Leaving but staying
Discussion
Well, I've decided that it's time to put my money where my mouth is and leave the FTO and Japanese cars behind me for some British stock...
I'm going to get an Elise. But never fear, I'm looking at getting the Celica engined one - so I'll still be allowed on the track at Castle Coombe and I'll still be a proud supporter of all cars Japanese.
While I'm waiting for it, I'm going to switch to an old MkI MR2 to get some better ideas about the handling of such a whacky engine placement idea.
So it's nearly time for me to say - so long, and thanks for all the fish!
I'll be back at JapFest next year if I don't get to meet up with any of you before then - hopefully they will have the Sony tent next year or we'll have to organise a meet in the cafe - it seems to be a more permenent feature of the paddock ;)
I'm going to get an Elise. But never fear, I'm looking at getting the Celica engined one - so I'll still be allowed on the track at Castle Coombe and I'll still be a proud supporter of all cars Japanese.
While I'm waiting for it, I'm going to switch to an old MkI MR2 to get some better ideas about the handling of such a whacky engine placement idea.
So it's nearly time for me to say - so long, and thanks for all the fish!
I'll be back at JapFest next year if I don't get to meet up with any of you before then - hopefully they will have the Sony tent next year or we'll have to organise a meet in the cafe - it seems to be a more permenent feature of the paddock ;)
Which elise?
Very envious,had wet dreams for a Lotus since boy-hood-& they were steam powered then
Buying new? hope you get a good one,and that the 'great British build ' doesn't get you with a Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious.-did say I was jealous didn't I?
All the best chap,keep in touch & lets us know how it all pans out.
Matt
Very envious,had wet dreams for a Lotus since boy-hood-& they were steam powered then
Buying new? hope you get a good one,and that the 'great British build ' doesn't get you with a Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious.-did say I was jealous didn't I?
All the best chap,keep in touch & lets us know how it all pans out.
Matt
Thanks guys.
Havoc's right, it's the 111R... though I'm starting to get talked into an Exige.
I'm test driving the 111S (with the (R)over K-series VVC engine (from the MGF)) and the 111R (Toyota VVTL-i(??) engine (from the Celica)) on Saturday to see the differences.
The other difference is the kit you get as standard with both: for about 4k less than the 111R I could get a 111S with a spare hard top, 'weather cape' (whatever that is), full leather trim, electric windows, remote central locking, full carpets and passenger foot well foot rest (must have!).
The 111R has none of this as standard (but does have carpet mats & a wierd little passenger foot rest). However has the Toyota engine running about 185bhp, and the Toyota 6 speed gearbox. It also feels more sparten, like a Lotus should!
A lot of people have said they don't like the 111R as much because of 'all the revving you have to do' and 'driving at seventy means constant 3,000 rpm!' with the Toyota engine.
I mock in their general direction! They simply don't understand how Japanese engines work and have too much fear (or mechanical sympathy?) to rev the engine enough to keep it on torque.
I am now considering buying a new one so I can spec the extra bits I want and keep it "within factory specification" on the insurance. But I may get what I want 2nd hand.
The main thing I want extra is the Exige seats with the Exige harness
I'm also ready and willing to accept British built quality for the car. Though it amazes me that a small production car that's hand assembled can be built so badly. They (small volume British cars) all seem to be like it too! I always thought the way to survive would be to make execptional cars at exceptional quality. Maybe I live in cloud cookoo land?
Havoc's right, it's the 111R... though I'm starting to get talked into an Exige.
I'm test driving the 111S (with the (R)over K-series VVC engine (from the MGF)) and the 111R (Toyota VVTL-i(??) engine (from the Celica)) on Saturday to see the differences.
The other difference is the kit you get as standard with both: for about 4k less than the 111R I could get a 111S with a spare hard top, 'weather cape' (whatever that is), full leather trim, electric windows, remote central locking, full carpets and passenger foot well foot rest (must have!).
The 111R has none of this as standard (but does have carpet mats & a wierd little passenger foot rest). However has the Toyota engine running about 185bhp, and the Toyota 6 speed gearbox. It also feels more sparten, like a Lotus should!
A lot of people have said they don't like the 111R as much because of 'all the revving you have to do' and 'driving at seventy means constant 3,000 rpm!' with the Toyota engine.
I mock in their general direction! They simply don't understand how Japanese engines work and have too much fear (or mechanical sympathy?) to rev the engine enough to keep it on torque.
I am now considering buying a new one so I can spec the extra bits I want and keep it "within factory specification" on the insurance. But I may get what I want 2nd hand.
The main thing I want extra is the Exige seats with the Exige harness
I'm also ready and willing to accept British built quality for the car. Though it amazes me that a small production car that's hand assembled can be built so badly. They (small volume British cars) all seem to be like it too! I always thought the way to survive would be to make execptional cars at exceptional quality. Maybe I live in cloud cookoo land?
havoc said:
tuttle said:
Which elise?
Hmmm...
ninjadave said:
I'm looking at getting the Celica engined one
mystic meg said:
I forsee three numbers, and a letter. R is definitely present, but I can only see the number "1"
OK OK
-I'm still figuring out my ars* from my elbow-helped by a few grolsches last night too Couldn't agree more ND.You really would think that small volume,largely hand built British sports cars would be put together beautifully with dedication & care.Alas, depressingly it doesn't always seem the case.I think cloud cucko land must have a large & hopeful population.Their daily mantra being, like the lottery- 'It could be you.'
>> Edited by tuttle on Monday 6th June 12:37
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