Lotus Evora GT410 Sport & Honda e
Discussion
Back Again, with another fairly mundane update. Closing in on 15,000 miles now as the car nears it's first birthday, I think it's at about 14,700.
Mechanically, it's been faultless! I was aware that the days of 'Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious' were in the past, but it's always nice to have that proven with your own car. It's not really changing much anymore either, since about 7,000/8,000 miles it's been what I would consider to be properly broken in, and the engine feels nice and loose. I'm still very undecided whether it's actually fast enough or not, but I feel less of a need for extra power than I once did.
I've decided what to do with it! I'm going to sell in 12 months and buy the new car that Lotus is releasing I think, so someones's going to get a bargain! No doubt by then it'll have covered 35-40k miles
I haven't made this decision because it's a bad car, quite the opposite in fact. It's confirmed to me that I like the car and the company, and so I'd like to try a product from them that is hopefully being developed with fewer corners being cut! My gripes about the placement of things in the interior remain, but given how broke Lotus were when developing this thing, they're easily forgivable. The next car will be looked at with a much more critical eye.
Big plans for the next 12 months. A euro roadtrip to Evora, Portugal is going to happen, as well as a second NC500 trip. The Lakes and the Peaks have to be visited, as well as Wales (it hasn't been there at all yet!) and Cornwall. Until then, have a mix of old pics from the NC500 and some recent ones from Caffeine & Machine since it reopened.
Somewhere in Scotland... by Alex D, on Flickr
Somewhere in Scotland... by Alex D, on Flickr
The view from The Torridon, I think by Alex D, on Flickr
Loch Ness by Alex D, on Flickr
Those NC500 Vistas by Alex D, on Flickr
Sun! In Scotland?! by Alex D, on Flickr
Beads and Bug Splatters by Alex D, on Flickr
Blagdon Lake by Alex D, on Flickr
Let Me Begin by Alex D, on Flickr
1 Green Boi by Alex D, on Flickr
Purposeful by Alex D, on Flickr
Just a bit of fun by Alex D, on Flickr
Those Lazy C&M Mornings by Alex D, on Flickr
Mechanically, it's been faultless! I was aware that the days of 'Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious' were in the past, but it's always nice to have that proven with your own car. It's not really changing much anymore either, since about 7,000/8,000 miles it's been what I would consider to be properly broken in, and the engine feels nice and loose. I'm still very undecided whether it's actually fast enough or not, but I feel less of a need for extra power than I once did.
I've decided what to do with it! I'm going to sell in 12 months and buy the new car that Lotus is releasing I think, so someones's going to get a bargain! No doubt by then it'll have covered 35-40k miles
I haven't made this decision because it's a bad car, quite the opposite in fact. It's confirmed to me that I like the car and the company, and so I'd like to try a product from them that is hopefully being developed with fewer corners being cut! My gripes about the placement of things in the interior remain, but given how broke Lotus were when developing this thing, they're easily forgivable. The next car will be looked at with a much more critical eye.
Big plans for the next 12 months. A euro roadtrip to Evora, Portugal is going to happen, as well as a second NC500 trip. The Lakes and the Peaks have to be visited, as well as Wales (it hasn't been there at all yet!) and Cornwall. Until then, have a mix of old pics from the NC500 and some recent ones from Caffeine & Machine since it reopened.
Somewhere in Scotland... by Alex D, on FlickrSomewhere in Scotland... by Alex D, on FlickrThe view from The Torridon, I think by Alex D, on FlickrLoch Ness by Alex D, on FlickrThose NC500 Vistas by Alex D, on FlickrSun! In Scotland?! by Alex D, on FlickrBeads and Bug Splatters by Alex D, on FlickrBlagdon Lake by Alex D, on FlickrLet Me Begin by Alex D, on Flickr1 Green Boi by Alex D, on FlickrPurposeful by Alex D, on FlickrJust a bit of fun by Alex D, on FlickrThose Lazy C&M Mornings by Alex D, on FlickrMrC986 said:
I saw the OP & his car at Caffeine & Machine the first day they reopened....the car looked great. It’s good to see one being properly used as I said to the friend I was with whose coming with me to do the NC500 hopefully in late September.
Thank you! I'm trying my best. Well, a few days short of it's first birthday, a small update. It's on 15,700 miles now, or 25,266 kilometres for those that are that way inclined. I'm a little bit sad that I didn't manage two services in a year, but there's always the next 12 months. The 'rona ruined my plans, which is not such a big deal considering what others have had to go through with loss of jobs and family members.
The car appears to have worn through it's ARBs, so I'm replacing those and the drop links. The drop links don't really need it, but they're cheap and apparently the Evora does rather like to consume them, so I might as well. The windscreen has cracked too, which is a massive pain in the ass, I'm in Ireland at the moment and will be for a while. On the one hand, it's a single crack, not a chip, this is kinda good news because it means the whole windscreen is unlikley to shatter. On the other hand, this means it's a replacement, not a repair job. Very, very difficult to source the glass in Ireland and insurance wouldn't pay for it anyway. Its going from the top edge to the passenger A pillar, although it's not all the way across yet. I've ordered a replacement through Auto Glass in Belfast, but no word on when it's going to arrive.
Other than that it's plain sailing as always. Three wheels now have pavement rash on them because I'm a bit ham fisted, I think when I'm back in London I'll get get all four refurbished. For the miles I've done I'm happy with how the finish held up. The Evora seems to be a very reliable model (oh god I'm tempting fate) with it's Toyota powertrain, and this one has certainly been put through it's paces and not mollycoddled.
Have some pics! The first pic annoys me a lot, I think I've got the structure of it nailed but I then blew out the sky by shooting into the sun and not using a graduated filter, which I think would have fixed it. I tried to rescue it, but I'm not going to post that as no one needs to see my utter lack of editing skills. Some might say those skills are still on display in the following photos, but eh, I'm still very much learning.
This time next year the car will be up for sale, with hopefully about 35,000 miles on it. Someone's going to get a bargain, that's for sure.
Taking a break, getting bitten by midges by Alex D, on Flickr
All a man could ever want... by Alex D, on Flickr
Getting those angles, or at least trying to! by Alex D, on Flickr
Hope the handbrake holds... by Alex D, on Flickr
Kinda wish I was on the boat instead by Alex D, on Flickr
Lough Corrib views by Alex D, on Flickr
Lough Fee by Alex D, on FlickrIn this pic you can see the look of the new 2bular exhaust. Now I have it I'm not actually entirely sure I like the twin tips, but I sure do like the build quality and sound. If I'm really not happy I'm sure Jim wouldn't mind knocking up something else, it's excellent that they're a bolt on to the main silencer. I also very much like the lack of restriction you get with the valve closed, it no longer feels choked up as the factory one can sometimes do. It's bedded in really well over the last few thousand miles, very happy with it overall.
The end of the road by Alex D, on Flickr
View from Sky Road by Alex D, on Flickr
View from Sky Road 2 by Alex D, on FlickrStr6mik said:
leglessAlex said:
My numbers were roughly as follows: £104,000 list, £86,000 minus VAT, £2,000 discount and then 50% of it financed for two years at 0% interest. I'm in for £42,000 or so, and if I keep it just one year I expect to get about £28-30,000 of that back. This would maybe go up to as much as £36,000 back if it was driven as little as sports cars often are.
Is that a lot? Yeah, it is. £1,200 per month on depreciation is no small amount, but if you were to look at a 24 month lease of, say, a 911 GTS, the Lotus is still significantly cheaper I believe. Obviously, those are fairly 'worst case' numbers, and if you didn't drive it much and kept it two years, you might only lose £500pm. Cheap.
How does that work ? Are you assuming that to get out of it you would have to pay off the entire amount and sell The car privately as you would a pcp?Is that a lot? Yeah, it is. £1,200 per month on depreciation is no small amount, but if you were to look at a 24 month lease of, say, a 911 GTS, the Lotus is still significantly cheaper I believe. Obviously, those are fairly 'worst case' numbers, and if you didn't drive it much and kept it two years, you might only lose £500pm. Cheap.
No idea how it'd work in practice, I guess I might have to end up paying the money outstanding on it first to clear the finance and then selling it back to B&C? Not really that big of a deal, I wouldn't ever end up losing more than I had in the car, or at least that's very unlikley.
I think with the amount I'm driving it I might lose £35,000 in the two years, so about £1500 a month. Lots, but it's given me lots of smiles too so I don't mind.
Ah I was only joking, and to be fair I have to think about it some time. Sticking my head in the sand has never done me much good in life 
I don't know how paying it off early would work, although now I think about it, it would be pretty harsh if you did have to stump up the money before selling it on. Who knows?
Either way, the vast majority of people will see more back after two years than I will, I don't doubt. Can't be too many Evoras out there with 15k+ miles a year
I don't know how paying it off early would work, although now I think about it, it would be pretty harsh if you did have to stump up the money before selling it on. Who knows?
Either way, the vast majority of people will see more back after two years than I will, I don't doubt. Can't be too many Evoras out there with 15k+ miles a year
Tin Hat said:
Whilst admiring the menacing Evora approaching me today near Richmond, I saw that it was also famous ( in these parts ).
Anyway, it looked superb, good to see one out and about - A rare sight!
Thank you so much! It's filthy, as usual, but I think it still looks pretty good. It's a shame I'm not able to drive it much, but we're all in the same boat. Anyway, it looked superb, good to see one out and about - A rare sight!
However, that said, I should finish up posting the pics from my August and September spent in Ireland! Brace your eyeballs.
Ireland. Seriously. by Alex D, on Flickr
The road was as good as it looked... by Alex D, on Flickr
Touring the Burren no.2 by Alex D, on Flickr
Arse by Alex D, on Flickr
It was closer to the edge than it looks by Alex D, on Flickr
Sometimes, reaching the end of the road isn’t so bad. by Alex D, on Flickr
Serenity by Alex D, on Flickr
Chasing sunsets. Again. by Alex D, on Flickr
As darkness falls by Alex D, on FlickrThis photo really highlights just how green it is in the sunlight. I still think a green roof would look ace, but I don't think I'll be keeping the car, so it's not worth painting it.
#greenovertan by Alex D, on FlickrWhen I came back to London mid-September, I didn't do a whole lot in the car, a couple of trips around Surrey with my now ex-girlfriend, and a few trips to C&M. The winscreen was still cracked at this point, with Autoglass seemingly not able to get a replacement in.
