Emira Road Tests & Reviews

[Bibs]

Soon! 

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

White?

[Bibs]

Good spot #Bond

 

[TomE]

And Anglesey not Dunsfold

[Bibs]

They were at Hethel too when I was there a couple of weeks ago with the same car. 

[exeterjeep]

1 hour ago, LotusLeftLotusRight said:

White?

Saves them commenting on the launch colours.

[tailslides]

At last something on the forum, I thought everyone had died of either,

a. boredom

b. frustration

c. loneliness

etc. etc.

 

[simonb]

just needs tartan seats

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

DVLA check says it was first registered in December and then another change of V5C last week. Why would that be?

[Mctaff]

1 hour ago, tailslides said:

At last something on the forum, I thought everyone had died of either,

a. boredom

b. frustration

c. loneliness

etc. etc.

 

b. for me. What no £(/}€%! Verdant green pics?

White looking the nuts though!

 

Edited February 28, 2022 by Mctaff

[Mctaff]

2 hours ago, Bibs said:

Soon! 

Let’s hope top gear don’t subscribe to lotus’ definition of soon!

 

[kkv444v]

48 minutes ago, LotusLeftLotusRight said:

DVLA check says it was first registered in December and then another change of V5C last week. Why would that be?

It'll just be the first V5C issued, delayed somewhat by, er, delays at DVLA. Date of issue has nothing to do with date of registration.

[mdavies]

“Soon” is good – but of what value and to whom?

My impression is that within the readers of TLF – a deliberately wide definition, but not including non-readers, those “merely potential buyers of sports cars” - there are two groups who won’t really mind what the reviews will say – not really.  Both groups will read them, some will comment on them - but they won’t really care. Nor what numbers emerge, provided near to those expected - and they will be.

Those in the group already committed, for whatever reasons, will buy the Emira - whatever. And the group who, from the information published and the demonstrator cars, have already decided that, in its initially available form, the Emira is not a car that they want, will not.

But some will care about the reviews and pay close attention to them, because they have not yet decided.  I’m one. One of a third group, many, perhaps most, having a deposit in place, as I do, but standing ready to cancel - depending.  (Waiting a few years for - what version then? - is not a good option for some.)  So how best to assess how meaningful the reviews are, and which to trust?

Of course they all will be “good” – I doubt any of the main magazines would risk a verdict lower than that.  So “good” means very little and is of no help.

To go ahead and buy, whose 4+ or 5 stars and words should be depended on?  A magazine, or someone online like Harry? (Given a very early preview!)  Or will all those favoured with being in the first tranche of reviewers have already “been sounded out” and trusted to say the things that Lotus want to hear – the current Lotus that is, with lots of future models coming up for review.

Any suggestions?

[Whitey]

Yes, go try one and if you like it, buy it. Would you really only buy one if the “ key” reviewers raved about it?

I really couldn’t care whether the reviews say, although good ones are always a positive for the car / brand. 
 

If the car is not up to my high expectations, I’ll sell it and keep my 2010 Evora. I certainly won’t be selling it due to any suspect reviews, I’ll make my own mind up thanks.
 

 

[mdavies]

Whitey, thanks but without getting into personal details, that approach is possible given that timescale and those options, seemingly limited to those two Lotus cars. I’m open to other options, some near term. Also, I respect the opinions of those I’m prepared to trust who have had a far wider experience of a range of relevant cars than I have, here mainly re abandoning the Emira purchase.

From iPad, apologies re the bold font.

Edited February 28, 2022 by mdavies

[jimichanga]

Forget reviews, irrelevant really what anyone else thinks of the car, reviews are another form of paid promotion no really bad reviews anymore. Sounds like it isn’t inspiring great confidence in you which is understandable if you’re not particularly impressed or interested in interior tech. Main change over Evora is styling and you already know how you feel about that. For most here it appears to be enough on its own. If you are into the interior and tech and you think the Evora is already plenty fast and capable enough but wanted a bit more comfort then the small step dynamically will be no issue. If you are expecting a revolutionary ground up all new 2 seater from Lotus and next level dynamics, the new Esprit we were promised then it’s probably going to struggle to impress. There just isn’t anything we’ve heard about regarding suspension design, weight distribution, V6 drivetrain that can move the game on significantly. For what it’s worth I think the reviews will be encouraging there’s genuine excitement about where Lotus are heading but ultimately the Emira will be considered a small step forward. Dynamically at least. Journos might not say it but I think they will see the Emira as a stop gap. Ironically I think an electric SUV is a bigger story for them as it’s such a radical departure for a Lotus.

[jimichanga]

Just watched Chris Harris video on his new M2CS. It’s very clear that he has deals and special treatment from BMW, Akropovic and Litchfield. The number of times he mentions Porsche is beyond a joke too. It’s likely that a less glowing review of the Emira would please his German masters especially now it is a direct Cayman competitor. It will be interesting to see how that goes. But I would never buy anything based solely on his recommendation as it’s for sale to the highest bidder.

[simonb]

hope Harris gets an invitation to review, is one of the few I respect

[mdavies]

Jimi, your thoughts (first response) are pretty close to mine - "What are reviews worth? Not much - but some may be worth more than others" was my subtext. (As your second post!)

No, reviews won't make a decision for me, unless something truly surprises. I've already spoken with someone in the Lotus world, well placed to comment, who has driven an Emira on the road. Quizzing him, I could get nothing other than: "It's just like the Evora". Trying for more, he simply repeated that.  (In context, meant the 410 Evora.)

A SH Evora is obviously an option - but there are others.  If decent reviews of the Emira can't point to any clear improvements in the "for the drivers" category, it won't be my choice.

  

[simonb]

Why is that a  problem, the handling on the 410 is brilliant

The packaging did not sell

Emira also cheaper

[C8RKH]

Who here married their wife based on whether someone else gave her 4 or 5 stars?

Exactly.

Reviews are just someone elses opinion and like everyone reviewers have the idiosyncracies and prejudices and favourites.

Buy if YOU like it. Forget about anyone else.

[pete]

2 hours ago, simonb said:

hope Harris gets an invitation to review, is one of the few I respect

Harris is the one driving on top gear

47 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

Who here married their wife based on whether someone else gave her 4 or 5 stars?

 

How long have I got to think about that

[exeterjeep]

1 hour ago, C8RKH said:

Who here married their wife based on whether someone else gave her 4 or 5 stars?

Or if the 'wife to be' got a review of you before marriage.

[C8RKH]

She'd have run a mile and missed out on a good 'un!  🤣

Edited March 1, 2022 by Bravo73

[simonb]

Had one of those wife things previously 

It was not cheap to run, and when I got rid, the depreciation of 50% was not just on the cost of purchase.

Current model does not have a finance agreement in place