Why I didn't buy a Lotus
Discussion
The OP's personal reasons for buying a porka are fair but this thread would always turn into an arguement when titled "why I didn't buy a lotus" instead of "why I bought a porka" so it does come across as trolling in that respect whether intentional or not.
However, if you have the money for a porka and do not want a car with a few foibles then porka is obviously the route.
It's a shame that many people who have not lived with a newer lotus feel the need to bash them constantly. Their build quality is improving, getting steadily better over the last decade or so. Having driven the Evora, I agree it's not a 911 but it is a bloody good car that unfortunately sits in a no mans land between cayman and 911 so would always suffer on sales.
I hope the Lotus masterplan comes off but to have so many detractors that really are not able to give well informed comments is a shame.
However, if you have the money for a porka and do not want a car with a few foibles then porka is obviously the route.
It's a shame that many people who have not lived with a newer lotus feel the need to bash them constantly. Their build quality is improving, getting steadily better over the last decade or so. Having driven the Evora, I agree it's not a 911 but it is a bloody good car that unfortunately sits in a no mans land between cayman and 911 so would always suffer on sales.
I hope the Lotus masterplan comes off but to have so many detractors that really are not able to give well informed comments is a shame.
Dusty964 said:
Seriously, if they are that bloody great great, why not spend your cash on one...
Because like most Lotus lovers it seems on here (you know the ones that bang on about Lotus releasing another low budget sports car for the 'masses' to buy), many wont part with their money to buy one (and 'Pits seems to have money judging by his garage) yet insist others should in order to keep them going.I do hope that Lotus do well with Bahar at the wheel (many dont seem to want him to but want Lotus to succeed - bit odd), and hopefully theyll do a skoda, ie theyll up their game, quality will improve and the word will get out
kingstondc5 said:
Because like most Lotus lovers it seems on here (you know the ones that bang on about Lotus releasing another low budget sports car for the 'masses' to buy), many wont part with their money to buy one (and 'Pits seems to have money judging by his garage) yet insist others should in order to keep them going.
I do hope that Lotus do well with Bahar at the wheel (many dont seem to want him to but want Lotus to succeed - bit odd), and hopefully theyll do a skoda, ie theyll up their game, quality will improve and the word will get out
Dear Lord, must be 'internet time' at the special needs care home.I do hope that Lotus do well with Bahar at the wheel (many dont seem to want him to but want Lotus to succeed - bit odd), and hopefully theyll do a skoda, ie theyll up their game, quality will improve and the word will get out
I doubt there's anything I can write in reply that will make you look any more ignorant than your own post already has but I'll give it a go.
I really didn't think anyone would be interested in why I don't currently own an Evora but it would appear otherwise.
Let's begin with the fact that I'd love to own an Evora. It remains one of the most impressive cars I've driven in the last 10 years.
As has been well documented in the Lotus forum I was genuinely considering buying a new Evora S in place of my used V12 Vantage. I think that's already a serious endorsement. I went for the Vantage in the end because I have a fascination for V12 engines, and I considered it to be my last chance to get a car with a V12 and a manual - a glorious combination currently on the verge of extinction. However the decision was still agonizingly close for me as has been documented on the Lotus forum. The other factors were that I already own a Lotus Elise and the thought of keeping it alongside a V12 Vantage was what won the day.
As it happens I was also in the running to win an Evora S until recently and subject to a test drive, will be getting an Exige V6. In theory it should combine everything I love about my Elise with much of what I love about the Evora. However if for any reason it doesn't live up to my expectations I shall reconsider the Evora S. With two young children it could be the ultimate daily driver for me.
Anything else you'd like to know?
Dusty964 said:
This. Exactly- one of the main reasons I gave up going to le mans- so fed up with the amazing lotus running away with class wins year after year. Luckily, I was able to see the amazing lotus at the Dubai 24h this year, cutting a path through the ancient, lumbering 911's.
Seriously, if they are that bloody great great, why not spend your cash on one, rather than the constant (and may I add) somewhat pathetic ridicule of someones purchase (who, it would appear, seems to have spent some considerable time behind the wheel of various racing cars over the years- ie, perhaps is able to make informed decisions all by himself?)
Racing cars aren't relevant to the ones we can buy. For one thing development money is more important than what the car's based on anyway.Seriously, if they are that bloody great great, why not spend your cash on one, rather than the constant (and may I add) somewhat pathetic ridicule of someones purchase (who, it would appear, seems to have spent some considerable time behind the wheel of various racing cars over the years- ie, perhaps is able to make informed decisions all by himself?)
Regardless, the Evora GTE pro car actually did very well at Le Mans. Especially when you consider the budget they had to play with and that it was the first attempt (the race car has evolved considerably since then). 7th in class, 22nd overall is none too shabby.
The class was won by a factory Corvette, 2nd was a 458 Italia, 3rd a factory M3. 911s were 4th, 5th and 6th.
The Evora GTE beat 2 911 RSR's, the other works corvette and works M3, no fewer than 5 458 Italias, all in the GTE Pro class. Considering how the price of the base cars compares you'd have to say that's punching way above your weight.
kingstondc5 said:
I do hope that Lotus do well with Bahar at the wheel (many dont seem to want him to but want Lotus to succeed - bit odd), and hopefully theyll do a skoda, ie theyll up their game, quality will improve and the word will get out
Hopefully unlike Skoda they will retain a distinctive set of engineering values and not become another manufacturer of the same stuff as everyone else with a different badge on it.Dusty964 said:
Or in other words, it lost to the Porsche?
Well then, you should buy a Corvette, 458 Italia or even an M3 before you think about a 911, which didn't even make the podium!Something I'm naturally hoping the Evora might achieve this year, as mentioned the car has evolved significantly since then.
