Discussion
Right, had test drive a couple of hours ago....meaning to for a long time...and I am not quite sure how I feel about the car?
Ride/handling/steering.....absolutely superb. Car was very comfortable and refined. It was the supercharged version with a close ration gearbox and was certainly a quick car, but like many modern cars because they are so refined, its not until you look at the speedo you realise how fast you are travelling....so in some ways a bit dull.
I have not come away thinging that is what I really want....but it may just come down to two things. First the noise, or lack of, even with the sport button operated (2011 car), and the second was the poor gearchange. This for me was really dissappointing. I am normally mechanically very sympathetic and can normally cope, but this kept on crunching on the synchromesh. It was a bit better when not on sport mode. I know there was a factory upgrade with the gearshift, but cannot remember when it came in, but the current set up cannot be good for the long term reliability of the gearbox? Does the upgrade transform it or is it still flawed?
I guess the noise issue can be tranformed with a different back box?
I really like the car and would swap my Focus RS and Elise for it...but not if the above cannot be resolved?
Ride/handling/steering.....absolutely superb. Car was very comfortable and refined. It was the supercharged version with a close ration gearbox and was certainly a quick car, but like many modern cars because they are so refined, its not until you look at the speedo you realise how fast you are travelling....so in some ways a bit dull.
I have not come away thinging that is what I really want....but it may just come down to two things. First the noise, or lack of, even with the sport button operated (2011 car), and the second was the poor gearchange. This for me was really dissappointing. I am normally mechanically very sympathetic and can normally cope, but this kept on crunching on the synchromesh. It was a bit better when not on sport mode. I know there was a factory upgrade with the gearshift, but cannot remember when it came in, but the current set up cannot be good for the long term reliability of the gearbox? Does the upgrade transform it or is it still flawed?
I guess the noise issue can be tranformed with a different back box?
I really like the car and would swap my Focus RS and Elise for it...but not if the above cannot be resolved?
Just to clarify, the 2011 S did have an exhaust valve which improved the sound a bit, but the MY12 car`s exhause was a little louder to start with so when the sport button was depressed and the valve operated, the sound was even better.
As for the gearing, it seemed to have massive flexibility as opposed to a nice shove in the back (my RS does have a nice shove in the back in the lower gears, and has even more shove when chipped up to 340hp spec (!), but you are right, as with most of these cars you get to silly speeds easily, without the true impression of speed, which when hurtling towards a corner is not good!). I had a go in a Noble recently and there was no doubt that the load pedal had been pressed...the only drawbacks being no storage space, and a pretty rubbish interior. It also felt wide which can be a problem on small roads.
The Evora which just as wide probably, felt quite nimble. Rear/rear 3/4 visibility is a bit of a disaster though.
When I first bought my Elise, having swapped from a well set up MX5 I wondered at first if I had done the right thing, but now I am familar with the car, it is leagues ahead when it comes to pure controllability....I expect the Evora will grow on me in time. The MX5 Mk3 when set up properly, is a better everyday sports car though.
So S or non S. Obviously the S costs more, and has more performance, but how much more performance in the real world, given that it weighs quite a bit more? I think I read somewhere that there are some straightforward mods that can be done to the non S car to get it up to around 300hp, which given less weight etc, plus less weight must benifit the handling and braking??
What I really want is the Lotus handling, but with at least 400bhp/tonne...but I guess no such car exists, although Justin you say the Audi R8 may be such a car?
As for the gearing, it seemed to have massive flexibility as opposed to a nice shove in the back (my RS does have a nice shove in the back in the lower gears, and has even more shove when chipped up to 340hp spec (!), but you are right, as with most of these cars you get to silly speeds easily, without the true impression of speed, which when hurtling towards a corner is not good!). I had a go in a Noble recently and there was no doubt that the load pedal had been pressed...the only drawbacks being no storage space, and a pretty rubbish interior. It also felt wide which can be a problem on small roads.
The Evora which just as wide probably, felt quite nimble. Rear/rear 3/4 visibility is a bit of a disaster though.
