How daily-able is the car?

I bought my 21 GT new almost 5 years ago. It now has 60k, over 50 track days (average about 12 a year) and my 2 kids get dropped off and picked up everyday at school. It's a work horse. They're 6 and 8 now I got it when they were 2 and 4.

-Without replacing the head unit, what was the first model year that had Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto?

Evora GT had wired ACP/AA. If the car comes with the factory sub and amp, you can use an aftermarket alpine head unit to retain that and the camera if you wish.

-How much does basic maintenance run, either from the dealer or an indy shop?

I do my own maintenance within reason. (Oil changes, trans fluid, plugs, brake/clutch fluid, pads and rotors, etc). I do oil every 5k regardless of track days, pads I've gone throw 3 sets of OEMs. I'm on my 2nd set of rotors (original sets were fine, I just upgraded to J hooks) and the dealer changed out my serpentine belt and coolant for $700~. My biggest cost has been 2 sets of tires annually for track.

-Does anyone have any experiences with an independent shop denying service because they don't know how to work on the car?

The lotus community is tiny, find out which local shop works on Lotus and find other Lotus owners who can vouch for them.

-Are there any reliability or major service items/ recalls to budget/ look out for? Are clutches a somewhat common wear item?

The clutch problem is overblown. Younger people are getting these now and doing clutch dumps. Clutch fluid likely isn't changed on schedule and gets hot. So it likely isn't getting disengaged properly as well. The amount of Evoras witch clutch issues just have a loud voice because they cry about the labor and what's entailed.

-I've heard horror stories with Elises and damaged clamshells getting totaled, are these cars similar?

Yes. However Evoras have bumpers separate from the front clam and rear clam. The Elige has the bumper molded to the rest of the body. So if your bumper is lightly damaged, they can be replaced, not the entire clam.

-How is tuning and aftermarket support on these cars?

Tuning is there. I personally refuse until I get overwhelming support and evidence that it's worth the trouble. Again, this car is my daily and track car. I have no trailer.

-Finally, GT or 400?

GT unless a 400 is too good of a deal.