Truly Skint Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Hi, just sold my Westfield after 6 years of ownership. Looking for something a little more refined but with similar performance ie: 190BHP or above. I only want it for road use and don't want something that I have to mess with ie: drive, clean, garage I am considering Toyota powered Elise or VX220 T. Wondered whether there was anyone who has experienced both or lives local to me who would be prepared to chat / share views. Low miles a must Is a Lotus right for me? I've heard bad gearboxes, expensive when they go wrong which tends to be quite often? I am a firm believer that if you treat it right it will look after you but interested to get your views Thanks in advance Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin R Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Mike, welcome to MLOC I have removed your phone number as its an open forum. Im sure anyone with advice will send you a message via PM on here or via this thread of course. I have a 190 K which is not for you if you do not want to mess with it a fair bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a7esk Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 What about Orange 111R in the classified section. Eddie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex B Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 What about Orange 111R in the classified section. Eddie. Shame less plug there Eddie! Have to say though eddies car would make a beautiful purchase. Don't believe all you hear about lotus. The Toyota cars have their niggles as do rover k cars, but both can be cracking motors, Having owned a handful I'd say the Toyota cars are by far the easiest get in a drive cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truly Skint Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 Shame less plug there Eddie! Have to say though eddies car would make a beautiful purchase. Don't believe all you hear about lotus. The Toyota cars have their niggles as do rover k cars, but both can be cracking motors, Having owned a handful I'd say the Toyota cars are by far the easiest get in a drive cars. Please share "the niggles" What about Orange 111R in the classified section. Eddie. I agree, beautiful car but unfortunately way out of my budget at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a7esk Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Shame less plug there Eddie! Have to say though eddies car would make a beautiful purchase. Don't believe all you hear about lotus. The Toyota cars have their niggles as do rover k cars, but both can be cracking motors, Having owned a handful I'd say the Toyota cars are by far the easiest get in a drive cars. Its was worth a try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Hi Mike, My Elise is currently up for sale here.... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s2/lotus-elise-mk3-t-and-s-2014/2685455 It would be the perfect first Lotus!! Cheers, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex B Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Please share "the niggles" I agree, beautiful car but unfortunately way out of my budget at the moment By niggles I mean stuff like the roofs leak if not adjusted correctly, etc etc Little things that all add to the character of owning a lotus. Where abouts are you based? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundaydriver Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Hi Mike, I'm a complete newbie here, but it sounds like you're keen to get value for money.That was me also. I'm happy with 118bhp/750kg. If you're coming from a 600kg car, and wanting 180 Bhp, I'm not sure you're going to get close to the performance you're used to without going to a Honda engined Elise possibly. What is your spec sheet of wants I wonder.. Are you trying to get away from poor weather protection, rawness , lack of safety. Have you considered a full bodied kit car, like The Fury/Phoenix maybe ? Jeremy Phillips derived cars are competently designed kits most say. Buy finished/part completed,cheaper. The vx220 is rare but good value bang for buck Too ? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanB Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Mike the truth is all Elises and vx220s are generally reliable. The k series engined cars do suffer head gasket failure which is an £800 fix but the new type gaskets pretty much solve the problem. You won't easily get the acceleration you have with your Westfield but an Elise will carry more speed in the turns and will handle a little better I expect. I doubt you would be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chumaxa Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 If you look after the car, and it has a good history, there is no reason it will not be reliable, i use mine sa daily, never had a problem, a mate does the same, but for years, never had a problem as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Mac Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I'm currently driving the unreliable K series through Europe, I'm looking at the eiffel tower as I type this Heading back to UK now, having done 2000+ miles, to Monaco circuit via stelvio. Best car ever... Buy one. Sorry but the badge tax IS worth it over the vx. driving round the montecarlo circuit I was constantly being photographed, despite the much more expensive (yet common) machinery. I used to have an S2 exige s, and even the 120bhp in my early K is enough for huge smiles, yet still capable of crossing Europe in a way the Exige couldn't. will I go honda.. Maybe, but it won't make the car any better apart from the odd time a modern hatchback beats me away from the lights then I get stuck behind them at the twisties.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex B Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I'm currently driving the unreliable K series through Europe, I'm looking at the eiffel tower as I type this Heading back to UK now, having done 2000+ miles, to Monaco circuit via stelvio. Best car ever... Buy one. Sorry but the badge tax IS worth it over the vx. driving round the montecarlo circuit I was constantly being photographed, despite the much more expensive (yet common) machinery. I used to have an S2 exige s, and even the 120bhp in my early K is enough for huge smiles, yet still capable of crossing Europe in a way the Exige couldn't. will I go honda.. Maybe, but it won't make the car any better apart from the odd time a modern hatchback beats me away from the lights then I get stuck behind them at the twisties.. True words are these! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve J Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 You can get fettled k series with a reliable 180-200 horses. However the 240 horse Honda is pretty great and has a better box. There are lots of choices so you need to try a few to see what suits you rather than us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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