Comfortable again - LotusTalk

TheViper · 06-11-2009, 06:24 AM

Just put the hardtop on as the temps are going into the 90's with high humidity. I love open air driving, but now the interior feels so much more comfortable. The other bonus is, in my opinion, the Elise looks so much better with the hardtop on. It's interesting that the hardtop installation schedule is the reverse of more northern states.
Cheers
Michael

Capo · 06-11-2009, 06:29 AM

I'm with you on the hardtop, even here in NJ. Looks great, better highway comfort, and I always use it for track days ( even though there is no structural advantage.) If there was on- board HT storage and quick release, I'd never use the sh!tty soft top.

My Miata is a far beter top- down car, for obvious reasons, so that's what I default to for a day at the beach.

RoadDad · 06-11-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

It's interesting that the hardtop installation schedule is the reverse of more northern states.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Mine's now hanging on the garage wall in the storage bag.

mhouston23 · 06-11-2009, 07:02 AM

Speaking of HT storage, is it okay to store it standing on it's side? Or should it lay flat?

The owner's manual doesn't specify.

TheViper · 06-11-2009, 07:37 AM

I have always stored mine vertically, on its front edge, wrapped in towels, in the bag, resting on two small Styrofoam blocks.
Michael

RoadDad · 06-11-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhouston23

Speaking of HT storage, is it okay to store it standing on it's side? Or should it lay flat?

The owner's manual doesn't specify.

hardtop storage???
hardtop storage
I use one of these: Hardtop Storage System

Be careful with the seals.

tcnohead · 06-11-2009, 07:54 AM

I think the snowbirds should be required to stay here during the summer for a week. None of this leaving just after and before it gets hot. Suffer as we do

Being a sunbird doesnt sound so bad though...

RoadDad · 06-11-2009, 07:59 AM

but being a sunburn does

.

biscoradio · 06-11-2009, 08:32 AM

I put my hardtop on the elise for a track day last week, think I'll be keeping it on for awhile. The car looks better and is more comfortable to drive. Now I just need to get a new soft top for my miata and I can enjoy top down driving in that again. It still has the hardtop on from the winter because the soft top rear window is a mess.

...m... · 06-11-2009, 08:34 AM

...i'm debating putting mine on for the summer - nineties to hundreds down here, too - but it feels so nice to drive open-topped in the evenings...

biscoradio · 06-11-2009, 08:38 AM

yeah, I need to run by a hardware store and get a better torx tool to make putting it on and taking it off quicker.

TheViper · 06-11-2009, 08:42 AM

When I installed my hardtop this morning, the hardest and frustrating part was getting the rear bolts to thread

.
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by biscoradio

yeah, I need to run by a hardware store and get a better torx tool to make putting it on and taking it off quicker.

6_speed · 06-11-2009, 09:19 AM

My ritual (you can set your clock to it):

Spring forward: top off
Fall back: top back on

And I agree, Elise with soft top looks like a disaster

chazzer · 06-11-2009, 09:30 AM

I agree with Michael, those rear two bolts are Buggers to get to catch into the threads. and the soft top is a waist of time. I just take a small plastic tarp with me to the car shows instead of the soft top in case it rains. You still have to wait for the rain to subside tho or else drive like HELL.... Yousers go fastly Oh Boy.... My soft top is still in the bag and never been used..

TheViper · 06-11-2009, 10:07 AM

I guess it depends on your perspective, but I find the soft top (targa top) great. I am comparing it to the '94 Viper I used to own, which had to be assembled from various struts and other pieces. It took about 10mins to assemble, had foam as weatherstripping, which absorbed water

and literally leaked like a sieve. The Elise softtop is an amazing piece of technology compared, goes on in seconds and rarely leaks. Remember, this car is a "targa" not a true convertible. I think it difficult to get those rear bolts threaded because the seat belt anchor is just below, making it difficult to get a screwdriver aligned straight.
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazzer

I agree with Michael, those rear two bolts are Buggers to get to catch into the threads. and the soft top is a waist of time. I just take a small plastic tarp with me to the car shows instead of the soft top in case it rains. You still have to wait for the rain to subside tho or else drive like HELL.... Yousers go fastly Oh Boy.... My soft top is still in the bag and never been used..

biffster10 · 06-11-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

Just put the hardtop on as the temps are going into the 90's with high humidity. I love open air driving, but now the interior feels so much more comfortable. The other bonus is, in my opinion, the Elise looks so much better with the hardtop on. It's interesting that the hardtop installation schedule is the reverse of more northern states.
Cheers
Michael

That's funny... I'm waiting for it to be warm enough to take the top off!

dfa2100 · 06-11-2009, 05:37 PM

I find that in Texas, the pleasant times of year when I would like the top off are about two weeks in the spring, and two weeks in the fall. It's either too hot or cold the rest of the time. So this year I left the hard top on the entire time.

shay2nak · 06-11-2009, 10:41 PM

I had a problem with the rear passenger bolt as well.

BatmobileS240 · 06-11-2009, 11:30 PM

I guess only Elises come with hardtop storage bags? I've never taken my Exige hardtop off. How long does it usually take you guys to do it?

IamBatman · 06-11-2009, 11:32 PM

the hardtop was the first thing I removed and I haven't put it back since. God bless Northern CA.

