Europas really not that bad to look at
Discussion
Not sure if this has been done before but I think it should be said, that the New Europa really doesn't look that bad!
Just saw my first Europa in the flesh this morning, and really in black they really don't look that bad, sure its not drop dead gorgeous, but to me there are very few of those anyway, certainly not as bad as some people seem to have made out when they released pictures of the car.
It does look far better looking down at it rather than level with the lines...
Just saw my first Europa in the flesh this morning, and really in black they really don't look that bad, sure its not drop dead gorgeous, but to me there are very few of those anyway, certainly not as bad as some people seem to have made out when they released pictures of the car.
It does look far better looking down at it rather than level with the lines...
yeah, its been done a few times before, as its really not *that* new...at least a year old car now ! ...and yes its not that bad at all, in fact some prefer it to the S2 Elise. Its a good car, but think of it of more a posh, comfier S2 Elise with a more relaxed engine, rather than a "grand tourer" 
Hmmm well as a die hard elise and exige lover I'd disagree.
When I walk towards my elise from the back I always think what a nice rear end she has and from the front I that madly grinning smile just makes me want to madly grin my self ;-)
Does everyone else park up and can't help looking back just one more time to remind your self how great the car STILL looks after all these years?
Like they used to say about aircraft...if it looks right, it flies right.
When I walk towards my elise from the back I always think what a nice rear end she has and from the front I that madly grinning smile just makes me want to madly grin my self ;-)
Does everyone else park up and can't help looking back just one more time to remind your self how great the car STILL looks after all these years?
Like they used to say about aircraft...if it looks right, it flies right.
Sparxy said:
Hmmm well as a die hard elise and exige lover I'd disagree.
When I walk towards my elise from the back I always think what a nice rear end she has and from the front I that madly grinning smile just makes me want to madly grin my self ;-)
Does everyone else park up and can't help looking back just one more time to remind your self how great the car STILL looks after all these years?
Like they used to say about aircraft...if it looks right, it flies right.
i always look back to make sure i have put the hand brake on.When I walk towards my elise from the back I always think what a nice rear end she has and from the front I that madly grinning smile just makes me want to madly grin my self ;-)
Does everyone else park up and can't help looking back just one more time to remind your self how great the car STILL looks after all these years?
Like they used to say about aircraft...if it looks right, it flies right.
I think lotus owners (drivers as opposed to makers) are confused a tad by the Europa. I don't think its meant to compete with the elise or exige which is where it seems the above criticisms are aimed. I wouldnt have bought either of those cars for various reasons. The Europa competes in a different sector completely, that being one covered by Audi TT. Porsche Cayman, BMW Z4 coupe. It doesn't directly offer everything those do but does offer a Lotus alternative to those more mainstream brands. This was enough to persuade me (and the more realistic pricing for Europas helped).
fredd1e said:
I think lotus owners (drivers as opposed to makers) are confused a tad by the Europa. I don't think its meant to compete with the elise or exige which is where it seems the above criticisms are aimed. I wouldnt have bought either of those cars for various reasons. The Europa competes in a different sector completely, that being one covered by Audi TT. Porsche Cayman, BMW Z4 coupe. It doesn't directly offer everything those do but does offer a Lotus alternative to those more mainstream brands. This was enough to persuade me (and the more realistic pricing for Europas helped).
exactly - its not an Exige or Elise at all (but can be made damn close) but a different alernative to more mainstream car..the marketing messages were all wrong though and no-one including the motoring press knew what to make of it..F.C. said:
I think the Europa looks ok but after driving one back to back with an Exige I wouldn't give it a second thought, the engine, brakes? And gear linkage are all left wanting somewhat.
The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
Ah but F.C., the Exige is not really up to being used as an everyday car.The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
The GM 2.0l is known to take several thousand miles to fully loosen up - you won't likely see the full performance until the car has done at least 20k...
JJ
jazzyjeff said:
F.C. said:
I think the Europa looks ok but after driving one back to back with an Exige I wouldn't give it a second thought, the engine, brakes? And gear linkage are all left wanting somewhat.
The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
Ah but F.C., the Exige is not really up to being used as an everyday car.The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
The GM 2.0l is known to take several thousand miles to fully loosen up - you won't likely see the full performance until the car has done at least 20k...
JJ
fredd1e said:
I think lotus owners (drivers as opposed to makers) are confused a tad by the Europa. I don't think its meant to compete with the elise or exige which is where it seems the above criticisms are aimed. I wouldnt have bought either of those cars for various reasons. The Europa competes in a different sector completely, that being one covered by Audi TT. Porsche Cayman, BMW Z4 coupe. It doesn't directly offer everything those do but does offer a Lotus alternative to those more mainstream brands. This was enough to persuade me (and the more realistic pricing for Europas helped).
I like the Europa but not quite enough to buy one. 111R -> Z4C. Soz.jazzyjeff said:
F.C. said:
I think the Europa looks ok but after driving one back to back with an Exige I wouldn't give it a second thought, the engine, brakes? And gear linkage are all left wanting somewhat.
The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
Ah but F.C., the Exige is not really up to being used as an everyday car.The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
The GM 2.0l is known to take several thousand miles to fully loosen up - you won't likely see the full performance until the car has done at least 20k...
JJ
ked. the brakes were close to pathetic no feel and no bite.I'm on the large size and I'm definately using my Exige as often as possible, I bet I do more miles in the Exige over the next six months than I did in the last six in my F430.
Anyone looking at Europa's should go Noble IMO (the only reason I didn't is I have been there and done that etc,)
(All IMO of course)
F.C.
hueandcry71 said:
jazzyjeff said:
F.C. said:
I think the Europa looks ok but after driving one back to back with an Exige I wouldn't give it a second thought, the engine, brakes? And gear linkage are all left wanting somewhat.
The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
Ah but F.C., the Exige is not really up to being used as an everyday car.The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
The GM 2.0l is known to take several thousand miles to fully loosen up - you won't likely see the full performance until the car has done at least 20k...
JJ
JJ
F.C. said:
jazzyjeff said:
F.C. said:
I think the Europa looks ok but after driving one back to back with an Exige I wouldn't give it a second thought, the engine, brakes? And gear linkage are all left wanting somewhat.
The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
Ah but F.C., the Exige is not really up to being used as an everyday car.The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
The GM 2.0l is known to take several thousand miles to fully loosen up - you won't likely see the full performance until the car has done at least 20k...
JJ
ked. the brakes were close to pathetic no feel and no bite.I'm on the large size and I'm definately using my Exige as often as possible, I bet I do more miles in the Exige over the next six months than I did in the last six in my F430.
Anyone looking at Europa's should go Noble IMO (the only reason I didn't is I have been there and done that etc,)
(All IMO of course)
F.C.
JJ
jazzyjeff said:
F.C. said:
jazzyjeff said:
F.C. said:
I think the Europa looks ok but after driving one back to back with an Exige I wouldn't give it a second thought, the engine, brakes? And gear linkage are all left wanting somewhat.
The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
Ah but F.C., the Exige is not really up to being used as an everyday car.The car I drove was a demo car however and it may have been a "dog".
F.C.
The GM 2.0l is known to take several thousand miles to fully loosen up - you won't likely see the full performance until the car has done at least 20k...
JJ
ked. the brakes were close to pathetic no feel and no bite.I'm on the large size and I'm definately using my Exige as often as possible, I bet I do more miles in the Exige over the next six months than I did in the last six in my F430.
Anyone looking at Europa's should go Noble IMO (the only reason I didn't is I have been there and done that etc,)
(All IMO of course)
F.C.
JJ
have to agree the Noble is a little more focussed than a Europa,
As for serviceing, it's only expensive if you go to the so called Noble service centers,
There are plenty of "specialists" out there who actually realise that it is a tuned Ford V6.
Chassis wise no different.
Reliability wise these days not too much of an issue most will have had the usual niggles sorted by now, and I never had any major probs with my M400.
Just don't go for an open(earlier cars)differential car. the majority of these will have been changed to LSD by now anyway.
F.C.
I've heard that one too. But can you define what a lotus looks like? is it the 1960s/70s breadvan europa? the 1960s elite (gorgeous!) or the ubiquitous 1960s Elan or perhaps the 90s Elan? or should we slip into the 70s Elite, Eclat or later Excel? and then the Esprit whose 1st version is markedly different to the pumped up last variants (each with merits)
Or are your memories more elise/exige onwards?
PS note I neglected to mention the 7!
