Evora test drive
Discussion
I'm not a regular poster, but I thought it was worth sharing my experience of an accidental Evora test drive.
I'm debating whether to get a second hand R8 or a vantage roadster (or nothing) and as a lotus owner for the last 14 years I thought I'd give the Evora a quick once over just to be sure. I wasn't really looking for a test drive, but thought I'd take the kids along to see if they'd fit in the rear seats, a quick look later and I was given the car (just the three of us) for an hour - great service!
It's all just my opinion of course.
My impressions - it's a fantastic car, yes it could do with a little more go, but I'd be happy to compromise as I don't think it spoils the enjoyment (and I've always thought it makes you feel a bit more of a hero!) and the pay off in terms of running costs are likely to be worthwhile in the long run. The turn in and steering feel was astounding (maybe a match for my S1 elise?), but what took the biscuit was the general refinement of the whole car (after all an elise can do steering feel and I'm sure an S2 better now than a 12 year old S1). No excessive tyre noise, little tramlining, make a nice noise when asked, but not all the time, supple as a GT should be. I even thought it looked better in the flesh than the so-so pictures. A quite remarkable package so far...
...but I don't think I could live with the interior shortcomings. The kids (6&2) were a tight, but ok fit (more like a 2+1 than a 2+2), the leather was fine, the fit and finish was a bit wonky, but not a deal breaker (nor was the sun reflecting on the dials). It's the small things which killed it for me. I'm not a gadget freak (at least I don't think so), but as a GT car and expecting to spend a fair time on the M1 I think the small things make a big difference (especially at £55k).
I'd be interesting in hearing from owners as to whether I'm being fair or some of these things can be overcome (I guess I'm saying persuade me - I want to be smitten!).
It's a tough choice between the other candidates...
I'm debating whether to get a second hand R8 or a vantage roadster (or nothing) and as a lotus owner for the last 14 years I thought I'd give the Evora a quick once over just to be sure. I wasn't really looking for a test drive, but thought I'd take the kids along to see if they'd fit in the rear seats, a quick look later and I was given the car (just the three of us) for an hour - great service!
It's all just my opinion of course.
My impressions - it's a fantastic car, yes it could do with a little more go, but I'd be happy to compromise as I don't think it spoils the enjoyment (and I've always thought it makes you feel a bit more of a hero!) and the pay off in terms of running costs are likely to be worthwhile in the long run. The turn in and steering feel was astounding (maybe a match for my S1 elise?), but what took the biscuit was the general refinement of the whole car (after all an elise can do steering feel and I'm sure an S2 better now than a 12 year old S1). No excessive tyre noise, little tramlining, make a nice noise when asked, but not all the time, supple as a GT should be. I even thought it looked better in the flesh than the so-so pictures. A quite remarkable package so far...
...but I don't think I could live with the interior shortcomings. The kids (6&2) were a tight, but ok fit (more like a 2+1 than a 2+2), the leather was fine, the fit and finish was a bit wonky, but not a deal breaker (nor was the sun reflecting on the dials). It's the small things which killed it for me. I'm not a gadget freak (at least I don't think so), but as a GT car and expecting to spend a fair time on the M1 I think the small things make a big difference (especially at £55k).
- Asthmatic air con (not climate control). It seemed to be struggling even in the current weather
- No one touch windows (perhaps I was doing it wrong), I'd forgotten that there was a time when you had to hold the button down!
- No heated seat option - yes a luxury, but one I appreciate at 5:30 on a winter's morning
- A radio/sat nav for the Nova generation - can't the "graphics" be bigger and more like a Golf, they're boring for a reason - it's easier and therefore safer.
I'd be interesting in hearing from owners as to whether I'm being fair or some of these things can be overcome (I guess I'm saying persuade me - I want to be smitten!).
It's a tough choice between the other candidates...
I am at 4500 miles on a launch edition and agree with your findings. However the good far outweighs the slight negatives. 2 up plus grandchild of 7 years and shopping was fine. 25 mpg with use of the dashboard change up lights occasionally ( F1 for me soon - NOT ! )
Such an easy drive and I have a S1 111s to fall back on for the raw Lotus feel.
Absolutly delighted with both cars. Colour is a personal choice but I would suggest the black interior as there is little reflection on the screen ( I know the oyster looks whizz but no ! ). Having never had a car with the options of the Evora I am unable to compare.
Such an easy drive and I have a S1 111s to fall back on for the raw Lotus feel.
Absolutly delighted with both cars. Colour is a personal choice but I would suggest the black interior as there is little reflection on the screen ( I know the oyster looks whizz but no ! ). Having never had a car with the options of the Evora I am unable to compare.
I had a new R8 two years ago, and now have an Evora. In between I went for family car (Jag XF) +Europa as an experiment, but now it is my daily driver, as I was spending too much time in the more boring option of the two!
My opinion - I agree completely with your issues, (and you could add lack of keyless go, heated screen, and of course cupholders etc!) but on the whole I am much happier in Evora than Audi. I never felt the Audi was spot-on for anything. On the road, you could use a fraction of its performance, and on the track it was great, but not very exciting. By contrast, Evora makes you feel like you are driving it all the time - depends if that's what you want. If you feel like it, back end comes out on demand at any wet roundabout ,but is entirely predictable. Otherwise it has fantastic grip, and much better damping and ride/handling compromise than R8, or any other car I've driven.
On the dull side, fuel consumption is probably on average 8mpg better, I have often had 3 of my 4 kids in it, and I don't feel like a clown driving round town at 5mph in a "supercar" with fairy lights on! (maybe that's not how others would see it...)
The aircon is a problem, reminds me of the asthmatic breathing through a straw a la Clarkson, but I've just had it "re-flashed" at dealer and that improves things. The trick seems to be aircon on for cooling, aircon off for heat. The gearing is definitely too long, and I'd go for CR box as an option. Sports exhaust fitted 2 weeks ago, and it is very good - brings out the well-tuned sound without being too noisy or obtrusive; should have been standard.
Performance wise, bit of a lack of torque and low rev pick-up, but my dealer (car, not coke...), tells me that they expect to have an ECU map in next 90 days which will fix that and increase power to nearer 300bhp - about £500. I would say that is about right, and NA at 300bhp would negate any need for supercharged version in 18months for me.
I had an RS4 before R8, and you can't fault Audi build, comfort, satnav (esp in comparison to Lotus!) etc, but Lotus is first car I've had in a long time that you look forward to driving anywhere, for any reason. Its up there with 205gti I had 25years ago in terms of "user satisfaction"!
The only car I'd rather have right now is a face-lifted Evora with the issues sorted! On the whole though, they are minor, but it does depend on your mindset, and why you are buying car. I would go for one of the (realtively) cheap launch editions sitting in dealers - they are now well sub-50k, and I'm sure that in a couple of years the "fully-loaded" versions will be easiest to resell. Only downside is no CR box.
Unless to re-sell for cash, I would not swap my Evora for a new R8, and I've had both.
My opinion - I agree completely with your issues, (and you could add lack of keyless go, heated screen, and of course cupholders etc!) but on the whole I am much happier in Evora than Audi. I never felt the Audi was spot-on for anything. On the road, you could use a fraction of its performance, and on the track it was great, but not very exciting. By contrast, Evora makes you feel like you are driving it all the time - depends if that's what you want. If you feel like it, back end comes out on demand at any wet roundabout ,but is entirely predictable. Otherwise it has fantastic grip, and much better damping and ride/handling compromise than R8, or any other car I've driven.
On the dull side, fuel consumption is probably on average 8mpg better, I have often had 3 of my 4 kids in it, and I don't feel like a clown driving round town at 5mph in a "supercar" with fairy lights on! (maybe that's not how others would see it...)
The aircon is a problem, reminds me of the asthmatic breathing through a straw a la Clarkson, but I've just had it "re-flashed" at dealer and that improves things. The trick seems to be aircon on for cooling, aircon off for heat. The gearing is definitely too long, and I'd go for CR box as an option. Sports exhaust fitted 2 weeks ago, and it is very good - brings out the well-tuned sound without being too noisy or obtrusive; should have been standard.
Performance wise, bit of a lack of torque and low rev pick-up, but my dealer (car, not coke...), tells me that they expect to have an ECU map in next 90 days which will fix that and increase power to nearer 300bhp - about £500. I would say that is about right, and NA at 300bhp would negate any need for supercharged version in 18months for me.
I had an RS4 before R8, and you can't fault Audi build, comfort, satnav (esp in comparison to Lotus!) etc, but Lotus is first car I've had in a long time that you look forward to driving anywhere, for any reason. Its up there with 205gti I had 25years ago in terms of "user satisfaction"!
The only car I'd rather have right now is a face-lifted Evora with the issues sorted! On the whole though, they are minor, but it does depend on your mindset, and why you are buying car. I would go for one of the (realtively) cheap launch editions sitting in dealers - they are now well sub-50k, and I'm sure that in a couple of years the "fully-loaded" versions will be easiest to resell. Only downside is no CR box.
Unless to re-sell for cash, I would not swap my Evora for a new R8, and I've had both.
Edited by footsoldier on Tuesday 23 March 21:46
Just re-read post, and if you are on motorway for long periods then maybe don't need CR box, but I'd still prefer it - 5th is equal gear to 6th in standard box. Also, my 7 and 5 year olds fit perfectly in the back, (without boosters) (I'm 5'7"), but 2 year old doesn't, as her leg isn't long enough for knees to bend in right place, so legs stick straight out into back of seat in front! With kids seat in front, and two in back, they couldn't be happier, and added bonus is no shouting as everyone is about 6 inches apart....
I too have a launch edition car. I rejected the AMV8 after a weekend with one; the revised larger engine version or an N400 would not have the shortcomings of the original car but if ever there was a car that suffered from being all fart and no poo, it's the amv8. Noise yes, go no. The evora strangely does not feel slow by comparison and I think that's simply because it's not really all about straight line speed but total journey speed. Genuinely I can drive the evora down the average bumpy cotswolds road a lot faster than in a gallardo or exige, and that's principally due to the compliance of suspension about which much has been written.
I agree the aircon is a throwback to the 90's (think Z3) and the alpine satnav is crap - but arguably better than the volvo cast off in the amv8 as it has bluetooth that works and ipod compatability for one thing. I do however quite like the long gearing of the normal box as I commute in the car thru london and this removes much of the lurch potential you get in many a sports car. The sports pack is a no brainer for the sport button which really does sharpen up the throttle.
The sports exhaust is also essential and should imho be the standard item. The car sounds much more appropriate for a sporting vehicle with a v6 behind your head.
The car has been totally reliable once a few niggles were sorted.
Rear seats - I have had a baby seat in the back with my 18mth old a few times but it's more the extra luggage space it provides that's handy for me. That betters the R8 and AMV8 then.
The windows are one-touch down, but not up
The car does have good day t day stuff like drive-away locking, headlights 'home mode' leaving them on for 30 secs, audi-style 3-click indicators for lane changing etc, garage opener, decent interior lighting.
My advice - buy an ex-dealer demo launch edition car which came with all the toys and revel in the fat you're paying 10k less than me. You could even buy a tomtom with the change.....
by the way you'll find more owners at thelotusforums.com
I agree the aircon is a throwback to the 90's (think Z3) and the alpine satnav is crap - but arguably better than the volvo cast off in the amv8 as it has bluetooth that works and ipod compatability for one thing. I do however quite like the long gearing of the normal box as I commute in the car thru london and this removes much of the lurch potential you get in many a sports car. The sports pack is a no brainer for the sport button which really does sharpen up the throttle.
The sports exhaust is also essential and should imho be the standard item. The car sounds much more appropriate for a sporting vehicle with a v6 behind your head.
The car has been totally reliable once a few niggles were sorted.
Rear seats - I have had a baby seat in the back with my 18mth old a few times but it's more the extra luggage space it provides that's handy for me. That betters the R8 and AMV8 then.
The windows are one-touch down, but not up
The car does have good day t day stuff like drive-away locking, headlights 'home mode' leaving them on for 30 secs, audi-style 3-click indicators for lane changing etc, garage opener, decent interior lighting.
My advice - buy an ex-dealer demo launch edition car which came with all the toys and revel in the fat you're paying 10k less than me. You could even buy a tomtom with the change.....
by the way you'll find more owners at thelotusforums.com
Edited by squirejo on Tuesday 23 March 22:36
Thanks folks, perhaps I need to spend a bit of time investigating how I would work with/over the short comings (for example I'm sure it's a standard size hole for the radio, so what would be the alternatives? I also imagine if I wanted to pay I could have the seats re trimmed with heating).
Peter
Peter
Just popped over to this forum as I've just had a go in an Evora for the first time, and I am very impressed.
The ride, damping and especially the steering are just fantastically well judged, it seems perfectly civilized on the motorway, great fun on the back roads and well put together.
I was very, very impressed, I could see myself in one!
The ride, damping and especially the steering are just fantastically well judged, it seems perfectly civilized on the motorway, great fun on the back roads and well put together.
I was very, very impressed, I could see myself in one!
footsoldier said:
I had a new R8 two years ago, and now have an Evora. In between I went for family car (Jag XF) +Europa as an experiment, but now it is my daily driver, as I was spending too much time in the more boring option of the two!
My opinion - I agree completely with your issues, (and you could add lack of keyless go, heated screen, and of course cupholders etc!) but on the whole I am much happier in Evora than Audi. I never felt the Audi was spot-on for anything. On the road, you could use a fraction of its performance, and on the track it was great, but not very exciting. By contrast, Evora makes you feel like you are driving it all the time - depends if that's what you want. If you feel like it, back end comes out on demand at any wet roundabout ,but is entirely predictable. Otherwise it has fantastic grip, and much better damping and ride/handling compromise than R8, or any other car I've driven.
On the dull side, fuel consumption is probably on average 8mpg better, I have often had 3 of my 4 kids in it, and I don't feel like a clown driving round town at 5mph in a "supercar" with fairy lights on! (maybe that's not how others would see it...)
The aircon is a problem, reminds me of the asthmatic breathing through a straw a la Clarkson, but I've just had it "re-flashed" at dealer and that improves things. The trick seems to be aircon on for cooling, aircon off for heat. The gearing is definitely too long, and I'd go for CR box as an option. Sports exhaust fitted 2 weeks ago, and it is very good - brings out the well-tuned sound without being too noisy or obtrusive; should have been standard.
Performance wise, bit of a lack of torque and low rev pick-up, but my dealer (car, not coke...), tells me that they expect to have an ECU map in next 90 days which will fix that and increase power to nearer 300bhp - about £500. I would say that is about right, and NA at 300bhp would negate any need for supercharged version in 18months for me.
I had an RS4 before R8, and you can't fault Audi build, comfort, satnav (esp in comparison to Lotus!) etc, but Lotus is first car I've had in a long time that you look forward to driving anywhere, for any reason. Its up there with 205gti I had 25years ago in terms of "user satisfaction"!
The only car I'd rather have right now is a face-lifted Evora with the issues sorted! On the whole though, they are minor, but it does depend on your mindset, and why you are buying car. I would go for one of the (realtively) cheap launch editions sitting in dealers - they are now well sub-50k, and I'm sure that in a couple of years the "fully-loaded" versions will be easiest to resell. Only downside is no CR box.
Unless to re-sell for cash, I would not swap my Evora for a new R8, and I've had both.
Nice write-up.... as you say the Evora is exactly the type of car that makes you wake up on a sunday morning for an early blast, or a car that you simply can't wait to get behind the wheel of.... I'm a real admirer of how this car goes down the road and have posted my thoughts extensively here and in the Porsche forum, and whilst I don't own one have driven it on road and track, more than once. My opinion - I agree completely with your issues, (and you could add lack of keyless go, heated screen, and of course cupholders etc!) but on the whole I am much happier in Evora than Audi. I never felt the Audi was spot-on for anything. On the road, you could use a fraction of its performance, and on the track it was great, but not very exciting. By contrast, Evora makes you feel like you are driving it all the time - depends if that's what you want. If you feel like it, back end comes out on demand at any wet roundabout ,but is entirely predictable. Otherwise it has fantastic grip, and much better damping and ride/handling compromise than R8, or any other car I've driven.
On the dull side, fuel consumption is probably on average 8mpg better, I have often had 3 of my 4 kids in it, and I don't feel like a clown driving round town at 5mph in a "supercar" with fairy lights on! (maybe that's not how others would see it...)
The aircon is a problem, reminds me of the asthmatic breathing through a straw a la Clarkson, but I've just had it "re-flashed" at dealer and that improves things. The trick seems to be aircon on for cooling, aircon off for heat. The gearing is definitely too long, and I'd go for CR box as an option. Sports exhaust fitted 2 weeks ago, and it is very good - brings out the well-tuned sound without being too noisy or obtrusive; should have been standard.
Performance wise, bit of a lack of torque and low rev pick-up, but my dealer (car, not coke...), tells me that they expect to have an ECU map in next 90 days which will fix that and increase power to nearer 300bhp - about £500. I would say that is about right, and NA at 300bhp would negate any need for supercharged version in 18months for me.
I had an RS4 before R8, and you can't fault Audi build, comfort, satnav (esp in comparison to Lotus!) etc, but Lotus is first car I've had in a long time that you look forward to driving anywhere, for any reason. Its up there with 205gti I had 25years ago in terms of "user satisfaction"!
The only car I'd rather have right now is a face-lifted Evora with the issues sorted! On the whole though, they are minor, but it does depend on your mindset, and why you are buying car. I would go for one of the (realtively) cheap launch editions sitting in dealers - they are now well sub-50k, and I'm sure that in a couple of years the "fully-loaded" versions will be easiest to resell. Only downside is no CR box.
Unless to re-sell for cash, I would not swap my Evora for a new R8, and I've had both.
Edited by footsoldier on Tuesday 23 March 21:46
Its more than a match for a Cayman or Boxster dynamically, albeit ironically, with my own cash, I don't think I could take one over a new CaymanS tho (which i've also driven on road and track)... needs a stronger motor, better quality in-car tech, and a tighter gearshift to totally convince my head that its worth £50k.... and therein lies the conundrum for a lot of would-be Evora owners I think... the heart says yes, but the head says no !
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