Brother gave me a lift in his Lotus

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
17 years of ownership.....

View attachment 57036

Is that a Type 25......I had one from new but it was the original one not the later 111s version. In with the purchase was a trip to the factory, and visit to Lotus Racing to meet Clive Chapman, a Lotus F1 poster, Type 25 model car and a History of Lotus book signed by Colin and Johnny Herbert......Loved that little car.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Do you have really short legs ? :p

Not at all, 34"
With the seat right back, and tucking my left leg underneath the clutch pedal, my legs where perfectly straight.
If it wasn't for being a 2 seater at the time and two young kids, would still have it.
However with the strong secondhand market for them at the time, and the weak market for the Maser at the same time, did allow me to swap into the Maser at minimum expense:)
 

Corranga

Member
Messages
1,219
I think that lotus looks great. What I cant understand is why its classed as 'race / track ready' for road use - and certainly not cheap (the 430GT ones are 100+ new), and yet the 'soft' ferrari which every slags off is quicker. I know the list price of a cali T is more - but used ones can be had at 100-105 now.
What do you think? Am i being pernickety. I just think a stripped out light british racing car should be able to go faster to 60 than a fat bummed italian cruiser.

I don't think you're being pernickety, just missing the point. The Lotus isn't about being fast, it's about being fun. I'm sure the fat Italian cruiser is faster in a straight line, and off the lights, but if you're doing that in a Lotus you're doing it wrong.

My old Elise has barely 150hp and runs out of puff probably somewhere around 125mph, but find a twisty road and it's like driving perfection. The 4200 is clearly faster but it's not more fun.

Is the Lotus worth £100k? That's a different matter.
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
I have an Exige S, brilliant car. The acceleration is superb, but it's all about handling and feel with Lotus (on my second Exige). I love the fact that there's no PAS, just gives so much feel and confidence. The traction control in race mode is on another planet...it learns the grip level for any road surface/tyre, Chris Harris described it as "the hand of God".
Getting in and out is fine if you're not too tall (I'm 5'10"), but watching someone who's not used to it is usually entertaining.
When the new V6 Exige came out in 2012 it was joint Evo car of the year alongside the Pagani Huayra.
Lotus owners are overwhelmingly driving enthusiasts which I really like.
I'll be driving my Exige at Supercarfest in July (Shelsley Walsh).
IMG_20190422_130602.jpg
 

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
I don't think you're being pernickety, just missing the point. The Lotus isn't about being fast, it's about being fun. I'm sure the fat Italian cruiser is faster in a straight line, and off the lights, but if you're doing that in a Lotus you're doing it wrong.

My old Elise has barely 150hp and runs out of puff probably somewhere around 125mph, but find a twisty road and it's like driving perfection. The 4200 is clearly faster but it's not more fun.

Is the Lotus worth £100k? That's a different matter.
That makes a lot of sense. Both components. I bet the lotus is fun to drive and I used to Iove the Elise and exige when they first came out. I think they look great and I bet are fun to drive. I don’t think that evora is worth anywhere near 100k. And If it cost what I think it was worth I would buy one as I think they look awesome!
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
Used Evora's, especially the early ones are bargains at just under £30k. Not high miles either. Lotus owners tend to be good at caring for their cars too.
 

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
Used Evora's, especially the early ones are bargains at just under £30k. Not high miles either. Lotus owners tend to be good at caring for their cars too.
They are nice looking. I just prefer the look of the later ones with 400+ hp and all the bits and bobs. The early ones look a bit tame in comparison
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
They are nice looking. I just prefer the look of the later ones with 400+ hp and all the bits and bobs. The early ones look a bit tame in comparison
But, it costs for the extra fizz!
I don't blame Lotus for their charging at all.
 
Messages
308
I love my Loti!!!!

The Evora 400 is awesome!! Kids are too big for the rear seats now though. I wish it was slightly shorter geared.

We also have a S1 in Chrome Orange from new and you can’t beat that raw feel from the base 118bhp car.

Also in the stable is a ‘72 Elan +2S and an Elite.

Just sold a JPS S2 Esprit as was offered way to much money not to.

All these cars are amazing in their own right....

Elan is my fave though. Nostalgic and sublime.

Stu
 

happydaze

Member
Messages
561
Drove my son's 2000 model Exige, fitted with a Honda engine, last year. It was a Lotus Only track day at Bathurst circuit. My first race at Bathurst was in 1963, and 55 years later, things had changed! I had a ball...

Having never driven the Exige before, the first few laps were a bit 'tentative'. However, it soon became clear what a great little machine it was. Dave said, after checking lap times, "Your did a 2m55s - that's not bad for an old codger".:)

 
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jonny

Member
Messages
525
My silver-grey Esprit GT3 that I bought new was totally amazing (one of those cars that you wish you still had...)
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
The early Evoras are great fun and seem to have stopped falling money wise or if they are falling they are not dropping much. You need some kind of Sports exhaust though as they don't sound great unless you go for the later ones .....The 400 sounds mad. I do find some of Lotus current pricing mad though as I can't get my head around an Exige itpr Evora over 100k no matter how fast they are. I have always loved Lotus and everyone I've owned has been loads of fun. From 2000 to around 2006 I was obsessed with they and had a stage of changing almost every year. My mark 2 Exige was probably the best all rounder where as the Mark 1 Exige was the biggest event ..... Used mine as daily drives as well. But then I was younger and more bendy. Any excuse to show a few pics of mine.
 

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iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
I love my Loti!!!!

The Evora 400 is awesome!! Kids are too big for the rear seats now though. I wish it was slightly shorter geared.

We also have a S1 in Chrome Orange from new and you can’t beat that raw feel from the base 118bhp car.

Also in the stable is a ‘72 Elan +2S and an Elite.

Just sold a JPS S2 Esprit as was offered way to much money not to.

All these cars are amazing in their own right....

Elan is my fave though. Nostalgic and sublime.

Stu
They are certainly iconic and I totally get why would like them. Any photos of the stable all lined up?
 
Messages
308
Could not resist showing the Elite as had more people stop me in this car that any I have ever owned!!

Totally bonkers and marmite!!
 

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Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
That Evora 400 is the business...I must get me a ride in one of those at some stage. Everyone that has one or driven one has been smitten. Lovely collection you have there.