Lotus Evora GTE
Discussion
Thanks for the bump. 
The car disgraced itself in the autumn by throwing a piece of something-or-other through the gearbox casing. Fortunately I managed to limp it to the local dealer under its own steam. Here's the hole:
A free-of-charge replacement gearbox from Lotus was fitted, along with a new clutch and the car's been fine again since the start of 2017 (touch wood). Apparently I was extremely unlucky, as such an event on a V6 Lotus is pretty much unheard of, particularly after so few miles.
With the advent of the better weather, she's been getting more use. In fact I took her down to Brooklands last weekend for the TLF Lotus gathering. I brought the whole family with me (wife and 2 kids and luggage) on the 180 mile round-trip. You can't do that in many other current mid-engined supercars!
I also got to take it out on the M-B World track for the Lotus demonstration run (not my photo).
Hopefully plenty more fun times to come this summer!
The car disgraced itself in the autumn by throwing a piece of something-or-other through the gearbox casing. Fortunately I managed to limp it to the local dealer under its own steam. Here's the hole:
A free-of-charge replacement gearbox from Lotus was fitted, along with a new clutch and the car's been fine again since the start of 2017 (touch wood). Apparently I was extremely unlucky, as such an event on a V6 Lotus is pretty much unheard of, particularly after so few miles.
With the advent of the better weather, she's been getting more use. In fact I took her down to Brooklands last weekend for the TLF Lotus gathering. I brought the whole family with me (wife and 2 kids and luggage) on the 180 mile round-trip. You can't do that in many other current mid-engined supercars!
I also got to take it out on the M-B World track for the Lotus demonstration run (not my photo).
Hopefully plenty more fun times to come this summer!
It’s been a few years since I updated this thread and with Lotus being in the news a lot recently, it seemed like a good opportunity. Anyway, six and a half years later, I am still the proud sole owner and have no plans to sell. I have found a couple of old photos. This one at Lotus Motorsport prior to completion in early 2015.
This one a few weeks later after collection.
The car is running very well (touch wood) and I love driving it. However, it is getting used less now that my kids have both grown out of the back seats! I’m wondering if it may contain more carbon fibre than I originally thought. I believed that all of the painted bodywork was glass fibre, but in certain light some painted panels seem to exhibit a weave pattern. It’s hard to tell from photographs, but here’s a couple of close-ups. Anyone know about such things?
This one a few weeks later after collection.
The car is running very well (touch wood) and I love driving it. However, it is getting used less now that my kids have both grown out of the back seats! I’m wondering if it may contain more carbon fibre than I originally thought. I believed that all of the painted bodywork was glass fibre, but in certain light some painted panels seem to exhibit a weave pattern. It’s hard to tell from photographs, but here’s a couple of close-ups. Anyone know about such things?
Stunning car, absolutely lovely. I own an Evora Sports Racer which I love, the GTE must be fantastic. Did you end up visiting Komotec in the end?
Notice Hoffman’s have one of the original GTE’s for sale currently (IPS) and there are still the Stratton GT’s which seem to have been for sale for years now. As I understand it, the Stratton GTEs were pulled together using the ‘remaining’ bits Strattons managed to purchase from Lotus.
Notice Hoffman’s have one of the original GTE’s for sale currently (IPS) and there are still the Stratton GT’s which seem to have been for sale for years now. As I understand it, the Stratton GTEs were pulled together using the ‘remaining’ bits Strattons managed to purchase from Lotus.
Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Friday 1st October 21:58
Yes the Lotus GTEs seem to have held their value well. That Hoffman’s one at £87k has done similar mileage to mine. I paid Lotus £79k for mine back in 2015. You’re right about the Strattons ones. They’ve been for sale for years and seem to be a tough sell at their asking prices. They’re actually 10 year old cars underneath, but the vendor never seems to reduce the sticker prices.
As for a Komotec upgrade, no I didn’t go for it. The main reason was insurance. When I asked my broker what, if any, difference it would make to my premium, he basically said “double it”. That would mean an extra £1k per year throughout my ownership, which is a “tax” I wasn’t prepared to pay. It’s a shame, but I don’t drive it enough to justify the cost. One of the up sides of my lack of use, is that it still thrills me every time I drive it, even with the stock Evora S engine. I’m also a stickler for originality. Apart from a new set of Michelin MP4S tyres, it still looks the same inside and out as it did 6 years ago.
As for a Komotec upgrade, no I didn’t go for it. The main reason was insurance. When I asked my broker what, if any, difference it would make to my premium, he basically said “double it”. That would mean an extra £1k per year throughout my ownership, which is a “tax” I wasn’t prepared to pay. It’s a shame, but I don’t drive it enough to justify the cost. One of the up sides of my lack of use, is that it still thrills me every time I drive it, even with the stock Evora S engine. I’m also a stickler for originality. Apart from a new set of Michelin MP4S tyres, it still looks the same inside and out as it did 6 years ago.
LotusOmega375D said:
Yes the Lotus GTEs seem to have held their value well. That Hoffman’s one at £87k has done similar mileage to mine. I paid Lotus £79k for mine back in 2015. You’re right about the Strattons ones. They’ve been for sale for years and seem to be a tough sell at their asking prices. They’re actually 10 year old cars underneath, but the vendor never seems to reduce the sticker prices.
As for a Komotec upgrade, no I didn’t go for it. The main reason was insurance. When I asked my broker what, if any, difference it would make to my premium, he basically said “double it”. That would mean an extra £1k per year throughout my ownership, which is a “tax” I wasn’t prepared to pay. It’s a shame, but I don’t drive it enough to justify the cost. One of the up sides of my lack of use, is that it still thrills me every time I drive it, even with the stock Evora S engine. I’m also a stickler for originality. Apart from a new set of Michelin MP4S tyres, it still looks the same inside and out as it did 6 years ago.
It’s a great car - What a lovely thing to cherish, especially with its rarity As for a Komotec upgrade, no I didn’t go for it. The main reason was insurance. When I asked my broker what, if any, difference it would make to my premium, he basically said “double it”. That would mean an extra £1k per year throughout my ownership, which is a “tax” I wasn’t prepared to pay. It’s a shame, but I don’t drive it enough to justify the cost. One of the up sides of my lack of use, is that it still thrills me every time I drive it, even with the stock Evora S engine. I’m also a stickler for originality. Apart from a new set of Michelin MP4S tyres, it still looks the same inside and out as it did 6 years ago.
I think that your thoughts on Komotech mirror my own with my Exige 360 cup, it is pretty much as it left the factory. The Toyota V6 has bundles of power, there seems little point in chasing the performance figures further.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff