As prices have fallen a bit on the used elise, I've considered one more seriously.... I've owned 2 miata's and consider them to be spacious enough to daily drive... What about an elise as a daily!?!

 

i DD mine ~70% of the time
too much fun not to

 

I was in your same position a couple of years ago. The consensus was that it can be done, even in winter, but as a true every-day, only-car scenario it's nearly impossible.

I bought an Exige S and used it as such. I was very willing, tolerant, flexible (both literally & physically).

Stick with a Miata for DD. Maybe an Evora but the Elise/ Exige platform is a terrible DD.

For those that say no prob, ask their definition of DD. Driving it to and from work 5 days a week 7 mos a year is not DD. Every day, every week, all year....? Been there, done that, got the t-shirt...Sucks.

The Elise/ Exige is a brilliant car at 8-10/10's. Everything beneath that must be endured to be enjoyed.

 

i daily drive my exige. bought a winter beater this year but missed the lotus. i can walk to work but typically drive a few days a week... so maybe not a commuter car in my case, but certainly my daily driver.
it can be done, but there are more comfortable cars out there.

 

I read the title and immediately though of you

(its cmr076 off TST)

 

driven daily. its filthy right now from the rain. borderline embarrassing.. who am i kidding, its embarrassing.

 

Depends on where you live. I know that in NY you don't want to drive an Elise on the LIE daily.

 

I did go test an elise, and I ripped my pants getting into it.... I'm much to large for one, and if I were ever in an accident I feel I might not be able to escape the car in a timely fashion... Not for me unfortunately

 

If I were in you I'd consider the Evora!

 

I've also had one before...great fun car, but I wouldn't use it daily if I needed to haul stuff around or drive in the rain/snow.

Not to mention parking was more limiting since I was always worried about parking it if I had to parallel it on the street...didn't want the chance of someone bumping into me and cracking the clam!

 

Since it's a pain to DD a Lotus (esp for someone as big as me, 5'11 235lbs) I haven't gotten a lotus yet..

 

I guess it all depends on your location and how large you are.

 

I used to daily drive mine untill I turned it into a track car.

 

My only worry would be killing the value with the high miles. I'm driving a totally different type of car, 2011 mustang, and everyone tells me I'm crazy for driving it in the winter but I don't buy into the idea that it's any less capable. My car with a good set of snow tires is about the most fun I can have in January with my clothes on.

 

I had a 2005 Elise and a 2008 Exige S240. I definitely couldn't deal with them as daily drivers. I am 6' 200 lbs. It really is personal opinion though, as people's tolerances for cars can be very different. I found the stiff ride to be too much for me on the seats in those cars.