New Arrival (Goodbye Porsche, Hello Lotus)

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mk1_salami

mk1_salami

Around a month ago I sold my Lava Orange 991.1 GT3RS to a main dealer for what I considered to be a really good price. Strong used car prices meant that after around 10 months of ownership, I got nearly all my money back, even after putting nearly 4000 miles on the car. I sold it for a few reasons, but my main gripe was that it simply left me emotionally cold. I was never excited to drive it for driving's sake - and surely that should be the reason you own such a vehicle? I had wanted a GT3RS for so long and after achieving the goal of having one in the garage I was left underwhelmed.

Here's a coupe of pictures:





Don't get me wrong - the car was incredibly capable (especially on track), but as a road car it always felt a bit 'meh' to me. You'd have to wring its neck to have fun, and by that time you're either going to end up in a very big accident or in jail!

I thought long and hard about what to replace the car with. I even thought I had fallen out of love with driving completely and considered buying ... nothing! That lasted around a week or so until I came to my senses and decided to get one of the most driver-focused cars on the market - would less, really be more?

Introducing the Cup 430 in Vivid Green ...




I've got a couple of things I'd like to do first (reset ride height, dampers and wheel alignment to standard specs). I'd also like to get some carbon barge boards installed, and some other bits made yellow instead of green.

Expect some more proper images in the weeks to follow.
 
What is the alignment like atm? Makes a big difference on these cars and you need a specialist. If its twitchy over bumps someone has probably added toe.

They make a proper noise though :D
 
Great choice :D Porsches are a bit too refined and almost too good to have fun on the road unless you go for an older one. I think a lotus exige and especially the 430 must be fun all the time :cool:
 
Around a month ago I sold my Lava Orange 991.1 GT3RS to a main dealer for what I considered to be a really good price. Strong used car prices meant that after around 10 months of ownership, I got nearly all my money back, even after putting nearly 4000 miles on the car. I sold it for a few reasons, but my main gripe was that it simply left me emotionally cold. I was never excited to drive it for driving's sake - and surely that should be the reason you own such a vehicle? I had wanted a GT3RS for so long and after achieving the goal of having one in the garage I was left underwhelmed.

Here's a coupe of pictures:





Don't get me wrong - the car was incredibly capable (especially on track), but as a road car it always felt a bit 'meh' to me. You'd have to wring its neck to have fun, and by that time you're either going to end up in a very big accident or in jail!

I thought long and hard about what to replace the car with. I even thought I had fallen out of love with driving completely and considered buying ... nothing! That lasted around a week or so until I came to my senses and decided to get one of the most driver-focused cars on the market - would less, really be more?

Introducing the Cup 430 in Vivid Green ...




I've got a couple of things I'd like to do first (reset ride height, dampers and wheel alignment to standard specs). I'd also like to get some carbon barge boards installed, and some other bits made yellow instead of green.

Expect some more proper images in the weeks to follow.



Now you see I am thinking of swapping in the 458 for an Ultra Violet 991.1 GT3 RS, but my fear has been what you describe. Just done around 1500 miles in the 458 past week on NC500 and other parts of Scotland and it was such incredible fun to drive, the only downside was the 10-12mpg. :D

GT3 RS was always a dream car for me, I also prefer the 991.1 RS over the .2 RS on the looks front so for me if I do it the decision will be 991.1 GT3 RS for the looks or a 991.2 GT3 for the manual, I just remember from my time in the GT3 RS that the gears were long and echoing what you said that the engine was not much of an event under 6000rpm in the RS and with the long gearing not so easy to rev it out on the road, the fact you say that living in Scotland where the roads are much better than down here for opening up fast cars does put me off.

All the other guys with me commented (Jaguar F-Type owners) all said that the 458 looked so planted on the road and so composed, I did let one of them drive it and apart from the noise he loved the incredible visibility it had and how it felt so alive and like a go-kart.

Judging by what your saying it seems if I ditched the 458 for a GT3 I would deeply regret it maybe after the honeymoon period as the 458 never fails to please or thrill on a drive out and it got huge amounts of attention in Scotland this past week.

