Pure joy

[JonneyB]

On 19th September I came onto these forums to ask for help in convincing me that buying an Evora would be suitable and practical ('Head or Heart'). It was to be a bit of a toy but still sensible enough to be a daily driver, leaving my wife to drive the XC90 (ponies and the kids) and for me also to have access to a Toyota Aygo for pootling around and keeping me grounded. Naturally I was sold and 1 week ago collected my 2011 Evora NA IPS in Starlight Black. I had thought I would try and do no more than 12,000 miles pa in it to keep it sensible and to not go through too much rubber and servicing costs each year. This has presented a problem this week as I love it so much I have already done 1,000 miles.

I visited my 84 year old father for his birthday on Thursday. His mobility is not the best and so I thought he would just be wanting to see the outside as, whilst he might be able to fall in I had visions of needing the fire brigade to get him out, but no. We shoehorned him in and off we went. Big smiles. The first thing he asked the following day was where we could go today.

I just can't get enough of this car. Trip to look at Cardiff university yesterday with my daughter. My wife was due to take her to view Sheffield this week but I've graciously volunteered.

I just love love love this car. I have never felt like this over a car before. It's planted, 'corners like it's on rails' and I'm really not a real driver's driver. I love the fact that you approach a roundabout with a car glued to your tail and leave that roundabout with the car 50 yards behind without making any deliberate effort whatsoever. Extraordinary.

A good friend, engineer and car fanatic who owns a Porsche 911 came to have a look and loved it. Everyone who sees it on the drive loves it. I'm having the time of my life. And yes, it is practical - I've had four of us in it (the youngest being 12) with no complaints from the back.

I'm even getting to grips with the Alpine (although the bluetooth unit needs replacing as it's not working!). I agree with many that the engine 'noise' is a little subdued but that suits me really.

The only shame is that I'm really going to have to calm down a bit as 28,000 miles pa and 3 services a year at my current rate might be a little excessive! Loving having joined the Lotus community and if you ever meet a 'should I shouldn't I', happy to help with their decision.

[Justin182]

Good to hear

I still remember the day I picked mine up.. Although I've only managed 14k in 2.5 years!

[snowman]

You can't say much more about a car that puts a smile on your face like that

I collected my newly acquired one yesterday at 10am and spend most of the rest of the day in it. Although I wasn't able to give it proper laldy for various reasons, by the end I was coming to the conclusion that it was like a grown up version of the smaller cheaper sportscar I had been driving for the past 10 years - ie more composed and sophisticated, but as much if not more fun, and still with sufficient quirks not to make it boringly efficient.

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

I just dropped one of my kids off... a 10 minute drive that on the way back I managed to extend to way over an hour as I just didn't want to stop driving the car! The Evora's amazing, big smiles whether it's a daily dull drive or out for a proper spin. Pure joy indeed!

[LotusX180R]

You can't say much more about a car that puts a smile on your face like that

I collected my newly acquired one yesterday at 10am

Collected mine yesterday too. Count me in for the smiley face brigade. JonneyB you made a great choice!

[TBD]

Your mention of your father and the Evora made me smile. My mother in law had the same reaction. I had to offer her a seat. Unfortunately her walker didn't fit in the back.

[mkt]

Install a decat and the bluetipped Lotus Sport Exhaust, set the IPS in manual Sport mode.

Then going through the gears is a work of art (especially the downshifts)! Unbelievable.

Puts a big smile on my face everytime

[Bucko]

I was in a similar predicament to Jonathan, running over the same 'should I shouldn't I' argument in my head for about 6 months before taking the plunge into Evora ownership.

Practicality was always low on my list of priorities yet I still wanted something usable, a certain German marque just didn't seem to cut it for me, too bland and too common a sight on our roads. I had decided quite early on the individuality and driver focused dynamics of a Lotus was what I wanted but was it to be the hardcore Exige or the refined, grown up Evora?

