RE: PH Heroes: Lotus Carlton

[Hooli]

damiwi said:

Justayellowbadge said:

damiwi said:

The LC was a fast car in its day but I'm betting a modern fast hot hatch is probably more stable and feels safer at 155mph, although that's another argument for another thread no doubt.

I seriously doubt that. The tiny handful of hot hatches currently capable of anywhere near speed would be being ragged to the limit to achieve it. I can't think of a single hot hatch that is limited to 155.

R32 Golf is limited to 155mph, I've just bought one and it exceeds my expectations as an all round package. I'm taking it to APS next month for a stage 3 tune, which will hopefully provide an extra 50 bhp. I prefer it to both my M3 and Fq-360 MR, although it's not as fast, it handles brilliantly and has all the creature comforts that my M5 had, it's a very nice place to be... sometimes it's how a car makes you feel. A really odd thing happened too, a girl I met asked me if I could take her out into the countryside so that she could lie on the bonnet and have a photograph taken... I said so long as you don't scratch the bonnet (as a petrol head would) and she said, I won't because I won't be wearing any clothes... wow is that the usual R32 effect???

only if shes 14 & in lust with your bangin tunez

[damiwi]

Justayellowbadge said:

O/T but any girl who would get naked due to a Golf would just make me feel guilty and dirty.

But enjoy.

Cheers, I don't remember girls being like that when I was in my twenties but then again straddling the bonnet of a Sunbeam Lotus probably wasn't as appealing. Only blokes appreciated that car.... and no before you ask.

[Yugguy]

damiwi said:

Cheers, I don't remember girls being like that when I was in my twenties .

hehe, you mean when you had less money?

[damiwi]

Yugguy said:

damiwi said:

Cheers, I don't remember girls being like that when I was in my twenties .

hehe, you mean when you had less money?

I was running a Sunbeam Lotus.... I had no money left over.

[Utopia]

B'stard Child said:

Justayellowbadge said:

damiwi said:

The LC was a fast car in its day but I'm betting a modern fast hot hatch is probably more stable and feels safer at 155mph, although that's another argument for another thread no doubt.

I seriously doubt that. The tiny handful of hot hatches currently capable of anywhere near speed would be being ragged to the limit to achieve it. I can't think of a single hot hatch that is limited to 155.

I thought we'd Got Damiwi talking in a sensible way about the car - don't kick it all off again

As you say it's a daft comment and I ignored it because it's daft and whilst I will agree that modern hot hatches can be amazing cars they "Lotus" spent a lot of time testing an developing the car to be safe and stable at all speeds right up to it's maximum and I can only say they did a damn fine job cos it feels totally planted on the road - which is a good thing because at those speeds you have no driver aids to "help"

Edited by B'stard Child on Sunday 10th February 11:02

Agree, I did uncover some sites that do state the LC is extremely stable and sturdy as these speeds.... I mean for hecks sakes, if it wasnt, then please tell me why most Journalists were having so much fun aiming to get to the top speed!

As for hot hatch.... Well I will ignore it. I also came across a Lotus Carlton site that states the LC is still the fastest production car in the world... however looks like the site was updated in 2006. As you said, may have lost the title, but not the reputation and iconic status, which I still feel is well placed.

Anyhow, the good news is, TOMORROW I am going for a drive in a Lotus Carlton, as one is for sale. Spoken to the dealer, and although I doubt I can really afford it, I am going to be very, very excited about being in one!

Will report back my honest true findings tomorrow.

[B'stard Child]

damiwi said:

B'stard Child said:

Justayellowbadge said:

damiwi said:

The LC was a fast car in its day but I'm betting a modern fast hot hatch is probably more stable and feels safer at 155mph, although that's another argument for another thread no doubt.

I seriously doubt that. The tiny handful of hot hatches currently capable of anywhere near speed would be being ragged to the limit to achieve it. I can't think of a single hot hatch that is limited to 155.

I thought we'd Got Damiwi talking in a sensible way about the car - don't kick it all off again

As you say it's a daft comment and I ignored it because it's daft and whilst I will agree that modern hot hatches can be amazing cars they "Lotus" spent a lot of time testing an developing the car to be safe and stable at all speeds right up to it's maximum and I can only say they did a damn fine job cos it feels totally planted on the road - which is a good thing because at those speeds you have no driver aids to "help"

Edited by B'stard Child on Sunday 10th February 11:02

Come on be fair, I did say it was an argument for another thread and I based my comment on how my R32 drives. If you want to debate it here fine but don't say it's a daft comment and then not expect a retort. The reason I say that is because the R32 has a very low centre of gravity, is heavy compared to a GTi and is very slippery aerodynamically and also the ride is brilliant. The car just feels glued to the road and fuss free.

