New Emira or Used 911 or Cayman GT4?
Discussion
Hi Ash
Thank you for your response but as you werre the only one who bothered it is not quite the conclusive result or help that I was seeking. However everytime I look at an Emira I get that feeling that it's going to be the one, especially as they have oppened up the colour choices and will expand the options list soon.
Thank you for your response but as you werre the only one who bothered it is not quite the conclusive result or help that I was seeking. However everytime I look at an Emira I get that feeling that it's going to be the one, especially as they have oppened up the colour choices and will expand the options list soon.
Long time Lotus fan but they've changed now and their current customer service put me off upgrading to an Emira.
Wait a year for them to iron out the issues if going to get one would be my bet.
This is an interesting read.
https://www.emiraforum.com/threads/emira-issues-fr...
Wait a year for them to iron out the issues if going to get one would be my bet.
This is an interesting read.
https://www.emiraforum.com/threads/emira-issues-fr...
Personally would never pick a 911 over a Cayman, but aware I'm in the minority on that one.
For Cayman vs Emira, strip away the brand image stuff and what the car says about you (which is admittedly hard to do at this level) and you're left with two options that on paper seem similar but are actually very different in execution and philosophy.
Emira has classic Lotus attributes: hydraulic steering, double wishbones, huge attention to fine-tuning the feel through the primary controls BUT its weight distribution is fundamentally flawed, with that heavy iron supercharger on top of the extremely heavy GR lump mounted high up.
Cayman has humble McPhersons and EPAS, but Porsche have nailed the fundamentals with its boxer providing much lower CoG than the Emira. And although I've found a Lotus press release that claims 50F/50R weight distribution ISTR Harry's second video reporting differently, claiming the Emira to have greater rear weight bias than the Cayman (45F/55R) and in fact resembling a 911 with all that weight perched far to the rear.
I know which one I'd prefer, but it's a personal choice.
For Cayman vs Emira, strip away the brand image stuff and what the car says about you (which is admittedly hard to do at this level) and you're left with two options that on paper seem similar but are actually very different in execution and philosophy.
Emira has classic Lotus attributes: hydraulic steering, double wishbones, huge attention to fine-tuning the feel through the primary controls BUT its weight distribution is fundamentally flawed, with that heavy iron supercharger on top of the extremely heavy GR lump mounted high up.
Cayman has humble McPhersons and EPAS, but Porsche have nailed the fundamentals with its boxer providing much lower CoG than the Emira. And although I've found a Lotus press release that claims 50F/50R weight distribution ISTR Harry's second video reporting differently, claiming the Emira to have greater rear weight bias than the Cayman (45F/55R) and in fact resembling a 911 with all that weight perched far to the rear.
I know which one I'd prefer, but it's a personal choice.
The Emira is the sports car of the moment, and even when that isn't the case, it'll still be rare, still be a Lotus and still look superb.
The issue...is it's issues, sadly. Poor customer service, poor build quality/initial snagging... the market mood is not strong even if individuals have had good experiences, it's not their voices being heard so much...which is a awkward....and sad.
I went 981 Spyder, for all of the things that make the GT4 great, with some added rare-ness, fresh air, and a slightly more road biased set up. Zero regrets.
The issue...is it's issues, sadly. Poor customer service, poor build quality/initial snagging... the market mood is not strong even if individuals have had good experiences, it's not their voices being heard so much...which is a awkward....and sad.
I went 981 Spyder, for all of the things that make the GT4 great, with some added rare-ness, fresh air, and a slightly more road biased set up. Zero regrets.
stickshift said:
Hi Ash
Thank you for your response but as you werre the only one who bothered it is not quite the conclusive result or help that I was seeking. However everytime I look at an Emira I get that feeling that it's going to be the one, especially as they have oppened up the colour choices and will expand the options list soon.
Given Ash's reply was the first one on page 2, I think you might've skipped a full page of replies Thank you for your response but as you werre the only one who bothered it is not quite the conclusive result or help that I was seeking. However everytime I look at an Emira I get that feeling that it's going to be the one, especially as they have oppened up the colour choices and will expand the options list soon.
plenty said:
Personally would never pick a 911 over a Cayman, but aware I'm in the minority on that one.
For Cayman vs Emira, strip away the brand image stuff and what the car says about you (which is admittedly hard to do at this level) and you're left with two options that on paper seem similar but are actually very different in execution and philosophy.
Emira has classic Lotus attributes: hydraulic steering, double wishbones, huge attention to fine-tuning the feel through the primary controls BUT its weight distribution is fundamentally flawed, with that heavy iron supercharger on top of the extremely heavy GR lump mounted high up.
