LF1 to Cayman GT4

[The Pits 4,410]

Steve that is a classic line from the dealer. The GT4 is not a limited run car. They will make as many as people want. Which is a lot. They most definitely are ramping up production as was always the plan for later in 2015 and 2016.

 

At least Porsche's miscalculations have resulted in at least 2 LF1 sales, so it has benefitted Lotus. Hopefully the car has done enough during your ownership to change the way you see Lotus cars and possibly even Porsche cars too.

[SJF 5]

Steve that is a classic line from the dealer. The GT4 is not a limited run car. They will make as many as people want. Which is a lot. They most definitely are ramping up production as was always the plan for later in 2015 and 2016.

 

At least Porsche's miscalculations have resulted in at least 2 LF1 sales, so it has benefitted Lotus. Hopefully the car has done enough during your ownership to change the way you see Lotus cars and possibly even Porsche cars too.

I'm not sure it is a line tbh because my dealer has a long waiting list of people who want one. I've been approached for my car already, but who knows.

The LF1 is a great little car and I know what Lotus cars strengths and weakness's are as it's the 4th Lotus I've owned.

[Freejack 113]

They will make as many as people want. Which is a lot.

 

Pits, this is not correct. They're now collecting orders for GT4 and Spyder without confirmation from PAG side. Buyers are getting order confirmations from dealers side with the disclosure, that it's only valid, if PAG confirms from their side. This will be done (or not) in october.

 

Because they have only one production-line/-capacity in Stuttgart, they need to juggle between GT4 and Spyder and when to switch over to the new model.

[kokostrollet 16]

Actually, I think the truth is somewhere in between here actually.

 

The GT4 is not a limited car, but as it´s produced by the Motorsport division, there will be limited capacity anyhow. Sure they can (and likely will) ramp up the supply a bit and for sure let the model live longer than they had originally planned, but I don´t think there will be ample supply of GT4s all of a sudden. 

[The Pits 4,410]

We'll see soon enough who's correct. But if a car's not limited the whole idea is to make enough to meet demand. Porsche are a big company. They churn out the whole lifetime production of Aston Martins every 6 months. If they want to make a lot of GT4s they will.

[simon mac 74]

We'll see soon enough who's correct. But if a car's not limited the whole idea is to make enough to meet demand. Porsche are a big company. They churn out the whole lifetime production of Aston Martins every 6 months. If they want to make a lot of GT4s they will.

 

Of course they could side step the issue by releasing an unlimited run of Spyder GT4s

 

Those buying the Caymen GT4s will be happy as they are still "limited", and those who missed out can still get something very similar albeit without a tin top.

[LF1 564]

All I can say is that I put in for one, made a lot of noise but never got offered one and have not been called back with this possible new release of cars.

 

It seems unless you are a favoured or existing GT customer you are out of luck. We've bought Porsches before, I am a fan. But as a result of this elitist nonsense, regardless of weather this is true or not, it certainly is the perception.

 

We are out of the Porsche game because of this and are about to pull a Macan order we have been waiting on for months. When we ordered we were told we were second on the list, now we are about 8th it seems, probably because we've never bought a GT3 before or sold a young car out of the Porsche network.

 

Roll on the Lotus SUV

[D.no 16]

All I can say is that I put in for one, made a lot of noise but never got offered one and have not been called back with this possible new release of cars.

 

It seems unless you are a favoured or existing GT customer you are out of luck. We've bought Porsches before, I am a fan. But as a result of this elitist nonsense, regardless of weather this is true or not, it certainly is the perception.

 

We are out of the Porsche game because of this and are about to pull a Macan order we have been waiting on for months. When we ordered we were told we were second on the list, now we are about 8th it seems, probably because we've never bought a GT3 before or sold a young car out of the Porsche network.

 

Roll on the Lotus SUV

 

Me too, but I've only owned one previous Porsche, so obviously my money isn't good enough.

 

I pick my Exige V6 up on Friday...

[LF1 564]

Great call. You'll be thrilled!

[simon mac 74]

When we ordered we were told we were second on the list, now we are about 8th it seems

 

Buy a Tesla  I was on the waiting list 16 months with a £4k deposit, only to be queue jumped by people that just placed an order with a £2k deposit (Then 4 weeks later delivered cars came with massively uprated hardware , which by Tesla's own "forumula" for resale made 3% difference )

 

At the end of the day car companies are car companies, I (dis)trust all in near equal measure

[LF1 564]

We've been waiting 9 months with large deposit paid, told it will now be another year before we even get a build slot.

[simon mac 74]

We've been waiting 9 months with large deposit paid, told it will now be another year before we even get a build slot.

 

That's really poor

 

Not tempted to just get an SQ5?   (Though of course it's hardly a protest as your money ends up in the same place )

[C8RKH 6,437]

That's really poor

 

Not tempted to just get an SQ5?   (Though of course it's hardly a protest as your money ends up in the same place )

 

But then he will look just look like a MILF dropping the kids off at school.  At the end of the day, cars like the Audi "s" range do little for me, I mean, unless you look hard it just looks like a normal A4, A6, Q5, or whatever. If you want to look like everyone else why pay the premium too?

 

I know, I know, the usual comments will come back re "wolf in sheep's clothing" etc. I guess I just prefer to keep a wolf and don;t care who knows I have one

 

It's funny, part of my Lotus ownership experience is fielding questions from people who are intrigued by what it is and also by observing the sneaky and not so sneaky little glances that people give my car.  Not sure everyone really notices a modern Porsche these days as they're just everywhere, and I'd miss the banter in car parks / petrol stations.

 

But at the end of the day, we all earn our crust and we are all entitled to enjoy it how we like - whatever you buy, I hope she gives you enjoyment and reliability.

[Arun_D 741]

Tom won't look like MILF to me, no matter what he drives.

[C8RKH 6,437]

Hahaha - beer goggles would probably help there then too.

[simon mac 74]

But then he will look just look like a MILF dropping the kids off at school.  At the end of the day, cars like the Audi "s" range do little for me, I mean, unless you look hard it just looks like a normal A4, A6, Q5, or whatever. If you want to look like everyone else why pay the premium too?

 

I know, I know, the usual comments will come back re "wolf in sheep's clothing" etc. I guess I just prefer to keep a wolf and don;t care who knows I have one

 

It's funny, part of my Lotus ownership experience is fielding questions from people who are intrigued by what it is and also by observing the sneaky and not so sneaky little glances that people give my car.  Not sure everyone really notices a modern Porsche these days as they're just everywhere, and I'd miss the banter in car parks / petrol stations.

 

But at the end of the day, we all earn our crust and we are all entitled to enjoy it how we like - whatever you buy, I hope she gives you enjoyment and reliability.

 

I'd really struggle to distinguish the Macan MILF from the SQ5 MILF. All these SUV's are the same to me.

 

Disclaimer. Wife has a Q7, and I hate it, such a pointless car with so few redeeming features other than school drop off status.

 

I did ask if she was planning on becoming a missionary and using it to rescue refugee school kids from remote parts of the jungle. That was about the only justification I could see in buying it  

 

Of course happy wife means she doesn't moan too much at me and my car choices, and I guess that's a big plus of all SUVs

[Freejack 113]

Of course happy wife means she doesn't moan too much at me and my car choices, and I guess that's a big plus of all SUVs

 

Happy wife - easy life

[C8RKH 6,437]

Hmmm, even when happy they can still be a prickly fickly bunch! But then over the last 21 years the pros have outweighed the cons and despite some hefty servicing costs she's still with me 

[Rancid 104]

Porsche have played a blinder in the UK with the GT4.

Bet they're pissing themselves watching everyone fall over each other to get one, when in most parts of Europe you can still walk into an OPC and order one.

I know three people who are getting one - and I can almost guarantee that they'll have sold them within 12 months.

So much for Porsche trying to wheedle out the flippers.

I've been following the GT4 thread on PH - never have I seen such fawning and head-up-arseholeness as the suckers on there...

[SJF 5]

Porsche have played a blinder in the UK with the GT4.

Bet they're pissing themselves watching everyone fall over each other to get one, when in most parts of Europe you can still walk into an OPC and order one.

I know three people who are getting one - and I can almost guarantee that they'll have sold them within 12 months.

So much for Porsche trying to wheedle out the flippers.

I've been following the GT4 thread on PH - never have I seen such fawning and head-up-arseholeness as the suckers on there...

I'd agree that Porsche have played a blinder on the marketing of this car, a position Lotus can only dream of being in mores the pity.. I have a GT4 on order and if they announce an RS version I will order one without a moments hesitation.

On the upside you can be confident that this car will be good, hopefully more than good possibly great. Furthermore it might actually maintain strong residuals which will be a nice position to be in for a change. I personally think Porsche values will implode before too long and I pity those paying up to 200k on a 997 GT3RS which could have been bought for 80-90k three years ago.

So in reality those lucky enough to have one of these on order are in a position of envy really, a GT Porsche at a bargain price.

With regard fawning, well it goes with the territory look on any forum on for any marque there's always people who are a little bit over enthusiastic often cringeworthy, including Lotus!

[The Pits 4,410]

Clearly Lotus marketing has played a blinder with the LF1. They appear to have successfully targeted prospective and cheesed-off GT4 deposit holders!

 

It's normally best to withhold declarations of a car's greatness until after driving one. If Chris Harris can be underwhelmed by the GT4 I'll suggest anyone can be.

 

Seems to be a lot of 'I want one because everyone wants one' going on to me.

[TheDeadPrussian 18]

Okay - I'll bite...

 

I am a Porsche fan and a serial owner of the marque, not because I ‘fawn’ over the brand, but because Porsche make (on the whole) excellent cars; they are not without issues – 991 GT3 engine failures, bore scoring et al…, but on the whole, great cars with a real driver focus and solid reliability and residuals.

