Lotus -- Daily Driver Blog by Patrick Shim

[Monsi]

I'd hate to be the guy driving the windows vista porche...
cause you know its heavier and slower than all the other porches... and you are definatly gonna crash

[PatrickShim]

I am getting ready to track my Lotus in May! I bought some Sparco racing gears today from SafeRacer.com.


Sparco Circuit-ADV helmet w/ HANS clips (white)


Sparco Helmet Bag


Sparco Nomex undershirt (white)


I'm very much looking forward to the upcoming track event.

[SOCRATES]

Just noticed this thread this morning. Nicely done, I enjoyed it. Kudos to you for making your Lotus your DD. If I didn't work from home, I would do the same.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by SOCRATES

Just noticed this thread this morning. Nicely done, I enjoyed it. Kudos to you for making your Lotus your DD. If I didn't work from home, I would do the same.

Thank you!

[PatrickShim]

A bit more shopping at SafeRacer.com for the track track event in May! My original plan was to track without the race suit, but I thought, "heck, while at it, I should go fully equipped..." (should I get HANS device as well...?)

So... I bought the Alpinestars race suit, gloves and shoes. Compared to Sparco and others, I've found Alpinestars' products a bit more stylish and afforable. I went with all blue to match my blue Lotus!

Alpinestars KMX7 race suit (blue)


Alpinestars Tech 1-K gloves (blue)


Alpinestars Tech 1-R shoes (blue)

[PatrickShim]

[Service #7]
Drop-off Apr. 21, 2008 - 14,726 documented miles; Pick-up Apr. 25, 2008 - 14,731 documented miles

The Lotus was at Lotus Beverly Hills for the Check-Engine Light issue and a few other problems. Allen and Stephan were very helpful getting all the issues fixed!

It turned out that I had faulty ECU, bad catalyst/downpipe, faulty A/C relay and bad cam... Allen and Stephan got all the issues resolved right away under warranty. Two thumbs up to Allen, Stephan and Lotus Beverly Hills!!!




To sum up all the repairs and services in about 15,000 miles since new (Oct. '07 - Apr. '08)...

[Warranty Items]
- ECU (check-engine light on more often than I get laid; replaced) - LBH
- catalyst/downpipe (replaced) - LBH
- camshafts (replaced) - LBH
- exhaust (Stage-II crack, replaced) - SMC
- passenger-side rear turn-signal (replaced) - SMC
- A/C relay (replaced) - LBH
- passenger-side window making wind-noise (repaired) - LBH (undocumented)
- passenger-side clear-bra damaged (since new, repaired) - SMC
- soft-top (not supplied by dealer; delivered damaged; repaired) -SMC
- soft-top bars (not supplied by dealer; got only one. waiting for one more) - SMC
- hard-top velcro covers (not supplied by dealer; delivered) - SMC
- passenger-side rear wheel (damaged by dealer; replaced) - NE
- headlight recall (addressed) - SMC
- sticking door-lock recall (addressed) - SMC
- car delivered new with improper allignment (addressed) - SMC

[Non-Warranty Items]
- 3 oil changes (@ around 1,000mi, 7,000mi, 12,000mi) - SMC
- rear tires (replaced) - NE

(*LBH - Lotus Beverly Hills, *SMC - Symbolic Motor Cars, *NE - Newport European)

[gameson]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

A bit more shopping at SafeRacer - Auto Racing Safety Equipment, Auto Racing Gear, Auto Racing Helmets, Auto Racing Suits for the track track event in May! My original plan was to track without the race suit, but I thought, "heck, while at it, I should go fully equipped..." (should I get HANS device as well...?)

So... I bought the Alpinestars race suit, gloves and shoes. Compared to Sparco and others, I've found Alpinestars' products a bit more stylish and afforable. I went with all blue to match my blue Lotus!

Alpinestars KMX7 race suit (blue)


Alpinestars Tech 1-K gloves (blue)


Alpinestars Tech 1-R shoes (blue)

I am happy that you are contributing to the current difficult economy.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by gameson

I am happy that you are contributing to the current difficult economy.

Every bit helps.

[Mattnshilp]

Thanks for the post. Very useful!!!

I am currently killing my Audi RS4 with over 27K a year (i took a 25k a year lease and I'm buying it since I'm going to go way over). I am planning on getting an Elise in the next 12 months and splitting my driving between the two to lighten the mileage on both.

It sounds like other then little things (bad ECU, etc),the dealer finally staightened it all out. To me it sounds like the biggest issue using it as a DD is the tire consumption. I got 25K out of my first set of Pirelli's on my RS4 and I was wailing on it when I first got it. Is the 7.5K consumption rate typical of all tires on this car, or is it a Yokohama issue... Could I compromise slightly on performance and use F1 Goodyears or Michellin to gain more life out of each set?

Any reliability issues yet? Any towing or debillitating stalls?

Thanks for the detail and attention to this blog.

-Matt

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Mattnshilp

Thanks for the post. Very useful!!!
...
Thanks for the detail and attention to this blog.

-Matt

Awesome!

First of all, Audi RS4 is one of my all time favorite cars! Such a well-made car with amazing performance and DD comfort.

