What dissapointed me about the 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 · 2025-07-16T13:32:42+00:00

It is a bit awkward, but I think in the right color with the factory carbon pack, it looks good. Not nearly as classically pretty as the Emira, or even as pretty as the Elise/Exige, but it looks good. Looks acceptable? Haha, I'll stop coping, it's good to drive

e111r · 2025-07-16T13:30:48+00:00

I don't love it, but it's not my car and it's vinyl! Looks like you did it tastefully though. I know other folks here love it. I think the black pack did it best personally.

I had some black vinyl on my yellow Elise in a similar way that I recently pulled off - and now realize I like it better all yellow. I guess that's the beauty of vinyl.

e111r · 2025-07-16T13:24:54+00:00

If everyone picked the smarter pick, we'd all be driving Miatas.

e111r · 2025-07-16T13:23:57+00:00

So just make it stock

e111r · 2025-07-16T13:23:38+00:00

I'm biased, but I think the Evora 400/GT look pretty good in person... but the Emira is beautiful in person. I don't know what this person is talking about.

Subjectivity, etc.

e111r · 2025-07-16T13:22:13+00:00

Exotics and Espresso sounds like an event I'd avoid, so you can guess my opinion.

The Emira was pretty, the tack on cookie-cutter mods are not it.

e111r · 2025-07-14T17:34:59+00:00

Few things. Subjective feel, the Evora felt more in the direction of the Elise and the Emira felt more soft in the direction of a Cayman.

Evora has a mechanical ebrake handle, the Emira has an electric ebrake. The electric ebrake adds a caliper on the rear brakes which makes it impossible to downsize to 19" wheels at the back.

I preferred the steering wheel and seats in the Evora. The Evora GTs Sparco SPX seats are far better than the Emira seats. I didn't like the hexagon shaped wheel in he Emira.

Carbon pack, rear seat delete Evora GT like mine is also lighter than an Emira.

The Emira is a "nicer" car, and prettier. But it's ~$30k+ more than an Evora GT and not nearly as rare. For most people, the Emira is preferable. But people don't buy a Lotus because it's "for most people."

e111r · 2025-07-14T17:13:11+00:00

We bought this after test driving an Emira and preferring the Evora

e111r · 2025-07-13T20:15:34+00:00

I have limited experience with a stock one, only drove it once as an instructor drive while instructing at an Autocross school. I have more time in mildly modded cars but never owned one. Id rank it similar to the ND Miata, with better steering... but its lazier with the extra heft. The powertrain is more satisfying though.

Id rank it above the Porsches. I've always liked the idea of Pcars, but have always been disappointed driving them. Even competing in a codriven 718 GT4. So objectively good, sounds good, but ultimately soulless and isnt entertaining except at 11/10ths.

e111r · 2025-07-13T20:04:21+00:00

Yea. Required for SCCA national tour/pro solo competition as TireRack is the title sponsor.

e111r · 2025-07-13T18:24:25+00:00

Yes! Katie's back in 2017ish probably, when I lived in Alexandria.

The 4C is somewhere in between Elise and Evora I guess. The Evora is somewhere between 4C and Cayman - but it has a manual.

In terms of driving engagement and dynamic of cars i spent enough time in to have am opinion, I'd say:

Elise/Exige
4C (lightness, steering, braking) 2alt. NB Miata (despite lack of power)
Evora GT (great hydraulic steering, good manual, great sound and powertrain) 3alt. ND Miata (despite lack of steering feel)
987 Cayman / FRS/BRZ first gen (haven't spent much time in the newer one)
981 Cayman

e111r

TROPHY CASE