My Evora Review + Pictures So Far - Long Read!

My Evora Review + Pictures So Far - Long Read!

Author
Discussion

Frimley111R

15,668 posts

234 months

Friday 6th September 2013
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BibsTLF said:
Knockhill.
Well clearly that's wrong. Knockhill is in Scotland and everyone knows it ALWAYS rains in Scotland!

hehe

BibsTLF

790 posts

207 months

Friday 6th September 2013
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It's where they wrote that '4 season in 1 day' song!!

justin220

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

204 months

Friday 6th September 2013
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Frimley111R said:
Well clearly that's wrong. Knockhill is in Scotland and everyone knows it ALWAYS rains in Scotland!

hehe
Ha! Knockhill definately has its own climate, but statistically, Aberdeen is the driest city in the UK biggrin

Thanks for the input Jim, handy to know

Frimley111R

15,668 posts

234 months

Friday 6th September 2013
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beerscratchchin

hehe

Bossv8

51 posts

136 months

Tuesday 24th September 2013
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Fantastic story ... Less and less hesitating to replace my Vette with an Evora. Just afraid about the lack of power and torque.

justin220

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

204 months

Wednesday 25th September 2013
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Have you driven one? It is a surprisingly quick car, quicker than the 280hp suggests. Its certainly quicker point to point than many of your big power supercars.

Maybe try the S? There is a 420hp upgrade available now biggrin

CTE

1,488 posts

240 months

Wednesday 25th September 2013
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I have a V6 Evora S and last year hooned around California and the surrounding area in a C6 Corvette. I would say the straight line performance was very similar with the Lotus just nudging it (?)...but obviously I would expect the 500hp Corvette to walk away from the V6 S Evora. I was mightily impressed with the Corvette...it was very competent performance car and a good relaxed cruiser. The big differences are the engine tone...depending upon your preference for a lazy but nice V8 or when pushing on a screeming V6....sounds absolutely awesome in a tunnel...you could be at Monaco,...and the handling. The Corvette is very good and well balanced, but the Evora is on another planet when it comes to precision (steering feel, connection) and responsiveness (cars balance and reactions), and at speed is so planted, and it has absolutely no vices, unlike many mid engine sports cars. My preference is for the Evora, but I did like the Corvette a lot, and I have not driven one with the adaptive damping, which is supposed to be even better.
Buy the newest Evora you can. I have not driven a non S but I get the impression the experience is not that difference, and they are a bit lighter and with some simple mods to the induction and exhaust are on fairly level terms with the S....although as said you can up the hp on the S significantly now.
Also from my experience, you need to do a few miles in one before you realise just how good they are, and there is a technique to be learnt to really get the most out of the chassis. However you look at it, they are very rapid road cars and a for such a good all-rounder, really good on track. The only things that go past me on track when running standard road tyres, are super tuned Evo`s or the likes of Aerial Atoms, which are not really road cars.

justin220

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

204 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Good post! Summed up pretty well

jfk01

106 posts

184 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Good post indeed ...
I'm nearly ready to sell my Exige S and choose an evora, I'm feeling that an N/A might be quick enough for road use and coupled with a decent pair of manifolds should go nearly as well as an S .
I'll drive both before I choose however and part of the decision will be down to cost I think cos the S is a good few grand more than the N/A ..

justin220

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

204 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Yeah I would say drive both, and see which you prefer. Both great cars. The S rear diffuser looks a lot better along with the 19/20 wheels.

Money no object I'd upgrade to a Supercharger IPS Sport Racer, I just don't think it's worth the extra 30k!

justin220

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

204 months

Saturday 14th December 2013
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End of an Era.

Well I've finally waved goodbye to my beloved Evora. After 3.5 years, 20k miles, 4 trackdays and a Euro jaunt, she's gone frown

I've been hunting around for a replacement for a while now, and was very close to buying an F Type, but the boot was just too small, sounds petty but it would frustrate the life out of me. I've gone down the Aston rout, and BOIGHT a V8 Vantage! Here she is



I was very seriously considering an Evora S but couldn't justify the cost to change for what is essentially the same car. I'll be back in a Lotus some day!

I'll copy and paste my initial thoughts on the Vantage for anyone that might be interested.


ETA

Initial thoughts - absolutely stunning car in the metal. It looks understated next to the Orange, but still has plenty of purpose. Great proportions. Big presence aswell. Looks great from all angles. Surprisingly compact at the same time.

