Who says old Lotuses are unreliable

[USAndretti42 238 2 Vehicles]

Came across this article from Jalopnik which describes a trip made from San Francisco to Huntsville, Alabama, a distance of 2,700 miles in a Europa Twin-cam. They set off 2 hours after buying the car and made it home with only slight problems and they were caused by the driver hitting a big bump in the road.

Totally at odds with the Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious myth.

[andydclements 512 2 Vehicles]

Braver driver than I.

When I bought my Europa Special I drove it home 110 miles, and was hot and tired at the end of it. I found that getting reverse was (at best) problematic, so once when I needed to stop and then reverse I simply opened the door and pushed it backwards using my right leg. The steering rack was slightly loose on the chassis, so it meant it wandered in the lane, so that caused a lot of work by me to keep it under control. It was still fun, but could have been nicer.

2700 miles, just seems very VERY brave.

[molemot 519 1 Vehicles]

When I bought my Turbo, all went well until I stopped for fuel....couldn't get the keys out of the ignition!! Ended up removing the filler cap keys from the keyring....took a day or so before I discovered the little button underneath the ignition switch. No car problems, though...not until that evening, when I took it round to show my brother and - on the way back - the fans all failed and the otter switch blew out!! Then a few weeks later the cambelt broke.....wish this forum had existed in 1988!!

The other example of newly acquired car idiocy was when I bought the Alfa Bertone GTV in 1971...drove it home, went to engage reverse to park, and couldn't find it...Nothing wrong with the car, I just didn't know where reverse was, and the gearknob was blank...had to take out the handbook and look it up!!

[rogerch 63 3 Vehicles]

The other example of newly acquired car idiocy was when I bought the Alfa Bertone

Say na more!

[gtookey 73 1 Vehicles]

Tony K needs to write something about his journeys in his blue S1. I know he's currently on his second 2185 mile round trip from Toledo to Orlando.

[Nelly 130 1 Vehicles]

I had exactly the same problem with not finding the ignition key release button on my Esprit. I don't feel so stupid now!

Edited April 18, 2010 by Nelly9000

[Vulcan Grey 235 1 Vehicles]

Bought my Esprit in Nashville TN, and drove it 1200miles home to Colorado.

No problems except the windshield wiper arm plastic ball joint broke near Memphis. Fixed it with some washers and duct tape.

[esprithk 1 1 Vehicles]

actually the Esprit is very reliable.

I drove it to work for 3 months before the overhauling project when I first got it. (that's 40km per day)

[Vulcan Grey 235 1 Vehicles]

Yeah I put 13,500 miles on in the first year (2000-2001) when the car was more than 11 years old.

I even drove in the winter...

[Tony K 126 2 Vehicles]

Tony K needs to write something about his journeys in his blue S1. I know he's currently on his second 2185 mile round trip from Toledo to Orlando.

Thanks for the mention, Gavin! 454H turned 49k miles on Thursday or Friday, 50k miles on Sunday evening, and 51k miles late last night! Just returned this morning; it's sitting in my driveway right now at around 51300 - 51400.

[mercman 0]

Last weekend I received an e-mail from the guy that bought my 82 S3 Turbo saying that the run from Aberdeen to Helsinki (1000 miles) went without a hitch.

Edited April 20, 2010 by mercman

[esprithk 1 1 Vehicles]

I drive mine when it's raining many time.

[thom_77 1 1 Vehicles]

Hahahahaa I've had mine for a year and have yet to put 1000 miles on it!