Evora - a cheap way to daily?
Discussion
Sorry to jump in on this thread but this is crossing my mind now too - I’ve seen a few NA’s around £25-30k which seems materially lower than the S. Will the speed of them disappoint? I’ve got a Z4M just now and the engine is excellent but as ever the itch to change surfaces after a while.
Unfortunately being NE Scotland it’s difficult to get an outing in one. I’ve had a look around a 400 and really liked it (understandably!) I’ve noticed Jon Seal has one in so it’s tempting at that price point from a decent dealer.
Unfortunately being NE Scotland it’s difficult to get an outing in one. I’ve had a look around a 400 and really liked it (understandably!) I’ve noticed Jon Seal has one in so it’s tempting at that price point from a decent dealer.
I decided on an N/A - budget, mainly. I decided I'd have prefered a good, well specced N/A rather than a lower specced or not as tidy S. Plus, the lower tax and slightly better running costs were a bonus.
I was concerned about the power, my previous car was an SLK55 (well, with an Elise in the middle) but almost 300bhp isn't exactly lacking, and I've found it more than enough for the type of driving I do. Your problem is you've driven a 400, which is probably now your baseline. If you drive an NA, it'll have over 100bhp less (maybe even with a longer box as well) so you probably will find it lacking I suspect!
I was concerned about the power, my previous car was an SLK55 (well, with an Elise in the middle) but almost 300bhp isn't exactly lacking, and I've found it more than enough for the type of driving I do. Your problem is you've driven a 400, which is probably now your baseline. If you drive an NA, it'll have over 100bhp less (maybe even with a longer box as well) so you probably will find it lacking I suspect!
MattyB_ said:
I decided on an N/A - budget, mainly. I decided I'd have prefered a good, well specced N/A rather than a lower specced or not as tidy S. Plus, the lower tax and slightly better running costs were a bonus.
I was concerned about the power, my previous car was an SLK55 (well, with an Elise in the middle) but almost 300bhp isn't exactly lacking, and I've found it more than enough for the type of driving I do. Your problem is you've driven a 400, which is probably now your baseline. If you drive an NA, it'll have over 100bhp less (maybe even with a longer box as well) so you probably will find it lacking I suspect!
Hey, thanks for the reply! Just to clarify I wasn’t out in the 400 and have never driven any Evora it was just Lotus had one on a stand at a show I was at so I had a look around and inside etc. so know roughly what to expect size/space wise.I was concerned about the power, my previous car was an SLK55 (well, with an Elise in the middle) but almost 300bhp isn't exactly lacking, and I've found it more than enough for the type of driving I do. Your problem is you've driven a 400, which is probably now your baseline. If you drive an NA, it'll have over 100bhp less (maybe even with a longer box as well) so you probably will find it lacking I suspect!
I’ve driven a 410 and own an NA with the “sports ratio” close ratio box. I’d say there’s not that much in it until well up the rev range.
Mine feels fast enough for the road, but it might not compare as well on track and neither will drop a modern turbo car in 6th on the motorway.
Saying that, I can match my friends M140i as long as I’m primed and ready for it.
Mine feels fast enough for the road, but it might not compare as well on track and neither will drop a modern turbo car in 6th on the motorway.
Saying that, I can match my friends M140i as long as I’m primed and ready for it.
Edited by giveitfish on Saturday 17th August 20:20
p4cks said:
For me the S didn't offer VFM against the NA, and the NA performance is ample
What is the character of the engine like? I had a VX220 previously (I think you also had one) but I found the 2.2 a bit dull, preferring more rev happy engines. I think you’re right on performance / VFM balance at the moment.
Hi guys.
This is probably a question I should ask on SELOC, but I’ll ask anyway.
How would an early N/A Evora stand up to being used daily on a very short commute? Like 10 minutes each way? (Yes, I realise a push bike would make more sense.)
It would also live on the driveway. The garage can only take one car, and it’s occupied by a trackday car. I have considered getting an Evora and supplementing it with a shed for daily duties. But I’m not keen on doing that.
Feel free to tell me I’m an idiot for even thinking about it.
This is probably a question I should ask on SELOC, but I’ll ask anyway.
How would an early N/A Evora stand up to being used daily on a very short commute? Like 10 minutes each way? (Yes, I realise a push bike would make more sense.)
It would also live on the driveway. The garage can only take one car, and it’s occupied by a trackday car. I have considered getting an Evora and supplementing it with a shed for daily duties. But I’m not keen on doing that.
Feel free to tell me I’m an idiot for even thinking about it.
