Lotus Excel vs Scimitar GTE

[taznuv]

Hello all, I may be going to look at a couple of cars (see above) at the weekend, and wondered if any of you have any experiences or comparisons of them. The Lotus is a newer model and therefore dearer, although they seem like good value these days. Reference my previous posting I have trouble with legroom, the Scimitar I know is good, never sat in an Excel.

[72twink]

I've run both as long term daily drivers and if you fit a Scimitar ok then you'll have no problems with an Excel, the only thing I found was the under dash shape of the Excel was slightly more intrusive but never an issue. Both have pros and cons, the Excel will be a much more refined drive, but you'll find the Scimitar easier and cheaper to maintain - any specific questions don't hesitate to ask.

Tony

[taznuv]

Cheers Tony, I may well come back to you once I've seen them,

Bruce

[skeggysteve]

The Scimitar GTE is a very good car but a lot older than the Excel.

I've owned both and they are very different cars. The GTE is a long distance tourer, the Excel is a sports car.

Which would I have again? Both!

But I'd have an Excel first.

Have a look/ask questions here for the Excel:

http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/index.php

Scimitar:

http://www.scimitarweb.com/
Google for more links - Yahoo groups etc.

[-JUT-]

I've had two Scimitars and they are great fun. Never driven an Excel though.

[taznuv]

Cheers for the replies, I've now been to look at the Scimitar but unfortunately decided to discount the Excel for now having noted how wide they are. The Scimitar seemed in very good order, it was an earlier car with the 3L engine and auto box. I was quite keen until I drove it, I'd driven a newer GTC with 2.8 engine and manual box before, and found that so much nicer. I found the auto box robbed so much response from the engine, and that the 3l was rougher than the 2.8. Also the car shaked a fair bit over moderate bumps which I don't remember the GTC doing, could just be down to age and mileage. Bit of a shame as I liked the car in most other respects.

[72twink]

What sort of age GTE are we talking Bruce, the earlier SE5/5a will feel a much tighter/sportier package than the later SE6/8 models. And of the SE5/5a the one to have will be the pure manual car, not many about as only a short life, it had and internal change mechanism and is basically a big 2000E box like in an Elan. If you can only find an overdrive car then the earlier 2 rail box ('69-'72) has less parts and a simpler shift mechanism to wear than the later 3 rail box ('73 until 2.8 litre engine). As for Essex engines they can vary a lot and can be built to be very smooth and going by these guys prices a lot cheaper to run than an Excel !!!

http://www.essexengines.com/index.htm

[taznuv]

It was a 1977, so I think an early SE6? Yes a fair point about the engine, and yes some of the Excel engine part prices did look very steep!