Elise to Europa Swap?
Discussion
Yeah I know, not everyone's cup of tea but I'm very tempted by the slightly more practical argument and I think they look cool in the fibreglass. I'm not getting enough use out of the elise and one reason is you just can't fit enough in (and my better half says it's too noisy). One big question though, every review slams the fuel consumption and that petrol stuff just ain't free. Europa owners, what kind of MPG do you get?
I have no idea what MPG I'm getting, I don't pay for petrol so I don't really care and don't look!
I have a Europa and love it having had an S1 elise. It is superior to the elise in absolutely every respect and is much easier to live with on a day to day basis. I have the 225 upgrade, brake upgrade and the luxury interior. Interestingly I have seen a few europas advertised as having the upgrade but they still have the standard seats, the full upgrade changes the seats as well; so make sure, if you buy used, that it has all been done. The europa is much much quicker than the elise and handles just as well, I'm sure the limits are lower than the elise but you won't really get to them on the road.
All good... But... Whilst it is more practical than the elise, it isn't that much more practical! Its still a pain to get in and out of by comparison to non-Lotus's and women will still need to take care if they are wearing skirts etc!!
Its a bit quieter than the elise but the engine is still right behind you so it isnt that quiet!!! Also, the boot is bigger and its easier to access with the tailgate but it still isnt huge! Make sure you check out if it really is worth changing, it is a better car but you may not gain a massive amount out of the switch!
I have a Europa and love it having had an S1 elise. It is superior to the elise in absolutely every respect and is much easier to live with on a day to day basis. I have the 225 upgrade, brake upgrade and the luxury interior. Interestingly I have seen a few europas advertised as having the upgrade but they still have the standard seats, the full upgrade changes the seats as well; so make sure, if you buy used, that it has all been done. The europa is much much quicker than the elise and handles just as well, I'm sure the limits are lower than the elise but you won't really get to them on the road.
All good... But... Whilst it is more practical than the elise, it isn't that much more practical! Its still a pain to get in and out of by comparison to non-Lotus's and women will still need to take care if they are wearing skirts etc!!
Its a bit quieter than the elise but the engine is still right behind you so it isnt that quiet!!! Also, the boot is bigger and its easier to access with the tailgate but it still isnt huge! Make sure you check out if it really is worth changing, it is a better car but you may not gain a massive amount out of the switch!Edited by Twit on Tuesday 12th August 21:22
motaboy said:
Yeah I know, not everyone's cup of tea but I'm very tempted by the slightly more practical argument and I think they look cool in the fibreglass. I'm not getting enough use out of the elise and one reason is you just can't fit enough in (and my better half says it's too noisy). One big question though, every review slams the fuel consumption and that petrol stuff just ain't free. Europa owners, what kind of MPG do you get?
Factory fresh entry level Europas now look reasonable value at around £27k but the SE adds the latest engine mapping to give 225 bhp, a higher quality interior, better sound system and lighter, fatter wheels and tyres for around £32k. Tempting, mmm, yes!Interesting post this as my S1 went in for some minor work today and my courtesy car was a Europa S. I've never really looked at them too closely but my first thought was that from the rear they look ugly. Inside was certainly more comfortable and I can imagine covering plenty of miles in the car. Yes it was very quick (220bhp this model) but it was also very very dull. If you are driving at 40/50/60 MPH you might as well be in a Mondeo. There was no spark, no excitement, no soul (IMO). I'm sure there will now be a flurry of posts by angry Europa owners!
McSpud said:
Factory fresh entry level Europas now look reasonable value at around £27k but the SE adds the latest engine mapping to give 225 bhp, a higher quality interior, better sound system and lighter, fatter wheels and tyres for around £32k. Tempting, mmm, yes!
Some low mileage 07 Europas with the 225 upgrade can be had for 22-23k. Add the interior retrim and upgraded seats and you're talking 25k. In anyone's book that's a bargain for what you get!To the OP's original point ;-) - I get between 27 and 32 mpg depending on type of driving, I'm not that hard a driver so I think this would drop to mid-20s if you used the performance all the time...
