The official, ONE AND ONLY, Can This Lotus Be Used As A Daily Driver thread - Page 2 - LotusTalk

Ender · 08-05-2008, 11:38 AM

Sure I drive it everyday to work with only these exceptions

1. Raining really hard or snowing
2. Snow on road
3. Costco or Home Depot run
4. Taking my bike with me for after work bike ride

The Elise is convenient enough for grocery shopping or the gym or my tennis bag. Otherwise I just use the larger car.

Randy Chase · 08-05-2008, 07:28 PM

Updated first two posts

mjf · 08-05-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ...m...

...so i trust you're ignoring the bit in the owner's manual where it says 'your child will die if he rides in this car'?..

You mean the part the lawyers put in to meet US federal requirements? I did the research, reached my own conclusions.

LOL. Nice troll.

JoshS · 08-06-2008, 07:28 AM

Can you? Yes.

Should you? Probably not. Though you can tie Christmas trees to the top, put roof racks on and risk cracking your top, take the top off and transport large things uneasily. Hydroplane at lower speeds, and get stopped by a few inches of snow.

Will you? If you're asking; it's not for you. It's like the one friend who goes home sits at the computer for hours, night after night playing some interactive game with other people on line. The one friend who into his 40's is still smokin' dope daily. The one friend that collects matches from every restaurant. It's an addiction, you get in the car and you might be the one in 100 that doesn't ever want to get out, and be dumb enough to paint it in some silly flat color. It has absolutely nothing to do with practicallity, you get addicted, you find a way to make it work. I don't have an addictive personality and get bored easily, but I want to drive this puppy every day. Unfortunately I can't get 8 cases of produce into it. So once or twice a week I have to drive my other vehicle.

Sleazy E · 08-06-2008, 08:35 AM

I use mine as my daily driver

however, i live in Southern California where the weather is pretty much ideal for driving all year long

...m... · 08-06-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjf

You mean the part the lawyers put in to meet US federal requirements? I did the research, reached my own conclusions.

...nothing at all wrong with that, but it's worth quoting to folks considering the elise/exige as a daily driver, since they likely won't read it until after purchase...

Lotus Cars USA Owner's Handbook
Seating and Safety Restraints

WARNING: Lotus strongly recommends that children are not carried in the Elise due to risk of death or serious injury if the child is too close to the dashboard when the airbag inflates.
When a child is of physical size whereby the standard fitment lap and diagonal seat belt will fit satisfactorily, with the belt positioned over the collar bone and against the centre of the chest, the standard seat and seat belt should be used. If the belt touches or crosses the child's neck, the child should NOT be carried in the Elise.
WARNING: Children should not be carried in the Elise unless they are large enough to be able properly to use the standard seat belt without any child seat or booster seat. There is no provision on the Elise to switch off or disable the passenger airbag.

...emphasis per the original text; there are nine additional such dire warnings of imminent death to children in the same section - at least the sunvisor stickers can be removed...

Green Ghost · 08-13-2008, 02:36 PM

I do have another car for the big stuff/go skiing with, but this is the car I drive most. I only drive the other car if I can’t take the lotus, or need to go into the hood or such.

In 2years 3months I put 64,000+ miles on my car with no major problems. Had a few teething things when new like window not going up, but this got all quickly fixed. I love this car; to me it’s the perfect daily driver.

glueShoe · 08-13-2008, 02:48 PM

My 08 CO Elise SC is my daily driver. I absolutely freaking love it! Questions?

roraww · 09-04-2008, 03:47 AM

I've had my Elise for about 6 months and have used it as a daily driver. I love it!

BatmobileS240 · 09-04-2008, 05:59 AM

I never drove mine to work because I feared that it might upstage my boss' 997 Turbo. For many people that are unfamiliar with Lotus Cars, they'd think I'd paid more for the S240 than the Porsche.

GTScott · 09-04-2008, 06:00 AM

I just read through the whole original message and have to say thanks - it was incredibly helpful. The reliability issue is the only one that still sticks with me. Reading the post about the car basically being un-enterable when a fuse went scares me a bit. Still, I think the Elise would be a fair weather car for us and the S2000 would be used in a more daily function for my wife's 6-mile commute.

-GT

ir_fuel · 09-21-2008, 02:52 AM

Hi guys,

I m not planning on buying a lotus, but i am considering another car with similar "practicality", but since there are no owner forums for it i thought i ll check here if you don't mind

For the owners of an Exige, how hard is it to get a parking ticket (or a toll road one) when parked next to the dispenser (e.g. at an underground parking entrance. Dunno how it is in the US but in Europe we have underground parking garages where you drive up to the barrier, some ticket comes out and thats what you use to pay and leave the parking). I wonder if the actual slot where you can grab the ticket would be positioned higher than the roof of the car.

because a picture says more than a thousand words

Also is it possible to get out of your car in a regular (EU, non SUV size) parking space or do you need to get the door fully open in order to get out?

My car would be used for transporting me, myself and I mostly, but I do park alot in that kind of places (I hate leaving my car on the street in a city) so any feedback would be nice.

