Prospective Evora Owner....Help Needed! :)

[Hass]

Good Morning All,

 

I am looking to re-enter the Lotus market in a few months and am starting my research so decided I would start here……where better to go!?

 

I have been lucky to own some nice cars including a 911, a Lotus Elise and an M5. My favourite car was the Elise and as such, I want to get back to Lotus. Having looked at the market, I LOVE the look of the Evora but have no idea where to start with the models and benefits. My budget is in and around £30,000 but I would love the 345bhp model; am I in dreamland?

 

The other thing is I have also now moved (live in West Wycombe/Marlow area) and I am keen to ensure I have a local garage/service centre nearby so if anyone has any tips or recommendations, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

What are maintenance and upkeep costs like? What is reliability like?

 

Any advice or tips/recommendations would be greatly appreciated as I start my research. I cannot wait to purchase the Evora but am keen to ensure that I have done my research and got the best car I can for my money.

 

Really appreciate you taking the time out to read this and any advice at all is hugely welcome.

 

Thanks,

Hass

[Bibs]

Hi and welcome Hass.

You'll get a NA for that price, but an S is unlikely unless it's done a lot of miles. The cars are very reliable on the whole in my experience but of course like any handbuilt car have their niggles, but you'll be used to that with the Elise.

You've got Hofmanns of Henley just down the road who are an official Lotus dealer and SW Lotus in Maidenhead who are an excellent indy, no worries there. 

 

[Hass]

Thank you! The research has continued and the 400 is definately a no unfortunately unless I can magically double my budget!! It looks like I will need another £10,000 to get a good example of the S.

Thanks for the recommendations!

If I am unable to up the budget, what will £30,000 realistically get me in your opinion and what are your thoughts on that model?

[plenty]

Hofmann's in Henley is very near you: a Lotus official dealer and a good choice for servicing.

[BigTed]

16 minutes ago, Hass said:

Thank you! The research has continued and the 400 is definately a no unfortunately unless I can magically double my budget!! It looks like I will need another £10,000 to get a good example of the S.

Thanks for the recommendations!

If I am unable to up the budget, what will £30,000 realistically get me in your opinion and what are your thoughts on that model?

I was in exactly the same position as you. I started looking for an S in April and finally got one just over a month ago! I called all the Lotus dealers letting them know exactly what I wanted, so I could jump the queue if a suitable one came up before they even went on Pistonheads or Autotrader. I also set up automatic emails from a number of car websites to let me know when new cars came online.

In the end one did pop up on Autotrader from a prestige non-Lotus dealer that was over 400 miles from where I live. It was exactly the right spec and a good price so within an hour I had put a deposit down and I collected the following week. I think you've got to be ready to pounce when a good one come up as they don't hang about. Maybe it will be different in the winter??

As for budget, only the Evora S Sports Racer will set you back £40k plus. If you can do without the fancy seats and black pack etc of the Sports Racer, you should be able to get a 2011 S with low mileage / premium and tech pack for mid 30s. Well, I did anyway and I'm really chuffed.

Your choices for the standard 270 bhp model will be a lot wider, and you should be able to hit the 30k budget. However, I haven't driven one but most people say they're plenty quick enough for road driving. One thing to note is that apparently there have been many incremental improvements to the quality of the cars over the years, and that the 2012MY and later cars are supposed to be the best. There are a couple of very minor annoyances on my 2011 car, but nothing to write home about.

Hope this helps!

[Hass]

Cheers Ted; that is really useful and I appreciate it. How are you finding the Evora?

Everyone is trying to persuade me to go for the Cayman however I loved my Elise and think the Evora looks amazing so trying to ignore them all! One thing I am trying to point out is I can put the kids in the back of an Evora but I couldn't with a Cayman. I have a 1 and 3 year old so hoping there is enough space for them!!

I will try to up the budget to get the S....think it would be worth the additional investment....

[Stratton Motor Company]

Hi Hass,

Great to hear that you want to come back to Lotus!

I'm the Sales Manager at Stratton Motor Company In Norfolk and I have just taken in the most wonderful Launch Edition Evora N/A in Storm Titanium. The last owner has spend a small fortune meticulously maintaining it. It has covered just over 40k but has had a new Clutch, New tyres, New Brakes and coupled with a full History by us and B&C it has been extremely well cared for. The price is £31995.00

https://www.strattonmotorcompany.com/listings/lotus-evora-22-launch-edition-na/

Ill just leave this link here to tempt you :-)

Alex

 

 

[Bibs]

That's a fine looking Evora, well priced too

[BigTed]

2 minutes ago, Hass said:

Cheers Ted; that is really useful and I appreciate it. How are you finding the Evora?

