Europa - anyone got one?
Discussion
As TVR seem somewhat unlikely to be making any more cars for a while I've developed a roving eye, much as an unhappily married man may do for the 'ladies'.
My eye, however, seeks that more simplistic creature - a sports car.
Today I spied a car which looked like it may be able to fill the void (so to speak) left when my TVR is handed on to its next owner.
That car is the Lotus Europa.
I know nothing about Lotus except that I couldn't get into an Elise the last time I tried as I'm quite big and don't fold too well in the middle. Had the same trouble with the VX220.
So - anyone got one?
Are they any good?
Will it thrill and scare me as much as my Tiv?
Do they break easily etc.
All info. appreciated.
Got to say, they look fantastic and the standard spec is very good (sat nav and air con).
My eye, however, seeks that more simplistic creature - a sports car.
Today I spied a car which looked like it may be able to fill the void (so to speak) left when my TVR is handed on to its next owner.
That car is the Lotus Europa.
I know nothing about Lotus except that I couldn't get into an Elise the last time I tried as I'm quite big and don't fold too well in the middle. Had the same trouble with the VX220.
So - anyone got one?
Are they any good?
Will it thrill and scare me as much as my Tiv?
Do they break easily etc.
All info. appreciated.
Got to say, they look fantastic and the standard spec is very good (sat nav and air con).
You won't get in a Europa either then if you struggle with an Elise/VX 220. They are allegedly easier to get in and out of but I don't believe it......
As to whether they're any good - best bet is to drive one and decide for yourself - you'll get polarised opinions on here. Not many have been sold, but most people do seem to think they're better with the power upgrade.
Not going to be anything like a TVR, that's for sure......
As to whether they're any good - best bet is to drive one and decide for yourself - you'll get polarised opinions on here. Not many have been sold, but most people do seem to think they're better with the power upgrade.
Not going to be anything like a TVR, that's for sure......
S Works said:
This one will keep you amused for a while...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/275474.htm
That is so nice, I wonder why he is selling it.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/275474.htm
Power was originally 200hp, but i believe lotus have tweaked the ECU with a reflash as a lot of people noted that the power delivery was not very linear, the reflashed car puts out around 225hp so i hear with a more linear power output, the europa is very rare and i expect you should be able to get a good deal on one if you like it,
The car in the link would be a good buy, its had a lot of very expensive work done on it, exhaust/brakes/susp/remap + exhaust not sure if it's got the new lotus leather pack, but if it hasn't thats all you'd need to add (about 1200 i think) to have a fully specced europa, as for the 0 - 60 of 5.2 quoted, 4.2 is probably closer to the reality.
The car in the link would be a good buy, its had a lot of very expensive work done on it, exhaust/brakes/susp/remap + exhaust not sure if it's got the new lotus leather pack, but if it hasn't thats all you'd need to add (about 1200 i think) to have a fully specced europa, as for the 0 - 60 of 5.2 quoted, 4.2 is probably closer to the reality.
Edited by peter450 on Saturday 10th November 13:33
RichyBoy said:
S Works said:
This one will keep you amused for a while...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/275474.htm
That is so nice, I wonder why he is selling it.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/275474.htm
Shnozz said:
RichyBoy said:
S Works said:
This one will keep you amused for a while...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/275474.htm
That is so nice, I wonder why he is selling it.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/275474.htm
sad but true 
Now little fish number two has arrived we decided we would be better off with a family wagon so have bought a Disco3. Seeing as we also have an Audi and Smart car decided we ought to sell the sporty number as it wasn't getting much use. Its a lovely car though
Europa is, in my view, a very good car.It does suffer from poor mapping however.
The satnav is a poor mans version built into the radio display, so dont get to excited by that.
You need to drive one with an open mind for at least 300 miles to get a feel for it.
I really like it, but then I never like to go with the flow.
The satnav is a poor mans version built into the radio display, so dont get to excited by that.
You need to drive one with an open mind for at least 300 miles to get a feel for it.
I really like it, but then I never like to go with the flow.
All I can say is haggle like hell on the price because there is a lot of dealer that want to off load them from their books and it is costing them money to keep them. I think you will find that just over 20 have been sold to customers. Many of the Europas at dealers have been for sale since their launch
Hi There,
Replying to thread as I am not actually registered myself. I have a Europa and chimjunkie suggested I write a few words. I test drove a standard Europa when they first appeared just over a year ago and was not overly impressed especially for the price. In July of this year Castle Lotus sent me an invite to their open day. There I saw an upgraded Europa, a more plush interior, Lotus ECU/brake upgrade, Milltek exhaust, nitron suspension, prorace alloys and A048 tyres. The next thing I knew I was booked in for a test drive and the rest is history.
