Lotus Evora S...
Discussion
BravoV8V said:
I sent Justin a couple of PM/emails last week (after reading his posts on here and LTF) but I guess that they never got through because I never heard back from him.
Bravo, apologies I never received anything? I'll go and check my settings, or junk mail.. I'm on my mobile just now but I'll reply properly soon.
Bottom line is the Evora is a phenomenal car. I really, really miss mine.
I'll write up a bit of a comparison soon
The dealer gave me an Evora a couple of years back when my car was in having a service and new clutch, fantastic car. I was reluctant to give it back at the end of the week. It just wants to rev and go fast everywhere, all the time. Absolutely loved it apart from the look of the front end. Build quality was iffy but for driving fun - spectacular.
Totally different thing from a sportshift V8V obviously.
Totally different thing from a sportshift V8V obviously.
Barvo, I think the problem is all cars and tastes are very personal. I will try and give an non bias opinion, but feel that Lotus is one of those brands that really appeals to certain people, whereas an Aston appeals to almost everyone. For example, my Dad loves the Vantage, but described the Evora as a big go kart. I'm one of the ones who think Lotus has a really cool attraction to them, for being a Lotus. Something that almost no other car has for me.
Bit of history on each car -
Evora
I bought the Evora brand new from Murrays in Edinburgh, and owned for just over 3 years. The first year it was up and down to the dealership for minor problem quite a lot, small niggles, but big enough to justify a 250mile round trip once a month. I quickly got off wrong foot with it (after the initial honeymoon period wore off). After the initial 12 months of so, it was very trouble free. I think Lotus almost used its customers as Q&A for the Evora, as many of my problems were common to other cars, but aren't so much now. The next two years were fantastic. I had it out on a few track days, over to the Nurburgring, weekends away. The Evora really is a brilliant all rounder. It was so good one long distance drives (better than my pervious Range Rover Sport) and yet even better on a back road. You really should try one!
Vantage
So after 3 years (which is the longest I have owned a car!) I was itching for a change, but nothing was really appealing to me. I was tempted by an Evora S, but was worried that the cost to change was greater than how different the car would feel. I spoke to Lotus about trading up, but was not offered a good deal at all, which sealed the Evora S as a no go. Popped next door to Aston and had a nosey around. I had looked a Vantage previously but ruled it out as I thought it was a bit grown up. Anyways, got chatting, and the following week the deal was done.. I've now owned the Vantage for 15 months and being honest it's been a bit of a love hate affair initially. I think the Vantage although similar in terms of size, and what its aimed at, is actually significantly to the Evora. The first week of ownership I loved it, then I'd miss the Evora. I think the change was bigger than expected. Going from bright Orange to Grey probably didn't help! This was a conscious decision at the time thinking if I don't like it, Grey will be easy to sell, but looking back I should have went for a more 'me' colour. Since then I've done a few bits and bobs to the Vantage and I have really started to bond with it. (I have also very nearly swapped back into an Evora S, and then a Cayman - the Evora S I was worried about depreciation when the 400 came out, and Porsche didn't offer me good enough money for the PX). I've not done any major Euro trips, but I've taken it on a few long weekends away etc.
Comparison Evora - Vantage
Looks - Looks are subjective, but I think the Vantage is a stunning looking car and almost everyone says the same. The Evora has a more futuristic look about it, and is very sleek. It doesn't photograph as well, I always think it looked a bit understated and small in pictures, but on the rare occasion I've seen one on the road, it really has great presence about it. Orange obviously stood out like nothing else. The Vantage tends to blend in and is much more subtle. To the general public though, the Aston looks classy, the Evora looks like a toy car.
Interior - The Vantage wins this one hands down. The Evora had more room with the back seats which was really handy for luggage or a third body, but the Vantage interior is the best I've ever sat in. Everything else seems either boring or low rent after you get used to the leathers, dashboard (mine is the updated interior, not sure what the previous is like). The Evora interior still feels a special place to sit in comparison to the Cayman. The Evora seats were much better. Probably the best seats I've sat in. The stereo and Sat Nav was poor, whereas the Aston stereo is awesome, but the Sat Nav is also awful.
