Comments:
Anyone buying Lotus nowadays?
As a 5-time Lotus buyer (never brand-new) I got an offer in my email this morning. I had to give it a few moments consideration:
So here is a question - would I want a Lotus with basically the same performance as a C8 Corvette? Supercharged V6, available 6-spd manual, lower MPG, 500 lbs lighter, considerably lighter and smaller, for 1.65 times the price? Roughly $100k vs $60k base prices.
Here is a comparison of the dimensions - there's no doubt the Evora would fit into one of the spaces occupied by my 2 Elans... as would a Murray T50 - almost identical to the Evora but 1000 lbs lighter - 30%!!
2020 Lotus Evora GT -- Payment of $1286 per month x 48 months based on capitalized cost of $96,900 ($0 customer down). MSRP or selling price may vary. Cash due at signing includes $0 down payment, $1286 initial month’s rent, $995 acquisition fee and $1425 security deposit. Lessee responsible for insurance, excess wear and tear, $0.50/mile over 5,000 miles per year and a disposition fee of $495 plus tax, title, license, registration and dealer fees due at signing. Total of payments and fees=$63,218. Payment does not include applicable taxes. Purchase option at lease end, excluding tax, title and fees, is $48,450 (50%). Subject to credit approval.
So here is a question - would I want a Lotus with basically the same performance as a C8 Corvette? Supercharged V6, available 6-spd manual, lower MPG, 500 lbs lighter, considerably lighter and smaller, for 1.65 times the price? Roughly $100k vs $60k base prices.
Here is a comparison of the dimensions - there's no doubt the Evora would fit into one of the spaces occupied by my 2 Elans... as would a Murray T50 - almost identical to the Evora but 1000 lbs lighter - 30%!!
MODEL | C8 Corvette | Evora GT | Murray T50 |
Length | 182 | 173 | 171 |
Wheelbase | 107 | 101 | 106 |
Width | 76 | 73 | 73 |
Height | 49 | 48 | 49 |
F/R Track | 65 - 62 | 62 - 62 |
|
Weight | 3366 lbs | 3112 lbs | 2175 |
I always wondered.... what's with the E ?
Elise, Exige, Evora, Excel, Europa, Esprit, Elite, Eleven, Elan...
There is one notable exception: Lotus Seven. Aaah, damn, no, there are two " E ". ;) [nt]
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I have a soft spot for the Elise S1. And for the Esprit! Thanks for the link. [nt]
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Charm and exclusivity has its price. e well know that with watches, my friend. [nt]
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Thanks for all your thoughts
I think there is charm and exclusivity with the Evora.
I hear they can be tuned to drive really well - the only one I've driven (used) was not very nice
Thus my rational brain speaks up and says:
Lotus have virtually no dealers - nearest one to me is 100 miles away; the warranty is just 3 years (lease is 4?); in the US, no one knows who Lotus is anymore.
So I think no more Lotus for me. But maybe for another few PuristS especially in UK and Europe it is a fun choice.
Cazalea
Why not?
Maybe the finest cars there.
A little car brand.
Why we buy most of the time the famous sports cars.
Is it the unknown of Lotus?
Me as a car news reader knows Lotus.
Even Zenvo, Koenigsegg, Pagani, Caterham, Shelby, Nobel, Gumpert, Maserati, TVR, Morgan, Alpine are mostly looked over.
The races most won by the big players, so it can be a reason.
It impressed me if Porsche win the 24 hours of LeMans, and one ride in a Porsche 911 gt3, and i know which sports car is the first if i can afford a sports car.
A Lotus is maybe more for the happy few who buy a Lotus as an extra car for fun.
A little car brand.
Why we buy most of the time the famous sports cars.
Is it the unknown of Lotus?
Me as a car news reader knows Lotus.
Even Zenvo, Koenigsegg, Pagani, Caterham, Shelby, Nobel, Gumpert, Maserati, TVR, Morgan, Alpine are mostly looked over.
The races most won by the big players, so it can be a reason.
It impressed me if Porsche win the 24 hours of LeMans, and one ride in a Porsche 911 gt3, and i know which sports car is the first if i can afford a sports car.
A Lotus is maybe more for the happy few who buy a Lotus as an extra car for fun.
My vote goes to: Lots of trouble usually serious😂
While I am not a huge fan of the Evora styling, it has something that the C8 does not, a proper stick. I realize the paddle shifters are faster than I could ever be, but in my opinion not as much fun. I don’t have the skill set of an F1 driver to have the paddle shifters make a difference, but I prefer a more mechanical feel to my cars (explains my GTV6 and various Jeep Wranglers). My experience with the original Elan and a Esprit was that they were very mechanical in feel, almost like an extension of the drivers body, which I loved and respected. They punched above their weight, literally and figuratively speaking.
Looking at the price of the lease while also looking at autotrader leaves me thinking that the real bargain here is the just off lease examples. Dealer maintained, driven by someone with great credit (has their stuff together) and 50% off of the MSRP. But that is my frugality coming out.
Thanks,
Wojo
Apples vs. Oranges
Two different beasts, different feelings, emotions, different power delivery, different sound, different design. As a Lotus owner you know that far better than anyone. The Lotus makes you feel special and alive, the exhaust sound on Sport is unbelievable, the Corvette is cool in its own way, I personally like it very much for different reasons, I love the heritage, the playfulness of it which is very American. I would like mine in full white with a black tint and black wheels.
S
I’m annoyed by the acquisition and disposal fees
Not to mention the “condition report”, so I won’t lease anymore either.
The color of the one on top is fantastic...
...I guess it might come down to the manual transmission.
I saw my first C8 yesterday and it was very mean-looking. For the $ it will kick some serious ass...
The Z06 will really be something...
i really like Lotus
If I get a sportster, it would be a Lotus over a Porsche.
But IF only I get meander around the family women who prefer an SUV all the time. If I can do so, perhaps a Lotus is in the cards.
It is so stripped down, with unnecessary weight taken off in many places, representing the alternative essence of speed - Power to Weight ratio.
How about a Lotus SUV instead?
It should be out in a year or so -- based on the Volvo XC40's platform, it seems.
Looks great
But I’ll endeavour for the Lotus in it’s purest form.
I think my next SUV is another Mercedes. It’s reliable.
I would def buy it!!!
It is an awesome car and everytime I see one, it sounds amazing and I always turn my head!! and for the price, it is pretty awesome too, cuz of how rare, exotic, and unique it is!! It is not the fastest but it sure as hell looks like fun and really cool!!! so maybe a morgan, toyota supra, miyata mazda, and maybe wiesman? Let us know when you buy it and pls share some pics!!
I think a clutch at this stage in the game is a complete anachronism..we are almost EV at this point so I would wait for something that isn’t already facing obsolescence.. [nt]
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One good thing about having this dinosaur transmission
98% of the US population won't ask to drive it or aren't capable of stealing it.
They said that about mechanical watches in the 70’s
For 90% of the population perhaps so. Everyone has a phone in their pocket that acts as a watch, camera and a phone. Yet many of us love our mechanical watches and cameras, or shifting our own gears while depressing a clutch.
Best,
Wojo
Best,
Wojo
Yeah... there are still practical reasons to own a mechanical watch but I’ve had a paddle shifter for over 10 years now and zero issues.. nothing against the 1970s manual but question the idea of buying one brand new now… [nt]
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To each his own but I don't think it's a matter of issues as it is a matter of preference. 😉 [nt]
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Yes sir! It is a matter of preference.
That being said I have done on trail repairs to my Jeep stick shift transition, that would have left me stranded had I had a slush box
Whether it is cars or watches, I prefer that the engine is in-house AND reliable.
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Well 1 of 2 isn't bad
Not an in-house engine, but most Toyota engines are reliable. The Isuzu turbo 4 in my Elan has been flawless so far (only 48k miles though, in 29 years)