7 months in my Evora

[Smapmap]

Well after 7 months in my 2015 NA Evora - I thought I'd write up a short summary of my experiences to date!!

Issues

OK lets get this out the way first...:)

• the engine warning light & traction control light kept coming on, forcing the car into crawl mode. Really frustrating. Leven swapped out the throttle body as it looked like the DBW throttle sensor was not communicating correctly. This seemed to make a difference as I went for a few months with no issues until recently, where it came back with a vengeance! After some trial and error I found I could fix the issue by wiggling the connectors on the throttle body so it seems to be related to the wiring. Leven have had it in and done some work - and so far so good!! Hopefully the issue is now resolved.
• I had one instance of the car reporting no fuel (when I had a full tank) - cleared after a restart. Bizarre.
• I got a slow puncture and when I was trying to get air back into the tyre the TPMS sheared making the wheel lose all pressure. Leven replaced the TPMS a few weeks later.
• After having the tyres replaced the other rear tyre seemed to be slowly de-pressurising. Turns out the issue was related to the valve needing to be tightened. It's now sorted.
• The boot lid was sticky and needed to be realigned.

Dealership experience

• Leven Lotus have been absolutely brilliant throughout. I've received really good customer care - the car came with a 1 yr dealership warranty and fixing any of the above has not cost me a penny - nor has there been any squabbling. it makes such a difference having a good dealer and good after-sales. The car has always been returned to me valeted which is a nice touch.  Gives me peace of mind when I make my next purchase...
• Leven have a breakfast club and organise regular track days for their customers - this is ace. I need to get my arse into gear and get along to these!
• The sales and servicing staff care about the brand and are passionate about Lotus.

Impressions of the car

• I bought the car as a daily driver - it only had 3.5k when I bought it so was basically new despite the fact it was a 15 plate. It's such a comfortable drive. I've now done over 7000 miles in it and it has been brilliant - you could cross continents in this car easily.
• It might only be the NA variant but I'm still the weakest link in the chain Being honest - the car is so much better than me - I'm only really just starting to explore it's boundaries. It's a hoot!!!
• The handling of the car is absolutely sublime - it's really hard to get it out of shape. Feels so planted.
• The looks you get from everyone is genuinely amazing - so many thumbs up, and smiles. It's such a pleasure and privilege to own such an amazing vehicle.
• Despite the niggles the car build quality has been really brilliant. No rattles, no squeaks - everything feels really tightly screwed together. Solid.
• There is a surprising amount of room in the back - my 9 year old gets in no problem
• The boot is surprisingly large too - so far haven't really needed more space
• Inside, the ergonomics  are terrible lol - none of the controls are visible but I don't care - it looks awesome!! I prefer it to the more recent Evora interiors  which look a bit ..meh in comparison?
• The driving position is brilliant but could do with sitting an inch or two lower?
• Gear change is positive, and quick - notch free thankfully.
• Sounds great when pushing on
• Thank God for reversing cameras!
• No cupholders <joke>

Summary

• I absolutely adore the car!!
• Can't fault the dealership - great sales and after sales team
• if I lived a long way away from a dealership it would have been a bit of a PITA as I've had to take in in several times to sort out the niggles
• When can I drive it next....

 

 

 

 

Edited September 26, 2019 by Smapmap

[Barrykearley]

It’s important to note that you can fit a very big hairy dog in the car in comfort

[Smapmap]

lol - funnily enough I had my dog and three weans in the car today, on the school drop. Where there's a will there's a way

[andyj007]

good write up m8....  well done

 

[Barrykearley]

2 minutes ago, Smapmap said:

lol - funnily enough I had my dog and three weans in the car today, on the school drop. Where there's a will there's a way

Simply not possible in an Esprit. The Evora is without doubt the most practical family car I can think of.

[Hawks]

Great write up. Interesting to read and I agree with most of your points in the 'Impressions list'

I too have had my 2015 Evora for 7 months coincidently. Not done as many miles, but I do use it on a regular basis.

Same as you, I am surprised how easy the 3 of us can fit in the car, (Wife and 5 year old son) no problems at all, and he loves being near the engine and near me on car journeys.

I too would like the seating position to be slightly lower.

I have friends who have Porches and they are amazed at the interior quality and the build quality, even the way the door shuts nicely with a nice sound.

I have a IPS and the gear change is very good, and the blips on the down gear is great.

Happy driving, hope we get lots of dry days over the winter!

[EGTE]

Great write-up and I agree that the NA is a fantastic car and all you need. Not that I don't also "need" at GT430, of course 🙂

[Smapmap]

47 minutes ago, Hawks said:

Great write up. Interesting to read and I agree with most of your points in the 'Impressions list'

I too have had my 2015 Evora for 7 months coincidently. Not done as many miles, but I do use it on a regular basis.

Same as you, I am surprised how easy the 3 of us can fit in the car, (Wife and 5 year old son) no problems at all, and he loves being near the engine and near me on car journeys.

I too would like the seating position to be slightly lower.

I have friends who have Porches and they are amazed at the interior quality and the build quality, even the way the door shuts nicely with a nice sound.

I have a IPS and the gear change is very good, and the blips on the down gear is great.

Happy driving, hope we get lots of dry days over the winter!

It's the little things I've noted since buying the car.

