Europa. Mad, bad or dangerous to know?
Discussion
Hi there, First time on the Lotus forum so be kind. 
I currently have a nice big Jaguar XJR-S and I think it's ace.
However, the one thing it can't do is zoom around country lanes. So consequently I'm thinking of investing in a (hopefully) cheap toy for some fun next summer.
Now I've always been intrigued by the Lotus Europa. The back to basics design and of course the mid-engined layout all appeal to me.
I wonder if any of you guy's might have had experience of the Europa? Is it the chapest way of getting mid engined fun or is it just too old to be any good?
I'd really appreciate your comments.
Bob.
I currently have a nice big Jaguar XJR-S and I think it's ace.
However, the one thing it can't do is zoom around country lanes. So consequently I'm thinking of investing in a (hopefully) cheap toy for some fun next summer.
Now I've always been intrigued by the Lotus Europa. The back to basics design and of course the mid-engined layout all appeal to me.
I wonder if any of you guy's might have had experience of the Europa? Is it the chapest way of getting mid engined fun or is it just too old to be any good?
I'd really appreciate your comments.
Bob.
My word Clanger! How many lotuses are there in your profile!?!
That's good information though, cheers.
Since you have one of these too. What's your take on the M100 Elan?
A second option would be to save up a little more and buy one of them.
Although the quirkyness of the Europa is certainly endearing
That's good information though, cheers.
Since you have one of these too. What's your take on the M100 Elan?
A second option would be to save up a little more and buy one of them.
Although the quirkyness of the Europa is certainly endearing
Thanks for the comments on the M100. I nearly bought one this summer but Bought my Jag instead, it was just too good a bargain to miss.
Some of you have voiced my own concerns about the M100 perhaps being too much of an accomplished all rounder.
If it was to be my only car it would be a great solution, but would it supply the intense driving experience I'm looking for? Hence the Europa.
Interesting to hear that it can still cut it against a lot of more modern machinery.
Do you think one could stand comparison with a Lotus 7/Caterfield for pure handling ability?
Oh and without wanting to jinx the potential deal - I have found an one owner Europa TC with 27000 miles on the clock, which my mechanic knows fairly well, which has spent most of It's time in a barn.
I just hope it's within my budget.
Some of you have voiced my own concerns about the M100 perhaps being too much of an accomplished all rounder.
If it was to be my only car it would be a great solution, but would it supply the intense driving experience I'm looking for? Hence the Europa.
Interesting to hear that it can still cut it against a lot of more modern machinery.
Do you think one could stand comparison with a Lotus 7/Caterfield for pure handling ability?
Oh and without wanting to jinx the potential deal - I have found an one owner Europa TC with 27000 miles on the clock, which my mechanic knows fairly well, which has spent most of It's time in a barn.
I just hope it's within my budget.
If I do get one I'll certainly check out the Europa List and pay a visit to Banks' (my wallet is trembling already!)
A couple more questions.
What's the difference between a Twin Cam and a Special?
And just how hot does it get in the cabin?
Oh, and any other comments are always welcome.
A couple more questions.
What's the difference between a Twin Cam and a Special?
And just how hot does it get in the cabin?
Oh, and any other comments are always welcome.
Top facts guys!
As for buying it - I'm playing it cool at the moment.
The situation arose from me saying to my mechanic "I want a toy to play with" to which he said "I know a bloke who's got a Europa he hardly uses, I'll ask him if he wants to sell it." Which he did.
The guy said first "let me think about it"...
then "yes, I'll think of I price"...
and then "I don't know if I do want to sell it"
To which his wife said "get it bloody sold! It's cluttering up the barn and you never use it!"
So now I'm waiting to see what happens next.
Though I must admit I'd feel a little guilty depriving a man from his Lotus.
However the guy only gets it out about twice a year, and spends all his time messing around with old military vehicles (of which he has loads). So I suppose he'll still have plenty of toys left.
As for buying it - I'm playing it cool at the moment.
The situation arose from me saying to my mechanic "I want a toy to play with" to which he said "I know a bloke who's got a Europa he hardly uses, I'll ask him if he wants to sell it." Which he did.
The guy said first "let me think about it"...
then "yes, I'll think of I price"...
and then "I don't know if I do want to sell it"
To which his wife said "get it bloody sold! It's cluttering up the barn and you never use it!"
So now I'm waiting to see what happens next.
