Coming to an Emira from other marques

[TomE]

Interesting to see people on here, Facebook and Pistonheads saying they are putting Emira deposits down and don’t currently have a Lotus.

That’s great news for Lotus.

If you’re a recent joiner on TLF as a result of the Emira launch - welcome!  You’ve come to the right place for informed discussion (and the odd bit of banter!).

If an Emira will be your first Lotus or you’re returning after owning something else it would be interesting to hear from you.  About why you’ve put a deposit down, your initial impressions, your current car and what other cars you’ve been considering, your expectations from the Emira and Lotus factory/dealers.

[Timbo999]

I am exactly that - I've joined the forum as I put down a deposit a few days ago having already paid a deposit to B&C a month or so ago.

I had an Elise S2 for about 15 years - it had a sad demise in 2015 and I toyed with replacing it with another Elise but didn't as I'm getting on a bit and I decided the compromises for daily use were too great. Therefore it would became a track car only and I didn't want that.

In the interim I've had an SLK 350 (one of the best engines I ever owned - including the Honda V4!) and now have a M240i (also a lovely engine!) that the Emira will replace.

Having hankered after another Lotus since my Ruby died the Emira was the answer to my prayers - especially if Mrs Timbo likes it and can get in and out of it and is happy driving it.

My only concerns are cost and whether I will like the AMG engine (I can't afford a V6 Emira much as I'd love to).

 

[Evotion]

I concur Tom. It does seem that Lotus have got it spot on with their target audience. Yes, it shocked the die-hard Lotus fans but this was the way to re-launch the Lotus brand as a major player and judging by their success thus far, they were right.

 

Most of you know my story.  Never owned a Lotus and have only driven an Elise briefly and an Exige at a Silverstone track day, both about 18 years ago.

I thought the Exige was basically a track-day special kit-car. I had 3 kids and it was not on my radar. The Evora completely passed me by and by the time I had noticed it, it was well down in the pecking order and I didn't really get on with the looks as a package.   (Yes, the Emira resembles the Evora in some places but overall the difference is amazing).

I was looking at older supercars for the buzz, such as the 458 Spyder, manual 430, LE Gallardos, Hurrican, GT3 RS, Merc SLS and 'very' briefyl was interested in the Macca 570S.

Then suddenly, about 6 weeks or so ago, I was told, or came across, a rumour of a new Lotus. The sub-headline of last Internal Combustion Engine caught my attention as the 'last of' ethos really turns me on - F430 Manual, 458, etc.

I read a chapter or two and , ha, without knowing anything else, I realised this WAS the car for me.

It was well in budget, it was NEW!!!!  So no warranty issues and no sweating every time a slight knock comes from the engine, gearbox or suspension. 

Here is a car I can actually drive in anger and not worry about it. AND.... it is a Lotus. Yes, I never wanted a modern Lotus but love the Europa, Elite, Eclat and the Esprit, of course. Most of all I was and remain a HUGE fan of the JPS Lotus F1 car.

My eldest son, who I passed on my petrolhead genes to, was initially a bit annoyed that I wasn;t going to get an Italian supercar but I think he sensed my passion and enthusiasm and started to get caught up in it.

It dawned on me that the car sounded so great  on paper and would be be so attractive that I might not want to thrash it  but I wanted a car I can take on track.

Then it hit me.  I will get two - one of each.  I went to see Jamie at Bell & Colvill (awesome, friendly chap) and he kindly let me out in the Exige Sport 410. It scared me, and I am a mad speed freak motorcyclist, ha. What it did do was confirm to me that I have been missing this 'experience' all these years. I understood that the Emira would be a heavier more comfy and refined Lotus and this really suited me so I put a deposit down on both.

I then went mad on this forum in my excitement, mostly talking a load of gibberish and have only bloody found myself as a re-born Lotus fan. I often have a chuckle at myself.

I had a wobble last week when I went out in a glorious, as new, 458 Spyder in Gaillo Triplo but have kept the faith and seeing the car in the flesh at Goodwood and on the internet reveal has further cemented that desire.

I am now one cap and two shirts away from being a complete Lotus nerd. 😃

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My Lotus Exige video.

 

[rallyesax]

@Timbo999 I do have a M240i as a daily. Great car. Didn't thought about taking an Emira as a daily to replace it, but could be a good way to keep my Evora and spec a more affordable Emira.

Anyway, welcome back to the Brand. 

[Yan]

I think there's been a more positive reaction to Emira by non Lotus owners than the Elise/Exige crowd. Over at aussieelises.com they seem particularly grumpy that it's not a superlight track special. Given the test mule was riding on a modified Evora platform it was always going to be closest to Evora. 

As a car to relaunch the brand it's brilliant and there is hope it brings a different light to the Lotus brand. For the past 25 years the general public only knew Lotus as a builder of lightweight, hardcore, terrible to daily track cars. Even guys I know with enthusiast cars had no idea what an Evora was. They assumed it was like Elise/Exige. 

Before my Evora I had an Audi R8. I had a conversation with a very large (both vertical and horizontal axis) R8 owner when I switched. He just would not believe he would fit in a modern Lotus. I told him the Evora had just as much interior space as an R8 and he just refused to believe me.

On Emira launch someone asked whether a 6'1" frame would fit. I said easily if it's the same dimensions as Evora internally, so he's keen to see it when it's available in Oz.

Lotus needs to really change that kit car perception. Emira changes that. I too welcome soon to be new owners to the brand.

[IwantOne]

Have to wait and see what the actual price will be in Japan but I probably have the most boring car history of everybody here. The only car I ever owned is a second gen Suzuki Swift Sport but I guess at 1050kg and 136hp I can say it's a bit like an Elise

I've been considering a Cayman for a long time as it's the only car in my budget that I feel is a "proper" sports car (2 seats, manual, engine in the middle) but I've never been a big fan of the looks.

The Emira is the first car in a long time that at first sight I thought looked good in just about every way which is why it does more for me than the cayman. Though I doubt the manual Emira will be within my budget. But who knows, I can dream and hope it's priced as a Cayman S.

Unfortunately I'm born 30 years too late. I'm still in my early(ish) 30's and only now getting at a point where I can think about buying cars like this but 5 years from now it will basically be impossible to buy anything fun new due to regulations.

You already see this on the used market. Anything remotely fun is going for "close" to new prices.

[Evotion]

9 hours ago, Yan said:

Lotus needs to really change that kit car perception. Emira changes that. I too welcome soon to be new owners to the brand.

Yep, This was also my perception before I saw the light.

There are making great strides to now be synonymous with quality and this Emira is definitely a step in the right direction IF the car is as robust as it needs to be.

[emstan]

Another first-time (to be) owner here. We're currently driving an F36 BMW 440i as a daily, but it's becoming too small of a car for a daily and were looking for a second fun car anyways. We were thinking about pretty much anything - from a Mustang GT to a used 911 or a Cayman, but fell in love with Emira the moment we saw it, so I've just paid the deposit at the local Swiss dealer. 

[Evotion]

Congrats and welcome!

[JJ]

11 hours ago, IwantOne said:

Have to wait and see what the actual price will be in Japan but I probably have the most boring car history of everybody here. The only car I ever owned is a second gen Suzuki Swift Sport but I guess at 1050kg and 136hp I can say it's a bit like an Elise

Team Swift Sport assemble! Mine is first-gen, such a fun little car, and ideal for tiny-street Europe, I might even keep it as backup as well if I get the Emira.

 

The Emira will be my first Lotus unless I cancel later on. Contacted the local dealer the morning after the announcement, and he already had half a dozen reservations in! I've been looking for my next car for a while, haven't been sure what to get. I don't have to drive much for either work or personal life, I'm relatively well off by local standards, and no children, so all options have been open to me. But the car I buy, if not a cheap beater (like my Swift) has to really be "the one" for me. I don't believe in putting cars away and taking them for a spin every third Sunday, I will daily whatever I get.

