Lotus Emira

[chassis]

Late to the thread. New Lotus looks good.

Some interesting mid-lower upper segment two-seaters on the market today with a variety of features/benefits: Z4, MC20, Alpine A110, Abarth 124 Spider, MX-5, Supra, this latest Lotus. Quite the selection to choose from

Has anyone on this site taken delivery of this Lotus?

Green metallic, not to be confused with BRG, looks OK. BRG doesn't look good on this car. Black, silver or green metallic for me.

I wouldn't touch the Mercedes four banger with a ten foot (3 meter) pole, unless the plan was to dump it before warranty expiration. Toyota vs MB engine? There is no uncertainty about this choice. The Toyota GR engine might be the most reliable gasoline engine on the planet for the past 15+ years.

[FC4]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Why would you still get one after such an abysmal experience?

Because there are no other brand new 2-seat manual sports car to buy which aren’t a 718.

Abysmal is a bit harsh, but it certainly didn’t impress in any way.

[Alfisti]

Seriously there's no other manual? Trying to think of one and not really anything coming to mind. I'll be damnded.

[gonzo]

^
^

The Z, Camaro, Stang. Only the Z would interest myself. Do want to drive one. Had two and enjoyed both.

These cars could easily hang around, as far as being made, but I'd love to get a couple...just in case.

I see companies getting into a corner that they can't afford to get out of if electric only remains their business model. Just don't see E only in my lifetime.

Examples:
Jaguar, Lotus, McLaren. All British, but I like/respect them all.

[Alfisti]

Yeah only the Nissan is a 2 seater. Weird.

[gonzo]

* I'd snatch a convertible ZL1 3 pedal...because HELL YEAH.

[Pprior]

I have been on the list for an Emira for about 18 months now. Test drive last month was absolutely wonderful. The engine noise is amazing and it turns in like a razor blade.

Having said that I’m canceling my order and buying a z4. It’s a daily driver for me and the fear of quality issues and a dealer that for me is a 2 hour drive just scares me too much.

If it were a second car I’d buy it in a heartbeat over a 718.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by FC4

Drove one of the North American test cars. V6 6MT Sport chassis. Completely and utterly underwhelmed after 30 mins of street driving. The shifter is trash. Throttle tip-in was far too aggressive and there was significant rev hang. It looks fantastic and is the perfect size yet it lacks presence.

Was really excited to drive it but left disappointed. I’ll still get one though.

Originally Posted by Pprior

I have been on the list for an Emira for about 18 months now. Test drive last month was absolutely wonderful. The engine noise is amazing and it turns in like a razor blade.

Having said that I’m canceling my order and buying a z4. It’s a daily driver for me and the fear of quality issues and a dealer that for me is a 2 hour drive just scares me too much.

If it were a second car I’d buy it in a heartbeat over a 718.

These 2 reviews, holy subversion man, D&D got nothing on you guys haha.

[heitzke]

Emira is the one new car I truly lust over that is actually within reach. Holy impractical but if/when I buy a new car I'm trying to make sure it's an Emira. I already have fast cars, I want something that feels *special*

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by Pprior

I have been on the list for an Emira for about 18 months now. Test drive last month was absolutely wonderful. The engine noise is amazing and it turns in like a razor blade.

Having said that I’m canceling my order and buying a z4. It’s a daily driver for me and the fear of quality issues and a dealer that for me is a 2 hour drive just scares me too much.

If it were a second car I’d buy it in a heartbeat over a 718.

Yeah, not sure if I would buy an Emira if it was my only vehicle.

[supra93]

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by supra93

I could watch Chris Harris videos all day. Dude is a superstar!

[Redd]

My friend who owns a 718 Spyder and also a YouTube car journo sang praises of the Emira V6 manual. He said if the Emira's handling was a 10, the Spyder was only a 6. And this is a guy who drives his car pretty hard. Steering feel is also superb and better than the Porsche.

Cons of the Emira is the sound. The Spyder still sounds better.

[gonzo]

So much respect for his channel. No music. No screaming. No goofy faces. Just drive and talk like an adult.

Still the 6 for myself but the 4 does sound doable.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by gonzo

So much respect for his channel. No music. No screaming. No goofy faces. Just drive and talk like an adult.

Still the 6 for myself but the 4 does sound doable.

