Considering an Elan

[stugilmour]

Dave, do tell about the 400.

We saw them over our side of the pond on the spring car show circuit, and a few folks were lucky enough to drive a demonstrator that circumnavigated North America (there's a job I would pay to have! ). I was very impressed with the car on static display; seemed they have addressed a lot of details. With the automatic I might be able to sell one to my lovely wife.

Stu

[DJW]

So, have owned the previous gen Evora S about 3 years ago and loved that car.



If you've never driven an Evora, then you need to go try one. After a 200 mile round trip today, I had forgotten how amazing the ride quality is in these cars. It puts most Exec cars to shame, it's that good. The nearest car I can imagine are McLarens from reviews I have read. However, as we know, Lotus were doing this years ago.

Then you have the steering which is sublime. Once again we all know Lotus are renowned for steering feel and this one doesn't let you down.

Then the noise. Whilst most manufacturers are making their cars quieter through downsizing of engines, use of turbos etc, its as though lotus have put the V's up to everyone else and made the exhaust on this car so much louder than the previous gen. It's supposed to be 109db and I don't question that for one moment, when your car friends state it's one of the loudest cars they have heard. Thankfully it's a glorious sound. But here's the other part that staggered me. You press a button to close the exhaust and the car becomes near enough silent. Driving at motorway speeds today, closed the exhaust and I might as well been in a hybrid. It's that quiet.

Downside of this noise though, is you will struggle to get on track. I've had a play on the road and the exhaust can be set to shut, up to 5k revs, but after that it opens and all hell breaks loose !

The weak point of the previous gen Evora used to be the gear selection. It's wasn't bad, it just wasn't up to say Porsche level. This has now been rectified and the gear change is rifle bolt like in its nature. The previous auto was very slow to react from flappy paddle pull, to changing gear. This has now been resolved and is nearer to the ZF found in the Jag F Type. It's not PDK for sure, but acceptable in my opinion.

Dave

[DJW]

So just a quick re introduction. After 3 years and couple of more Lotus?s I?ve now I finally found the right car and it was delivered last night . Thanks Jono for selling me your car.



Look forward to joining in the forum more and I?m sure I?ll have a heap of questions soon.

Cheers Dave

[JonB]

Well done Dave, lovely colour and in really good nick from the looks of it.

[mark030358]

Dave,
Same TLF Dave Williams ?? Guess it must be, welcome

Mark

[DJW]

Thanks JonB

HI Mark, yep didn?t take me long to jump back into a Lotus. ...number 9 for me now. Probably need to do see a shrink about the addiction

[The Veg]

Congrats Dave, beautiful car!

I used to be a TLF regular too back in my Esprit days, same name there as here.

[mark030358]

Brilliant Dave love the addiction, love the car too.... great colour

Cheers
Mark

[DJW]

Congrats Dave, beautiful car!

I used to be a TLF regular too back in my Esprit days, same name there as here.

Cheers. Do share a photo as had a GT3 a few years back. Love the Esprits

[The Veg]

The blue one was mine.

[DJW]

Wow so cool in that colour. I assume these are silly money now for a sorted one ?

[The Veg]

The colour got lots of compliments everywhere drove the car, and it's very rare too, the only '86 that colour in USA.

Not sure where the market is on these lately. I got it in 2010, when prices were about as low as they'd go post-recession, and when I sold it in 2014 they were starting to appreciate a bit. I haven't paid much attention lately but a quick-n-dirty web search is showing current prices in the mid-$20K range, so they've kept appreciating but I think are far from silly money yet.