Have you tried a 458? If so how did you find it compared to your RS, I just love the looks and a GT3 was always the dream until the Italian came along and threw a spanner in the works, love the Lotus by the way, that looks proper on the road and I've got an order in for the new Emira. :)
 
Hi mate. The problem with GT3RS' is that they're hyped up so much! 90% of the time the car feels pretty uneventful (bordering on boring). The only 458 I drove was way back in 2012 in Maranello on one of those 20-minute drive-type events. Having said that I remember being struck by how light on its feet the car felt.

Let's be honest, the 458 is always going to feel more special than a 911. It has a more useful engine across the rev range, is more exotic looking and the residuals are solid. Unfortunately, for my wallet, I like to change cars a little too often, but if my feet weren't itchy, I wouldn't be getting out of a 458 for an RS. It does sound like you have a box to tick. The problem is that prices seem too high right now (in my opinion). If I were you, I'd be looking at spending a little extra and getting into a Perf with the regular (non-race) seats. A fabulous car!! I'd consider getting one as well but I would be playing the PCP game and in my opinion, the used prices are too high right now.

458: Great car. Last of the N/A mid-engined Ferrari's. A future classic.
488: Same, great car but I'm not a fan of the noise compared to the 458. I've never really wanted one based on the engine alone.
570s: Same as above!! Doesn't sound special enough. Rear end styling isn't to my taste.
600LT: Really wanted one in Spider form. Cures the noise issue, looks amazing. A lot of money for a 570s with some changes though...
720s: Got to be the bargain of the century at 150k? Budget 5-10k a year for things to break / warranty.
GT3RS: Motorsport looks. Hugely capable. A bit 'normal' to drive when not "on it" 100%
Hurucan Perf: <<< My choice. Just fabulous in every department. With an exhaust, it sounds incredible. Looks to die for. Driveable on UK roads with AWD.
Exige 430: Doesn't really belong on this list, but could be the ultimate in driver involvement this side of a Caterham / Atom?
 
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Hi mate. The problem with GT3RS' is that they're hyped up so much! 90% of the time the car feels pretty uneventful (bordering on boring). The only 458 I drove was way back in 2012 in Maranello on one of those 20-minute drive-type events. Having said that I remember being struck by how light on its feet the car felt.

Let's be honest, the 458 is always going to feel more special than a 911. It has a more useful engine across the rev range, is more exotic looking and the residuals are solid. Unfortunately, for my wallet, I like to change cars a little too often, but if my feet weren't itchy, I wouldn't be getting out of a 458 for an RS. It does sound like you have a box to tick. The problem is that prices seem too high right now (in my opinion). If I were you, I'd be looking at spending a little extra and getting into a Perf with the regular (non-race) seats. A fabulous car!! I'd consider getting one as well but I would be playing the PCP game and in my opinion, the used prices are too high right now.

Yes the Perf was another option, along with the new EVO RWD version, but having driven a Huracan on the road once the theatre is set aside which the Lamborghini absolutely explodes in with that V10 and the angular looks, I found the car was boring to drive it was just way to planted, in the Huracan you don't think about can I get round said corner at such a speed, you think well that was boring it was too easy and in the end it just seems to turn more into a game of how fast can you go to the point your going so fast if you get caught its not gonna be points on the license but more a worry about picking up the soap. After driving on the road a large selection of cars I went 458 simply because it felt really fast and alive even at legal speeds, like you say I also like changing cars and the GT3 is an itch but like you say GT3's are top money at moment and 458's are climbing so right now is probably not an ideal timing.

Will see what happens with Lotus and enjoy the Summer as is, then next year if the itch is still there investigate it further maybe.
 
Absolute weapon those things, good choice I think for excitement and involvement. I was on track with a few running 888R recently and it was quite the sight to behold, make a damn good noise aswell! What is the alignment now? Do you want it more/less track biased?
 
Hi mate. The problem with GT3RS' is that they're hyped up so much! 90% of the time the car feels pretty uneventful (bordering on boring). The only 458 I drove was way back in 2012 in Maranello on one of those 20-minute drive-type events. Having said that I remember being struck by how light on its feet the car felt.

Let's be honest, the 458 is always going to feel more special than a 911. It has a more useful engine across the rev range, is more exotic looking and the residuals are solid. Unfortunately, for my wallet, I like to change cars a little too often, but if my feet weren't itchy, I wouldn't be getting out of a 458 for an RS. It does sound like you have a box to tick. The problem is that prices seem too high right now (in my opinion). If I were you, I'd be looking at spending a little extra and getting into a Perf with the regular (non-race) seats. A fabulous car!! I'd consider getting one as well but I would be playing the PCP game and in my opinion, the used prices are too high right now.

458: Great car. Last of the N/A mid-engined Ferrari's. A future classic.
488: Same, great car but I'm not a fan of the noise compared to the 458. I've never really wanted one based on the engine alone.
570s: Same as above!! Doesn't sound special enough. Rear end styling isn't to my taste.
600LT: Really wanted one in Spider form. Cures the noise issue, looks amazing. A lot of money for a 570s with some changes though...
720s: Got to be the bargain of the century at 150k? Budget 5-10k a year for things to break / warranty.
GT3RS: Motorsport looks. Hugely capable. A bit 'normal' to drive when not "on it" 100%
Hurucan Perf: <<< My choice. Just fabulous in every department. With an exhaust, it sounds incredible. Looks to die for. Driveable on UK roads with AWD.
Exige 430: Doesn't really belong on this list, but could be the ultimate in driver involvement this side of a Caterham / Atom?


I pretty much agree with how you sum them up, I'd add the following points:

458: Engine, engine and engine, makes beautiful linear power and sounds incredible stock, agreed future classic and can see the Speciale values going north of 500k in years to come and the drop top Aperta 1M plus.
488: Totally agree, driven it and F8, the 488 don't like anything about it at all, the F8 looks good, also the smaller steering wheel makes it feel alive, but again it felt numb on the road, too much grip.
570S: They sound a joke.
600LT: My favourite Mclaren, and agreed you gotta get the soft top but even then the sound is not NA Ferrari or V10 Lambo, not close but they do look great but now you mention it they are just a very expensive 570S.
720s: Again agreed, value of century, when I got my 458 these were around 200-250k, they are now 140-170k. But having been in one twice now, once the mind boggling performance is set aside they are again somewhat boring at legal speeds and don't sound good, but do look great.
GT3RS: I need more seat time on the road, on track it was awesome, because its essentially a race car.
Huracan Perf: Maybe I need to revisit this but at anytihng sub 100mph on the road you just feel like your going slow, I've driven the 458 all year round.
Exige 430: Absolutely belongs in this company, just like a Special Jaguar, Mustang, Corvette, Camaro, for me a special/supercar is not the price paid but more the rarity and reaction they get, people love Lotus and they look incredible on the road, and they sound epic too.

The only one you did not mention which I am very fond off just for its outrageous sound and looks are the F12/812 Ferrari's, huge power from the V12's and incredible sound, the only downside to them if it can be considered a downside is the front engine lay out.

Me and the Mrs spent the last 9 days in Scotland in the 458 and its luggage area got both our suitcases in along with umbrellas for the rain that never came, so for the past two plus years its been a somewhat practical car to own that also proven very reliable over the last 10,000 plus miles its covered in my hands. :)
 
F12!!! Now you're talking ...

Stunning looks. A stinking great V12 soundtrack and a prancing horse badge. What's not to like??
 
I think the 991 and 992 have lost some magic. For me, the 997 RS Gen 2 is the one to have but it seems the market agrees so they are very toppy.

How do you find the driving position on the Lotus? I struggled with that the most and the GT3 always had a low seat so the difference will be stark I imagine?
 
Was a 992 Turbo/Turbo S not an option given its more usable daily power band? I guess a lot more muted styling wise

Still both beauties! Enjoy :)
 
Both stunning cars.
I’m actually starting to think I live on a different planet than many of you guys on here.
Grafting my nuts off and still poor lol!
Who was it said be an electrician?
Jeez
 
Nice choice, congratulations. Love the colour.

Biased Lotus owner opinion - you can always go faster than a Lotus or get more horsepower for less money, practicality etc. but away from the spec sheets I tell people you should measure the experience in smiles per hour, and that is just something that Lotus gets so right. Driver engagement, handling, feedback etc. If you like driving, then they are fantastic. On the most part, the owners are great too and they always get a good reaction. These kinds of cars won't be around for ever, I fear.
 
You dont need a lot of power in them, they feel great even at low speed just cruising around. The overall feel is something just lacking in most cars.
 
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