What should I expect from an Evora S

What should I expect from an Evora S

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Discussion

Hungrymc

Original Poster:

6,642 posts

136 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
Hi,

I'm looking to replace an old 996 C4S Porsche. I want a 2+2 (so that I can occasional drop the kids to school). I'd also like something that feels very mechanical and involving. Some apparent obvious choices just seem a little too remote and not so engaging. Budget wise, I'd be looking at a nice Evora S or maybe the bottom end of the 400 market. Usage is fun drives and occasional weekends away with my partner.

I see so many conflicting opinions on these cars, and I fully understand that people look for and appreciate, different things in a car, that I'm unsure on what I should expect from either. Are they a more intimate version of 997 911? or are they an Elise with more comforts?

It would be great if a few of you could share your ownership experiences and maybe the things that these cars do very well, and the areas where they are compromised.

Thanks all.

Havoc856

2,072 posts

178 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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It's more an Elise/Exige with comfort. Very competent chassis, feelsome steering but overall more mechanical and noisy than a 911 - but hugely rewarding, fun to drive, absorbing and still capable of munching miles comfortably - if you get one with cruise control.

Back seats are usable only if you leave legroom, for me to do that (182cm) i have my knees on the wheel and is a little uncomfortable. Probably ok for a short school trip. The roll hoop juts down midway through the roof so reduces effective headroom. I can fit my German Shepherd comfortably though.

The back bench doubles up well as a luggage compartment and offers better accessibility into the storage than the 2+0 variant as that has a rigid belt across the front. Boot is more than sizeable enough for a 1m x 0.5m grip bag (LxW) or smaller daysack type bags.

Only other compromise than the rear seats is the blind spot, which covers everywhere behind your ears to the engine intake vents - quite some size.

Edited by Havoc856 on Wednesday 20th July 15:45

CTE

1,488 posts

239 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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One of the best drivers cars there are...they may not be the absolute quickest in a straight line, but in every other respect they are highly accomplished.
We can all spout on about the pro`s and con`s...best go and test drive an SR and then 400. Do not expect Porsche levels of fit and finish in the cabin, but in all other respects, I think you will be gob smacked! You need to do a few miles though because not all their virtues are obvious.

Hungrymc

Original Poster:

6,642 posts

136 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks both for the replies. I will arrange a test drive or two, my concern is that I think with a car that is so unconventional, it can be hard to really understand what you're getting into on the back of an hour or so test. I'm pretty sure it will be a very enjoyable drivers car, and I don't really need it to be particularly practical.

The short list is down to a late 997 C2S, an R8 (though really rather a 2+2) or the Evora.

clarkmagpie

3,559 posts

194 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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Considered the Maserati granturismo?
I keep having cheeky peeks at classifieds but can't justify it at moment.

blueg33

35,574 posts

223 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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The main thing that my locsl porsche indie thought about my Evora is how if retains ths lotus dynamics shilst being so much more than a slightly mord comfy elise. Its way more comfortable and civilised.

Back seats are tight, my daughter is 16. All but one of her friends are too big for the back.

Mine is a daily driver.

Try one, i see them as more characterful than a Porsche

gm77

98 posts

119 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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If you can, I suggest you focus on the 400. Easier access, more space on the back seat, and most importantly a sound that will make you laugh like a school boy for days. I was going to get an S but then the 400 was presented at Geneva. I held out for that and now it's our daily driver and does the school run most days (two children both in full size car seats in the back). This weekend it took two adults with two golf bags (on the back seat) and trolleys with ease.

Before getting the 400 I test drove many comparable cars from Astons to Maseratis. Only the 400 made me smile both at cruising speed and when pressing on.

Have a test drive, make sure you find a tunnel (this is essential, especially with the window slightly open), and then put a deposit down!

blueg33

35,574 posts

223 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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gm77 said:
If you can, I suggestg you focus on the 400. Easier access, more space on the back seat, and most importantly a sound that will make you laugh like a school boy for days. I was going to get an S but then the 400 was presented at Geneva. I held out for that and now it's our daily driver and does the school run most days (two children both in full size car seats in the back). This weekend it took two adults with two golf bags (on the back seat) and trolleys with ease.

Before getting the 400 I test drove many comparable cars from Astons to Maseratis. Only the 400 made me smile both at cruising speed and when pressing on.

Have a test drive, make sure you find a tunnel (this is essential, especially with the window slightly open), and then put a deposit down!
I test drove the same cars and the n/a Evora was better than all of them. Mine has a tubular exhaust and can mstch a 400 for exhsust note

johnwilliams77

8,308 posts

102 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Havoc856 said:
It's more an Elise/Exige with comfort. Very competent chassis, feelsome steering but overall more mechanical and noisy than a 911 - but hugely rewarding, fun to drive, absorbing and still capable of munching miles comfortably - if you get one with cruise control.

Back seats are usable only if you leave legroom, for me to do that (182cm) i have my knees on the wheel and is a little uncomfortable. Probably ok for a short school trip. The roll hoop juts down midway through the roof so reduces effective headroom. I can fit my German Shepherd comfortably though.

The back bench doubles up well as a luggage compartment and offers better accessibility into the storage than the 2+0 variant as that has a rigid belt across the front. Boot is more than sizeable enough for a 1m x 0.5m grip bag (LxW) or smaller daysack type bags.

Only other compromise than the rear seats is the blind spot, which covers everywhere behind your ears to the engine intake vents - quite some size.

