Evora NA running costs?

[andyj007]

its a shame that the cr gearboxes seem fragile and that fixing along with clutches is so damn expensive.. i realy loved mine, but i just kept thinking one day it will leave me stranded.. ( 2009-2013 cars that is) and not something i could fix myself.. in the end it started to annoy me so i sold it.. i know in the scheme f things its not a great amount of money, but knowing that the clutch could go, get that fixed at 2.5k say and then 6 months later the gearbox goes (through poor manufacturing on lotus bits) resulting in an ever bigger bill.. was really annoying me

Edited by andyj007 on Thursday 13th February 23:01

[p4cks]

I was aware of the clutch issue on early NA cars but not really heard much about the gearboxes being a weak point. Do you have any links?

[Lotobear]

My understanding too and the subject's of interest as I have a LE Evora with the CR box.

However I figure, given the slow rate of depreciation, if I'm faced with a big clutch bill I'm no worse off that I would be with a 'normal' rate of depreciation on another car. I'm also happy to take the risk because as to some extent it's the 'price' of driving something a bit special, and if my clutch went I would tackle it myself anyway.

...it seems a strange reason for moving a car on which you are otherwise happy with.

[p4cks]

Lotobear said:

My understanding too and the subject's of interest as I have a LE Evora with the CR box.

However I figure, given the slow rate of depreciation, if I'm faced with a big clutch bill I'm no worse off that I would be with a 'normal' rate of depreciation on another car. I'm also happy to take the risk because as to some extent it's the 'price' of driving something a bit special, and if my clutch went I would tackle it myself anyway.

...it seems a strange reason for moving a car on which you are otherwise happy with.

and the big clutch bill is largely made up of the labour needed to realign the rear clam shell correctly, rather than the actual clutch change being a pig of a job

[rhdv8]

Hi, I have been interested in buying an Evora recently and after looking at all the forum posts around I think this is the potential gear box issue being mentioned. https://www.lotustalk.com/threads/4th-5th-gear-fai...
Hope this helps.

[p4cks]

rhdv8 said:

Hi, I have been interested in buying an Evora recently and after looking at all the forum posts around I think this is the potential gear box issue being mentioned. https://www.lotustalk.com/threads/4th-5th-gear-fai...
Hope this helps.

Ah cheers for that, interesting reading.

[Kolbenkopp]

Always liked them, but really didn't have em on the radar. Pretty rare on the LHD market and always a bit over what I was comfortable spending. They are getting in reach now though -- read this here and Packs thread with great interest (thanks!). The niggles/fun ratio seems more than acceptable.

Funnily, there's one that popped up locally -- will take a look tomorrow (open Sundays. but viewing only).

What I'm wondering about just from the internet ad:

• Panel gaps on the rear bumper look a bit off. The gap from the rear brake light towards the rear wheel. On both sides they get narrower towards the rear wheel. Not worried about the look, can live with that. But wondering if that is a result of a bump.

• The car is marketed a 2014 (date of registration) and as "Sports Racer". It is quite obviously not, looks like an early model. Anyway to tell if it has a CR or long gearbox other than via test drive?

Will post a link to the dealer listing later if it's OK to kidnap this thread for a bit .

[blueg33]

Kolbenkopp said:

Always liked them, but really didn't have em on the radar. Pretty rare on the LHD market and always a bit over what I was comfortable spending. They are getting in reach now though -- read this here and Packs thread with great interest (thanks!). The niggles/fun ratio seems more than acceptable.

Funnily, there's one that popped up locally -- will take a look tomorrow (open Sundays. but viewing only).

What I'm wondering about just from the internet ad:

• Panel gaps on the rear bumper look a bit off. The gap from the rear brake light towards the rear wheel. On both sides they get narrower towards the rear wheel. Not worried about the look, can live with that. But wondering if that is a result of a bump.