Cayman has humble McPhersons and EPAS, but Porsche have nailed the fundamentals with its boxer providing much lower CoG than the Emira. And although I've found a Lotus press release that claims 50F/50R weight distribution ISTR Harry's second video reporting differently, claiming the Emira to have greater rear weight bias than the Cayman (45F/55R) and in fact resembling a 911 with all that weight perched far to the rear.
I know which one I'd prefer, but it's a personal choice.
I'm in complete agreement on the bit in bold, I'd take a Cayman GT4 over any 911...but, that said, I'd take a Lotus Evora/Emira over a Cayman.For Cayman vs Emira, strip away the brand image stuff and what the car says about you (which is admittedly hard to do at this level) and you're left with two options that on paper seem similar but are actually very different in execution and philosophy.
Emira has classic Lotus attributes: hydraulic steering, double wishbones, huge attention to fine-tuning the feel through the primary controls BUT its weight distribution is fundamentally flawed, with that heavy iron supercharger on top of the extremely heavy GR lump mounted high up.
Cayman has humble McPhersons and EPAS, but Porsche have nailed the fundamentals with its boxer providing much lower CoG than the Emira. And although I've found a Lotus press release that claims 50F/50R weight distribution ISTR Harry's second video reporting differently, claiming the Emira to have greater rear weight bias than the Cayman (45F/55R) and in fact resembling a 911 with all that weight perched far to the rear.
I know which one I'd prefer, but it's a personal choice.
Ash_ said:
I'm in complete agreement on the bit in bold, I'd take a Cayman GT4 over any 911...but, that said, I'd take a Lotus Evora/Emira over a Cayman.
I would have heartily agreed with you before I actually owned an Evora S (for three years). The steering and brakes were otherworldly and it had a huge 'mini supercar' sense of occasion, but I got rid of it in the end as I couldn't live with (a) the contorted pedal position and (b) the CoG.It taught me that regardless of how a car looks or feels, if the fundamentals are wrong then it's not for me. All V6 Lotuses suffer from this CoG flaw albeit the Evora NA is slightly better as it lacks the extra weight of the supercharger sitting on top of the block at driver's eye level. Will be interesting to see if the 2.0 Emira is better, but as a two-pedal only model it's immediately ruled out for me.
stickshift said:
Whichever I chose it will be a weekend car
What cars have you owned/liked in the past? Do you value a tactile driving experience, or more straightline pace, do you care about weight etc? Any need for back seats? You'll need to get familiar with trail braking if not already.plenty said:
Emira has classic Lotus attributes: hydraulic steering, double wishbones, huge attention to fine-tuning the feel through the primary controls BUT its weight distribution is fundamentally flawed, with that heavy iron supercharger on top of the extremely heavy GR lump mounted high up.
I would be interested to drive an Evora to see how it compares to my GT3 with the different CoG. I don't have a problem with rear biased weight distribution (obvs, having a 911 for several years! And also an Elise in the past) but the CoG matter intrigues me.How did it manifest itself in driving feel?
braddo said:
I would be interested to drive an Evora to see how it compares to my GT3 with the different CoG. I don't have a problem with rear biased weight distribution (obvs, having a 911 for several years! And also an Elise in the past) but the CoG matter intrigues me.
How did it manifest itself in driving feel?
It's absolutely fine up to 8/10ths but when you push further you are always aware of the weight sitting high up and far back and for a driver with average-sized cojones like me, it was a slight discouragement. Harry mentioned this exact feeling in his most recent Emira video.How did it manifest itself in driving feel?
I never actually breached the limits but I was in convoy once with a 400 which came off the road on a wet Wales run. Happened very very fast, driver could do nothing, car written off. That memory also stuck in my mind every time I pushed hard in my Evora.
plenty said:
braddo said:
I would be interested to drive an Evora to see how it compares to my GT3 with the different CoG. I don't have a problem with rear biased weight distribution (obvs, having a 911 for several years! And also an Elise in the past) but the CoG matter intrigues me.
How did it manifest itself in driving feel?
It's absolutely fine up to 8/10ths but when you push further you are always aware of the weight sitting high up and far back and for a driver with average-sized cojones like me, it was a slight discouragement. Harry mentioned this exact feeling in his most recent Emira video.How did it manifest itself in driving feel?
I never actually breached the limits but I was in convoy once with a 400 which came off the road on a wet Wales run. Happened very very fast, driver could do nothing, car written off. That memory also stuck in my mind every time I pushed hard in my Evora.
As per Harry's video, I'd think the better steering feel and ride quality compared to it's competition would be a significant advantage for a primarily road use car?
SWoll said:
As per Harry's video, I'd think the better steering feel and ride quality compared to it's competition would be a significant advantage for a primarily road use car?
I'm sure the vast majority of people agree. My Evora's ride vs body control and feel through its primary controls was the best of any car I've owned. It was a beguiling package and I'm sure the Emira is significantly better.Having all that weight high up at the back became an issue for me, but no doubt it wouldn't bother most people.
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