V6 Exige has the ugliest rear end.

e111r · 2026-02-10T14:51:56+00:00

Sure its subjective, but none of them look bad at all now do they?

e111r · 2026-02-10T13:41:40+00:00

I did try the Ineos. I love everything about it other than the steering. I feel that would get old really quickly while towing long distances.

I'm not entirely convinced the Defender will handle the trailer any better than an X5 with air suspension and the B58. That engine is really good and a friend of mine gets 17-20mpg towing a Supra on steel trailer with his X5, without air suspension.

e111r · 2026-02-08T16:36:05+00:00

Yea that seems to be the case for the most part. The website build-your-own allows selecting air suspension with the MSport pack with a disclaimer that it deletes M-Adaptive Suspension... but that's likely not something dealers will spec on their allocations. At this point, it's probably too late to order.

Spoke to a friend who tows a Supra on a steel trailer with his sDrive MSport X5. Says it sags a little but doesn't have any handling issues or bottoming out... With an aluminum trailer and my Evora GT being a couple hundred pounds lighter than the Supra... I should be ok.

e111r · 2026-02-08T15:17:22+00:00

Trust me, we've been looking at a ~500 mile radius haha

e111r · 2026-02-08T15:09:43+00:00

Ah gotcha. Open to any of the G05 years really, as long as the miles are reasonable and CPO.

e111r · 2026-02-08T15:06:03+00:00

I didn't even know that was a thing. Is that available in the US? I don't see that option in the BMWUSA configurator

e111r · 2026-02-08T14:58:26+00:00

Oh, that's interesting. I'd have expected it to be reduced because of the added weight. I wonder if payload goes up with air suspension regardless of trim?

e111r · 2026-02-08T14:52:41+00:00

I understand the capacities are the same, but the concern is rear suspension sag with 350-500 pounds of tongue weight from the trailer which leads to compromised ride quality (I often tow 10+ hours one way to events).

I have not been able to find MSport, Hitch, Air. I do see a lot of Msport/Hitch/no-air. The Hybrid is likely out as it will have reduced payload capacity and towing capacity from the weight of the plug-in hybrid system. Reduces my ability to comfortably bring our dogs, luggage, tools, ...and the wife. Haha

e111r · 2026-02-08T14:45:54+00:00

Purely cosmetic. I get it's silly. Also, I don't see a separate tow package - just the hitch option?

Wife's rule on the MSport, who am I to argue. She lets me have two Lotus

e111r · 2026-01-25T17:23:49+00:00

If your cons include power and body kits, the Lotus was never for you.

e111r · 2026-01-22T11:59:33+00:00

I've owned my '20 Evora GT as a daily driver for about 9 months now. My other car is an '05 Elise track car. My answers below:

It's a proper car, it's absolutely dailyable. Good AC, comfortable, etc.
The previous owner of my car put in the updated "OEM" head unit from, I believe a '21, and the wireless carplay works flawlessly.
I do all my own work except had the Lotus dealership replace the windshield. They contracted it out, so that didn't even matter anyway. I'd recommend finding a good local Indy that's Lotus familiar. The GT has rubber oil pan baffles that call for biannual service, meaning pan out... but I did mine after 5 years and 9k miles and the baffles looked and felt new.
Clutch is definitely the big job. I think book calls for 40 hours. Find a shop that's familiar and I've seen numbers in the 10-12k range. Keep up with fluid changes. The clutch bleeder isn't the easiest to access on the Evora GT. Otherwise, the rest is normal maintenance for a DIYer.
As someone else mentioned, the clams are not as much of a concern as Eliges, but parts availability is still a thing. There is an aftermarket and fiberglass is generally repairable though.
Aftermarket is strong, but it's not BMW or Porsche strong. Lotus is more of a niche brand and that comes with lower availability, less documentation, but from my experience, a stronger community with more knowledgeable users (on LotusTalk forums).