• The car is marketed a 2014 (date of registration) and as "Sports Racer". It is quite obviously not, looks like an early model. Anyway to tell if it has a CR or long gearbox other than via test drive?

Will post a link to the dealer listing later if it's OK to kidnap this thread for a bit .

Many cars were turned into Sports Racers with a wrap on the roof and sills! 2014 is in the window for an SR. The other ways to tell are - gunmetal (nearly black) fascia around the gear stick and buttons (early cars will have silver aluminium), the seats have red piping and a carbon fibre type pattern in the leather on the seat and back, the rear diffuser trim is gloss black (non SR's are satin). dash top is Alcantara in a sportsracer and headlining is dark grey. All 2014 cars will have the CR box, sometimes Evora panel gaps aren't great, but typically the later cars seem better, 2014 is later.

[Kolbenkopp]

Thanks blueg! Think none of that applies here, bit surprised by the inconsistent description really (the seller was an official Lotus franchise until last year). Looks like a pre 12 car, right?

https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...

That would explain the price, unfortunately this is near the bottom of the market over here. I'll have a quick look tomorow, VIN should hopefully be visible...

[Dainty Ankles]

That's a MY10 Evora. Looking at it closely; built late 2009 or very early 2010.

[blueg33]

Dainty Ankles said:

That's a MY10 Evora. Looking at it closely; built late 2009 or very early 2010.

I agree. Definitely not a sports racer

I see what you mean about the panel gap, they don’t usually taper like that.

[Kolbenkopp]

Cool, thanks gents. Should be able to check the VIN tomorrow and I'll quiz the dealer on the car's history.

Apparently, it came from France. The reg date they list could be for first time on German plates. That's not the way things are usually done here. But on the other hand it is a bit strange to assume the car sat at a dealers for 3+ years.

Any idea on how to find out what gearbox these early cars have?

Edit: reason for asking is I'd actually prefer the long ratio box. That is objectively the slowest Evora of the bunch, but from the thread posted above, they seem to be fine regarding durability. And I'd really want to use the car in mundane situations, which unfortunately means more Autobahn driving than a Lotus deserves. Nor worried about the fuel bill, but even the NA V6 seems to have enough torque to make a nice tall 6th work. Just more relaxing that way.

Edited by Kolbenkopp on Saturday 22 February 22:14

[Sumsion]

Original invoice would give the answer , unlikely you will be able to see this . Email to Lotus customer support with car details will get you the answer . I do not have the exact email address .

[Kolbenkopp]

OK, thanks for the clarification. I did manage to take a quick look at the thing. Panel gaps strangely look worse on the photo, but the VIN points to an 09 car. Which makes the claimed reg date really weird...

[MattyB_]

Sagging bumper could be poor re-fitment after a clutch change - they are difficult to realign properly.

However, it also looks (from the pics) that the exhaust isn't quite straight, and the camera has dropped out?

[Lotobear]

Kolbenkopp said:

Cool, thanks gents. Should be able to check the VIN tomorrow and I'll quiz the dealer on the car's history.

Apparently, it came from France. The reg date they list could be for first time on German plates. That's not the way things are usually done here. But on the other hand it is a bit strange to assume the car sat at a dealers for 3+ years.

Any idea on how to find out what gearbox these early cars have?

Edit: reason for asking is I'd actually prefer the long ratio box. That is objectively the slowest Evora of the bunch, but from the thread posted above, they seem to be fine regarding durability. And I'd really want to use the car in mundane situations, which unfortunately means more Autobahn driving than a Lotus deserves. Nor worried about the fuel bill, but even the NA V6 seems to have enough torque to make a nice tall 6th work. Just more relaxing that way.

Edited by Kolbenkopp on Saturday 22 February 22:14

I would try a long and close box first before making the decision. Whilst I've never driven a long ratio box, I have the cr box in my NA and I would not want the ratios to be any longer. You really do have to 'stir' it to make progress and overtakes so I'm not sure I would be happy with the long ratios.