Lotus Evora Re-visited

Well I have hummed over it but am finally going to sell my 355 Ferrari and buy an Evora. I like everything about the car and feel it is seriously under rated. Seems like a real bargain to me at 65k for a brand new 2011 model.

The Evora seems to be under the rader in the US for some reason, is it the lack of dealers or lack of awareness of the brand?

 

I like these as well. Good luck and post some pics. What color are you thinking about?

 

Important changes made to the '12 models that are just trickling in. If you can wait.

 

Good move! I sold my 360 and bought a 2011 Evora 2+0, Solar Yellow.

You can check out the Lotus Talk forum to read about first year issues with the Evora. There have been vendor related parts problems that have been completely fixed under warranty. The 2010 Navi system was poor, but now replaced with an upgraded unit. None of the problems have been comparable with Ferrari break downs especially in the cost department.

There have been 3 Lotus forum members who have had major problems but Lotus stepped up and fixed all the issues.

The Ferrari anxiety problems associated with clutch replacement, and putting on the miles anxiety do not exist with the Evora. I have 10,000 guilt free miles on my car in one year.

I considered a 458 and drove one extensively but the Evora was equal, if not superior, to the 458 in suspension and handling. The 458 was hands down better in power, and they were equal in the head turning factor. However the Evora is 1/4 the price of the 458. The Evora can be driven daily without hesitation where the Ferrari requires thought and planning and worry before driving it to any destination.

 

silly question, is insurance lower on the 2+2 Evoras than on the 2+0 Evoras?

 

As an Elise owner the Evora was a big disappointment. Too heavy, underpowered and IMO expensive. Anathema to some, but the Z06 is better in every way IMO. Same basic price point, drive-out.

Still have and love the Elise - very pure.

 

I agree.

my problem with the Evora is that it went after the 911...which is a very tall order. also the N/A cars aren't particularly fast. so it's neither fish nor fowl...not Lotus "add lightness" nimble, but not really a daily driver alternative to the 911 (or a C6 Vette).

they look good though, and are pretty rare, and the S model is much quicker.

 

I had a Elise sport for about 6 years, a great car. I traded it in for a Evora Turbo S. In my view it is the best handling car that I have ever driven and better than any I currenly own. Mine is only 350 hp but the light weight makes it pretty quick. It looks like a super car and sure handles like one.

Even the high reving non turbo car is wonderful to drive. Both cars use new engine design thinking to give good performance with great gas milage.

The 2014 models will be designed to compete with Ferrari. We will see

Lee

 

Are there any concerns that Lotus is for sale? After the sale of the parent company... does Lotus have staying power (cash reserves?)

I also liked the Evora... but was waiting to see what shakes out for the future of Lotus as a car company.

 

I suppose, but:

1. The Evora is super distinctive -- Corvettes are me-too-mobiles around here.
2. The Elise is fantastic, but I'm not sure the Evora was really intended to be a hardcore track car.

Still I think the crap dealer network has kept Evora sales pretty low.

 

I agree but I generally don't buy a car to be distinctive. And I am a power junkie, even had to turbocharge the Elise as it too was underpowered. As for engine technology mentioned Ina post above, the Elise and Evora are both Toyota powered with some tuning by Lotus, but that is it.

 

They are apparently going to unveil the roadster version at Geneva!

 

Drove a demo in 2010, the regular model. Thought it handled great with super steering. The engine was OK but not great; suppose the newer 345 hp version is better in that regard. Overall, a decent alternative to a 911 IF you can get a BIG discount from MSRP, say in the mid $60K range for the more powerful version. After recently demo'ing the new Porsche 991, don't think the Evora S is in the same category overall, and thus it should cost a lot less.

As far as comparisons to the 458 go...well, I think it's a bit of a stretch comparing these two. The engine ALONE in the 458 is on another planet and is worth more than a whole Evora S. Engine's with that kind of power, response, smoothness, and sound don't come cheap - hence it's a Ferrari. Best.

 

But in their shortsightedness, they are making it a 2 seat...

http://www.carsuk.net/lotus-evora-roadster-at-geneva-probably/

I doubt the line for a 2 seat Evora will be very long...

 

I prefer the 2 seat car. The rear seats look unusable to me.

 

I think Motorsports Green. Will probably have to order. I will probably go for an IPS so I can use everyday.

