Europa - talk to me
Discussion
Having previously harboured dreams of M5's, 911's etc I don't think I could ever really justify the running costs (well maybe when the mortgage is paid and the children have left home!)
I like the idea of a Europa, I think the reality of an Elise is probably a bit too hard-core for me, whereas having read just about every Europa thread on here, and as many articles as I can find online, it sounds like a great car bought by those in the know? Some of the early reviews sound a bit harsh, and I think a lot of the criticism is from the original price and how it was marketed as a GT?
I've only ever seen one - a blue one leaving the M4 at the Bath turn-off. There aren't many advertised either - picture 5 ("L O T U S" on the boot ) alone sells this one to me, I think it must be all those hours rolling my 'Spy Who Loved Me' Esprit over my parents carpet as a child!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3447458.htm
What else do I need to know?
I like the idea of a Europa, I think the reality of an Elise is probably a bit too hard-core for me, whereas having read just about every Europa thread on here, and as many articles as I can find online, it sounds like a great car bought by those in the know? Some of the early reviews sound a bit harsh, and I think a lot of the criticism is from the original price and how it was marketed as a GT?
I've only ever seen one - a blue one leaving the M4 at the Bath turn-off. There aren't many advertised either - picture 5 ("L O T U S" on the boot ) alone sells this one to me, I think it must be all those hours rolling my 'Spy Who Loved Me' Esprit over my parents carpet as a child!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3447458.htm
What else do I need to know?
M5Fan said:
Having previously harboured dreams of M5's, 911's etc I don't think I could ever really justify the running costs (well maybe when the mortgage is paid and the children have left home!)
I like the idea of a Europa, I think the reality of an Elise is probably a bit too hard-core for me, whereas having read just about every Europa thread on here, and as many articles as I can find online, it sounds like a great car bought by those in the know? Some of the early reviews sound a bit harsh, and I think a lot of the criticism is from the original price and how it was marketed as a GT?
I've only ever seen one - a blue one leaving the M4 at the Bath turn-off. There aren't many advertised either - picture 5 ("L O T U S" on the boot ) alone sells this one to me, I think it must be all those hours rolling my 'Spy Who Loved Me' Esprit over my parents carpet as a child!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3447458.htm
What else do I need to know?
Try Seloc few owner's on thereI like the idea of a Europa, I think the reality of an Elise is probably a bit too hard-core for me, whereas having read just about every Europa thread on here, and as many articles as I can find online, it sounds like a great car bought by those in the know? Some of the early reviews sound a bit harsh, and I think a lot of the criticism is from the original price and how it was marketed as a GT?
I've only ever seen one - a blue one leaving the M4 at the Bath turn-off. There aren't many advertised either - picture 5 ("L O T U S" on the boot ) alone sells this one to me, I think it must be all those hours rolling my 'Spy Who Loved Me' Esprit over my parents carpet as a child!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3447458.htm
What else do I need to know?
Boggy
The Facebook group has pretty much tracked down the majority of Europa owners and put us in one place. Chris Randall of Hoffmans is a regular contributor and pretty much the authority on Europa development and modification. Its the most active place to find info and is why Europa owners have gone a bit quiet on other forums. If you are thinking of buying a car, the fact there are so few in the UK it means someone will likely know some history of the car in question.
Another source of info is the VX 220 Turbo forums as the car shares a great deal of components and running costs and potential issues are pretty much identical.
As a summary, the car is quick, reliable, has low running costs for a rare performance car, is suprisingly well made and retains its value well or maybe even has potential to appreciate. There is also lots of tuning potential (see Hoffmans) if you want to move away from a standard car.
Another source of info is the VX 220 Turbo forums as the car shares a great deal of components and running costs and potential issues are pretty much identical.
As a summary, the car is quick, reliable, has low running costs for a rare performance car, is suprisingly well made and retains its value well or maybe even has potential to appreciate. There is also lots of tuning potential (see Hoffmans) if you want to move away from a standard car.
I think values will hold where they are, 17k is the rock bottom for a 200bhp and 23k currently top for a 225 S Lux with an extra premium for an even rarer SE. My feeling is the cars will appreciate at the same rate as age and extra miles and wear will re adjust them back down in value. IMO its a car you can use a few thousand miles a year and its value remain the same as when you started using it long as you maintain it reasonably well. It could essentially be free motoring in a special car if you have the money to tie up in it. Don't really matter if cars are dealer or private as there is limited supply so people will pay the money for the best they can get from whoever. I think they have become a smart buy, but then I am biased!
Lots of rare or high end cars go through a difficult time at 4+ years old as potential repair costs for known issues can overtake the vehicles value (Porsche 996, Boxster, M 3/5's etc for example, as does a flooded used market, high fuel consumption, specialist service requirements and the need for expensive extended warranties which all hit values for those types of car. The Europa will remain ultra rare so now turns heads more than ever and has good performance and reliability. The basic Vauxhall engine removes the worries of other specialist cars as does simple mechanicals which any mechanic can work on. I love the fact I can walk around to my local Vauxhall dealer and buy service parts such as filters, a cam belt kit or even ball joints etc as they are the same as a VX and any mechanic can fit these items with ease (cam belt included). I save so much money now I dont have to use a Porsche dealer or pay out for their warranty for which I was tied into their terms for fear of a major failure such as IMS that would have priced my previous Boxster S off the road.