Thanks guys!

morphic · 09-21-2008, 05:57 AM

My only experience with something like this is a toll road where I need to insert a credit card to lift the gate. Even when I am as close to the machine as possible, I still have to put the car in neutral, unbuckle my seat beat, and stretch out the window in order to reach it

Mind you, I'm 6' tall with relatively long arms, I can only imagine it being more difficult for others

mjf · 09-21-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphic

My only experience with something like this is a toll road where I need to insert a credit card to lift the gate. Even when I am as close to the machine as possible, I still have to put the car in neutral, unbuckle my seat beat, and stretch out the window in order to reach it

Mind you, I'm 6' tall with relatively long arms, I can only imagine it being more difficult for others

Just drive under the gate....

(I kid, I kid...)

muthu12 · 09-29-2008, 11:16 AM

Maybe I just don't know what I'm missing since I've never driven a car without one, but I find it hard to fathom why this would even be worth a complaint. If it was missing a remote trunk release (like the Mazda3 inexplicably does), now THAT would be annoying, since trunks are used almost every day. But how often do people even pop their hoods these days (especially a luxury car buyer), maybe a couple times a year? Are they really going to miss the 5 seconds of their life it takes to prop the hood?

-------------------------------
Muthu

Used Cars

SPuL · 10-26-2008, 10:24 AM

Thanks for this thread man. You don't know HOW much this helped. Much props. Appreciate it

CertifiedCC · 10-26-2008, 10:43 AM

why not an eclat?

PECivil · 11-06-2008, 09:38 PM

very Helpful thread. Mucho thanks for the info. This looks to be a cool forum and I have been lurking for a while.

I am looking at getting out of the Boxster and into an Elise.

Lighter is better.

Please tell me Lotus's are cheaper to operate then Porsches.

It would not be a DD, I have the M3 for that, but I would drive it to workie some, and to be honest the only issue that scares me from the thread is the parking issues and parking structure issues. I have to park in a very cramped and sloped structure under my building.

Busting the clam on my new elise would really be a pisser.

foosh · 11-06-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PECivil

very Helpful thread. Mucho thanks for the info. This looks to be a cool forum and I have been lurking for a while.

I am looking at getting out of the Boxster and into an Elise.

Lighter is better.

Please tell me Lotus's are cheaper to operate then Porsches.

It would not be a DD, I have the M3 for that, but I would drive it to workie some, and to be honest the only issue that scares me from the thread is the parking issues and parking structure issues. I have to park in a very cramped and sloped structure under my building.

Busting the clam on my new elise would really be a pisser.

Yes, I would say so. The Toyota engine helps. It also helps to be able to do certain simple things like oil changes yourself.

PECivil · 11-06-2008, 11:49 PM

thanks foosh

you mean there are people who dont do all fluid changes on their cars themselves?

i do everything I can, and probably things I can't.

Taking a porsche to the $tealer is like posting all your CC numbers online with the pin codes.

I do fluids, brakes, the easy stuff. And Mods of course. Many many mods.

08-05-2008, 11:38 AM	#21 (permalink)
Ender sudo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NY Posts: 124	Sure I drive it everyday to work with only these exceptions 1. Raining really hard or snowing 2. Snow on road 3. Costco or Home Depot run 4. Taking my bike with me for after work bike ride The Elise is convenient enough for grocery shopping or the gym or my tennis bag. Otherwise I just use the larger car. __________________ 2006 Lotus Elise - Solar Yellow 2002 Audi A4 Avant - Dolphin Gray 2008 Ahrens Custom Road Bike - Sprint Blue

08-05-2008, 07:28 PM	#22 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,174 Images: 761	Updated first two posts __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle.

08-06-2008, 07:28 AM	#24 (permalink)
JoshS Come on down Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 1,962	Can you? Yes. Should you? Probably not. Though you can tie Christmas trees to the top, put roof racks on and risk cracking your top, take the top off and transport large things uneasily. Hydroplane at lower speeds, and get stopped by a few inches of snow. Will you? If you're asking; it's not for you. It's like the one friend who goes home sits at the computer for hours, night after night playing some interactive game with other people on line. The one friend who into his 40's is still smokin' dope daily. The one friend that collects matches from every restaurant. It's an addiction, you get in the car and you might be the one in 100 that doesn't ever want to get out, and be dumb enough to paint it in some silly flat color. It has absolutely nothing to do with practicallity, you get addicted, you find a way to make it work. I don't have an addictive personality and get bored easily, but I want to drive this puppy every day. Unfortunately I can't get 8 cases of produce into it. So once or twice a week I have to drive my other vehicle. __________________ '06 Elise Phantom Black, Touring, Starshield, Powder Coated Black Wheels, Bobble head IMUS Last edited by JoshS : 09-04-2008 at 07:18 AM.