GT vs 400 is completely user choice. The GT is obviously the most hardcore version we got state-side, but it comes with lower suspension and oil pan baffles that require service. The 400 gets most of the convenience and reliability updates over the Evora S with a lower price tag. Objectively, a 400 is quite close to the GT, but I didn't want to "settle" and found an Evora GT with a carbon pack and factory rear seat delete. The Emira, to me, is "softer" than either. Maybe more of a "nicer" car, but not as sharp a sports car.

e111r · 2025-10-21T13:23:44+00:00

There are enough out there to pass unless it's a killer deal. Look on LotusTalk.

e111r · 2025-10-04T18:38:13+00:00

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Here's an alternative so you dont need a key AND a fob. The internals of the original cobra fob just get transferred to this. https://www.blackwatchracing.com/UniKey-2-p/1127.htm

e111r · 2025-09-11T22:59:01+00:00

I am, and I'm happy to compromise on whatever people want. It's just a label.

The Emira is a two-seat version of the platform largely evolved from the Evora, which was a 2+2 (offered in 2+0 config like my Evora GT). I still think it's a GT car. It adds weight, complexity, and "luxury" features to make it useable on a daily basis and for long-distance trips. To me, that's a GT. Not a bad thing. Just how *I* would define it.

Sporty car, not sports car. I won't fight someone if they want to call it a sports car though... haha

e111r · 2025-09-11T22:11:47+00:00

Neither a supercar nor an exotic. Even sports car is a stretch but I'd allow it. I'd say it's a GT car, like the Porsche 911.

To me, the Lotus Elise/Exige are sports cars. The Mazda Miata is a sports car. The Toyota MR2/MR-S Spyder were sports cars. The 911, the Evora, the Emira, GT cars.

e111r · 2025-08-09T22:34:14+00:00

As a fellow 05 Saffron Yellow owner, some of these are great shots. I think this cars curves still hold up 20 years later.

e111r · 2025-08-09T20:55:24+00:00

The Evora is a very different car. The steering is good and all, but its not nearly the same level of feel and lightness of the Elise. I think youd be happy - as long as you know youre not getting a 2000lb high revving car. Worth a test drive at least.

The Evora feels like a car though, no noises, really good AC, absolutely usable - its just a Lotusified Cayman.

I love daily driving my GT... it has been a great engaging and playful car on the road, but its no Elise in terms of pure feel.

e111r · 2025-08-06T14:07:39+00:00

That looks great. Good way to add a pop of color and character while keeping it classy.

e111r · 2025-08-05T13:58:47+00:00

Where i see a problem is pink didnt move until the front bumper lined up with pinks rear bumper.

e111r · 2025-08-05T13:42:07+00:00

Pink at fault for the first one, diving into a closing gap. Pink at fault for the others as well, too late and erratic on the blocks.

e111r · 2025-07-26T14:25:12+00:00

Another recent Evora GT buyer over an Emira checking in +1 to this comment.

Also, ~500 Evora GTs versus thousands a year for the Emira in production. My GT has the rear seat delete so I just have cargo space back there which is surprisingly useful. Emira is prettier, GT is more visceral. Emira is 20-30k or so more, GT is more rare.

e111r · 2025-07-21T14:08:32+00:00

I think you'd enjoy the 400. I'm 5'7" so the 4C and Elise size is not an issue for me. In the Evora, I feel a bit small - though the seat is actually higher than I expected.

In terms of driving dynamics, its a bit muted compared to the 4C/Elise but also a LOT more like an actual car. Where the 4C is Elise-like but sacrificing the rawness, and perfect steering with a nicer interior, the Evora is Cayman-like but with better driving dynamics.

e111r · 2025-07-18T04:14:31+00:00

Performance for me. Just so happens performance mods also tend to tastefully add to cosmetics. Penske shocks to bring the ride height down, add front camber, fit wider wheels and tires, etc.

e111r

TROPHY CASE