Everyone is trying to persuade me to go for the Cayman however I loved my Elise and think the Evora looks amazing so trying to ignore them all! One thing I am trying to point out is I can put the kids in the back of an Evora but I couldn't with a Cayman. I have a 1 and 3 year old so hoping there is enough space for them!!

I will try to up the budget to get the S....think it would be worth the additional investment....

I absolutely love the Evora, and that's coming from someone who daily drove an Elise 111S for 10 years. It's comfortable, quick and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it! It does look amazing too, and is one of those cars that looks even better in the flesh. It's a real head turner, to the point where I get a bit embarrassed!

I have two kids (3 and a 6 years old) and they fit in the back fine as they're both on booster seats. I'm a tall bloke that has to have my seat right the way back, but the 3 year old doesn't seem to mind doing the splits as there is 0 room for his legs.You can get a full car seat in for younger kids as I've seen other do it. 

I would try to up the budget for the S personally, but be prepared to wait months for the right model. I know I did. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe they only made around 400 Evora S so they are fairly rare. I got impatient a number of times and thought about buying the standard model, but in the end the waiting was worth it. I was in the same situation with the Elise 10 years ago. I waited for the more powerful 111S to come up for sale and jumped on it - no regrets there. Even at that age it was (2013), it seemed to be able to command a few grand more that the standard model Elise when I sold it a few weeks ago. I'm hoping it will be the same with the Evora S.

[Hass]

Great advice again; thank you. I am more  than happy to wait (as hard as that will be) for the right  model! How long have you had yours now?

I'm only small(5'7) so there should be a bit more space at the back!!  Good news re the kids....that'll sell it to the wife as well but to be fair...she's on board!!!

My main concerns are around reliability (tin hat on) however reading the threads in this forum has reassured me that this is just the usual and lazy criticisms...hope the car I am lucky enough to get reinstates my belief!

Cannot wait to get this car...the more research and blogs I read, the more I want it now!!!

[Bravo73]

30 minutes ago, BigTed said:

...but I believe they only made around 400 Evora S so they are fairly rare.

It’s not even that.

Lotus only sold approximately 500 original Evoras in the UK market in total. According to howmanyleft.co.uk, only 192 of those were S, with an additional 74 S Sports Racers. 

So, very rare indeed!

[Hass]

I've seen a red one (gorgeous colour and spec) but need to get the additional funds first before I can think about it! The rarity makes me want it more!!!

[BigTed]

15 minutes ago, Hass said:

Great advice again; thank you. I am more  than happy to wait (as hard as that will be) for the right  model! How long have you had yours now?

I'm only small(5'7) so there should be a bit more space at the back!!  Good news re the kids....that'll sell it to the wife as well but to be fair...she's on board!!!

My main concerns are around reliability (tin hat on) however reading the threads in this forum has reassured me that this is just the usual and lazy criticisms...hope the car I am lucky enough to get reinstates my belief!

Cannot wait to get this car...the more research and blogs I read, the more I want it now!!!

I've had mine for 6 weeks but was looking since April! I used this video from one of our forum members to sell the kids thing to my wife. Worked a treat till we visited Lotus Silverstone whilst at the F1. It was closed, but we looked at a few on the forecourt. 'Are you sure the kids will fit in here' she said whilst looking through the rear window ;-)

As for the reliability, most cars have their horror stories... Porsche engines blowing up, BMW timing belts, Elise head gaskets etc etc. The Evora's is the clutch disintegrating, which is a Lotus specialist £2.5k engine out jobbie. As far as I can tell it only affected a small batch of early models and is well overblown. The rest seem to be mostly minor electrical and sensor problems as the Toyota power plant is pretty much bomb proof. Nothing to worry about.

As for all the blogs etc it's worth having a look on youtube. A favourite of mine was Jayemm's comparison between the 400 and the S1 S Sports Racer - very informative (plus the rest of Jayemms videos are great too).

1 minute ago, Bravo73 said:

It’s not even that.

Lotus only sold approximately 500 original Evoras in the UK market in total. According to howmanyleft.co.uk, only 192 of those were S, with an additional 74 S Sports Racers. 

So, very rare indeed!

Wow - I guess I'm one of the 0.00032% of the UK population to own one! No wonder I've only ever seen one on the roads...

[mik]

1 hour ago, Hass said:

Everyone is trying to persuade me to go for the Cayman

Cayman is a very good car - but I couldn't consider one either. Need the +2 capability.

Try driving both. 