 

Found this tonight on LeftLaneNews.com
Despite a change in ownership, sports car maker Lotus has been told to “keeping going” with its aggressive five-year plan. Lotus’ parent company – Proton – was recently sold to DRB-Hicom.

Lotus’ future was put into question following Proton’s sale to DRB-Hicom, but the Malaysian-based car distributor and importer will reportedly support Lotus’ plan to launch several new vehicles within the next half-decade.

“We have explained our plans to the new owner and have been told to keep going as we are,” Lotus CEO Dany Bahar told Autocar.

However, per Malaysian law, Lotus will have to endure a 60-day change-of-ownership period in which it will not have access to funds previously promised by Proton. Despite that lapse in financial support, Bahar says Lotus will emerge from the ownership change unscathed.

“The immediate problem is to manage the cash in the business carefully during the 60-day pause, but I am confident that this is a temporary technical issue,” Bahar said.

And this..... A convertible version of Lotus’ Evora sports car looks to be just weeks away. The British automaker isn’t giving away any specific details about its plans for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but says it plans to “blow the roof off” the annual event.

 

Just bought an Evora. Still breaking it in, so can't really give a true driving impression, but the handling and responsiveness are superb for a street car (the only car I have driven which responds faster is an Ariel Atom).

Mine is in white with forged grey wheels. Pictures do not do this car justice.

I thought I could drive around and "blend in" as I thought people would mistake it for an Elise or Exige (I considered this a plus, as I prefer subtle). Totally and completely wrong. This thing has people from 16 to 65 literally stopping and staring, men and women. I swear it turns more heads than the 308, which I find shocking.

I hope to have it out on track within a couple months, and I will post up some thoughts when I do.

 

I'm confused, S models are supercharged. Did you have yours switched to turbo?

Evoras are great cars, I've put thousands of miles on them both in Europe and the U.S. No 458, but at significantly less cost and arguably with a more 'pure' driving experience. Very comfy for the daily drive or road trips too. Power is just right I think... no need for more.

 

Did you folks read the January Motor Trend article on driving an Evora 2,500 miles along the continental divide in the winter? Looked like a real adventure and nothing went wrong with the car. I own a '74 Europa TC and want to (politely) ask: is the Elise / Evora range pretty reliable?

 

Heres the link:

http://www.motortrend.com/features/travel/1112_divide_and_conquer_in_a_lotus_evora/

 

First enjoy your Lotus Evora.
I own both a Evora turbo s and a Ariel Atom 3 with the 3oo hp motor.

I own alot of cars and in my opinion the Lotus handles better than any car I have driven. It is not real fast but good enough to be a satisfying car to drive. It has the right balance!

I also love my AA3. While it does not handle as well as the Lotus it sure is quick and a blast to drive. I love the open air driving Both cars have good gas milage which may become more important as time goes on. The Evora when you push the "Sport" button changes personality a bunch!

As a side bar I owned a Lotus LEize sport. A wonderful car to drive and it treated me well. I think the new Evoras have uped the technolgy and when driven it can be felt. They are both great cars no doubt

Lee

 

I own an Evora but not a Z06 I do have a ZR1. In my view the Z06 is only better in power the lotus handles much better at least on the street. In racing the vettes have done very well.

I think the ZR1 is a better car than my 458 in very way with the exception of exterior design and exhaust sound.

Enjoy your Z06. The newer vettes 2008 and newer handle very well and the numb feeling in the steering is gone, They feel great and better than the 458.

Enjoy

Lee

 

I have raced in the Lotus Challenge Series (now Lotus Cup USA) for the past 3 years and I love the Lotus marque. Raced a track prepped Lotus Elise and now race a Lotus 211. I was a bit concerned about all the weight they added to the Evora. I have tested it on track and was pleasantly surprised by its handling. I did feel that it was underpowered but this can be easily modified. It is a simple Celica motor and there are already companies working on superchargers just as they have with the Elise and Exige.
The Evora has a lot of potential but it is also a bridge to their large new production lineup starting in 2013 with their new Espirit. I will personally wait for this.
Even though I agree that Lotus is the best handling car out there, it does not compare to a Ferrari in my eyes, just a different league.

 

I'm a big exige fan myself. To each his own. I would rather daily a C6 Corvette, and have the exige as my play toy. That's just me..