Elan +2 but... bigger
Discussion
I'm thinking about a classic, and I love the look and feel of the Elan +2. Fantastic design and very nice. However, They're a bit small for me and I felt a bit too cramped.
What I'm wondering is, are there any other British cars of a similar vintage which are like the Elan, but a bit bigger dimensionally? I've had a look around, but I may have missed something.
What I'm wondering is, are there any other British cars of a similar vintage which are like the Elan, but a bit bigger dimensionally? I've had a look around, but I may have missed something.
Lotus Excel SE, 1989, Manual, 2.2L £13,995 Two owners from new and last owner for 31 years.
I have no knowledge of this car or the dealer, just posting as an example.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15685494
I have no knowledge of this car or the dealer, just posting as an example.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15685494
TheOrgano said:
Mr.Chips said:
The only ones that spring to my mind are a Gilbern and a Marcos Mantis. Both are quite rare and the Mantis is IMO rather visually challenged!
I take it you mean the old M70 Mantis? Yeah, they are a bit weird. I do like the 90s Mantis, thoughLotusOmega375D said:
Jensen GT? Similar engine, transmission and age to an Elan +2, albeit not as nice to look at.
The Jensen GT didn't use a similar engine and transmission to the Elan +2 at all.The Elan used the Ford based Lotus-Ford Twin Cam and a Ford gearbox.
The Jensen used Lotus's own Type 900 series 16v DOHC engine and German sourced Getrag gearbox.
daqinggregg said:
Lotus Excel SE, 1989, Manual, 2.2L £13,995 Two owners from new and last owner for 31 years.
I have no knowledge of this car or the dealer, just posting as an example.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15685494
Would be my suggestion too. After all, the Elite from which it was developed was created as a sort of Elan plus 2 replacement/ move Lotus up a league kinda thingI have no knowledge of this car or the dealer, just posting as an example.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15685494
It's a shame the Plus 2 doesn't suit you as they really are a superb sports car.
I'm a serial owner and have never really considered them cramped - they always feel quite roomy to me but still retain that snug sportscar feel - I have always chosen them over the Elan for this reason and that they just feel a bit more 'grown up'.
Nothing really to compare them to IMO - the Eclat/Excel series are great cars but I've never been that keen on the wedge look.
...a Stag comes to mind but a completely different concept to an Elan.
I ran a S2 Alfa Spider Veloce alongside my last Plus 2 and I rather liked it but it was no bigger than a Plus 2 inside and in a different league (negatively) dynamically and the 2 rear seats were probably even less practical that the Lotus.
I'm a serial owner and have never really considered them cramped - they always feel quite roomy to me but still retain that snug sportscar feel - I have always chosen them over the Elan for this reason and that they just feel a bit more 'grown up'.
Nothing really to compare them to IMO - the Eclat/Excel series are great cars but I've never been that keen on the wedge look.
...a Stag comes to mind but a completely different concept to an Elan.
I ran a S2 Alfa Spider Veloce alongside my last Plus 2 and I rather liked it but it was no bigger than a Plus 2 inside and in a different league (negatively) dynamically and the 2 rear seats were probably even less practical that the Lotus.
TheOrgano said:
Mr.Chips said:
The only ones that spring to my mind are a Gilbern and a Marcos Mantis. Both are quite rare and the Mantis is IMO rather visually challenged!
I take it you mean the old M70 Mantis? Yeah, they are a bit weird. I do like the 90s Mantis, thoughBritish, early 70s and a bit bigger is a tall order - The Lotus Eclat & Elite are the obvious post Elan+2 choices others have suggested.
Reliant had stopped making Scimitar coupes in the late 60’s, is their 2 door estate an option? Or Ford’s Capri?
Jaguar finally launched the XJS by ‘76, but this (& Jensens Interceptor) were more a grand tourer than an agile 4 seat coupe.
I cannot think of any other British alternative to cars like the BMW 3.0 Cs, Porsche 928, Dino 308GT4, or at a lower price, Alfa Romeo’s GTV2000, Lancia Beta etc.?
By the late 70’s, I recall most wealthier friends wanting agile 4 seat cars weren’t buying coupes, most seemed to be buying BMW’s 2002tii & 2 door 325, or VW’s Golf Gti - probably all at a lower price than the Elan Plus Two or Lotus Eclat would have been - I think those costed as much (or as little) as an E Type when new.
Reliant had stopped making Scimitar coupes in the late 60’s, is their 2 door estate an option? Or Ford’s Capri?
Jaguar finally launched the XJS by ‘76, but this (& Jensens Interceptor) were more a grand tourer than an agile 4 seat coupe.
I cannot think of any other British alternative to cars like the BMW 3.0 Cs, Porsche 928, Dino 308GT4, or at a lower price, Alfa Romeo’s GTV2000, Lancia Beta etc.?
By the late 70’s, I recall most wealthier friends wanting agile 4 seat cars weren’t buying coupes, most seemed to be buying BMW’s 2002tii & 2 door 325, or VW’s Golf Gti - probably all at a lower price than the Elan Plus Two or Lotus Eclat would have been - I think those costed as much (or as little) as an E Type when new.
Edited by Buzzfan on Monday 26th August 12:46
Yertis said:
daqinggregg said:
Lotus Excel SE, 1989, Manual, 2.2L £13,995 Two owners from new and last owner for 31 years.
I have no knowledge of this car or the dealer, just posting as an example.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15685494
Would be my suggestion too. After all, the Elite from which it was developed was created as a sort of Elan plus 2 replacement/ move Lotus up a league kinda thingI have no knowledge of this car or the dealer, just posting as an example.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15685494
A deep burgundy leather I reckon…
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