Fit and Finish on Evora GT

[Ccd]

My sense is that the fit and finish issues have steadily improved each year on the Evora.   My question is whether people are experiencing issues with the latest version (at least for the USA) or have they finally ironed everything out?

[jep]

Love the fit and finish on my 2010 Evora. 65,000 miles and still looks and feels fab. And I don't think the look was improved with the (cheaper to make) revamp in 2016. What it may have gained in solidity, it lost in style. 

Justin 

[Smapmap]

The fit and finish on my 15 Sport Racer is probably the best I've seen n any car I've owned. The car feels like a tank. Put 15k on the clock this year and still as tight as a drum. I imagine the GT will be even better!

[Ccd]

Here is what I have seen here and elsewhere.  You get a Lotus, particularly one brand new, and you spend months getting it sorted out.  Generally not major issues, but a bunch of small issues, many of which should never have gotten out of the factory.  After hassling with your dealer and Lotus, things do get sorted and the car is fine thereafter.  

That HAS to change.  Such a scenario might work if you can get your car to the Lotus factory, but if you live across the pond, this is just not acceptable.  Even for a US used car, it is unacceptable because any purchaser of a used Lotus has to wonder if everything was sorted out or whether the owner just gave up and decided to sell the car.

This thread is really directed to new car owners and asking if this has changed, hopefully for the better.

 

 

 

[Bozzie]

12 hours ago, Smapmap said:

The fit and finish on my 15 Sport Racer is probably the best I've seen n any car I've owned. The car feels like a tank. Put 15k on the clock this year and still as tight as a drum. I imagine the GT will be even better!

I agree with this. My 14 is the same. Usual silly niggles but that’s it!  Apparently the SR’s were the most expensive to produce Evoras to date despite the upgraded super chargers etc on newer models!!

[bosshog]

Can say I’ve had any interior issues whatsoever in both my Evoras (2011, 2016)

[Spinney]

No fit and finish issues on my ‘18 GT410 Sport so I would imagine the US GT’s are just fine. 

[blueg33]

I have a 2014 Evora Sports Racer.  Quailty is great except for effing external A pillar trims

[C8RKH]

I have a 2018 Evora Sport 410 and the fit and the fit and finish is bloody superb. Really nicely put together and everyone who has sat i my car (non Lotus fan boys) has been impressed with it and agrees it is a lovely place to be.

[trcm]

Likewise, my Evora S SR is exceptionally good, no issues.

[Bibs]

@Ccd, now most people have confirmed that the cars are well built, gonna buy one?

Struggling to think what else this topic was for other than fishing for quality issues unless you're ready to pull the trigger?

 

[C8RKH]

He'll buy another German car - probably an RS3/4 or maybe and M4

[Ccd]

C8RKH:

You think so little of me.  IF I was going German, it would be either the MB AMG GT S or a 991.2 911 GTS  (with a manual).  As for this thread, given that the closest dealer is 3 hours from me, I was looking for confirmation that reliability has steadily improved with the Evora and is largely a non-isssue at this point.  My concern is not trivial: there are plenty of stories here and elsewhere of owners who have had fit and finish issues with the Evora.   

[Bibs]

39 minutes ago, Ccd said:

I was looking for confirmation that reliability has steadily improved

I would have thought if that was what you were after, you would have asked about reliability rather than fit and finish?

You can find stories on the internet about any car and issues, there's no such thing as a perfect car and people mainly come online to forums etc looking for assistance with problems hence the stories being easy to find. On the whole, the Evora isn't really that bad compared to many other cars.

The reality is I believe that you absolutely will not buy one, no matter how good they are, until Lotus open a dealer down the road from you. I get this, it's reasonable and indeed practical, but don't see why you ask for answers, ignore/contradict them and mention again there's no dealer in DC. 

[Julian73]

6 hours ago, Ccd said:

C8RKH:

You think so little of me.  IF I was going German, it would be either the MB AMG GT S or a 991.2 911 GTS  (with a manual).  As for this thread, given that the closest dealer is 3 hours from me, I was looking for confirmation that reliability has steadily improved with the Evora and is largely a non-isssue at this point.  My concern is not trivial: there are plenty of stories here and elsewhere of owners who have had fit and finish issues with the Evora.   

I would be fine with 3 hrs, I live in East Texas and must play with my friends in their Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, Aston Martins, Porsche GT's with service only 2 1/2 hrs away in Dallas while mine is closer to 5 hrs in Austin.  What does it matter, the dealer picks it up in a truck either way.  What I did do is drive past the Porsche dealers and go me a car positioned between a 992.1 GT3 and GT3RS; the Evora GT is a fine car, just as my limited edition Sport 410 is.  Fit & finish, reliability, 3 yrs no issues.