Running Costs - Probably not as far apart as you would imagine. I probably drove the Evora quicker as its nature was to do so, the Vantage seems more of a cruiser and a bit less keen to rev. I averaged 24mpg in the Evora, and I'm getting 22mpg in the V8. Tyres were much the same (£700 full set). Servicing is about twice as much for the Vantage. (800 v 400). Touch wood, I've not had a single issue with my V8 so far, which I didn't expect.
Drive/Handling - This is the big one for me, and I'm afraid the Evora slaughters the Vantage in every area. The V8 sounds wonderful (from the outside, bit muted on the inside I feel) but apart from that the Evora wins hands down. Long distance, Evora is comfier, on a back road the Evora was really at home and felt brilliant. I'm not sure how Lotus do it, but it seems to have two personalities. Not sure how something so comfy on a motorway can also be brilliant around a track/country lane. The Evora wanted to be drive quickly, the steering feel was the best I've used, but even the brakes and accelerator were weighted just right. The Vantage just feels a bit sluggish, reluctant to rev, the brakes are powerful but not nearly as sharp. It feels very dim witted in comparison. I appreciate that the V8 wasn't made to be like the Evora, but it took me a while to get used to it. The Vantage is still good, just not as good.
Dealership - Both excellent. I had a lot more dealings with Lotus, but couldn't fault either. I would happily take any car to either dealer.
Others - The Lotus community is excellent. The weekend runs, the track days, the forums. Aston Martin doesn't have the same feel, not sure why... Both ownership experiences had great little touches. Lotus took us all to Knockhill to try out the new Exige V6, along with other Lotus', and Aston threw a Celebration Evening at the dealership which gave us a great insight into the brand, workshop, and basically free reign to have a look around. These things make owning a car feel more special to me. I don't really want to own two cars, so tend to look out for something that does everything. Both cars are superb, just different. It might sound a bit shallow, but owning an Aston Martin is something very special. And the Evora is very special to drive.
Happy to answer any more questions on the Evora. I would recommend trying one, although please note the Evora takes a while to really appreciate just how good it is, A 20 minute test drive doesn't tell you nearly enough.
Bit of history on each car -
Evora
I bought the Evora brand new from Murrays in Edinburgh, and owned for just over 3 years. The first year it was up and down to the dealership for minor problem quite a lot, small niggles, but big enough to justify a 250mile round trip once a month. I quickly got off wrong foot with it (after the initial honeymoon period wore off). After the initial 12 months of so, it was very trouble free. I think Lotus almost used its customers as Q&A for the Evora, as many of my problems were common to other cars, but aren't so much now. The next two years were fantastic. I had it out on a few track days, over to the Nurburgring, weekends away. The Evora really is a brilliant all rounder. It was so good one long distance drives (better than my pervious Range Rover Sport) and yet even better on a back road. You really should try one!
Vantage
So after 3 years (which is the longest I have owned a car!) I was itching for a change, but nothing was really appealing to me. I was tempted by an Evora S, but was worried that the cost to change was greater than how different the car would feel. I spoke to Lotus about trading up, but was not offered a good deal at all, which sealed the Evora S as a no go. Popped next door to Aston and had a nosey around. I had looked a Vantage previously but ruled it out as I thought it was a bit grown up. Anyways, got chatting, and the following week the deal was done.. I've now owned the Vantage for 15 months and being honest it's been a bit of a love hate affair initially. I think the Vantage although similar in terms of size, and what its aimed at, is actually significantly to the Evora. The first week of ownership I loved it, then I'd miss the Evora. I think the change was bigger than expected. Going from bright Orange to Grey probably didn't help! This was a conscious decision at the time thinking if I don't like it, Grey will be easy to sell, but looking back I should have went for a more 'me' colour. Since then I've done a few bits and bobs to the Vantage and I have really started to bond with it. (I have also very nearly swapped back into an Evora S, and then a Cayman - the Evora S I was worried about depreciation when the 400 came out, and Porsche didn't offer me good enough money for the PX). I've not done any major Euro trips, but I've taken it on a few long weekends away etc.
Comparison Evora - Vantage
Looks - Looks are subjective, but I think the Vantage is a stunning looking car and almost everyone says the same. The Evora has a more futuristic look about it, and is very sleek. It doesn't photograph as well, I always think it looked a bit understated and small in pictures, but on the rare occasion I've seen one on the road, it really has great presence about it. Orange obviously stood out like nothing else. The Vantage tends to blend in and is much more subtle. To the general public though, the Aston looks classy, the Evora looks like a toy car.
