Europa - Why Not?
Discussion
I'm new to this forum, so excuse me if this has been covered before....
I'm looking for something to replace my Porsche 993, which in the end just wasn't for me, it felt heavy, almost cumbersome, very dated interior, expensive to maintain, and it attracted a lot of unwanted attention, the dream of ownership just didn't live up to the reality.
I've been struggling to find something to replace the 993 that doesn't have the above drawbacks, then I discovered the Europa.
It's quicker than the 993, much lighter, much better handling, looks great, reasonably priced, will double-up as a GT (I need a boot), etc., in short it ticks all my boxes.
So why do I get the impression you Lotus guys don't like it? I've read some pretty scathing comments/reviews which I really don't understand, it seems like a great car to me, o.k. I've never driven an Elise or Exige, so I have no other Lotus experience to compare it to, not that I think these would suit me, probably a little too hardcore for me, I'm looking for something a liitle softer around the edges, and the Europa (particularly the new SE) seems to fit the bill perfectly.
Please enlighten me!
I'm looking for something to replace my Porsche 993, which in the end just wasn't for me, it felt heavy, almost cumbersome, very dated interior, expensive to maintain, and it attracted a lot of unwanted attention, the dream of ownership just didn't live up to the reality.
I've been struggling to find something to replace the 993 that doesn't have the above drawbacks, then I discovered the Europa.
It's quicker than the 993, much lighter, much better handling, looks great, reasonably priced, will double-up as a GT (I need a boot), etc., in short it ticks all my boxes.
So why do I get the impression you Lotus guys don't like it? I've read some pretty scathing comments/reviews which I really don't understand, it seems like a great car to me, o.k. I've never driven an Elise or Exige, so I have no other Lotus experience to compare it to, not that I think these would suit me, probably a little too hardcore for me, I'm looking for something a liitle softer around the edges, and the Europa (particularly the new SE) seems to fit the bill perfectly.
Please enlighten me!
The reason a lot of guys don't favour it is because it's not an Elise, which is a far too blinkered view, yet for them it's as simple as that. Some see it as a rebodied VX220, also misguided and missing the point.
Sure, for the budget there are many alternative ways of having automotive fun but if the Europa ticks enough boxes for you, it's definitely worth a test drive.
They make a very accomplished everyday car yet are also special enough to keep in the garage purely as a hooning toy! It's comfortable with either role.
Sure, for the budget there are many alternative ways of having automotive fun but if the Europa ticks enough boxes for you, it's definitely worth a test drive.
They make a very accomplished everyday car yet are also special enough to keep in the garage purely as a hooning toy! It's comfortable with either role.
I think the general concensus is that .. its not significantly different from the Elise/Exige to really do anything other than cannibalise sales of these cars.
Yes... its a bit softer and the engine is torquier over the rev range, so you aren't necessarily going to rev the n*ts off it all the time. Now the lux pack is here, the interior looks a bit more like a "normal" sports car.
but
No.. the door opening is the same size (or almost the same size) and as far as I know the boot isn't much bigger (although it might be easier to get into). The cabin is the same size as any Elise/Exige.
In short... yes its a comfier Elise, but at the price its pitched at... if your looking for a do everything sports car, the safe choice is always going to be a boxster. If you want a slightly softer Lotus however, its your best bet until the new 2+2 arrives
Yes... its a bit softer and the engine is torquier over the rev range, so you aren't necessarily going to rev the n*ts off it all the time. Now the lux pack is here, the interior looks a bit more like a "normal" sports car.
but
No.. the door opening is the same size (or almost the same size) and as far as I know the boot isn't much bigger (although it might be easier to get into). The cabin is the same size as any Elise/Exige.
In short... yes its a comfier Elise, but at the price its pitched at... if your looking for a do everything sports car, the safe choice is always going to be a boxster. If you want a slightly softer Lotus however, its your best bet until the new 2+2 arrives
To be fair a lot of the arguements I have read have centered around issues such as 'why didn't Lotus release the 220 version straight-away', 'it looks ugly in that picture', 'it's just a hard-top VX/Elise', 'it is a Proton' etc etc.
