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Thanks @BibsWill definitely show up and say hello! Can you bring some TLF stickers to proudly decorate my car? Obviously paying for them. Question to those that have been there before and did the camping: Are you able to leave the campsite with your car during the weekend or is this forbidden once you‘re on there?

Hi everyone, I hope that I haven´t missed a topic (or even a whole subforum?) anywhere else, I searched a lot and only found a topic for 2017. It will be my first FOS and I am taking the Lotus all the way over the canal. I assume a couple of TLF guys are going as well? Lotus seem to have a tent in the manufacturer paddock this year, do they offer some goodies for their customers usually? Maybe there is even an (un)official TLF meet somewhere?

No, it is the standard one.

Yes, both in the same colour... Battleship Grey. Absolute crazy. Also saw a couple of Exiges, we were really lucky with the weather today as well. Forecast said rain, but it didn‘t start raining until the track closed down and everyone left for dinner and drinks

I had a very strange moment today, leaving the Ring entrance parking lot at Devils Diner, waiting at the roundabout. Couldn‘t believe my eyes when i saw „my cars sister“ 😂 What a coincidence! Same spec besides GT430 instead of Sport and the black brakes. We stopped at the car park and had a nice chat, the owner is a real car enthusiast and also has a Lancia Stratos 😮

Nice video! So your impression was the GT430 will be able to go sub-8? I‘ve been there last weekend Saturday and Sunday (not taken the car on TF days on the track...I‘m not brave enough) and its always an experience. The weather was amazing, nearly too hot (we had 29*C !) It‘s only 1,5hrs from where I live so always a nice weekend trip.

I can say my blank „button“ is not a button and doesn‘t even push in. Its a cover / placeholder for where once a button was.

I‘d like to announce my interest to receive PM on this topic.

And while the weather is getting better over here in Germany as well...took it out for a spin today. 400km to go until break-in / 1st inspection!

I wonder if the GT410 also got rid of the exhaust button (like the GT430s did)? The Youtube video clip sounds to me as if the exhaust was always open, or am I wrong? Edit: I answered my own question re-reading the review - it does still have it and race mode still opens it! What is the reason that they got rid of it on the GT430s then? I miss this little button, not to get on the nerves of my neighbours but the sound is just so addictive and 4500rpm+ dangerously fast in every gear besides the 1st.

Just to add to the topic: My GT430 Sport has the sams noise that I noticed on e.g. a 2016 Evora 400 before. Not better or any way different. Only in 1 and 2 at low rpm.

Just managed to pick up my copy of evo on my short 12hr trip to London. After reading the article (and I am by no means mad that our beloved brand „lost“...): When did a car with such a soul- and feedback lacking steering ever get away with so many stars for the rating? Also interesting that they tested car 1/60 - I thought mine was 1/60?!! ?

I‘m glad to see these posts and that i am in London tomorrow to grab my copy at the airport. What i read so far between the lines of all the comments here: Porsche won for (not just) steering feel - the most obvious advantage of the GT430 over any car I have ever driven (including Porsche and McLaren) was the steering feel! If their judgement was not about a relaxed and comfortable drive, i can not believe that this was an advantage of the GT3. Grip - yes, acceleration - yes. Usability / options - yes. But not „feel“ or „feedback“. To comment on why a „german“ has chosen the GT430 over a GT3 (and it was on my list): I like that Lotus is the underdog, you see Porsches everywhere. Also people driving Porsche fall into the same category of people wearing Rolex (pardon to everyone around wearing them...I hope you get the picture ). Without a doubt every (?) Porsche is an amazingly high quality vehicle and capable sports car - but they don‘t tickle the senses (other than people enjoying the heritage and the „perfectionism“ or how well they hold value). I wanted something that felt special at every speed. And to me a Lotus has the vibe of an analogue racer, a bit like the glorious cars from the late 80s / early 90s. Real drivers cars, imperfect but with tons of soul. Pushing the start button and holding it until the engine fires up instead of using the „binary click“ of modern / others cars for their starter buttons for example. Not a computer telling the engine to start on a on/off signal but „me“ sending volts to the starter motor until the engine fires up... that kind of feeling made me choose the Lotus. Most people won‘t understand unless you really enjoy those small details. Probably similar to wine conoseurs or fans of old school watch making. Emotional instead of rational decision...

Tucked the car away in the garage after only 35km because the weather was so wet and Pilot Sport Cup 2s don‘t like wet.

This describes my first few days with my new toy very well. Having driven a couple of 400s for a few days before buying the GT430 Sport, I agree with what you say. While the 400 is all the sports car anyone could ever want (so much more exciting than for example a McLaren 540c at everyday driving...), the GT430 feels one step up, razor sharp, super light and just alive! Not sure if I can really tell or my brain just wants me to think I can feel the lower unsprung mass of the forged wheels, dampers etc...? Also the driving position of the carbon buckets is really great and gives you a good overview of the front (no comment about rear visibility or blind spots). I am definitely happy with my decision! I just slightly miss the old V6 style _brrrraahhhrrr_ of the standard exhaust at open valve, but maybe the titanium exhaust will change its tonality after a while. Oh and - how could Lotus place such a cheap looking paper sticker on the bottom of the steering wheel?! On photos the GT430 logo looked printed, but it is nothing more than a cheap piece of printed paper. I‘m tempted to remove it...

Battleship Grey

Hi there, neighbour! Might have seen you driving around a few months ago. I´m not really a track guy (hence the "Sport"), but it will be more of a weekend toy for B-roads and trips. And yes, I bought in Wuppertal - most likely the dealer you had mind. Can´t say anything bad about the guys so far. Really really good customer experience. Had my F-Type there as well for a few years for service and tires. All other, thanks for the kind words! I seriously can´t wait.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome, I already start to get an idea of the Lotus family... Also cool to see a few other germans around here! @The Pits I‘m definitely in for a trip to the Ring if the dates work out. @Bibs yes, I have driven a few Evoras already and changing back to the F-Type immediately shows how heavy and bulky it is.

Many greetings to everyone here as well, new member from Germany with a battleship-grey GT430 Sport. The car is still at the dealer, I will finally take delivery of it end of this months after having a PPF and some custom hifi installed (thx to @JayEmm and your very helpful tips in the hifi upgrade thread). Just took some pictures while the car was still being worked on, so more to come in about a week. Looking so much forward to having it, hopefully the weather will play along... What is the overall opinion on the lack of the exhaust button - is the GT430 "loud enough" to have fun also below 4500rpm?

Hello everyone! I am Heiner from Duesseldorf, Germany and new to the Lotus community. After driving an F-Type V6S and dreaming of a Lotus since nearly 20 years, I just had to grab the chance and bought a GT430 Sport (pics in the Evora Chat forum), even though I thought that the "soon to be released" Evora roadster will be the one. Looking forward to many adventures with my new toy and this community!