[Hass]

19 minutes ago, BigTed said:

I've had mine for 6 weeks but was looking since April! I used this video from one of our forum members to sell the kids thing to my wife. Worked a treat till we visited Lotus Silverstone whilst at the F1. It was closed, but we looked at a few on the forecourt. 'Are you sure the kids will fit in here' she said whilst looking through the rear window ;-)

As for the reliability, most cars have their horror stories... Porsche engines blowing up, BMW timing belts, Elise head gaskets etc etc. The Evora's is the clutch disintegrating, which is a Lotus specialist £2.5k engine out jobbie. As far as I can tell it only affected a small batch of early models and is well overblown. The rest seem to be mostly minor electrical and sensor problems as the Toyota power plant is pretty much bomb proof. Nothing to worry about.

As for all the blogs etc it's worth having a look on youtube. A favourite of mine was Jayemm's comparison between the 400 and the S1 S Sports Racer - very informative (plus the rest of Jayemms videos are great too).

Wow - I guess I'm one of the 0.00032% of the UK population to own one! No wonder I've only ever seen one on the roads...

I shall check out the videos out....thanks for sharing your research!

All of this is wetting my apetitie up....not sure how I will hold out before getting one!

[JayEmm]

Thanks for the mention @BigTed

From a 996 you'll find the biggest surprise just how nice the Evora's interior is. Upgrade the old stereo unit and it feels a much newer car than the Porsche (because in truth it is about ten years younger)

[Hass]

Thanks James. I have been watching your youtube video's; there is one on the background now!!  

Are there any tips that you would give to me based on the budget I am looking at...anything in particular you feel I should be looking for when I conduct my search?

[JayEmm]

The main thing I will say is try to not be too picky (where possible) on colour, and spec. The Evora is a very rare car, enjoyable in all forms.

I believe @C8RKH did a lot of modifications to his "base" early NA car, which have improved it. He is worth talking to for ideas on what can be done. 

At this age, most of the car's problems should have been solved. The major element which lets early Evoras down is the gearshift, but they vary wildly - some are fine.

[Hass]

Cheers James. When did the "issues" get solved; is there a certain year I should be looking at or avoiding?

[JayEmm]

2012 was a big step for the Evora, a lot of detail changes but don't discount early cars. Also be wary as many 2012 registered cars may be earlier ones.

I'd get yourself down to @Stratton Motor Company and have a look at that car Alex has just brought in. If the colour appeals it would be worth a try. Launch editions have nearly everything you would want bar the close ratio box

[theelanman]

welcome Hass

good luck with the search......

as for the kids......I've had the kids in the back with the Recaro Young Sport Hero each with no probs......now they are a bit bigger I went with the Recaro Milano.....and they're fine.......

it cant be that bad in the back and my driving cant be that bad either as generally give them 10mins and they're both fast asleep

cheers

G

[Hass]

brilliant; thank you!

[C8RKH]

On the road there is basically no real difference between the S and the NA with a CR box. Indeed on the Isle of Man in June this year I had no issues anywhere on the road keeping up with a 400 and an Exige 350 sport etc. Plenty of S owners will try to convince you otherwise but it is only after they have been to Komotec for the 430 or 460 kit that there truly is a massive difference. On the track, yes, the S has the edge but only where longer straights allow it to stretch its supercharged lungs.  Lee on here upgradred from an N A to a beautifil Essex Blue 400, a big jump, and yet at Spa was from memory less than two seconds a lap quicker. So on the road.....

The NA has a sweeter ride than the S as it is better damped and does not have the additional weight higher up of the SC kit. The smaller wheels (18 and 19 versus 19 and 20) help here too.

As an onwnership proposition my NA has been tremendous. Bought it 2.5 years ago at 15k miles for £31k.  Now just done 25k miles and I'd expect to get £31k for it. I have done several upgrades though including ICE (mine was a non tech pack car so had single din radio that I upgraded to double din satnav and added reversing camera and added cruise). Haven't missed anything else from tech pack. Wanted the TPMS but having heard about all the issues glad I don't have it. Bought a PACE TPMS 77kit from Amazon that I use on my VX220 and Evora and it works like a charm and can be swapped between cars in 10 minutes max!  Not bad for £85 new. The only must have pack for me is the sports pack (same as a DB9 - you need the sport pack!).

I got the chance of some brand new SR seats so bought those from Lotus and got Allan White to do an OEM look retrim to better than sports premium interior ( this is what the SR has). Selling the old Recaros makes the seat change practically self funded. Thread on here with pictures for my retrim.

The NA is cheaper to tax, insure, tyre and fuel and cheaper slightly to maintain.  I have never regretted not getting an S in 2.5 years of spirited driving on the road.

The gearshift on my 2010 NA is like a rifle bolt. Lovely, sharp and precise.

MY12 bought some trim enhancements, notably a thin layer of foam under the leather dash trim to make it feel softer. However, it also meant you lost the natural brushed aluminium trim for a cheap black plastic  looking and feeling effort. Also the leather on the seats is thicker to counter bolster wear on the earlier cars were the leather was actually a softer higher grade!  Having said that I have seen LE cars with oyster that still look like new. As ever, some owners are harder on wear items than others.

The most noticeable trim improvements were to the door pulls. MY12 can be retrofitted to earlier cars and I would recommend it and did it myself. They feel so much better.

Mechanically, a lot of stuff was announced but little of it was delivered in reality for MY12.

The basic and well proven advice is to buy on condition and provenance first. Spec second as most things can be added or upgraded as required (e.g. my dealer fitted cruise as part of my buying deal but it is only £250 as a retrofit). As a further example the folding mirrors (a £250 option when new is a £5 ford switch from ebay and 15 minutes max to fix!). Parts bin cars do have some advantages and even Ferrari used humble fiat tipo bits on their cars! No body complained about that....

You will hear and read a lot of bullshit re gearchange and clutches.  Almost every car is different, some old ones have great gearchanges some newer ones crap. It is basically car dependent so check it out on the actual car BEFORE you buy it to see if you can get on with it.

Clutches are a scare story largely as if they do go (and so far not many have in reality) it is an engine out job so budget circa £1800-£2000 for a good independent to £3k for a dealer. You'll get a lot of people giving you doom and gloom and prattling on re the clutch, just ask them when they changed theirs and the answer will likely be they haven't !(either through no need or more probably as they have never fooken well owned an Evora and just read it somewhere on the internet so it must be true!).

The earlier cars are coming up for 7/8 years old. Get the aircon unit checked as it may now be starting to corrode externally as well as internally and is expensive to fix/replace. 

Suspension should be fine and no play in the steering should be felt.

To be honest, most issues with the cars are minor but irritating to owners.  Window motors can fail and are about £350-£400 fitted. Most common issue is the window plays up and needs a simple reset. Search on here for how to do it. A few squeaks and rattles that can be sorted oh and the double din ICE units supplied as OEM are just crap. Just swap it out, Alpine do some nice units that are plug and play and can work with, or you can add, the reversing camera. Boot release can fail and is a pita to fix but not impossible. Some aircon units can overflow water into cabin if the drain pipe is blocked (simple service item really). Apart from that, not much to report. Unlike the Cayman people are trying to get you to buy, the engines are bullet proof and to date we are not aware of one failing if i recall correctly.  Super engines really. And when accelerating hard and the cam changes, oh my, it really is heaven. Getting goose pumps just thinking about it. When driving hard the ecu changes the engine and it just, well, it just responds like a women being fettled in the right places. Sorry but no other explanation for it!!! It's immensely satisfying and you get a truly great growl instead of a groan hahaha.... oh my, did I mention I have 2bular headers. Oh my god, going weak at the knees at the thought of them.

Oh, final point is that the transmission can whine and sound like a tractor at slow speeds. I'm afraid they all do that Sir but not an indicator of impending doom.  Some clutches can be stiff, but very stiff and a high bite point means it could be worn and you need to reflect that in the price. But I must stress some very good clutches are stiff.

Sports exhaust and decat pipe are well worth having and desirables extras (sports exhaust part of sports pack).

So. After all that, what the freaking hell are you doing waiting and have you bought that grey LE with the paprika interior? Looks yummy..... Shame it's not an Ardent Red one though as that and MSG and Persian Blue and Orange and Ice White and well, lots of colours really, make the Evora look a million dollars.

Right. Get to it. By one of the little feckers and don't ever complain about the lack of a cup holder. Not ever.

Happy driving...  

[gregs24]

23 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

 

The NA has a sweeter ride than the S as it is better damped and does not have the additional weight higher up of the SC kit. The smaller wheels (18 and 19 versus 19 and 20) help here too.

, the engines are bullet proof and to date we are not aware of one failing if i recall correctly. 

I'm not sure what you mean by 'better damped' but the S rides incredibly well even on those 19/20's

I think the Italians might disagree with the engines - there have been a spate of piston failures there, but probably fuel related ?

[mik]

What Andy says is true - a driving buddy  had an NA Evora for a couple of years, so I know how quickly they can cover ground. If you try one on a road where you can push the dynamics- you are unlikely to be disappointed. Even their ability to perform high-speed overtakes belies their on-paper power to weight ratio.

In saying that I wanted an S, so I got an S. (SR as I wanted an SR). 

And.... one of our dogs has been in the Glasgow Vet School Small Animal Hospital for a week. Back from deaths door thankfully, I got the call advising that she could come home today.  After eldest son had left with his Swift, and mrs mik had left with her F-Pace. Ah. 

No way was I going to leave her another night, so practical sports car to the rescue. Try that in a Cayman.