When I first bought my Elise, having swapped from a well set up MX5 I wondered at first if I had done the right thing, but now I am familar with the car, it is leagues ahead when it comes to pure controllability....I expect the Evora will grow on me in time. The MX5 Mk3 when set up properly, is a better everyday sports car though.
So S or non S. Obviously the S costs more, and has more performance, but how much more performance in the real world, given that it weighs quite a bit more? I think I read somewhere that there are some straightforward mods that can be done to the non S car to get it up to around 300hp, which given less weight etc, plus less weight must benifit the handling and braking??
What I really want is the Lotus handling, but with at least 400bhp/tonne...but I guess no such car exists, although Justin you say the Audi R8 may be such a car?
Interesting comments....sounds lke you know your cars.
It is infact the powertrain that is bothering me. I test drove the S and it certainly went well, but not spectacularly so....
Justin commented that the the S felt lazy, whereas the N/A whilst not as quick, felt more lively...do you know if the gear ratio`s are different. The S I had a trip in seemed to exceed the motorway speed limit in second gear, quite comfortably!...it just felt too long legged?
I like the idea of a N/A for a number of reasons, not least of which is over 100kgs lighter! Finding a good one might be another matter?
It is infact the powertrain that is bothering me. I test drove the S and it certainly went well, but not spectacularly so....
Justin commented that the the S felt lazy, whereas the N/A whilst not as quick, felt more lively...do you know if the gear ratio`s are different. The S I had a trip in seemed to exceed the motorway speed limit in second gear, quite comfortably!...it just felt too long legged?
I like the idea of a N/A for a number of reasons, not least of which is over 100kgs lighter! Finding a good one might be another matter?
Hoping to pick up the car this weekend, with gear cables changed and all sorted. It appears the parts have not yet arrived, after two weeks. Very sadly I guess this is because Lotus`s new owners do not want to pay their suppliers on what are regarded as normal terms (30-90 days depending upon the industry), but rather negotiate 4 months and pay on 6 months after a court battle (then refuse ot deal with them ever again)....maybe its the way they do things in Malaysia?...shame because Lotus will cease to exist!...although on the positive side a professional company may pick them up cheap (when they go bump!) and invest properly in some of the best chassis engineers in the world...never mind the profitable engineering division.
If the Evora engine/gearbox/interior, and general quality had been developed/finished aswell as the concept and chassis, it would have been a huge success, even if it cost a further £10k more. As it is its almost a fantastic car, but you have to be an enthusiast to accept some of the compromises. Imagine how the driving experience would improve if the gearchange was slick?
I found myself looking at a Cayman R a little while ago....what a grey car!
Anyone dealt with Castle Lotus before?...Ben seems very straight and honest(for a car salesman?)
If the Evora engine/gearbox/interior, and general quality had been developed/finished aswell as the concept and chassis, it would have been a huge success, even if it cost a further £10k more. As it is its almost a fantastic car, but you have to be an enthusiast to accept some of the compromises. Imagine how the driving experience would improve if the gearchange was slick?
I found myself looking at a Cayman R a little while ago....what a grey car!
Anyone dealt with Castle Lotus before?...Ben seems very straight and honest(for a car salesman?)
Ha Ha,...caught me out...still, you know where I am coming from with regard to "car salesmen". One such person recently told me that the 5 speed Noble was the one to go for, where infact it is the 6 speed, which has a better gearbox...they have a 5 speed car that has been with them for some time!
Good to hear the gearlinkage parts are with you.
Good to hear the gearlinkage parts are with you.
Just a comment that I will get checked further....Castles assure me that when changing into 5th at higher revs and under load, that it is normal for it to be a bit awkward and there is a sweet spot. Personally I think this is nonsence. I know the gearchange is not going to be MX5 like but it should go into all gears with similar ease....the others are fine...any comments??
Thanks
Mark
Thanks
Mark
Just got back from picking car up from Castles, and to say I am beeming is an understatement! Gearchange is now fine (required small adjustment apparently) and it sounds just right in the cabin now the 3rd cat has been removed, and I am sure it is even perkier! I am sure there are better drivers cars out there, but you`d be hard pressed to find one.
Can`t wait for the better weather and some decent road trips...got a few planned already!
Can`t wait for the better weather and some decent road trips...got a few planned already!
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