08-06-2008, 08:35 AM	#25 (permalink)
Sleazy E thats what she said... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 257	I use mine as my daily driver however, i live in Southern California where the weather is pretty much ideal for driving all year long __________________ eric '06 Chrome Orange Lotus Elise Stage II exhaust \| Hardtop \| Black LSS Wheels \| Toyo R888's \| De-Snorkeled \| Green Filter \| Sector 111 Folding Tow Hook \| Exige Mesh \| Front Clam Seam Delete \| Sector 111 rear panel delete \| Black Pack Diffusor \| Chrome Orange Center Console

09-04-2008, 03:47 AM	#29 (permalink)
roraww Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	my daily driver I've had my Elise for about 6 months and have used it as a daily driver. I love it!

08-13-2008, 02:36 PM	#27 (permalink)
Green Ghost Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: orange county Posts: 1,184 Images: 26	I do have another car for the big stuff/go skiing with, but this is the car I drive most. I only drive the other car if I can’t take the lotus, or need to go into the hood or such. In 2years 3months I put 64,000+ miles on my car with no major problems. Had a few teething things when new like window not going up, but this got all quickly fixed. I love this car; to me it’s the perfect daily driver.

08-13-2008, 02:48 PM	#28 (permalink)
glueShoe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 38	My 08 CO Elise SC is my daily driver. I absolutely freaking love it! Questions?

09-04-2008, 05:59 AM	#30 (permalink)
BatmobileS240 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 553	I never drove mine to work because I feared that it might upstage my boss' 997 Turbo. For many people that are unfamiliar with Lotus Cars, they'd think I'd paid more for the S240 than the Porsche.

09-04-2008, 06:00 AM	#31 (permalink)
GTScott Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 18	I just read through the whole original message and have to say thanks - it was incredibly helpful. The reliability issue is the only one that still sticks with me. Reading the post about the car basically being un-enterable when a fuse went scares me a bit. Still, I think the Elise would be a fair weather car for us and the S2000 would be used in a more daily function for my wife's 6-mile commute. -GT

09-21-2008, 02:52 AM	#32 (permalink)
ir_fuel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1	Hi guys, I m not planning on buying a lotus, but i am considering another car with similar "practicality", but since there are no owner forums for it i thought i ll check here if you don't mind For the owners of an Exige, how hard is it to get a parking ticket (or a toll road one) when parked next to the dispenser (e.g. at an underground parking entrance. Dunno how it is in the US but in Europe we have underground parking garages where you drive up to the barrier, some ticket comes out and thats what you use to pay and leave the parking). I wonder if the actual slot where you can grab the ticket would be positioned higher than the roof of the car. because a picture says more than a thousand words Also is it possible to get out of your car in a regular (EU, non SUV size) parking space or do you need to get the door fully open in order to get out? My car would be used for transporting me, myself and I mostly, but I do park alot in that kind of places (I hate leaving my car on the street in a city) so any feedback would be nice. Thanks guys!

09-21-2008, 05:57 AM	#33 (permalink)
morphic Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 74	My only experience with something like this is a toll road where I need to insert a credit card to lift the gate. Even when I am as close to the machine as possible, I still have to put the car in neutral, unbuckle my seat beat, and stretch out the window in order to reach it Mind you, I'm 6' tall with relatively long arms, I can only imagine it being more difficult for others __________________ Phantom Black '07 Exige S Lotus Map (a google map for lotus owners)

09-29-2008, 11:16 AM	#35 (permalink)
muthu12 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1	RE:The official, ONE AND ONLY, Can This Lotus Be Used As A Daily Driver thread Maybe I just don't know what I'm missing since I've never driven a car without one, but I find it hard to fathom why this would even be worth a complaint. If it was missing a remote trunk release (like the Mazda3 inexplicably does), now THAT would be annoying, since trunks are used almost every day. But how often do people even pop their hoods these days (especially a luxury car buyer), maybe a couple times a year? Are they really going to miss the 5 seconds of their life it takes to prop the hood? ------------------------------- Muthu Used Cars

10-26-2008, 10:24 AM	#36 (permalink)
SPuL Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 24	Thanks for this thread man. You don't know HOW much this helped. Much props. Appreciate it

10-26-2008, 10:43 AM	#37 (permalink)
CertifiedCC BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern VA [The BEST Part of VA.(Sadly)] Posts: 875 Images: 4	why not an eclat?

11-06-2008, 09:38 PM	#38 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 196	very Helpful thread. Mucho thanks for the info. This looks to be a cool forum and I have been lurking for a while. I am looking at getting out of the Boxster and into an Elise. Lighter is better. Please tell me Lotus's are cheaper to operate then Porsches. It would not be a DD, I have the M3 for that, but I would drive it to workie some, and to be honest the only issue that scares me from the thread is the parking issues and parking structure issues. I have to park in a very cramped and sloped structure under my building. Busting the clam on my new elise would really be a pisser. __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)

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11-06-2008, 11:49 PM	#40 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 196	thanks foosh you mean there are people who dont do all fluid changes on their cars themselves? i do everything I can, and probably things I can't. Taking a porsche to the $tealer is like posting all your CC numbers online with the pin codes. I do fluids, brakes, the easy stuff. And Mods of course. Many many mods. __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)