JayEmm's Lotus Diary: Five Reasons The Lotus Excel is THE Classic You Should be buying right now!

In this video I take a look at the Lotus Excel, one of the forgotten items in Lotus' line-up for many. I explain why in my opinion this overlooked sports car deserves your attention and why it could be the next thing to go up in value.
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[@LennyJohnson5]

I wrote mine off in January 1994.... not my fault (honest) - I t-boned a young kid who pulled out directly in front of me in a Peugeot on a by-pass. I loved the car - I had all the usual comments - "you know LOTUS stands for 'Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious' don't you?" but the only problem I ever had was an MOT fail because of a pin-hole in the silencer, and when the garage phoned to tell me, they'd already repaired it by welding in a patch! £10 and it was sorted!! But that was a quarter of a century ago.....! It was red, reliable, easy to drive in traffic, very practical and always got admiring glances; to this day I think fondly of it, and even though it really wasn't my fault, I always feel a tinge of guilt that I killed it. Having said that, although the front end disintegrated in the accident, the chassis rails and engine took the brunt of the collision superbly well.... and I'm still here because of it. A handsome, wonderfully useable and very under-rated car, that corners at speed like it's on rails.

[@markdavis911time]

Owned a gorgeous red Lotus Excel S.E back in about 1990. A wonderful car that I miss. Fantastic steering & handling. Full of character. Never missed a beat or went wrong, apart from the rear lights filling with water when it rained (inverted SD1 units). A bit on the thirsty side but just great to own. Love my modern 911 but have fond memories of that Lotus Excel.

[@markanderson1974]

Had the chance to drive on a few years ago.Was amazed at how much feedback there was through the steering.Lovely rev hungry engine and it just wanted to be driven hard. The suspension was also a joy.

[@oilylampman7252]

Had one for a few years! its been quite reliable, and goes very well. but certainly its the handling that is its party piece. on a dry road it goes round corners amazingly fast, its also very comfortable on a long journey. build quality varies all over it some very good some not so good. when I drive off to buy a pint of milk from the local supermarket! it can turn in to a much longer trip as you just want to drive it some more, that is true. they are very underrated I think.

[@marshalla99]

*Can* use it as a daily? SHOULD use it as a daily. The work much better if you drive them regularly. Reason 6: 192k mile and still going strong. Reason 7: if something does go wrong, you can probably fix it at the roadside and Reason 8: those rusty bits are now replaceable ;) (and one reason not to own one - people keep asking you if it's "the James Bond car". I just point out that Q kept it for himself - room for 2 more in the back!)

[@BanjoLuke1]

In 1987 I was riding back towards the UK from Sarajevo on a small Italian motorcycle. In a car park I met the then chair of the owners' club, who had driven down in his Excel to see Gardner and others on GP duty in Rijeka. He joked about the unlikelihood of my slightly asthmatic 350cc twin making it back over the Alps. It did... And on style. A lightweight motorcycle is just sublime on mountain roads. And when I got back to the UK I learned that he had melted the head of his fancy new Excel on the autobahn... Lotus were very embarrassed and very apologetic. The car was returned to him some weeks later with a new, uprated motor... which bore the same engine number as the one he'd trashed in West Germany. But for all that silliness and the slight naughtiness of Lotus using the same engine number, the Excel was a wonderful car.

[@cliveyboyb5770]

My 30 year love affair for Lotus started with a 2 year old Excel SE. They were great cars (best handling front engine car on the market) but the Esprit took all the glory. The good news is they are now great value for money as a very good Excel can be bought for very reasonable money. My advice with any Lotus is buy the best you can. Project cars will cost more than the car is worth or empty the bank account. If your wanting to buy one do your online research and talk to as many Lotus owners as possible BEFORE BUYING. Lotus are "Stunningly Good" cars if bought sensibly but a nightmare if done poorly.

[@marcushull12]

I had a 1985 Excel Sa black and full cream leather , loved it and regret selling it , i used it as a dailly , it never let me down

[@stevielowe2853]

great video and always loved lotus vastly underrated in my opinion

[@richardgosling9069]

I DO use mine as a daily driver - all the proof you need!

[@marts500]

I had an SE for about 10 years.Very thirsty car due to the twin carbs...really needed fuel injection.The head gasket blew (£1400) but not bad apart from that.Quite a few Toyota parts on it brakes etc...Mine had full Raven black leather (quite rare seemingly) half leather looks like porridge.

[@Number27]

Nice video mate, well presented too!

[@allthingsgood156]

I just bought one! Love it

[@eddieinoz]

Owned one of these twenty years ago and never sold the lotus workshop manual. Just as well as I have just bought another one after all this time, needs a ton of work but was cheap, an absolute doddle to work on. Makes me laugh that old escorts and capris are silly money for basket cases and were never as reliable. Lots of trouble usually serious my arse!

[@lewis72]

It's obviously the nostalgia thing that's driving up the price of sporty '70s & '80s cars because this Excel would wipe the floor with all of them back in the day. An RS Turbo Escort wouldn't stand a chance against this. fastestlaps.com/comparisons/ftfb52nm75j2 Furthermore, in 1988, an RS Turbo was £11 268 where as an Excel SE was almost twice the price at £22 200 !

[@sevesellors2831]

Great car I remember my dad and I visited the Lotus stand at the NEC to see the Eclat it had four seats and a decent boot which he wanted. In the end bought an Alfa GTV 2.0 in black six years of reliable motoring but we often wondered what if? I’ve driven a Lotus and as an average driver could not believe the handling and fun to be had. I don’t think Lotus can be beaten on handling but correct me if I’m wrong. Please test an Eclat if you can!

[@stringer-ik1pc]

Great review. The up market Mike brewer. (or James cordens bigger brother)

[@ProjectXclusive]

I am only watching videos about this car because from the back it looks like a Plymouth GTX as for the cars going up in price..they may be asking for a lot online but it doesn't mean they get it .

[@Jorge-Tamacas]

Un bonito auto, hasta hace poco me era desconocido, una línea bonita, un tanto parecida a la del Eclat. En mi país no existen y creo que para la mayoría, desconocido

[@stevecool7096]

I had one many years ago. The only car I would take out just to drive for the sake of it. Unfortunately one of the front light motors broke. A door fell off and the engine blew up twice. At that point it was time to go.

[@theglumrant9477]

Great presentation. Did you apply for the T G job? You should've done

[@milesborg9812]

My Dad had one of these and I am trying to hunt is down. Does anyone know how I could go about trying to find the current owner?

[@davidg4026]

I've never seen one before, since the Excel was never sold in Canada, and I still haven't... I was waiting through the entire video for you to do a walk around--or drive it! Guess I'll have to do a google search for a new video and pics.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It has been driven in other videos

[@davidg4026]

@@JayEmmOnCars --> Thanks, I found and watched your other video on the Excel. It's a cool and slightly quirky car... but I like it because of that! I'm a huge Audi Coupé fan (previously owned 2 of them) so it helps that the Excel looks very much like the Audi in the back half. Did they ever build a left-hand drive version??

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Not of the Excel, but there were LHD Elites I believe, maybe Eclats too

[@marts500]

Should have had a Toyota engine too....my head gasket blew miles away from home and cost a fortune to get it skimmed & sorted.Door frames rot too...fond memories though.

[@SbSDEFTxSTAR]

Unfortunaly according to my dad but he said when he dies I can have his. I offered to buy it 5yrs ago but he didnt want to part. He paid £5000 for it back in 1997 it need a bit of work with the lether but it has been in a garage for lile ever. Im glad I watched this maybe I get him to restore it an sell it then?

[@weatherall68]

More excel videos please!

[@lrodger2486]

I wonder if anyone ever fitted the esprit turbo engine in to an excel ..... Hmmmm

[@zjoaomx]

Hi Jay, can you show how well and adult fits in the back seats of the excel? Thanks!

[@mrpep6340]

Joao Vieira da Cunha i had an excel brilliant car.i tried sitting in the back once it was a tight squeese.ok for teens and small to medium folk.

[@edmondocerza4292]

Esprit are Giugiaro designed beautiful cars, these on the other hand are open to opinion

[@tadficuscactus]

How does it have the 50/50 weight distribution? Is it front mid engined?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

The engine is fairly far back, and is quite light

[@haydenmummery3831]

Why have these not gone up in value yet? I thought they were going to start going up years ago. Also I'd like to see one drag race with a big valve 125bhp europa!

[@davep5829]

Straight to Pistonheads classifieds....

[@brandheadlights]

Is the 1978 Elcat the same as this one on your video? Just asking to know if the Elcat also used Toyota parts. Thank you!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

No the Eclat is the predecessor to the Excel

[@brandheadlights]

So would you happen to know if the Elcat has all Lotus parts? Would the Elcat also be as valuable as the Excel in terms as future value as mentioned on your video? I ask, because I happen to have acquired one and there's little information on the Elcat model. Thanks!!!

[@allsearpw3829]

have a look at the suspension and steering joint as the eclat I drove had the rose joint set up ,metal swivels as early race cars ,shakes your teeth out ,well left alone my advise from experience by a toyota excel

[@lewis72]

I * think * that Lotus had to be a bit conservative with the Excel's performance figures as it was a bit too close for comfort to the N/A Esprit.

[@samrobinson9091]

Exactly. Very similar to the C4 Corvette and the Third Generation Camaro’s, all with the Tuned Port Injection 5.7 Liter V8’s. In both cases the actual street test results return the cheaper of the cars with slightly better performance.

[@Bergie_78]

Hi James, nice vids :) I've got an Exige V6 if you want to review it... if you haven't done one yet!

[@Bergie_78]

James Martin sent!

[@Bergie_78]

Hi mate - didn't see your message where did you send it to?

[@pgtmr2713]

Never heard of an excel. Looks like 944.

[@davidorama6690]

I didn’t know they were built using Toyota parts.

[@codobod9047]

Stalemate?

[@lewis72]

You'll still pay more than twice as much for a slower and worse handling Escort XR3i/RS 1600i/RS Turbo.

[@willmac5642]

Cant get past the dashboard. Sorry.

[@allthingsgood156]

After watching this I bought one.... I also bought a C70 coupe upon some expert advice.... hmmm Mr Emm. Note to self unsubscribe, save money! The C70 is golden btw, possibly best car I've ever owned. The Lotus is a lovely car but cost me a bomb, so I'll sell it, naturally been British that will be at a loss, oh well, it nearly killed me several times, gave me at least 2 this is what drivings all about moments and what price can you put on that? Love your work.

[@sophiaplessas273]

somebody nearby owns an excel

[@LupoAndy]

If you look quick it looks like a Porsche 924...

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Very close resemblance to the 944 too

[@davidg4026]

Actually, the profile of the back half looks almost identical to an '80s Audi Coupé !!!

[@andyka591]

Isn't this car has the same base for mk2 supra??

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It shares many parts with the Celica Supra - brakes, gearbox, rear axle, heater controls etc

[@ancientanomalies]

Sold all 3 I owned for a song due to an impending divorce what a loss! These cars are now expensive!

[@BennysBenz]

Why not just buy a Toyota? ☺ good video...

[@LOTPOR0402]

Because it's would just be another piss boring mass produced bland Toyota

[@geographyinaction7814]

I like your videos, but instead of speaking for the whole bloody thing, why not let us listen to how delicious it is?

[@glideman]

I’m a car guy but a classic Lotus is NOT a daily driver! A brand new Lotus is not a daily driver. The quality of these cars is quite simply shocking. As can be seen from the door card peeling away from the door in the shot to camera, believe me as a car dealer I wouldn’t touch a lotus with a very long barge pole😂 I do however love the videos and predict one day you will present Top Gear! So well done future you 🤟

[@allsearpw3829]

designed by men assembled by turkey farmers

[@yummybrummie2295]

I have an 89 purchased at 6 months old (early 1990) which I've run every day since and in 31 years and 290,000 miles its cost me nothing except routine servicing, tyres etc. Its like any car if its looked after it'll look after you!

[@zaphodbeeblebrox5973]

I’ve yet to meet a car dealer who had a clue about cars. Made a lot of money from them buying their broken stock and fixing them for pence before selling them on

[@wlewisiii]

Alas, never sent across the pond so I won't ever see one.

[@yummybrummie2295]

They were sold in the US they were all auto's though

[@2702simmo]

I’m on eBay again now Your vids are dangerous

[@thanismurugathas2929]

Leave one for me

[@2702simmo]

@@thanismurugathas2929 holy thread resurrection 😂👍

[@thanismurugathas2929]

@@2702simmo oops sorry didnt see u made the comment 2 years ago😂glad you could look at that gorgeous lotus excel again tho😂

[@blarfneggs3728]

The Esprit is hot that Excel is not

[@LOTPOR0402]

You are obviously not a car enthusiast.Best stay away from both

[@glendonhorne7196]

What a waste of 6 minutes… you didn’t even start it up let alone drive it!