Personally I dont think there is a look that spans all the eras of lotus road car production. Each era seems to have had a different focus and each had thier merits .
Anyways for those who dont like the europa it may be better for stick with the elise/exige or save up for the Evora.
I'm happy with my affordable bit of british alterative to the Germans. Gawd the thought of having to buy a bimmer, well the missus said I couldnt .
Or are your memories more elise/exige onwards?
PS note I neglected to mention the 7!
Personally I dont think there is a look that spans all the eras of lotus road car production. Each era seems to have had a different focus and each had thier merits .
Anyways for those who dont like the europa it may be better for stick with the elise/exige or save up for the Evora.
I'm happy with my affordable bit of british alterative to the Germans. Gawd the thought of having to buy a bimmer, well the missus said I couldnt
.Nix-P said:
Funnily ehough I learnt yesterday that the Europa was originally intended to be badged and built by Proton in Korea, but in the end they decided it would market better as a Lotus.
Hence it does'nt look or drive the way a Lotus should.
Nick
I've heard this story as well but I've got a feeling it's not actually true. I'm sure someone on here knows the truth.Hence it does'nt look or drive the way a Lotus should.
Nick
Nix-P said:
Funnily ehough I learnt yesterday that the Europa was originally intended to be badged and built by Proton in Korea, but in the end they decided it would market better as a Lotus.
Hence it does'nt look or drive the way a Lotus should.
Nick
I don't believe this either. No way is Lotus going to build a car based loosely on the Elise and VX220 and then make sure it doesn't handle as well. Nix, you've clearly been listening to too much b****x from jealous S2 owners Hence it does'nt look or drive the way a Lotus should.
Nick
JJ
I heard this from a person who's about as close to the factory as you can get. But, I tend to agree it would have to meet a certain conditions before getting a Lotus badge.
He did state that because of the debatable looks they make a terrific cheap buy.
other than the Europa, I'd struggle trying to identify a Lotus shape I havn't liked. But perhaps the 211 also falls into this category. After the 340R, it seems too unimaginative and without the trick paint (as seen when it was displayed at Shelsey Walsh a cuople of years ago by Tony Shute) it would look very boring . On the other hand, Lotus's are mostly about driving not looking.
Flame suit at the ready.
He did state that because of the debatable looks they make a terrific cheap buy.
other than the Europa, I'd struggle trying to identify a Lotus shape I havn't liked. But perhaps the 211 also falls into this category. After the 340R, it seems too unimaginative and without the trick paint (as seen when it was displayed at Shelsey Walsh a cuople of years ago by Tony Shute) it would look very boring . On the other hand, Lotus's are mostly about driving not looking.
Flame suit at the ready.
Nix-P said:
I heard this from a person who's about as close to the factory as you can get. But, I tend to agree it would have to meet a certain conditions before getting a Lotus badge.
He did state that because of the debatable looks they make a terrific cheap buy.
other than the Europa, I'd struggle trying to identify a Lotus shape I havn't liked. But perhaps the 211 also falls into this category. After the 340R, it seems too unimaginative and without the trick paint (as seen when it was displayed at Shelsey Walsh a cuople of years ago by Tony Shute) it would look very boring . On the other hand, Lotus's are mostly about driving not looking.
Flame suit at the ready.
I suppose people just expect more than a Lotus in the styling department... Everyone sHe did state that because of the debatable looks they make a terrific cheap buy.
other than the Europa, I'd struggle trying to identify a Lotus shape I havn't liked. But perhaps the 211 also falls into this category. After the 340R, it seems too unimaginative and without the trick paint (as seen when it was displayed at Shelsey Walsh a cuople of years ago by Tony Shute) it would look very boring . On the other hand, Lotus's are mostly about driving not looking.
Flame suit at the ready.
gs off the Europa (often without having been within two feet of one) then fail to realise that the theoretical competition involves visually challenged vehicles such as the BMW Z4 coupe, Porsche Cayman and Mazda RX8 all of which are much less easy on the eye IMO 
Ok so its not radically styled, and some of the details (such as the front and rear lights) are interesting, but I wouldn't say its either a bland or an ugly car?Trust me... I know what a dodgy looking car looks like - I used to own a Reliant SS1
JJ
Edited by jazzyjeff on Wednesday 10th September 10:27
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