Considering a 340R
Discussion
Ever since I saw the car at the Birmingham Motor Show in 2000 I wanted and really wanted one of these, now i'm older and the right side of 21 I am looking at getting one as a weekend toy. Anyone know of a good website that has info on the car and what to look for? Are any PH-ers with 340R's going to any meets in the summer, it would be nice to see a car close up and have a chat with an owner etc.
I bet if you are only just over 21yrs, oh wow the insurance cost is going to hit your wallet very hard!
There are some sites but don't know them, sorry.
Has the 340R got something to do with how many posts you have done. Do they work Like Tesco point?
There are some sites but don't know them, sorry.
Has the 340R got something to do with how many posts you have done. Do they work Like Tesco point?
Edited by Francelise on Friday 30th May 18:44
Hi Matt, the 340 is an amazing looking car. My biggest concern would be the engine. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the K series but the vhpd version fitted in the 340 has a reputation for fragility. You'll need to rebuild it every so often to keep it healthy.
As with all Elise varients you'll probably need to refresh the suspension at some point and there are better brake options than oem.
Again, like all Elise varients, practically all the working bits are renewable so don't worry too much about mileage or track work as long as all necessary work has been done.
Seloc is a great source of information and there are a few 340 owners that regularly post over there.
As with all Elise varients you'll probably need to refresh the suspension at some point and there are better brake options than oem.
Again, like all Elise varients, practically all the working bits are renewable so don't worry too much about mileage or track work as long as all necessary work has been done.
Seloc is a great source of information and there are a few 340 owners that regularly post over there.
Hey guys, thanks for all of the input, I am still in two minds about a 340R, I have also been looking at an S2 111R as I hear the Toyota engine is alot more reliable and I am no real mechanic (changing bulbs, tyres and pads is about as far as I go). Are there any big Lotus meets this summer that I could drop along too??
Craig! said:
Can't see the insurance costs been that bad, my new Exige S was exactly £1515.15 to insure this year at 21. And 996TT, F355's and MR320's were all around the same cost aswell.
Seems once you hit a certain bracket / level in cost the price evens out just a little.
Hey Craig, who did you insure the Exige S with? And get the quote of a 996 off, as that would be an entertaining possibility as well...Seems once you hit a certain bracket / level in cost the price evens out just a little.
Craig! said:
Can't see the insurance costs been that bad, my new Exige S was exactly £1515.15 to insure this year at 21. And 996TT, F355's and MR320's were all around the same cost aswell.
Seems once you hit a certain bracket / level in cost the price evens out just a little.
The main issue with the 340R from an insurance perspective (and ownership) is that it is so flipping expensive to put right even minor crash damage. Harry Metcalfe on the EVO has one, or had one, when the battery need replacing, the battery cost 40 quid but it was nearly 800 quid to fit it as the whole body had to come off to get access to the battery tray!Seems once you hit a certain bracket / level in cost the price evens out just a little.
Same for minor dings, as it is a one piece moulding and knocks can't easily be isolated... I think they may be companies that specialise in converting the shell to different panels, not sure though!
Cool car as a toy mind you!!!
I would advise against and get yourself an elise / exige. The 340r was fragile in many areas - small annoying things like light fittiongs melting, and many pretty ordinary jobs require the body to come off - adding a good few hundred quid to a bill.
I had one, loved it - but not enough of the time.
I had one, loved it - but not enough of the time.
id still take a 340R...with Honda power of course, over the Atom 
...and will proabably work out about the same price...theres a few things I dont like about the Atom ...mmm..the lack of any aero at all...like a brick over a ton, so not so quick on fast circuits like Beford and Snetterton.
..then if you really want a weekend toy you can use on the road...mmm...well Id sooner be in a 340R with a real crash structure, rather than an Atom, which seems to offer all the inconvenience and lack of protection that a superbike does ! with all the idiots on the road these days, you cant be too careful...unless of course you are a superbike rider too, and regularly risk your life then of course an Atom will be no sweat
and then theres the set-up and support...the Elise (and derivatives) has a network of people who know what they are doing with em...dunno about the Atom, im sure factory support is great, but thats not like have ing someone within a few miles to do minor stuff for you etc ...
....nah....a sorted 340R with SC Honda power around 330bhp will do nicely....there are only 2 in existence that I know of, but you could have a nearly new one for £35K ...about the same as a new Atom?
...and will proabably work out about the same price...theres a few things I dont like about the Atom ...mmm..the lack of any aero at all...like a brick over a ton, so not so quick on fast circuits like Beford and Snetterton...then if you really want a weekend toy you can use on the road...mmm...well Id sooner be in a 340R with a real crash structure, rather than an Atom, which seems to offer all the inconvenience and lack of protection that a superbike does ! with all the idiots on the road these days, you cant be too careful...unless of course you are a superbike rider too, and regularly risk your life then of course an Atom will be no sweat
and then theres the set-up and support...the Elise (and derivatives) has a network of people who know what they are doing with em...dunno about the Atom, im sure factory support is great, but thats not like have ing someone within a few miles to do minor stuff for you etc ...
....nah....a sorted 340R with SC Honda power around 330bhp will do nicely....there are only 2 in existence that I know of, but you could have a nearly new one for £35K ...about the same as a new Atom?
[quote=bogie]id still take a 340R...with Honda power of course, over the Atom ...and will proabably work out about the same price...theres a few things I dont like about the Atom ...mmm..the lack of any aero at all...like a brick over a ton, so not so quick on fast circuits like Beford and Snetterton.
Ever tried a 300?
...and will proabably work out about the same price...theres a few things I dont like about the Atom ...mmm..the lack of any aero at all...like a brick over a ton, so not so quick on fast circuits like Beford and Snetterton.Ever tried a 300?
Ultrasound said:
bogie said:
id still take a 340R...with Honda power of course, over the Atom ...and will proabably work out about the same price...theres a few things I dont like about the Atom ...mmm..the lack of any aero at all...like a brick over a ton, so not so quick on fast circuits like Beford and Snetterton.
Ever tried a 300?
no, only ever a 220 ...what can you get out of a 300bhp Atom then down the back straight at Snett or Bedford? ...and will proabably work out about the same price...theres a few things I dont like about the Atom ...mmm..the lack of any aero at all...like a brick over a ton, so not so quick on fast circuits like Beford and Snetterton.Ever tried a 300?
Matt. Just to throw another spanner in the works along with the Atom idea...Have you considered a Caterham? I've had two in the past and although currently have a 135R, I wouldn't dismiss the idea of going back to a '7' in the future....If you want the rawness of a weekend toy, find a Superlight with an aeroscreen and your grin will be from ear to ear!( That's to do with airflow, as much as anything 
) Insurance through some of the specialist companies shouldn't be too bad either.
Cheers,
Simon
) Insurance through some of the specialist companies shouldn't be too bad either. Cheers,
Simon
bogie said:
Ultrasound said:
bogie said:
id still take a 340R...with Honda power of course, over the Atom ...and will proabably work out about the same price...theres a few things I dont like about the Atom ...mmm..the lack of any aero at all...like a brick over a ton, so not so quick on fast circuits like Beford and Snetterton.
Ever tried a 300?
no, only ever a 220 ...what can you get out of a 300bhp Atom then down the back straight at Snett or Bedford? ...and will proabably work out about the same price...theres a few things I dont like about the Atom ...mmm..the lack of any aero at all...like a brick over a ton, so not so quick on fast circuits like Beford and Snetterton.Ever tried a 300?
yeah and im sure that 0-100mph on a tight circuit they are awesome...but even in an Elise you really notice the aero come into play over 100mph in fast corners and the circuits with straights etc...it all depends on what you want out of the car and where you drive as usual
..isnt it great that in the UK we are so spoilt for choice with all these niche market low volume sports car manufacturers that you dont get anywhere else
..isnt it great that in the UK we are so spoilt for choice with all these niche market low volume sports car manufacturers that you dont get anywhere else
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