 

The GT cars are the pinnacle of the brand and something I aspired to own as soon as I bought my very first 997 C2 a decade ago. The GT department is not a marketing gimmick; it is a separate engineering division, turning out very special cars that quite literally have people queuing up to buy. Lotus Motorsport on steroids.

 

The Porsche dealers are generally in the fortunate position of not being able to meet demand for many of their models and in particular for the GT cars – so they can pick and choose who they sell to, safe in the knowledge that if you don’t want their car, someone else will. It makes for a strange dynamic, with customers having to ‘prove’ their worth through an extended buying history and loyalty (which is where I fell foul of them after selling a car outside of the approved network…)

 

I’ve been lucky enough over the years to own all sorts or fast cars, from BMW M3s, Caterhams, Mercedes SLS, through to a Nissan R35 GT-R and numerous Porsches. I would not consider myself a badge ‘snob’ and I appreciate all cars – I simply have a love for them and can find something love in pretty much every marque; Citroen Cactus, Fiat 500, Ford Focus you name it will have some features I will admire…

 

But, invariably you encounter those who have a very blinkered view and who will not accept that other cars can be as good or as fun, or even better than what they happen to be fixated upon and personally own. This was probably worst amongst the Nissan R-35 fraternity and is ultimately the reason why I sold mine – I just didn’t get on with fellow owners and it felt like I had joined a cult!

 

So when I bought the LF1 I did my research first, I used Pistonheads, joined up here and lurked and asked questions, I joined SELOC and did the same thing - and then bought a car I still greatly admire and enjoyed driving for over 2,000 miles.

 

But, it had its issues – the after sales service didn’t always match the buying experience in every respect and we are all aware of the foibles that exist – it’s part of the charm and character ultimately, but it was not perfect. The driving experience pretty much was – but that’s not the totality of ownership.

 

On the whole, it was an extremely positive experience and I would certainly buy another Lotus (and may well do so – 311 or Exige 400 perhaps), but I am a little dismayed at some people’s attitudes or reaction to my decision to sell and buy the GT4…Whilst I owned the Lotus, I got involved (as I always do – it’s part of the ownership experience for me), I used the forum and went along to meets and festivals and tried to offer advice or assistance or just an opinion when I could. So, I think I made the effort and I haven’t had a bad word to say for the LF1, but I am beginning to wonder if Lotus ownership might be similar to R35 GT-R ownership…

 

Just my thoughts.

[Rancid 104]

I think a few of you got the wrong end of my stick.... it certainly wasn't a dig at anyone here.

I also like Porsche, having had a 996 X50 and a Boxster Spyder ( with an Exige in between)

I've just got incredibly pissed off with not only Porsches attitude but also the dealers - it's as if they are doing you a favour by letting you buy one of their products.

The fawning I mentioned, well you only have to see what I mean on PH - no other car could EVER be as good as a Porsche, ever.....

I think if those people ever tried a Lotus their view point might change.

Unfortunately, the blinkers are superglued on.

[Bibs 11,410]

It makes for a strange dynamic, with customers having to ‘prove’ their worth through an extended buying history and loyalty (which is where I fell foul of them after selling a car outside of the approved network…)

 

That is a shocking way of doing business. I'd never buy a Porsche based on that philosophy alone.

[The Pits 4,410]

Most here have owned other makes of cars at various points. Over the years more Elise owners went on to own a 911 than any other fast car - hence why Lotus made the Evora. Sadly for Lotus, most Elise owners continued into 911 ownership regardless!

 

For many reasons the GT4 breaks with a number of the 'Motorsport' traditions, and despite the most feeble-minded marketing campaign in living history 'Rebels. Race on.'   It is oversubscribed purely based on hype, expectation, assumptions made about the Motorsport division and in particular the current 'GT' car values. It has succeeded inspite of Porsche marketing not because of it. The real driver in the minds of many was summed up very neatly above 'a GT car at a bargain price'. That many will spend nearly £80k on theirs is, as usual, conveniently overlooked.

 

I too have owned many different types of cars, but not a single Porsche. But I have driven many of them. Loving cars in general does not make it obligatory to like the GT4 and I absolutely will not join in with the groundless gushing, especially on a Lotus forum, until I've driven one and it turns out that it really is the new messiah.

 

I hope you'll forgive some support for Lotus cars on here. Lotus are of course still struggling to find their feet after some horrendously difficult years. For those 'serial Porsche owners' that bought an LF1 I salute you all. As you disappear off into the sunset in your GT4s there is at least a chance Lotus will still be around for those of us who prefer their approach to making fast cars, foibles and all. If Porsche is Barcelona, Lotus is Norwich City (and that's being very generous!). Porsche win everything all the time, they have vast resources and vast support, vast sales, even bigger profits. We'll see if their new signing can deliver against the sky high expectations. In the meantime, thanks for cheering, however briefly, for Norwich.