Discussion
I've had mine for a couple of years and it's been fantastic. It goes like stink, handles well and is very civilised for long journeys. Ironically I'm having to sell it though as a new contract means I'm not going to be able to drive it often enough.
Mine is a late celebration model and the engine has been faultless - they're reputed to be good for 150,000 miles and it's only done 60,000. The aircon works, lights are fine and having replaced the original stereo with a nice new handsfree unit, you can drive any distance very comfortably. We often take the kids around and it'll take two car seats in the back with no trouble.
Services aren't cheap, and as you're looking at a car that's 18+ years old you have to accept that there's a certain amount of maintenance that needs to be done - mine's had new headlining, steering rack and the lacquer on the roof is beginning to go. The electric mirrors are a weak link - the mechanics fail, as do the mounts and the internal switch gear is weak. It's easiest just to adjust them into position and leave them there.
Running costs are ok - it's quite hard on tyres and they're an uncommon size. You'll rarely see more that 20mpg, but at least it has a good big tank.
One common problem to look out for is around the doors - the mounts are a pig to replace or adjust and the seals can leak as a result. At high speeds the cabin pressurises slightly, so poor seals can 'blow' a little. The doors have a central bar that runs their entire length - they slide over it to fit - and that can rot. Unfortunately you can only find out by taking the door off which is a major operation.
Other than that, it's a classic lotus - a real pleasure to drive and loads of fun on twisty stuff. Good luck with your hunt.
Mine is a late celebration model and the engine has been faultless - they're reputed to be good for 150,000 miles and it's only done 60,000. The aircon works, lights are fine and having replaced the original stereo with a nice new handsfree unit, you can drive any distance very comfortably. We often take the kids around and it'll take two car seats in the back with no trouble.
Services aren't cheap, and as you're looking at a car that's 18+ years old you have to accept that there's a certain amount of maintenance that needs to be done - mine's had new headlining, steering rack and the lacquer on the roof is beginning to go. The electric mirrors are a weak link - the mechanics fail, as do the mounts and the internal switch gear is weak. It's easiest just to adjust them into position and leave them there.
Running costs are ok - it's quite hard on tyres and they're an uncommon size. You'll rarely see more that 20mpg, but at least it has a good big tank.
One common problem to look out for is around the doors - the mounts are a pig to replace or adjust and the seals can leak as a result. At high speeds the cabin pressurises slightly, so poor seals can 'blow' a little. The doors have a central bar that runs their entire length - they slide over it to fit - and that can rot. Unfortunately you can only find out by taking the door off which is a major operation.
Other than that, it's a classic lotus - a real pleasure to drive and loads of fun on twisty stuff. Good luck with your hunt.
Your only problem with running an Excel day to day will be finding parts on the few occasions you need them - which won't be often but just beware for the if and when, they all have lots of Toyota in them so probably one of the most reliable Lotus you can run day to day and I did just that for a few years with an '88, my brother had a Hethel he used daily and a friend had a '92 and none of us regret it ....... in fact I've been looking for another myself.
Very unlucky if you get 20mpg on a run, i regulalry get 28mpg on long runs even sat at 90ish.admitadly i can get her down to about 8 if i try really hard.........Parts are easy to get with supplyiers like Mike Taylor of LotusBits and Paul Matty etc.......have a visit to Lotusexcel.net, that is where a majotity of the Excel peeps reside
MrCoolA said:
Very unlucky if you get 20mpg on a run, i regulalry get 28mpg on long runs even sat at 90ish.
I probably worded that badly - a good run does indeed give better figures, but on average 20mpg is 'doing quote well' for normal day to day driving.MrCoolA said:
admitadly i can get her down to about 8 if i try really hard.........Parts are easy to get with supplyiers like Mike Taylor of LotusBits and Paul Matty etc.......have a visit to Lotusexcel.net, that is where a majotity of the Excel peeps reside
Yes, it's worth pointing out that there's a good forum and the Lotus Owners Club is worth joining. As a marque, Lotus have a very good and active community that covers cars past and present.Thanks. I have a 40 mile round trip to work which covers single track road, country lanes (majority of journey), and a bit of urban and urban motorway. I have a 911 which averages about 22mpg on this journey and an Elise which does 36. Doing the maths, I save about £5 a day on fuel by going in the Elise, which is more fun to drive as well. However, there are days when its pouring down, the roads are flooded, there are leaves and bits of tree everywhere, and where there's mud for a hundred yards past every field entrance. On those days the Elise isn't so much fun and that's what I've been thinking of the Excel for. Plus I think they look good. Getting high 20s on a journey like this would work for me. Or maybe I should just get a (new shape) Europa. I'm really liking these now.
