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.

[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.

[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?

[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!

[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?

[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.

[Gravel]

blueg33 said:

I bought mine out of Warranty. Lotus Silverstone de-niggled it it as part of the servive

That is very good of them! It's just a shame they're 2 hours drive away from me.

[Gravel]

kambites said:

Two hours is quite a short trip to make to buy a car of that sort of price.

No, I agree, I've been trying to resist the urge to book some flights to go see one further away! I just think it's a bit far for servicing, unless they give me an Exige S to drive round the track while they spanner away

[Gravel]

Sumsion said:

I am with this ! I return to the factory for servicing . However a relationship with a dealer will smooth issues with niggles

Does this cost any more than getting serviced at a dealership? I'm probably as close to Hethel as to my nearest dealer.

[Gravel]

Sumsion said:

I checked the pricing for servicing my LE n/a a few years ago and found the factory was best value , the prices were similar however instant answers on warranty claims. The prices for my S IPS are similar , plus they have all the knowledge and experience . Nothing less than perfect service from Lotus Motorsport.

Thanks, that's interesting to know!

[Gravel]

Well, just booked myself a test drive

[Gravel]

blueg33 said:

Mossyboy1978 said:

blueg33 said:

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

Yep - I walked in seeking a manual N/A 2010 car and walked out with a MY12 S IPS. She's pretty good. But she also knows a Lotus customer when she sees one compared to a person just having a laugh on a test drive.

She has been pushing me towards a new one.....eek

One guess where my test drive is...

Look into my eyes, into my eyes, not around my eyes, but into my eyes. When I count to three, you will awaken and want to sign a 50:50 finance deal...

[Gravel]

Well, I had my testdrive yesterday Somehow I'd managed to put my back out on Friday night, moving stuff round the garage, so I was a bit hobbled, but I was pleasantly surprised at just how comfortable the Evora is.

It is a very,very nice place to be. Yes, the sills are big, yes the pedals are offset, but a couple of minutes in to actually driving it, all of that is forgiven. It feels preety airy inside, but while its squat appearance makes it look wide and hippy from the outside, when actually driving it down narrow country lanes, it doesn't feel big at all.

I don't think I did enough driving to get a sense of the steering - it seemed pretty good to me, but TBH I was too busy trying not to make a complete prat of myself on my first testdrive in half a decade. I'm pretty sure I spent most of it in 3rd gear, so I can't comment on the gearchange much either.

It certainly has plenty of go, and it does it so serenely that it's probably a far bigger risk to my license than my current screaming 4-pot which always sounds angry. I know people always bang on about the ride quality, but the disconnection between the crappy broken B-road surface that my eyes can see infront of me, and the way the car glides over it is rather amazing! The drive back home across the same roads had my ears bleeidng and my head banging off the roof lining! I did think the Evora was a bit too quiet though - so I was told to give the 'sport button' a prod. Whoever signed off that button placement should be sat on the naughty step for a very,very long time!

The chap from Lotus Silverstone, Matthew was very nice - we had a good long chat before the testdrive, and there was no hard sell from him, just bags of genuine enthusiasm for the brand and the Evora in particular.

They also had a stunning green car in the showroom - a beautiful metallic emerald green sort of colour. Given that all the bodywork comes off, I wonder whether you could just ship the outside of your Evora back to the factory for a respray when it goes in for a clutch change

So, I think I've probably gone from 'would quite like one' to 'I need one'

[Gravel]

blueg33 said:

Motorsport Green - I've seen that car its lovely

From the front, yes - but it didn't seem quite all there round the back!

I really also liked the Essex Blue too, but I'm not so taken by the stripes.

[Gravel]

blueg33 said:

Did you see that grey for S with red leather upholstery. If so did it look any good
Thanks

I think that's the one I test-drove. It was indeed very nice IMO, but then again I don't have any points of comparison as it's the only one I've even sat in!

[Gravel]

blueg33 said:

An S with alcantara dash? The dash doesn't match the sests? Of isn't quite as lotus intended.

It has been modified to look a lot like a Sports Racer - and apparently has a few other later model year improvements.

[Gravel]

blueg33 said:

Thanks. Aimee had been trying to persuade me to look at it, in between trying to sell me a new one.

Edited by blueg33 on Monday 9th March 07:41

I guess it depends how far away you are, but it might still be worth a look. It seems to have some interesting history - it's not been modded on the cheap at Halfords, but I guess you should ask them about that!

[Gravel]

Is there anything I should as a dealer to look at on a 2013 car above and beyond their normal pre sale check up?