Needless to say I opted for the Evora however I did have my reservations. As I could only afford an early model should I have been worried about spending all my hard earned cash on a low volume junior super car, just coming out of its warranty period, with iffy build quality and inter-galactic gearing? One drive was all it took to answer my questions, I had to have one and the enjoyment I get when I slither myself in behind the wheel is priceless. I have to be out driving it at every opportunity (going to have to amend my limited mileage insurance policy I think). I even volunteered my services for an airport run, three full size people and a weeks worth of luggage balancing precariously on their knees.

So Jonathan, I can concur. The Evora really is an extraordinary vehicle and yes it is practical, I am truly enjoying lotus ownership. I think you sum it up perfectly 'pure joy'

[robcarter]

A mutual love in on this thread... Enjoy every minute!

[softlips]

Love mine as does the wife but we both wish the roof came off

[AnthonyBraham]

I have to agree with others on this thread. After 2 years and 30,000km, I'm still just as smitten as on day one.

There is something addictive about the Evora.

I've tried to work it out. I think it’s due to a combination of factors:

- the cosy and distinctive interior (miles away from Porsches, BMWs and the like - comparisons with TVR or even McLaren spring to mind);

- the comfortable and supportive seats, combined with the suspension which irons out bumps;

- the V6, which can be silky and economical, potent and torquey, or even maniacal and loud, depending on your mood, and provided you have the sports exhaust (a must on n/a cars, IMO);

- the telepathic steering, the feedback from the brakes, and the mid-engined layout which all combine to make the car feel as an extension of the driver's body and mind.

- finally, the feeling that you’re driving something special, like a supercar. It isn’t a supercar, because even the S has about half the power of most cars that can boast that title. But when you look out of the front and see the bulge of the wing, and the sweeping bonnet, or look in the mirrors and catch sight of the rear air scoop or the engine cover, you know this isn’t your run-of-the mill average sports car.

Incidentally, I have found that the n/a car with its 280 PS, a properly run-in engine, and the short-ratio gearbox, is very fast. In the real world it competes with just about anything.

Sure, there have been moments when I was frustrated with one of its niggles. But in two years they have been few and far between, and none of them has ever prevented me from driving off.

And, as others in this thread, I marvel at its daily useability. I have accommodated my baby daughter on the passenger seat, a folded pram in the rear luggage area, and assorted baby paraphernalia in the boot. This is the last thing I expected the car to be able to do.

So, yes, all in all, a very good buy, I would say.

[TBD]

Very well said, I've also put 30,000 km on my Evora S in 20 months and enjoyed wevery day with the car.

In fact I've never misssed a car as much as my Evora while it was in the shop during the last 5 weeks.

[Kimbers]

Dad is round while I am reading this and wanted to add a comment.

"Well they say the proof of the pudding is in the eating and you guys prove that we made not only an awesome car, but a true Lotus, worthy of the name and Colins legacy. I am so happy that you all love the car and it's all down to the great team we had on this project.

I am so proud to have made what I consider one of my "swansong" projects at Lotus a truely world beating and award winning car that enthusiasts and drivers will enthuse about for years to come". MJK

[Snoopy1969]

Dear Kimbers

please just say "many thanks" to your father by me for being saved by the Evora from the boredom of new cars in general. Before recognizing the Evora in 2011 I have not thought of buying a "new" car because n o car combined the aspects of fun and practicability (I need a 2+2..) in a way that attracts me. I have watched the movie about the development of the Evora and what impressed me a lot was that there was a clear idea behind the car -I miss this "clear idea"if I seee most of the "new" cars - imho most of the good ideas (if there are any) are overruled by marketing etc. Now after 4 months of lucky ownership I just can say that the car is not like I expected it - it is far better! So again, many thanks to your Dad an the developing team - of course he can be proud!

