2006 LOTUS EUROPA

2006 Lotus Europa S in Storm Titanium metallic (B121) with black leather interior, 41,916 miles and completely standard factory specification.

I bought the car two years ago at around 16,000 miles and have used it regularly since, including as a daily driver. That is probably the best description of this particular Europa: it is not a modified or track-focused example, but a properly used and enjoyed road car that has been maintained as required and remains exactly as Lotus intended.

One of the Europa's most distinctive features is its GM/Vauxhall-derived 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. Unique within the Elise/Exige-derived Lotus family, it gives the Europa a very different character from the Rover- and Toyota-engined cars, with strong mid-range torque allied to a six-speed gearbox. It suits the Europa's more road-focused GT character extremely well while retaining the lightweight Lotus chassis underneath.

The Storm Titanium and black leather combination suits the Europa particularly well — understated rather than flashy, and one of the reasons I bought this car. The bodywork and interior present very well for the age and mileage. It has never been tracked or crashed and has no performance or cosmetic modifications.

During my ownership it has been serviced at the appropriate intervals by trusted independent garages, with specialist work carried out by a Lotus specialist where required. Recent work includes:

- cambelt and water pump replacement

- OEM Bilstein rear damper professionally rebuilt

- four very recent Yokohama tyres

- turbo boost-control solenoid replaced

- heater resistor pack replaced

Everything works as it should, including the air conditioning, electric windows, central locking, stereo, gearbox and clutch. The car will be sold with a brand-new MOT. I am also replacing a wheel centre and having a minor blemish on the rear valance rectified before sale, so it will be properly presented for its next owner.

There are invoices for a number of the recent works carried out during my ownership. A second key will also be supplied.

The Europa S occupies an unusual place in the Lotus range: still compact, light and genuinely involving to drive, but with a more usable and refined character than the more overtly track-focused Elise and Exige. This one has proved that point particularly well — it has been reliable and usable enough to enjoy regularly, while still feeling special every time it is driven.

A rare opportunity to buy an original, unmodified Europa S with just 41,916 miles, in a particularly handsome factory colour combination, with a number of the important age-related maintenance items already dealt with.

£27,995