Interior - fantastic. Beautiful place to sit, the quality and materials are stunning. I feel a bit out of place haha! The premium stereo is excellent, although very bassy? Pedals are significantly off Centre compared to the Evora (which was left) Vantage on the right. No big issue, although the clutch pedal is in the same place as the Evora's brake.. Lots of luggage space which is a must have for me. The dials are a work of art, especially when lit up. Although they are quite difficult to read when on the move. The handbrake will take some getting used to..

Drive - first of all the sound is phenomenal from the outside. Surprisingly quiet from the inside. We roll out the car park and onto a 40mph DC. Nice weight to the steering which is a pleasant surprise, it's no Lotus, but it's still very nice. It feels very planted, very solid. The clutch is heavy in comparison, and the wheel is big, although nice to hold. The seat adjustment is superb. Will take me a while to find my comfy point. It's difficult not to compare it to the Evora, and put simply its no where near as chuckable round the roundabouts. But that's to be expected. Onto a motorway and the torque is massive. Lots of shove from low down. Very quiet, I can imagine it would be great for long distances. Fuse 22 was in place. I liked the quiet nature of it, but think the temptation to remove F22 would get the better of me. It feels subdued with its slower throttle response, and slower steering. Not in a bad way, just different. It's a much better cruiser. Again in 6th, plenty of torque to waft along with. Lovely.

Ride - I've just done 150 miles in it and surprised how compliant it is. Its not as 'magic carpet' as the Evora, but its very near. It is significantly better than I thought it would be. It is a real brute, but very relaxing at the same time. Doesn't feel like much body roll, but I didn't push it much today.

Overall, I'm extremely chuffed with it. I did worry when we shook hands that I would regret it. I will miss the Lotus for sure, but I'm looking forward to getting to know the Vantage.

Edited by justin220 on Saturday 14th December 02:56

CTE

1,488 posts

240 months

Saturday 14th December 2013
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Ahh shame to see you leave the Evora fold, but the Aston is a beautiful car, and credit to you for trying lots of different cars....and it is a testimant (spelling>?) to the Lotus that you kept it so long given your car change history. Personally I love the connectivity and balance and responsivenss of the Lotus (drivning pleasure is everything to me), which I do not think can be found in any other car...but I am only summizing from comments made on here and numerous road tests....I have not driven a 458 Italia for instance. I guess an Ariel Atom or the like is even better, but then it is barely a car?
Everyone to their own and from what I here the Aston is a great GT and you can`t beat the sound!

limpsfield

5,886 posts

253 months

Saturday 14th December 2013
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I have really enjoyed your updates on here- hope you enjoy the Aston as much as you did the Evora

s2kjock

1,686 posts

147 months

Sunday 15th December 2013
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So does this mean your Lotus might go to a buyer down south, and my Chrome Orange be the only one in Scotland now? biggrin

Aston looks very nice - having chased a friend's V8 Vantage around some very poorly surfaced and narrow single track roads in Sutherland a few year's ago I will forever be impressed at how well the Aston handles in the right hands.

justin220

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

204 months

Monday 16th December 2013
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Thanks!

I'll be back in a Lotus one day. I'd love an S1 Elise along side the Aston.. I think there maybe 3 or 4 Chrome Evoras in Scotland, although not sure. I've had a few PMs already asking for spec etc, so think it will sell quickly frown

I will miss it for sure, but the Aston is lovely, and it's surprisingly good to drive. Steering wheel is a good size, plenty of feedback, good weight. Throttle response is a bit slow though!

Dick Seaman

1,079 posts

223 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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Vantages are aesthetically beautiful, very cohesive and purposeful, I hope it brings you as much pleasure as the Evora clearly did.

Thanks for all your information and insight, I've thoroughly enjoyed following your journey. An Evora will be my next purchase and you're partly responsible. Cheers.

screem

763 posts

201 months

Wednesday 18th December 2013
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Me too.

Without question one of the major factors in my recently purchased Evora S was this thread.

Amazing car!

And If this car is still available in a few weeks time I will be very, very surprised!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

smokin


justin220

Original Poster:

5,342 posts

204 months

Wednesday 18th December 2013
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Thanks both. Someone will get a cracking car!

I'll be back!

Ikobo

511 posts

149 months

Thursday 19th December 2013
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Also guilty of buying an Evora S with the added influence of this thread. Then further encouraged to start tinkering and personalising with it due to this thread also! Maybe Justin should consider a career in Lotus marketing.........

Alfa4ever

160 posts

133 months

Friday 20th December 2013
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justin220 said:
Someone will get a cracking car!
That they certainly will, Justin. I looked at the car yesterday in Murray's showroom and I have to say that it is an absolute credit to you - looks better than brand new.

Some serious 'man-maths' are now being employed on my part.