Discussion
I always been a fan of them from a distance. Even been quite tempted to get one but I cant be bothered with the research and hunting around for a good one.
Has anyone here had a Lotus Carlton before their Roo? I would be interested in the comparison between the two.
http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=1748...
Has anyone here had a Lotus Carlton before their Roo? I would be interested in the comparison between the two.
http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=1748...
Owned one for 7 years. Find a good one ie had the timing chains changed for the uprated ones, preferably had the revised bell housing, make sure the secondary cooling system is working and enjoy.
Yes they can go wrong..............as can anything. Join the autobahnstormers club (safety and knowledge in numbers). Get in, fire it up and then try and remove the grin from your face.
If you want a proper drivers car with no 'get out of jail cards' then you'll be hard pushed to find anything with as much charisma, performance and road presence.
On a slight aside and this isn't 'having a pop' but I hope the "can't be bothered looking for a good one" etc bit was tongue in cheek because if you did take the plunge and picked a wrong'un then you'd regret the day that thought ever entered your head..............and then some
Yes they can go wrong..............as can anything. Join the autobahnstormers club (safety and knowledge in numbers). Get in, fire it up and then try and remove the grin from your face.
If you want a proper drivers car with no 'get out of jail cards' then you'll be hard pushed to find anything with as much charisma, performance and road presence.
On a slight aside and this isn't 'having a pop' but I hope the "can't be bothered looking for a good one" etc bit was tongue in cheek because if you did take the plunge and picked a wrong'un then you'd regret the day that thought ever entered your head..............and then some
Edited by GTS 029 on Friday 25th January 23:00
I've currently got an LC and a GTS - in fact it's Simon's GTS from above.
Whilst superficially similar, they have very different characters on the road. When I get 15 minutes, I'll give you my thoughts on the comparison.
My LC may even be up for sale to save you looking for a good one.
85K miles
3 owners
mechanically perfect - chains done, brakes, strut washers, you name it.
bodywork restored 2 years ago - no rust anywhere
You know you want to......
Whilst superficially similar, they have very different characters on the road. When I get 15 minutes, I'll give you my thoughts on the comparison.
My LC may even be up for sale to save you looking for a good one.
85K miles
3 owners
mechanically perfect - chains done, brakes, strut washers, you name it.
bodywork restored 2 years ago - no rust anywhere
You know you want to......
So, a comparison between the GTS and the LC.
First off, visually. The LC has far more presence than the GTS. Visually the GTS is quite discreet really while the LC is far more "look at me" and in your face. The LC attracts a LOT of attention - most people know what it is and you will get stopped all the time to talk about it. (In fact you would think that Lotus made thousands of them given the number of people who know a mate/relation/aquaintance who had one of those...). Aurally, it's no contest. People turn heads to look at the LC because of how it looks, but they look at the GTS because of how it sounds. I've always thought that the LC is far too muted, even with the cats out and no mids, it's still quite quiet.
In terms of the interior, GTS seats are some of the best that I've ever come across but the LC is a nice place to be - leather interior is good and it's comfortable.
Now to the more interesting bits - performance. Be in no doubt that despite only have 400ish bhp, the LC is a quick car, especially in second from about 30mph right through past 120. The twin turbos spin up very quickly so there is very little lag and they are devestatingly effective. It runs out of puff a bit at the top end, but it's still good for an indicated 175 at Bruntingthorpe with a little bit left to go. The GTS (mine is supercharged) has never felt as quick off the line and in second but as you get up through the gears, it is absolutlely relentless and just keeps accelerating and certainly feels like it would be quicker flat out and quicker than the LC above about 100. Sixth on the LC is a waste of time unless you are cruising on the motorway since it is just so high. Helps on the fuel consumption though - the LC is noticeably more frugal than the GTS (not quite sure that frugal is quite the right word here but you get the idea!)
Brakes are good on both cars - 330mm 4 pot APs as standard on the LC but the GTS had the AP upgrade which is, frankly, amazing so no contest there. In terms of handling, the LC had the GTS beaten hands down - you would expect it to really given the company that did it! GTS is rock hard compared to the LC but the LC just inspires so much more confidence and feels really well planted around corners.
Many people mention parts issues on the LC and it can be problematic but virtually everything is available if you know where to look. And in terms of reliability, the LC has never let me down and has never had to be recovered from the roadside (unlike certain others). Personally, I don't use my LC as an everyday car but that is not because it isn't up to it or is unreliable but I commute by train and the LC is such a visible car that I'm not happy leaving it like that all day every day.
