Lotus Evora production ended this year as Lotus clears the way for a new family of sports cars. The mid-engined two-seater (two rear seats were available as an option) was launched in 2009. The Evora was powered by a Toyota 3.5-litre V6 making 276bhp, and a supercharged Evora S arrived the following year with 345bhp. Both models can hit 62mph in under five seconds. The S is more desirable but the real attraction of the Evora lies not in its outright performance, which is strong, but in its steering, handling and ride.
Evora prices start at around £25,000 for 276bhp cars. Our find is a 2010 example with 39,000 miles. Its Aquamarine paint gleams and its black leather interior looks unmarked, but what really appeals are the seven Bell & Colvill stamps in the service book, plus one from Lotus Silverstone, which, at 35,000 miles, gave the car a thorough overhaul. The owner then broke the cycle by having the 40,000-mile service done by an independent.
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Nothing wrong with independents, by the way, many of whom have greater experience with older cars and who employ manufacturer-trained technicians, but breaking the cycle is a shame and probably didn’t save the owner much money. Anyway, it’s a detail easily remedied with a return to the fold next time. After all, it pays to be a little obsessive with cars like the Evora.
Were we serious, we’d check the operation of the clutch, the condition of the exhaust mounts and that it hasn’t been routinely over-revved. Baulky shifts may be the gear-change cables, which can stretch. Panel gaps should be regular.
Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Estate SE auto, £2100: Worried about Mercedes’ build quality? Don’t be. This 2010-reg C-Class wagon with 170,000 miles swings it for us with eight Mercedes dealer stamps in the service book. It won’t impress Mayor Khan, but we’ll take 45mpg and a low price any day.
Fiat Barchetta 1.7, £4999: The Barchetta of 1995-2005 was a thoroughly Italian sports car, right down to its uncompromising left-hand-drive layout. Our spot is a 1998 example with 57,000 miles, fresh from a private collection. Check for rust like your life depends on it.
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I see Autocar are still pushing dodgy old diesels in their second hand section, this time a Merc. At 170,000 miles its polution system will be completley worn out making it fir for only the scrapper. Seems a lot of a gamble too for the poor soul who follows Autocars advice.
If you only have £2k for an old car do not buy a high mileage premium badged car.
LP - Ferraris are similar, there's a 2011 California with 45,000 miles, 6 owners (1.6 years per owner on average), the others follow roughly the same story. They just don't get used much, special occasions rather than every day. 2011 Gallardo, 19,000 miles and 7 owners. 2012 McLaren 12C, 17,000 miles, 5 owners. Admittedly, i've only looked at the first few from the cheapest end of things, but Lotus aren't on their own with this situation.
LP in Brighton - Maybe the Lotus Evora has reliability issues or owners got their fill with enjoyment and want to move to something different? Who knows what goes through those multiple owners minds. For example my Father bought an Audi RS3 enjoyed it for 3.5 years and now sold the car in July 2021 and is moving onto something else.