However, I had mentioned earlier that I thought the car had worn out something in the front suspension, but it turns out it hadn't! I was hearing a clunking on rougher roads or when the car hit a sharp bump, but I wasn't really feeling anything, which puzzled me. When I got back to London i took it to B&C to have a look, and they solved it, of course. A clamp that holds the power steering fluid lines had snapped, leaving the piping free to hit the chassis. Not at severe risk of failure, but very loud! Anyway, all sorted now.
Unfortuantely in November I broke up with my girlfriend, and I decided to go back to Galway early December to let her move out in her own time and not under any pressure from me. I did a 10 day quarantine rather than 14, as the WHO reckon that's more than good enough, and oh boy did it drag! I was also restricted to travel only within my county after that, but lucky for me Galway is large, and most of my favourite roads are within the border.
And so, have a load of winter pictures! I also got a polarising filter that I'm still learning to use, but I think it has the potential to bring the car's colour out from more angles.
Oh, and for the eagle eyed amongst you, yes it's wearing winter tyres in the correct, slightly undersized fitment. They're Conti WinterContact TS850S and I'm very happy with them. I was wondering whether it would be worth it, but I think they have been.
Lotus in Connemara by Alex D, on Flickr
Chasing rainbows by Alex D, on Flickr
Ireland, eh? by Alex D, on Flickr
Sky road by Alex D, on Flickr
Trying out the polariser. by Alex D, on Flickr
Frosty! by Alex D, on Flickr
A last snap of Ireland in 2020 by Alex D, on FlickrAnd that's it! I've been back in my newly empty flat since December 31st and frankly it's been incredibly s
t. Only really been able to drive to the shops, and to some physio appointments because legless problems. Joy. The windscreen did finally get repaired, and Autoglass did an okay job. They've scuffed the hell out of one of the A pillars somehow, but it's not deep and the whole car is due a polish anyway, so I don't mind. I'm just glad it's done. So, what next? Well, it's just below 25,000 miles now, and the aim is add a good chunk to that when we're allowed to drive again. I'll get the wheels refurbished at some point, but I've got to say that Chelsea Coachworks in Wandsworth did an excellent job, the finish has held up really well. I've curbed two of them because I'm a complete tool sometimes, but other than that there's only been minor pitting from stones. I'll be taking them back there, and I'll time it so that I can get some Pilot Sport 4S fitted at that time too.
The PPF needs looking at as it's bubbling in places, and the whole car needs a proper, several day polish I think. I'm unsure what do to here, do I remove the PPF entirely, or do I replace it, and polish the car inbetween removal and re laying? Who knows. I'm also thinking about getting the wing mirrors and front access hatch done in body colour.
Only other thing I've been thinking about is fitting a new washer nozzle, the current one that sprays two single jets is crap. I'd like one that sprays with a much better spread, but I'm not really sure how to go about this. Buy on ebay and then just make it fit? I got a 3D printer for Christmas, if it needs an adaptor or anything.
Apologies for any spelling mistakes, this lockdown and winter combined has turned my brain to mush. Tired, all the damn time.
Thanks for the kind words everyone 
However, I did eventually change them for some winters, and then in Spring (maybe mid-March) I’ll change these for a set of PS4S I think.
RevsPerMinute said:
Did you ever bite the bullet and put some PS4's on?
Not yet, I was always at the wrong stage where it would have meant getting rid of a pair of the Cups that still had a lot of life left!However, I did eventually change them for some winters, and then in Spring (maybe mid-March) I’ll change these for a set of PS4S I think.
Right! A sort of big update to talk about now, and then a big update to half talk about that'll be in a few weeks.
I'll cover the one that's happeneing in a few weeks first, as it concerns the Evora (rather than the other big update, that doesn't). Here's how it sits right now:
Evora @ Epsom by Alex D, on Flickr
Yeah, I know. It really, actually needs a clean now. That's going to be covered below...
The keen eyed will notice a few things that have happened recently. Firstly, the car is off winter tyres and onto a set of Pilot Sport 4S. First indications are that they're as amazing as everyone says, the cars feels so direct, responsive and grippy compared to the small, wobbly treadblocks of the winter tyres. I'm really really looking forward to making the most of the warmer, drier weather. If anyone wants a set of lightly worn winter tyres, please PM me!
Secondly, the wing mirrors and front hatch have been painted body colour. This is where the issues have arisen. Firstly, the body shop that I trusted to do the work and has been reliable for me in the past screwed up, and the front hatch is just plainly a different shade of green with far too much flake in it than the rest of the front clam. I'm not happy, but I'll be bringing it back to them later after other things have been done. The wing mirrors seem about right, and there's no direct panel to compare them to anyway. In addition to this, I realised I massively messed up again, I shouldn't have painted over the carbon. Not that I don't like it, I should have just bought a GRP part off ebay, or even one new and unpainted, and then painted that. The carbon part is £1,300!! I'm a completel fool and I'm really upset with myself for rushing into it without proper thought.
