Moving back into the Lotus fold?
Moving back into the Lotus fold?
Author
Discussion

Maxf

Original Poster:

8,441 posts

264 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
quotequote all
I've owned an Elise S2 (K-series) and a 340R, then moved away from Lotus into other things - most notably a stupid London house without good car parking. However, I'm getting the nice car itch again and while flicking through the classifieds keep coming back to little old Lotus. There really doesnt seem to be much else that interests me the sensible side of £40k aside from Hethels finest.

Having 'done' the Elise I was thinking of an Exige S, as the lack of tourque did get a little tiring at times in the 120 Elise. However, I just remembered that when I bought my first Elise I narrowly missed out on a 135R - looking at 135R prices I'd have at least £10k change over an Exige S, and maybe more!

So, the 135R - am I going to be bitterly disapointed with the overall performance (aside from the obviously great handling) or is the Exige S really worth £10k more.

I'd love to say money is no object, but it is to an extent. I'll probably only do about 3-4000 miles a year.

TIPPER

2,955 posts

242 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
quotequote all
Why not also look at the Sport 160?
All depends on your intended use really.

Maxf

Original Poster:

8,441 posts

264 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
quotequote all
TIPPER said:
Why not also look at the Sport 160?
All depends on your intended use really.
Just casual weekend use - maybe the odd weekend away in the summer. Isnt the s160 an s1? I'm not a huge fan - test drove a 111s S1 and found it a little too 'pure'.

TIPPER

2,955 posts

242 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
quotequote all
S2 111S is reckoned to be the best all round Elise. For your use I'd say it would be ideal. An alternative would be the Europa?

village idiot

3,218 posts

290 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
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i would go for a porsche boxster 3.2s and just wear a lotus baseball cap

(runs and ducks for cover)

Maxf

Original Poster:

8,441 posts

264 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
quotequote all
village idiot said:
i would go for a porsche boxster 3.2s and just wear a lotus baseball cap

(runs and ducks for cover)
For a couple of thousand miles a year? A bit mainstream aren't they?

Good cars though.

Tam

135 posts

262 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
quotequote all
Easy - buy your 340R back.

Maxf

Original Poster:

8,441 posts

264 months

Tuesday 1st December 2009
quotequote all
Tam said:
Easy - buy your 340R back.
None for sale that I can see! Also, I hear 'mine' got vandalised and parts were near impossible to source, which would put me off (not the vandals, but the parts availabilty).

It was a good car though - I'd love one with a honda in...

Tam

135 posts

262 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
Maxf said:
Tam said:
Easy - buy your 340R back.
None for sale that I can see! Also, I hear 'mine' got vandalised and parts were near impossible to source, which would put me off (not the vandals, but the parts availabilty).

It was a good car though - I'd love one with a honda in...
It was indeed, I owned it a few years ago :-)

Maxf

Original Poster:

8,441 posts

264 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
Tam said:
Maxf said:
Tam said:
Easy - buy your 340R back.
None for sale that I can see! Also, I hear 'mine' got vandalised and parts were near impossible to source, which would put me off (not the vandals, but the parts availabilty).

It was a good car though - I'd love one with a honda in...
It was indeed, I owned it a few years ago :-)
Small world! Did you have it after me or before?

Boggy

4,603 posts

258 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
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If it were my money I'd got for an Elise SC then bolt on a few upgrades or look for a 2nd hand Cup Car/240R etc cracking value for money now both can be brought for sub 30k

Boggy

Tam

135 posts

262 months

Thursday 3rd December 2009
quotequote all
Maxf said:
Tam said:
Maxf said:
Tam said:
Easy - buy your 340R back.
None for sale that I can see! Also, I hear 'mine' got vandalised and parts were near impossible to source, which would put me off (not the vandals, but the parts availabilty).

It was a good car though - I'd love one with a honda in...
It was indeed, I owned it a few years ago :-)
Small world! Did you have it after me or before?
After. I got it from John (the guy who bought it off you). I know where it currently is, if you do want to try to get it back :-)

cobalt

20 posts

221 months

Friday 4th December 2009
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If you think a 120 K series car lacks torque you've obviously never driven a non supercharged Toyota powered car! ;-)

The devil

2,152 posts

206 months

Friday 4th December 2009
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Noble M400