Test driving a used Evora

[Gravel]

It's probably a stupid question, but given their rarity, how would I go about test-driving a used Evora?

Is it it bad form to simply request a test drive from my nearest Lotus dealer, even if the cars they have in stock are not the spec/colour I'm after?

I can see myself travelling a couple of hundred miles to buy and collect the right car, but having never driven an Evora, or any other Lotus for that matter, I probably should have a drive of a manual and IPS car and perhaps even a Exige S to see if that's more my cup of tea. And I'd like to see the various trims and whether I'd care about the MY12 improvements.

And are there any aftersales issues about buying from a dealership that's too far to use for servicing?

Cheers.

[C43]

most dealers are very helpful if you register your interest before you turn up.

I think you will know from sitting in one if you want an Exige S or an Evora, they are that different.

I can recommend Aimee at Silverstone Lotus as being very helpful but B&C are also great (as are all the others I have dealt with).

BTW Lotii are quite different to drive compared with a lot of other cars as they respond well to a light touch and fluid movements. They are a lot more subtle that most of the German machines I have tried.

cheers

C43

[Dave Eds]

Where are you based?

You could start by looking over a local member's own car.

[Gravel]

Thanks - that is useful info. I'm based in Suffolk, so I guess Stratton is my nearest dealer, but I had also considered Silverstone as they always seem to have more Evoras in stock.

[Gravel]

Dave Eds said:

Where are you based?

You could start by looking over a local member's own car.

Yeah, that would be great, but it seemed too cheeky to ask! I'm in the Bury St Edmunds area.

[alex_gray255]

I think Castle in Bishops Stortford also is not too far from BSE.

I would offer my car for a look around/test ride, but it is in storage currently and it is
not completely standard anymore as I've tided up the pieces Lotus did not.

[Gravel]

alex_gray255 said:

I think Castle in Bishops Stortford also is not too far from BSE.

I would offer my car for a look around/test ride, but it is in storage currently and it is
not completely standard anymore as I've tided up the pieces Lotus did not.

Cheers - I hadn't considered Castle. They are close enough, but don't seem to have any used Evoras in stock, unfortunately!

Do you mind me asking what you have improved on your car?

[Dainty Ankles]

I'm more than happy to help you out as you're not that far from me. I'd recommend joining/visiting TLF to get the best information regarding the Evora. I can also message you via that medium.

[Dave Eds]

Likewise.

I'm in Hertford -you're welcome to try mine!

[Gravel]

Dainty Ankles said:

I'm more than happy to help you out as you're not that far from me. I'd recommend joining/visiting TLF to get the best information regarding the Evora. I can also message you via that medium.

Cheers - that is very kind! I've been lurking on TLF since the Evora 400 launch, but I've signed up as Gravel there too.

[Gravel]

Dave Eds said:

Likewise.

I'm in Hertford -you're welcome to try mine!

Again, that's very kind of you, I may well take you up on that!

[Ryanmt]

I test drove cars at Christopher Neils and Silverstone before buying mine. Both were very helpful and happy to accommodate me for test drives.

[alex_gray255]

Gravel said:

Again, that's very kind of you, I may well take you up on that!

Looks like I might need to get my Evora out of storage next week as my Merc still
has electric issues, so if available and you're around next week one evening and can
make Bishops Stortford, I might be able to give you a show.

[alex_gray255]

Gravel said:

Cheers - I hadn't considered Castle. They are close enough, but don't seem to have any used Evoras in stock, unfortunately!

Do you mind me asking what you have improved on your car?

The interior
Automatic wipers
Automatic lights

Doing some carbon fibre work is next on the list, but I want to get my Sagaris CF work done first, then move
to the Evora

[blueg33]

Silverstone were great when I was looking. I am now looking for another and Aimee has alfready let me test a car that she knew I wouldn't buy bcause of the spec.

But be careful, Aimee is an excellent sales person, if anyone is going to make me buy a car I can't afford it will be her

[TVRinBFG]

I think you should go to the dealer nearest you, do the test drives and when/if you like a model, tell them you want that model, in whatever spec, at whatever £igure. This at least gives them the chance to source you a car; and if they can't; and you then turn up in your ideal car (bought elsewhere) a few weeks later for service/warranty work, at least you did give them the oppertunity.....

[Gravel]

TVRinBFG said:

I think you should go to the dealer nearest you, do the test drives and when/if you like a model, tell them you want that model, in whatever spec, at whatever £igure. This at least gives them the chance to source you a car; and if they can't; and you then turn up in your ideal car (bought elsewhere) a few weeks later for service/warranty work, at least you did give them the oppertunity.....

I gave my nearest dealer a ring and popped round to have a look this morning. They had a load of very nice cars - I probably spent as much time grinning like an idiot at V6 Exiges as looking at the Evoras they had. But both Evoras were very nice - a MY11 on a 12 plate and a 14 plate Sports Racer. I didn't manage to get a test drive booked, but we did exchange details so that they can arrange one when the demonstrator comes in.

I do prefer the darker MY12 interior metal-finish and the SR contrasting stitching. But both are pretty fabulous TBH.

They did have a good go at selling me the newer one on enough finance to bring it back into my budget, and even to sell me a new 'old' 350BHP one on the 50/50 deal, but TBH I think I'd rather spend my money on tyres and trackdays than depreciation.

So, I think I'm probably looking out for a 2013 Sports Racer with about 15k miles on it. Having spoken to the dealer, it would seem that I was wrong in assuming that all new Evoras came with 3 years factory warranty on them. Is a 13 plate car really just about to drop out of warranty?

[s2kjock]

Gravel said:

Having spoken to the dealer, it would seem that I was wrong in assuming that all new Evoras came with 3 years factory warranty on them. Is a 13 plate car really just about to drop out of warranty?

They do have a 3 year warranty. I assumed it was all factory, as my 2010 NA which I bought at 2 years old had various minor items done in the first year I owned it.

[Frimley111R]

s2kjock said:

Gravel said:

Having spoken to the dealer, it would seem that I was wrong in assuming that all new Evoras came with 3 years factory warranty on them. Is a 13 plate car really just about to drop out of warranty?

They do have a 3 year warranty. I assumed it was all factory, as my 2010 NA which I bought at 2 years old had various minor items done in the first year I owned it.

A 13 plate car will fall out of warranty in early 2106 but I really wouldn't worry about it. Mine ran out this year,

[Gravel]

Frimley111R said:

s2kjock said:

Gravel said:

Having spoken to the dealer, it would seem that I was wrong in assuming that all new Evoras came with 3 years factory warranty on them. Is a 13 plate car really just about to drop out of warranty?

They do have a 3 year warranty. I assumed it was all factory, as my 2010 NA which I bought at 2 years old had various minor items done in the first year I owned it.

A 13 plate car will fall out of warranty in early 2106 but I really wouldn't worry about it. Mine ran out this year,

For me it's not really about reliability issues - I'd just like to have enough factory warranty left to de-niggle any minor issues.

If the data on how many left is accurate, I guess I'm either going to have to be flexible on my budget or spec including mileage and whether or not it's still under warranty.