But let's leave it down to our subjective views.

OK it was unfair - sorry you were right definately a discussion for another thread - congrats on your purchase of an R32 - That will give you a lot of fun - in fact it looks like it has already

[B'stard Child]

Utopia said:

Agree, I did uncover some sites that do state the LC is extremely stable and sturdy as these speeds.... I mean for hecks sakes, if it wasnt, then please tell me why most Journalists were having so much fun aiming to get to the top speed!

As for hot hatch.... Well I will ignore it. I also came across a Lotus Carlton site that states the LC is still the fastest production car in the world... however looks like the site was updated in 2006. As you said, may have lost the title, but not the reputation and iconic status, which I still feel is well placed.

Anyhow, the good news is, TOMORROW I am going for a drive in a Lotus Carlton, as one is for sale. Spoken to the dealer, and although I doubt I can really afford it, I am going to be very, very excited about being in one!

Will report back my honest true findings tomorrow.

Hope it's dry

[Shropshiremike]

B'stard Child said:

I've resisted putting scans of my 30 plus Magazine articles up for copywrite reasons except the one that I was actualy involved in Lotus

If you're interested chap, email me a list of the articles you have as there's a good chance I might have some you haven't. I was an avid collector of any mags with the LC in back in the 90s

[damiwi]

Utopia said:

Anyhow, the good news is, TOMORROW I am going for a drive in a Lotus Carlton, as one is for sale. Spoken to the dealer, and although I doubt I can really afford it, I am going to be very, very excited about being in one!

Will report back my honest true findings tomorrow.

Here is a friendly tip.

Make sure you have definitely arranged a test drive and not a look at the car. Clarify that the car can actually be driven on the day before setting off and state that you will not be in a position to make an offer until after driving it.

Dealers selling that type of car usually want to have finalised a deal and have an agreement that you will buy the car before letting you drive it.

What you need to say is that you have never driven a Lotus Carlton and have been hearing different views about how nice they are to drive and will only know if you would like one by driving it first. Remind them that they agreed to a test drive first if they start talking finances and tell them you will be arranging your own finance.

Otherwise the whole adventure will be for nothing.

Dealers will say anything to get you down there. If you are travelling any distance you need to be certain where you stand.

Hope you enjoy your day. I'm 50:50 that they will actually let you drive it but good luck, some traders are more generous than others.

Oh and don't tell them that you are not sure you can afford it, dress smart, be confident and don't waver, be focussed on what you want. Make sure you spend at least ten minutes closely looking around the car before asking for the test drive.

Edited by damiwi on Sunday 10th February 19:01

[Utopia]

Cheers, yes I will take this on board. TBH, I have the cash, although I am not going to let on. Its a case of being at the right place at the time I test drive.

And I did clarify if a test drive was possible, and was advised "absolutely", we would not want you to purchase a car you have not driven.

The aim is to really get a good clear idea what the car is like. I hope its everything I have read and heard. I believe it will be, and I am quite looking forward to it.

Will dress smart
R.

[Hooli]

Utopia said:

Cheers, yes I will take this on board. TBH, I have the cash, although I am not going to let on. Its a case of being at the right place at the time I test drive.

And I did clarify if a test drive was possible, and was advised "absolutely", we would not want you to purchase a car you have not driven.

The aim is to really get a good clear idea what the car is like. I hope its everything I have read and heard. I believe it will be, and I am quite looking forward to it.

Will dress smart
R.

you lucky git!
one day i'll be buying my own (i hope).

[damiwi]

Utopia said:

Cheers, yes I will take this on board. TBH, I have the cash, although I am not going to let on. Its a case of being at the right place at the time I test drive.

And I did clarify if a test drive was possible, and was advised "absolutely", we would not want you to purchase a car you have not driven.

The aim is to really get a good clear idea what the car is like. I hope its everything I have read and heard. I believe it will be, and I am quite looking forward to it.

Will dress smart
R.

It all depends what you have driven before. If it's what you always wanted just buy it, you don't have to keep it forever and worse case scenerio you might lose £1500 on the purchase price in a year when you decide to sell it but probably won't lose that much if it's mint. I blew £2500 in three months on my Evo and only did 1800 miles in it, 700 of those miles were in one day. Plus I had a tracker fitted. You'd easy sell the LC on Piston Heads if this thread is to be believed.

But don't buy it just for the name, if it doesn't feel good to drive, if it feels tired and old, if you thinks its too dated. You have to love the car to put up with the pitfalls of owning something like that.

I can imagine getting back into my Sunbeam Lotus after the R32, although my Sunbeam was probably quicker (in the dry) within our speed limits, I couldn't imagine living with it on a daily basis again, it would feel far too crude and uncomfortable now and just old... that's before you start dealing with sourcing parts etc and I loved my Sunbeam Lotus.

[B'stard Child]

Shropshiremike said:

B'stard Child said:

I've resisted putting scans of my 30 plus Magazine articles up for copywrite reasons except the one that I was actualy involved in Lotus

If you're interested chap, email me a list of the articles you have as there's a good chance I might have some you haven't. I was an avid collector of any mags with the LC in back in the 90s

Better here for reference

Magazine / Date / Content
Autocar & Motor / Jul-90 / Lotus Carlton Preview
Autocar & Motor / Nov-90 / Lotus Carlton
Car / Jan-91 / Lotus Carlton - Rain stopped play
Fast Lane / Jan-91 / Lotus Carlton at the Max
Car & Car Conversions / Mar-91 / Lotus Carlton, Sunbeam, Cortina
Performance Car / Jan-92 / Lotus Carlton v B10 v 500E
Performance Car / Mar-93 / Lotus Carlton v Sunbeam v Cortina
Autocar / Apr-93 / Life in the 176mph Lane - Lotus Carlton
Autocar / May-97 / Lotus Carlton (forgery)
Top Gear / Jan-00 / Lotus Carlton Buyers Guide
Classic Cars / Apr-00 / Lotus Carlton "Saloonacy"
Classics / Jun-00 / Lotus Carlton v Lancia Thema 8.32
EVO / Sep-01 / Lotus Carlton v Merc 500L
Autocar / Dec-01 / Lotus Carlton v M5 v B10 v Holden GTS-R v Brabus EV12
Autocar / Apr-02 / Hot 100 Used cars - Features Lotus Carlton
Autocar / Jun-02 / Lotus Carlton
EVO / Oct-02 / Lotus Carlton v RS6 v S-Type R v M5
Total Vauxhall / Oct-02 / Buyers Guide Lotus Carlton (JE, JW, PC)
Classic Cars / Dec-02 / More Bangs for your buck - Features Lotus Carlton
Total Vauxhall / Jun-03 / Lotus Carlton
Fast Road and Track / Apr-04 Lotus Carlton
Classics / Dec-04 / M5 v Lotus Carlton v Merc Cosworth
Autocar / Mar-05 / Lotus Carlton v Monaro VXR
Total Vauxhall / Sep-06 / Not Normal's Lotus Carlton
Classics / Nov-06 / Lotus Carlton v Sierra Cosworth
EVO / Apr-07 Monaro Max - Features Lotus Carlton
Total Vauxhall / Dec-07 / VXR v Lotus Carlton
Max Power / Dec-07 / VXR V Lotus Carlton V Monaro

I have some others but not readily to hand

[Shropshiremike]

B'stard Child said:

Shropshiremike said:

B'stard Child said:

I've resisted putting scans of my 30 plus Magazine articles up for copywrite reasons except the one that I was actualy involved in Lotus

If you're interested chap, email me a list of the articles you have as there's a good chance I might have some you haven't. I was an avid collector of any mags with the LC in back in the 90s

Better here for reference

Magazine / Date / Content
Autocar & Motor / Jul-90 / Lotus Carlton Preview
Autocar & Motor / Nov-90 / Lotus Carlton
Car / Jan-91 / Lotus Carlton - Rain stopped play
Fast Lane / Jan-91 / Lotus Carlton at the Max
Car & Car Conversions / Mar-91 / Lotus Carlton, Sunbeam, Cortina
Performance Car / Jan-92 / Lotus Carlton v B10 v 500E
Performance Car / Mar-93 / Lotus Carlton v Sunbeam v Cortina
Autocar / Apr-93 / Life in the 176mph Lane - Lotus Carlton
Autocar / May-97 / Lotus Carlton (forgery)
Top Gear / Jan-00 / Lotus Carlton Buyers Guide
Classic Cars / Apr-00 / Lotus Carlton "Saloonacy"
Classics / Jun-00 / Lotus Carlton v Lancia Thema 8.32
EVO / Sep-01 / Lotus Carlton v Merc 500L
Autocar / Dec-01 / Lotus Carlton v M5 v B10 v Holden GTS-R v Brabus EV12
Autocar / Apr-02 / Hot 100 Used cars - Features Lotus Carlton
Autocar / Jun-02 / Lotus Carlton
EVO / Oct-02 / Lotus Carlton v RS6 v S-Type R v M5
Total Vauxhall / Oct-02 / Buyers Guide Lotus Carlton (JE, JW, PC)
Classic Cars / Dec-02 / More Bangs for your buck - Features Lotus Carlton
Total Vauxhall / Jun-03 / Lotus Carlton
Fast Road and Track / Apr-04 Lotus Carlton
Classics / Dec-04 / M5 v Lotus Carlton v Merc Cosworth
Autocar / Mar-05 / Lotus Carlton v Monaro VXR
Total Vauxhall / Sep-06 / Not Normal's Lotus Carlton
Classics / Nov-06 / Lotus Carlton v Sierra Cosworth
EVO / Apr-07 Monaro Max - Features Lotus Carlton
Total Vauxhall / Dec-07 / VXR v Lotus Carlton
Max Power / Dec-07 / VXR V Lotus Carlton V Monaro

