Thinking of buying a Zenos E10. Am I insane?
Discussion
I’ve been planning to by an Evora in the Spring of 2015. The idea was to buy a 2012 model with the various revisions and improvements. Financially it would mean stretching myself very thin, and it would have to serve as the daily driver.
However, in recent weeks the idea of having a Zenos in the garage as an occasional track and weekend plaything has been occupying my mind.
The E10 might just turn out to be as much fun to drive as you would hope for a 650KG 200hp car from guys who worked at Lotus and Caterham. And at a price that allows me to keep a reasonable main car for commuting, shopping etc.
The thing is, the 1st batch of E10s could turn out to be badly flawed pre-assembled kit-cars. I have no mechanical skills, and it’s not as though there is an extensive dealership network and owners community to help out.
Do I need my head examined?
However, in recent weeks the idea of having a Zenos in the garage as an occasional track and weekend plaything has been occupying my mind.
The E10 might just turn out to be as much fun to drive as you would hope for a 650KG 200hp car from guys who worked at Lotus and Caterham. And at a price that allows me to keep a reasonable main car for commuting, shopping etc.
The thing is, the 1st batch of E10s could turn out to be badly flawed pre-assembled kit-cars. I have no mechanical skills, and it’s not as though there is an extensive dealership network and owners community to help out.
Do I need my head examined?
I think there is a PHer who has ordered an E10S. Can't remeber who but his experiences were very positive when I last spotted the thread (a what car that actually seems to have delivered).
I love these as well but the E10 is a bit too weekend for me. I need a little more practicality although not expecting it to be a full on daily.
I love these as well but the E10 is a bit too weekend for me. I need a little more practicality although not expecting it to be a full on daily.
Robert Elise said:
if you didn't want to be the first, why not wait until the 11 or 12? those will get you to the track and back in more comfort, give you more days out.
Yes, the E11 & 12 both look promising, but I know nothing about them apart from a concept sketch silhouette.The Crack Fox said:
From a financial perspective, though, have you considered a good, used Caterham?
Yes, since I 1st drove one 20 years ago. But I like having the engine behind me on the track. I guess what I'm hoping for is a car that will feel like an S1 Elise, but more so.
As regards manufacturer support, Zenos is based in Norfolk so it's not too far from you if you are in central England. For me that would be close enough to not be a fear factor in buying one.
If nothing else, I reckon you should go visit Zenos.
From comments on here they seem to be very open and obviously a test drive of a prototype might help you make a decision.
However, I would think that the market for selling them will be very small indeed for at least a few years, so I would say they have to be a medium to long term ownership proposition.
If nothing else, I reckon you should go visit Zenos.
From comments on here they seem to be very open and obviously a test drive of a prototype might help you make a decision.However, I would think that the market for selling them will be very small indeed for at least a few years, so I would say they have to be a medium to long term ownership proposition.
The Crack Fox said:
They've got a number of test-drive events planned, looks great (quite tempted myself, actually), see here: http://www.zenoscars.com/october/september/
I'll be at the Silverstone event at the end of the month. A short test drive of the prototype on the road, and quick blast around the track as a passenger.It'll be interesting to meet the people behind Zenos.
There's an article online from someone who's driven it... Link .
V6Pushfit said:
These look mental are they good to own?
I've now had the car for 14 months, and last Sunday it passed the 5000 mile mark. The car itself is brilliant to drive. You very quickly get used to the heavy unassisted steering. The brakes and gear change have both been improved since the earlier cars. I have recently had the uprated brakes fitted, and I would advise that to anyone planning to do trackdays. I've also now got a set of the optional OZ wheels, and the reduction in unsprung weight makes a notable improvement in ride and handling at speed.
You can hear every mechanical noise, which will be a bit disconcerting if you're used to something German. I am one of the few people with the NA car, so I don't have the dramatic turbo notices.
If you drive it in the UK, you have to be willing to get rained on sometimes. This would be less of a problem if I had the optional windscreen, which enables you to fit the 'shower cap'.
Zenos as a company have done everything to make ownership a positive experience. As the owner of one of the earliest cars I've had a few teething problems. Each time they collect the car from my house, resolve the issue, and return it to me. And always at a time that's convenient for me. They've also been generous with discounts when I've asked for options to be added. I don't know if this is special treatment because I was one of the first to jump onboard, but I'm pretty sure Porsche would have laughed in my face when they realised I was out of warrantee.