These are largely irrelevant I think, in terms of actually buying, driving and living with one. Most of the feedback from owners has been good. Best bet is to have a go in one & go from there - I think of the range as europa/elise/exige being different versions of basically the same car, but all trimmed to do their particular 'thing' very well whilst all retain great performance and handling.
These are largely irrelevant I think, in terms of actually buying, driving and living with one. Most of the feedback from owners has been good. Best bet is to have a go in one & go from there - I think of the range as europa/elise/exige being different versions of basically the same car, but all trimmed to do their particular 'thing' very well whilst all retain great performance and handling.
I did 80K miles in my Elise, which started life as a company car. If I was doing it all again now, then a 220bhp, top lux spec Europa it would be 
...and now, as a used car they are a bargain - a year old ones are going for like £10K off list.
They are easy to tune, so you could have 270bhp. If you really wanted more hardcore handling then its just an ELise based car - fit Nitron shocks, different wider rims and youre sorted - best of both worlds....in fact Thorneymotorsport did just this and offer the kit.
So for say £30K you could have a year old top spec Europa, with Nitrons, 2 sets of tyres (track and road) and 270bhp...would make for a lively, well handling car, thats cheap to run, and can do daily driver or track day duties...seems like a no brainer to me ...sure..you could build one hell of an Elise for that, but we are talking daily driver here, nice n comfy etc and nearly new, rather than early S1 track s
g with Honda power
..whichever floats your boat !
...and now, as a used car they are a bargain - a year old ones are going for like £10K off list. They are easy to tune, so you could have 270bhp. If you really wanted more hardcore handling then its just an ELise based car - fit Nitron shocks, different wider rims and youre sorted - best of both worlds....in fact Thorneymotorsport did just this and offer the kit.
So for say £30K you could have a year old top spec Europa, with Nitrons, 2 sets of tyres (track and road) and 270bhp...would make for a lively, well handling car, thats cheap to run, and can do daily driver or track day duties...seems like a no brainer to me
...sure..you could build one hell of an Elise for that, but we are talking daily driver here, nice n comfy etc and nearly new, rather than early S1 track sg with Honda power ..whichever floats your boat !melsomp said:
So why do I get the impression you Lotus guys don't like it? I've read some pretty scathing comments/reviews which I really don't understand, it seems like a great car to me, o.k. I've never driven an Elise or Exige, so I have no other Lotus experience to compare it to, not that I think these would suit me, probably a little too hardcore for me, I'm looking for something a little softer around the edges, and the Europa (particularly the new SE) seems to fit the bill perfectly.
Please enlighten me!
I have yet to read a bad review from somebody who actually owns one! I've had mine a few months now, bought at just a year old with 6K miles on it for well over £10K off list price - couple that with a decent PCP deal and 30mpg and it becomes pretty cheap motoring that's a lot of fun!Please enlighten me!
I use mine almost every day, and it's great. It's happy pootling along to the station early in the morning when I'm tired, and/or it's cold and wet. It's also happy being driven at 9/10ths along twisty country roads and believe me, when you do this for the first time, you will be impressed! Mine is the bog standard car, and I will hopefully be getting the 225bhp upgrade done soon as the stock map does leave quite a bit to be desired. Other than that, and the fact that some of the trim etc. is a little bit flakey (but at least the interior is not dull like a 996/Boxter), I really cannot fault the car.
The fact it is also a good platform for relatively inexpensive upgrades is a real bonus too.
You should definitely give it a go!
Cheers,
Jerry
I'm 3 months into my Europa affair, having had an Elise S1 before (with a company car as well).
I've now decided the Europa is usable enough to opt out of the company car scheme and run it as a main car (although I'll still buy a shed for those really slimy days)
Just returned from a 500 mile round trip to Pembrey. It was awesome over the Brecons, docile in traffic and (relatively) quiet on the M4/M5. I couldn't think of anything I'd rather use for that journey.
Dislikes - even with the 225hp map the power delivery isn't as linear as a good non-turbo car, but you learn to ride the wave of torque. Also, if you love a VTEC rasp you may not like the soundtrack from the old GM turbo. It reminds me of a Moulinex Magimix trying to chew up my mother's concrete-like scone mix.
