Why does no one listen to us in car buying?
Discussion
Just caught up with the "£50-£60k Sports Car" thread in car buying. OP bought an F Type, despite a vociferous pro-Evora love-in.
I've seen this a few times now (and contributed too). We just get ignored, either by the OP or everyone else. It is almost like there is a mental block the moment the word "Lotus" is mentioned. Porsche blah blah, M3 blah blah, F Type, GTR, Mustang....and the OP goes, "I'll have a look".
Evora. Nothing. Not a peep.
Are we just in a delusional bubble or is it the great pistonheads unwashed that cannot comprehend the Evora omnipotence?
I've seen this a few times now (and contributed too). We just get ignored, either by the OP or everyone else. It is almost like there is a mental block the moment the word "Lotus" is mentioned. Porsche blah blah, M3 blah blah, F Type, GTR, Mustang....and the OP goes, "I'll have a look".
Evora. Nothing. Not a peep.
Are we just in a delusional bubble or is it the great pistonheads unwashed that cannot comprehend the Evora omnipotence?
I just read the thread and I don't think he drove one. He tried an Emira, called it a track car and then compared it negatively to a way more expensive Mclaren. I think people worry about the lack of dealer support, the fact that any issues with Lotus seem to get more attention than other cars and probably thought the Jag would look better and get less confused feedback in the golf club car park!
Just did a trip from Devon to Manchester and back in 24 hours in my S1 (100k + mile) Evora, in comfort and at a pace that the various gantry cameras allowed, just a fantastic thing.
Just did a trip from Devon to Manchester and back in 24 hours in my S1 (100k + mile) Evora, in comfort and at a pace that the various gantry cameras allowed, just a fantastic thing.
Lotus, like Alfa Romeo, is a car you want above all others, or you don't.
It's very rare to see someone weighing up Porsche, BMW, Lotus - and end up with the Lotus. As above, I suspect the constant 'meme stories' of reliability, build quality (and lets be honest, the Emira's haven't helped this much), lack of dealer support (despite the fact there are many excellent indies) mean that people just gravitate to the 'safe' brands.
It's very rare to see someone weighing up Porsche, BMW, Lotus - and end up with the Lotus. As above, I suspect the constant 'meme stories' of reliability, build quality (and lets be honest, the Emira's haven't helped this much), lack of dealer support (despite the fact there are many excellent indies) mean that people just gravitate to the 'safe' brands.
I suppose I'm always a bit disappointed about how limited people's choice is when it comes down to a Sports Car. If they are choosing a family wagon then reliabilty and dealer support are high up in the decision making. For me, handling and performance rate higher than practicalities.
I've happily considered Porsches, Alfas, Mustangs in the past before choosing a Jag Scooby, TVR and then the Evora.
I'll still keep plugging an Evora when the next "what £30k-£80k Sports Car ?" happens. And expect to be ignored!
I've happily considered Porsches, Alfas, Mustangs in the past before choosing a Jag Scooby, TVR and then the Evora.
I'll still keep plugging an Evora when the next "what £30k-£80k Sports Car ?" happens. And expect to be ignored!
If someone is posting on here asking what he should buy, chances are he s not actually a driving enthusiast and is more concerned with looks and image.
What they re really asking is what car can I buy that impresses people.
No actual enthusiast with half a clue is going to sit in an Emira and think track car! .
But then no casual buyer is going to consider an Evora and then spend the rest of their ownership having to explain what it is to their mates.
What they re really asking is what car can I buy that impresses people.
No actual enthusiast with half a clue is going to sit in an Emira and think track car! .
But then no casual buyer is going to consider an Evora and then spend the rest of their ownership having to explain what it is to their mates.
Edited by giveitfish on Tuesday 3rd February 22:18
giveitfish said:
Although I ve now read that thread and I think the OP knew exactly what he wanted and in the end bought it.
There s very little overlap between an F-Type and an Evora.
I've had both and would agree.There s very little overlap between an F-Type and an Evora.
I think you have to really want a Lotus, too many may see them as a bit niche or impractical. I don't think it's one where you have a blank piece of paper and £50,000 or whatever and that you would be easily swayed to one.