[C8RKH]

9 hours ago, Ccd said:

C8RKH:

You think so little of me.  IF I was going German, it would be either the MB AMG GT S or a 991.2 911 GTS  (with a manual).  As for this thread, given that the closest dealer is 3 hours from me, I was looking for confirmation that reliability has steadily improved with the Evora and is largely a non-isssue at this point.  My concern is not trivial: there are plenty of stories here and elsewhere of owners who have had fit and finish issues with the Evora.   

Not really, just think you will buy German over Lotus that's all. I think your head will rule your heart and the safety of German will win. That's not a criticism nor a put down by the way just my pov, which may be wrong, but is based on my observation of your posts. I do hope to see you in a Lotus and genuinely wish you well 👍

I live in Scotland and my nearest Lotus dealer has always been a 90 minute drive away, now it is around a 300 mile drive each way as the Scottish dealer has gone poop!  Yes, a real pain in the arse but I'll use it as an excuse to get the wife in the car and we'll plan a 3/4 day weekend road trip and city break around the service. ( I did consider only very recently a Porsche as I have a dealer 20 miles away. Thankfully my heart gave my head a kicking and that irritable bowel scratch has gone. A Mercedes, well for much of the rest of the world they're just taxis aren't they?- A Macca might still happen but that's just another wild child Lotus really with a different name but so closely related they could have the same father as they share so much DNA and ownership experience.

Yes it's not ideal with the dealers. Yes I'm grumpy about it. But then I open the garage, see my lovely 410Sport in it's stunning fire red paintwork with all that lovely carbon fibre and my knees do wobble, my heart melts and my palms sweat in anticipation of the drive to come and the noise.

I think there is a difference between buying a Lotus and buying most other makes, especially the German makes. It's a heart not a head thing. You look at the Lotus on paper - expensive you could argue versus the competition. Not as luxurious. Not the brand cachet. No cupholders. Fewer dealers. Not as polished and little Tech Integration. Etc.  So the head says German as logically the interior design, fit, finish, tech integration will be better. So the buying decision is easier, more logical, less risky for German. It's like the woman most men end up marrying. Safe. Faithful. Reliable. Dependable.

The Lotus? Well hey, that's the red haired rock chick. A bitch at times, hard to live with at times, but my god she gets your heart going, your knees a trembling and the minimal time you have with her is just full on, mad bonkers, wild abandon fun. Full of risk, unkowns, but god do you just love it. And my what will you risk to get your next fix and how you long for that next fix.

An AMG GT S - a heavy weight good looker who turns out to be a deadweight bitch from hell. Looks good on your arm but leaves you cold inside and barks like a rottweiler.

A 911 GTS - little Miss Suburbia. Good looking. Polished. Dependable. Great cook. Missionary again but only because it's your birthday. Are you done yet dear, I want to finish my book tonight.

Now, where's that red haired rock chick gone 😆😆😆😆

In summary, you buy a Lotus to be different. It's not always easy being different. Not "in the crowd". But look at the people on here - says it all really lol.....

 

[Ccd]

I want to thank everyone for the responses they have given to my questions over the years.  To be clear, I came here to learn more about Lotus, not to bash Lotus.  If anyone cares, here are my final conclusions.  I asked about fit and finish, not reliability because the issues with the Evora have been fit and finish, not reliability.  My sense is that these issues have improved over time and was looking for confirmation of that.

I would buy a Lotus without a dealer near me.  However, I would NOT buy a new Lotus with no dealer near me.  My hat is off to those who are willing to drive 3-5 hours to get to the dealer, but that is simply not something I’m willing to do for a new car.  

I’ve gone back and forth over the years about cars that I would be happy with.  And to be honest, I’ve tried to disqualify the Lotus, but it keeps coming back on my shopping list.  There are two cars that I am actively watching prices on:  one is the Evora 400 (the GT is frankly too new to have any used examples on the market) and the other car is NOT German (NSX).  

I get the impression that I have tried the patience of some people here, but it takes time to get comfortable with the idea of buying and owning a Lotus and I doubt that I am unique in that regard.

Best of luck to everyone.

 

 

[Bruss]

I think you represent very well the typical customer who wants to buy a Lotus and who Lotus should be trying to please. Someone who really wants a Lotus but isn't (understandably) quite sure if it's the right choice. I'm a Lotus nut, and have been so since before I could drive, and I have had a Lotus continuously since 1973.  I completely understand, and have a lot of sympathy for your position.  The only thing I can say is that the Evora is the best road car Lotus have produced. It is almost there or thereabouts with other marques on fit, finish and reliability. Sadly it isn't quite there as just as Lotus eventually catches up, everyone else has moved on.  