After picking up the car from the body shop, the handbrake/brake fluid alert light came on and stayed on, despite there being no issues with either the handbrake release or the fluid level. The fine fine people at Bell & Colvill sorted it out for me, it turns out a resistor in the loom 150mm back from the brake fluid level sensor is kaput, so they'll be replacing that for me. They really are exceptional people, maybe some people out there have had bad experiences with them but certainly no one I've ever heard of. I could never recommend them enough. The body shop, who I'm pretty sure were at fault for this, won't be named. They've been reliable for me in the past, and I want to give them at least the opportunity to fix the colour match.
In more positive news, the car is getting a spring clean! When it goes to B&C to get the resistor replaced, I'll be asking them to do a full assessment of the car and correct absolutely anything that's wrong. The wheels are going to The Wheel Specialist in Kingston/Chessington for a full refurb, and on the 29th of this month it's going to be at my detailers for a few days getting a full polish, to get out all the small scratches I've put in it. Whoops. It should look a million dollars when it's all done.
Lastly, I have a replacement windscreen washer nozzle that's a mist type instead of two individual jets, which always get on my nerves, they're crap. I've taken the chance on a Ford part that looks right and is heated like the part that's on it, I'll say if it has worked or not after I've fitted it.
And that's all! Well, for now. When it gets polished I'll get some nice photos taken, and go over my more long term future plans.
So, what other big news is there? Well, I got a new car!
So, I've always had a three year lease car provided by Motability (because man has no legs, innit), and for the past six years I've been in a Ford Fiesta. They're okay things, they did their job. This time, however, I've gone for something a little different, in some ways...
Honda e by Alex D, on Flickr
Honda e and cherry blossom by Alex D, on Flickr
Yep, I've gone electric! And I've bought what is, in my eyes, the objectively worst yet actually the best electric car on sale.
I'm sure everyone knows, but lets go over it. It's a Honda e (yes, lowercase e) Advance. It has a tiny 35.5kWh battery, a frankly pathetic 100 mile range (at best), a uselessly small boot and pointless rear seats. Objectively, as I said, it's a bit rubbish.
But look at it. Just. Look. At. It.
It's freaking adorable, retro and modern all at the same time. I know, I've got no photos of the interior which is basically the best part, I'll get on that. Sorry. Anyway, I've had it three days, I have nowhere to charge it at my flat and I utterly love it. I turned out the car park at Chiswick Honda when I picked it up, floored it, and brust out laughing. In fact, I laughed like a maniac the whole way home, causing many cyclists and pedestrians to look at me as if I should be put in an asylum.
Okay, so lets calm down for a second and go through it. As I mentioned, I have nowhere to charge it, so why did I get the electric car with the worst range? Well, I'm in the fortunate position where I have the freedom to buy with my heart, not my head. The Leaf and Zoe might well be good cars, and they're objectively loads better, but they stir the same emotions in me as a bog standard Golf or Focus. I just couldn't care less about them. The Honda on the other hand, is cool, in my eyes at least. So, so cool. The retro exterior, the interior screens, the camera wing mirrors, the ridiculously tight turning circle. Honda have done that Honda thing, they've made a truly brilliant car for completely the wrong audience. Just like the Mk1 Insight, the original and current NSX, and you could even argue cars like the S2000 almost come into that bracket too. Really good cars that have been undone by compeition that just appeals to more people.
It's my first experience of electric, and I'm left wondering why anyone chooses anything else for a city car, provided their situation allows for one (and I'm very aware many situations don't allow for one). The instant torque is fun and addictive, and the quietness when just cruising along a silent early morning street is really calming, I think.
The wing mirror cameras are one of the more intertesting parts on the car, and I think they deserve a seperate paragraph. Firstly, I think they're quite intuitive in positioning, I found myself automatically looking towards them very quickly. Secondly, the dynamic range is... okay. It's impressive for a camera, but a good demonstration that mass produced sensors for applications such as this still aren't as good as the human eye. They're getting there I guess, but for night time driving, especially in the wet, the traditional rear view mirror does give a better view. Still, none of those things were the real surprise. The real surprise is the perspective! Objects in the mirror are actually as close as they appear, and I'm not used to that at all. For traditional mirrors, your brain automatically calculates how close the object ACTUALLY is, for cameras they don't need to, so for the first while everything just looks very very close indeed. It's not bad, but it is weird.
The driving experience is just plain fun, it feels like a big tonka toy. It's surprisingly quick up to about 45mph, and the turning circle is about the same as a black cab, so U-turns are an option almost anywhere. The handling isn't bad, but it rolls a lot, as you'd expect. at 1,500kg+, it's in excess of a fat bloke more than the Evora. I'm very very temped by some Watanabes and lowering springs for it, but I'm trying to remind myself how I ruined the Fiesta by doing that, and it's not strictly allowed by Motability anyway. It's on Pilot Sport 4's though, which is interesting.
The range... okay, I guess we have to talk about it. In short, yes, it is that bad. 110 miles or so with no climate contol on, an indicated 75-80 miles with it on, i.e. in winter. But you know what? I don't care. I have the Lotus for longer trips, and living in London there are charge points everywhere. I'll have to spend half an hour scrolling through my phone or having a coffee once every few days while it does a 20-80% rapid charge, so what? Not a big deal for me. The price is steep too, but it's a motability car, so it doesn't really apply to me. Honestly, I don't really care about range or charging, so I can't be bothered to talk about it much or drtail my daily usage. I'll charge it when it needs it.