I just think Lotus are just a bit like TVR really, and if you want one then you'll get one. Whereas the majority do seem to swerve them both though in comparison to the usual subjects.
I find the Boxster and 911 as a bit of an obvious choice as well for example, but almost everyone seems to flock to them as well I think.
I find the Boxster and 911 as a bit of an obvious choice as well for example, but almost everyone seems to flock to them as well I think.
I was ambivalent about wanting a Lotus. I was very make agnostic. I wanted a good looking, grunty GT car for about £30k. A bit like the OP in Car Buying. My long list was a Mustang, Lexus RC-F, F Type, Alpine A110, Cerbera, XKR and the Evora as a wild card.
Once I got serious everything dropped by the wayside but the Evora. It was only once I had it that I realised the true awesomeness that I now have such an evangelical zeal. It is such a good all-rounder.
Perhaps we just keep it as a best kept secret
Once I got serious everything dropped by the wayside but the Evora. It was only once I had it that I realised the true awesomeness that I now have such an evangelical zeal. It is such a good all-rounder.
Perhaps we just keep it as a best kept secret
TVRBRZ said:
It’s red! 
For me, I looked at and drove all of the competition, the Evora was the last car I drove and only because I saw Lotus Silverstone on my way back from returning a Cayman to the Porsche experience centre.
I had the Cayman for a day and although it was good it felt anodyne, and just didn’t excite me. On test driving the Evora I was immediately sold on the steering feel, balance and character. 3 mins with the Evora and I knew I was buying one, 24 hours with a Cayman and it was “meh”
911 wasn’t much better, R8 was good but not as brilliant to drive as Evora.
I think part of the issue is as mentioned above, this site should be called “badgeheads”. Plus the Evora is difficult to photograph well so aesthetically can look awkward. Oh and it has a “Camry” engine so it must be crap
Not sure if everyone’s the same but I’ve never been swayed by people’s recommendations on an internet site. Lots of people do what they think is playing safe even though they pose the question “What should I buy?” and had no intention of swaying from the usual suspects. It makes interesting reading in the debate.
The perception of lotus by many people is of a subprime product. I’d argue petrolheads are some of the strongest to carry that view (to many non car types it’s just another flashy sports car).
You won’t dispel this way of thinking no matter how much you champion the cause. I’ve got many car mates that just view lotus as a cheap brand making a step up from a kit car and using cheap engines from non exotic origins. And these days, when they find out the last model exiges we’re pushing £100k, they think that’s even more of insane as they assume they are still £50k cars new.
The response is usually ‘why would you buy that?” Often then with the P word mentioned next.
And these are car mates on my own choices of chariot, not me making a suggestion for what others might want to buy at a certain price point. Very few rate a lotus or appreciate where it might surpass competition. Those that do probably already own one. Do chances of ever persuading someone to consider one is slim indeed.
You won’t dispel this way of thinking no matter how much you champion the cause. I’ve got many car mates that just view lotus as a cheap brand making a step up from a kit car and using cheap engines from non exotic origins. And these days, when they find out the last model exiges we’re pushing £100k, they think that’s even more of insane as they assume they are still £50k cars new.
The response is usually ‘why would you buy that?” Often then with the P word mentioned next.
And these are car mates on my own choices of chariot, not me making a suggestion for what others might want to buy at a certain price point. Very few rate a lotus or appreciate where it might surpass competition. Those that do probably already own one. Do chances of ever persuading someone to consider one is slim indeed.
M138 said:
Not sure if everyone s the same but I ve never been swayed by people s recommendations on an internet site. Lots of people do what they think is playing safe even though they pose the question What should I buy? and had no intention of swaying from the usual suspects. It makes interesting reading in the debate.
That is one of the things I love about my 370Z as well. Hardly anyone likes them regardless of whether they're any good or not. So that leaves me with a car that I really like, and I don't see many either, because they're so rare. The £760 a year tax does occasionally put me off it though in fairness! 
Puzzles said:
I always thought the +2 was the perfect family car
I used to think that about my Cerbera as well, but I think that I was kidding myself really though. However I did have passengers sat in the back in it occasionally though. My current F82 M4 is a decent sized +2 though in comparison, but obviously nowhere near as sexy as an Evora or Cerbera though of course. Gassing Station | Evora | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff