Buying and running an Excel - advice please
Discussion
The Lotus Excel is by far one of the best buys in the Sports tourer bracket. The cars are roughly based looks wise on their predesesors the Elite and Eclat, although the mechanics were changed somewhat. The engine remained the 912 2.2 litre twin cam that had been in the last of ther Elites and the same, or similar chassis was employed. Problems with the vaccum system which operated the Elites headlamp pods were overcome by using electric motors instead, and at the rear a live axle was employed, with out board Toyota brake discs rather than the awkward inboard drums and driveshaft racing car set up on the eariler cars. All in all, for the money they fetch, the Lotus Excel is a very good buy. BUT,do beware, the cars are all now getting on and unlike the Elite's and Eclats, they don't have too great a following of enthusiasts lovingly keeping them ship shape, so there are an awful lot of dogs about. How much are you looking to spend? Paul Matty Sports cars (a well respected Lotus specialist) have been advertising Excels for around £8-9000 so this should really be your top of the market price, any cars offered for less are likely to be a bit on the rough side, but there's always one or two exceptions, choose wisely, and never forget what LOTUS actually stands for Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious! Good Hunting.
On the other hand, my Elte is for sale, at a price that won't break the bank, see the details in Members cars and the ad in classifieds, lots more style and better cared for than most excel's you'll see.
P.S Elites,Eclats and Excels are fine to use as daily drivers and run fine on unleaded, but it must be the 97 RON, not the 95 RON, parts are readily availible, if a little expensive, but if you know which parts bin they were sourced from you can save a lot of money. Hope this helps, Simon.
>> Edited by simonelite501 on Sunday 1st September 15:56
On the other hand, my Elte is for sale, at a price that won't break the bank, see the details in Members cars and the ad in classifieds, lots more style and better cared for than most excel's you'll see.
P.S Elites,Eclats and Excels are fine to use as daily drivers and run fine on unleaded, but it must be the 97 RON, not the 95 RON, parts are readily availible, if a little expensive, but if you know which parts bin they were sourced from you can save a lot of money. Hope this helps, Simon.
>> Edited by simonelite501 on Sunday 1st September 15:56
The best place to find out about anything Lotus with 4 seats http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lotus4seaters/
Theres a lot of people who can give you more info than you can shake a big stick at, and maybe some cared for cars for sale.
Theres a lot of people who can give you more info than you can shake a big stick at, and maybe some cared for cars for sale.
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