That's my update! I'll ask a mod to change the title I think, because I'll be talking about both cars here in this thread. Oh, and for anyone that's disappointed in the tree-hugging electric car, don't worry, an AMG estate is on the horizon I think
Apologies for the rubbish spelling and grammar, I'm not used to typing a lot anymore and my brain has completely turned to mush this winter. I think I need a job for mental stimulation.
I'll cover the one that's happeneing in a few weeks first, as it concerns the Evora (rather than the other big update, that doesn't). Here's how it sits right now:
Evora @ Epsom by Alex D, on FlickrYeah, I know. It really, actually needs a clean now. That's going to be covered below...
The keen eyed will notice a few things that have happened recently. Firstly, the car is off winter tyres and onto a set of Pilot Sport 4S. First indications are that they're as amazing as everyone says, the cars feels so direct, responsive and grippy compared to the small, wobbly treadblocks of the winter tyres. I'm really really looking forward to making the most of the warmer, drier weather. If anyone wants a set of lightly worn winter tyres, please PM me!
Secondly, the wing mirrors and front hatch have been painted body colour. This is where the issues have arisen. Firstly, the body shop that I trusted to do the work and has been reliable for me in the past screwed up, and the front hatch is just plainly a different shade of green with far too much flake in it than the rest of the front clam. I'm not happy, but I'll be bringing it back to them later after other things have been done. The wing mirrors seem about right, and there's no direct panel to compare them to anyway. In addition to this, I realised I massively messed up again, I shouldn't have painted over the carbon. Not that I don't like it, I should have just bought a GRP part off ebay, or even one new and unpainted, and then painted that. The carbon part is £1,300!! I'm a completel fool and I'm really upset with myself for rushing into it without proper thought.
After picking up the car from the body shop, the handbrake/brake fluid alert light came on and stayed on, despite there being no issues with either the handbrake release or the fluid level. The fine fine people at Bell & Colvill sorted it out for me, it turns out a resistor in the loom 150mm back from the brake fluid level sensor is kaput, so they'll be replacing that for me. They really are exceptional people, maybe some people out there have had bad experiences with them but certainly no one I've ever heard of. I could never recommend them enough. The body shop, who I'm pretty sure were at fault for this, won't be named. They've been reliable for me in the past, and I want to give them at least the opportunity to fix the colour match.
In more positive news, the car is getting a spring clean! When it goes to B&C to get the resistor replaced, I'll be asking them to do a full assessment of the car and correct absolutely anything that's wrong. The wheels are going to The Wheel Specialist in Kingston/Chessington for a full refurb, and on the 29th of this month it's going to be at my detailers for a few days getting a full polish, to get out all the small scratches I've put in it. Whoops. It should look a million dollars when it's all done.
Lastly, I have a replacement windscreen washer nozzle that's a mist type instead of two individual jets, which always get on my nerves, they're crap. I've taken the chance on a Ford part that looks right and is heated like the part that's on it, I'll say if it has worked or not after I've fitted it.
And that's all! Well, for now. When it gets polished I'll get some nice photos taken, and go over my more long term future plans.
So, what other big news is there? Well, I got a new car!
So, I've always had a three year lease car provided by Motability (because man has no legs, innit), and for the past six years I've been in a Ford Fiesta. They're okay things, they did their job. This time, however, I've gone for something a little different, in some ways...
Honda e by Alex D, on FlickrHonda e and cherry blossom by Alex D, on FlickrYep, I've gone electric! And I've bought what is, in my eyes, the objectively worst yet actually the best electric car on sale.
I'm sure everyone knows, but lets go over it. It's a Honda e (yes, lowercase e) Advance. It has a tiny 35.5kWh battery, a frankly pathetic 100 mile range (at best), a uselessly small boot and pointless rear seats. Objectively, as I said, it's a bit rubbish.
But look at it. Just. Look. At. It.
It's freaking adorable, retro and modern all at the same time. I know, I've got no photos of the interior which is basically the best part, I'll get on that. Sorry. Anyway, I've had it three days, I have nowhere to charge it at my flat and I utterly love it. I turned out the car park at Chiswick Honda when I picked it up, floored it, and brust out laughing. In fact, I laughed like a maniac the whole way home, causing many cyclists and pedestrians to look at me as if I should be put in an asylum.
Okay, so lets calm down for a second and go through it. As I mentioned, I have nowhere to charge it, so why did I get the electric car with the worst range? Well, I'm in the fortunate position where I have the freedom to buy with my heart, not my head. The Leaf and Zoe might well be good cars, and they're objectively loads better, but they stir the same emotions in me as a bog standard Golf or Focus. I just couldn't care less about them. The Honda on the other hand, is cool, in my eyes at least. So, so cool. The retro exterior, the interior screens, the camera wing mirrors, the ridiculously tight turning circle. Honda have done that Honda thing, they've made a truly brilliant car for completely the wrong audience. Just like the Mk1 Insight, the original and current NSX, and you could even argue cars like the S2000 almost come into that bracket too. Really good cars that have been undone by compeition that just appeals to more people.
It's my first experience of electric, and I'm left wondering why anyone chooses anything else for a city car, provided their situation allows for one (and I'm very aware many situations don't allow for one). The instant torque is fun and addictive, and the quietness when just cruising along a silent early morning street is really calming, I think.
