11-05-2023, 04:09 PM | #1 |
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Lotus Evora GT is not what I expected
Hi all!
I went to the Lotus dealer to check out my current automotive crush—the new Emira—and ended up test driving an Evora GT instead. (They didn’t have an Emira demonstrator on hand.) The Evora is a car I strongly considered buying 3 years ago, so it was great to finally drive one! Lotus, to me, is a halo brand for talkative steering. For this reason, I expected the Evora GT to have the perfect combination of extraordinary steering feel, mid-engine sports car moves, and evocative styling. Well, two out of three isn’t bad…right? The styling was a knock-out (especially in vivid green), the brakes saved me from rear ending a bonehead SUV driver, the chassis had grip for days, and the engine had a fantastic roar. But the steering… Honestly, I was let down by the steering. Yes, it was quick and communicative, but I wanted Lotus Elise or 997 911 GT3 levels of feel and feedback, and the Evora GT didn't have that. (Here is a link to my full writeup on the drive.) The experience has me questioning my Emira crush, because I’ve heard its steering is even less lively than the Evora’s. Once the dealership has an Emira demonstrator, I’ll try it for myself and see. But in the meantime, I’m full of mixed feelings about the Evora GT and Emira. Best, Mike
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11-05-2023, 04:30 PM | #2 |
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I think Lotus is a very different philosophy from Porsche. Lotus has always been about less weight to get the job done, where as Porsche is a heavier more powerful approach. Both great cars just different. I wouldn't mind some seat time in a Lotus. I know there is a guy on this forum with an older Lotus, lots of photos on the Cool pic car thread. You should PM him to get his take on them.
I could be wrong but try @Mphatic , says he's got an Exige in his profile. Last edited by Murf the Surf; 11-05-2023 at 04:43 PM.. |
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11-05-2023, 05:05 PM | #3 |
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Love me some Elise and Exige. If the market didn't go full retard on them, I'd have one.
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11-05-2023, 05:51 PM | #4 | |
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11-05-2023, 06:29 PM | #5 |
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Have you driven the end of the run Evoras? What did you think of them?
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11-05-2023, 07:49 PM | #6 | |
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Last edited by No one; 11-05-2023 at 07:59 PM.. Reason: Corrected the "tricky" reference. |
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11-05-2023, 07:51 PM | #7 |
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I visited a Lotus dealer a long time ago to check out a 2005 Elise and had to wedge myself in. I’m only 5’7”. Needless to say, it was a non starter for me despite being a great concept for a car. It was just a wee bit too small. I think the Evora was designed to mitigate that while also being a bit more luxurious. The Emira is basically an updated Evora, so much so, the engine, chassis and drivetrain are all the same.
I do think the refreshed Emira with either engine is a potentially great competitor to the 718 and allows you to buy a sports car that doesn’t stand in the shadow of a more expensive vehicle (e.g. 911). Unfortunately Lotus has been dealing with a lot of issues and they also are not a high volume company so anything needing fixing requires a long lead time. Coupled with the fact that there are just a handful of dealers, I unwound my deposit in fair quick order after all those discoveries. |
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11-05-2023, 08:13 PM | #9 | |
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I just find that odd unless you are also 250 lbs or something then it makes sense
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11-05-2023, 09:53 PM | #10 |
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The Evora, for some reason, just doesn't look quite right. Never driven one though I read a few of your reviews and found them interesting.
The Emira looks a million times better but I hear mixed reviews of the steering and i'd steer well clear of UK based reviews, they love everything Lotus. |
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11-05-2023, 10:42 PM | #11 | |
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Oh, you had a deposit and backed away! Yikes, okay. I usually feel comfortable with less reliable vehicles so long as they are in warranty, but if parts availability is a big problem, that could sour the experience.
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11-06-2023, 06:11 AM | #12 | |
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They may get all these issues worked out, but I don’t want to pay about $100k and have to keep sending the car to the dealer which is 150 miles away for me. |
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11-06-2023, 06:16 AM | #13 |
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11-06-2023, 06:20 AM | #14 | |
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11-06-2023, 07:21 AM | #15 |
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Give it 5 years for them to get the Emira sorted, and you'll be good (and aftermarket will help the steering).
But don't ever think the Evora/Emira is a real Lotus, because it's not. If you want a real Lotus it's Elise/Exige, all the way. Even the Esprit, love the look as I do, is a fat cat with more issues than accolades. Exige FTW. Keeping mine until I can no longer get in and out of it. Darker. (Explore) by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr |
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11-06-2023, 08:11 AM | #16 |
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OT a bit, I read your M3 Vs 997 article. Interesting. The M3 was my "sensible" choice as a DD Vs getting the 997 and keeping my beater. I've never driven the M3 tbh. Gotta say, our experience with the 997 differs, I find the suspension very hard (OX cart harsh) but it goes where I point it that's for sure.
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11-06-2023, 06:58 PM | #17 | |
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11-06-2023, 06:59 PM | #18 | |
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And, how old do you think you'll be when you can no longer get in and out of the Exige?
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11-07-2023, 07:00 AM | #19 | |
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I'm 5'4", athletic build, so I'll be able to get in and out of it for quite a long time. My goal was always to sell it when I turned 70, so 17 years from now. |
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