Lotus got an exemption on some things because they're such a small volume importer. However, I remember hearing that their free pass is about to run out, so they're going to have to add a bunch of crap into their cars soon.

A friend of mine is a big Lotus (Lotii?) collector. He let me take his Elise and Exige S for a drive a couple of times. It's about the closest thing to a street legal go-kart I've ever driven.

With that said, I think I've also driven motorcycles that were more practical. With my size 14 feet, I couldn't wear my normal shoes to drive 'em (the pedals and foot-well are too small); and at 6'3" I couldn't find a way to get in or out of the car that didn't make me look like a total dufus.

They've got a new one out called the Evora that's supposed to be a bit more practical, but at $65,000+ it's not exactly at the top of my purchase list.

What Paul said.

And Paul, I'm shorter than you and there is still no graceful way to get in and out of the car. The only person that I have seen that can is my friend that introduced me into the world of Lotus. She is a little taller than I am, she's 5'8". She can wear a short dress with heels and still remain a lady while she gets in and out of the car.

Here's my story that explains why I have spare car keys SEWN INTO MY LUGGAGE.

I was in the Rochester NY area on a business trip. After the meeting, I was getting ready to go through security, and I always zip my key ring & phone into my roll-on bag's outside pouch right as I go through security. Of course, no keys in my pocket. Oh boy...my flight is in 1 Hour and 30 minutes.. It's the second-to-last flight home of the day...the last flight is full. So it's the last flight for me.

I call the client - are my keys at their office? Nope.
I call the hotel - did I leave the keys in the hotel? YES!

But the hotel is a 45 minute 1 way drive back. My flight is in one hour 30 minutes...unless I can get a cab to drive really really fast...ugh..not going to happen.

The woman on the phone says, "Well, Joe here can come to the airport with your keys. Joe's a groundskeeper, but he'd be happy to come by. Where should he meet you?"

Joe showed up, I got home, but after that - spare keys are permanently enclosed in my EDC bag, my travel backpack and my roll-on.

This key-locked-in-car situation came up at our driver's meeting recently. One of the drivers left his key on the armrest, got out with his crew and automatically punched the door lock. At 3:00 a.m.

It ended up with our regional manager getting out of bed, calling a locksmith, and meeting him with payment.

I reached into my pocket for my small wallet that contains my DOT certif, my DL, debit card, credit card, small phone book and my extra set of keys (work van, personal car, house) and waved it around.

"Why not just spend a couple bucks for a duplicate door key?"

Some of the other drivers said it 'wasn't worth it', that they'd rather just break the window (it's not their vehicle). And sit in broken glass dust. Yeah. Smart.

Sue

if you have a high ground clearance vehicle, a brass bolt and stainless wing nut can usually find a place in an existing hole to secure a spare key... only your oil change guy will know..

You have your own personal oil change guy?:)
Chances are your oil change guy won't even see it, they rarely manage to find all the grease fittings.

I used to tape mine over top of the tape over a rust hole, reach under and punch through the tape and you get your keys

In your wallet of prob. simplest.

this thread has been limping along so long now, I'm not even sure if I've posted on it.

I advocate a magnetic key case attached to the vehicle somewhere (duct taped shut), in previous vehicles I've used bail wire to tie one to a spot underneath.

My car has a chip in it, but I was able to get a plastic key made by AAA that opens the door. The key was free, but in retrospect I would have paid $100 because the key has gotten me out of at least one bonehead maneuver.

I have a spare house key hidden on my property. It would be easier to force your way into my house, than to find the key.

Be careful where you place the magnetic key cases. Anywhere near a wheel well and the first puddle you hit it will be gone.