What car thread - Lotus Edition Vol.2

[Matty]

While I'm usually pretty sure about these things, I'm bored at work so let's do 40 pages of discussion.

And for clarity - no I've not already bought something

Evora 400 - Manuel
The primary choice. Loved my S1, and really enjoyed my test drive recently of the 400.
Far more usable than an Exige/Elise.
However, currently like hens teeth and increasingly fetching £45k+. I also felt the one I drive was really tired on the interior despite lowish mileage. They don't wear well, it seems? Alcantara is better than the shiny leather they use but even less likely to find one in that spec.

So this brings me to:
Exige 350
While I'd completely discounted the Exige platform due to lack of use relative to the Evora, I still used the 4C most weekends, and there is far more choice in this segment. I can also fit this in the garage with a soft top roof conversion, which is even more handy.
I think finding a good 350 is worth the extra over an earlier V6 given the price difference. Potentially cheaper to own than Evora, but marginal I expect.

Emira
I could, feasibly, with a large loan, and a bit of luck stretch to low £50's and try and get an Emira privately? Might have to wait until the end of the year for prices to inevitably drop further and earlier ones to start falling out of warranty, plus I'd have more savings.
But then I start thinking an Evora 410 would be a better buy at that price point, more driver focussed and better interior than the 400 also fixing that 'issue'

Realistically, I'm looking to spend 40, maybe 45 at a push but like always, less is better.

Evora seems the best route, but struggling to make the numbers work in my head for 400 Vs 410 Vs Emira.....

[Rich B]

It’s an Evora 400 that you really want - get one of those!

[mik]

There are no bad options there.

I know you've owned Elise and Evora so you're not going to have any massive surprises, but you possibly need to try a V6 Exige to see how it feels?

I agree that Evora410 is probably more tempting at the higher price point - likely to hold it's value better than a launch Emira too

[scotta]

I drove my mate Chris's Exige 350. Id have that.

However your use scenarios might be a bit different from mine. It was far too fast to use anything like all the performance on the road. You would need to use it on track to get anywhere near the limit. They are a pain in the arse to get in and out of. They rattle.

If you were only ever going to use it on road then an Evora or Emira would fit the bill better.

[Matty]

My mental hurdle with the Evora is
2015 400 - £45k
2018 410 - £52k (albeit 2+0 Sport)
2023 Emira - £55k

That extra £10k goes a loooong way.

Re: the Exige, you're probably right Scott. I am getting older these days. I'm really only 7 years from an SUV.

[Jobbo]

I think you'll find an Emira for £50k if you wait a little while - won't take long for them to get to that figure. Since £60k gets you a delivery miles one there's still a bit of depreciation to go.

If you were to go for an Emira which engine? V6 (presumably manual) or AMG 4-cyl with DCT gearbox? And have you driven one? They're quite usable every day so maybe won't give you the weekend buzz; a similar issue to the Giulia.

[scotta]

I drove my mate Chris's Exige 350. Id have that.

However your use scenarios might be a bit different from mine. It was far too fast to use anything like all the performance on the road. You would need to use it on track to get anywhere near the limit. They are a pain in the arse to get in and out of. They rattle.

If you were only ever going to use it on road then an Evora or Emira would fit the bill better.

This is not to say an Evora would be shit on track. They're not. i was quite impressed with how @mik 's Sports Racer went round Anglesey.

[speedingfine]

Time for some test drives I reckon Matty

[16vCento]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408283373553

[Matty]

I think you'll find an Emira for £50k if you wait a little while - won't take long for them to get to that figure. Since £60k gets you a delivery miles one there's still a bit of depreciation to go.

If you were to go for an Emira which engine? V6 (presumably manual) or AMG 4-cyl with DCT gearbox? And have you driven one? They're quite usable every day so maybe won't give you the weekend buzz; a similar issue to the Giulia.

It'd be a V6 manual. I've not driven one, it'd be too dangerous as they're currently not a viable option for me realistically.

Alongside @speedingfine 's comment - problem I have with test drives is they never tell me anything. I need a car for at least 2 weeks before I decide if it's working for me....so just tend to risk it.

[Matty]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408283373553

Honestly, you'd be *amazed* how many Giulia QV owners either move to or from A110's

The guy who bought mine sold his A110 to buy my QV. The Quad I almost bought last year was because the owner was buying an A110. There's a guy currently selling an A110 on the FB group who wants a QV.

Not sure what the link is, but it's a very strange and oddly common association. As for me....I like them in theory, but really can't get on with the looks at all

[dan]

The emira is beautiful but they have lots of issues (I am very good friends with the workshop manager of Lotus Silverstone).

For the the Exige is the only choice out of those unless for some reason you really want a bigger and heavier car. The weight is the key, you can't fool physics and less weight makes everything better.

[16vCento]

I'm not sure about the Alpines looks, but I'd bet it's a pretty comparable drive, there's a yellow one on AT that does look

[duncs500]

I do love Emiras, but based on your requirements I'd probably go for the Exige personally.

[Shlergen]

Exige for me. Just looks epic.

[MikeHunt]

The emira is beautiful but they have lots of issues (I am very good friends with the workshop manager of Lotus Silverstone).

I had one in my basket for months, years and so I’m happy to have dodged a bullet. I also wish it was just teething issues and a used bargain will be sorted.

[Matty]

The Emira issues are pretty shocking to read; apparently the i4 is in a much better state (alas auto only, which rules it out for me)

I find it interesting that reviews state the V6 Exige is quite a bit more 'livable' than the 4C - being quieter and more comfortable, also being narrower (although the 4C easier to get in/out of); yet oddly I found my 4C to be far more refined than my S1/S2 of old. While I appreciate that's an odd statement given the 4C is newer, I just expected the Exige to be similarly rattly/noisy/clonky as the old Elise....just with a bigger engine.

I need to go and look at one.

[integrale_evo]

V6 engines are inherently smoother than 4bangers aren’t they? Must have knock on effects for total vehicle refinement other as well as just the engine part.

I think in similar circumstances I’d struggle to resist an emira, even if it meant waiting a few months for decent ones to drop into my price range.

[dan]

I just expected the Exige to be similarly rattly/noisy/clonky as the old Elise....just with a bigger engine.

They're chalk and cheese honestly, especially compared to something like an S1 exige. I would happily daily a V6 if I could afford one. They're much better built, they don't rattle or squeak and despite being fundamentally the same cockpit to any other S2 they feel like a proper grown up mini supercar. The noise is epic as well.

I look after lots of them and they don't have many serious issues at all. The engine bay is also accessible, unlike the Evora where you have to do everything with salad fingers through the back seats.

[duncs500]

I had a p-ride with a development driver in an early V6 'xige at Hethel, felt very solid. Breaks were fucking good too.