I haven't had any major reliability issues... there were some random stalls, etc., but since I got a new ECU and a new A/C relay, all the problems are gone. In terms of the tire wear, the Yokohama Advan 048s won't last long, but if you read various threads in this forum, you'll find some alternatives that last longer.

In terms of the overall ownership, I love it. The car handles beautifuly, surprisingly comfortable and economical (about 30mpg!) Plus there are random entertainment almost daily, as people do weird things when they see the ca -- such as giving me thumbs up, taking pictures, etc. -- so far I have been flashed by a chick once.

I don't think it's not for everyone (like the people who buy Ferraris, just because it's a Ferrari), but for the true automotive enthusiasts (which I think you are, since you have RS4), it is a wonderful car.

[Mattnshilp]

Thanks, I can't wait to get my order in!

My RS4 is at the dealer now getting "Certified-Pre-owned" which is necessary to convert from a lease to a finance and get the extended warranty. I have 3 years to pay it off, but I'm selling some high end watches to cut that time down significantly. The day it's paid, I'm calling my buddies in Hopewell, NJ!!!

Anyone interested in some spectacular watches??? Check out:
TimeZone: TZ Showcase: FS: F.P. Jounre, Chronoswiss, Graham, Maurice Lacroix

Even in the RS4, I find myself occasionally thinking, "I wish I where in an Elise right now!" Today would NOT be one of those days though... Downpours all day. Sigh. Also, I have 3 kids and frequently shuttle them here and there. Can't do that in an Elise (the car seats would get really hot sitting on that engine!!!).

I guess the grass is always greener.



Anyway, congrat's on an awesome daily driver. Keep up the Blog. It's incredibly helpful to those of us who are currently living vicariously through you!!!

-Matt

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Mattnshilp

Thanks, I can't wait to get my order in!
...
Anyway, congrat's on an awesome daily driver. Keep up the Blog. It's incredibly helpful to those of us who are currently living vicariously through you!!!

-Matt

Hi Matt,

Beautiful watches! Hope they find great new care-takers. I love watches, too.

I am into diver-watches, and the reason behind it is very similar to why I love the Lotus. I find real beauty in functional and purposeful design. For the diver-watches, I probably would never dive down to 1,000m+, but knowing that the watch can be "water resistant" do that kind of depth, I find it amazing. The watches that not only look beautiful, but has a purposeful design behind it. Like the new Rolex Sea-Dweller "Deepsea" w/ 12,800ft (3,900m) water-resistance... I really want to get one soon.

Same with the cars. True purpose-oriented designs... cars like the Lotus, Porsche GT3/GT3RS, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, etc., are beautiful because their designs are not only the astheticly beautiful, but purposeful. The handling of Lotus is like no other. There really aren't that many cars that can match the handling capabilites of Lotus...

Hope you get your Lotus soon!

[PatrickShim]

I got the Lotus Sport patches from NoFear99 and put them on my track suit! It's a Alpinestars KMX7 suit in blue that matches my laser-blue Lotus!

Thanks Kevin for the patches! They are great!

[PatrickShim]

I got my decals from SweetDaddyD at ChuforiaGraffix.com today!!! I can't wait to get all the decals on the car soon!

I'll be tracking this coming Friday (5/16) and will post some pictures with the decals on the car later this week. I got two large number decals for each doors, one smaller one for rear, and four small name/number decals (silver w/ clear back). They are all reuseable so it will save me some money.

The quality of the decals are AMAZING... They are just perfect! I emailed over a simple file with a design template, paid via PayPal, and got the decal delievered. It was a easy & painless process and I'm very satisfied.

Thanks, Keith!



I put the name/number decals only for now. I'll put the orange decals on the day before the track event.

[infernoflo]

nice work, my elise is also my DD and I absolutely find this blog very useful.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by infernoflo

nice work, my elise is also my DD and I absolutely find this blog very useful.

Awesome! Thank you.

Have you had any problems with the car as a DD?

[infernoflo]

none yet, the only thing is when i turn out of a parking spot, it occasionally makes a weird click noise, but so far nothing out of the ordinary. I just sat thru an hour and a half DC traffic in *pouring* rain today, and my car took it like a champ so I'm pretty happy with how well it holds up. and no leaks. I'm probably averaging 1,200 miles a month so far, but that will change as i'm starting to utilize public transportion.

keep up the good work.

[PatrickShim]

Tomorrow (May 15, 2008) will be my first track day in the Lotus. The car is ready to go and I'm pretty excited.

Only thing I am worried about is, we began to have a heatwave in Southern California, and it will be about 100 degrees (F) tomorrow. At this condition, I don't think I'll be wearing the track suit...



Wish me luck!!!

[SKYVUE]

Good luck Patrick, and have a blast!
Make sure you bring her home intact!

Our track day (Streets of Willow) is SATURDAY!!!

--Hal

[Rob T]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Tomorrow (May 15, 2008) will be my first track day in the Lotus. The car is ready to go and I'm pretty excited.

Only thing I am worried about is, we began to have a heatwave in Southern California, and it will be about 100 degrees (F) tomorrow. At this condition, I don't think I'll be wearing the track suit...



Wish me luck!!!

What track are you going to in SoCal?