• The quality of the stitching is incredible - so precise and accurate. To think it's been done by hand!
• The vanity light in the door which lights up when you open it.
• When you open the boot lid in the rain and it disperses without flooding the boot
• The pool of water which gathers in the doors = wet trousers!
• The fact the indicator stalks seem to be miles away from where you need them (I wonder if this to accommodate IPS?)
• The Becker points :)
• The half length sun visors

All part of the Lotus experience!!

 

[Techyd]

Good point RE the indicators - just a tad further away to make it every so slightly a stretch!

[Smapmap]

Crawl mode is back - dammit. Hoping I don't need to get the wiring harness replaced 😕

Edited September 27, 2019 by Smapmap

[EGTE]

Get it done before the warranty runs out, mate.

[C8RKH]

3 hours ago, EGTE said:

Get it done before the warranty runs out, mate.

Sound advice

[Ledlights]

FWIW, I occasionally have a check engine light from the ETM that goes away if I clean both sides of the the connector with contact cleaner.  I assume this is caused by oxidation of the (non gold) pins.

[au-yt]

Great write up and its good you have had great service from Leven its a key to any ownership no matter what the marque.

As for electrical connectors, Stabilant 22 this stuff is an aviation recommended product it actually promotes conductivity... it would want to its B expensive

https://www.amazon.com/Stabilant-5ml-Kit-Makes-30ml/dp/B001E50GQS

[Smapmap]

Oh man. I went to Sainsbury's today and when I got back to the car it refused to start. This is the first time I've ever been let down by a car.

Currently getting loaded onto a flatbed truck. Battery levels are fine so suspect it's a failed starter motor

Absolutely gutted. 

[Cdm2018]

10 minutes ago, Smapmap said:

Oh man. I went to Sainsbury's today and when I got back to the car it refused to start. This is the first time I've ever been let down by a car.

Currently getting loaded onto a flatbed truck. Battery levels are fine so suspect it's a failed starter motor

Absolutely gutted. 

Sorry to hear this 

my starter motor went after 3 months of infrequent use so I guess I put it down to previous owner use 

luckily it was replaced under warranty but took about 8 days to get the part and fitted 

hopefully your car be still covered by warranty ?

[Smapmap]

Thanks Clive. Yeah - I wonder if most of the issues I've encountered to date are down to the fact that the car had only done 3k in 3-4 years. I really don't think cars should be parked up for that length of time.

I've got a dealership warranty for the first year so hopefully no issues on that front - I spoke to Laura from Leven in Edinburgh and they will try to sort me with a courtesy car in the meantime (which is great) and also see if they can finally sort out the throttle body connection issue which is causing the car to go into limp mode randomly.

This has really knocked my confidence in the car. This is supposed to be my daily driver

[BatMobile]

6 minutes ago, Smapmap said:

Thanks Clive. Yeah - I wonder if most of the issues I've encountered to date are down to the fact that the car had only done 3k in 3-4 years. I really don't think cars should be parked up for that length of time.

I've got a dealership warranty for the first year so hopefully no issues on that front - I spoke to Laura from Leven in Edinburgh and they will try to sort me with a courtesy car in the meantime (which is great) and also see if they can finally sort out the throttle body connection issue which is causing the car to go into limp mode randomly.

This has really knocked my confidence in the car. This is supposed to be my daily driver

Agree that cars need to be driven, after such an idle period you are probably ironing out all the bugs/faults. 

push through, these are great cars and when looked after/run properly are pretty faultless.

[Smapmap]

Thanks Alistair - that's exactly what I'm thinking too. I want to have this car for a long time and I hope this will be the last of the issues.

[Cdm2018]

3 hours ago, Smapmap said:

Thanks Alistair - that's exactly what I'm thinking too. I want to have this car for a long time and I hope this will be the last of the issues.

I try and drive my car once a week but the journey tends to be a school run of 20 miles round trip, with slow traffic often in the journey.

otherwise I don’t get many chances to drive the car for more than an hour ☹️

this week I am working away in Isle of Man and yes great place to take Evora but as I am taking my partner she hates going in car so I am taking company car and I supposed to use that for works travel anyway?

i don’t know if infrequent use contributed to starter motor failure ? Or was it previous owner and my use on shorter journeys with multiple starting ? I don’t know and to be honest I am not mechanically gifted so find it confusing to know Why ? 

hopefully you be back on road soon and thankfully you have the warranty 👍🏻

[trcm]

It's been over three years and I only just discovered this !

[Cdm2018]

8 hours ago, trcm said:

It's been over three years and I only just discovered this !

Wow didn’t know that then again I have read the manual ? In my 18 months I have never seen the three rev lights is it a standard feature or just on sport version ?

[tim_marra]

All S1's have it.

[Bibs]

I've not been on a drive and not seen them, quite a few times too! Put your foot down Clive, the red line is there for a reason

[Cdm2018]

20 hours ago, Bibs said:

I've not been on a drive and not seen them, quite a few times too! Put your foot down Clive, the red line is there for a reason

Lol Bibs 

if only if only !!!  One of these days I will get to see these lights ! Just been on the Manx TT on the famed mountain route, in the clear morning sunshine what a view but then what a frightening prospect of travelling of 70+ mph during race days 😳

I am surprised not too see more performance cars on the island testing their skills and capabilities ?