Would you change your view then? Thought not.
The Pits said:
Regardless, the Evora GTE pro car actually did very well at Le Mans. Especially when you consider the budget they had to play with and that it was the first attempt (the race car has evolved considerably since then). 7th in class, 22nd overall is none too shabby.
Quite.Although it's important to remember there were quite a few special dispensations allowed by ACO to enable Evora to be competitive in class.
The Pits said:
Well then, you should buy a Corvette, 458 Italia or even an M3 before you think about a 911, which didn't even make the podium!
Something I'm naturally hoping the Evora might achieve this year, as mentioned the car has evolved significantly since then.
Would you change your view then? Thought not.
No, in fairness I wouldn't, because I do, have always and wil always prefered the 911. I've not driven the lotus- I don't want to- I simply don't like the way it looks and therefore wouldn't bother- I couldn't purchase something that I didn't like the look of. That said, I wouldn't try and convince anyone to buy one for that reason either, but then I'm not the one trying to convince folk that they bought the wrong thing! Something I'm naturally hoping the Evora might achieve this year, as mentioned the car has evolved significantly since then.
Would you change your view then? Thought not.
I went from an 04 996tt x50 to an 09 exige s last october and am still very much enjoying it. Such a change in driving characteristics. Also there was always some sort of niggle or problem with the porsche where the lotus has been totally and utterly perfect (admittedly it's only 5 months into ownership).
Wouldn't mind a shot in an Evora tho I admit before I got the exige I had never thought about them.
Wouldn't mind a shot in an Evora tho I admit before I got the exige I had never thought about them.
A couple of points to make.......I am definately NOT a Porsche salesman just an early retired software engineer who is using some (quite a lot!) of his hard earned to buy another toy. I agree with the poster on the 'provocative' topic title, it would have been better to call it 'why I bought a 911' and not so obviously focus on the Lotus content, but in defence having followed the Evora thread it did seem fairly relevant at the time. Looking back it is all a matter of confidence when you are spending a serious wad of cash - previously my max spend for a road car has been around 25k so I guess paying considerably more does subconciously make you a little more circumspect. I genuinely admire people who can buy stuff at this sort of value (with their own cash) purely on 'heart' rather than 'head' which is the way I've always bought race cars which are as you know money pits a bit like boats!
DallaraV8 said:
A couple of points to make.......I am definately NOT a Porsche salesman just an early retired software engineer who is using some (quite a lot!) of his hard earned to buy another toy. I agree with the poster on the 'provocative' topic title, it would have been better to call it 'why I bought a 911' and not so obviously focus on the Lotus content, but in defence having followed the Evora thread it did seem fairly relevant at the time. Looking back it is all a matter of confidence when you are spending a serious wad of cash - previously my max spend for a road car has been around 25k so I guess paying considerably more does subconciously make you a little more circumspect. I genuinely admire people who can buy stuff at this sort of value (with their own cash) purely on 'heart' rather than 'head' which is the way I've always bought race cars which are as you know money pits a bit like boats!
Thanks for posting this - I am sure that Lotus boffs read PH (if they don't they are fools) - they really do need to take on board folks critiscisms of the Evora to enable them to up their game. Folk like me will purchase Lotus cars whatever product comes out of Hethel - but to get folk to buy who are not part of the 'Lotus' ethos will be a rather different kettle of fish.
1981linley said:
Hardly think the Lotus badge is less auspicious than Porsche. Once upon a time, as a boy, Porsche was up there with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini....they were a rare sight....a treat...a car that made you go wow or think he's rich. Now I see more Porsches on the road than enough. I don't think anything of them anymore, well certainly not anything more than when someone in a BMW or Audi goes by. For me, desirability is about rarity, as are most things. Lotus is rare. Any model they produce will turn 99 out of 100 heads on the road and on the high street. As brands I would certainly put Porsche and Lotus on equal footing. They are not quite super cars. Difference is, with Lotus, as well as enthusiasm from non specialists and people who know nothing about cars, respect also comes from genuine fans of driving, who know that you know your stuff. Porsche is bland, like a Marks and Spencer suit. ...
This 100%. I understand that the Porsche is well built, fast, handles well, great engine etc but it is expensive, bland and very common. In watch terms it is like buying a Rolex - financially it is the right thing to do.The Lotus doesn't have the best engine, the quality of the finish isn't the best (but they are solid, reliable and simple). Why wouldn't anyone buy an Elise? - you sit right on the road, have to post yourself through the door Dukes of Hazzard style, bake in the summer, have no driver aids and accelerate and corner like a go-kart. It all happens at relatively low speeds as well so it is usable on the roads.
I do however understand why people won't buy the Evora. Lotus need to inject a bit more Pagani into the finish, then people will pay the premium.
The irony is, by making it bland they hoped it would appeal to people who like porsches!
The evora's appearance is pleasing to my eye, there's more than a hint of Lancia Stratos about it, but it lacks the raw appeal needed to silence the boring risk-averse side of the brain that wants to play safe and get a porsche. The styling does not adequately reflect the utter brilliance of the car underneath.
for me it's a sad day when Lotus decided they should copy porsche. lest we forget, the myopic dumkopfs with only one, tedious design language which gave the world the Cayenne and somehow even more hideous Panamera.
The evora's appearance is pleasing to my eye, there's more than a hint of Lancia Stratos about it, but it lacks the raw appeal needed to silence the boring risk-averse side of the brain that wants to play safe and get a porsche. The styling does not adequately reflect the utter brilliance of the car underneath.
for me it's a sad day when Lotus decided they should copy porsche. lest we forget, the myopic dumkopfs with only one, tedious design language which gave the world the Cayenne and somehow even more hideous Panamera.
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