I am now the very happy owner of a black Europa with the exact same spec as the demo car. I absolutely adore the car, it is more civilized than the 111s elise I had, with respect to cabin noise, but there is still a technique to getting in and out. Due to the upgrades the car is obviously more hardcore than the standard car and feels more like a Lotus should IMO. If you are after a drivers car to thrill this is it. The upgrades bring the car alive and transform it. The Milltek exhaust gives a great sound, pops and bangs included but is not intrusive and adds great character.
I have owned/driven a great variety of cars, including my boyfriends 5 litre modified TVR chimaera and the Europa does it for me big time. With the ECU upgrade and Exhaust the estimated power is 250bhp giving a power to weight into TVR teritory. The remap virtually eliminates that annoying dip in power experienced with the original map.
Some might say the boot is small, but why stuff a boot with crap that will slow you down!
Not even used the satnav, if I get lost it will just prolong my journey, wehey!
The AO48 tyres do tramline on uneven surfaces, just hang on tighter!
Seriously though the only real way to find out is to test drive one, just make sure it is the upgraded version. Go out for a long drive, I found the more I drove it the better it became! Driving is a very personal thing and this is just my opinion.
Lisa
Replying to thread as I am not actually registered myself. I have a Europa and chimjunkie suggested I write a few words. I test drove a standard Europa when they first appeared just over a year ago and was not overly impressed especially for the price. In July of this year Castle Lotus sent me an invite to their open day. There I saw an upgraded Europa, a more plush interior, Lotus ECU/brake upgrade, Milltek exhaust, nitron suspension, prorace alloys and A048 tyres. The next thing I knew I was booked in for a test drive and the rest is history.
I am now the very happy owner of a black Europa with the exact same spec as the demo car. I absolutely adore the car, it is more civilized than the 111s elise I had, with respect to cabin noise, but there is still a technique to getting in and out. Due to the upgrades the car is obviously more hardcore than the standard car and feels more like a Lotus should IMO. If you are after a drivers car to thrill this is it. The upgrades bring the car alive and transform it. The Milltek exhaust gives a great sound, pops and bangs included but is not intrusive and adds great character.
I have owned/driven a great variety of cars, including my boyfriends 5 litre modified TVR chimaera and the Europa does it for me big time. With the ECU upgrade and Exhaust the estimated power is 250bhp giving a power to weight into TVR teritory. The remap virtually eliminates that annoying dip in power experienced with the original map.
Some might say the boot is small, but why stuff a boot with crap that will slow you down!
Not even used the satnav, if I get lost it will just prolong my journey, wehey!
The AO48 tyres do tramline on uneven surfaces, just hang on tighter!
Seriously though the only real way to find out is to test drive one, just make sure it is the upgraded version. Go out for a long drive, I found the more I drove it the better it became! Driving is a very personal thing and this is just my opinion.
Lisa
Chimjunkie said:
Hi There,
Replying to thread as I am not actually registered myself. I have a Europa and chimjunkie suggested I write a few words. I test drove a standard Europa when they first appeared just over a year ago and was not overly impressed especially for the price. In July of this year Castle Lotus sent me an invite to their open day. There I saw an upgraded Europa, a more plush interior, Lotus ECU/brake upgrade, Milltek exhaust, nitron suspension, prorace alloys and A048 tyres. The next thing I knew I was booked in for a test drive and the rest is history.
I am now the very happy owner of a black Europa with the exact same spec as the demo car. I absolutely adore the car, it is more civilized than the 111s elise I had, with respect to cabin noise, but there is still a technique to getting in and out. Due to the upgrades the car is obviously more hardcore than the standard car and feels more like a Lotus should IMO. If you are after a drivers car to thrill this is it. The upgrades bring the car alive and transform it. The Milltek exhaust gives a great sound, pops and bangs included but is not intrusive and adds great character.
I have owned/driven a great variety of cars, including my boyfriends 5 litre modified TVR chimaera and the Europa does it for me big time. With the ECU upgrade and Exhaust the estimated power is 250bhp giving a power to weight into TVR teritory. The remap virtually eliminates that annoying dip in power experienced with the original map.
