I’m I too old to buy another Lotus ?

[Nix-P]

I’ve had a huge number of Lotus’s during my life ( S4 Elan, twin cam europa, Europa Special, S1 and S2 Esprit, S1 and S2 Exige, 340R), I sold the last one in 2007 and been driving Morgan’s ever since. I now find myself really missing these cars and considering another in the shape of an Exige 350 Sport.
At 68 I’m I just too bloody old ?, maybe getting in and out might be an issue.

[mogg]

I remember when I went to test drive an S2 Exige Cup, the seller was 74 and got in and out easily. Took me for a drive and was pretty impressive !

An S3 Exige is easier to get in and out of than an S2.

[MarkM3Evoplus]

Depends on how many miles you have on the clock.

I.m 48 and both my wife and I have dodgy backs, but so far we can still get in and out, so I suggest you go to a dealer and have a go, as they are great cars!

[gareth h]

Get yourself booked into a yoga class and buy the Exige! I had a dalliance with a couple of Aero 8s, getting back into an Exige was like chalk and cheese.

[lj04]

Evora is quite a bit easier to fall into

[Fastpedeller]

I think any Lotus would be better for the spine than a Morgan! (maybe withe the exception of the latest models or Aero)

[Tin Hat]

You must.

Stop fussing, we are only here once

[CTE]

That`s a very defeatist attitude and remember, you`re never too old!!

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

If you do struggle with it, then you could improve your fitness like other posters have said. Double win - you get a Lotus and you are fitter.

Enjoy the car!

[hyphen]

Get the SUV.

[CanAm]

Nix-P said:

At 68 I’m I just too bloody old ?, maybe getting in and out might be an issue.

I'm even older, with a Caterham . I figure if I can still get in and out with the hood up (a rarity) then I'm doing OK. Without the hood, it's a doddle!

PS I’m thinking of changing TO a Lotus for the comfort and ease of access

Edited by CanAm on Wednesday 22 July 15:42

[Nyloc20]

If you can get in and out just do it! Sadly I had to sell my Elise S2 last year due to arthritis. I'm another one that's had a range of Lotuses.(Classic and modern since 1975 and still got my M100 Elan after 21 years).
I'm tempted by the idea of an Evora, love them, but I can't afford one as new as I'd want and it would be a bit too big for my garage with the Elan in there.
My Elise S2 was only a 1.8 S, 2008 plate but the four years I owned were fantastic, every trip an event. Go for it!

[SELON]

You’re still young. They say 54 is the new 49. So that makes you only 54!

Exige: Change the hard top for a soft top, would make it much easier to get in/out.

Alternatively, an Evora 430 would be a great option for you. Or maybe 400/410.

[SeanyD]

Just south of 50 years old here and no plans to bin my s2 Exige anytime soon. The only time it's crippled me was Newcastle to Cambridge and back in a day, took about 5 days for my tail bone to re-solidify.

[Gad-Westy]

My Dad is 70 and borrowed my S2 Exige last week. He did struggle at first but everybody does as there is a certain amount of technique required. Once he got the hang of it, he was fine. An Elise with roof off would be easier. Nobody looks dignified doing it in a tight parking space.

[5Valve]

I have an Exige S2, I was 77 last week, stop faffing about and get one!

[ettore]

Get it bought man - 68 is nothing and there’s only one life.

There’s no elegant ingress/egress anyway. I’m 45 and still looked a wally getting in and out of my Exige 430!

[Nix-P]

Thanks for all the advice. It seems the ideal car for me is an Exige 350 sport with the addition of the canvas roof. Partly because of the V6 engine i like the Evora very much, but I also like open top motoring and would use the Exige most of the time with the roof off.
All I need to do now is to establish if I can in and out (I struggled with my S1 and S2 Exige), get a test drive and convince the wife (the difficult bit).

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Would a removable steering wheel help? Also perhaps leather seats to help you slide in (if they are an option).

[carspath]

I spent years faffing and not getting an Elise because i felt that i could not get in and out without hurting myself or damaging the car's inetrior .

Then decided that it was now or never , and started doing some serious stretching exercises .

Also looked critically at the cars interior set up , and worked out my own way of getting in and out ( sit at far end of the sill , get one leg in , lever on sill and seat back and go almost horizontal , get other leg in , lever up on sill and seat back and slide sideways into seat ) .

Glad i decided to give it a chance , and you will be too .