[Eglise]

Having given the Evora some serious consideration, I have decided that it is not the car for me, too wide for my garage for starters, frightening tyre costs with 20" wheels, more of a GT than a sports, kids grown up so need for a plus 2. I must admit I have never driven one because before I got the chance I had a drive in a and I pick it up next week :-)

[slewthy]

Great thread. Inspirational throughout.

I am up for a car change. Was going to swap my aged Audi A6 for a nice new A5 but.....

[anubis1]

I think that I am one the most KM driven with mine; I am at 63000 now. And I really love this car too. Apart that I personally love the styling (it is one ot the beautyfullst cars I know) the combination of Driving feeling with reasonable costs, emotion and usable every day makes the difference.

Shure there are some "silly facts", but what is perfect in this world. All in all it is a fantastic car. Sometimes when I am abroad with my other car (Range Evoque) I come back home and have a smoke in the garage watching the Evora as it is and take him out to get the fresh bread form the bakery.

Lately my wife asked: if you would have to give a car away, which one you would sell? I said: The Range. She was a bit surprised.

Some weeks later she said after an Evora ride: I understand what you mean... The Range is newer, comfortable, with tons of gimmicks, absolutely solid, but... it only rolls. The Evora always drives.

[JAWS]

Ritchie - My brother in law's matching you at 40k miles. It's pretty much a tool to enjoy driving for him and only cleaned a couple of times, once by myself just because I felt sorry for it! Here it is yesterday when I took it for a spin:

Those are actually silver wheels.

It has held up well over those miles although you can tell it's done higher mileage. One thing I did notice, being used to the sports exhaust, I found his not as responsive and not as sprightly with standard. It may have just been in my head because there wasn't the aural pleasure I'm used to. However, he does get a lot more miles out of his tyres than I have - only changing his fronts recently!

I agree whole heartly with the comments above. I've been fortunate enough to drive many Lotus' (incl. VX220 & Tesla) and can say that although there maybe more thrilling/exciting models, none are so brilliantly packaged that means so little compromise to practicality, fun, comfort or running costs.

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

It just gets better... I just had my first 1000 miles service and the engine map, gearbox software was updated, reflashed or whatever dark arts are performed these days. I've not noticed anything especially different in the gearbox, that always did change down better than I ever did but the throttle response in Sports Mode seems to be much sharper and the sound on downshift now includes some amazing burbles and blats!

[anubis1]

I tryed to put a picture in of a "clean one"... but the system alswys says: too big. So: no pics, but still fun.

Edited November 3, 2012 by anubis1

[Kimbers]

Here you go. One of the first PR shots released.

And the first one I ever drove.

[Al]

Effectively my first 2 Evoras! N/A's and in Aquamarine and Arden Red. Spot on Kimbers. I have that early marketing shot somewhere. I also have the early shots of the Cabriolet 'artist impression' as well unfortunately.......... That was going to be my upgrade car when it arrived. .

[YvoTuk]

At one end it's a shame the Evora doesn't sell as it should be. I think it's a fantastic car and I think there's a lot more potential in the chassis as such.

When I started our Evora project, I thought it was a 'nice car to have' and we would just do our thing with it. Meanwhile I really enjoy the car. It's absolutely great.

As always there's things you'd want to see different, but that's why we are looking at it and why we've started a lot of developments (in parallel) to modify / improve the car.

At the moment, the road car has a full Larini system on (proper manifold, sportscat and a Evora S silencer). (our car is an N/A, well.. for now )

Although it's loud~ish, I absolutely love the howl of that V6. People who say the car doesn't sound good.. listen again but with a proper exhaust installed. You'll be surprised. It's addictive..

The N/A now has that Larini exhaust line and a pre-production version of our induction kit. It's much faster than it was before but.. I can see why people say it's not fast enough. I think main thing here is people didn't really try! When you get to the higher rev ranges, you'll experience it's shifting properly.

For me, I know the Evora isn't going to be a short term development car... I think I'll stick around

[Whitey]

Top colour Yvo Looking forward to your developments.