Some might say the boot is small, but why stuff a boot with crap that will slow you down!
Not even used the satnav, if I get lost it will just prolong my journey, wehey!
The AO48 tyres do tramline on uneven surfaces, just hang on tighter!
Seriously though the only real way to find out is to test drive one, just make sure it is the upgraded version. Go out for a long drive, I found the more I drove it the better it became! Driving is a very personal thing and this is just my opinion.
Lisa
I'm interested in the europa and have been trawling the classifieds on a regular basis. I saw a black one with the upgraded interior at the lotus open day and was convinced. The initial depreciation is making them quite cheap now and I reckon they'll get even cheaper. Only problem is that i dont think that it's worth buying without the upgraded interior because it actually feels special as the horrid plastc dash (that you'd have to look at every time you got into the car) is covered up. The problem with that is that ones with the upgraded interior seem as rare as hens teeth. Also almost all of them seem to be in the hands of main dealers which is sure to keep prices (at least the sticker price anyway) artificially high. I think you will see big discounts on them when they start being sold privately with some miles on the clock. Replying to thread as I am not actually registered myself. I have a Europa and chimjunkie suggested I write a few words. I test drove a standard Europa when they first appeared just over a year ago and was not overly impressed especially for the price. In July of this year Castle Lotus sent me an invite to their open day. There I saw an upgraded Europa, a more plush interior, Lotus ECU/brake upgrade, Milltek exhaust, nitron suspension, prorace alloys and A048 tyres. The next thing I knew I was booked in for a test drive and the rest is history.
I am now the very happy owner of a black Europa with the exact same spec as the demo car. I absolutely adore the car, it is more civilized than the 111s elise I had, with respect to cabin noise, but there is still a technique to getting in and out. Due to the upgrades the car is obviously more hardcore than the standard car and feels more like a Lotus should IMO. If you are after a drivers car to thrill this is it. The upgrades bring the car alive and transform it. The Milltek exhaust gives a great sound, pops and bangs included but is not intrusive and adds great character.
I have owned/driven a great variety of cars, including my boyfriends 5 litre modified TVR chimaera and the Europa does it for me big time. With the ECU upgrade and Exhaust the estimated power is 250bhp giving a power to weight into TVR teritory. The remap virtually eliminates that annoying dip in power experienced with the original map.
Some might say the boot is small, but why stuff a boot with crap that will slow you down!
Not even used the satnav, if I get lost it will just prolong my journey, wehey!
The AO48 tyres do tramline on uneven surfaces, just hang on tighter!
Seriously though the only real way to find out is to test drive one, just make sure it is the upgraded version. Go out for a long drive, I found the more I drove it the better it became! Driving is a very personal thing and this is just my opinion.
Lisa
A further thing is that if they are really so few actually on the road (rather than on dealers forecourts) as people say then it will be hard to buy one with a decent spec and realistic mileage for the age.
Yep my Europa is for sale.. no problems with the car just after my normal change( as Phil says). The Europa is a much underated car and can certainly hold it's own with a lot more expensive machinery.
My Euopa 'R' will definately keep pace/overtake an Exige S on track and on road is very quick.
So if anyone fancies a properly sorted Europa give me a yell or John at Thorneys who is dealing with test drives.
It is a shame they didn't release the Europa the same as mine, because they are awesume.
My Euopa 'R' will definately keep pace/overtake an Exige S on track and on road is very quick.
So if anyone fancies a properly sorted Europa give me a yell or John at Thorneys who is dealing with test drives.
It is a shame they didn't release the Europa the same as mine, because they are awesume.
fish said:
Yep my Europa is for sale.. no problems with the car just after my normal change( as Phil says). The Europa is a much underated car and can certainly hold it's own with a lot more expensive machinery.
My Euopa 'R' will definately keep pace/overtake an Exige S on track and on road is very quick.
So if anyone fancies a properly sorted Europa give me a yell or John at Thorneys who is dealing with test drives.
It is a shame they didn't release the Europa the same as mine, because they are awesume.
I am assuming that with the big mid range torque and more slippery shape of the europa, that your car would actually outpace an exige-s on the road since (if you're sane) you loose the exiges advantage of ultimate cornering power? My Euopa 'R' will definately keep pace/overtake an Exige S on track and on road is very quick.
So if anyone fancies a properly sorted Europa give me a yell or John at Thorneys who is dealing with test drives.
It is a shame they didn't release the Europa the same as mine, because they are awesume.
hahithestevieboy said:
Chimjunkie said:
Hi There,
Replying to thread as I am not actually registered myself. I have a Europa and chimjunkie suggested I write a few words. I test drove a standard Europa when they first appeared just over a year ago and was not overly impressed especially for the price. In July of this year Castle Lotus sent me an invite to their open day. There I saw an upgraded Europa, a more plush interior, Lotus ECU/brake upgrade, Milltek exhaust, nitron suspension, prorace alloys and A048 tyres. The next thing I knew I was booked in for a test drive and the rest is history.
I am now the very happy owner of a black Europa with the exact same spec as the demo car. I absolutely adore the car, it is more civilized than the 111s elise I had, with respect to cabin noise, but there is still a technique to getting in and out. Due to the upgrades the car is obviously more hardcore than the standard car and feels more like a Lotus should IMO. If you are after a drivers car to thrill this is it. The upgrades bring the car alive and transform it. The Milltek exhaust gives a great sound, pops and bangs included but is not intrusive and adds great character.
I have owned/driven a great variety of cars, including my boyfriends 5 litre modified TVR chimaera and the Europa does it for me big time. With the ECU upgrade and Exhaust the estimated power is 250bhp giving a power to weight into TVR teritory. The remap virtually eliminates that annoying dip in power experienced with the original map.
Some might say the boot is small, but why stuff a boot with crap that will slow you down!
Not even used the satnav, if I get lost it will just prolong my journey, wehey!
The AO48 tyres do tramline on uneven surfaces, just hang on tighter!
Seriously though the only real way to find out is to test drive one, just make sure it is the upgraded version. Go out for a long drive, I found the more I drove it the better it became! Driving is a very personal thing and this is just my opinion.
Lisa
I'm interested in the europa and have been trawling the classifieds on a regular basis. I saw a black one with the upgraded interior at the lotus open day and was convinced. The initial depreciation is making them quite cheap now and I reckon they'll get even cheaper. Only problem is that i dont think that it's worth buying without the upgraded interior because it actually feels special as the horrid plastc dash (that you'd have to look at every time you got into the car) is covered up. The problem with that is that ones with the upgraded interior seem as rare as hens teeth. Also almost all of them seem to be in the hands of main dealers which is sure to keep prices (at least the sticker price anyway) artificially high. I think you will see big discounts on them when they start being sold privately with some miles on the clock. Replying to thread as I am not actually registered myself. I have a Europa and chimjunkie suggested I write a few words. I test drove a standard Europa when they first appeared just over a year ago and was not overly impressed especially for the price. In July of this year Castle Lotus sent me an invite to their open day. There I saw an upgraded Europa, a more plush interior, Lotus ECU/brake upgrade, Milltek exhaust, nitron suspension, prorace alloys and A048 tyres. The next thing I knew I was booked in for a test drive and the rest is history.
I am now the very happy owner of a black Europa with the exact same spec as the demo car. I absolutely adore the car, it is more civilized than the 111s elise I had, with respect to cabin noise, but there is still a technique to getting in and out. Due to the upgrades the car is obviously more hardcore than the standard car and feels more like a Lotus should IMO. If you are after a drivers car to thrill this is it. The upgrades bring the car alive and transform it. The Milltek exhaust gives a great sound, pops and bangs included but is not intrusive and adds great character.
I have owned/driven a great variety of cars, including my boyfriends 5 litre modified TVR chimaera and the Europa does it for me big time. With the ECU upgrade and Exhaust the estimated power is 250bhp giving a power to weight into TVR teritory. The remap virtually eliminates that annoying dip in power experienced with the original map.
Some might say the boot is small, but why stuff a boot with crap that will slow you down!
Not even used the satnav, if I get lost it will just prolong my journey, wehey!
The AO48 tyres do tramline on uneven surfaces, just hang on tighter!
Seriously though the only real way to find out is to test drive one, just make sure it is the upgraded version. Go out for a long drive, I found the more I drove it the better it became! Driving is a very personal thing and this is just my opinion.
Lisa
A further thing is that if they are really so few actually on the road (rather than on dealers forecourts) as people say then it will be hard to buy one with a decent spec and realistic mileage for the age.
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