Usability of the Europa?
Discussion
Simple question: how usable is the Europa as an everyday car?
I'm currently running two cars --an s1 Elise plus something more comfortable for every day, most recently a Monaro-- and I'm wondering about down-sizing. Due to my job, I barely drive the Elise, and following six months in a Monaro, it's started to feel decidedly average in the straight line, whereas before it would always impress me a little.
The Europa makes some sense: fairly discreet, rare, decent running costs, pretty quick by all accounts, and tunable for more power should I need it in the future.
So... what's the everyday reality like? I know there will still be compromises, but I used to run the Elise as my only car, and after a winter and a summer European tour, I lost that perverse enjoyment of the hair-shirt-ness of it. Road noise? Getting in & out? Visibility? Boot space? (Could I do Le Mans in it, without needing a rack as with the Elise? Could I get a suitcase inside it?) What would it be like to drive 500 miles in, in a single day?
(I know that a lot of these questions can be answered by a test-drive, but they're rare, and I don't want to waste my time, and a dealer's money, barking up the wrong tree.)
Thanks
I'm currently running two cars --an s1 Elise plus something more comfortable for every day, most recently a Monaro-- and I'm wondering about down-sizing. Due to my job, I barely drive the Elise, and following six months in a Monaro, it's started to feel decidedly average in the straight line, whereas before it would always impress me a little.
The Europa makes some sense: fairly discreet, rare, decent running costs, pretty quick by all accounts, and tunable for more power should I need it in the future.
So... what's the everyday reality like? I know there will still be compromises, but I used to run the Elise as my only car, and after a winter and a summer European tour, I lost that perverse enjoyment of the hair-shirt-ness of it. Road noise? Getting in & out? Visibility? Boot space? (Could I do Le Mans in it, without needing a rack as with the Elise? Could I get a suitcase inside it?) What would it be like to drive 500 miles in, in a single day?
(I know that a lot of these questions can be answered by a test-drive, but they're rare, and I don't want to waste my time, and a dealer's money, barking up the wrong tree.)
Thanks
To answer some of your questions:
Boot? its bigger than the elise but nit by much, but it is more usable and the tail gate gives better access. You would get a small suitcase in it, but better to have soft bags, two of them will go in with no probs and it'll easily take enough for a couple of weeks away etc.
Comfort, once you are in it is fine, better than the Elise and quieter. In the winter it heats up really nicely, in the summer it can get hot as the roof doesnt come off and the aircon is so-so. You can hear the stereo at all speeds and assuming it has the original stereo - I'm sure most will have - then you get the in built sat-nav which when you get used to it, isnt that bad. Get one with the luxury touring interior and its a nice place to be.
Getting in and out of it is OK. But don't get carried away, it is marginally easier than an Elise and Exige, but it is marginal.
Performance is good, it is quick and in gear it is very quick, on the run there is not much that will get away from you. But the engine noise is quite harsh and not that inspired in standard format. There are a couple of known character traits... The gearchange is ok at best, the exhaust heat shield seems to work loose every few thousand miles and it rattles and the lower engine stay bar can work very slightly lose and cause a vibration on the overun - they all seem to do it!
Obviously it is prone to stone chips etc etc. All in its a great car, I ran one as my only car for 2 years and clocked up some serious mileage and I couldnt fault it as long as it is the type of car you want. 500 miles in a day is easily doable ( I did it), you will need a full tank to start, will fil up once and be on vapour of the second tank at the end; certainly the car will handle it fine. I have changed mine for a more normal car (Audi s5) which whilst not as much fun for the 10% of my driving that is for pure fun, is much better for the 90% of my driving that is too and from work. Depends on what you want and what you will use the car for really.
Boot? its bigger than the elise but nit by much, but it is more usable and the tail gate gives better access. You would get a small suitcase in it, but better to have soft bags, two of them will go in with no probs and it'll easily take enough for a couple of weeks away etc.
Comfort, once you are in it is fine, better than the Elise and quieter. In the winter it heats up really nicely, in the summer it can get hot as the roof doesnt come off and the aircon is so-so. You can hear the stereo at all speeds and assuming it has the original stereo - I'm sure most will have - then you get the in built sat-nav which when you get used to it, isnt that bad. Get one with the luxury touring interior and its a nice place to be.
Getting in and out of it is OK. But don't get carried away, it is marginally easier than an Elise and Exige, but it is marginal.
Performance is good, it is quick and in gear it is very quick, on the run there is not much that will get away from you. But the engine noise is quite harsh and not that inspired in standard format. There are a couple of known character traits... The gearchange is ok at best, the exhaust heat shield seems to work loose every few thousand miles and it rattles and the lower engine stay bar can work very slightly lose and cause a vibration on the overun - they all seem to do it!
Obviously it is prone to stone chips etc etc. All in its a great car, I ran one as my only car for 2 years and clocked up some serious mileage and I couldnt fault it as long as it is the type of car you want. 500 miles in a day is easily doable ( I did it), you will need a full tank to start, will fil up once and be on vapour of the second tank at the end; certainly the car will handle it fine. I have changed mine for a more normal car (Audi s5) which whilst not as much fun for the 10% of my driving that is for pure fun, is much better for the 90% of my driving that is too and from work. Depends on what you want and what you will use the car for really.
Edited by Twit on Tuesday 15th December 19:57
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