Lotus Test Drive

I'm off to test drive a Lotus tomorrow. I'll write a little review and let you know how it was.

You'll enjoy the drive there and homeagain much more enjoyable.

Which Lotus?

An Elise or an Exige or hopefully both.

Have you ever tried to get into one? Elise is ok without the roof but the Exige is like climbing into a letter box! Enjoy the day and let us know how you get on.

Trust me I've had an Elise and its amazing - the drive is beyond belief for £30k there is nothing better on the road.

However, they are a bit of a pain to get in but well worth it just for the grin factor - only car I would buy over and above an Alfa.

They are pretty reliable as well and dont suffer the head gasket problems of the old MG with a K-series, the new toyota lumps are even better.

Dont be fooled by the 135 sport or 111R - not a great deal of difference performance wise to a standard 122BHP model.

Good luck.

Just amazes me to think 122bhp could be anything like fun..

Well, when it's 122bhp in a small go-kart...

Originally Posted by Pud237

Just amazes me to think 122bhp could be anything like fun..

Trust me it will cane the hell out of most things - 0-60 in around 5.6 sec's - not bad for an old K-series

The dam things way only 770KGs - the big thing is that you will be going round corners at 60+ mph where as most cars will be doing 40 if youre lucky.

There is so much go in the thing that you never need to change down and the best thing is if you drive it sensibly you will get at least 40mpg round town.

Go take a test drive - nothing this side of 30K is as much fun.

I have been out in an Elise before and it was superb. Amazing levels of grip and the acceleration ain't bad!

Image of my old Elise

Nice! I like that colour.

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

Nice! I like that colour.

The thing was stunning - Pearlesant blue with cream seats.

Loads of S1 with that colour scheme but I had to look everywhere to get a S2 ended up getting it from manchester.

Have fun PC

Originally Posted by SPPalfa

Go take a test drive - nothing this side of 30K is as much fun.

VX220 Turbo does 60 in 4.4 and they aint expensive at all badge snobbery aside. Guy I work has had 2.

Elise and VX220 are both awesome cars.. Not at all practical but awesome without a doubt.

VX220 turbo is more expensive than an elise the stanard 22o is cheaper.

the only issue is the style - way to square.

Can't say I'm a fan of the VX220 styling though.

There is a red VX around here and its ok but the old Elise is just so much better all round.

At some point in my life, I think I'm going to have to own an Esprit.
Not sure when yet, but I think it has to be done.

Well just got back and WOW.

When to a dealer called Bell and Colville dealt with a great bloke called Scott.
We had a little chat and decide to go out in an Elise R (1.8VVT toyota engine tuned by Yamaha. 189 BHP 0-60 4.9 sec).

Scott took me out and showed me the test drive route and gave me a few pointers and then sent me on my way.

Yes it's a little bit tricky getting in but no where near as bad as it looks and getting out was no problem at all. Inside is nice and functional nothing to distract you from the driving. the peddles wern't to close together and the seat was really comfortable and supportive, the boot is big enough for a weekend bag and a couple of pairs of shoes, or a small weeks shopping.

Driving it was a dream the engine feels really torquey and after 6K RPM it just takes off, the grip and handling were superb no roll at all and just a touch of under steer to keep it feeling safe.

The fact that it weighs nothing also meens it stops brilliantly even from high speeds.

The build quality was exellent with no rattles or whistles

Is it an alternative to an Alfa? NO.

But, as a Track car you could drive to the shops or even to Scotland it would be awsome.

Now where did I leave that £20,000.

It is defo not an alternative to an Alfa - they are totally seperate animals.

Youre review is pretty much spot on - you can buy a decent 06 model for less I'm sure, just need to look.

I used mine as everyday transport and my only complaint was slight water leakage around the doors after you had got in.

The seats are pretty good concidering that they are paper thin.

Oh to be able to afford a third car.

Thanks for the review PC

Thanks for the review - interesting stuff