Who's going to daily over Winter?

[geoffbland]

May I ask what all seasons did you mount? I, together with the dealer, couldn’t find any all seasons model suggested for the Emira

In case this helps - I have Alpin PA4 tyres fitted.
Front: Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 235/35 R20 92V XL
Rear: Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 295/30 R20 101V XL
These aren't all season tyres but full on Winter (3PMSF) tyres. They seem pretty good.

 

[Frimley111R]

I don't tend to drive mine in the winter, not because of the weather specifically but because cold, wet miserable weather is just not conducive to enjoying my driving. However, I was talking to a Ferrari 458 owner last week and that is his only car. He uses it a proper daily, going everywhere from Sainsburys to B&Q!

 

[tankski]

I was talking to a Ferrari 458 owner last week and that is his only car. He uses it a proper daily, going everywhere from Sainsburys to B&Q!

Legend!

 

[Beachbum]

I don't tend to drive mine in the winter, not because of the weather specifically but because cold, wet miserable weather is just not conducive to enjoying my driving. However, I was talking to a Ferrari 458 owner last week and that is his only car. He uses it a proper daily, going everywhere from Sainsburys to B&Q!

Top man.

 

[Skihilly67]

The first morning frosts and risk of snow start next week in the UK.

Typically in the past I've put nice cars away for the Winter. When I inevitably do sell them (I naively believe at the time every new car I buy is a 'keeper') I always regret not having used them more.

So starting this week I'm going to daily the Emira through Winter. There's no reason I can see why not. Comfy interior, heated seats, dimming mirrors, nice infotainment, fantastic LED headlights, essentially all your dark and cold weather creature comforts..). At the end of the day this is not an Elise, it's a Cayman competitor and it's meant for this. Plus I'm still in warranty and some daily mileage will hopefully shake out any issues.

I'll update with any issues I experience.

Out of interest have you applied a wax or ceramic finish?

 

[770K]

Out of interest have you applied a wax or ceramic finish?

This is the 3rd winter mine is being used, although not everyday. Bit of muck doesn't do it any harm and cleans up ok with having a ceramic coat.

 

[MiamiBlue]

Out of interest have you applied a wax or ceramic finish?

I have the Gtechniq Ultra coating on my car.

 

[LotsOfTriumphsUsuallySexy]

Plus I'm still in warranty and some daily mileage will hopefully shake out any issues.

This! 100% this. Mine is a daily, but California "winters" are hardly winters so that doesn't count.

 

[me73]

I'm confused by some of the posts on this thread. Do people believe that keeping the body of the car waxed prevents the metal components from corrosion?

Use your car in the winter, it's your car, but don't fool yourself into thinking that you're not going to get corrosion by having ceramic coating on the fiberglass panels of your car.

Lotus does a particularly inadequate job of protecting their cars from harsh environments.

Evora:

 

[SJones]

I’ll be driving everyday all winter long and on Cup 2s. In Florida.

 

[PS1_Emira]

I'm confused by some of the posts on this thread. Do people believe that keeping the body of the car waxed prevents the metal components from corrosion?

Use your car in the winter, it's your car, but don't fool yourself into thinking that you're not going to get corrosion by having ceramic coating on the fiberglass panels of your car.

Lotus does a particularly inadequate job of protecting their cars from harsh environments.

Evora:
View attachment 76115

Good point you raise. I think the ceramic coating questions are more around general cleaning ease.

Not sure how much better an Emira is protected but for long term protection/resistance, do you have a recommendation on a wax underseal coating to apply?

Heard about these but don't know much about it.

 

[Blackthought_]

I'm confused by some of the posts on this thread. Do people believe that keeping the body of the car waxed prevents the metal components from corrosion?

Use your car in the winter, it's your car, but don't fool yourself into thinking that you're not going to get corrosion by having ceramic coating on the fiberglass panels of your car.

Lotus does a particularly inadequate job of protecting their cars from harsh environments.

Evora:
View attachment 76115

Was this your ride? How was it maintained ?(especially undercarriage)

 

[me73]

Good point you raise. I think the ceramic coating questions are more around general cleaning ease.

Not sure how much better an Emira is protected but for long term protection/resistance, do you have a recommendation on a wax underseal coating to apply?

Heard about these but don't know much about it.

I think a lot of people just think about the shiny side of their cars, especially if they're only going to keep it for a couple years . Which is fine, I have no opinion on what someone chooses to do with their car at all. It's just the ignorance of what's happening that I'm trying to address.

There's not going to be much difference between the Emira and Evora as far as the materials and protection. In fact, I bet they still share many of the same part numbers.

I've been using Cosmoline and Dinitrol on my winter cars. They spray on wet but dry to a waxy but fairly hard surface that adheres to the car's surfaces. I live in a very salty region so any car I use between November and May gets this treatment and a lot of washing throughout the winter. I don't know what the offerings are in the UK.

Undercoating | Ultimate Undercoating

www.ultimateundercoating.com

 

[me73]

Was this your ride? How was it maintained ?(especially undercarriage)

No, I don't drive my sports cars in the winter. But there are plenty of pictures of rusty metal and corroded aluminum surfaces on Evoras and Elises. In Minnesota, we're serious about our winter rustbuckets.

 

[Blackthought_]

No, I don't drive my sports cars in the winter. But there are plenty of pictures of rusty metal and corroded aluminum surfaces on Evoras and Elises. In Minnesota, we're serious about our winter rustbuckets.

Yeah this strikes me as someone who drives it during winter with salt, leaves it for weeks without a wash and then complains about rust. I’ve always driven my cars through winter in nj and no issues. Just need to make sure I wash it more frequently especially the undercarriage

 

[me73]

Yeah this strikes me as someone who drives it during winter with salt, leaves it for weeks without a wash and then complains about rust. I’ve always driven my cars through winter in nj and no issues. Just need to make sure I wash it more frequently especially the undercarriage

Some people don't have the facilities to wash the car regularly. There are also unseen steel brackets all over the car that don't normally get washed. It's unavoidable to some degree.