I'm told a Milltek exhaust is the answer, it frees up the breathing, boosts the power .....and sounds nice.
My only other dislike after running my S1 on Exige size tyres is the narrow front tyres. This is the same on an Elise S2 and VX220. I like a pointy front end and an adjustable rear. The Europa feels very docile at the limit, but not as adjustable as I like. I'm going to get a set of the 2008 SE spec wheels (195/45R17 front and 235/40R18 rear) as soon as they become available.
Overall though, I love it!
I've now decided the Europa is usable enough to opt out of the company car scheme and run it as a main car (although I'll still buy a shed for those really slimy days)
Just returned from a 500 mile round trip to Pembrey. It was awesome over the Brecons, docile in traffic and (relatively) quiet on the M4/M5. I couldn't think of anything I'd rather use for that journey.
Dislikes - even with the 225hp map the power delivery isn't as linear as a good non-turbo car, but you learn to ride the wave of torque. Also, if you love a VTEC rasp you may not like the soundtrack from the old GM turbo. It reminds me of a Moulinex Magimix trying to chew up my mother's concrete-like scone mix.
I'm told a Milltek exhaust is the answer, it frees up the breathing, boosts the power .....and sounds nice.
My only other dislike after running my S1 on Exige size tyres is the narrow front tyres. This is the same on an Elise S2 and VX220. I like a pointy front end and an adjustable rear. The Europa feels very docile at the limit, but not as adjustable as I like. I'm going to get a set of the 2008 SE spec wheels (195/45R17 front and 235/40R18 rear) as soon as they become available.
Overall though, I love it!
I have a Europa, mine has the 225 upgrade, brakes and 'luxury' interior.
Agree with all that the other owners have said, I love it! When you want to go quick and have a laugh it'll do it and when you just want to bimble about it will do it. Today I have done nearly 400 miles in it, hasnt missed a beat and no aches etc here.
I used to have an S1 elise and it is simply miles ahead of that. Its quicker, more comfy, just as good pushing it until you are really pushing it and looks miles better.
Give a go, go and test it and see what you reckon!
Agree with all that the other owners have said, I love it! When you want to go quick and have a laugh it'll do it and when you just want to bimble about it will do it. Today I have done nearly 400 miles in it, hasnt missed a beat and no aches etc here.
I used to have an S1 elise and it is simply miles ahead of that. Its quicker, more comfy, just as good pushing it until you are really pushing it and looks miles better.
Give a go, go and test it and see what you reckon!
Melsomp
test driver one and if you like it enough and have the spare cash get it. People say lots of stuff but I think its a case of choosing one because you want to, not because of what some hack says which is based on how much he has drunk during the free lunch.
I have one and bloody love it. Don't bother asking the Elise boys about it, they are just sore that a well sorted Europa will blow them into the weeds, and the Exige will have to be well driven to stand a chance. And as for a Boxter there is no compare. Very different car.
Every time I driver mine it puts a smile on my face and when I walk away from it I always take a second look. When you push on in that car it is like you are travelling in a different time zone to other road users.
Feels to me like a modern Esprit S4 with a touch of 7 added in for good measure.
Does she go sir, bet she does sir, suites you sir...
test driver one and if you like it enough and have the spare cash get it. People say lots of stuff but I think its a case of choosing one because you want to, not because of what some hack says which is based on how much he has drunk during the free lunch.
I have one and bloody love it. Don't bother asking the Elise boys about it, they are just sore that a well sorted Europa will blow them into the weeds, and the Exige will have to be well driven to stand a chance. And as for a Boxter there is no compare. Very different car.
Every time I driver mine it puts a smile on my face and when I walk away from it I always take a second look. When you push on in that car it is like you are travelling in a different time zone to other road users.
Feels to me like a modern Esprit S4 with a touch of 7 added in for good measure.
Does she go sir, bet she does sir, suites you sir...
I am sure the Europa is a great car, and almost certainly a more luxurious alternative to the Elise/Exige.