The wing mirror cameras are one of the more intertesting parts on the car, and I think they deserve a seperate paragraph. Firstly, I think they're quite intuitive in positioning, I found myself automatically looking towards them very quickly. Secondly, the dynamic range is... okay. It's impressive for a camera, but a good demonstration that mass produced sensors for applications such as this still aren't as good as the human eye. They're getting there I guess, but for night time driving, especially in the wet, the traditional rear view mirror does give a better view. Still, none of those things were the real surprise. The real surprise is the perspective! Objects in the mirror are actually as close as they appear, and I'm not used to that at all. For traditional mirrors, your brain automatically calculates how close the object ACTUALLY is, for cameras they don't need to, so for the first while everything just looks very very close indeed. It's not bad, but it is weird.
The driving experience is just plain fun, it feels like a big tonka toy. It's surprisingly quick up to about 45mph, and the turning circle is about the same as a black cab, so U-turns are an option almost anywhere. The handling isn't bad, but it rolls a lot, as you'd expect. at 1,500kg+, it's in excess of a fat bloke more than the Evora. I'm very very temped by some Watanabes and lowering springs for it, but I'm trying to remind myself how I ruined the Fiesta by doing that, and it's not strictly allowed by Motability anyway. It's on Pilot Sport 4's though, which is interesting.
The range... okay, I guess we have to talk about it. In short, yes, it is that bad. 110 miles or so with no climate contol on, an indicated 75-80 miles with it on, i.e. in winter. But you know what? I don't care. I have the Lotus for longer trips, and living in London there are charge points everywhere. I'll have to spend half an hour scrolling through my phone or having a coffee once every few days while it does a 20-80% rapid charge, so what? Not a big deal for me. The price is steep too, but it's a motability car, so it doesn't really apply to me. Honestly, I don't really care about range or charging, so I can't be bothered to talk about it much or drtail my daily usage. I'll charge it when it needs it.
That's my update! I'll ask a mod to change the title I think, because I'll be talking about both cars here in this thread. Oh, and for anyone that's disappointed in the tree-hugging electric car, don't worry, an AMG estate is on the horizon I think
Apologies for the rubbish spelling and grammar, I'm not used to typing a lot anymore and my brain has completely turned to mush this winter. I think I need a job for mental stimulation.
Thanks for the bump AyBee! A lot has happened since, and you know, it's funny you mention the Superb 280...
In short, the Lotus has gone, I bought and sold an E63 AMG, I bought an Alpine A110 and a Skoda Superb 280 4x4 L&K.
So, the Lotus. Why did it go, and what are my thoughts on it? If anyone wants to know those things with a buttload of added typos (probably) then read on. Here's a pic of me on Skye on the 21st of June, ready to 'race' the sun across Scotland on the shortest night of the year. It was ace.
Skye, a final run out by Alex D, on Flickr
Well, probably the most relevant point is that the £42k finance payment was due after two years, and I didn't really have that in cash to pay it off. And, to be honest, I didn't really want to. That sound harsh, the Evora was a wonderful car, but there were a couple of minor things that made me want to move on. I have to say I don't miss it, certainly not in the way I miss my 6.2l C63 AMG Estate, which was unquestionably a special car. I think the Evora was 'just' a very, very good car.
The good bits: The chassis, the engine, the chassis, the brand, the chassis and oh yeah, the chassis. Seriously, it rode and handled that well, it was utterly exceptional. I have an A110 now, a car that's been rightly lauded, but the Evora was better, in my view anyway. It was comforable and yet controlled no matter what, it smoothed the edge off potholes as well as superbly dealt with compressions and humps int he road. Lotus really did an utterly brilliant job here, and I was so happy to have specced the touring suspension, not the sport. The engine was great too, reliable, linear and powerful, although we'll talk about that more later. The real highlight was that it made a really damn great noise. The brand might be a weird one to inclue, but I really enjoy being part of a community, and there are some really good people in the Lotus community. I like tha small brand feel, I've met some really great people that work there, and even the MD Matt Windle, the little I've spoken to him seems like a great guy.
The okay bits: The gearbox and the looks. These are both kinda self explanatory I think, the gearbox is, in the end, a torque converter and while Lotus have done a great job, it's not as good as a decent dual clutch, let alone something like a PDK in a Porsche. As for the looks, I mean I liked it enough to buy it, but it's always been a bit awkward from many angles I think.
The bad bits: Seating positon, the lack of power, the armrest (or lack of). First and foremost, the seating position. I didn't really realise until I got the Alpine how big a difference it makes when you get into a car and you're instantly in the right positon, something that never happened in the Evora. You're always too high, and this is coming from someone that actually normally likes a slightly higher seat. You get used to it, and it didn't stop me having some great times in the car, but it's something that is hard to ever get completely used to. The lack of power... Well, sort of. The problem, if you can call it that, is that the chassis setup is so good that really it feels like it could handle so much more than 400bhp. In second gear corners it was immense, but it tailed off pretty quickly after that. It wasn't a point that I focused on all the time, but when it bothered me, it bothered me. The armrest... wasn't there. Enough said. In a 1,408kg GT biased car, that was a serious point of irritation all the time.
That's a lot of text. Well done to anyone who got through it!
