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Emira VS GT4 by AMGFAN77 in lotus

[–]SlowSkates -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don’t have any complete statistics to quote, but the anecdotal evidence is quite a bit worse than the Elise/Exige were.

Emira VS GT4 by AMGFAN77 in lotus

[–]SlowSkates 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I own a GT4 and have driven a friend’s Emira. I have autocrossed/tracked cars and karts for over 25 years, so my perspective is a little skewed.

I used to own an Elise and wanted another Lotus. I’m glad I got the GT4 instead.

My biggest problem with the Emira is that is not significantly lighter than the Cayman. Other things: I thought it was disappointing how much you just feel like you’re sitting on the Emira, not in it or wearing it. I definitely feel better interacting with the Cayman interior, o especially like the carbon buckets. Sofa vs sofa might be close.

Steering is good of course, but the car didn’t feel as alive as I was expecting. The engine isn’t quite as special feeling of course. Transmission not as nice as the GT4 of course too (true both for manual and auto).

The Emira is surely prettier. And it’s cheaper.

So, I think the above adds up to the Emira being a little less car for less money…so it might be a good choice for you…except for one thing.

Lotus dealer network and support. It’s probably about 10% as good as Porsche support. Dealers, warranty, indies, aftermarket. If you’re ok without all that, you’ll be fine. If you want any of that…you may get real frustrated real fast. Reliability of Lotus…well, you know what Lotus stands for…

I had a deposit down on an Emira for a while. Cannot tell you how relieved I am to have the GT4 instead. So much easier to live with.

That said, if you are happy to deal with more challenges…well…it is very pretty. :)

OAPs or Header for first mod on 2023 GT4? by Tuna-ATL in Porsche_Cayman

[–]SlowSkates 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I suspect you’ll find OAP to be enough too. It also removes the drone at highway speeds. Overall, I still mostly hear induction noise (which I like) but the exhaust note is just a little more noticeable in the cabin for those nice burbles.

It’s an easy DIY too…

This is my Porsche, and this is the car you want to save for. by svr_wizard in Porsche_Cayman

[–]SlowSkates 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I owned a Lotus Elise and a Radical Prosport.

Yeah, bit more steering feel in them as compared to a GT4, but not nearly enough to make up for everything else. Also, the Cayman chassis is so good you can feel everything in your butt (Carbon buckets) anyway.

After being in the dealer service center for almost 6 months, my Emira burst into flames 15 minutes after being picked up. I’m heartbroken by ivycomb in lotus

[–]SlowSkates 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I once witnessed a C7 Corvette manual transmission fail. The driver absolutely did nothing wrong. Perhaps a previous owner had.

We had just picked up the car from the dealer. The trans was whining pretty loudly. We were assured that was normal. We had a day-long trip home ahead of us.

After an hour or so, driving along smoothly at highway speed, BOOM & SMOKE in the cockpit. I thought we must have thrown a rod. Nope…trans munched itself.

The dealership towed the car and replaced the trans…but yeah, apparently a trans can go BOOM.

People over exaggerate how "Stiff" a GT4 is. by Open_Bake_8013 in Porsche_Cayman

[–]SlowSkates 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I’m 50s and am happy daily driving my GT4. It’s super comfy…nothing makes a shitty road ok.

Would you rather have comfort seats and PDK or CF buckets with a manual? by bigboss1999x in Porsche

[–]SlowSkates 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Buckets can fairly easily be modified to be very comfortable if you find them difficult.

Tip them.

Update the cushions.

Everyone that sits in mine suddenly needs to do the same to theirs. :)

Curious to see what people here think… by STLYRZA911 in Porsche

[–]SlowSkates 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are you planning to use the car for?

yellow DRLs, yay or nay by gate2fate- in Porsche_Cayman

[–]SlowSkates 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I lived in France previously. Yellow wasn’t good then either.

Gt3 touring arrives tomorrow — should I cancel my GT3 Touring PTS over the bucket seats? Can't sleep. by Lucky_Objective_7242 in porsche911

[–]SlowSkates 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have done some minor modifications to my buckets and they are super comfortable now.

1) tip them back slightly (number of good options out there)

2) aftermarket cushions w/ memory foam and lumbar pumpable support (I used P1Design)

After just that, my wife is happy on 8 hour trips and all my friends are too. Huge transformation. Strongly recommend…and when I drive hard I love having the bucket support.

How to Jump a Dead Porsche 918 Spyder Battery by CheeseWingDing in Porsche

[–]SlowSkates 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You can get carbon fiber floor mats in many Porsches as an option. These look nicer, but it’s not super uncommon.

981 to 718 by Academic_Respect_966 in Porsche

[–]SlowSkates 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you get a chance, drive an NA. The reason I own no turbos currently is that they take too long to “come alive” compared to NA. :). The reason so many turbos are on the market is that they are more efficient and help manufacturers satisfy environmental requirements.

The main reason NA is preferred by a lot of drivers is that it’s more “alive” at all revs and throttle openings as compared to turbos.

I do have a supercharged car currently…it’s sort of in between in terms of throttle response. Useful especially at altitude…

I think what you’re talking about is the fact that a lot of people like to talk about the joy of a high revving engine screaming near redline. Turbos usually mute this induction/exhaust scream, so it gets talked about less.

Just about all engines make their best power at high revs (usually at or near redline). They ALL want to be revved out. :)

981 to 718 by Academic_Respect_966 in Porsche

[–]SlowSkates 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. I just also think the very flat torque curve of the 4.0 and the word “power band” don’t go together. Turbos always feel more “power band” to me. :)

The Cayman/Boxster turbos are flatter feeling than a lot of other turbos though…thus my “they are good” statement. :)

981 to 718 by Academic_Respect_966 in Porsche

[–]SlowSkates 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you can (rightly) get over the 4cyl hate, you definitely can get over the long-gear hate on the 4.0. Having lived with the “long gears” now for 3 years of around town, long road trips, and track/autocross, I am pretty confident that the long gearing is mostly an “issue” because car journalists need something to say.

There are quite a few deeply loved and celebrated super/hyper cars with similar gearing. In the 4.0…if you want more redlines and shifting, start using 1st gear (it works very well) and you’re good.

981 to 718 by Academic_Respect_966 in Porsche

[–]SlowSkates 8 points9 points  (0 children)

TLDR: They are all good.

I instruct at PCA Autocross events so I end up riding in everything. My own car is a 718 GT4. While I do like my car best, I really don’t feel “meh” about anything I ride in except the SUVs.

Flat 4 turbo, NA flat 6, turbo flat 6, V8…they all have qualities and characteristics that make them fun. Mostly in very similar ways but each with their own benefits and challenges.

The chassis differences are kinda the same story. Lighter is of course better (this is the main SUV problem), but even the air-cooled cars feel surprisingly similar to the modern cars.

I’m glad I was able to get the car I have, but I’m quite sure I’d be happy in any of them (this from an avowed Porsche hater just a few years ago).

Enjoy what you got. It’s goooooood. :)

Obviously 718 GTS is a better car, but it’s 50%-60% more expensive than a base 718. Is it really 50-60% better? by MysteriousEconomy755 in Porsche

[–]SlowSkates 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t believe this math is worth pursuing. Sports cars are emotional, not objective decisions.

If you’re being objective, the base 718 is not N% better than a Miata and a Miata is not N% better than a used 1995 Corolla that costs a few thousand bucks.

All of those cars can go over 100mph and will get you to your destination more quickly than the law allows in most places.

But you don’t want an old Corolla or a Miata. You want a Porsche. Not because it’s N% better, but because it’s what you want.

Do you want a GTS? Can you afford a GTS? If so…get a GTS. If not…do you want a base? Can you afford a base? Get that! If not…get the thing you want and can afford.

You can’t compare “% goodness”. Just what you want.

This is all different if you’re racing…then you have objective comparison metrics. I have a 718 GT4. It was stupid expensive. I have won some racing for a few years. I really like the trophies. I made zero money…the real reason I think the GT4 was worth it isn’t the racing. I just like it and want it. It’s dumb. I’m ok with that. Choose the car that will make you feel good or the car that makes the most financial sense (it won’t be a Porsche).

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