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Having had my taste buds tickled by the MX5 I was wondering if I could have a day in a Lotus Elise with a view to spending too much money. Alas, they aren’t for hire in cornwall. But you can get a caterham in Bristol for £200 for the day. Alas when I looked a bit deeper it’s not an option if you are over 70. This obviously makes perfect sense to an algorithm but not much sense to me.
In fifty years of riding/driving I’ve had no insurance claims against me.
I’m their perfect customer but apparently I can’t take a sport car hire out for the day.
I doubt there is a huge difference between the mx and the Lotus but the latter has a lovely name.
Chapman was yer Elon Musk without the psychopathology.
Could not agree more. I will soon be going on a cruise, where any offshore excursion invoving ‘driving’, has a maximum age of 65 years. Last time I drove an ATV where no age restriction applied, I quite literally blew much younger folk away! Age is often just a number…
I currently have an Elise and have owned an NA MX.
Getting in and out of the Elise with the roof on is comical, not so bad with the roof off but its still an issue.
A lot less practical than the MX and not much more fun either on the public roads to be fair but a very capable track car thats road legal.
I have driven a friends westfield too, easier to get in and out of but the wind buffeting in the cabin is terrible. Almost need to wear a helmet in them, side screens do help but spoil the experience.
I’m probably looking to get another MX, they just do everything well and are easy to live with.
This saddens me [aged 67 yrs in April] with dreams of driving for a short period [just an hour would suit me] more exotic models [just a track with a few bends…slowly]
As Mike-MX5-Racer says ‘Age is often just a number’
But it’s probably due to ‘Reaction Time’ to ‘sudden potential Hazards’ on the open road in an unfamiliar vehicle
It’s interesting what Belle427 says about getting in and out of her Elise…
With my stiff hips/knees and 1980 whiplash injury… I’ve got a way of getting in and out of Bullit [2005 NB] which involves the roof/top of the door window [open/closed] and most importantly the slippery leather seats…I’ve got it down pat
But when Bullit is having works done and I have to climb UP into a taxi or transit van …that’s when it becomes ‘comical’ for me
Perhaps go back to the company and see if you can just drive it locally/with a co-pilot for a short period of time …other option available
They seem to be judging a ‘book by it’s cover’ and ultimately it’s about the ‘bottom line’…compromise available ??
When I was still in my 50’s I had a go at getting in and out of an Elise with the roof on, totally embarrasing, unless one is blessed with a spindly flexible frame I’d say a complete waste of time. Madge, '02 Sport with her larger wood effect steering wheel, up in size from the regular Sport steering wheel is only just manageable. As for being too old, unless one regularly drives similar vehicles all the time, and I am sure plenty do, hirers / insurers are ptobably worried about reaction times.
Mx5 offers better value for money than an Elise. I have owned 2 variants of the Elise and truly loved the experience. But for everyday use the mx5 wins hands down. When looking for a second car last March I realised that any Elise worth having would cost north of 20k a mx5 nd in excellent condition and low mileage 12k.bought the Mazda and never had a moment of regret.but lotus ownership does get into the blood.
Currently looking at a few upgrades to raise the mx5 driving experience,happy days!!
I found this last night, Although it isn’t the Elise it’s very much in the same ballpark. It has put the itch that was bothering me to bed. I’ve the dosh for an Elise but very reluctant to spend it on a15k+ punt frankly.
The guy is a driving instructor and they have to be sensible so I consider his opinion valuable….
It’s a long ‘read ‘but is worth the effort I’m thinking. Especially as he also owns a late ND!!
You can pick up a VX for sensible money too but most dont want the badge.
You can also peel the roof back like a sardine can to make getting in and out easier as it can be clipped in from the drivers seat with a bit of practice.
The sills are terrible though as he says, mine has a crack in it.
Its all about the driving experience though, once you get on the move the faults are quickly forgotton.
Yer , it’s like having a great car called a Travant. It’s silly given the underlying goodness but your right. If I wasn’t so ancient I would have a punt
Having learned how to get out of the driver’s side of my NC with lid up, using stronger right hand on the sill for support, exiting the passenger seat I’m almost like that because of my weaker left arm.
Fortunately SWMBO is 150mm shorter and has no problem!
No problems for me getting in or out either side with lid hid.
in 2002 when originally looking to get a soft top sports car an Elise was on the sort list. One day I pulled up behind one with its roof on, at a petrol station, I saw the driver trying to get back in to it, bum first, and that was when I took it off the list. 23 year later I can still get in and out of an MX-5 OK, I suspect an Elise could now be getting a bit beyond me…
I’m still pretty nimble but if I park alongside a high kerb it’s a bit tricky getting out; yer ■■■■ is at the same level as the pavement basically.
Unlike the Lotus apparently, the roof, up or down on the MX doesn’t make much difference to me… Someone upthread said there maybe no need to drive a Lotus as the difference isn’t huge. I’m going with that as the peeps that drive these beasts for us do have a strong reason to keep us reading.
But they do look the D@gs Bollocks don’t they….
WOT…‘parking alongside a high kerb …it’s a bit tricky getting out’ …[yep especially when the door can’t open ]
In similar vein on exiting Tesco…I drive in the middle of the Exit & Petrol lanes because the NB is so low …no normal vehicle can see her coming and can suddenly pull out in front
Too Old…I don’t think so…Look how we all adapt to the challenges our MX-5s throw up
Don’t be bamboozled if you dream of driving a Lotus Elise
Just may need to compromise, negotiate the experience
Yes. the MX5 is the ‘practical Elise’, and the reliable and cheap to buy and run Elise as well. They say LOTUS stands for Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious!
Musk is no Chapman not only because of the former’s psychopathology. Chapman was an inspired engineer. Musk is money man.
£1400 is high end. More like £600-700 on a car you’ve just shelled out £60k+
To be fair, a service for my 30 year old MX5 as a non-franchise garage always seems to be not much change out of £400. And £400 is just the entry price for the 20 year old Jag.
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