On Sunday night I stayed in a four star hotel at Zenos' expense. An invitation they extended to existing owners who wanted to join them at Snetterton on Monday. That's the sort of thing that helps turn customers into 'brand advocates'.
SpudLink said:
I've now had the car for 14 months, and last Sunday it passed the 5000 mile mark.
The car itself is brilliant to drive. You very quickly get used to the heavy unassisted steering. The brakes and gear change have both been improved since the earlier cars. I have recently had the uprated brakes fitted, and I would advise that to anyone planning to do trackdays. I've also now got a set of the optional OZ wheels, and the reduction in unsprung weight makes a notable improvement in ride and handling at speed.
You can hear every mechanical noise, which will be a bit disconcerting if you're used to something German. I am one of the few people with the NA car, so I don't have the dramatic turbo notices.
If you drive it in the UK, you have to be willing to get rained on sometimes. This would be less of a problem if I had the optional windscreen, which enables you to fit the 'shower cap'.
Zenos as a company have done everything to make ownership a positive experience. As the owner of one of the earliest cars I've had a few teething problems. Each time they collect the car from my house, resolve the issue, and return it to me. And always at a time that's convenient for me. They've also been generous with discounts when I've asked for options to be added. I don't know if this is special treatment because I was one of the first to jump onboard, but I'm pretty sure Porsche would have laughed in my face when they realised I was out of warrantee.
On Sunday night I stayed in a four star hotel at Zenos' expense. An invitation they extended to existing owners who wanted to join them at Snetterton on Monday. That's the sort of thing that helps turn customers into 'brand advocates'.
What have they done to sort the great stick? When I drove it, i thought that was the worst part of everything as it just felt completely wrong IMO.The car itself is brilliant to drive. You very quickly get used to the heavy unassisted steering. The brakes and gear change have both been improved since the earlier cars. I have recently had the uprated brakes fitted, and I would advise that to anyone planning to do trackdays. I've also now got a set of the optional OZ wheels, and the reduction in unsprung weight makes a notable improvement in ride and handling at speed.
You can hear every mechanical noise, which will be a bit disconcerting if you're used to something German. I am one of the few people with the NA car, so I don't have the dramatic turbo notices.
If you drive it in the UK, you have to be willing to get rained on sometimes. This would be less of a problem if I had the optional windscreen, which enables you to fit the 'shower cap'.
Zenos as a company have done everything to make ownership a positive experience. As the owner of one of the earliest cars I've had a few teething problems. Each time they collect the car from my house, resolve the issue, and return it to me. And always at a time that's convenient for me. They've also been generous with discounts when I've asked for options to be added. I don't know if this is special treatment because I was one of the first to jump onboard, but I'm pretty sure Porsche would have laughed in my face when they realised I was out of warrantee.
On Sunday night I stayed in a four star hotel at Zenos' expense. An invitation they extended to existing owners who wanted to join them at Snetterton on Monday. That's the sort of thing that helps turn customers into 'brand advocates'.
Glad you're enjoying it
madmover said:
What have they done to sort the gear stick? When I drove it, i thought that was the worst part of everything as it just felt completely wrong IMO.
Glad you're enjoying it
They've replaced the gear lever with the optional 'short shift' lever. The cables have all been replaced with a different specification. They have changed the route through the engine bay to reduce the effect of heat from the exhaust on the cables. It's never going to be the same as the stubby Caterham shift, but the improvement is noticeable. Glad you're enjoying it
You can see the new gear shift in action in this video...
https://youtu.be/ZWJSqH7vYeY
Edited by SpudLink on Tuesday 8th November 13:13
madmover said:
What have they done to sort the great stick? When I drove it, i thought that was the worst part of everything as it just felt completely wrong IMO.
Glad you're enjoying it
I've never experienced the standard as the E10R comes with the revised shortshift as standard. However I did come from many many Lotus based cars including a 211 so can comment on the difference. With the 211 I had to fit a custom (google letsla) gear bracket as the standard one has pins and clips and rattles like a b*stard when you shake it. Also fitted stiffer engine mounts t reduce the engine moving.Glad you're enjoying it
The E10R standard shifter is better than all the changes I made with the 211. I've never missed a change and it slots in bolt action like. The throw is perfect for me and I've let passengers who are Lotus owners try the shift on the road and all of them couldn't believe how well it worked.
Gassing Station | Zenos | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff