Q: Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist Now my concern is that it is going to be my primary vehicle, and I am buying it and going to use it for this winter..(unfortunately) and I don't want to ruin it.
Blah. I don't know. I guess that being the type of driver I am, it really does fit me. I love the fact that its unique.
Well, I will have to install an aftermarket cruise control because I go to college in Albany and come home to NYC area Thursdays. (150 mile trip)
Is it hard to go over speed bumps? I really don't want to own the car going over a speed bump.
In the manual Lotus actually recommends to not drive the vehicle in the snow, it was not designed for it. But that said they recommend some tires and chains that will work in a pinch.
As far as cruise control, I have never heard of it being done and honestly this is not the kind of car for that. It has near telepathic steering and just a little nudge at 75mph will send the car darting left or right, just as you told it to.
The exacting non forgiving steering and handling combined with the fact that nobody can see you means that it is a very heads up car to drive. You pretty much have to have a motorcylists mentality. Cruise control to me usually = drinking a coffee, listening to the radio, steering with your knees and moderately watching the road ahead. All things this car is not meant to do, you have to be alert and ready for road hazzards ( truck tire treads will take you out ) combined with other cars cutting you off and people zipping up on your tail to see what kind of car you are driving.
As far as speed bumps so far even big ones have not been anything slowing down a bit and cutting at an angle hasn't been able to solve. The bigger enemy is high curbs and those cement parking spot header things, they will take out your your front lip in one bash if you come zipping into a spot and hit one
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Bitte, kaufen Sie eine schöne Elise und ein anderes Auto für Winter.
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Wow. This is all the stuff I was curious about.
Fortunately, I am leaving albany after this year, and it's hard for me to justify in my head that I should not get a car I am in love with for the mere fact I will have to suffer with it for a single winter. (it's not as bad downstate)
I am gonna try to get this car. Hope they'll have good deals at this time of year.
Thanks guys.
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Originally Posted by ojars Bitte, kaufen Sie eine schöne Elise und ein anderes Auto für Winter.
Genau
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If it helps, I have an early model '05 and so far no leaks with either top unless I hit it just wrong with a hose while washing..and even then it takes a good bit of pressure. No tranny problems, did like to munch tires until I got a good alignment, now it nibbles them. I have put 15,500 miles on it since I bought it February 28th of this year. I have an autocross/track prepped '93 Miata that I've had for 13 years now. I recently was looking to upgrade it to another car to essentially keep from pouring more miles on my Elise. I looked seriously at the new Miata's (to get another would be my 4th Miata) and passed. Nice car, just anemic after the lotus. Perhaps an S2000 would be the better candidate. Is the Lotus raw? Yes. Is it practical? Well, for me, yes. I have a Jeep Wrangler but I can't tell you the last time I drove it. My wife used the Miata this afternoon as her camry tire was flat, and frankly I'm surrpised the battery was charged enough!
My only fault to date on this car is a mild buzzing at certain speeds that seems like it's coming from the shifter cables though it could be anything. The car is like a drug. It's addictive, it draws you in, and it spoils you. Once you have spent some serious seat time in one, you are pretty much ruined for most other vehicles.
I used to test drive everything in the world I could get my hands on, going so far as to become a car salesmen just so I had access to that many more cars (quit that long before getting my Elise.. I'm not one of "Them"
So that's probably one of the biggest problems. After you go from something so raw and addictive in it's purity where do you go and still consider it a step up? A radica SR3 or SR4? The Ariel Atom? (I'm trying to figure a way to make the latter my graduation present when I finish college..and I'm back in College at 36!). Everything else feels like a Chevy Caprice with two flat tires and 3 suspects in the trunk...
If you seriously get a chance to take the car out and drive it, you will most likely buy it. The car sells itself better than any single one of us could do. A few faults here and there, a bit rough around the edges in some cases, that's true. I got lucky on that score as mine's been flawless. You take it in stride and enjoy it for what it is; and what it is essentially is one of the only cars on the planet that is not an overly weighted watered down appliance on wheels.
It also helps that I live in one of the best area's in the world in which to thoroughly enjoy my cars and motorcycles.
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Originally Posted by DragonRider1 If it helps, I have an early model '05 and so far no leaks with either top unless I hit it just wrong with a hose while washing..and even then it takes a good bit of pressure. No tranny problems, did like to munch tires until I got a good alignment, now it nibbles them. I have put 15,500 miles on it since I bought it February 28th of this year. I have an autocross/track prepped '93 Miata that I've had for 13 years now. I recently was looking to upgrade it to another car to essentially keep from pouring more miles on my Elise. I looked seriously at the new Miata's (to get another would be my 4th Miata) and passed. Nice car, just anemic after the lotus. Perhaps an S2000 would be the better candidate. Is the Lotus raw? Yes. Is it practical? Well, for me, yes. I have a Jeep Wrangler but I can't tell you the last time I drove it. My wife used the Miata this afternoon as her camry tire was flat, and frankly I'm surrpised the battery was charged enough!
My only fault to date on this car is a mild buzzing at certain speeds that seems like it's coming from the shifter cables though it could be anything. The car is like a drug. It's addictive, it draws you in, and it spoils you. Once you have spent some serious seat time in one, you are pretty much ruined for most other vehicles.
I used to test drive everything in the world I could get my hands on, going so far as to become a car salesmen just so I had access to that many more cars (quit that long before getting my Elise.. I'm not one of "Them"
So that's probably one of the biggest problems. After you go from something so raw and addictive in it's purity where do you go and still consider it a step up? A radica SR3 or SR4? The Ariel Atom? (I'm trying to figure a way to make the latter my graduation present when I finish college..and I'm back in College at 36!). Everything else feels like a Chevy Caprice with two flat tires and 3 suspects in the trunk...
If you seriously get a chance to take the car out and drive it, you will most likely buy it. The car sells itself better than any single one of us could do. A few faults here and there, a bit rough around the edges in some cases, that's true. I got lucky on that score as mine's been flawless. You take it in stride and enjoy it for what it is; and what it is essentially is one of the only cars on the planet that is not an overly weighted watered down appliance on wheels.
It also helps that I live in one of the best area's in the world in which to thoroughly enjoy my cars and motorcycles.
Thanks that's probably one of the best replies yet.
I was waiting for someone to reply who I identified with. Someone who drives a lot of miles in their elise who doesn't really drive anything else. And you said you still love it, which can only lead me to believe I'll feel the same way.
Do you drive many long trips with it? Or any?
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Sorry, but I have one more question.
There are many 05s around that are new. Would it be worth it to get an 05, even though the 07s are coming out?
I know the 06 is tweaked a little bit in different places. Is the thrill and the drive the same? I don't want to compromise any of that. I am not getting a lotus to settle. I am getting one to get the best the market can offer for its price.
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If you are buying an 06 I would wait until December for a better deal. Drive it, Love it, get the occasional quirks warrantied, and stay off speed bumps. In an elise those are cause for high centering At least when they bring you back down off the bump your elise will not be totalled.
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Originally Posted by Andrikos What reliability issues?
Seriously.
These are hand built cars which makes them 'special' in their own way.
The important bits (engine, drivetrain, suspension, chassis) are ROCK solid.
If you are a true driver, you'll find it in your heart to forgive the little Lotus rattles, creaks and groans.
YMMV. My 2 cents.
I couldnt agree more. My "problems" have been minor and dealt with by the dealership. No big deal.
For reference sake, my employer has 2 BMW's (330 Ci and E46 M3). Both cars are garbage. Incredibly unreliable and continuously at the dealership. The M3 blew a motor (spun rod bearings) AFTER it had the rod bearing recall!!! Compared to my experience with those BMW's, the Elise is perfect. At least it is hand built and has an excuse.
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Thanks guys. Still looking for insight on the 05 as compared to the 06.
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Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist I know it is for me. That is not the question, but this is going to be my primary car, and I don't want the top to leak or windows to not roll up. It's not like, "omg, the top doesn't keep me warm enough in the winter months!" It's like, "is this going to even function as a car?" I expect minimal practicality but maximum functionality.
I know a guy here in Chicago who drives his 80+ miles per day, 365 days a year and loves it.
05 vs. 06 - only functional difference I would think you'd care about is somewhat more comfortable seats in 06.
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The only desirable feature that the '06s have compared to the '05s (for me) are the Probax seats. Not that the '05 seats are not good but the '06 seats are even better.
The second feature that is 'cool' are the LED brake lights. Merely visual as it has not bearing to driving the car itself (other than earlier braking warning that is)
Also you have drive by wire which may or may not be a plus.
Even though there are some "late" '05s with LSD and TC they're rare. '06s are more numerous with those features.
The '05 pedals are a work of art but are hard to HnT on. The '06 pedals are not as cool but better spaced for HnT.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a few features.
I'm sure others will chime in.
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If you can still find a new, low mileage '05, go for it, but make sure you get a screaming good deal (others can help you what that number would be). I admit to being biased, but I like the "original" '05 with the old cable throttle and extruded pedals among other things. Others may chime in on the contrary, but many of the subsequent upgrades appear to be of little value.
As the self-proclaimed "Bucket of cold water", I would advise against getting an Elise in your situation... but it's your decision. Either way, best of luck.
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Shoot...See, I knew about the drive by wire, led lights and such and pedals even..
But I did not know about the seats. I am a big dude, and I went to HRM to test an elise, and I was EXTREMELY crunched in the legs until I figured out I could move the seat back 2 inches. It made a world of difference.
Are you guys saying the 05s don't have that?
And mr. goose, why would you advise against it? Is it because I will be driving it all the time or you don't think it is for me?
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As far as I know the only difference in the seats is the Probax padding. All else is the same.
EDIT: Sorry, just saw the last question. Only you can know if the Elise is right for you. My recommendation is based on images of snowy winters, salt-covered roads & and the ugly realities of driving in the real world. If you don't mind treating a car like the Elise like the average daily beater, go for it. Remeber though, the Elise can be fragile and doesn't take abuse (ie normal driving situations) very well.
I'm not trying to pick on you or anyone else - I just wouldn't want you to be disappointed with (to me, at least) with a very big purchase.
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Originally Posted by Goose As far as I know the only difference in the seats is the Probax padding. All else is the same.
Oh goodie. I didn't know what probax was. I can put in my own padding, that's not an issue.
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2005 seats have a nifty little lumbar support air thingy as well I don't think the probax have those , but yeah either 05 or 06 drivers seat is adjustable forwards and backwards, I am 6' with long legs and have it set to one click from all the way back as far as it can go. Also of note, the passenger seat is NOT adjustable at all
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Originally Posted by delise 2005 seats have a nifty little lumbar support air thingy as well I don't think the probax have those , but yeah either 05 or 06 drivers seat is adjustable forwards and backwards, I am 6' with long legs and have it set to one click from all the way back as far as it can go. Also of note, the passenger seat is NOT adjustable at all
Haha. Who cares about the passenger! One of my purposes is so I don't have to EVER haul anyone around, and it's so uncomfortable no one would want to be hauled anywhere.
Does the drive by wire make a substantial difference?
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Hi Bavarian,
Mine's an '05 daily driver in sometimes very snowy Denver. You gotta have a beater for the snow days. Growing up back in Connecticut, I know you get some bad weather between Westchester and Albany. My Elise doesn't go out in the snow. Since it does get cold back there, I'd recommend the touring package for that additional bit of insulation...it seems to help out here.
You might alos appreciate the '05 for the thinner seat padding, since that might allow you to get a little further back and not be so scrunched.
As for reading about problems, remember it's far more likely for all of us to write about the problems (and their solutions) than to chime in every day with "Hey, my Elise started up again and no problems!" That's the kind of report that I might have shared on the Fiat forum, since that kind of behavior is more rare with an ancient Spider. I have 9k miles on mine in a year and half and have had 0 problems that prevented daily driving.
Tom
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Nothing different between 05 and 06 that makes the car go faster, stop faster or handle better. Find the best deal you can and go for it. You won't be sorry...