Year/Make/Model: 2006 Lotus Elise
Transmission type: 6 spd
Hwy/City Driving Environment %: 40/60
Current Mileage: 60,000
Miles driven weekly: 100
Average MPG: 22-24 city... 28-30 hwy
How long have you been using this DD: 2 years
Reliability - scale of 1 to 10: when I first purchased it, a 5. But after I had everything put proper, it has been a 10/10 for nearly 2 years.
Repairs during ownership: My first two months of ownership involved having Lotus replace the entire engine, oil cooler system. If you ever saw the big autoblog reports on Elise and Exige recalls due to oil line/oiling problems... that was because of me.
General Comments (if any): I scoff at people who own similar cars who use them only as weekend toys. I have driven this thing through thick and thin and I make it work. It is such a pure transportation machine. No electronic aids, no radio to distract, no real safety. It's a motorcycle that has a bit of protection from the elements.
For me, it's a 10. It goes A to B in the best way possible. No frills, nothing extra. I live 'light' and never carry lots of luggage. If I need a piece of furniture or something, I trade the car for a friend's truck or I get things delivered. I don't want or need another car.
My only downside is that I do not take it into SF city, because I am scared to park it and leave it out of my sight, mainly due to the fear that I'll wind up with a bucket of paint dumped on it during some 'Occupy' style demonstration, or some girl in a kia will back into it while parking and total it. It isn't a car I trust other people around.