I've been looking at so many things, I'm all over the place. From Cayman to C8, from RS3 to E63S, from Pista to Huracan, from Plaid to Roadster 2020 to NSX. But there's always something wrong with it. The Cayman is a vertically challenged Beetle, though I might get over that, and the Boxster is a soft-top. RS3, E63S and Plaid, that's a lot of seats I won't really be needing, and the ass of the E63S is just not slappable. Ferrari and Lamborghini, the family jewels aren't small enough to warrant making that amount of noise in public with a daily, and though I could, I don't want to spend that amount of money. Both the NSX and C8 are cars I've driven abroad and loved, but are not sold here, can't be serviced by a dealer here, and the local carbon tax puts their price in Lambo territory. Roadster 2020 might not actually ever be for sale, though I love how it looks. But I can drive electric the rest of my life, something like the Emira will probably not come around again.

There are only three things I am concerned about with the Emira:

1. Price - I mentioned carbon tax before. At this point I don't know if I even want the V6 manual or the I4 DCT, but said tax may price the V6 out of the range I feel is reasonable. It it gets close to Roadster 2020 territory, then I'll probably feel that is a better deal, though that car may still be too expensive for me to feel comfortable in, and might not actually be as much fun as the Emira.

2. Ride height and/or front lift - will it clear the local speed bumps (of which there are plenty) and driveways and parking garage ramps *easily* and *swiftly*? If it won't, there's just absolutely no point to this car. Can't daily a car you need to baby every other minute, I'd pull all my hair out in a week.

3. Roof - It's just not a targa. How is it not a targa? Why is it not a targa? Targaaaa! If it had been a targa it'd be a 10/10 car.

It was love at first sight at the announcement though, so I hope these will not end up being a problem.


Car history is Daihatsu Charade, multiple Trans-Ams, Hyundai Coupe, and Suzuki Swift Sports. This will (may) be the first car I'll pay over 10K for.

Edited July 11, 2021 by JJ
Targaaa!

[emstan]

I was looking at the Roadster as well, kinda lost hope it's going to reach Europe anytime soon by now...

[JJ]

If I recall correctly the expectation is starting production by the end of next year, so... yeah it's probably going to be a while.

[ramjet]

Welcome to TLF @emstan and @JJ.

Great to see new faces. Hope the Emira works out for you both.

You should duck over to the Introductions area and say in there as well.  

[Evotion]

12 hours ago, JJ said:

The Cayman is a vertically challenged Beetle,

Ha, love that.

The Emira has supercar looks in my opinion so I don't think you can go wrong. It will always be desirable.

It will also be super rare on the streets for the first year and you'd feel super special driving it, akin to the feeling driving a Ferrari or Lambo I reckon.

[Dyim]

I am also from other brands.

I had a 991 C2S for 7 years that I traded in last year for a 718 Spyder.  That was supposed to be delivered 3 months ago.  The darn car is involved in the connecting rod recall and I don’t want a brand new car ripped apart for engine replacement.  So I am reordering the same car for delivery next year.

In the meantime, I also have a ND Miata that I picked up 2 years ago.

I was in an exige many years ago and it was simply too raw for me to DD, so Lotus was never on my radar.

When I saw the Emira, I was instantly in love.  It looked like a mini LaFerrari to my eyes.  It would fill the gap of a closed top car in my garage.  

Not yet an EV convert and anything that resembles the last of ICE just tickle my fancy.

I am not in a hurry to pick one up and is looking at a few years down the road.

[ramjet]

Welcome to TLF.

Have you made any decision as to what you are going to get?

You should duck over to the Introductions area and say hi in there as well.  

[Evotion]

40 minutes ago, Dyim said:

I was in an exige many years ago and it was simply too raw for me to DD, so Lotus was never on my radar.

When I saw the Emira, I was instantly in love.

Yep, that was me!  Well, actually before I even saw it, if that makes any sense at all.   Well, no it doesn't. Haha. I just had a feeling, a bit like Darth sensing Obi Wan.

42 minutes ago, Dyim said:

 

Great car colour combo.  I think a Hethel Yellow Emira will fit in perfectly there.

[Mickle]

Another newbie to the brand, I've always been fond of Lotus, but only wanting to run one car I wasn't brave enough for an Elise or Exige as a daily.

I absolutely love the design of the Emira, which is very refreshing having been left cold by the upcoming cars from the German brands. As a daily, for me it sounds like a perfect blend for both everyday & spirited driving. I've really got my heart set on the v6 manual, what a special car that will be, but will have to wait for more info on the pricing first. 

Currently have an M2 Comp, which is a great car that I still love, the Emira just seems a class above.

 

[Bibs]

Welcome

Lovely colour on the M2 by the way, that looks epic in the flesh. 

[ramjet]

Welcome to TLF.

Do you have any idea of the colours you are looking at for inside and outside?

[Evotion]

Welcome @Mickle

I loved the M2. Always liked the mean arches.

I couldn't get one a the time, as a car for me and the missus, as the missus complained it had lines in the window (heated?) and her mum would struggle to get into the back seats

At Goodwood FOS the M5 CS looks the nuts.

 

[Mickle]

44 minutes ago, Bibs said:

Welcome

Lovely colour on the M2 by the way, that looks epic in the flesh. 

 

35 minutes ago, ramjet said:

Welcome to TLF.

Do you have any idea of the colours you are looking at for inside and outside?

 

Thank you both!

After another 10 minutes on the configurator... still really unsure, It will definitely be a bright colour, the blue, red and yellow all look great. I'd probably go Seneca Blue if I had to pick today. Even more undecided on the interior, I'm going to keep an eye on the spec thread 😄

 

2 minutes ago, Evotion said:

Welcome @Mickle

I loved the M2. Always liked the mean arches.

I couldn't get one a the time, as a car for me and the missus, as the missus complained it had lines in the window (heated?) and her mum would struggle to get into the back seats

At Goodwood FOS the M5 CS looks the nuts.

 

Thank you!

Haha, I've only tried once, although it's a struggle to get back there it's pretty roomy once you're in. It's a fantastic daily and very practical having come from hot hatches previously. 

Really enjoyed your video on the Emira earlier with breakfast too so cheers 

Edited July 12, 2021 by Mickle

[Dyim]

33 minutes ago, ramjet said:

Welcome to TLF.

Have you made any decision as to what you are going to get?

You should duck over to the Introductions area and say hi in there as well.  

 

13 minutes ago, Evotion said:

Yep, that was me!  Well, actually before I even saw it, if that makes any sense at all.   Well, no it doesn't. Haha. I just had a feeling, a bit like Darth sensing Obi Wan.

Great car colour combo.  I think a Hethel Yellow Emira will fit in perfectly there.

Bang on.

This is what I am thinking.

When I think lotus, I think of this yellow.  From my model building hobby before real work and kids.

[Napoli]

Coming from Porsche and Ferrari ownership. 

Love the Emira styling and engine note - OMG!  Visually, the Emira reminds me of my 488 - and the F8, more so.  The Emira will primarily be my wife's car, and will probably replace her 2016 Cayman PDK GTS.  She purchased the last Cayman 6 cylinder GTS before Porsche moved to the 718 4-banger.  

My wife loves her GTS - and it fits her well - but would have much preferred a 3-pedal manual to the PDK.  Anyhow, with a beautifully sculptured supercar body and a manual stick between the seats, the Emira appeared as a white knight in the soon-to-be stick-shiftless world of automobiles.  And, sans EV to boot.  All in.

So, here we are on bended knee, ignoring what has been said/not said in the press about those all important specs, and hoping the Emira comes in at/under 2,900 lbs and 450-ish HP.  Wishful thinking, we know.  But, just imagine.  🤠

 

[99Problems]

I'd intended to be a Lotus owner with the introduction of the Evora 400...  had my order in, deposit in, and delivery of that car to the US was a disaster, so after 6 months of waiting with no real update or ETA from the dealership, I moved on to an Aston Martin Vantage S, and then a manual 991.2 911 GTS.

My preference is to keep the 911 and ADD the Emira, and I've got a year or so based on the current production schedule to convince the wife that its a solid idea.  Barring that, I suppose it will replace the 911 as my daily.