The Europa is special through its rarity and the fact most people don't know what it is or its value. Some even think its a new model. Its actually quite a good drive too and has potential to be improved with endless mods depending on the depth of wallet or is still very good as it comes and likely to hold more value in the future as a stock car. It may lack a special engine with a few extra cylinders but now as an older used prospect this becomes an advantage as it controls the running costs. The fact its a proven hardy unit with a turbo allows those that want it to seek out extra power through a huge variety of tuning options if they really want to create something super fast and even more special.
My Europa creates me a dilema as it is probably worth close to what I paid for it getting on 3 years ago. A great position to be in, especially as running costs have been minimal. I don't get to use it much nowdays as I now need 4 seats for kids and we have a family car for that, I also have a Dualiner van to transport motorbikes which has rear seats for the kids. I can't feel too guilty about not using my Europa much as its not depreciating in my garage, its just costing me tax and insurance. I would like to have a more special every day 4 seater car but the thought of putting the money from my Europa into that and watching it depreciate away in a very short space of time would be a gutting when for the last three years I have been used to owning a nice car that has retained its money. Looks like mine is staying a bit longer and just used whenever possible but most of the time I have a nice car under cover in the garage while i'm in the van or the battered family runabout.
Lots of rare or high end cars go through a difficult time at 4+ years old as potential repair costs for known issues can overtake the vehicles value (Porsche 996, Boxster, M 3/5's etc for example, as does a flooded used market, high fuel consumption, specialist service requirements and the need for expensive extended warranties which all hit values for those types of car. The Europa will remain ultra rare so now turns heads more than ever and has good performance and reliability. The basic Vauxhall engine removes the worries of other specialist cars as does simple mechanicals which any mechanic can work on. I love the fact I can walk around to my local Vauxhall dealer and buy service parts such as filters, a cam belt kit or even ball joints etc as they are the same as a VX and any mechanic can fit these items with ease (cam belt included). I save so much money now I dont have to use a Porsche dealer or pay out for their warranty for which I was tied into their terms for fear of a major failure such as IMS that would have priced my previous Boxster S off the road.
The Europa is special through its rarity and the fact most people don't know what it is or its value. Some even think its a new model. Its actually quite a good drive too and has potential to be improved with endless mods depending on the depth of wallet or is still very good as it comes and likely to hold more value in the future as a stock car. It may lack a special engine with a few extra cylinders but now as an older used prospect this becomes an advantage as it controls the running costs. The fact its a proven hardy unit with a turbo allows those that want it to seek out extra power through a huge variety of tuning options if they really want to create something super fast and even more special.
My Europa creates me a dilema as it is probably worth close to what I paid for it getting on 3 years ago. A great position to be in, especially as running costs have been minimal. I don't get to use it much nowdays as I now need 4 seats for kids and we have a family car for that, I also have a Dualiner van to transport motorbikes which has rear seats for the kids. I can't feel too guilty about not using my Europa much as its not depreciating in my garage, its just costing me tax and insurance. I would like to have a more special every day 4 seater car but the thought of putting the money from my Europa into that and watching it depreciate away in a very short space of time would be a gutting when for the last three years I have been used to owning a nice car that has retained its money. Looks like mine is staying a bit longer and just used whenever possible but most of the time I have a nice car under cover in the garage while i'm in the van or the battered family runabout.
Thanks for the info Tucker....as well as sounding like a great car (the more I read), it's the reasonable running costs / cost of ownership I'm seeing as a real benefit. With a Porsche, M car etc the need for a warranty, high fuel costs and the thought of a costly catastrophic failure are what scares me off. A Europa sounds like, well, quite a sensible choice!
What is the build quality like, are they all squeaks and rattles on the move? A new one's appeared in the classified today, am hoping to see one advertised a bit closer to home, this is the main problem (well not if you own one!) how rare they are:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?g=1&...
What is the build quality like, are they all squeaks and rattles on the move? A new one's appeared in the classified today, am hoping to see one advertised a bit closer to home, this is the main problem (well not if you own one!) how rare they are:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?g=1&...
I don't seem to have too many issues with squeaks and rattles, although mine has the Lux touring pack and was the Lotus press car for the updated 225 version used to try and relaunch the Europa and convince journo's it was a good car by adding the better map, Probax seats with body colour matched inserts, leather everything, saddle bags etc. Its possible some other sound deadening was included in that upgrade. I don't know if Its any better than others without the updated Lux pack as I've never been in another. I did have a squeaky drivers seat bugging me but soon fixed that simply by tightening a bolt on the seat.
Its obviously not as refined as my Porsche was, nor as comfortable and I've never had another Lotus to compare it too so don't know how different it is to a more hardcore Elise derivative. I guess you need to test drive one to make your decision, you may love it or still find it a bit cramped and noisy for an everyday car.
Its obviously not as refined as my Porsche was, nor as comfortable and I've never had another Lotus to compare it too so don't know how different it is to a more hardcore Elise derivative. I guess you need to test drive one to make your decision, you may love it or still find it a bit cramped and noisy for an everyday car.
I have had mine for 3 years now. Used it for quite a few track days (where it is bl**dy quick...although not exactly standard) and business trips if the journey is at all long or I want to set an impression at the other end.
I drove the length of the A34 on the last few friday and on a fast A road it is magic.
C43
I drove the length of the A34 on the last few friday and on a fast A road it is magic.
C43
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff