AM I TO OLD FOR A LOTUS ?

[PYNEY]

hi all

always wanted a lotus ! now i can afford one i'm 47 years young 20 years to late lol

anyone hear think i'm to old ?

anyone over 50 still with lotus ?

thinking of a europa or elise r what do you think

thankyou keith

[bogie]

loads of guys over on www.seloc.org with Elises/Exiges over 50, 60 even 70 ...youre never too old for one...as long as you are agile enough to get in of course

[F.C.]

Same age as me,
I bought my first Lotus (Exige S2) in September, and I love it, a bit easier to get into than the earlier cars (good job as I'm no lightweight) but you need to drive a few before deciding what model you want.
A Europa is completely different to an Exige to drive.
Just make sure if you do drive an Exige that it has the Sport and power pack options, as the up-rated brakes are really worth the money IMO of course.
F.C.

[dgr]

No problem, been driving them every day for 4.5 years, since I was 46. Have a 111R which I thoroughly recommend.

[TIPPER]

51 years young and had my Elise 3 years and 33k miles.
I've done 33k miles in my S1, the last year with Nitrons. Did my first track day ever this time last year:
You're never too old:- when I need a more sensible sports car I'll get an Exige S!

[abrussich]

Bought my 89 Esprit in 92 at the youthful age of 38. Now, 96,000 miles and 16 years later, still enjoying the hell out of it. So much so that I added an Elise, a 2-11 and a Type 61 to the collection.
What does age have to do with the enjoyment of a car, whatever the brand, anyway? go out, buy one and enjoy the ride. You may want to start exercising your grin muscles, you'll be using them alot.

[21TonyK]

I'm nearly 10 years younger and I have the same questions. I'm sure I'll be thinking the same in 10 year time!

I really don't think a Lotus is an age thing. It's all about wanting something pure. Something that has heratige and breeding. I'm sure a lot of people on here could go and buy the latest "whizz bang" car with active-this and active-that but we choose not to. Many have "been-there-done-that" and others have skipped that point straight to a real car that rewards real abilitiy and offers a tangible reward for real effort.

Only choice is to SC or not

[PYNEY]

thanks guys for all the good comments

would i be right in saying that the exige is the fastest lotus !

but i'm told by dealers that its not ideal as a road car more for track use ?

i have driven a 2007 elise r but wanted more power any views on this ?

can anyone explain the drive ride feel in a europa 225 bhp compaired to an elise ?

i will have to test drive all i suppose and go from there

thanks again for your help keith

Edited by PYNEY on Monday 1st December 22:37

[21TonyK]

PYNEY said:

thanks guys for all the good comments

would i be right in saying that the exige is the fastest lotus !

but i'm told by dealers that its not ideal as a road car more for track use ?

i have driven a 2007 elise r but wanted more power any views on this ?

can anyone explain the drive ride feel in a europa 225 bhp compaired to an elise ?

i will have to test drive all i suppose and go from there

thanks again for your help keith

Edited by PYNEY on Monday 1st December 22:37

Only option is an Exige S that you can tweak in a year or so to 250+hp for another £1K. Get AC, PP seats and TC. After that everything is otional

[Nick J]

PYNEY said:

thanks guys for all the good comments

would i be right in saying that the exige is the fastest lotus !

but i'm told by dealers that its not ideal as a road car more for track use ?

i have driven a 2007 elise r but wanted more power any views on this ?

can anyone explain the drive ride feel in a europa 225 bhp compaired to an elise ?

i will have to test drive all i suppose and go from there

thanks again for your help keith

Edited by PYNEY on Monday 1st December 22:37

The other option is an Elise SC, for some supercharged madness!!!

[PYNEY]

sc out of my budget

[Tango7]

What about a N/a Exige : http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/803415.htm

[bogie]

just get the cheapest 111R you can, then fit an aftermarket SC kit for £5K and have 250bhp, and a lot mor torque

[Kylie]

Just buy one as said above never to old just got to be agile to get in one thats all, I am taking mine to the grave!

[nsm3]

A bit late on this one, but 50 next birthday and been driving an Exige S for 12 months - it is my only car (apart from weekend access to other halfs' Audi for mountain bike carrying duties).

It knocks years off me as soon as I get in it - keep thinking it is time to "grow up" and get an A4/5/Chelsea tractor etc - but nah!

Just about to get a Larini fitted for some added presence - perhaps I will consider "growing up" at 60?

Edited by nsm3 on Tuesday 2nd December 08:53

Edited by nsm3 on Tuesday 2nd December 08:53

[cyberface]

Coolest Lotus owner I bumped into was an older gentleman with an original Europa, complete with petrol-belching, flame-spitting Lotus twin cam engine - in my local Tesco car park having a look at my VX220 turbo.

If you don't like high-rev screamy noise then consider the new Europa - it's a VX220 turbo with much better aerodynamics, more luxury and much lower sills - significantly easier to get into than the Elise / Exige / VX220. Also the Vauxhall engine doesn't rev as high and is quieter in use.

As to the Exige being track only - not the S2, it's a luxury sports car compared to Lotus' earlier offerings!!! The only track-focused aspect is the choice of tyres - the standard A048R cut slicks aren't too clever in standing water, but there's nothing stopping you getting a cheap second hand set of Elise S2 wheels and fitting them with winter tyres (Pirelli snowsport work *really* well IME) for the winter months. In fact this is something I'm considering, having had the same approach with my old blown 993.

You're never too old. What you have to decide on is whether you have the size or mobility to comfortably get in and out of the Elise / Exige, and what sort of engine delivery you prefer. The Elise and Exige are harder to get in and out than the Europa, and the Europa has a lower-rev, higher-torque engine.

Try all of them - they're not extreme like Caterhams these days

[Fatrat]

Im afraid you are MUCH too old for a Lotus. Looking at your previous cars it really is time you settled down and got something "sensible".

What you need is a pipe and slippers car, maybe a second hand Rover 75 or similar.

Dad

[simonrockman]

I agree, stay away from an S1 Elise or VX220 which has very high sills. That said I'm 44 ad had a VX220 until this time last year.

Simon

[Talkwrench]

Nonsense! I'm 51, absolutely love my S1 Elise and would definitely recommend buying one. It reminds you of what driving is all about. It also keeps you flexible if you get in and out with the roof on....

[TIPPER]

simonrockman said:

I agree, stay away from an S1 Elise or VX220 which has very high sills. That said I'm 44 ad had a VX220 until this time last year.

Simon

Absolute twaddle. I can get in and out of my S1 with the roof on with no problems.
You're only as old as you want to be.