looking for another Lotus

[Andy_J]

I have been fortunate to reach that time of my life when I can consider another lotus again.

I know plenty of members have other lotus in addition to their m100's so hoping for some advice.

I only have a budget of £25k so I am thinking of either a Europa S (2006 ish) or an Esprit SE/S4/S4S/GT3

Any buying advice/ownership tips would be gratefully appreciated.

Or if you know of any good cars coming up for sale in my price range, here seem to be some dealers out there that have some ambitions prices

[MPx]

Nice choices Andy, but you've set yourself quite a challenge. As an owner I've been pleased to see that most Esprits are being offered for £30k or north. I'll take £35k for mine albeit a G-car But they do come up, particularly at some of the less main stream auctions, though of course always a bigger risk buying at auction. The Europas sold in such low numbers that there are rarely any for sale. On the other hand they've never been popular (like Exige/Elise) for some reason (tho I like them) so much more likely to to be in budget if one does come up. Can only suggest you keep a look out in all the usual places which I'm sure you already know: TLF, LEW, Pistonheads, Autotrader, CarandClassic, etc

[Saltire]

. . . I am thinking of either a Europa S (2006 ish) or an Esprit SE/S4/S4S/GT3

Andy, I don’t know if you’re on Facebook, but there’s a very good Europa 121 group, to which many owners belong and where cars often come up for sale. I’m idly looking for one myself . . .

[Rambo]

Andy - cobble together another £4-5k any you will just about get a low mileage NA Evora (Toyota V6 engine). I can guarantee you won't be disappointed

PS As Mike has eluded, Europa's were made in such small numbers they are few and thin on the ground and go for good money. I missed a lovely example from WillB about 4 years ago. Like Mike and Jonathan I rate the Europa highly and would love to have one in the Rambo Lotus collection

[muley]

Andy - cobble together another £4-5k any you will just about get a low mileage NA Evora (Toyota V6 engine). I can guarantee you won't be disappointed

PS As Mike has eluded, Europa's were made in such small numbers they are few and thin on the ground and go for good money. I missed a lovely example from WillB about 4 years ago. Like Mike and Jonathan I rate the Europa highly and would love to have one in the Rambo Lotus collection

My sentiments exactly.

[Rambo]

Raid your piggy bank Andy and you could stretch to a Europa S

Used Lotus Europa S for sale | PistonHeads UK
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11728652

And if you dig behind the sofa and speak nicely to SWMBO, only just down the road from you....... OK a 3 hour drive

Used LOTUS EVORA 2+2 - RARE PEARL WHITE 2010 for sale | PistonHeads UK
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11952609

[alan e]

Andy - cobble together another £4-5k any you will just about get a low mileage NA Evora (Toyota V6 engine). I can guarantee you won't be disappointed

PS As Mike has eluded, Europa's were made in such small numbers they are few and thin on the ground and go for good money. I missed a lovely example from WillB about 4 years ago. Like Mike and Jonathan I rate the Europa highly and would love to have one in the Rambo Lotus collection

My sentiments exactly.

[Andy_J]

MPx -My budget is a bit light for an esprit, but i have noticed that they seem to moving very quickly once they are £30k plus Hoping word of mouth may turn up a decent one in my price range, and for the right car I could find a little more. I am unfortunately a little big for the g-cars, I look like Ed China in an early esprit

Saltire - thanks, I joined that group 6 months ago in anticipation of looking for an Europa, and have seen 2 really good cars come up and sell in hours earlier this year before I had my funds available,

Rambo/Muley/Alan E , My big problem with the Evora is I have seem Archie's GTE, Anything I can afford does not come close to the GTE and I would just be disappointed. The one good point about an Evora is it can seat 4

I have seen the Paul Matty Europa and it seems to be sticking on the market compared to others, I suspect it is the interior (not my taste) or price as it is £2,500/£5,000 more than other Europas that I have seen sell this year.

I know I am being fussy, but it will be at least another 15 years before I will have this amount of cash for a car again

[Rambo]

Rambo/Muley/Alan E , My big problem with the Evora is I have seem Archie's GTE, Anything I can afford does not come close to the GTE and I would just be disappointed. The one good point about an Evora is it can seat 4

Andy - I can guarantee you won't be disappointed with even a bog standard NA Evora. Get in one, drive one for an extended period of time and you will love it. I recently drove from home to Silverstone in 5 hours 15 mins without a single break. Very comfortable and over 290 miles @ 33.3 mpg. Not back for a big, throbbing V6. I parked next to Big Erch's GTE on the Club Lotus and, yes, it is very impressive but even Big Erch liked mine And Scott secretly loved the colour (he thinks BL Allegro but it is actually Honda burnt orange), although it would choke him to admit it

You can aspire to an S, 450, GTE etc.. but at least you have a foot on the bottom rung of the Evora ladder.

[Scott J]

Andy, long time no see.

I'd concur with Europa or Evora. Though what about an Elise with a hard top which is much the same as a Europa. I was also at Silverstone last week and home in 6 hrs with a 30 mins tea break .

as for Rambos car, I have photos of an Austin Princess and an Austin Maestro both the same colour as Rambos Evora, BL model year 1983 bronze

all prices are steep at the moment , a sellers market . If I had £30 to spare I'd buy an Evora .

[Scott J]

ps; 6 hrs in Elise S2 .

[Scott J]

Red Evora on auto trader, new clutch, £25,000 .

[Andy_J]

Rambo - I am sure you right I wouldn't be disappointed, with an Evora. It probably doesn't help that I have only ever sat in the Evora, Europa and Esprit, but never drive or been for a ride in them so don't actually know how they drive. so the choice at the moment is based on look.

Scott J - yes long time no see. I did consider the Elise or Exige, but after a very entertaining attempt to get into a series 1 Elise 15 years ago, I discounted these on the basis I couldn't get into a series 1 so I would not be able to get into the Elise 2 or Exige

The red Evora does look nice, but for the extra £10, I may just forgo the back seats and go for the blue one with 40k less miles on it