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Test drove one last week at a local dealer new to Lotus. I was very impressed. The car looks great; much better in the flesh than in pictures. Very aggressive new front and rear end styling. It was dead easy to get into, (which is important for me at 6' 2" and 15 stone), and the sparco alcantara seats and driving position were good.
It was extremely quick, although you have to push the revs for mid-range acceleration. It was a wet day and it still felt well planted in corners, although I'm not used to driving rear wheel drive sports cars of this type. The noise it made in sport mode was absolutely fantastic. Even with the rain lashing I just had to keep the window down to appreciate it: Very special!
Brakes were good (Good old fashioned AP Racing 4 pots front and rear). The manual box was very precise. But the steering was the highlight for me. I felt totally connected to the car.
A downside was flimsy plastic switch gear on the steering column and a key start/push start combination that just did not make sense (key has to be turned in ignition before you press the engine start button). Rear seats are really just a luggage shelf, but at least there is some space for this.
It's a little on the dear side at around £73-76k for a new one, but probably well worth it by comparison with the Cayman (if you can get one) or 911. I am not sure there is anything else at that price in this niche. I am very tempted to take the plunge and buy a British built car for the first time in my life. Lotus are renowned for their handling what about the dubious long term build quality and residuals. Am I mad?
Last edited by Blind Side; Apr 13, 2016 at 09:16 PM.
At that price, I think I'd rather have a second hand 911 Turbo, or R8 V10.
Not the same as having a new car, granted, but think Lotus play too much on the dynamics, when most people still want a good handling car, but one that comes with Leather, Satnav, lots of toys, and doesn't smell of Glue.
I don't really see the 'point' in the Evora, especially at that price. Why not just buy a second hand exige for the track stuff and a nice German whip for the daily / road trips etc. The Evora can't do either as well as those 2, but yet it still costs 70k?
At that price, I think I'd rather have a second hand 911 Turbo, or R8 V10.
Not the same as having a new car, granted, but think Lotus play too much on the dynamics, when most people still want a good handling car, but one that comes with Leather, Satnav, lots of toys, and doesn't smell of Glue.
I do take your point, but perversely I do not want a 911 and the R8 for me lacks driver connection (as most Audi's do).
The Evora does come with all the toys, Satnav and even cruise control. It is also seriously quick. The build quality is something I am not so sure about. (Although the car I drove did not smell of glue).
It will be probably be impossible for Lotus to match the German sports car manufacturers in this area with their limited investment issues, low R&D budget etc. Also not so sure about downstream value & residuals for a 'new' Lotus at this relatively high price point.
I don't really see the 'point' in the Evora, especially at that price. Why not just buy a second hand exige for the track stuff and a nice German whip for the daily / road trips etc. The Evora can't do either as well as those 2, but yet it still costs 70k?
That is my dilemma. I think that the new Evora could do both. It would be as quick as, or quicker than a 2nd hand Exige. Plus it would be comfortable to live with as a daily driver. Whether it would have bullet proof reliability, or is worth £70k by comparison with anything else in the 2 seat RWD sports car category is the question.
Also, unlike many on here, I still have a Scoob; (Hawkeye Spec C Type RA). Only driven on special occasions now to keep the miles down. Any more than 2 cars at a time for fun use would be 'tearing the ****' even for an old unreconstructed petrol head.
The Evora 400 is brilliant.
I can't afford one, so have to make do with an Exige V6.
Would still buy another Lotus over a Porsche any day, until the day comes when I can't get into a Lotus
(I'm 6' 4 and 15.5 stone )
I was expecting it to be lighter than the specs listed
was passed by new looking r8 at beginning motorway out of Brighton earlier today . I suppose it can only been twice fast to 60 as mine , but it didn't seem like it haha .
Coudnt even hear an engine note as he floored it
At that price, I think I'd rather have a second hand 911 Turbo, or R8 V10.
Not the same as having a new car, granted, but think Lotus play too much on the dynamics, when most people still want a good handling car, but one that comes with Leather, Satnav, lots of toys, and doesn't smell of Glue.
yeah, that's seem like a lot of money to me, if I really wanted the "dynamics" I would get a series 1 Elise and save myself a few quid
The Evora 400 is brilliant.
I can't afford one, so have to make do with an Exige V6.
Would still buy another Lotus over a Porsche any day, until the day comes when I can't get into a Lotus
(I'm 6' 4 and 15.5 stone )
Lovely car! I am also encouraged that a bigger bloke can live with the Lotus ergonomics! I have pretty much made my mind up to go with the Evora. I absolutely want something with a manual shift and the Cayman GT4 is the only thing out there that seems comparable, or better( in some areas). I am not going to find one of those for less than £85k and that is hopeful. Or wait for 2 years until Porsche build some more.
Having driven the Evora I now get what Lotus is all about.
The Evora 400 is brilliant.
I can't afford one, so have to make do with an Exige V6.
Would still buy another Lotus over a Porsche any day, until the day comes when I can't get into a Lotus
(I'm 6' 4 and 15.5 stone )
I'd sleep,with you all for a gt4 there just so sexy .....it's what I'd buy
You'll not get the chance They are impossible to order and if you can find a RHD one anywhere in UK at anything less than £20k over list price there is something wrong. Agree with the sentiment though
Took the plunge and found a good deal on a new Evora 400. Same colour scheme as stilover's motor. I waited for a month and picked the car up last week. Very happy with it. It is not German, handles well and it makes a fabulous noise.
The nice. The guy who I bought my old Subaru back from had just taken delivery of a new Evora 400.
The one thing that bugged me about it is that for some reason it doesn't have a roof flap like the exige. I mentioned this to him and he said he hadn't noticed until I mentioned it and that he perfectly agreed with me. I think it'll be bugging him now .
The nice. The guy who I bought my old Subaru back from had just taken delivery of a new Evora 400.
The one thing that bugged me about it is that for some reason it doesn't have a roof flap like the exige. I mentioned this to him and he said he hadn't noticed until I mentioned it and that he perfectly agreed with me. I think it'll be bugging him now .
New (series 3) Exiges don't have the roof intake.
No point, as the engine air intake is in a different place.
Do people think these could be a future classic and hold value? I was looking at a 911 but noticed these, I can only stretch to the 350bhp model but will this model hold the test of time with say a £27k Porsche 997 or say a cheaper 996?
Lotus Evora
They are impossible to order and if you can find a RHD one anywhere in UK at anything less than £20k over list price there is something wrong. Agree with the sentiment though 
.
