Discussion
hi all iam thinking of selling my mk1 elise which is just a fantastic car and buying a 340r, i know they are extreme and this is the car lotus hard core wanted to build in the first place, if i buy one it will used for road and the odd track day, i nearly bought one last year from my local lotus dealer then changed my mind i have read all about them and still find myself wanting one,is there any one on here who has owned one, and is there any problem's running one. any advice would be welcome many thank's.
I was thinking about buying a 340R 2 years ago. It´s a great car, but for me it is a bit too impractical:
- no roof, how many days are 100% dry? If there´s even the slightest change of rain, you´ll drive with something else.
- no boot.
- the VHPD engine is manic above 6000 rpm, below it doesn´t have more grunt than a bog standard Elise
- the noise
- the heat from the front
- people on the road will stare even more at you
I ended up with a Honda conversion instead. And haven´t looked back...
- no roof, how many days are 100% dry? If there´s even the slightest change of rain, you´ll drive with something else.
- no boot.
- the VHPD engine is manic above 6000 rpm, below it doesn´t have more grunt than a bog standard Elise
- the noise
- the heat from the front
- people on the road will stare even more at you
I ended up with a Honda conversion instead. And haven´t looked back...
There is one for sale by one of the members on SELOC which will likely to be the best example you are going to find in the UK
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&
Having seen these up close, I would love one however can't afford to give up the practicality of my S1
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&
Having seen these up close, I would love one however can't afford to give up the practicality of my S1
They are totally impractical (in ways which make an Elise look like a family car proposition), you have the timebomb of the VPHD K-series waiting to explode behind you, EVERYONE will stare at you, you WILL get caught out in the rain in one, it will probably break down on you.
Get one - why the hell not, who cares about the above
If you can afford it, if you can store it, and if you're going to drive it like the loon-mobile it surely is then go for it. If I had the money and the space I'd be all over one like a rash
Get one - why the hell not, who cares about the above
If you can afford it, if you can store it, and if you're going to drive it like the loon-mobile it surely is then go for it. If I had the money and the space I'd be all over one like a rash
chouca said:
I was thinking about buying a 340R 2 years ago. It´s a great car, but for me it is a bit too impractical:
- no roof, how many days are 100% dry? If there´s even the slightest change of rain, you´ll drive with something else
The roof thing is or will be soon sorted, cost around 4.000,- look at this reverie site;
www.reverie.ltd.uk/en/about/340r_dev.php
GTRene
>> Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 8th February 22:10
I will try to buy a Exige S2
And I've had a ride in a 340R last year as a passenger, to 60 it feels fine, but above that no match on Dutch roads against my little monster...but thats to easy fast on thse roads, and I have to becarefull for my license! so thats also why I want a Lotus Exige more thrils at much lower speeds, so a big
and low speeding tickets I hope
Hey S works, how about your license?? did you loose it already for some time? or just points? safe driver or a lucky one? or only speeding on the track...?
GTRene
And I've had a ride in a 340R last year as a passenger, to 60 it feels fine, but above that no match on Dutch roads against my little monster...but thats to easy fast on thse roads, and I have to becarefull for my license! so thats also why I want a Lotus Exige more thrils at much lower speeds, so a big
and low speeding tickets I hope Hey S works, how about your license?? did you loose it already for some time? or just points? safe driver or a lucky one? or only speeding on the track...?
GTRene
S Works said:
No points for me. I'm a good boy
I will not ask how you do that
In the Netherlands only the new drivers get points when serious things happens(not speeding >>20 or so to fast) So I get no points..but instead they take your license when speeding above some limit..aaaaaaaaaaahhhh thats not fare! so I have to put a big stone under my pedal, so I can not drive to fast
lol
Fantastic cars - totally impractical but not quite as bad as people might think. Sure you get wet if you get caught in the rain, but you'll dry out - being prepared is the key and having a lightweight waterproof.