At the end of the day, I liked the car but didnt love it. I haven't missed it since I sold it, which I think says it all. Gave the car back to Jamie at B&C and I believe he'll sell it on when he gets five minutes to think, he's been so busy with the Emira launch!
On the subject of the Emira, I'll probably get one... but not the first one. I'll try and get a Cup or an R, and hope that they don't go with the AMG engine for it. The release editions are too slow and too heavy for what I'm looking for I think.
So, the E63! I won't go into it too much, as it was only with me for six months, but I bought it privately, didn't check thoroughly enough and it bit me. It happens. I utterly despise that some people are dishonest when selling a car, but at the end of the day, it happens and I've just got to deal with it.
It was a really nice car when it worked, but my hand controls I got fitted didn't allow for full throttle (I only found this out a couple of hours before getting rid) and so it never really felt all that fast, all things considered. It felt faster than my previous C63, but not by much. And it didn't sound as good, I am convinced that even thought they're more powerful and better on fuel, neither the 5.5 in my car or the later 4.0 are a patch on the old 6.2, which was a truly glorious engine. I wish I'd never sold my white PP estate, ugh. Anyway, have some photos:
Untitled by Alex D, on Flickr
Untitled by Alex D, on Flickr
Sitting pretty at C&M by Alex D, on Flickr
So! The Merc left last week, and it's replacment arrives at the house today! It's a Skoda Superb 280 4x4 in L&K spec, but weirdly I think has very little added to standard, no sunroof for example. That would normally be a deal breaker for me, but everything else about it was good and I was really stumped (ahem) at what other estate of a similar age, size and price I might like. Anyway, I have a warranty with this one so hopefully all good, even if if/when it does break, it'll be cheaper to fix than the Mercedes.
Have a pic I snapped at the dealership:
Untitled by Alex D, on Flickr
So, I still have the Honda e, I have a Superb estate, time for the last car, the A110... but I'm going to put that in another post later today. Have a teaser pic while I'm typing that up:
Alpine A110 by Alex D, on Flickr
In short, the Lotus has gone, I bought and sold an E63 AMG, I bought an Alpine A110 and a Skoda Superb 280 4x4 L&K.
So, the Lotus. Why did it go, and what are my thoughts on it? If anyone wants to know those things with a buttload of added typos (probably) then read on. Here's a pic of me on Skye on the 21st of June, ready to 'race' the sun across Scotland on the shortest night of the year. It was ace.
Skye, a final run out by Alex D, on FlickrWell, probably the most relevant point is that the £42k finance payment was due after two years, and I didn't really have that in cash to pay it off. And, to be honest, I didn't really want to. That sound harsh, the Evora was a wonderful car, but there were a couple of minor things that made me want to move on. I have to say I don't miss it, certainly not in the way I miss my 6.2l C63 AMG Estate, which was unquestionably a special car. I think the Evora was 'just' a very, very good car.
The good bits: The chassis, the engine, the chassis, the brand, the chassis and oh yeah, the chassis. Seriously, it rode and handled that well, it was utterly exceptional. I have an A110 now, a car that's been rightly lauded, but the Evora was better, in my view anyway. It was comforable and yet controlled no matter what, it smoothed the edge off potholes as well as superbly dealt with compressions and humps int he road. Lotus really did an utterly brilliant job here, and I was so happy to have specced the touring suspension, not the sport. The engine was great too, reliable, linear and powerful, although we'll talk about that more later. The real highlight was that it made a really damn great noise. The brand might be a weird one to inclue, but I really enjoy being part of a community, and there are some really good people in the Lotus community. I like tha small brand feel, I've met some really great people that work there, and even the MD Matt Windle, the little I've spoken to him seems like a great guy.
The okay bits: The gearbox and the looks. These are both kinda self explanatory I think, the gearbox is, in the end, a torque converter and while Lotus have done a great job, it's not as good as a decent dual clutch, let alone something like a PDK in a Porsche. As for the looks, I mean I liked it enough to buy it, but it's always been a bit awkward from many angles I think.
The bad bits: Seating positon, the lack of power, the armrest (or lack of). First and foremost, the seating position. I didn't really realise until I got the Alpine how big a difference it makes when you get into a car and you're instantly in the right positon, something that never happened in the Evora. You're always too high, and this is coming from someone that actually normally likes a slightly higher seat. You get used to it, and it didn't stop me having some great times in the car, but it's something that is hard to ever get completely used to. The lack of power... Well, sort of. The problem, if you can call it that, is that the chassis setup is so good that really it feels like it could handle so much more than 400bhp. In second gear corners it was immense, but it tailed off pretty quickly after that. It wasn't a point that I focused on all the time, but when it bothered me, it bothered me. The armrest... wasn't there. Enough said. In a 1,408kg GT biased car, that was a serious point of irritation all the time.
That's a lot of text. Well done to anyone who got through it!
At the end of the day, I liked the car but didnt love it. I haven't missed it since I sold it, which I think says it all. Gave the car back to Jamie at B&C and I believe he'll sell it on when he gets five minutes to think, he's been so busy with the Emira launch!
On the subject of the Emira, I'll probably get one... but not the first one. I'll try and get a Cup or an R, and hope that they don't go with the AMG engine for it. The release editions are too slow and too heavy for what I'm looking for I think.
So, the E63! I won't go into it too much, as it was only with me for six months, but I bought it privately, didn't check thoroughly enough and it bit me. It happens. I utterly despise that some people are dishonest when selling a car, but at the end of the day, it happens and I've just got to deal with it.
It was a really nice car when it worked, but my hand controls I got fitted didn't allow for full throttle (I only found this out a couple of hours before getting rid) and so it never really felt all that fast, all things considered. It felt faster than my previous C63, but not by much. And it didn't sound as good, I am convinced that even thought they're more powerful and better on fuel, neither the 5.5 in my car or the later 4.0 are a patch on the old 6.2, which was a truly glorious engine. I wish I'd never sold my white PP estate, ugh. Anyway, have some photos:
Untitled by Alex D, on FlickrUntitled by Alex D, on FlickrSitting pretty at C&M by Alex D, on FlickrSo! The Merc left last week, and it's replacment arrives at the house today! It's a Skoda Superb 280 4x4 in L&K spec, but weirdly I think has very little added to standard, no sunroof for example. That would normally be a deal breaker for me, but everything else about it was good and I was really stumped (ahem) at what other estate of a similar age, size and price I might like. Anyway, I have a warranty with this one so hopefully all good, even if if/when it does break, it'll be cheaper to fix than the Mercedes.
Have a pic I snapped at the dealership:
Untitled by Alex D, on FlickrSo, I still have the Honda e, I have a Superb estate, time for the last car, the A110... but I'm going to put that in another post later today. Have a teaser pic while I'm typing that up:
Alpine A110 by Alex D, on FlickrNorthbrook - Thank you! I appreciate that.
AyBee - They seem lovely, the hand controls get fitted today and I'm looking forward to taking it for a spin. I think it will be exactly what I want, a big, comforable spacious barge. I'm finding the rear legroom hilarious, it's massive!
Not Ideal - you're not wrong. It was, in fact, not ideal
Mezzanine - Thank you! It's the most reasonable and most attainable garage I've had in ages, and I'm actually really enjoying it. The Honda is just so much fun, it's so good at what it does. It has some really well engineered touches, and it results in a car that I actually want to drive, even with the Alpine and Skoda there. My previous small car, a Fiesta, wasn't like that. It wasn't horrible to drive, but if I could take the Evora or C63 over it I always would. The Alpine is just exceptional, and as I keep claiming, I'll definitely put a post up about it soon.
Alonso - In short, I don't know. The last misfire before getting rid of it didn't even trigger a warning light, even though it was so lumpy the whole car was moving. I don't even know if the fault was electrical or mechanical, although the lack of warning light was scaring me that it was mechanical and that a lunched engine was incoming.
CABC - Thank you! My posts are very, er, opinionated layman, I think. I'm definitely a long way from a driving god, and I know I'm often in the minority (and at times a bit of a PH parody) in what I like and dislike, and it's often very different to the majority.
B'stard - You'd think so, wouldn't you. It's one of two (so far) Emerald Green ones in the UK, and I love it so much. It's brilliant.
I promise a post on the Alpine is coming, I've just been surprisingly busy for a man with no job. Still, have a pic of the car up on the North York Moors, at Clay Bank car park. Was the only time I stopped really, did about 450-500 miles yesterday from home in Whitchurch, to York, to Whitby across the Moors, back to York, back to home.
A110 on The Moors by Alex D, on Flickr
AyBee - They seem lovely, the hand controls get fitted today and I'm looking forward to taking it for a spin. I think it will be exactly what I want, a big, comforable spacious barge. I'm finding the rear legroom hilarious, it's massive!
Not Ideal - you're not wrong. It was, in fact, not ideal
Mezzanine - Thank you! It's the most reasonable and most attainable garage I've had in ages, and I'm actually really enjoying it. The Honda is just so much fun, it's so good at what it does. It has some really well engineered touches, and it results in a car that I actually want to drive, even with the Alpine and Skoda there. My previous small car, a Fiesta, wasn't like that. It wasn't horrible to drive, but if I could take the Evora or C63 over it I always would. The Alpine is just exceptional, and as I keep claiming, I'll definitely put a post up about it soon.
Alonso - In short, I don't know. The last misfire before getting rid of it didn't even trigger a warning light, even though it was so lumpy the whole car was moving. I don't even know if the fault was electrical or mechanical, although the lack of warning light was scaring me that it was mechanical and that a lunched engine was incoming.
CABC - Thank you! My posts are very, er, opinionated layman, I think. I'm definitely a long way from a driving god, and I know I'm often in the minority (and at times a bit of a PH parody) in what I like and dislike, and it's often very different to the majority.
B'stard - You'd think so, wouldn't you
. It's one of two (so far) Emerald Green ones in the UK, and I love it so much. It's brilliant. I promise a post on the Alpine is coming, I've just been surprisingly busy for a man with no job. Still, have a pic of the car up on the North York Moors, at Clay Bank car park. Was the only time I stopped really, did about 450-500 miles yesterday from home in Whitchurch, to York, to Whitby across the Moors, back to York, back to home.
A110 on The Moors by Alex D, on FlickrleglessAlex said:
I promise a post on the Alpine is coming
Lol. Well, it happened eventually, I started a new thread for all three cars which you can find by clicking hereGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff