you understand that you probably won't be happy with the stock A/C. My Elise has not had any problems during my ownership.
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR_TEN

Viper:

what was the problem with yours, BTW how expensive is it to maintain the car here in South Fla?

MR_TEN · 07-22-2008, 02:57 PM

I am not unwilling to do some work, but I know pretty much nothing about auto mechanics, so I wouldnt want to srew up such a nice car.

RCW: the top down in the summer is not ideal since it's so damm hot and humid, the rest of the year its OK, but the other day that I when to the dealership to get a test drive, the moment that I was in the car without the engine on, I was sweating like crazy.

TheViper · 07-22-2008, 03:00 PM

These are not really mechanical modifications, I will PM you my phone number, call me if you wish.
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR_TEN

I am not unwilling to do some work, but I know pretty much nothing about auto mechanics, so I wouldnt want to srew up such a nice car.

RCW: the top down in the summer is not ideal since it's so damm hot and humid, the rest of the year its OK, but the other day that I when to the dealership to get a test drive, the moment that I was in the car without the engine on, I was sweating like crazy.

Chris Mackey · 07-22-2008, 03:07 PM

There are many threads about it.

RoadDad · 07-22-2008, 03:23 PM

My AC works well on fan setting 2, even the past few days -- 90+F and sticky humid. 1 is too little and at 3, I believe, the compressor can't keep up with the fan speed and the whole thing loses coolness. (I don't know if that even makes sense, but I like it as an explanation).

Bottom line for mine (stock without any modifications) is works well, now that I figured out 2 is more than 3.

ZAMMY1 · 07-22-2008, 03:37 PM

on mine, even when the switch was set to recirculate, too much fresh air came in.
after i covered over the intakes behind the front center grille it was great.
sam

TheViper · 07-22-2008, 03:59 PM

It is interesting that with the Elise individual cars demonstrate different characteristics under similar circumstances.

LotusCrazy · 07-22-2008, 04:02 PM

Deleted, my apologizes for "thread jacking", not familiar with forums (I know this sounds dumb).

yellowlotus · 07-22-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

There is a lot wrong with the A/C and I had to make many mods. If you are unwilling to work on the car, you may have regrets. I am certainly willing to share my experience if you understand that you probably won't be happy with the stock A/C. My Elise has not had any problems during my ownership.
Michael

can you point me towards some threads regarding ac modification?

RoadDad · 07-22-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

It is interesting that with the Elise individual cars demonstrate different characteristics under similar circumstances.

Mine came with factory installed peanuts, too

.

Bane · 07-22-2008, 04:07 PM

Let's just say I garage my car for the summer here in AZ...

I put it on a battery tender, over inflate the tires, put in a full tank of gas, and generally treat it like most people do in snowy areas during the winter time

I think I've put less then 100 miles on the car since summer began here. It's simply unbearable (my car is black) once it's been out in the sun for longer then an hour.

If you're tougher then me and don't mind arriving to meetings drenched in sweat then it's definitely possible to drive it year round

Nikki · 07-22-2008, 04:07 PM

I have a 2007 Elise and live in Houston. Texas where sitting in stop-n-go trafffic in mid-summer where the ground temps exceed 100 degrees. Surprisingly, my A/C has performed rather well without any mods.

RoadDad · 07-22-2008, 04:10 PM

[threadjack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusCrazy

Hey everyone,

I'm currently in the pursuit of purchasing a Lotus Elise SC , after "slobbering" over my friends 07' Elise. (Sorry to steal this thread, but I think it would be pointless to start another one, as I noticed you posed a similar question afterwards).

I just had a question regarding the overall reliability of the car (I know this Elise SC was just released this year, but I'm sure it will follow the same trend as previous years regarding maintenance/issues - if any are present at all). I plan to DD this vehicle and will be putting a lot of highway miles on it, along with a few track days (not very many). The closest dealership to me is ~1500 miles away and that's why I'm so concerned about the reliability of the car, as I am not very mechanically inclined myself. Is there anything I should keep an eye on after the purchase or "common occurrence" issues I should be aware of?

(I know I'll have to get the 1000miles done asap after delivery for the first maintenance interval, but it should be fun!

).

Thanks in advance,

Bill

[/threadjack]

Read the Uberpost from start to finish. Do an advanced search for "Daily Driver." Overall powertrain reliability = Toyota. Overall reliability = Lotus. No matter what goes wrong with the car, ever, always keep in mind that all of the parts falling off are of the highest British quality.