Edited by Havoc856 on Wednesday 20th July 15:45
Don't worry about cruise control on the car too much, it can be easily added if it is not on a car you find.

Si_man306

456 posts

184 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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I use my evora S (2+2) as a daily. Baby on way which it will serve as an occasional car.

Amongst others, previously had several Nissan Z cars (350/370) e46's and an S2 exige.

I loved the exige but it was far too raw for a daily car. Also lacked torque and visibility. The evora has superb poise and the steering/ feedback feel is unparalleled. It's never left needing power pulling in any gear at any speed (within reason). The supercharger really does give you a superb kick of linear torque whenever you need it. Visibility is excellent with reversing camera to add to the rear view which is much better than expected.

I'm 6ft3 and although i've had regular back issues in other cars, never had an issue in the evora. Getting in and out is a 'knack' but only difficult if you regularly park very close to other cars when the length of the door means you can't get it open as far. Kids seem fine in the back up to about 10 (just not regularly).

Lots of luggage space with the back seats only occasionally needing use. Isofix is there in the back but the front passenger seat has an airbag which can be deactivated so can also be used. Kids/seats will fit in the back with a (small) passenger in the front and the seat forwards.

It's the best car i've had and I bought it over a 2016 GTR which I had for a week to compare. The 400 is a terrific car but the extra outlay I didn't feel was worth it. You can always charge cool the engine to take it to 450 bhp for around £7k if power is what you're after. Unless you're on a track though you'd need to be REALLY going some on the road to feel you need any more.

Hungrymc

Original Poster:

6,642 posts

136 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
quotequote all
More good feedback, thanks all.

I've looked at GTRs and they are amazing cars but I've realized that things I enjoy about the 911 are in some ways the flaws. Which I describe as feeling mechanical - you have to guide and coax it as opposed to grabbing by the scruff of the neck which is how I felt about the GTR - amazing car, but not what I'm after this time.

Interesting comments on sound, my 911 has switchable exhaust and sounds nice (is another thing that puts me off GTR and 911turbo).

I'm pretty sure the Evora will be practical enough, it really is the driving characteristics I'm wondering about. I've read plenty of reports rating a Cayman as better. I like the Cayman but it isn't actually any more fun than mine (it may be better balanced but it doesn't make it more fun).

I'm really warming to the idea of an Evora S. Will be visiting one or two on Saturday all being well.

johnwilliams77

8,308 posts

102 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Don't rule out an NA either. They're certainly not slow.

Hungrymc

Original Poster:

6,642 posts

136 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
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So far, I've had a very poor hit rate of dealers returning my calls. I guess the cars sell pretty readily so they don't have to bother too much with service levels (they're all polite and pleasant when you do speak to them, just poor at responding). I'd fall out with them rapidly if it was the same approach in after sales.

I don't have a lot of time to go and look at cars so it's probably going to push me away from an Evora into something easier to source and with more options for help / service / support.

Thank you all for the answers so far, they're clearly a lovely car and would fit the bill very well. I'll keep my eye open for the right one sold by the right people and hopefully that comes along before I've ran out of patience and bought an R8 or something similar.

giveitfish

4,030 posts

213 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
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That's shocking and underlines some of the problems Lotus will have changing perceptions.

Was that a Lotus specialist or a dealer which also carried other marques?

blueg33

35,574 posts

223 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
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Hungrymc said:
So far, I've had a very poor hit rate of dealers returning my calls. I guess the cars sell pretty readily so they don't have to bother too much with service levels (they're all polite and pleasant when you do speak to them, just poor at responding). I'd fall out with them rapidly if it was the same approach in after sales.

I don't have a lot of time to go and look at cars so it's probably going to push me away from an Evora into something easier to source and with more options for help / service / support.

Thank you all for the answers so far, they're clearly a lovely car and would fit the bill very well. I'll keep my eye open for the right one sold by the right people and hopefully that comes along before I've ran out of patience and bought an R8 or something similar.
Aimee at Lotus Silverstone is usually pretty good if she isn't there speak to Matt

Hungrymc

Original Poster:

6,642 posts

136 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
quotequote all
I should be careful not to over egg the pudding. I've only spoken with Lotus dealers and as I said, very pleasant and courteous when actually speaking with them, just not reliable with call backs and responses. I suspect that the small pool of cars available means that the sale is inevitable irrespective.

I don't have much time spare to look at cars, it's only going to work if I spot one and then move very quickly to do a deal.

Any strong recommendations for dealers or independants?

CTE

1,488 posts

239 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
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Where in the country are you?

Hungrymc

Original Poster:

6,642 posts

136 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
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I'm in Solihull

blueg33

35,574 posts

223 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
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Hungrymc said:
I'm in Solihull
An hour to Lotus Silverstone. They are TLF's dealer of the year.

Hungrymc

Original Poster:

6,642 posts

136 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
quotequote all
Yes, I spoke to them a short while ago about a car they had in (before the photos hit the web site). Had a phone discussion as they couldn't show the car that day (Friday of the GP - fair enough) and then the car was sold on the Monday before I could get to see it. They have NA and 400s at the moment but no S.

It looks as though there are not many S models in circulation and I suspect people are happy to reserve them over the phone. I don't know the cars well enough to be happy to that. I would have to spot and get to a car very quickly which will be tricky, everything will have to just land right (I work over seas and only have the occasional weekend available). It would be a shame to have to go to a more mainstream / readily available choice, I really do fancy giving the Evora a try for a year or two but based on what I've seen over the last month, I'm either going to have to buy a car based on an advert or be extremely patient....