I had one a couple of years ago and only sold it to raise some cash. I'd have another one tomorrow!
We used it as a daily driver school runs, shopping etc. You can get a lot in the boot (two full sets of golf clubs with trolleys!) and it seats four people, ok the rear seats have limited leg room but they are still proper seats.
We also did a few long trips in it - one from Skegness to Goodwood FOS and back in the same day - easy to drive and comfortable.
As others have said Mike at Lotus bits is very good for spares, I beleive the factory still carry some spares as well.
Like any car of it's age it will need regular maintenance, which if you are not hand with spanners could work out expensive and you'll need to find a specialist to do the work.
Again, as others have said have a look around the Excel forum they are a freindly bunch and will give good advise.
Also have a look here for some interesting articles etc.
They aren't that fast (unlees you are really pushing the engine) but they are fast enough and as Tuna says in the twistys they are fantastic - there isn't much that will stay with them!
If you want more info etc. give me a shout.
We used it as a daily driver school runs, shopping etc. You can get a lot in the boot (two full sets of golf clubs with trolleys!) and it seats four people, ok the rear seats have limited leg room but they are still proper seats.
We also did a few long trips in it - one from Skegness to Goodwood FOS and back in the same day - easy to drive and comfortable.
As others have said Mike at Lotus bits is very good for spares, I beleive the factory still carry some spares as well.
Like any car of it's age it will need regular maintenance, which if you are not hand with spanners could work out expensive and you'll need to find a specialist to do the work.
Again, as others have said have a look around the Excel forum they are a freindly bunch and will give good advise.
Also have a look here for some interesting articles etc.
They aren't that fast (unlees you are really pushing the engine) but they are fast enough and as Tuna says in the twistys they are fantastic - there isn't much that will stay with them!
If you want more info etc. give me a shout.
Funny this should come up. Going to swap my Caterham for something more practical over the winter and an Excel really appeals. A 944 is probably a more logical alternative (and even more practical), but the front-engined Porsches are just so souless in comparison. It's not the first time I've contemplated an Excel - I nearly swapped my TVR for one - but I think this time I might actually go ahead with it.
A couple of things in my mind:
Really random question, but does anyone know if you'd get a barritone saxophone case in the boot?
Secondly, what's the market like for them? One of the things that put me off before was I seemed to see the same (outwardly tidy) examples for sale for ages in the PH classifieds. It seemed people just couldn't sell them and I was slightly worried I'd spend six months trying to find a buyer when I came to move on.
Oh, and how big are the differences between the various models (in terms of driving and ownership prospects)? Do the SEs, for example, feel that different to a normal Excel?
Chris71 said:
Really random question, but does anyone know if you'd get a barritone saxophone case in the boot?
No idea - but the design requirement was a boot big enough to take two sets of golf clubs. I can get luggage for me & SWMBO for a fortnight's touring in there and use it to cart bits and pieces (including 2 folding chairs, a collapsible table and a gazebo) to shows.Chris71 said:
Secondly, what's the market like for them? One of the things that put me off before was I seemed to see the same (outwardly tidy) examples for sale for ages in the PH classifieds. It seemed people just couldn't sell them and I was slightly worried I'd spend six months trying to find a buyer when I came to move on.
A bit variable - there are some real horrors out there at unrealistic prices. We (lotusexcel.net) get a fair number of prospective buyers each year though.By the way, what are they like in traffic? Is there any danger of overheating if I try and tackle the M25 on a hot summer's day?
I spent 4.5 hours on the motorway on Saturday. Most of it thinking how much I'd prefer to be in a Excel (in that nicely retro cream/beige-y sort of leather
).
I spent 4.5 hours on the motorway on Saturday. Most of it thinking how much I'd prefer to be in a Excel (in that nicely retro cream/beige-y sort of leather
).Chris71 said:
By the way, what are they like in traffic? Is there any danger of overheating if I try and tackle the M25 on a hot summer's day?
I spent 4.5 hours on the motorway on Saturday. Most of it thinking how much I'd prefer to be in a Excel (in that nicely retro cream/beige-y sort of leather).
Last year we went to the 60th anniversary celebrations at Hethel. We sat in the queue to get into Lotus for about two hours in nice summer weather, with two kids and two adults in the car. Temperature was rock solid, and the air conditioning kept us all very cool and comfortable. It's a breeze in traffic and copes pretty well with going from a nice blast down open roads to sitting at standstill for an hour.I spent 4.5 hours on the motorway on Saturday. Most of it thinking how much I'd prefer to be in a Excel (in that nicely retro cream/beige-y sort of leather
).The leather in ours is not so much cream as David Dickinson. Very retro indeed.
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