Though I must admit I'd feel a little guilty depriving a man from his Lotus.
However the guy only gets it out about twice a year, and spends all his time messing around with old military vehicles (of which he has loads). So I suppose he'll still have plenty of toys left.
Thanks for the interest Gary.
There's not mutch news on the Europa front so far.
As I said previously; I'm taking a softly softly approach at prizing the car from it's current owner, since I don't want to have to pay too much money for what is really an indulgence on my part.
I worry that he may want more for it than i'm willing to pay, since it is pretty original with very low mileage.
In reality I would probably prefer a higher mileage example that has had lots of improvements made (chassis, brakes etc.)
I want to drive it after all - not put it in a museum.
I keep wracking my brains for another car that could give me the kind of fun I'm after from a Europa, but so far I've been unable to settle on anyting else, and unfortunately there's not many Europas on the market at the moment.
If anyone hears of anything interesting going, let me know (I'm in Manchester U.K.).
Failing that if anyone has any good alternative suggestions - you know the kind of thing I'm after; simple engineering, lightweight etc. - be sure to post up your suggestions.
Fingers crossed!
There's not mutch news on the Europa front so far.
As I said previously; I'm taking a softly softly approach at prizing the car from it's current owner, since I don't want to have to pay too much money for what is really an indulgence on my part.
I worry that he may want more for it than i'm willing to pay, since it is pretty original with very low mileage.
In reality I would probably prefer a higher mileage example that has had lots of improvements made (chassis, brakes etc.)
I want to drive it after all - not put it in a museum.
I keep wracking my brains for another car that could give me the kind of fun I'm after from a Europa, but so far I've been unable to settle on anyting else, and unfortunately there's not many Europas on the market at the moment.
If anyone hears of anything interesting going, let me know (I'm in Manchester U.K.).
Failing that if anyone has any good alternative suggestions - you know the kind of thing I'm after; simple engineering, lightweight etc. - be sure to post up your suggestions.
Fingers crossed!
I have heard/read that the Europa gearchange can be similarly tightened up - Does anybody know if this is correct?
The two things that have given me second thoughts about the Elan M100 is the power steering (as mentioned on this thread) and the gearchange which felt like a stick in a bag of marbles when I tried one.
Do any owners (past or present) have any views on these issues?
The two things that have given me second thoughts about the Elan M100 is the power steering (as mentioned on this thread) and the gearchange which felt like a stick in a bag of marbles when I tried one.
Do any owners (past or present) have any views on these issues?
Thanks for the suggestions JBZ06 but a new (or even secondhand) Elise and a Lancia Stratos (even a kit car copy) really aren't in the same price bracket as a Europa.
I don't intend to sell my Jag to finance it - I've already done too many winters in old TVRs and I refuse to give up my heated seats!
Since it is only a play-thing I'm going to have to stick to my budget.
I don't intend to sell my Jag to finance it - I've already done too many winters in old TVRs and I refuse to give up my heated seats!
Since it is only a play-thing I'm going to have to stick to my budget.
Such temptation Mark!
I really wanted the one I mentioned earlier, but nothing has been forthcoming of late.
So in the interim I've spent my money (not all of it of course) upon buying a cottage in Dawlish, Devon which I intend to rent out to holiday-makers.
So if anyone wants a very reasonably priced cottage in Dawlish for a week or two (with parking
) get in touch via my profile.
Go on! I need the money to buy cars again in the summer!
Oh and once again, I must thank everybody for their great advice. Don't worry it hasn't been wasted. I'm still just as serious about getting one as I ever was and have very little will power when presented with a bargain!
Watch this space...
>> Edited by bobfrance on Saturday 20th December 17:45
>> Edited by bobfrance on Saturday 20th December 17:46
I really wanted the one I mentioned earlier, but nothing has been forthcoming of late.
So in the interim I've spent my money (not all of it of course
) upon buying a cottage in Dawlish, Devon which I intend to rent out to holiday-makers. So if anyone wants a very reasonably priced cottage in Dawlish for a week or two (with parking
) get in touch via my profile. Go on! I need the money to buy cars again in the summer!
Oh and once again, I must thank everybody for their great advice. Don't worry it hasn't been wasted. I'm still just as serious about getting one as I ever was and have very little will power when presented with a bargain!
Watch this space...
>> Edited by bobfrance on Saturday 20th December 17:45
>> Edited by bobfrance on Saturday 20th December 17:46
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