Interior - The Vantage wins this one hands down. The Evora had more room with the back seats which was really handy for luggage or a third body, but the Vantage interior is the best I've ever sat in. Everything else seems either boring or low rent after you get used to the leathers, dashboard (mine is the updated interior, not sure what the previous is like). The Evora interior still feels a special place to sit in comparison to the Cayman. The Evora seats were much better. Probably the best seats I've sat in. The stereo and Sat Nav was poor, whereas the Aston stereo is awesome, but the Sat Nav is also awful.
Running Costs - Probably not as far apart as you would imagine. I probably drove the Evora quicker as its nature was to do so, the Vantage seems more of a cruiser and a bit less keen to rev. I averaged 24mpg in the Evora, and I'm getting 22mpg in the V8. Tyres were much the same (£700 full set). Servicing is about twice as much for the Vantage. (800 v 400). Touch wood, I've not had a single issue with my V8 so far, which I didn't expect.
Drive/Handling - This is the big one for me, and I'm afraid the Evora slaughters the Vantage in every area. The V8 sounds wonderful (from the outside, bit muted on the inside I feel) but apart from that the Evora wins hands down. Long distance, Evora is comfier, on a back road the Evora was really at home and felt brilliant. I'm not sure how Lotus do it, but it seems to have two personalities. Not sure how something so comfy on a motorway can also be brilliant around a track/country lane. The Evora wanted to be drive quickly, the steering feel was the best I've used, but even the brakes and accelerator were weighted just right. The Vantage just feels a bit sluggish, reluctant to rev, the brakes are powerful but not nearly as sharp. It feels very dim witted in comparison. I appreciate that the V8 wasn't made to be like the Evora, but it took me a while to get used to it. The Vantage is still good, just not as good.
Dealership - Both excellent. I had a lot more dealings with Lotus, but couldn't fault either. I would happily take any car to either dealer.
Others - The Lotus community is excellent. The weekend runs, the track days, the forums. Aston Martin doesn't have the same feel, not sure why... Both ownership experiences had great little touches. Lotus took us all to Knockhill to try out the new Exige V6, along with other Lotus', and Aston threw a Celebration Evening at the dealership which gave us a great insight into the brand, workshop, and basically free reign to have a look around. These things make owning a car feel more special to me. I don't really want to own two cars, so tend to look out for something that does everything. Both cars are superb, just different. It might sound a bit shallow, but owning an Aston Martin is something very special. And the Evora is very special to drive.
Happy to answer any more questions on the Evora. I would recommend trying one, although please note the Evora takes a while to really appreciate just how good it is, A 20 minute test drive doesn't tell you nearly enough.
Thank you so much, Justin, for going to the effort of writing that assessment. I know that a 20 minute test drive isn't the longest time in the world but what I discovered during that drive is pretty much in line with what you've written.
I will confess that there is another factor in this decision. I am currently sat about half a mile away from the factory at Hethel whilst I write this. So the allure of Lotus is quite strong.
I will confess that there is another factor in this decision. I am currently sat about half a mile away from the factory at Hethel whilst I write this. So the allure of Lotus is quite strong.
No problem. Yes that might just sway it slightly as I know a lot of people put off by a Lotus since the dealerships are usually 100+ miles away.
Annoyingly I traded mine just when the prices started to level out. I think I got 32k from memory for my 2010 NA, that was 15 months ago now and the prices looked to have bottomed out.. Typical!
There are some great deals around on the Evora just now, the 50/50 offer is superb. I particularly like the Daytona Blue one in the classifieds.
The value would worry me slightly when the new model comes out. Although I think with it starting at 72 to 80k it shouldn't have too much of an impact...
Annoyingly I traded mine just when the prices started to level out. I think I got 32k from memory for my 2010 NA, that was 15 months ago now and the prices looked to have bottomed out.. Typical!
There are some great deals around on the Evora just now, the 50/50 offer is superb. I particularly like the Daytona Blue one in the classifieds.
The value would worry me slightly when the new model comes out. Although I think with it starting at 72 to 80k it shouldn't have too much of an impact...
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