My Evora Review + Pictures So Far - Long Read!
Discussion
I drove an Evora for the 1st time yesterday as part of a driving experience; it also started at Alford, but we were out on public roads rather than on the track and it was with a different company.
The cars we drove were R8 V8, 997 Turbo, RRS tdv6 (this was a stand in car as their DB9, F430 and FRS all needed some sort of repairs), Evora and Nissan GTR
After I saw the line up, I was most looking forward to the R8 and GTR.
I drove the Evora first and I was extremely impressed with the handling, feel, suspension compliance, responsiveness. I would say the Evora was the car that most exceeded my pre drive expectations. The only negative point I could say about the Evora was the gear change wasn’t that slick
Overall I ranked the cars:
1) R8 V8 - I loved everything about it
2) Evora - as above
3) 997 turbo - 1st time driving a turbo, loved the extra power
4) Nissan GTR - it felt too big for the roads we were driving on, I think it needed Geo aligned as handling was very twitchy especially over rough surfaces.
5) RRS - nowhere near as good to drive as my X6
Note: this is based on only 30 mins of driving each car where we only experienced a small amount of their potential as we were in convoy with drivers of differing confidence levels.
The cars we drove were R8 V8, 997 Turbo, RRS tdv6 (this was a stand in car as their DB9, F430 and FRS all needed some sort of repairs), Evora and Nissan GTR
After I saw the line up, I was most looking forward to the R8 and GTR.
I drove the Evora first and I was extremely impressed with the handling, feel, suspension compliance, responsiveness. I would say the Evora was the car that most exceeded my pre drive expectations. The only negative point I could say about the Evora was the gear change wasn’t that slick
Overall I ranked the cars:
1) R8 V8 - I loved everything about it
2) Evora - as above
3) 997 turbo - 1st time driving a turbo, loved the extra power
4) Nissan GTR - it felt too big for the roads we were driving on, I think it needed Geo aligned as handling was very twitchy especially over rough surfaces.
5) RRS - nowhere near as good to drive as my X6
Note: this is based on only 30 mins of driving each car where we only experienced a small amount of their potential as we were in convoy with drivers of differing confidence levels.
Interesting. It certainly agrees with what a lot of people think about the Evora.
After a couple of weeks since my drives, I think I was most impressed with the GT-R. As much as I loved the Evora S, it's just not significantly different enough to warrant changing to.
997 Turbo is not actually something I had considered..
After a couple of weeks since my drives, I think I was most impressed with the GT-R. As much as I loved the Evora S, it's just not significantly different enough to warrant changing to.
997 Turbo is not actually something I had considered..
Another quick update from me again if anyone is interested.
I still have the Evora! And it'll be staying for the foreseeable future.
I have had a 2bular decat fitted and its now sounding much better. I was considering an exhaust upgrade but think I will hold off on this for now. Interestingly I have seen a rise in my average MPG, its up to around 25-26 now (don't think this is decat related!
)
I've recently returned from a weekend away in Europe and the Nurburgring and it has rekindled my passion for what a superb all round car the Evora is.
I've done a quick write up of the trip here if anyone is interested and wants to have a look - Aberdeen-Nurburgring 2012
The car itself was fantastic on both the long distance cruising, again I find the seats just brilliant to sit in for a long time with no aches and pains. Then the autobahn proved to be good fun, it wasn't the quickest car in the convoy, but still quick enough to keep up.. JUST!
On the track itself - I am a complete Nurburgring novice (1 previous lap!) so took it very easy, but it went very well. Felt at home. Seemed to get plenty of attention in the car parks aswell, most people didnt know what it was!
Problems - I am still not happy with the sat nav unit.. Of all places to fail, it decided to throw in the towel in Germany. The trip back up to Amsterdam for the ferry was interesting to say the least. I think I will source an entire new unit for this next year as its definately the cars weakpoint.
BUT, the trip has made me realise how great the car is as an all rounder. I'm sure a similar Cayman/911 would technically be the better car, but the Evora just feels special to me. When it is next in the dealership for its service or any warranty work, I am going to get the roof/mirrors done in black, and possibly a couple of other little tweaks to freshen it up..
All in all, I had expected to have changed the car for something else, but in fact its quite the opposite. I'm back loving it!
the 997GT3 on the trip did tempt me!
Couldn't resist!
I still have the Evora! And it'll be staying for the foreseeable future.
I have had a 2bular decat fitted and its now sounding much better. I was considering an exhaust upgrade but think I will hold off on this for now. Interestingly I have seen a rise in my average MPG, its up to around 25-26 now (don't think this is decat related!
)I've recently returned from a weekend away in Europe and the Nurburgring and it has rekindled my passion for what a superb all round car the Evora is.
I've done a quick write up of the trip here if anyone is interested and wants to have a look - Aberdeen-Nurburgring 2012
The car itself was fantastic on both the long distance cruising, again I find the seats just brilliant to sit in for a long time with no aches and pains. Then the autobahn proved to be good fun, it wasn't the quickest car in the convoy, but still quick enough to keep up.. JUST!
On the track itself - I am a complete Nurburgring novice (1 previous lap!) so took it very easy, but it went very well. Felt at home. Seemed to get plenty of attention in the car parks aswell, most people didnt know what it was!
Problems - I am still not happy with the sat nav unit.. Of all places to fail, it decided to throw in the towel in Germany. The trip back up to Amsterdam for the ferry was interesting to say the least. I think I will source an entire new unit for this next year as its definately the cars weakpoint.
BUT, the trip has made me realise how great the car is as an all rounder. I'm sure a similar Cayman/911 would technically be the better car, but the Evora just feels special to me. When it is next in the dealership for its service or any warranty work, I am going to get the roof/mirrors done in black, and possibly a couple of other little tweaks to freshen it up..
All in all, I had expected to have changed the car for something else, but in fact its quite the opposite. I'm back loving it!
the 997GT3 on the trip did tempt me!
Couldn't resist!
Another update, copied from another forum
Forgive me Evora for I have sinned
Morning all, interesting story (kind of) coming up!
I've owned my 2010 Evora from new, and I've done around 15000 miles so far. There really was no feeling like speccing up my own car and going to Murrays to pick it up. I don't think I'll ever forget that day. I have done a few track days in it, and a trip to the Nurburgring. The car has not been without fault (like all of them I suppose) but the last six months or so it really has been fantastic.
However, I'm sure other owners are the same, I can't help but find myself wondering into the Pistonhead Classifieds almost on a daily basis, merely just looking, but last weekend my eye was caught, by a Yellow Ferrari 360 Spider.
I have not specifically been looking to change, and not really sure what I would change to, but after almost two and a half years, I must admit to having itchy feet. The only other car close to pulling me out of my CO Evora was the MY12 IPS S. Unfortunately me and Brandon couldn't agree on numbers, plus I wasn't convinced it wqas a big enough change to justify the extra outlay
Anyways, back to my (uninteresting) story. Slot booked at Ferrari for a test drive, and I went down on Monday. I was swithering on the way down whether Yellow was right or not, but in the flesh it looked fantastic. Better than expected and it was absolutely immaculate. A credit to the previous owner.
Drive was to be expected. Lots of drama, not as much noise as I'd hoped for (quieter than my decat'd E) but the soft top really added to the occasion. Sun was shining. This is it! This is the car to get me out of the Evora! It did not drive nearly as well as the evora, but its a 11 year old car, so can't expect too much
Crunched some numbers over the following few days, and the deal was done. Insurance changed, deposit placed..
I was meant to be picking it up this morning. Upon gathering up all the necessary documents last night, I had a horrible feeling I was doing the wrong thing. I couldn't explain it at all, and decided to talk to the girlfriend for her opinion! (
) Believe it or not, she actually got quite emotional at the thought of leaving the car behind for a new model (strange I know!) but genuinely couldn't sleep last night thinking I was making a huge mistake.
So long story short, I've pulled out. The Evora is staying! Much apologies made to the dealer, and now to try and get my deposit back .. 'Good luck' I hear the crowd cheering!
Someone tell me I've done the right thing!
Forgive me Evora for I have sinned
Morning all, interesting story (kind of) coming up!
I've owned my 2010 Evora from new, and I've done around 15000 miles so far. There really was no feeling like speccing up my own car and going to Murrays to pick it up. I don't think I'll ever forget that day. I have done a few track days in it, and a trip to the Nurburgring. The car has not been without fault (like all of them I suppose) but the last six months or so it really has been fantastic.
However, I'm sure other owners are the same, I can't help but find myself wondering into the Pistonhead Classifieds almost on a daily basis, merely just looking, but last weekend my eye was caught, by a Yellow Ferrari 360 Spider.
I have not specifically been looking to change, and not really sure what I would change to, but after almost two and a half years, I must admit to having itchy feet. The only other car close to pulling me out of my CO Evora was the MY12 IPS S. Unfortunately me and Brandon couldn't agree on numbers, plus I wasn't convinced it wqas a big enough change to justify the extra outlay
Anyways, back to my (uninteresting) story. Slot booked at Ferrari for a test drive, and I went down on Monday. I was swithering on the way down whether Yellow was right or not, but in the flesh it looked fantastic. Better than expected and it was absolutely immaculate. A credit to the previous owner.
Drive was to be expected. Lots of drama, not as much noise as I'd hoped for (quieter than my decat'd E) but the soft top really added to the occasion. Sun was shining. This is it! This is the car to get me out of the Evora! It did not drive nearly as well as the evora, but its a 11 year old car, so can't expect too much
Crunched some numbers over the following few days, and the deal was done. Insurance changed, deposit placed..
I was meant to be picking it up this morning. Upon gathering up all the necessary documents last night, I had a horrible feeling I was doing the wrong thing. I couldn't explain it at all, and decided to talk to the girlfriend for her opinion! (
) Believe it or not, she actually got quite emotional at the thought of leaving the car behind for a new model (strange I know!) but genuinely couldn't sleep last night thinking I was making a huge mistake.So long story short, I've pulled out. The Evora is staying! Much apologies made to the dealer, and now to try and get my deposit back .. 'Good luck' I hear the crowd cheering!
Someone tell me I've done the right thing!
Why would you want to change the Evora for an 11 year old car that did not drive aswell??...because the sun was shining??
"You did the right thing"....and whilst my Evora experience has yet to begin...hopefully from tomorrow now that I am assured the gearchange has been fully sorted...it is testament to the car that you have kept it this long given your car history.
I know we are all always looking for the ultimate as far as our budget will allow, but maybe short of a lot more ummph (extract more power form the Evora)...you have found it?
If I change the Evora for anything it will probably be a convertible Exige in a year or two...if I can live with the lack of practicality?
"You did the right thing"....and whilst my Evora experience has yet to begin...hopefully from tomorrow now that I am assured the gearchange has been fully sorted...it is testament to the car that you have kept it this long given your car history.
I know we are all always looking for the ultimate as far as our budget will allow, but maybe short of a lot more ummph (extract more power form the Evora)...you have found it?
If I change the Evora for anything it will probably be a convertible Exige in a year or two...if I can live with the lack of practicality?
CTE said:
Why would you want to change the Evora for an 11 year old car that did not drive aswell??...because the sun was shining??
"You did the right thing"....and whilst my Evora experience has yet to begin...hopefully from tomorrow now that I am assured the gearchange has been fully sorted...it is testament to the car that you have kept it this long given your car history.
I know we are all always looking for the ultimate as far as our budget will allow, but maybe short of a lot more ummph (extract more power form the Evora)...you have found it?
If I change the Evora for anything it will probably be a convertible Exige in a year or two...if I can live with the lack of practicality?
Good point. The sun/roof off definately added to the sense of occasion. Have you bought one? Spec? "You did the right thing"....and whilst my Evora experience has yet to begin...hopefully from tomorrow now that I am assured the gearchange has been fully sorted...it is testament to the car that you have kept it this long given your car history.
I know we are all always looking for the ultimate as far as our budget will allow, but maybe short of a lot more ummph (extract more power form the Evora)...you have found it?
If I change the Evora for anything it will probably be a convertible Exige in a year or two...if I can live with the lack of practicality?
I have thought about modding the Evora, but if I'm getting an itch to change, I'd imagine I'm wasting my money..
bobo said:
probably testimony to just how good your car is £for£ ...
if you want more theater to go with handling just get a CO v6 exige. that will polish off most of your friends exotica on the next road trip with its cruiserweight like physique.
Interestingly, I've owned an Exige before and driven one recently, I couldn't wait to get back into the Evora!if you want more theater to go with handling just get a CO v6 exige. that will polish off most of your friends exotica on the next road trip with its cruiserweight like physique.
C43 said:
every time you drive the Evora down a twisty country road you will know you did the right thing 
I think you might have a good point there.. Come on Lotus.. Where is the convertible Evora!!!
justin220 said:
Another update, copied from another forum
Forgive me Evora for I have sinned
but genuinely couldn't sleep last night thinking I was making a huge mistake.
Someone tell me I've done the right thing!
JustinForgive me Evora for I have sinned
but genuinely couldn't sleep last night thinking I was making a huge mistake.
Someone tell me I've done the right thing!
I suspect you are in the best position to compare and contrast and its an interesting read particularly the type of car you were looking at. Regarding the loss of sleep I did exactly the same when I was going from the Europa to the Evora but going to the Evora was definitely the right thing to do.
Well I was almost going to slate you for being a "baaaaaaahing" sheep and taking it up the A**E like a lot of other idiots who go with the crowd.
You didn't.
That's laudable, in fact it's admirable in the extreme.
Well done!!!!!!
The daft image that one must buy an 'X' or 'Y' because that's what you do when you've 'made it' is the most repugnant concept I've heard of.
And you managed to sidestep it.
Well done again.
Long live LOTUS.
You didn't.
That's laudable, in fact it's admirable in the extreme.
Well done!!!!!!
The daft image that one must buy an 'X' or 'Y' because that's what you do when you've 'made it' is the most repugnant concept I've heard of.
And you managed to sidestep it.
Well done again.
Long live LOTUS.
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