Quick V8 Model Question
Discussion
I keep seeing V8s advertised as SEs when the year of registration is given as 1996. Surely this isn't correct? I was given to understand that there was just a V8 from 1996 to 1998 and then from 1998-2001 you have V8 GTs and V8 SEs... Is it that the original V8 and the later V8 SE have a similar spec level so they want to differentiate an older car from later V8 GTs? What are they trying to get away with?
Cheers,
Charles
Edited to add: The "What are they trying to get away with?" is mainly a rhetorical question!
>>> Edited by charlescrawley on Friday 2nd April 15:56
Cheers,
Charles
Edited to add: The "What are they trying to get away with?" is mainly a rhetorical question!
>>> Edited by charlescrawley on Friday 2nd April 15:56
adrianmugridge said:
Charles
You are correct. When the V8-GT came along, it's price was chopped by £10k compared to the SE. So, I suppose people will call the 1996 cars and SE because it cost the same ( £60K ) as the 1998SE cars.
Adrian
Sport 350
This does beg the question whether buying a V8 GT is a better idea than buying an SE. I could probably live without the aircon and many GTs have the spoiler added (I like it, as I think it "finishes" the car nicely, similar to Countachs et al.)
What would I really miss if I went for a GT?
Opinions?
Cheers
Charles
adrianmugridge said:
As far as I know the differences between the SE and GT are not that much, no leather, no AC, no spoiler, no wide wheel arches. But that's about it, I think. Not alot extra for £10k when new.
Adrian
Sport 350
Hmm, I'd miss the leather... And who can resist wide wheel arches, eh?
Agreed on the price difference though...
Actually all V8s came with the wide wheel arches, so that's not a factor. Many also substituted the standard V8 sports seats for the SE seats in leather so at least you get leather seats if not the dash and door sides. I'd definately go for a car with AC though - it should be easy finding one as I think most buyers went for this option.
Magnus (V8-GT)
Magnus (V8-GT)
Yes, all the v8's had the arch extensions, lightweight sports seats, no spoiler or aircon and no leather.
Lots of them were fitted with SE type rear spoiler and seats, and just about all of them had aircon (i've only ever seen ONE without, and that was the factory press car). Some of the very late cars actually did have leather dash/doors too.
The only other item that differs on GT vs SE is the GT has chrome gear knob and a chrome ring around the base of the gear lever, whereas the SE has a leather knob.
I love the GT sports seats mine has - the alcantara is much grippier than shiny leather so they are much better to drive in, i also like the fact that the GT does NOT have a spoiler
mine has aircon, don't mind that it does not have leather.
BTW the GT has a larger rear transom (lip) spoiler so it does not need to have a big wing. The SE wing is largely cosmetic in any case.
cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT
>> Edited by rob.e on Friday 2nd April 22:43
Lots of them were fitted with SE type rear spoiler and seats, and just about all of them had aircon (i've only ever seen ONE without, and that was the factory press car). Some of the very late cars actually did have leather dash/doors too.
The only other item that differs on GT vs SE is the GT has chrome gear knob and a chrome ring around the base of the gear lever, whereas the SE has a leather knob.
I love the GT sports seats mine has - the alcantara is much grippier than shiny leather so they are much better to drive in, i also like the fact that the GT does NOT have a spoiler
mine has aircon, don't mind that it does not have leather. BTW the GT has a larger rear transom (lip) spoiler so it does not need to have a big wing. The SE wing is largely cosmetic in any case.
cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT
>> Edited by rob.e on Friday 2nd April 22:43
mustard said:
Not my car, but if you want to rekindle your love get your cheque book out and it could be yours!
It'll be more than *I* can afford to spend, but I have to ask... How much would you ask for it?
Edited to add: For some reason, none of your pictures are loading, mustard...
>> Edited by charlescrawley on Saturday 3rd April 14:17
charlescrawley said:
Not my car, but if you want to rekindle your love get your cheque book out and it could be yours!
It'll be more than *I* can afford to spend, but I have to ask... How much would you ask for it?
Edited to add: For some reason, none of your pictures are loading, mustard...
>> Edited by charlescrawley on Saturday 3rd April 14:17
Cars in the Classifieds Charles
Sorry to hijack this folks but I'm a bit confused on this one. I always thought the SE was the luxury comfort model where as the GT was the stripped out track day model therefore had the edge on handling. A bit like a standard Porsche vs an RS. From what I'm reading here it sounds like the GT was a budget version of an SE?
Gary. Yes, the GT is a 'stripped out'/lightweight model. The reduction in weight plus the sports seats do make it a more 'focussed' car, bit like a club sport sort of thing. Lotus charged less for this as the equipment levels were less than the SE.
The trend these days as you're probably aware is to take out all the kit then charge MORE for the car..
The trend these days as you're probably aware is to take out all the kit then charge MORE for the car..
rob.e said:
The trend these days as you're probably aware is to take out all the kit then charge MORE for the car..
Yes and then spec all the equipment taken out as optional extras thus increasing the price further
Thanks for the clarification. I have to say I'm looking for a GT but I'd prefer one with the rear wing. Didn't know it wasn't standard fit. Fortunately most of the GT's I've seen have it fitted.
>> Edited by t1grm on Monday 5th April 09:30
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