On the other hand if you want the best driving car that is available then buy the Evora. Test drive it, be surprised at just how good it is, and then regret not buying it for the rest of your life as you constantly compare your other choice with the feeling of driving a Lotus.

 

That's it. 

[jep]

56 minutes ago, Ccd said:

I want to thank everyone for the responses they have given to my questions over the years.  To be clear, I came here to learn more about Lotus, not to bash Lotus.  If anyone cares, here are my final conclusions.  I asked about fit and finish, not reliability because the issues with the Evora have been fit and finish, not reliability.  My sense is that these issues have improved over time and was looking for confirmation of that.

I would buy a Lotus without a dealer near me.  However, I would NOT buy a new Lotus with no dealer near me.  My hat is off to those who are willing to drive 3-5 hours to get to the dealer, but that is simply not something I’m willing to do for a new car.  

I’ve gone back and forth over the years about cars that I would be happy with.  And to be honest, I’ve tried to disqualify the Lotus, but it keeps coming back on my shopping list.  There are two cars that I am actively watching prices on:  one is the Evora 400 (the GT is frankly too new to have any used examples on the market) and the other car is NOT German (NSX).  

I get the impression that I have tried the patience of some people here, but it takes time to get comfortable with the idea of buying and owning a Lotus and I doubt that I am unique in that regard.

Best of luck to everyone.

 

 

I would buy Evora 400 if I were you. As you say, any niggles should have been fixed, you ain't going to lose much on it if you decide it is not for you. Most likely, you will wonder why you wasted a few years not buying one before. You can trade to a 410 later, if you wish.

NSX is heavy and a quite different experience to a Lotus.

Good luck and I hope you do take the plunge.

Justin

[C8RKH]

3 hours ago, Ccd said:

get the impression that I have tried the patience of some people here, but it takes time to get comfortable with the idea of buying and owning a Lotus and I doubt that I am unique in that regard.

Best of luck to everyone.

Not me! I'd love to see you in a Lotus, I really would. Keep on bashing away bud! I just think for the reason you just articulated the timing re dealers, support etc may not be in your favour, hence German right now would be easier/safer. Good luck!

[BatMobile]

Not an evora but my old exige 350 had loads of teething problems, mainly caused by a poor dealer based in Oxfordshire who kept either damaging my car or not putting it back properly.

my cup430 however is much better in terms of fit and finish and has required no follow ups at all. 

I would negotiate a price before you go, visit the dealer and drive one. As soon as you do all the worries will fade away! Manage the dealer like you would a plumber with a snagging list and take control, then you won’t go wrong. 

[DJW]

Fully understand where the OP is coming from with this , as even a 100 mile round trip was an annoyance for me to “fettle” something on the car. When you are busy at work and family life, your spare time becomes very precious and I would much rather being enjoying a car than spending time getting it fixed.  

On average for every car (4 in total) I bought from the dealership, which was never new , but always between 3-24 months old , I would have 3 round trips to sort out problems on the car. 

That said once the niggles were sorted the cars were fine and the dealer was always excellent to deal with. 

Would it put me off buying another Lotus.  Hmmmm it would be a factor, as I said before my spare time is precious. If the car was picked up and dropped off by trailer, then not a problem, but this is a small car company that can’t afford that level of service or let’s be blunt the customer ends up paying for it anyway  

So yes when the time came to replace the Exige, I did consider car marques that had more local dealers as part of the equation and ended up with an AMG GT Roadster. A great car albeit different to a Lotus. Motortrend had the coupe win performance car of the year a few years back for those that have never driven one

Anyway I digress.  Lotus is still my favourite car, supported by the fact I’ve owned 9 to date and am sure I will have another Evora at some point as think the GT styling of latest cars is epic.  I will just have to swallow the fact I’m a certain distance from the dealer for any fixes.

Hope that helps  

 

 

[electro_boy]

On 11/03/2020 at 17:31, BatMobile said:

Not an evora but my old exige 350 had loads of teething problems, mainly caused by a poor dealer based in Oxfordshire who kept either damaging my car or not putting it back properly.

Wasn’t TH Boler by any chance was it?

[BatMobile]

12 minutes ago, electro_boy said:

Wasn’t TH Boler by any chance was it?

No it was Hofmanns.

[EGTE]

Buy secondhand with a nationwide warranty and you need not bother/be bothered by Lotus dealers ever again; they're not complex cars, so most good garages can fix them. Also lower depreciation.

That's how I do it and I think it would work for the OP. As jep says, get a 400 that you've had a REALLY good look over/inspected and you'll likely be one happy camper.