Hope that gives you an idea of what the two are like, side by side.
Few pics of the LC (I know it says Omega but it is RHD)
Phil
First off, visually. The LC has far more presence than the GTS. Visually the GTS is quite discreet really while the LC is far more "look at me" and in your face. The LC attracts a LOT of attention - most people know what it is and you will get stopped all the time to talk about it. (In fact you would think that Lotus made thousands of them given the number of people who know a mate/relation/aquaintance who had one of those...). Aurally, it's no contest. People turn heads to look at the LC because of how it looks, but they look at the GTS because of how it sounds. I've always thought that the LC is far too muted, even with the cats out and no mids, it's still quite quiet.
In terms of the interior, GTS seats are some of the best that I've ever come across but the LC is a nice place to be - leather interior is good and it's comfortable.
Now to the more interesting bits - performance. Be in no doubt that despite only have 400ish bhp, the LC is a quick car, especially in second from about 30mph right through past 120. The twin turbos spin up very quickly so there is very little lag and they are devestatingly effective. It runs out of puff a bit at the top end, but it's still good for an indicated 175 at Bruntingthorpe with a little bit left to go. The GTS (mine is supercharged) has never felt as quick off the line and in second but as you get up through the gears, it is absolutlely relentless and just keeps accelerating and certainly feels like it would be quicker flat out and quicker than the LC above about 100. Sixth on the LC is a waste of time unless you are cruising on the motorway since it is just so high. Helps on the fuel consumption though - the LC is noticeably more frugal than the GTS (not quite sure that frugal is quite the right word here but you get the idea!)
Brakes are good on both cars - 330mm 4 pot APs as standard on the LC but the GTS had the AP upgrade which is, frankly, amazing so no contest there. In terms of handling, the LC had the GTS beaten hands down - you would expect it to really given the company that did it! GTS is rock hard compared to the LC but the LC just inspires so much more confidence and feels really well planted around corners.
Many people mention parts issues on the LC and it can be problematic but virtually everything is available if you know where to look. And in terms of reliability, the LC has never let me down and has never had to be recovered from the roadside (unlike certain others). Personally, I don't use my LC as an everyday car but that is not because it isn't up to it or is unreliable but I commute by train and the LC is such a visible car that I'm not happy leaving it like that all day every day.
Hope that gives you an idea of what the two are like, side by side.
Few pics of the LC (I know it says Omega but it is RHD)
Phil
I owned two Lotus Carltons,one I had for 7 years,and the other for 5 years.(both at the same time).
I sold both cars last year to Autobahnstormer members.The club is a great source for parts and info.
The only time I had any trouble was a flat battery,and I could always get the parts needed to keep them going.
I have never owned a car like it for cuasing a conversation.I agree with all the comments above by LC860G.If you are seriously thinking of getting one use the ABS for advice,I'm sure you will find them a great help.If they sold new ones I would have bought one,but they don't,and so I got the VXR8.The LC alway's felt much quicker/Brutal is how I would describe it.I used mine as daily drivers,and they both had over 100k miles on them when sold.
I guess all that could be summed up as 'GET ONE' and enjoy it.
I sold both cars last year to Autobahnstormer members.The club is a great source for parts and info.
The only time I had any trouble was a flat battery,and I could always get the parts needed to keep them going.
I have never owned a car like it for cuasing a conversation.I agree with all the comments above by LC860G.If you are seriously thinking of getting one use the ABS for advice,I'm sure you will find them a great help.If they sold new ones I would have bought one,but they don't,and so I got the VXR8.The LC alway's felt much quicker/Brutal is how I would describe it.I used mine as daily drivers,and they both had over 100k miles on them when sold.
I guess all that could be summed up as 'GET ONE' and enjoy it.
caspy@wortec" Target="_blank">class="forumQuoter">caspy@wortec said:
How does the handling compare ?
Steering feel, speed etc etc
Did it have a LSD ??
I'm possibly not the best person to ask on this because I don't tend throw the cars around too much or track them.Steering feel, speed etc etc
Did it have a LSD ??
However,
both have LSDs and in terms of steering, the GTS is much lighter and feels less positive (imho). LC is a bit heavier and you can tell what it's doing much more easily.
As I said, going around corners, the LC feels much more stable and predictable and feels like it can carry far more speed into a corner. Also, without the "benefit" of traction control, you can do far more with it if you wish to.
Hope that helps.
Phil
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