Disappointed by the future

[zebra]

Due to work have not been on here for a while and the exige has been sorned since October as I just cannot find spare time that coincides with a dry day to enjoy a drive.

However, I did used to look forward to receiving my Lotus magazine, (particularly the one where Boggy, Gooby and I are mentioned) but even that enjoyment has been tarnished.

It appears that Lotus's new direction now involves nothing to do with cars but more about informing me about the kind of person I should be or admire or respect to drive one of their cars. I'm sorry, I do not aspire to be anything like the drug addled anorexic we that is Kate Moss (one example). Well, based on the first two issues of the new format I am no longer a Lotus driver. Poor articles, trendy photographs of celebs and very little about cars and to top it all off, only a few issues a year as oppose to when it was seasonal.

Too much style and not enough content.

I will not be renewing, that's the car and the mag by the way.

Zebby

[hueandcry71]

I see what mean about the magazine.

I got one for free today as i picked it up and genuinely thought it had the quality and feel of a free magazine and walked out of the showroom with it (nothing to do with me being a Scouser - honest).
It was only when i got home that i noticed the £20 price tag on it.

What a load of ste for £20 - its like something that you get on a plane.

How much is the membership of the Lotus club that has magazines priced at that price?

[GKP]

Bless, how sensitive you Elise types are.

[zebra]

hueandcry71 said:

I see what mean about the magazine.

I got one for free today as i picked it up and genuinely thought it had the quality and feel of a free magazine and walked out of the showroom with it (nothing to do with me being a Scouser - honest).
It was only when i got home that i noticed the £20 price tag on it.

What a load of ste for £20 - its like something that you get on a plane.

How much is the membership of the Lotus club that has magazines priced at that price?

I've got up until September left on a three year membership which I took because the previous incarnation of the mag was decent; good range of articles, decent photos as well as contributions from the Lotus community across the world. The new one appears to be an attempt at a 'sexy' marketing concept. Even the F1 article had no substance.

....and you're mate, twenty quid is outrageous. Good job you nicked it.

[zebra]

GKP said:

Bless, how sensitive you Elise types are.

Thank you for taking the effort to comment. I had not realised how sensitive I was. Please excuse me while return to my flower pressing and puppy cuddling duties.

[GKP]

Well, you're the one who's decided not to drive a certain type of car simply because of a coffee table magazine. That does seem to be a bit precious to me.

[wacattack]

GKP said:

Well, you're the one who's decided not to drive a certain type of car simply because of a coffee table magazine. That does seem to be a bit precious to me.

Where has he said he isn't going to drive his car??

Besides, a massive point about having a lotus is the experience it brings, including the history and image they portray. The new direction lotus is heading doesn't conform to what existing lotus drivers love about the marque. It is now all about an image and brand none of the traditional lotus fans want. Just look at the clothing range they have recently launched. Even the richest members on here would struggle to justify the prices they charge. And the type of celebrity they are using to associate with the car. If that's how they see the future lotus owner then it's not the lotus I fell in love with

[Stitch]

GKP - I don't think this is what the OP is saying at all.

He is bemoaning the fact Lotus don't want him any more, rather than him not wanting Lotus.

I am afraid that this is the way things are going.

Lotus has always had an engineering bent and with the launch of the Elise this seemed to move to the techy side of engineering.

The new management team seems hell bent on taking on Ferrari, Lotus doesn't have the glamourous history so needs to buy it in - fast.

If the model development plan goes ahead as currently suggested, in a couple of years time Lotus will have tossed away its customer base of the last 15 years (the Elise buyer who can afford a £20K to £30K-odd impractical sports car) and has to draw in the seriously wealthy to buy its super cars.

Very brave

[F.C.]

wacattack said:

Where has he said he isn't going to drive his car??

"Too much style and not enough content.

I will not be renewing, that's the car and the mag by the way".

Zebby

[SeanyD]

Zebs matey, I do see where you're coming from, I also feel the 'spark' of owning a Lotus has sadly gone. 3/4/5 years ago it was a huge buzz meeting up with fellow owners for early morning blasts out etc, but that seems to have been and gone. Even our friendly local lotus dealer, doesnt seem to deal with that many loti anymore.

It's a real shame as I would have still liked to have returned to the scene when personal circumstances change, but I'm currently not too sure, watch this space.

(ps stop working so bloody hard !! )

[zebra]

GKP said:

Well, you're the one who's decided not to drive a certain type of car simply because of a coffee table magazine. That does seem to be a bit precious to me.

Seems you are the only person on here who does not understand what I implied.

If you have a dictionary handy, I recommend looking up the word renew and then leave this thread the rest of us can have a discussion without you trolling.

