RE: PH Heroes: Lotus Carlton
Discussion
I really think £14000 is all you should have to pay to own a good Lotus Carlton with reasonable mileage. Anymore than that and I'd want something that was concours.
Remember a car's real value is what someone is willing to pay.
Also I'd rather have one that's done 70,000 miles than one that has done 10,000.
Remember a car's real value is what someone is willing to pay.
Also I'd rather have one that's done 70,000 miles than one that has done 10,000.
damiwi said:
I really think £14000 is all you should have to pay to own a good Lotus Carlton with reasonable mileage. Anymore than that and I'd want something that was concours.
Nope I'd want one that had all the really important bits done - plenty of very pretty ones that I wouldn't touch with yoursdamiwi said:
Remember a car's real value is what someone is willing to pay.
Also I'd rather have one that's done 70,000 miles than one that has done 10,000.
Now we agree - cos the more miles on it the more likely all the faults will have been sortedAlso I'd rather have one that's done 70,000 miles than one that has done 10,000.
Got mine out today after its winter hibernation.
I'd travelled about 2 miles before someone nodded, smiled and took a pic on his phone....owning an LC is like driving a celebrity...
And all this talk of values....mines insured for 27k - the 40 grand one in the trader helped me with that....
Ian - long time no speak, saw RB today :-)
As a celebrity hero, the LC status is undoubted - and as for running costs - get a good one and its reliable. Had mine 5 years and its broken down once (broken clutch pin, probably the commonest problem with them) - and given me many miles of awesome motoring.
Will probably never sell it.
As a guide to people here thinking about buying one heres a list of the commonest problems (mileages at which done on my car taken from the history)
Clutch Pivot pin (12k, 50k, 77k (uprated pin fitted at 77k wont break again)
Head Gasket - (55k, previous owner noted coolant loss)
Turbos - (75k, one had got slightly noisy)
Clutch replacement - (60k)
Bellhousing replacement (30k, 60k)
Timing chain/guides/sprockets replacement (64k, uprated items, important this is done as standard items prone to failure causing major damage to engine)
Electric Water Pump Vacuum circuit repaired - (79k, today!) Important for post blat cooling of engine and turbos.
Serviced every year - costs about £100 in parts.
I bought it at 63k in Jan 2003, with almost everything done....be aware low mileage examples will probably not have had many of the common problems sorted out - parts are tricky, but being part of the ABS club helps alot..theyre remanfacuring alot of previously unavailable items now.
Paul
I'd travelled about 2 miles before someone nodded, smiled and took a pic on his phone....owning an LC is like driving a celebrity...
And all this talk of values....mines insured for 27k - the 40 grand one in the trader helped me with that....
Ian - long time no speak, saw RB today :-)
As a celebrity hero, the LC status is undoubted - and as for running costs - get a good one and its reliable. Had mine 5 years and its broken down once (broken clutch pin, probably the commonest problem with them) - and given me many miles of awesome motoring.
Will probably never sell it.
As a guide to people here thinking about buying one heres a list of the commonest problems (mileages at which done on my car taken from the history)
Clutch Pivot pin (12k, 50k, 77k (uprated pin fitted at 77k wont break again)
Head Gasket - (55k, previous owner noted coolant loss)
Turbos - (75k, one had got slightly noisy)
Clutch replacement - (60k)
Bellhousing replacement (30k, 60k)
Timing chain/guides/sprockets replacement (64k, uprated items, important this is done as standard items prone to failure causing major damage to engine)
Electric Water Pump Vacuum circuit repaired - (79k, today!) Important for post blat cooling of engine and turbos.
Serviced every year - costs about £100 in parts.
I bought it at 63k in Jan 2003, with almost everything done....be aware low mileage examples will probably not have had many of the common problems sorted out - parts are tricky, but being part of the ABS club helps alot..theyre remanfacuring alot of previously unavailable items now.
Paul
Edited by toxicfrog on Friday 15th February 23:45
Ok, lets put the car in perspective as the reason I never went for one was running costs.
Using genuine parts and doing a regular 15K a year, what would you expect the car to cost you?
The failures on the car above put me off as they are just not what I class as reliable enough imo, but, I know if I drove one I would be driving it home.
Dave!
Using genuine parts and doing a regular 15K a year, what would you expect the car to cost you?
The failures on the car above put me off as they are just not what I class as reliable enough imo, but, I know if I drove one I would be driving it home.
Dave!
See the way the green shines against the sun... that is exactly what the car looked like that I viewed!!
And when some cloud came over, the light colour green went, and it showed a more darker look!
And to me, thats great
Just looking at this would make me want one. I made some enquiries about the auction LC, and this is something I am going to consider at some point. If you dont try I guess I wont know...
And when some cloud came over, the light colour green went, and it showed a more darker look!
And to me, thats great
Just looking at this would make me want one. I made some enquiries about the auction LC, and this is something I am going to consider at some point. If you dont try I guess I wont know...
Howitzer said:
Ok, lets put the car in perspective as the reason I never went for one was running costs.
Using genuine parts and doing a regular 15K a year, what would you expect the car to cost you?
The failures on the car above put me off as they are just not what I class as reliable enough imo, but, I know if I drove one I would be driving it home.
Dave!
I don't think I could consider using one now for 15K a year motoring - the biggest cost would be fuel and tyres.Using genuine parts and doing a regular 15K a year, what would you expect the car to cost you?
The failures on the car above put me off as they are just not what I class as reliable enough imo, but, I know if I drove one I would be driving it home.
Dave!
But head gaskets are a 60-80 replacement so you would need to factor that into the costings
I think one of the ABS cars had 193K miles 93 car and the servicing costs came to £35K for that mileage and time the previous owner had the car
can you adopt me & put it in your will? 
"Wonder how the Lotus Carlton would compare with the little known Alpina B10 Bi-turbo"
It compares very well, I own both ;-)
The Lotus (Omega in my case) is a much more in your face raucous drive, whereas the B10 Bi-turbo is a more refined cruiser. But in real terms there is little if any difference.
Neil
It compares very well, I own both ;-)
The Lotus (Omega in my case) is a much more in your face raucous drive, whereas the B10 Bi-turbo is a more refined cruiser. But in real terms there is little if any difference.
Neil
Edited by NRL BITURBO on Sunday 16th March 11:47
I want one of these so bad. Problem is I am 18, the same age of this car, so I have no hope of insurance. I have seen ones which are still unregistered with delivery miles on them commanding £40k+. Ouch...
And I love it mostly because of the fact it annoys hippies and communists. Also the idea of 377bhp, no TC, ABS, ESP or whatever other driver aids are available puts a huge smile on my face.
And I love it mostly because of the fact it annoys hippies and communists. Also the idea of 377bhp, no TC, ABS, ESP or whatever other driver aids are available puts a huge smile on my face.
dpbird90 said:
I want one of these so bad. Problem is I am 18, the same age of this car, so I have no hope of insurance. I have seen ones which are still unregistered with delivery miles on them commanding £40k+. Ouch...
And I love it mostly because of the fact it annoys hippies and communists. Also the idea of 377bhp, no TC, ABS, ESP or whatever other driver aids are available puts a huge smile on my face.
Impressive attitude from one so young And I love it mostly because of the fact it annoys hippies and communists. Also the idea of 377bhp, no TC, ABS, ESP or whatever other driver aids are available puts a huge smile on my face.
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