Haha, just finished that vid. Personally, I'd go for a later version of the 4, that's were the performance will be at. Ppl are waaay too hung up on sound, this one is alright, and ofc, ppl are waay too hung up on the tranny. I'd go for performance all the time, it's supposed to be a sportscar, right?

[gonzo]

^
3 pedals are what I'm after in this segment and sound is near the top of wants also.
A second here or there doesn't mean squat to me. Having the choice from Lotus 'could' make them the only ones doing it. I applaud it.

Get what you like!
I wouldn't call personal preference being "hung up" on anything.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by gonzo

^
3 pedals are what I'm after in this segment and sound is near the top of wants also.
A second here or there doesn't mean squat to me. Having the choice from Lotus 'could' make them the only ones doing it. I applaud it.

Get what you like!
I wouldn't call personal preference being "hung up" on anything.

You're right, maybe my language was 'too strong' but to some ppl having 3 pedals and/or sound is/are the only factor(s) and I think that's just silly. Yup, to each their own.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Haha, just finished that vid. Personally, I'd go for a later version of the 4, that's were the performance will be at. Ppl are waaay too hung up on sound, this one is alright, and ofc, ppl are waay too hung up on the tranny. I'd go for performance all the time, it's supposed to be a sportscar, right?

Ehh - if you are capable of extracting 10/10ths then sure performance is most important. But most people just want a fun cool car to drive that taps into their senses. On public roads, that last bit of power or shift speed becomes meaningless when there is already too much on tap to explore.

When you get to this level of performance, it is splitting hairs for many and once you cross a certain point everything is “fast enough”. At least that’s how I view it.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Ehh - if you are capable of extracting 10/10ths then sure performance is most important. But most people just want a fun cool car to drive that taps into their senses. On public roads, that last bit of power or shift speed becomes meaningless when there is already too much on tap to explore.

When you get to this level of performance, it is splitting hairs for many and once you cross a certain point everything is “fast enough”. At least that’s how I view it.

For sure and fair enough. I suppose it depends on the car, if it's a MX-5, personally, I'd definitely get the MT, but for this one, I'd wait for the I4+DCT.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Ehh - if you are capable of extracting 10/10ths then sure performance is most important. But most people just want a fun cool car to drive that taps into their senses. On public roads, that last bit of power or shift speed becomes meaningless when there is already too much on tap to explore.

When you get to this level of performance, it is splitting hairs for many and once you cross a certain point everything is “fast enough”. At least that’s how I view it.

Yep, if the car is being raced competitively, then yeah, give me a DCT and the most power the chassis can handle. Otherwise, in my mostly street driven performance car, I want connection with the car and something that I can push hard, but doesn't achieve such high limits that if it were to break loose, I'm a goner. I want a car that I can explore the limits without it trying to kill me. My ~3,000lb 987.2 Cayman 6MT with 265hp is that car for me. Low 5 second 0-60s, mid 13s in the 1/4 mile, requires you chase the redline to achieve max acceleration, and can be hammered with little risk of the ass coming around. It's a freaking fun an hell car. My other car is a Stage 2 2016 M235 6MT LSD slick top that I've owned since new. I love that car, but even though it's way faster above 60mph, I'm no longer impressed by it and it doesn't come close to delivering the connection and feel of the Cayman.

The Lotus Emira is one hell of a car and I'd absolutely want the SC'd V6 6MT for the sound, connection, and reliability. Those AMG turbo 4s are beasts, but are laggy as hell and the sound.......

I think when you get older, you become less focused on the numbers.

[Alfisti]

To me the 997 hits my sweetspot given the lack of twisties here. Entering a freeway it still has good shove in the back and sounds fantastic right up to red line. If it does turn twisty it's more capable than me.

In the end I can't go legit tossable traditional sports car ala miata or boxster because I have the four of us in the 911 about 70% of the time I use it. This weekend we all set out at 7am sunday morning, packed the frunk with snacks and water, hit the freeway for 25 mins then some twisties, stopped for breakfast at a nice cafe then went on a hike and repeat in reverse. Can't do that with 4 people in a 2 seater. On the way back we had a clean entrance to the freeway, i went WOT in 3rd and my goodness the kiddos loved it.

[Arcades]

My issue with Lotus is more simple.

Dealership network is nonexistent in LA. There used to be one in suburbs of LA (valley area) but they closed a little before COVID. That one was the closest and most convenient. The other is all the way out in Van Nuys. OC has one Lotus dealership. That is it.

That is not even close to being enough.