350 Coupe Vs Roadser

[chumaxa]

I was watching the options price list of the 350, coupe and roadster are on the same price level, but then, the roadster takes advantage of new improvment to make it lighter, over the standard 350.

 

So then, logically, the best is to orer the roadster with hard top right ?? 

 

An other Lotus mystery.

[Simon Mac]

As I understood it now the Roadster comes with the aero kit, so bar the few kilos difference in the hardtop vs fabric no idea where the savings are coming from.

 

IOW stick a hardtop on the Roadster you would be back at square one.

 

I really hope the new Roadster isn't just a Coupe with an officially sanctioned softop kit, but it looks that way to me.

 

This would be a real shame as it misses the point a bit, the outgoing ones were noticeably different to drive, and better setup for road use. (Different anti roll bars to work better with the lower aero effect.)

[chumaxa]

Well the difference is 40kg, that is not just from the roof and a spoiler I guess ? 

[pa28pilot]

I really hope the new Roadster isn't just a Coupe with an officially sanctioned softop kit, but it looks that way to me.

This would be a real shame as it misses the point a bit, the outgoing ones were noticeably different to drive, and better setup for road use. (Different anti roll bars to work better with the lower aero effect.)

As for the package differences, you could reasonably argue greater differentiation between the "S" Coupe & Roadster than the replacement "350" variants.

 

IMO (tin hat at the ready), as a "fast" road car - at sub-strasospheric speeds that would otherwise lose your licence - the original Roadster was superior in both looks and driving dynamics. If I wanted at track-biased car, with suspension tuned for a "smooth" race track (in preference to a setup that works better on standard road surfaces), I'd either buy a Coupe - or specify a Roadster with the optional race-pack during factory build (don't come across that spec' very often - presumably as it compromises the setup too much).

 

Simon, I agree with you entirely - the 350 Roadster completely misses the point; perhaps we should content ourselves in the knowledge that, with transformation into 350-guise, our Roadsters will become even more desirable :-)

[duncx]

Interesting

 

I have been pondering on buying a used Exige V6 for a couple of weeks now, reading all the roadtests and checking out asking prices etc. I had decided to look at roadsters for all the reasons mentioned here and because there's virtually no chance of me doing any track days. I've noticed that like-for-like (age and mileage) roadsters seem to be a tiny bit cheaper than coupes and it's made me wonder about the comparative longer term depreciation for the two variants. What do you reckon, is the original 'softer' roadster going to lose significantly more value or will it hold it's own against the track biased coupe?

[Simon Mac]

Dunc

 

The flippant answer, buy which ever one you like, life's too short to worry about the marginal depreciation differences. What you lose on the way out you'll have saved on the way in to some extent.

 

Longer answer, and this is real crystal ball gazing stuff, is that with the 350 Roadster being now so close to the 350 Coupe, the S Coupe will come under relatively more price pressure as a more track biased car, but the old S roadster was a better fit for a weekend road car, so will still be in some demand for a while yet.  

 

Personally I think this is partly on purpose (and Lotus haven't accidentally missed the point), as we can't be long before the Evora Roadster is unveiled, and they will want people in the market for a road going soft top Lotus to go for that. (I would certainly consider one, and Lotus make more money) 

 

The other thing to bear in mind is the Roadster has been made in smaller numbers than the Coupe, so my thinking is in a few years time the supply constraints will kick in, and I'd expect the gap in used values to close. (If I were being really wishful in my thinking the used price differences could even swing)

 

The great thing is whatever you chose you won't be disappointed

[Simon Mac]

Well the difference is 40kg, that is not just from the roof and a spoiler I guess ? 

 

Slightly lighter clams (or possibly more consistent clams nearer the bottom end of the weight range), lighter access panel, removal of rear glass, removal of passenger footrest, deletion of the cupholder, 

 

Probably with a healthy dose of Norfolk's most generous scales

[Zyp]

I'd like to find the definitive answer to the differences between a Roadster with race pack and a coupe with race pack (roof and aero aside).

[quantum2000]

I'd like to find the definitive answer to the differences between a Roadster with race pack and a coupe with race pack (roof and aero aside).

 

Speak to Scott Walker @Lotus: [email protected] or try 01423 707101 (Lotus customer services)

[Simon Mac]

I'd like to find the definitive answer to the differences between a Roadster with race pack and a coupe with race pack (roof and aero aside).

 

http://www.deroure.com/diagrams.asp?TBL=6245&MAK=1&MDL=40&SMA=1&SMO=0&ST=&SC=0

 

It seems the Roadster has a slightly thicker rear anti-roll bar.   (I admit I knew an anti rollbar was different, but always assumed it was the front one... everyday is a school day!)

 

The difference between Sport and Race equipped cars seems to be different part numbers for rear springs and dampers (the front end diagram shows all suspension parts are part number identical, though geo will probably be different). 

 

TBH I suspect the only way you would know definitively is to actually check your car, it's a rare combo, and I suspect it could have gone either way as to which anti roll bar they chose when putting your car together.   

[Pie Warrior]

http://www.deroure.com/diagrams.asp?TBL=6245&MAK=1&MDL=40&SMA=1&SMO=0&ST=&SC=0

 

It seems the Roadster has a slightly thicker rear anti-roll bar.   (I admit I knew an anti rollbar was different, but always assumed it was the front one... everyday is a school day!)

 

The difference between Sport and Race equipped cars seems to be different part numbers for rear springs and dampers (the front end diagram shows all suspension parts are part number identical, though geo will probably be different). 

 

TBH I suspect the only way you would know definitively is to actually check your car, it's a rare combo, and I suspect it could have gone either way as to which anti roll bar they chose when putting your car together.

That's assuming they remembered to fit one at all

[pa28pilot]

In addition to changing spring and damper rates, the Race Pack introduces some geometry changes.

[Zyp]

I've emailed Scott so will hopefully find out for sure soon.

[Zyp]

Just had a reply back from Scott -

 

'As far as I’m aware, a Roadster with a Race Pack should be the same as a Coupe with a Race Pack; standard Roadster was supplied with “softer” characteristics, Race Pack should overrule this. '

 

Going to send him my VIN so he can see exactly what is fitted.

[quantum2000]

Scott Walker and Neil Turner are the guys to speak to if you need information on "road" cars.

Russell Gibbons on any thing "CUP" or race related