Thanks

[zebra]

wacattack said:

Besides, a massive point about having a lotus is the experience it brings, including the history and image they portray. The new direction lotus is heading doesn't conform to what existing lotus drivers love about the marque. It is now all about an image and brand none of the traditional lotus fans want. Just look at the clothing range they have recently launched. Even the richest members on here would struggle to justify the prices they charge. And the type of celebrity they are using to associate with the car. If that's how they see the future lotus owner then it's not the lotus I fell in love with

Exactly right and your last words sum up the point perfectly. My concern is that Lotus are not bothered by the fact many will be disenfranchised by their strategy. Cars used to be good enough to sell themselves. Now, it appears Lotus need to prove they are trendy and hip, almost part of the Hollywood crowd.

[zebra]

SeanyD said:

Zebs matey, I do see where you're coming from, I also feel the 'spark' of owning a Lotus has sadly gone. 3/4/5 years ago it was a huge buzz meeting up with fellow owners for early morning blasts out etc, but that seems to have been and gone. Even our friendly local lotus dealer, doesnt seem to deal with that many loti anymore.

It's a real shame as I would have still liked to have returned to the scene when personal circumstances change, but I'm currently not too sure, watch this space.

(ps stop working so bloody hard !! )

You're right about the 'spark', I cannot get excited by the new cars, so I'll hang onto the stripey machine as long as possible and keep enjoying that. When it comes time to eventually change it I fear it will be a move towards another brand.

As for the work, don't seem to be able to get my head above water at the moment. Hardly in Newcastle most weeks but will get back on the road shortly. The zige will seem like new car though.

[clanger]

I know just what you mean - the proposed new line up (IF! they ever appear - personally I think it will all end in tears ) are meant for a different clientel than us current enthusiasts. Big shame really, I rather like Lotus cars.

[GKP]

zebra said:

Seems you are the only person on here who does not understand what I implied.

If you have a dictionary handy, I recommend looking up the word renew and then leave this thread the rest of us can have a discussion without you trolling.

Thanks

Yes, renew. I understand you won't be renewing your car for another Lotus or your magazine for another Lotus magazine because there were one or two articles in that Lotus magazine which you didn't enjoy. That's about the gist of it.
I find that odd.

[zebra]

clanger said:

I know just what you mean - the proposed new line up (IF! they ever appear - personally I think it will all end in tears ) are meant for a different clientel than us current enthusiasts. Big shame really, I rather like Lotus cars.

I'm not aware of another manufacturer, mainstream or niche, that has so completely changed direction. Although I acknowledge they still wish to create sports cars there is a massive leap to get to where they wish to be. We've had the discussion on here before but the marketplace for V6 Elise or Exige seems even more limited than the former S1 or S2 derivatives line up.

Lotus spent all that time creating and improving their architecture and celebrated Chapman's ethos with the lightweight performance, they work with other manufacturers on electric cars, they develop bioethanol cars and then a complete about face when everyone else is producing hybrids etc.

Boggy, you've normally got your ear to the ground. What's you feelings on the matter?

[CooperS]

GDK...So what do you think about the new direction of lotus will you be one of thier new customers when the Elise is 45k. I've just sold my 111R and part of that was how Lotus Murray (Edinburgh) changed when Graeme left. Really isn't the same and I can't get excites by the new direction. A yer ago when I spoke at Murrays with the Marketing director for lotus uk my overriding impression was that lotus cared less for the current set of customers as there is was little money in the current line up of cars. He said they either change / evolve or stop all together.

Sad times.

[GKP]

I've been driving and owning Lotus cars for well over twenty years. Some have been purchased new, some used, some sheds. I'm looking forward to the marque pulling away from the demographic they're currently in.
For far too long, rightly or wrongly, they've been associated with 24 year old live at home IT nerds. They've produced nothing but whizzy little trackday cars with differing paintjobs - I've even owned one or two of them. I've wanted them to manufacture proper grown up cars again ever since the Esprit was canned in 2003.

I probably won't be purchasing a New Elise, no, but I'm following the Esprit's development with great interest though.

[RonnieP]

GKP - in that marketplace would you really consider an untried Lotus over a Porsche 997 or AM Vantage? or moving up to the next level a F430 or Gallardo? - no - so move on then - stick TFA what you are good at

[Loudman]

I actually do think that there is a market there for people who would have gone for an esprit in the old days. A 911 is too common and boring, an F430 too 'highly strung' and a Gallardo, well very nice but maybe trying a bit hard. Maybe by the time it comes out I may be in the market (but likely not as I have a young family), but I think that the R8 has shown that there is room for a 911 alternative, the problem is that Lotus 'should' be more focussed than a 911 and that may mean its too small a market to be profitable. If I am there then I think I'd look an esprit/elan.

I think its a shame that they seem to be taking the Elise into Boxter areas, not because that's bad in itself, but more that there will be no lotus option for a current Elise driver by the looks of it.