I have some others but not readily to hand

I have a few others as well which might interest you ( if they're not in the others you have not readily to hand ). Some of the ones you mention I've got as other dates ....but I think are probably same article

e.g.Autocar / Dec-01 / Lotus Carlton v M5 v B10 v Holden GTS-R v Brabus EV12

I've got that as the 05/07/2000 issue of Autocar

Will dig the others out and scan/email to you if you like

[B'stard Child]

Shropshiremike said:

I have a few others as well which might interest you ( if they're not in the others you have not readily to hand ). Some of the ones you mention I've got as other dates ....but I think are probably same article

e.g.Autocar / Dec-01 / Lotus Carlton v M5 v B10 v Holden GTS-R v Brabus EV12

I've got that as the 05/07/2000 issue of Autocar

Will dig the others out and scan/email to you if you like

That would be wonderfull - thank you

I think it's a mark of just how "Iconic" the Lotus Carlton is that it's still being featured 18 years after the first magazine featured the car.

[Shropshiremike]

B'stard Child said:

I think it's a mark of just how "Iconic" the Lotus Carlton is that it's still being featured 18 years after the first magazine featured the car.

Made me smile today, had to take my son to a birthday party this afternoon. Anyway got talking to someone I'd never met about cars as they noticed my Sierra parked outside....

...from there we got onto last Monday's "5th gear"....their first words, "ooh, I'd love one of those Lotus Carltons..."

[damiwi]

Utopia said:

Cheers, yes I will take this on board. TBH, I have the cash, although I am not going to let on. Its a case of being at the right place at the time I test drive.

And I did clarify if a test drive was possible, and was advised "absolutely", we would not want you to purchase a car you have not driven.

The aim is to really get a good clear idea what the car is like. I hope its everything I have read and heard. I believe it will be, and I am quite looking forward to it.

Will dress smart
R.

How did the test drive go

Please let us know.

[B'stard Child]

damiwi said:

How did the test drive go

Please let us know.

How many pages back did you have to go to find the thread

I'm interested too

[damiwi]

B'stard Child said:

damiwi said:

How did the test drive go

Please let us know.

How many pages back did you have to go to find the thread

I'm interested too

He hasn't replied....

Oh dear... you don't think... it was

WET do you ...

Also...

I guess all my M5 arguing produced something positive anyway, did you check the article about the Supercharged VXR, calling M5 drivers.

[B'stard Child]

Harsh......... But probably true - they aren't and never will be fun in the wet

Two true stories

1. First time I ever did a 6th to 4th cog swap on a wet motorway at 75 mph with SWMBO on board it went a bit squiffy and wagged the tail a bit - she wasn't amused and no amount of "technical explaination" was gonna explain that one away.....

2. Driving back from a day out with a mate in the car and my brother following in a Celica VVTi on damp twisty B roads I was being very careful as the conditions and the roads are less than ideal and my brother was enjoying being able to keep up with me and I knew I wouldn't hear the last of this for a while so we ended up at a roundabout that is followed by a big hill and I hoofed it a bit - well a lot

Half way up the hill mate says "once you get over the turbo lag it really goes doesn't it"

I replied - "no turbo lag the last quarter of a mile was all wheelspin"

I repeated the the acceleration process for him later that day on dry roads - he was left in no doubt that it accelerates very quickly indeed when grip is avaliable

My brother's comment when we stopped later was "you were just playing with me thro the bends you barsteward - when you hit the hill I knew you were cos you were gone!!"

I have never told him than any faster and I was going to be joining the scenery - it's now our secret