CrouchingWayne said:
What is the character of the engine like? I had a VX220 previously (I think you also had one) but I found the 2.2 a bit dull, preferring more rev happy engines.
I think you’re right on performance / VFM balance at the moment.
It's pretty free-revving and will bang into the 7k limiter with gusto if you're not paying attention I think you’re right on performance / VFM balance at the moment.
Cars with Sport Pack have a higher rev limit and more responsive throttle (as well as drilled brakes), and on later cars the Sport button opens the valved exhaust which sounds fantastic. I wouldn't consider a non-Sport Pack car myself.SpudLink said:
Hi guys.
This is probably a question I should ask on SELOC, but I’ll ask anyway.
How would an early N/A Evora stand up to being used daily on a very short commute? Like 10 minutes each way? (Yes, I realise a push bike would make more sense.)
It would also live on the driveway. The garage can only take one car, and it’s occupied by a trackday car. I have considered getting an Evora and supplementing it with a shed for daily duties. But I’m not keen on doing that.
Feel free to tell me I’m an idiot for even thinking about it.
I don't think that commute is ideal for any car other than a Leaf, but of all the more exotic cars out there the Evora will probably handle that the best. It'll cope fine with being outside, they're nothing like Elises in that respect.This is probably a question I should ask on SELOC, but I’ll ask anyway.
How would an early N/A Evora stand up to being used daily on a very short commute? Like 10 minutes each way? (Yes, I realise a push bike would make more sense.)
It would also live on the driveway. The garage can only take one car, and it’s occupied by a trackday car. I have considered getting an Evora and supplementing it with a shed for daily duties. But I’m not keen on doing that.
Feel free to tell me I’m an idiot for even thinking about it.
AFAIK Lotus don't open the engine at all on any of the V6 models and use the same internals for 275bhp all the way to 430bhp. Its a strong engine that is abused by millions daily in Toyota Camrys.
Clutch and seat wear will probably be the biggest issue over time.
giveitfish said:
CrouchingWayne said:
What is the character of the engine like? I had a VX220 previously (I think you also had one) but I found the 2.2 a bit dull, preferring more rev happy engines.
I think you’re right on performance / VFM balance at the moment.
It's pretty free-revving and will bang into the 7k limiter with gusto if you're not paying attention I think you’re right on performance / VFM balance at the moment.
Cars with Sport Pack have a higher rev limit and more responsive throttle (as well as drilled brakes), and on later cars the Sport button opens the valved exhaust which sounds fantastic. I wouldn't consider a non-Sport Pack car myself.Also to the fella asking if a 10 mile commute is OK, I'd say it was. Remember it's just a car with an engine from a Toyota, and a strong reliable one at that.
I used 2101 n/a as a daily for 2 years then swapped to a 2014 S also as a daily. S uses more fuel but costs less in tyres (my n/a used to eat rear pirelli's).
Overall costs I think the S is a little more but not too much more. n/a has sweeter handling but you feel the lack of grunt especially on accelerating for overtakes etc. S flexibility is better on an Mway, n/a seeet handling makes it better on tight twisties
Overall costs I think the S is a little more but not too much more. n/a has sweeter handling but you feel the lack of grunt especially on accelerating for overtakes etc. S flexibility is better on an Mway, n/a seeet handling makes it better on tight twisties
Have used my Evora N/A as daily (will be 3 years come end of October/19k miles in that period) so much so I've hardly used my Elise in the 3 years.
After initial issues with my tyres (Geo was miles out - this from a main dealer who said they looked after it hmmm) which lasted 3 months I'm still on my rears from July 2017 (M/Pilot supersports), average MPG 26 with 33 on a long run (commute is 13 miles each way on M4/dual slow carriageway) the car has been petty reliable. Servicing is a bit more than Elise & Tax is fine as do it monthly £27.
I'm 5 9 and I can get in and out of it no problem, even in typical car park spaces. The interior is a let down after newer modern cars etc but the much more comfortable Recaro seats and superb ride quality more than make up for it.
All in all it's been a blast and a more than capable daily car. So go for it.
After initial issues with my tyres (Geo was miles out - this from a main dealer who said they looked after it hmmm) which lasted 3 months I'm still on my rears from July 2017 (M/Pilot supersports), average MPG 26 with 33 on a long run (commute is 13 miles each way on M4/dual slow carriageway) the car has been petty reliable. Servicing is a bit more than Elise & Tax is fine as do it monthly £27.
I'm 5 9 and I can get in and out of it no problem, even in typical car park spaces. The interior is a let down after newer modern cars etc but the much more comfortable Recaro seats and superb ride quality more than make up for it.
All in all it's been a blast and a more than capable daily car. So go for it.
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