Talbot Sunbeam Lotus - to buy or not to buy....?

[darkcat]

As per title!
Im quite tempted, but god they are ugly.

anyone with any ownership experience??

[twazzock]

Never owned or driven one so feel free to ignore me but I don't think they're ugly at all

[XJ40]

I really like these, a proper hot hatch, I don't think they are ugly either. To my eye the clean unfussy lines are preferable to many a bloated modern hatchback.

[thiscocks]

Buy! Worth Joining sloc first and find out ad much as you can before you buy. Usual stuff like rust are first things to check. Mechanicals are normally pretty solid. Sloc has a v good spare parts section now too.

Prices are on the up, which is a reason I have not yet bought a second! Great fun car to drive though and super cool (I don't think they look ugly at all). Be careful in the wet though!

[Changedmyname]

Where these RWD?

[XJ40]

Changedmyname said:

Where these RWD?

Yep!

[DanielC4GP]

I don't think they're ugly either.

[thiscocks]

Changedmyname said:

Where these RWD?

Yep! Still are!

[RobboC]

I know of one thats been sitting in a garage for years slowly being fixed from a small prang.

Sadly not for sale, believe me, I've tried.

A mate of mine also managed to wrap one round a lamp post once. Eh Colin!

[Baryonyx]

I'm sure they're a hoot drive, as long as you're prepared to own an 'old' car that will need work now and then. Buy with that in mind and you're sure to enjoy yourself. Just pretend every drive is a rally stage!

[carl_w]

Seen a few of these sprinting and they go well. Unfortunately they're in the "above 2.0 litre" class which puts them up against much more powerful machines.

[CoolHands]

rust. Check for rust. and more rust.

[U T]

Never driven one, but like many cars of that era, I suspect it will be disappointing. 150bhp I think which was crazy back then but nothing to write home about today. And no power steering I guess. 2174cc 4 cyl Lotus lump was always fragile, in all its reincarnations.

I also recall reports at the time of the Talbot bits disintergrating at Lotus speeds, stories of wipers and wing mirrors flying off.

Still look good though.

[thiscocks]

U T said:

Never driven one, but like many cars of that era, I suspect it will be disappointing. 150bhp I think which was crazy back then but nothing to write home about today. And no power steering I guess. 2174cc 4 cyl Lotus lump was always fragile, in all its reincarnations.

I also recall reports at the time of the Talbot bits disintergrating at Lotus speeds, stories of wipers and wing mirrors flying off.

Still look good though.

Over 150bhp per tonne isn't exactly shabby plus you have rwd and a sweet sounding twin carb engine which makes it way more fun to drive than any of todays hot hatches.

[J4CKO]

Will still be quick, even now but not a match for a 1500 kilo, 300 bhp current hot hatch but probably still great fun. I worked at a garage when I was 17/18 and we took one in px, a bit rough looking but it had a reputed 200 bhp, felt devastating back then, real push into the seat, one of the lads just kept taking everybody out for a demonstration run, he managed to spin it but it wasnt damaged somehow, he put it away and kept away from it after that.

[230TE]

U T said:

And no power steering I guess.

You say that like it's a bad thing...

[Changedmyname]

Thiscocks,fairplay ,I read your posts and agree with you.

[aeropilot]

twazzock said:

Never owned or driven one so feel free to ignore me but I don't think they're ugly at all

That's my old car...........!!!!!!!!!!!

Owned that for 16 years.

Edited by aeropilot on Sunday 1st January 19:58

[Changedmyname]

aeropilot said:

That's my old car...........!!!!!!!!!!!

Owned that for 16 years.

Edited by aeropilot on Sunday 1st January 19:58

I have always had a softspot for this car,watched them in the 70s in local rallies.

[dougc]

Try PHer jossronchetti he races this one.



He'll probably know a thing or two...