Evora vs the alternatives

[braddo]

Great thread and I always enjoy reading the Wookie's feedback. What do you think made the Cayman a rubbish GT4 car?

I have a 997 GT3 (which i was lucky to get at the bottom of the depreciation curve several years ago) but I'm more of a Lotus guy at heart. I am often browsing early Evoras for when the GT3 is going to go one day.

Interestingly there's an old autocar Steve Sutcliffe video from when the Evora S was launched back around 2011 - he mentions stupendous A-B pace, likening it to 911 Turbo pace.

[MarkHP]

C70R said:

I really don't think I'm going to get the option to be picky at £30k, so I'll probably take the best example available at the time. Tech can be upgraded easily (cruise aside), and extended leather is a luxury I could live without.
...
I really need to find one for sale near me to take a look at in person, and just hope it's not too much of a bargain when I find it.

I have one of the 2010 n/a cars, has all the packs and the long gearbox and it's a fantastic thing, used daily and I forgive it all of its foibles. Its so incredibly confidence inspiring and just fun on almost any road! I bought the first one I found...
There's a lovely Launch Edition car for sale on The Lotus Forums within your budget, very well looked after car with a fancy exhaust :-) - I have no interest in it, just met the owner on a run.

[TrotCanterGallopCharge]

C70R said:

TrotCanterGallopCharge said:

Even more helpful stuff.

Thanks for taking the time to share that.

I really don't think I'm going to get the option to be picky at £30k, so I'll probably take the best example available at the time. Tech can be upgraded easily (cruise aside), and extended leather is a luxury I could live without.

In terms of value vs depreciation, you're probably right. The Evora, like anything desirable, has risen in price over the past few years. I have a suspicion that the Z4M and older Porsches have probably done their depreciating too. Either way, buying the cheaper and older car would leave me with less cash tied up anyway, so it's probably moot. These things don't have to make financial sense, do they?

I really need to find one for sale near me to take a look at in person, and just hope it's not too much of a bargain when I find it.

Thank you.
Fair points & no, these things don't have to make financial sense! With hindsight, I'd have probably gone for a N/A 2+2 with standard box (& just learn to shift the cogs more, that's part of the involvement), least options (add lightness & reduce complexity etc), possibly Premium pack to lift the cabin, & add bits if required. Doubt many/any sold in this spec though. The LE Spec gives a lot of equipment, & easier to sell on if required.

At least 2 Lotus clubs near you, having events/trips, one club meets near Diss once a month. Owners will be happy to show you their cars. All Clubs may have a larger meet at the Silverstone Classic (August Bank Hol). Joining a club may help with insurance & trackday discounts etc.

Good luck & adventures in whatever you choose!

[Pent]

limpsfield said:

Hopefully this time around it's fitted properly!

I'd love to drive an emira to see if it is an Evora in a pretty dress or something different. Gorgeous car either way.

i think there was a review of the new emira and it was an evora in a dress - havent never driven either i cant pass judgement

[giveitfish]

This looks good value - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15003272

[BertBert]

braddo said:

I have a 997 GT3 (which i was lucky to get at the bottom of the depreciation curve several years ago) but I'm more of a Lotus guy at heart. I am often browsing early Evoras for when the GT3 is going to go one day.

I went from a 997.1 GT3 (standard PASM suspension) to an Evora 410. The difference was very interesting. The GT3 was very stiffly sprung in comparison and the Evora handling and ride was mega in comparison. But there was something I really missed from the GT3, it felt much faster and the Evora felt a bit meh in the acceleration department!

[braddo]

BertBert said:

I went from a 997.1 GT3 (standard PASM suspension) to an Evora 410. The difference was very interesting. The GT3 was very stiffly sprung in comparison and the Evora handling and ride was mega in comparison. But there was something I really missed from the GT3, it felt much faster and the Evora felt a bit meh in the acceleration department!

Interesting, thanks. I do love the way the thing revs!

[The Wookie]

braddo said:

Great thread and I always enjoy reading the Wookie's feedback. What do you think made the Cayman a rubbish GT4 car?

I have a 997 GT3 (which i was lucky to get at the bottom of the depreciation curve several years ago) but I'm more of a Lotus guy at heart. I am often browsing early Evoras for when the GT3 is going to go one day.

Interestingly there's an old autocar Steve Sutcliffe video from when the Evora S was launched back around 2011 - he mentions stupendous A-B pace, likening it to 911 Turbo pace.

Too many road car bits that weren’t up to it, particularly PDK gearbox and suspension. From what I heard it was pretty leaden and understeery! It also wasn’t a developed by Porsche themselves if I remember right

The Evora was pretty much road car suspension too but it was up to the job once you got it to stay in the position you set it up to!

Love the 997 GT3, one of my favourite Porsches and about as Lotusy as they get!

[GoHokiesGo]

C70R said:

I'm currently sinking every penny I have (and some I don't) into a house renovation, so planning the next car purchase is a good way of distracting me.

That actually brings up an interesting challenge. I'm eventually going to build a lovely garage to keep my cars warm and dry, but that's a few years away right now because a number of other things need to happen first.

How would the Evora cope with living outside? I'd expect any of the Germans in my list to take it in their stride, but I'm unsure on how the Evora would deal with it.

Jumping back a bit in the conversation to reply to this - I have an Evora 400 that I keep outside. I moved to Germany for a few years for work and do not have garage access in my complex. The option was to skip buying anything fun since I couldn't garage it, or just accept that it would be outdoors; I chose the latter and love the Evora. Having it outdoors means that I check on it often to make sure it stays clean, which is never a bad thing to admire the car.

Mine is not driven daily, on average once every 1-2 weeks honestly.

• Battery - Keeping the battery maintained will be your number 1 concern if you dont daily drive the vehicle; the alarm and ancillaries will kill a battery in under 2 weeks if its not on a charger. Mine is away from main power, so I have a portable CTEK CS Free battery charger that keeps the battery topped off.
• No leaks observed - we get a lot of rain in the fall and winter in Germany. I have not had any issues with leaks in my Evora 400, although I'm not as familiar with the earlier S1 models.
• Debris/dirt spots - the intakes and the top of the door sills collect a lot of dirt and leaves. Same with the center vents on the bonnet/hood, just below the windshield wiper area where water drains. I keep a bottle of waterless car wash in my trunk and wash those areas very often.

Otherwise, I've had no issues in the past 9 months with mine outdoors. It's the same as any other car from a parked/storage perspective. The car does get a lot of attention when you drive. Most people see a Ferrari more often than they see a Lotus, especially Evora's, at least in Germany. If I'm parked at a public lot somewhere, I always see people snapping pictures or stopping to check it out. Loads of fun, the V6 sounds sublime, and it's an "event" every time I go for a drive. I've had some highly modified corvettes and M3's over the years, and its the most engaging car to drive that I've owned.

[ziggy328]

I’ve been watching a 430 that’s for sale. It’s 100k. I know it’s rare but I’m hesitant at that price. Is there a consensus ?

[blueg33]

ziggy328 said:

I’ve been watching a 430 that’s for sale. It’s 100k. I know it’s rare but I’m hesitant at that price. Is there a consensus ?

Check on maintenance costs, Lotus Silverstone told me they need quite a bit more.

It does sound costly, they can look great though especially if they are not black.

[ziggy328]

I hadn't heard that about them. I'll have a word with Central Lotus - see what they say. That being said, still not convinced it's worth another £50K over my current 400.

[CTE]

I was told they are very track orientated when I was looking at one or a 410... ended up with the 410 which I`m more than happy with.
Don`t know of any maintenance issues but there was one in Hangar 111 a month or two ago but it had been used on track a lot so not unreasonable. The engine and transmission will be bomb proof at the standard power and torque settings, but of course the transmission especially is limited.

As for values, who knows you pays your money etc. I guess rarity will be a factor, and they do look great in the right colours.