As far as I can tell, that is the only reason for bhing amongst Lotus owners - Elise/Exige drivers want to consider themselves a bit hard and different ( like the cars ) and feel, therefore, that the Europa has 'sold out' the Lotus rawness.
It hasn't. You still get one of the best engineered cars on earth and still get to look different, quirky....cool.
Go get one!
As far as I can tell, that is the only reason for b
hing amongst Lotus owners - Elise/Exige drivers want to consider themselves a bit hard and different ( like the cars ) and feel, therefore, that the Europa has 'sold out' the Lotus rawness.It hasn't. You still get one of the best engineered cars on earth and still get to look different, quirky....cool.
Go get one!
The Europa is my favourite of the current range, I'm currently using a 250ish bhp version running on Nitrons and wider wheel/tyre combo and it can cover ground at an astonishing rate. The power, and more importantly the torque, this thing produces is absolutely superb and the handling is benign and forgiving yet razor sharp too.
With the grunt this thing has got power oversteer is just a toe squeeze away and with the Niton dampers it just gets from A to B at an alarming rate. This car also has the Luxury Touring Pack interior which imho sets it apart from the more hardcore Lotus models.
A most underrated car and it would certainly be where my Lotus money would go.
With the grunt this thing has got power oversteer is just a toe squeeze away and with the Niton dampers it just gets from A to B at an alarming rate. This car also has the Luxury Touring Pack interior which imho sets it apart from the more hardcore Lotus models.
A most underrated car and it would certainly be where my Lotus money would go.
I don't think it will be phased out. The range was relaunched at Geneva this year, and I believe will be on sale and available for the UK press to test from this summer.
The old Europa S 197hp loses its Sat Nav and becomes the Europa, whilst the Europa S 225hp gets the Luxury interior and 17" fronts/18" rears and becomes the Europa SE.
The old Europa S 197hp loses its Sat Nav and becomes the Europa, whilst the Europa S 225hp gets the Luxury interior and 17" fronts/18" rears and becomes the Europa SE.
Like all other owners of the Europa I would say buy one.
I absolutely adore mine.
Having had a series of fast cars there is nothing like this.
On the right road it is simply amazing. Yes it's not as hardcore as an Elise or an Exige but IMHO it makes it more of an all rounder. Is it a GT like Lotus insist, probably not but as a car by itself not compared to the others in the Lotus range it is brilliant.
It is the only car I have had that can serioulsy trouble fast bikes and when the road gets twisty they get into all sorts of trouble.
Unfortunately mine will have to be sold soon due to an imminent house purchase at what seems like the right time.
Mine is an 07 with 5K miles, 225 upgrade by Lotus and has uprated cross-drilled discs.
If you are really interested we should discuss.
This is probably the only car that will leave me with so many memories of outstanding drives.
It won't be too long until I get another.
O
I absolutely adore mine.
Having had a series of fast cars there is nothing like this.
On the right road it is simply amazing. Yes it's not as hardcore as an Elise or an Exige but IMHO it makes it more of an all rounder. Is it a GT like Lotus insist, probably not but as a car by itself not compared to the others in the Lotus range it is brilliant.
It is the only car I have had that can serioulsy trouble fast bikes and when the road gets twisty they get into all sorts of trouble.
Unfortunately mine will have to be sold soon due to an imminent house purchase at what seems like the right time.
Mine is an 07 with 5K miles, 225 upgrade by Lotus and has uprated cross-drilled discs.
If you are really interested we should discuss.
This is probably the only car that will leave me with so many memories of outstanding drives.
It won't be too long until I get another.
O
Had mine nearly three months now........
Cant really add much to what has already been said..... it is a great car, brings a grin to my face when I drive it, and it is also reasonably practical.
The boot is bigger than the Elise. I fly paragliders, and one requirement was that my wing would fit in the boot, which it does not do in an Elise.
And it is great for scaring motorbikes!
Buy one!!
Cant really add much to what has already been said..... it is a great car, brings a grin to my face when I drive it, and it is also reasonably practical.
The boot is bigger than the Elise. I fly paragliders, and one requirement was that my wing would fit in the boot, which it does not do in an Elise.
And it is great for scaring motorbikes!
Buy one!!
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