Got the call for a Lotus Emira First Edition

Off-Ramp
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After putting in a deposit 2 years ago I finally got the call to spec out a Lotus Emira. I could use some input (and please chime in if there are any other folks spec’ing out as well). A few things going through my head:

  • initially these were supposed to be priced starting at $77,100 but
  • the First Edition (spec conf link here)
    (Toyota) V6 Manual $105,400 + $10,000 dealer markup
    (AMG) I4 Turbo Charge Automatic $99,900 (no markup)
    also side note - a GT4 version is coming soon
  • my goal was to opt for a I4 as a weekend car and speculate a sale if values go up
  • however communities seem favor and possibly perceive manuals as more valuable in the future

Thoughts? Comments? Thanks!

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I think both versions should hold value (at least initially). Manuals would be definitely more desirable and would be a safer bet as far as resale value and initial appreciation, in my opinion.

Pick whichever your heart tells you if you decide to pull the trigger on one!

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Please buy the V6 Manual.

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Is this car really worth 120k ? I just don’t see it from a performance standpoint. I mean that’s 911 money. It’s slower all around than an m2 which costs half as much, I just don’t see it.

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Do you live within 2-5 blocks of a Lotus dealer that has repairs on site?

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Harry’s Garage has one and he has been posting periodic ownership updates. Very pretty car and something “different”.

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V6 manual no doubt. A third cat delete and it’ll sound incredible.

I had a Lotus Evora GT and it was truly a great car, the emira in the v6 manual will be great too.

And yes, these cars are WAY better than a base 911.

Also, the GT4 version will be a track only special, won’t be able to register for the road.

However there will no doubt be an “S” version and subsequent improvements quickly, that’s Lotus 101, look at what they did with the 05 to 06 elise and the 10 to 11 evora when they launched.

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FWIW you have to take a British opinion about a historically British brand with a pinch of salt. Lots of conscious and unconscious bias.

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Better how? Base 911 is a level or two quicker both straight line and dynamically. I guess this is more raw while the 911 is a touring car?

Just seems like a lot of money for what is realistically a pretty slow sports car in 2023. If it was 65k I think it would be a different story and the experience part of things could hold more weight but at this price point you should have pretty good performance that just does not seem to be there.

Would way way rather have a 718 gts which I suppose is the better comparison but just pointing out how much money we are talking about with regards to the 911

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It’s one of those things that is hard to quantify, the car is more driver focused, more in line with a GTS or a GT3 dynamically. It’s involving and more raw than a base 911 by a long shot.

I’ve owned a number of Porsches, currently have a Taycan GTS ST, have had a boxster, 911, and test driven plenty of Caymans. The Lotus is just special, and trust me… 415+hp in a 3100lb package that is geared for track driving is PLENTY fast for the average driver.

The 718 GT4 is about the closest comparision, but even those feel rather sterile compared to the Evora GT and what I imagine the Emira Sport will feel like.

That being said, I won’t be buying the first generation of the Emira simply because they’ll make some significant improvements to slowly make it more “hardcore” over the next few years for sure, but I can’t wait to get back in one.

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Pretty much.

Tried this with the Elise/Exige and it didn’t really work as well as expected then either.

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After having my deposit down for last 2 years and not hearing anything back i just took my money back last month!! Smh :man_facepalming:t4:!! And now you get the call!! Now I’m wondering if I have made a mistake

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