RoadDad · 07-22-2008, 04:15 PM

Uberpost: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/u...rmation-25131/

Daily Driver:
LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community - Search Results

That will be a start in your quest for reliability issues, etc.

TheViper · 07-22-2008, 04:25 PM

1) Tint all glass with “only” 3M Crystalline - Greatly reduced solar heat
2) Insulate side sills & front firewall on inside of the cockpit - Reduces convected heat from coolant, heater & oil pipes
3) Block the air inlets in the nose - Only use cooler re-circulated air
4) Open up the driver’s side foot well recirculation inlet - Increases air intake air volume & results in substantial increase in air flow through vents into cockpit.
5) Replace the evaporator, capillary tube thermostat with an electronic version - prevents evaporator freezing

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowlotus

can you point me towards some threads regarding ac modification?

07-22-2008, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
MR_TEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	ELISE AIR CONDITIONING Hi everyone, I have been in love with the Lotus elise ever since I first saw it in the UK a few years ago and am currently in a position to buy one, I am a little concerned about the air conditioning, I live in Miami and decent A/C is a necesity not a luxury. I have read very little on the subject but havent been able to get a clear picture in order to make a dessicion. can anyone tell me if the cars A/C is up to the task in the Miami summer? ...BTW this would be my daly driver.

07-22-2008, 02:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
JSteffen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Farmington, Minnesota Posts: 416 Images: 9	YOU FUNNY MAN............... __________________ www.linkedin.com/in/johnsteffen My Photo Album www.fuzionathletics.com

07-22-2008, 03:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chris Mackey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,587	There are many threads about it. __________________ 2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs. ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

07-22-2008, 03:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,989	My AC works well on fan setting 2, even the past few days -- 90+F and sticky humid. 1 is too little and at 3, I believe, the compressor can't keep up with the fan speed and the whole thing loses coolness. (I don't know if that even makes sense, but I like it as an explanation). Bottom line for mine (stock without any modifications) is works well, now that I figured out 2 is more than 3. __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

07-22-2008, 04:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
LotusCrazy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 9	Deleted, my apologizes for "thread jacking", not familiar with forums (I know this sounds dumb). Last edited by LotusCrazy : 07-22-2008 at 04:14 PM.

07-22-2008, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,190	Yes it is, it does need to be modified but I fixed mine and it works great, I am in Boca.

07-22-2008, 02:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
MR_TEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	Viper: what was the problem with yours, BTW how expensive is it to maintain the car here in South Fla?

07-22-2008, 02:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
MR_TEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	I am not unwilling to do some work, but I know pretty much nothing about auto mechanics, so I wouldnt want to srew up such a nice car. RCW: the top down in the summer is not ideal since it's so damm hot and humid, the rest of the year its OK, but the other day that I when to the dealership to get a test drive, the moment that I was in the car without the engine on, I was sweating like crazy.

07-22-2008, 03:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
ZAMMY1 ZAMMY Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: washington, pa, (near PGH.) Posts: 1,557	on mine, even when the switch was set to recirculate, too much fresh air came in. after i covered over the intakes behind the front center grille it was great. sam

07-22-2008, 03:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,190	It is interesting that with the Elise individual cars demonstrate different characteristics under similar circumstances.

07-22-2008, 04:07 PM	#16 (permalink)
Bane . Join Date: May 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 2,960 Images: 4	Let's just say I garage my car for the summer here in AZ... I put it on a battery tender, over inflate the tires, put in a full tank of gas, and generally treat it like most people do in snowy areas during the winter time I think I've put less then 100 miles on the car since summer began here. It's simply unbearable (my car is black) once it's been out in the sun for longer then an hour. If you're tougher then me and don't mind arriving to meetings drenched in sweat then it's definitely possible to drive it year round __________________ $599 PPE header (INFO) 2007 BMW 335i - Mostly stock un-Official LotusTalk Stealth Bulb provider *6* sets in stock!

07-22-2008, 04:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
Nikki Nikki Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 249	I have a 2007 Elise and live in Houston. Texas where sitting in stop-n-go trafffic in mid-summer where the ground temps exceed 100 degrees. Surprisingly, my A/C has performed rather well without any mods.

07-22-2008, 04:15 PM	#19 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,989	Uberpost: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/u...rmation-25131/ Daily Driver: LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community - Search Results That will be a start in your quest for reliability issues, etc. __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

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