The VHPD is a bit boggy below 4000rpm but mad after that and certainly the fastest factory elise varient (IMO) - as they weigh the same as a paperbag. You can fit an Emerald ECU and Vernier pullies which apparently improve things no end - power and driveability.
They really do feel like nothing else to drive - almost like comparing an elise to a normal sportscar. Go-karts for the road.
Not sure where you are but you are welcome to have a go in mine (its kept in lincolnshire). Mine might end up getting traded in soon though
as I have now moved to London and its not really a 'london' car
The VHPD is a bit boggy below 4000rpm but mad after that and certainly the fastest factory elise varient (IMO) - as they weigh the same as a paperbag. You can fit an Emerald ECU and Vernier pullies which apparently improve things no end - power and driveability.
They really do feel like nothing else to drive - almost like comparing an elise to a normal sportscar. Go-karts for the road.
Not sure where you are but you are welcome to have a go in mine (its kept in lincolnshire). Mine might end up getting traded in soon though
as I have now moved to London and its not really a 'london' car well I live in the Netherlands so a bit to far away to just come over but the drive must be fantastic for drivingfun its lightweight and pure driving! and you have the 190 wich is even more fun, but best to drive it with one person only the driver because of the extra weight for such ligt car...
And no its no London car but for a lot attention it is maybe
GTRene
but the drive must be fantastic for drivingfun its lightweight and pure driving! and you have the 190 wich is even more fun, but best to drive it with one person only the driver because of the extra weight for such ligt car... And no its no London car
but for a lot attention it is maybe GTRene
The editor of EVO, Harry Metcalfe, ran one for a while and I followed his long term test reports with interest whilst I was on the lookout for my Caterham. What completely put me off was when he ran wide on a bend and broke the front of it slightly. The damage didn't look too bad, but it cost him £10,000. 
RobM77 said:
The editor of EVO, Harry Metcalfe, ran one for a while and I followed his long term test reports with interest whilst I was on the lookout for my Caterham. What completely put me off was when he ran wide on a bend and broke the front of it slightly. The damage didn't look too bad, but it cost him £10,000.
I'm not convinced it was all necessary TBH - more like an open chequebook 'insurance are paying' job. From memory anyway.
The body does have to come off for some things - but its not a crazy job (IIRC lotus book time is only about 5-6 hours). If it still has the standard battery then the body needs to come off to change it, although many have race batteries (which are smaller) now. There is a charging socket for a trickle charger which keeps the battery fresh which is handy.
The biggest issue with them at the moment is the Stack dash. Its different to the elise dash and fails on almost every car. Stack charge about £350 to fix it, although once done they tend to be ok.
Having had a little experience of Lotii recently, S1 160S, Exige S1, 340r and now an Exige S2 I would say the following:
If you can afford to have a 340R tucked away in a garage and just to bring out when it looks as though the sun might shine just do it. None of the derivatives are any faster or pure. My 340R was just as quick as my mate's new Exige 240R round Castle Combe last year, (much to his horror as it was worth about a third of the price). As posted the VHPD is sluggish under 4,000 RPM but a screamer at the top end, just make sure it has a FLSH. I part exed mine with westover in Poole, for the Exige S2. I tend to use the Exige much more but it's not so pure, things like the play in the servoed brake pedal dilute the experience from a 340R. So in summary do it !
If you can afford to have a 340R tucked away in a garage and just to bring out when it looks as though the sun might shine just do it. None of the derivatives are any faster or pure. My 340R was just as quick as my mate's new Exige 240R round Castle Combe last year, (much to his horror as it was worth about a third of the price). As posted the VHPD is sluggish under 4,000 RPM but a screamer at the top end, just make sure it has a FLSH. I part exed mine with westover in Poole, for the Exige S2. I tend to use the Exige much more but it's not so pure, things like the play in the servoed brake pedal dilute the experience from a 340R. So in summary do it !
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff