Discussion
Have recently test driven the Evora (LE edition) and enjoyed it very much: all the reports seem to be true. Was planning to swap the XF3.0S and use as a daily driver: keeping the Exige S as a weekend toy given I have this specced exactly as I want it. Anyway even though the dealer was doing a very good price on the LE model I was concerned with a couple of small niggles: the ergonomics on the sat nav/sound system could be much better and simpler bigger buttons would be a good start! A bit pathetic but the remote key fob is pants and I am sure would bug me regularly. I suspect I can live with the other fiddly switch gear. Although I loved most things and I definitely want one, it could have done with a bit more urgency (maybe the CR gearbox would help).
So current thinking is to see what the 'S' model brings and perhaps get rid of both the Jag and the Exige S, and use the Evora as a 15k a year daily fantastic driving experience. However I think waiting might mean I miss the deals on the last of the LE models, so its a question of risk! I would of course be able to order a Chrome Orange or Solar Yellow one with the black or grey wheels! (even thoughI havent seen in the flesh I expect they will be awesome in these colours).
Has anybody any clues what the launch of the 'S' might bring in terms of changes over and above a 'charger': my local dealer is being very tight lipped as he wants to sell his LE model and to be fair he may not actually have any more info.
Thanks for any help.
So current thinking is to see what the 'S' model brings and perhaps get rid of both the Jag and the Exige S, and use the Evora as a 15k a year daily fantastic driving experience. However I think waiting might mean I miss the deals on the last of the LE models, so its a question of risk! I would of course be able to order a Chrome Orange or Solar Yellow one with the black or grey wheels! (even thoughI havent seen in the flesh I expect they will be awesome in these colours).
Has anybody any clues what the launch of the 'S' might bring in terms of changes over and above a 'charger': my local dealer is being very tight lipped as he wants to sell his LE model and to be fair he may not actually have any more info.
Thanks for any help.
I was in a similar situation - had an XF SV8 and a Europa S, which I was going to upgrade. jag was a good car, but wasn't one you wanted to jump in and drive for the sake of it. The Europa was, but I hardly ever had time at weekends.
So, I waited for the LE to get to sub 50k over last winter, and then went to dealer and traded in Jag and Europa for an Evora LE. Much better - I can drive the car i want to drive every day, and can get two kids in back if needed. The Satnav might be a bit 'aftermarket', but it works miles better than the Jag one which used to take me the slowest route! radio reception not great.
two comments - the CR gearbox is only thing I wish I had. Third gear is too long on A roads, and 6th is too long on motorways - it's fine cruising at 80, but any lift off or slowing down for traffic and you have to change down.
What I am told is there will be an 's' announced in Paris at c330bhp, but there will also be a £500 official ECU upgrade to take standard car to c300bhp. if you have that and a CR box, will be spot on for road driving IMO
It is not as refined as a Jag, or as sharp as an Exige, but the ride is brilliant and so is the handling - I would do same again without thinking twice.
So, I waited for the LE to get to sub 50k over last winter, and then went to dealer and traded in Jag and Europa for an Evora LE. Much better - I can drive the car i want to drive every day, and can get two kids in back if needed. The Satnav might be a bit 'aftermarket', but it works miles better than the Jag one which used to take me the slowest route! radio reception not great.
two comments - the CR gearbox is only thing I wish I had. Third gear is too long on A roads, and 6th is too long on motorways - it's fine cruising at 80, but any lift off or slowing down for traffic and you have to change down.
What I am told is there will be an 's' announced in Paris at c330bhp, but there will also be a £500 official ECU upgrade to take standard car to c300bhp. if you have that and a CR box, will be spot on for road driving IMO
It is not as refined as a Jag, or as sharp as an Exige, but the ride is brilliant and so is the handling - I would do same again without thinking twice.
Edited by footsoldier on Saturday 14th August 14:36
Interesting - particularly the comment of an ECU upgrade for the standard car.
I used to have a 530d and an Elise 135, an almost perfect combination. Two years ago I went for the Europa S as a main driver, but ended up also buying an Alfa 159 as a hack. Like your Jag experience, I find that I'm not using the Europa as much as I should.
I am hankering after an Evora, but do have worries about the high mileage durability (not mechanicals, but trim etc) and also pricing. I can stomach a £25K Cayman S or even a nearly new 370Z as a main car, but the £47K needed for an 09 LE still feels like a quick way of losing £20k in two years......
I'd be interested in your experiences as a 'sole car' (although I'd probably still end up buying a real shed for dirty work)
I used to have a 530d and an Elise 135, an almost perfect combination. Two years ago I went for the Europa S as a main driver, but ended up also buying an Alfa 159 as a hack. Like your Jag experience, I find that I'm not using the Europa as much as I should.
I am hankering after an Evora, but do have worries about the high mileage durability (not mechanicals, but trim etc) and also pricing. I can stomach a £25K Cayman S or even a nearly new 370Z as a main car, but the £47K needed for an 09 LE still feels like a quick way of losing £20k in two years......
I'd be interested in your experiences as a 'sole car' (although I'd probably still end up buying a real shed for dirty work)
Redlake, I also ended up buying an 8yr Impreza Wagon for 'dirty work', and there's times when you want a lower profile than a white Evora. difference is that it's the Impreza that doesn't get used much, although I expect that to change in winter.
i've put 7k miles on top of the 3k dealer had done, and so far haven't had any problems. Biggest gripe would be the aircon which is pretty ineffective, even in Scotland! The Impreza's is better....Not sure if this is normal, dealer says not, and to be honest I haven't got round to taking it back to get checked again. Also, as above, radio reception is poor, somthething to do with the lack of metal surroundings apparently.
my dealer is very helpful on any questions, or fixes, and apparently that is driven by Lotus themselves who want to make sure that Evora owners are kept happy as they try to move upmarket.
Tyre wear is high; 6-8k for rears without driving silly. You are told that replacements are 'special compounds' that have to come from lotus, but a look on The Lotus Forums will get you an identical set for half the price. With looking at the Evora forum there anyway www.thelotusforums.com
On depreciation, you may well be right - I part financed mine, and residual from finance co was predicted at 50% (£25k) after two years, but that's what I can live with, and may well keep it for a track car at end of two years, thereby getting a cheap deal from myself!
Rear seats good for kids, my 5 and 8 yr olds fot perfectly without car seats. Pretty useless for adults on any length of journey.
It is annoying not to have keyless go etc, and don't know why they don't put in a few niceties for not much money, but ergonomics etc don't bother me much, and I'd much rather have the car than the refinement. Still not seen another one onn the road either, so nearly as exclusive as a Europa!
i've put 7k miles on top of the 3k dealer had done, and so far haven't had any problems. Biggest gripe would be the aircon which is pretty ineffective, even in Scotland! The Impreza's is better....Not sure if this is normal, dealer says not, and to be honest I haven't got round to taking it back to get checked again. Also, as above, radio reception is poor, somthething to do with the lack of metal surroundings apparently.
my dealer is very helpful on any questions, or fixes, and apparently that is driven by Lotus themselves who want to make sure that Evora owners are kept happy as they try to move upmarket.
Tyre wear is high; 6-8k for rears without driving silly. You are told that replacements are 'special compounds' that have to come from lotus, but a look on The Lotus Forums will get you an identical set for half the price. With looking at the Evora forum there anyway www.thelotusforums.com
On depreciation, you may well be right - I part financed mine, and residual from finance co was predicted at 50% (£25k) after two years, but that's what I can live with, and may well keep it for a track car at end of two years, thereby getting a cheap deal from myself!
Rear seats good for kids, my 5 and 8 yr olds fot perfectly without car seats. Pretty useless for adults on any length of journey.
It is annoying not to have keyless go etc, and don't know why they don't put in a few niceties for not much money, but ergonomics etc don't bother me much, and I'd much rather have the car than the refinement. Still not seen another one onn the road either, so nearly as exclusive as a Europa!
Edited by footsoldier on Saturday 14th August 16:44
I'd be surprised if the S offers much more over the standard Evora other than the Sc... Maybe a better headunit as the Alpine is rubbish! Well in fairness it's not that bad once you get used to it, but it could also be better..
I'm more interested to see where Lotus price the SC at.. £60k plus options? Making it £68k ish for a decent spec?
I wouldn't order a Chrome Orange one, it really doesn't suit it....
I'm more interested to see where Lotus price the SC at.. £60k plus options? Making it £68k ish for a decent spec?
I wouldn't order a Chrome Orange one, it really doesn't suit it....
As an aside, the road test car I drove (which wasn't earmarked as such and came directly from Sales department as the one I'd drive originally needed a front clam...) turned out to have exactly 300 PS on the rolling road rather than 280. It's the RR we have always used and given the distribution of results we had so far against manufacturers quotes as well as other RRs I'd say it should be bang on the money.
900T-R said:
As an aside, the road test car I drove (which wasn't earmarked as such and came directly from Sales department as the one I'd drive originally needed a front clam...) turned out to have exactly 300 PS on the rolling road rather than 280. It's the RR we have always used and given the distribution of results we had so far against manufacturers quotes as well as other RRs I'd say it should be bang on the money.
If it has 300bhp, why is it so slow - are they telling porkies about the weight?Edited by NoelWatson on Friday 20th August 15:43
NoelWatson said:
900T-R said:
As an aside, the road test car I drove (which wasn't earmarked as such and came directly from Sales department as the one I'd drive originally needed a front clam...) turned out to have exactly 300 PS on the rolling road rather than 280. It's the RR we have always used and given the distribution of results we had so far against manufacturers quotes as well as other RRs I'd say it should be bang on the money.
If it has 300bhp, why is it so slow - are they telling porkies about the weight?Oh, and it's 296 bhp, not 300..
The 2GR-FE's's are highly regarded engines which unfortunately due to very restrictive emission control systems blunt the performance considerably. The engine can really breathe deeply when allowed to.
If there is an S version with 300hp all they'll probably have to do is put a more free flowing exhaust on it. I'd personally like them to take it to 325hp for an S version. The engine is easily capable of it, just need to revise the intake/exhaust systems.
If there is an S version with 300hp all they'll probably have to do is put a more free flowing exhaust on it. I'd personally like them to take it to 325hp for an S version. The engine is easily capable of it, just need to revise the intake/exhaust systems.
Ug_lee said:
The 2GR-FE's's are highly regarded engines which unfortunately due to very restrictive emission control systems blunt the performance considerably. The engine can really breathe deeply when allowed to.
If there is an S version with 300hp all they'll probably have to do is put a more free flowing exhaust on it. I'd personally like them to take it to 325hp for an S version. The engine is easily capable of it, just need to revise the intake/exhaust systems.
It's likely to be significantly more than that! Most people (mags forums and indeed Lotus dealers) are estimating 350BHP at least and maybe as much as 400BHP!!If there is an S version with 300hp all they'll probably have to do is put a more free flowing exhaust on it. I'd personally like them to take it to 325hp for an S version. The engine is easily capable of it, just need to revise the intake/exhaust systems.
J-P said:
Ug_lee said:
The 2GR-FE's's are highly regarded engines which unfortunately due to very restrictive emission control systems blunt the performance considerably. The engine can really breathe deeply when allowed to.
If there is an S version with 300hp all they'll probably have to do is put a more free flowing exhaust on it. I'd personally like them to take it to 325hp for an S version. The engine is easily capable of it, just need to revise the intake/exhaust systems.
It's likely to be significantly more than that! Most people (mags forums and indeed Lotus dealers) are estimating 350BHP at least and maybe as much as 400BHP!!If there is an S version with 300hp all they'll probably have to do is put a more free flowing exhaust on it. I'd personally like them to take it to 325hp for an S version. The engine is easily capable of it, just need to revise the intake/exhaust systems.
NoelWatson said:
For a non supercharged engine?
No, the S will be a blown engine - there's apparently room in the design for twin chargers, but it seems likely it'll be a single unit. Hopefully they'll take it to at least 350bhp to make a clear difference between the S and the base model.J-P said:
Ug_lee said:
The 2GR-FE's's are highly regarded engines which unfortunately due to very restrictive emission control systems blunt the performance considerably. The engine can really breathe deeply when allowed to.
If there is an S version with 300hp all they'll probably have to do is put a more free flowing exhaust on it. I'd personally like them to take it to 325hp for an S version. The engine is easily capable of it, just need to revise the intake/exhaust systems.
It's likely to be significantly more than that! Most people (mags forums and indeed Lotus dealers) are estimating 350BHP at least and maybe as much as 400BHP!!If there is an S version with 300hp all they'll probably have to do is put a more free flowing exhaust on it. I'd personally like them to take it to 325hp for an S version. The engine is easily capable of it, just need to revise the intake/exhaust systems.
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