06-11-2009, 06:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,199	Comfortable again Just put the hardtop on as the temps are going into the 90's with high humidity. I love open air driving, but now the interior feels so much more comfortable. The other bonus is, in my opinion, the Elise looks so much better with the hardtop on. It's interesting that the hardtop installation schedule is the reverse of more northern states. Cheers Michael __________________ Cobra OEM - Alarm, Immobilizer, CDL Emergency Override with warranty Additional Emergency Touch Keys - see link above Brand New Cobra Alarm Remote with warranty Cobra Remote Key Fob Strap Cobra Window Closing Module - Add to your existing Cobra alarm 3 Piece Front Clam Protection Kit with Center Bumper Undertray Removal Tool INFORMATION Improved AC & Heating System Battery Choices & Information Remote Key Fob, Alarm & Immobilizer Programming Light Bulb Conversions 2005

06-11-2009, 06:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Capo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sea Girt, NJ Posts: 52	I'm with you on the hardtop, even here in NJ. Looks great, better highway comfort, and I always use it for track days ( even though there is no structural advantage.) If there was on- board HT storage and quick release, I'd never use the sh!tty soft top. My Miata is a far beter top- down car, for obvious reasons, so that's what I default to for a day at the beach. __________________ "No, Donny, these men are nihilists. There's nothing to be afraid of." 2006 Elise- Chili Red 2006 Infiniti M35 Sport/ 1999 Miata A couple of Hinckley Bonnevilles/ '89 Honda GB 500

06-11-2009, 07:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
mhouston23 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 166 Images: 3	Speaking of HT storage, is it okay to store it standing on it's side? Or should it lay flat? The owner's manual doesn't specify. __________________ 2008 Persian Blue Elise SC - HT, Sport, Touring 2008 Honda Fit Sport (Daily Driver) 2003 Honda S2000 (Sold) 1999 Honda Prelude SH (Traded)

06-11-2009, 07:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,199	I have always stored mine vertically, on its front edge, wrapped in towels, in the bag, resting on two small Styrofoam blocks. Michael __________________ Cobra OEM - Alarm, Immobilizer, CDL Emergency Override with warranty Additional Emergency Touch Keys - see link above Brand New Cobra Alarm Remote with warranty Cobra Remote Key Fob Strap Cobra Window Closing Module - Add to your existing Cobra alarm 3 Piece Front Clam Protection Kit with Center Bumper Undertray Removal Tool INFORMATION Improved AC & Heating System Battery Choices & Information Remote Key Fob, Alarm & Immobilizer Programming Light Bulb Conversions 2005

06-11-2009, 07:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,019	but being a sunburn does . __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

06-11-2009, 07:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
tcnohead Who needs nicotine? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 956	I think the snowbirds should be required to stay here during the summer for a week. None of this leaving just after and before it gets hot. Suffer as we do Being a sunbird doesnt sound so bad though...

06-11-2009, 08:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
biscoradio GG #668 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 301 Images: 2	I put my hardtop on the elise for a track day last week, think I'll be keeping it on for awhile. The car looks better and is more comfortable to drive. Now I just need to get a new soft top for my miata and I can enjoy top down driving in that again. It still has the hardtop on from the winter because the soft top rear window is a mess.

06-11-2009, 08:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
...m... Denuo Volatilis Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,715	...i'm debating putting mine on for the summer - nineties to hundreds down here, too - but it feels so nice to drive open-topped in the evenings... __________________ 2005 Federal Elise \| Touring \| Storm Titanium ...73,000 miles and aging beautifully... 2000 New Beetle \| Turbo \| Reflex Silver ...107,000 miles of steadfast service...

06-11-2009, 08:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
biscoradio GG #668 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 301 Images: 2	yeah, I need to run by a hardware store and get a better torx tool to make putting it on and taking it off quicker. __________________ GG#668, 2ubular 7", manly inserts, LETSLA, LSS wheels, braille

06-11-2009, 09:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
6_speed Highway Star Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 633	My ritual (you can set your clock to it): Spring forward: top off Fall back: top back on And I agree, Elise with soft top looks like a disaster

06-11-2009, 09:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
chazzer Home Grown Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Provo, Utah Posts: 88	Wowsers.. I agree with Michael, those rear two bolts are Buggers to get to catch into the threads. and the soft top is a waist of time. I just take a small plastic tarp with me to the car shows instead of the soft top in case it rains. You still have to wait for the rain to subside tho or else drive like HELL.... Yousers go fastly Oh Boy.... My soft top is still in the bag and never been used.. __________________ 2005 Elise Saffron Yellow- Janspeed Stage II exhaust, Soft top, Hard top, Painted center console, Painted valve covers, Starshield, Extra seat padding mod, shifter reinforcement mod, locking gas cap mod. 2001 Porsche Boxster (sold) 2008 Nissan Xterra 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse

06-11-2009, 05:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
dfa2100 Mors ab alto Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,040	I find that in Texas, the pleasant times of year when I would like the top off are about two weeks in the spring, and two weeks in the fall. It's either too hot or cold the rest of the time. So this year I left the hard top on the entire time. __________________ Nightfall Blue, Biscuit Interior, Hardtop Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings...

06-11-2009, 10:41 PM	#18 (permalink)
shay2nak I <3 chicken, I <3 liver Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 15,042	I had a problem with the rear passenger bolt as well. __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEOS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

06-11-2009, 11:30 PM	#19 (permalink)
BatmobileS240 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 553	I guess only Elises come with hardtop storage bags? I've never taken my Exige hardtop off. How long does it usually take you guys to do it?

06-11-2009, 11:32 PM	#20 (permalink)
IamBatman Exige? SEXIGE! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,607 Images: 1	the hardtop was the first thing I removed and I haven't put it back since. God bless Northern CA. __________________ Phantom Black 2007 Exige S221.56436. All options. Black 01' Mustang Cobra 'Vert ("some" modifications) daily driver Facebook group: Add lightness...and Darkness!

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