I've joined the Evora club!

[M4rk 158]

Having bought my first Lotus earlier this year, an Exige, my interest in the Evora has grown.  I had a drive in a 400 in the summer and it lived up to my expectations.  The arrival of the amazing GT430 and GT430 Sport fuelled my interest and I have found myself looking around dealers at Evora's for the past month.  I have no desire to sell my Exige, I love it and especially enjoy taking it on track every now and then.  I wanted a GT car which would be useable, something that could almost be a daily, so I kept coming back to the 400 as it ticks the box for what I want and it is also great value when compared with a 911, for example.  I wanted a car which I will really enjoy driving whether it is to the local shop or for a blast out to the North Norfolk coast and I know that a Lotus can deliver on that front!

So, this week I bought a stock 400 from Lotus Silverstone.   Aimee has been excellent, I know many people on here speak well of Lotus Silverstone and they are doing a great job of getting the car ready in quick time.  The colour is the new dark metallic grey; the same colour as the launch GT430 car.  I think Evora's look great in brighter colours and I was eyeing up an orange one but for me I wanted something that was more discreet, so this was perfect.  It looks amazing with the metallic flecks in the paint.  It is manual too which I also wanted as I've been using autos for a while now and I enjoy the gearshift so much in the Exige that it made sense to continue with that level of engagement with the car.

I'm really looking forward to picking the car up next week and getting the running in period out of the way!  I will share some photos when I collect, I hope it is not snowing!

[Bibs 8,101 4 Vehicles]

Congratulations Mark, welcome to the Evora club

[Colin P 354]

Congrats Mark. Evora are good in snow, drove my first Evora home from Chris Neals and it started snowing when we were going round Brum. 2/3 inches deep when we got home

[550superfast 402]

Congrats Mark, I was wondering where you had been over the last few months. 360 Cup and 400 - what a pair!

[DaveC72 631]

Congratulations and welcome to Evora ownership.  My S1 was Carbon Grey, but my 400 is Metallic Orange.

Would love to see some pictures!

[The Pits 3,730 1 Vehicles]

Congrats Mark, great choice. 400s are superb value, not too shabby on the track either!

Enjoy!

[Stuart Monument 707]

What a lovely set of cars you will have. Congratulations, Christmas has come early this year for you 

[Del Lardo 89]

Congrats, very nice for a daily GT.

[Neal H 609 1 Vehicles]

The perfect combo! Congratulations

[M4rk 158]

Thanks guys.  I do think the 400 represents excellent value and with moderate use shouldn't depreciate too much (not that we think of that when buying!).  The man maths has been working overtime to make this work.  

@550superfast cheers Gary.  It has been a busy couple of months so I've been popping on TLF but not that visible.  I really wanted to join you guys at Silverstone a couple of weeks ago but I couldn't make the diary work unfortunately.  Looking forward to more track days next year.

I'm sure Lotus Silverstone will not mind me sharing a pic from their website

 

I meant to add that once again TLF has been an excellent resource, being able to read about others views and experiences.  TLF made my mind up about buying an Exige and in fact I found my car on the forum and once again has been a big factor in buying a 400.

[M4rk 158]

@The Pits thank you, I agree with you.  I have to say that I am very much looking forward to getting a close look at the GT430 they have in stock when I go to collect, you must be counting down the hours.

[The Pits 3,730 1 Vehicles]

Stunning car Martin black works particularly well on the 400/410 for me.

I am officially in the Evora club too now having paid for mine but unable to drive it just at the moment, long story involving PPF but worth getting it all sorted before registration. Will be in my garage soon though, my first Evora also. Can't wait.

[PaulCP 359]

Nice choice Mark, good to see one with some proper wheels rather than silhouette ones 

Another Evora for the East Anglian meets  ------------although I don't get there much myself 

[M4rk 158]

Thanks Paul, yes I like silver alloys too and I think they work well with this colour.  I will hopefully get the car along to the Bird in Hand at some point after Christmas.

 

Yes, I was reading about your PPF work on the other thread, I can totally see why you would want that.  It will be worth the wait to know it is well protected.  And what an Evora to start with too, it will be great to see footage from your first track outing.

[CocoPops 812]

Welcome to 400 ownership!

[Stubox 477]

4 hours ago, M4rk said:

Thanks guys.  I do think the 400 represents excellent value and with moderate use shouldn't depreciate too much (not that we think of that when buying!).  The man maths has been working overtime to make this work.  

@550superfast cheers Gary.  It has been a busy couple of months so I've been popping on TLF but not that visible.  I really wanted to join you guys at Silverstone a couple of weeks ago but I couldn't make the diary work unfortunately.  Looking forward to more track days next year.

I'm sure Lotus Silverstone will not mind me sharing a pic from their website

 

Excellent colour combo and great daily

[KAS-118 78]

Congratulations on your purchase - lovely looking car 

[scotty435 274]

Have to say darker colours do look great on the 400 more grown up and classy, fantastic looking car.

[JayEmm 1,265]

Another satisfied customer

Be sure to tell @Hangar 111 the good news!

[M4rk 158]

Thanks James, the drive I had in your 400 paid off 

[Hangar 111 226]

14 hours ago, JayEmm said:

Another satisfied customer

Be sure to tell @Hangar 111 the good news!

Do I need to order some more A-panel trims in? 

Nice car @M4rk.

Dave

[M4rk 158]

Haha, I hope not Dave!  but I need some new rear ZZRs so will be in touch. 

[M4rk 158]

I collected my car yesterday from Lotus Silverstone, thanks to Aimee for making the experience such an easy and enjoyable one.  The colour is stunning in the flesh, the sun bounces off it, quite a lot of metallic fleck in the paint.  

I really enjoyed my drive home as I started to get to know the Evora better, I certainly cannot wait to get the engine running in completed.  The car feels very solid and well built, the ride quality is sublime, it floats over poor road surfaces and the steering is like nothing else I have experienced.  The turn in will take a bit longer to adjust to, it is so precise and the car turns quickly, same as with my Exige.  The gearshift is great and will continue to improve during running in I am sure, so pleased I choose a manual.  Close the exhaust valve and it becomes a very relaxing cabin to sit in.  I find myself wondering how Lotus managed to develop this car on the budget they have, good job indeed guys!

It is a very, very good car!  

[tim_marra 207]

1 hour ago, M4rk said:

It is a very, very good car!  

Nah, it is way better than that 

[M4rk 158]

With dry roads and fair weather around where I live today, I've enjoyed putting some more gentle running in miles on the car making Christmas deliveries.  With the windows down and the exhaust valve open I have to say it sounds epic!  What a great, and very addictive, noise!  Fortunately my neighbours seem to appreciate the V6 growl.   Everyone I have showed the car too has had a big smile coupled with a "wow", some are convinced it is Italian in origin.  

The only thing I'm having an issue with is opening the boot lid, I think it needs some adjustment but it is temperamental on the key fob, or perhaps I am not doing it correctly.  Something to look in to on the running in service.

I enjoyed giving the 400 a wash yesterday, a couple of quick pics:

 

Haha, ignore the edge of my finger in the second pic!