Re. dullness - well - to be honest, compared with my friend's S1 111S, it is a little bit soulless. But compared to just about anything else, it is not! And I do think it's going a bit far to say it's like being in a Mondeo.....
Cheers,
Jerry
Re. dullness - well - to be honest, compared with my friend's S1 111S, it is a little bit soulless. But compared to just about anything else, it is not! And I do think it's going a bit far to say it's like being in a Mondeo.....
Cheers,
Jerry
I have just returned from a 900 mile trip around Scotland in my S 225hp.
34mpg on an 80mph motorway cruise - 24mpg going (very) fast on the wonderful roads of Skye.
I think the car is fantastic. As a former S1 135 owner, it is not as hardcore, but it is much faster. Yes,the engine note is soulless, compared to a Type R or 111R. It doesn't urge you to rev to the red line in search of operatic delight, but instead it is better to use the formidable mid range torque to make massively swift progress.
I'm hoping that my forthcoming Milltek upgrade might just add a little aural sparkle.
The car is deceptively quick. It won't lift-off oversteer as willingly as an S1 (although a geometry change can deliver this if you wish) so it is super-stable on long fast corners.
I use Goodyear F1s on the road (like the new SE) and it is awesome in the wet. My only gripe is the brakes. They are great for the road, but on the track I think I might need an ABS-off switch.
34mpg on an 80mph motorway cruise - 24mpg going (very) fast on the wonderful roads of Skye.
I think the car is fantastic. As a former S1 135 owner, it is not as hardcore, but it is much faster. Yes,the engine note is soulless, compared to a Type R or 111R. It doesn't urge you to rev to the red line in search of operatic delight, but instead it is better to use the formidable mid range torque to make massively swift progress.
I'm hoping that my forthcoming Milltek upgrade might just add a little aural sparkle.
The car is deceptively quick. It won't lift-off oversteer as willingly as an S1 (although a geometry change can deliver this if you wish) so it is super-stable on long fast corners.
I use Goodyear F1s on the road (like the new SE) and it is awesome in the wet. My only gripe is the brakes. They are great for the road, but on the track I think I might need an ABS-off switch.
I get between 25 and 30 mpg.......
As for space, there is more practical room in a Europa than an Elise. I fly a paraglider, and the one criteria was that the glider bag would fit in the boot. Absolutely no chance on an Elise, but it just does in the Europa.
As for being souless at 40/50/60 mph. I suppose it depends what you want. I am quite happy for my car to bimble along in a queue of traffic bering "soulless", knowing that as soon as the road clears and we get to some bends, I can put my foot down and the car will come alive.
Actually it was one of the things that persuaded me to buy the car, namely the fact that you could cruise on a dual carriageway / motorway without being completely drained at the end of your journey.
As for space, there is more practical room in a Europa than an Elise. I fly a paraglider, and the one criteria was that the glider bag would fit in the boot. Absolutely no chance on an Elise, but it just does in the Europa.
As for being souless at 40/50/60 mph. I suppose it depends what you want. I am quite happy for my car to bimble along in a queue of traffic bering "soulless", knowing that as soon as the road clears and we get to some bends, I can put my foot down and the car will come alive.
Actually it was one of the things that persuaded me to buy the car, namely the fact that you could cruise on a dual carriageway / motorway without being completely drained at the end of your journey.
planty67 said:
Lupus said:
I fly a paraglider, and the one criteria was that the glider bag would fit in the boot. Absolutely no chance on an Elise, ...
Oh yes it will! I've had mine in the boot of the elise and a mountain bike on the passenger seat.
JJ
motaboy said:
Yeah I know, not everyone's cup of tea but I'm very tempted by the slightly more practical argument and I think they look cool in the fibreglass. I'm not getting enough use out of the elise and one reason is you just can't fit enough in (and my better half says it's too noisy). One big question though, every review slams the fuel consumption and that petrol stuff just ain't free. Europa owners, what kind of MPG do you get?
I had similar practicality issues and bought a Z4 coupe. The Z4 is very competant but sometimes I miss my Elise sooooo much.Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff