Won't Go Out In The Wet

[VXJON]

Why am I like this?
Been busting a bollock to take the Elise out but with all the rain etc I just cant bring myself to do it
Its like some sort of disorder, Been sitting under the cover for over 2 weeks now which cant be doing it any good but because Its a second car and my first car is decent (TT) although some may beg to differ I dont need to use it if weather is bad.

Are they more people like me or am I a unique freak?

Sorry, but your joking right?



You wont take a elise out in case it gets wet?





Fair enough if you don't want to take it out because you don't like driving in heavy rain but because the car will get dirty




My car now has a puddle of water in the footwells and its very very dirty but driving it home from KH today was good fun ( miserable on the way mind you )

[Edin430]

I don't have the luxury of not taking the Elise out in the wet/snow seeing as it's my only car.
Just got to be a bit gentle on the throttle/brakes.
Although it can also be great fun, particularly in the snow

My only car as well - but I'd rather brave the bus or go by foot than risk banging it in the snow...

And before I get flamed I've had 3 skids in old cars on the snow - taking it VERY slowly. Just rather not risk it..

p.s - I should point out this is only if the snow is lying.... Sleet etc I couldn't care less

[sam]

I'm sorry to say guys i'm not joking
I think if it was my only car then no problem, but as I drive a TT everyday then whats the point in taking the Elise out to get it all sh*t.
I'm not ready to sell it either as I do love it and can afford to keep the 2 cars etc.

I do agree with everyone that says just to get out in it whatever the weather because right now with the rain almost constant the car isnt moving, which is a real sin....

[Matelotman]

I'm sorry to say guys i'm not joking
I think if it was my only car then no problem, but as I drive a TT everyday then whats the point in taking the Elise out to get it all sh*t.

You won't take it out in the rain incase it gets dirty...... what about when it's sunny? the car will get covered in flies and dust and will still need cleaning so there's no difference.

[Lazydonkey]

If you only drive the car in the dry then when you do go out in the dry and it pishes it down (ie summer) then you're going to be all over the place.

VX was my only car for 2.5 years and i drove it in all weathers - even snow. It's a car, it has a roof - its fine !

[VXJON]

I'm sorry to say guys i'm not joking
I think if it was my only car then no problem, but as I drive a TT everyday then whats the point in taking the Elise out to get it all sh*t.

You won't take it out in the rain incase it gets dirty...... what about when it's sunny? the car will get covered in flies and dust and will still need cleaning so there's no difference.

From the seloc wiki


someone who cares for their vehicle so as to ensure its value is retained and they dont drive a shed




http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Acronyms


Edit - G J O B

[sam]

Well thats just the way I am, everyone is different, As I have only taken the car out roughly 4 times since the middle of may (2 weeks of which I was in Egypt) and I put a cover over it when not in use it looks just like it has been washed, so disagree with the flies etc comment, I dont have any.

On a slightly better note, due to the sunny morning we have had here in Northern Ireland I took the Lotus out! A round of applause for me please

[meatball]

Its Sams car....he can do as he wants!
Enjoy!

[Bada Bing!]

I love driving the Elise in the rain, it still grips better than any car I've driven. My S2000 was shocking in the wet, as the diff would kick the back out all the time if one wheel hit standing water. It was good apart from that on b-roads etc, but on a motorway I was always keeping to about 60mph which was still enough to get the back kicking quite violently if I hid a deep puddle. The Elise just takes it and usually just tracks straight on.

What I don't like though, is when I haven't driven in the wet for a few weeks and I'm not sure of what the tyres are up to. Best thing for it is to get out in the wet as often as possible so you don't lose that mental image of how the car behaves in it. The old practise makes perfect routine.

[Modena Scotland]

Look, if you owned a brand new Zonda or something similar, would you take it out in the rain??? If it rains during the drive, fair enough but I wouldn't drive it knowing it is or will be raining. To some people an Elise/Exige is just as precious as a Zonda.....

[j2 lot]

Look, if you owned a brand new Zonda or something similar, would you take it out in the rain??? If it rains during the drive, fair enough but I wouldn't drive it knowing it is or will be raining. To some people an Elise/Exige is just as precious as a Zonda.....

Well said Mass.

My Loti have been daily drivers for many years, so rain snow or shine they were used, however last year I got a Corsa for the winter and as I had an alternative it made sense to use it. Sam also has that option so keeps the 'good car' for special occassions - nothing wrong in that.

Sam,It's yours to use as you see fit - but it can be enjoyed when the weather isn't so good, just needs a bit of caution.

[Matelotman]

I'm not disagreeing about driving in the wet (just look at Hamish's post about his strong wee car) - I just don't get the "not driving it because it'll get dirty" part.

[Bada Bing!]

Look, if you owned a brand new Zonda or something similar, would you take it out in the rain??? If it rains during the drive, fair enough but I wouldn't drive it knowing it is or will be raining. To some people an Elise/Exige is just as precious as a Zonda.....

Giving a Zonda the beans in the rain might be a bit messy with something like 600 horsepower to help you get it all wrong, but to not drive a car with around 200bhp because it's wet outside is ridiculous. As is not wanting to drive it in case it gets dirty.

The Elise handles better in the wet than any FWD hatch or sports car I've ever driven. If you are scared of driving an Elise/Exige in the wet then the best thing for you is some driver training to find just where the limits of the car are. I have no advice if your only reason not to is in case it gets dirty, perhaps other than to get a life!

I certainly can't afford to buy a new clam every 5 minutes, but the Elise is my only car so I drive accordingly. It was raining quite heavily during the Jackie Stewart meet last year and no one died or crashed their car. The Elise is perfectly capable, but people develop their own little phobias, which when I feel one coming on I challenge it.

[sam]

As the last few posts said it is my second car which I like to keep precious, dont want it getting dirty if it doesnt have to.
My first car is a V6 Audi TT which is still a damn good car, so its not like i'm driving around in a shed daily, (although some may beg to differ )
I have no problem driving in poor conditions I just dont see the sense in taking the Elise out, I plan on keeping this for a long time, long after I have sold the TT etc.
I hope this thread makes sense and people understand my freakish behaviour

[Modena Scotland]

If you are scared of driving an Elise/Exige in the wet .......

I think you might have missed the point. I don't think Sam has mentioned he is scared of driving in the wet, rather he doesn't want the car to get wet.

While I agree driving the car in dry will still dirty the car, its not to the same extent as in the wet condition as the underneath and suspensions etc will get much dirtier and could cause rust/corrosion in the long run (especially if salty). For this reason I keep my 360 in an air-conditioned chamber with flowing air. If one wishes to preserve the car in the best possible condition for a long time, then its best to avoid rain/snow. If you buy the car to track or to use daily, you drive in any condition.