RE: The best used Lotus cars to buy in 2021
Discussion
Paul_M3 said:
Completely agree with this, and basically aligns with what I'm intending to do right now.
I currently own one car, a very lovely 911. It does everything very well and it's a brilliant car. But it seems a bit wasted being used for my 25 mile each way work commute, on roads with a 50mph limit most of the way and no real opportunities for overtakes.
Therefore I've currently got a very boring electric car on order via a work lease scheme. It will be quiet, comfortable, modern and cheap to run for daily duties.
The Porsche is getting sold, and I'm planning to replace it with an S3 Exige. It'll enjoy weekend drives, the odd commute to work, hopefully a fair few track days, and remind me why I love cars and driving so much.
Sounds eminently sensible!I currently own one car, a very lovely 911. It does everything very well and it's a brilliant car. But it seems a bit wasted being used for my 25 mile each way work commute, on roads with a 50mph limit most of the way and no real opportunities for overtakes.
Therefore I've currently got a very boring electric car on order via a work lease scheme. It will be quiet, comfortable, modern and cheap to run for daily duties.
The Porsche is getting sold, and I'm planning to replace it with an S3 Exige. It'll enjoy weekend drives, the odd commute to work, hopefully a fair few track days, and remind me why I love cars and driving so much.
airhawk1 said:
I can't argue with any of the above! There aren't really any bad options in the Elise/Exige line up. And the slower, lighter cars are of course more thashable, which is a large part of the appeal to me.
However, I'm utterly obsessed with the noise of that V6..! It's up there with my favourite sounding cars of all time.
I would adore to have any of them though!
the Evora 410 confuses everything by being V6 and very Elise-like However, I'm utterly obsessed with the noise of that V6..! It's up there with my favourite sounding cars of all time.
I would adore to have any of them though!
i have a 140hp Elise. utterly spankable. complemented by an S1 Evora, which is very much sports GT. The 400 series Evora is so different though, and while not as trackable as an Exige it certainly blurs the lines more. Overall, it's the Elise which is #1 keeper for me, though i hope to keep both.
wolfie28 said:
Nearly bought a Exige S2 a while back. I’m not the youngest or fittest so getting in and out was pure comedy. Sadly that was the deal breaker in the end. Test drive was fun and once I was in it was a great place to be.
Sadly I know that feeling well. I had to sell my Elise S2 due to problems getting out over the high sill. I’m old and arthritic. I’ve now got a Boxster, competent and good for long trips when we can do them but dull and heavy compared to the Elise.CABC said:
the Evora 410 confuses everything by being V6 and very Elise-like
i have a 140hp Elise. utterly spankable. complemented by an S1 Evora, which is very much sports GT. The 400 series Evora is so different though, and while not as trackable as an Exige it certainly blurs the lines more. Overall, it's the Elise which is #1 keeper for me, though i hope to keep both.
S1 Evora is the sweet spot for me for a road car. Won't track as well as the later editions but it has the right amount of poke that you can use it on the road, Sounds great with the switchable sports exhaust, very planted when pushing on but rides beautifully, which means that you can enjoy it on a back road, enjoy it on a commute, enjoy it on the motorway... The later editions were a bit more raw and a bit firmer, pushing it, for me, in a slightly different direction and a little away from the perfect road compromise.i have a 140hp Elise. utterly spankable. complemented by an S1 Evora, which is very much sports GT. The 400 series Evora is so different though, and while not as trackable as an Exige it certainly blurs the lines more. Overall, it's the Elise which is #1 keeper for me, though i hope to keep both.
wab172uk said:
An Exige S3 would be very welcome addition in the garage.
But which one? And which special edition? The model range is so confusing, are you buying the best? Second best? Fifth best? Who knows?
It's easy. A unicorn spec 360 cup, the last cars built by Lotus Motorsport before they were shut, with the later open gearshift and ohlins dampers. I believe there are about 20 in the world - mine would be in Essex blue with red wheel, like the one that sat in the B&C showroom at 66k for about 8 months back in 2016.But which one? And which special edition? The model range is so confusing, are you buying the best? Second best? Fifth best? Who knows?
New, it's diminishing returns, you pay a lot more money for a bit more power basically but even a 350 sport is ballistic on the road. Cup 430 if you have 100k plus to spare mind, because you get a mahoosive carbonfibre rear wing and why not basically. 390 final edition at 70k is a sweet spot new currently as you get the chargecooled powertrain.
Personally, having had an S3 Exige (and an S2 Exige before that) and now an Evora 400, the Evora is a better everyday car and it's still a tremendous joy to drive, but the V6 is a more of an event come weekend toy. And the 400 is pretty great on track also.
I only owned my 111R Sports Racer for a short time, but it was the only car i've owned that people would literally stop and stare at.
My Porsches, AMGs etc never received anywhere near the same goodwill or attention. Petrol stations, traffic lights etc - people would want to chat about it.
Bit of a shame they aren't better screwed together, but they make up for it in other ways.
My Porsches, AMGs etc never received anywhere near the same goodwill or attention. Petrol stations, traffic lights etc - people would want to chat about it.
Bit of a shame they aren't better screwed together, but they make up for it in other ways.
|https://thumbsnap.com/Z8JUeYnB[/url]TdM-GTV said:
S1 Evora is the sweet spot for me for a road car. Won't track as well as the later editions but it has the right amount of poke that you can use it on the road, Sounds great with the switchable sports exhaust, very planted when pushing on but rides beautifully, which means that you can enjoy it on a back road, enjoy it on a commute, enjoy it on the motorway... The later editions were a bit more raw and a bit firmer, pushing it, for me, in a slightly different direction and a little away from the perfect road compromise.
^^^^ What he said(And if you ever feel like selling it, let me know...)
Bobo W said:
I went for Elise SC over Exige S2 late last year - in the same fabulous burnt orange. In terms of useable performance I can't think why you'd want anything more powerful.
I got an Elise SC in October and as much as I love my Porsche 964, I find myself picking the keys to the Lotus 9 times out of 10. Its been a revelation.
Edited by BillyB on Friday 12th March 16:51
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