Elan Artec 4.1 08/09

The M100 Lotus Elan: a classic roadster

Advantages: Classic good looks and affordable rag-top fun
Disadvantages: Leak-prone hood

Having just sold my 1990 "Lotus Racing Green" Lotus Elan S1, I thought I'd share my experience of owing this ground-breaking car. The Lotus brief was a two-seater roadster that would appeal to the American market. With this in mind, it's easy to see why the cabin appears so spacious - American's don't like to be cramped! The windscreen is shallow-angled and you get the feeling of being in a much larger car as the dashboard stetches away in front of you. The driving position is "proper sportscar", low slung but extremely comfortable - the drivers seat on some examples can benefit from minor TLC having been subjected to ten years or more of use. The comforting smell of fibreglass as you enter the cabin is one common to all Lotus', but on particularly damp days, can be overridden by the gentle waft of damp carpet! I've never met ...

fallon005 16.08.2004 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Lotus Elan

Audi A4 1.8T S Line 2004

Advantages: Driveability, Good Looks.
Disadvantages: Common Faults (But are not expensive to fix)

Just upgraded to the Audi A4 1.8T S Line a few weeks ago from my Audi Cab 2.6 V6. I thought I was going to miss the power of the V6, how wrong i was!. The 1.8T with 190bhp is a quick machine and once the turbo kicks in you have hot hatch power in a saloon. These cars are ripe for tuning by way of ECU remapping, air filters, diverter valves and a number of other products which will increase BHP and torque. The S Line trim with the extra body deeper grill, spoiler, wide arches make the car look sporty without going over the top. On the interior the aluminum trimmings along with the half leather sports seat are classy and comfortable for long journeys. The suspension is stiff but solid on country road. Some things that go wrong in this model although these may have been rectified in the 2004 onward models are ignition coil ...

Woodview009 11.02.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Audi A4 1.8T

Audi A4 1.8SE Auto 4 Door

Advantages: Ride, Build Quality, Image, Looks, Equipment
Disadvantages: Rear Legroom, Running costs, Dull Handling

Here's my first ever review (again - sorry for posting it in the wrong section before!) I've had my 1998 Audi A4 1.8SE Auto 4 door for 4 months now and it still puts a smile on my face. Whether it's the solid 'thunk' of the doors closing, or the gorgeous tone of the superb 'Concert' stereo, the Audi continues to be a car I will never regret buying. I purchased privately from a family who had cherished the car - it came in superb condition, with low mileage, and a full Audi service history. The light green (Jasper Green) really looks great when I've thrown the sponge on it, and the standard 16" alloys do a good job of setting the car off. It's by no means a perfect car though. The rear legroom is really poor, and the boot openning isn't too clever either - I'd have had an Avant if I could have afforded one. The handling is ...

NorwichRicky 20.02.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Audi A4 1.8