Supercharged or not?
Discussion
I'm in the market for an Evora (or a Porsche, but probably an Evora), what are the thoughts on supercharged or not? My gut feel is that I don't need the extra power, but even when I write that sentence it seems a ridiculous thing to say... My mileage won't be more than 2000 miles per year as it will be very much a 2nd car, so economy isn't an issue, and (unfortunately) I'm at an age when insurance isn't a major concern either, so is the S worth the extra money over an NA car?
This one looks interesting:
http://www.westovergroup.co.uk/lotus/used-cars/117...
This one looks interesting:
http://www.westovergroup.co.uk/lotus/used-cars/117...
I've an NA (used) and the times I feel I need more oomph are overtakes and occaisonally nailing it on a deserted road for a bit of fun. On twisties, which for me is the Evora's USP, it has more than enough power for me - at my level of ability, and what I consider safe on the public road, the extra power wouldn't be used.
If I bought one again I would probably go for another NA, the cheaper price for same age, better fuel consumption and cheaper road tax being swaying factors as well as the sort of use I get out of mine per above. Had I a good bit more cash to play with I'd definitely go for an S.
If I bought one again I would probably go for another NA, the cheaper price for same age, better fuel consumption and cheaper road tax being swaying factors as well as the sort of use I get out of mine per above. Had I a good bit more cash to play with I'd definitely go for an S.
My feeling pretty much same as jock, but I do more miles.
Tax is just annoying at twice the n/a price, unless you get an S IPS, but the fuel economy, required use of high octane fuel and combined with a fuel tank that is annoyingly small would put me off.
If I was doing 2k a year and not long trips I'd probably go for an S, but if you are doing 10k pa it'd annoy me.
On the other hand when you turn up at meets someone will always have a faster car than you, particularly annoying when it's otherwise identical.
Tax is just annoying at twice the n/a price, unless you get an S IPS, but the fuel economy, required use of high octane fuel and combined with a fuel tank that is annoyingly small would put me off.
If I was doing 2k a year and not long trips I'd probably go for an S, but if you are doing 10k pa it'd annoy me.
On the other hand when you turn up at meets someone will always have a faster car than you, particularly annoying when it's otherwise identical.
Exclusivity is certainly a benefit with the Evora, but it doesn't make buying one easy! I can only find one for sale within a 50 mile radius of home, and that's an older, somewhat leggy example in Chelmsford. I need to start planning business trips around showrooms with suitable cars for sale.
In many ways a Cayman S or a Carrera S would be better choices for me but I just can't face the Porsche corporate experience. I went to the Porsche showroom in Colchester today to check out the competition, what a soulless place it was. I was the only (potential) customer in the building but no-one came over to talk to me, I was completely ignored by the 2 or 3 salespeople sitting at their desks (which is fair enough I suppose, I could have spoken to them if I wanted to), so wandered around, looked at some cars, and left with a big chunk of money burning a hole in my pocket...
In many ways a Cayman S or a Carrera S would be better choices for me but I just can't face the Porsche corporate experience. I went to the Porsche showroom in Colchester today to check out the competition, what a soulless place it was. I was the only (potential) customer in the building but no-one came over to talk to me, I was completely ignored by the 2 or 3 salespeople sitting at their desks (which is fair enough I suppose, I could have spoken to them if I wanted to), so wandered around, looked at some cars, and left with a big chunk of money burning a hole in my pocket...
Boogs said:
You really need to travel to get the right car (unless very lucky). I probably clocked up 2000 miles when looking for mine. The car I bought was c250 miles away, so 500 miles to view it, then 250 miles to pick it up and 2 cars on return journey = 1250 miles alone.
It's not a problem if I'm patient, I can arrange business trips to any part of the UK if necessary and view cars enroute, the problem is I'm not very patient... I'm planning on being on the south coast the week after next so could see the supercharged car in Dorset then, and can easily arrange something that involves passing close by Silverstone to see the stock there, on the plus side they don't seem to sell very quickly!
I agree with Boogs. I live in the East Midlands and found my Evora in Surrey. It took me 9 months to find it - definitely go with a patient approach.
When I was looking I was checking every UK mainland dealerships daily and hit lucky with a low mileage N/A Launch Edition. For me the choice was easy because an S was out of my price range (I did want the sport and tech packs as a minimum), but honestly even with the "long box" (not the sports ratios), it can still hustle along when I want it too.
I'd definitely recommend calling in at Lotus Silverstone and speak to Aimee, and see Jamie at Bell & Colvill as well.
When I was looking I was checking every UK mainland dealerships daily and hit lucky with a low mileage N/A Launch Edition. For me the choice was easy because an S was out of my price range (I did want the sport and tech packs as a minimum), but honestly even with the "long box" (not the sports ratios), it can still hustle along when I want it too.
I'd definitely recommend calling in at Lotus Silverstone and speak to Aimee, and see Jamie at Bell & Colvill as well.
Worth logging your details with the dealers along with what you are after, they tend to have a list of buyers and their requirements. When I bought mine I was registered with a couple of dealers and was offered 2 cars that never got advertised as they were sold straight into the waiting buyer list.
Those that hang around tend to be the cars that don't fit the known buyers requirements.
Those that hang around tend to be the cars that don't fit the known buyers requirements.
Would say drive them both on the kind of roads you expect to drive on and see how it goes. I wanted an S SR and have not regretted it , will confess the NA does sounds better.( Never drove a NA after driving the S)
Did 1000 miles in the first month with a couple of 300 miles stints, so comfortable the only limiting factor was my bladder. Have averaged 20mpg over 4000 miles.
The strange thing about the S its very easy to drive slowly if you wish, just waft along on torque.
Met a guy who had gone from an S to a NA.
Did 1000 miles in the first month with a couple of 300 miles stints, so comfortable the only limiting factor was my bladder. Have averaged 20mpg over 4000 miles.
The strange thing about the S its very easy to drive slowly if you wish, just waft along on torque.
Met a guy who had gone from an S to a NA.
Edited by AlanH1 on Saturday 20th September 21:01
The N/A is quick enough for road use but the S is quicker . Possibly this statement is not a lot of use , however journey times vary very little except the IPS paddles add to the enjoyment . I have a S IPS and recently drove a N/A IPS hade a LE with a close ratio box and drove a N/A with the regular box . Conclusion - MY 12 is a must as minimum and the S has a tad more for the fun factor . Key point may be to make sure the car has been looked after.
screem said:
If you are looking to spend circa £40k I'd say definitely go for the s. After driving a NA and an s back to back my mind was made up in an instant and I bought a my12 S
The car on the link is a nice car but you can get a MY12 for about that price.
Is the car in the link not an MY12? How do you tell?The car on the link is a nice car but you can get a MY12 for about that price.
I have a black 2011 NA with full black interior and although I keep trying to convince myself I should spend the money and upgrade to S I can't see a good reason to do it. I drove back from mid wales across country last weekend and on fast A roads and give and take B roads with little traffic the NA is perfect (and believe me I was really pushing on...). I have driven quite a few S models and they are definitely quicker in a straight line, just not sure they are more fun...
C43
C43
AlanH1 said:
Would say drive them both on the kind of roads you expect to drive on and see how it goes. I wanted an S SR and have not regretted it , will confess the NA does sounds better.( Never drove a NA after driving the S)
Did 1000 miles in the first month with a couple of 300 miles stints, so comfortable the only limiting factor was my bladder. Have averaged 20mpg over 4000 miles.
The strange thing about the S its very easy to drive slowly if you wish, just waft along on torque.
Met a guy who had gone from an S to a NA.
That was me!! Did 1000 miles in the first month with a couple of 300 miles stints, so comfortable the only limiting factor was my bladder. Have averaged 20mpg over 4000 miles.
The strange thing about the S its very easy to drive slowly if you wish, just waft along on torque.
Met a guy who had gone from an S to a NA.
Edited by AlanH1 on Saturday 20th September 21:01
I swapped to an N/A as I do a lot of miles in mine, I've already racked up 18k since I picked it up in March and I covered 40k over 2 years in my S. I changed primarily as I was worried about my S going out of warranty with the miles I do and I wanted the better gearshift and interior of the newer models.
In going for the N/A the lower purchase price was a bonus but really it was the fact I was averaging 18-19mpg in my S whereas with the N/A it's typically 27-28mpg. I often get over 30mpg on a longer run too. It's not just the cost of fuel but the fact I fill up once or twice a week with the N/A whereas 3-4 times a week with the S was becoming fairly tedious.
The top end isn't as far off as you might think (you only really miss it on track IMHO) but I do miss the low down torque of the S. You do need to drop the N/A an extra gear to pick up speed swiftly on the motorway where you can ride the torque with the S. The torque also makes it easy to give it a prod and draw out a nice drift if you're so inclined. Without the supercharger you need to be carrying speed unless the front tyres are fresh and the rears worn so it's not really sensible away from the track.
If you're having it as a weekend car and aren't bothered by the extra purchase cost (after all you'll likely get most of it back when you come to sell it) then I'd have the S no question. If you're going to be doing more than 12k per year then the N/A is worth the performance compromise.
Edited by The Wookie on Monday 22 September 17:04
I went for the n/a as I am also doing 20k miles per annum and the extra cost of the fuel in the S would be noticeable.
I average 36-38mpg on the motorway at 80mph
If I was doing 10k miles then it would be the S, as occasionally I feel the n/a could do with more power. But my last car was a 400bhp Tuscan which makes the S feel slow too
I average 36-38mpg on the motorway at 80mph
If I was doing 10k miles then it would be the S, as occasionally I feel the n/a could do with more power. But my last car was a 400bhp Tuscan which makes the S feel slow too
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