Lotus Europa | Spotted
Discussion
I seriously considered getting at the Europa as a daily, but 30,000 miles a year was asking too much.
i actually like the look of them - when they came out they had a rawness about them - they didn't look over designed like the TT they were arguably up against.
A couple of years ago a decent S was £15,000. they then seemed to disappear and re-emerge at £20k plus. i guess it is a case of bottoming out on the depreciation curve and moving into "modern classic" status.
Whereas the 09 plate TT / 370 will now be worth £6k at best.
I remember someone on the VX220 forum mentioning a few years ago that the Europa S started life as the Mk2 VX220. Vauxhall pulled out late on in the development process due to their financial position, leaving Lotus with a paid for product that just needed finishing off and the Vauxhall badges swapping for Lotus ones. Does anyone else know anything about this?...
Drove mine as a daily driver for about two years. Absolute joy to drive anywhere (other than speed bumps riddled roads). Mine had a few known owners who had meticulously looked after it and improved up on Lotus' vision.
In regards to looks, I really think you have to see one in the flesh, i could never take a good photo of it. When you see one up close, I believe they are much prettier than the more common S2/3 Elise. Mine was a JPS themed car with gold wheels, loved it
I sold up as a fellow Europa owner I knew had a headlight damaged on his car, and he was finding it almost impossible to source a replacement, and when he did, it was eye watering. Using it as a daily no longer made sense and I didnt have time at that point for a toy... so sold it and bought a diesel A1!
In regards to looks, I really think you have to see one in the flesh, i could never take a good photo of it. When you see one up close, I believe they are much prettier than the more common S2/3 Elise. Mine was a JPS themed car with gold wheels, loved it
I sold up as a fellow Europa owner I knew had a headlight damaged on his car, and he was finding it almost impossible to source a replacement, and when he did, it was eye watering. Using it as a daily no longer made sense and I didnt have time at that point for a toy... so sold it and bought a diesel A1!
Q Car said:
I remember someone on the VX220 forum mentioning a few years ago that the Europa S started life as the Mk2 VX220. Vauxhall pulled out late on in the development process due to their financial position, leaving Lotus with a paid for product that just needed finishing off and the Vauxhall badges swapping for Lotus ones. Does anyone else know anything about this?...
Not sure about this, i think the Europa basically used up old stock from Vauxhaull left at the factory. The car was essentially a vx220 with a new body and a bit more comfort. Originally this was to be a Proton car (built by Lotus) but later became a Lotus as i guess Proton seen sense.
woodsymv6 said:
selym said:
In this day and age with sub 4 second hatches being the norm, what these cars are good at is being fast forgotten.
What has being 4WD and overweight got to do with a Lotus?
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