The deposit is down following the test drive. WOW

[cranep]

Hi all, first post
Went to Christopher Neil my local Lotus / TVR dealer on the weekend and put a deposit on a 1999 Azure 111s. Following the test drive it was hard to do anything other than buy it. Can't wait to pick it up (20th December hopefully sooner).. Just need to keep mithering the Bank Manager.

At the same time my bud bought a new 111s and has managed to 360 it already. Its probably coz the tyres were'nt scrubbed and it was wet after all. You could say its probably made me think about it a bit more as I was in the car and it was'nt pleasant. Can anyone offer any driving / cornering tips / experience (no pi** takers please) apparently, a key one is not to back off mid bend... I am used to front wheel drive cars and have been driving for years.

If anyone can offer any good advice on roads / journeys in the North West that would be helpful too.

Is it true that you can visit Lotus and spin there cars on tarmac for a day rather than your own ?? Anyone know the costs please.?
Thanks
Paul

[cranep]

Your info and advice is much appreciated.. Again, any more info will be great..
I have priced the Yokos from Lotus, can get fronts for £79+VAT and rears for £110+VAT. Is this likely to vary between dealers?

The Man at Lotus reckons that seeing as the Lotus is a second car and I am not really going to be driving it much in the wet I should see how I get on with the PZeros..
Whilst taking your advice at the same time, is it safe to say that the Pzeros are good in the dry? I have them on my Celica, they are crud in the wet but great in the dry...

Thanks again, very grateful.
Paul

[cranep]

Bonce, Just a quick note.. Managed to speak to Andy at 1st Lotus yesterday, very nice man indeed.. Seems to have a good background and is just what I am looking for . Will be booking on one early next year.. How big is the Airfield out of interest??

Paul

[cranep]

Tommorows the day ! Any ideas from anyone on the best car cover for an Elise? I will be keeping the car in a garage so its a dust cover rather than a waterproof one.. Lotus want to sell me either an Outdoor cover costing about £150 or an Indoor one that costs about £310!!! Any ideas about the differences please and why the indoor one is more expensive ? Or any alternative suppliers..

Thanks

[cranep]

Nothern Boy, fair comment.. But I've never been a person that does things by half..

As for the tyres. Think I am going to keep them on until I've gone to see Andy at 1stLotus (trash as much tred as poss) then replace with Advans as reccomended by everyone. (Will probably keep the POs for track days etc. The car is a second one anyhow so at a push I will avoid taking it out in the wet until I've got the muller saved up..



>> Edited by cranep on Tuesday 10th December 09:33

[cranep]

PS - Did I mention that todays the day?? ;-) Will update when I've put a few miles on it.

[cranep]

Absolutely Stunned.. Seriously, this is totally and amazingly different than any other car that I have driven. When I first got in and took it down the road, I though hmm, steering wheel is'nt on straight.. and it looked like the dealder had replaced a broken driving lamp with a claw hammer. But after about 500 yds I realised that none of that actually matters one little bit..

1Lotus here I come..!!

Any suggestions on moving the steering wheel so that "straight is straight" would be appreciated (just to finish it off.)

Will be in touch with further reports..

[cranep]

Phew, that sounds like a bit of fun. Will have a bit of a stab, thanks for the instructions.. If things get a bit sticky mid job think I will put it back together and get it to the dealer.

Fingers Crossed.