Evora market watch, for discussion and to help those searching!

[mdavies]

I could remember three very happy years with my 2010 NA - until I read that!!

[jerzybondov]

10 hours ago, Bibs said:

https://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/lotus-cars-news/evora-reloaded/

On the subject of whether the Lewes Silver S is MY12+ or in fact MY11-, based on this excellent resource from Bibs, here’s the evidence:

Seats - not all MY12 had contrast piping - seems that was just ‘Premium Pack Sport’ and SRs. So question is whether the red interior is paprika (pre MY12) or Venom Red (MY12+). Slightly hard to tell from photos but if I had to guess I’d guess Paprika.

Interior - steering wheel is earlier type, instrument surrounds are silver not gunmetal - point to pre MY12. Gearknob is a Lotus Bits unit so might well have replaced the old acorn. 

So it’s not conclusive but does look like an earlier car registered later. Check the VIN to be sure. 

The MY12 changes seemed to ‘even out’ some of the quality control on earlier cars. How valuable those tweaks were will depend on the individual pre MY12 car. 

Got one that has a nice gear change, no wind noise and no particular rattles in the cabin? Then great - no real advantage in anything MY12+. Many prefer the earlier steering wheel too.

Also worth noting that there was quite a lot of incremental improvements from launch edition onwards, so MY11 already had two years of refinement from the first Evoras off the line (many of which have now had those tweaks done by enthusiast owners in the interim). So judge the car as you find it. Does it drive well and feel well screwed together? Then great - don’t overstress the issue.

Hope this helps!

Edited January 15 by jerzybondov

[jep]

On the seats, was the trim design not different on all MY12? Having a textured pattern in parts that mimics 60s Elan seats? 

And does the ring of colour that wraps around the rear seats mean pre-MY12? I thought that feature disappeared from MY12. 

My guess would be it's old stock registered later - I'd be interested to know otherwise.

Justin

 

[TdM]

It also has door pins which the later cars don't have so it's definitely pre '12.

[tim_marra]

3 hours ago, jep said:

On the seats, was the trim design not different on all MY12? Having a textured pattern in parts that mimics 60s Elan seats? 

That is a feature of the Premium Sport option.

[Bruss]

You will never be able to tell the model year by the bits fitted. Lotus have a long tradition stretching back years and right up to the present of’ fitting what they have available. Only way to check is by vin number.

[JAWS]

I can 😜

 

That's a pretty early 2011 car, would have been sat around a while before registration. It even has the early rear quarter light seals.

 

[au-yt]

Did I just see a Evora GT with 1,000 miles just go for 35,000 USD above retail..

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0123-533627/2021-lotus-evora-gt/

 

[2011 Chrome Orange]

There is an early model year 2012 over here with the non-Inteva (door sill button) latches.

 

[JAWS]

The removal of the door pins was a MY13 (12.5) change as was the move to standardise the fitment of the Sport Racer (Elise/Exige) alloy gear knob amongst other tweaks.

[Arregueti]

Indeed. Not that any post from @JAWS needs confirmation, but mine is an early MY12 (ex-EU press car) with door pins and the leather gear knob.

[tim_marra]

IIRC the 'full MY12' changes started to come from Hethel late 2011. I ordered mine early Feb 2012, the Velvet Red car in the showroom at the time had all the 2012 features.

[jep]

Model years usually start in September of the proceeding year. EG. MY12 starts Sept 2011. 

This perhaps comes from Europe which traditionally has summer shutdowns where a factory can affect change-overs for the changes in production. 

Porsche MY from the 70s definitely started in September. I had an October 1978 registered 928 but it was MY79.

Justin

 

[philnotts]

@scotty435   - Does this mean the Emira is close for delivery?! - 

 

  https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301173353309?include-delivery-option=on&sort=datedesc&make=Lotus&model=Evora&radius=1500&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&postcode=ng96ng&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

[scotty435]

Sadly not, like many deposit holders I had the dreaded email saying delivery as been pushed back again to second quarter next year. So moving away from the brand, will keep the Emira deposit in place for the time being. Viewed my potential new car yesterday and if the Evora doesn’t sell private the dealer offered me a ok price for part exchange.

[Graham Ridgway]

What are you going for?  OT I know!

[scotty435]

The plan is to keep it for a year then get back in a Lotus with the Emira, time will tell? 

[Jovver]

Crikey, that's nice!

[Cdm2018]

Wow I wonder if you keep it for a year ? Temptation if it’s a hoot is to hang on but I guess it leaves you in an awkward dilemma about the Emira deposit ? 
thankfully I don’t have to make your decision !  

[jep]

McLaren are special. Steering sublime. Always an event. Rapid too.

Justin 

[scotty435]

28 minutes ago, Cdm2018 said:

Wow I wonder if you keep it for a year ? Temptation if it’s a hoot is to hang on but I guess it leaves you in an awkward dilemma about the Emira deposit ? 
thankfully I don’t have to make your decision !  

Totally agree about the awkward dilemma. The biggest enjoyment I get out of my car ownership is a Sunday morning run out with MLOC obviously a lotus club for lotus owners with a great bunch of fellow enthusiasts so hopefully the dilemma is not so awkward in a years time ?

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Fabulous. Be honest: you’ll never be satisfied with an Emira after a year or so in that.

[Wake]

I guess it depends, I’ve always wanted a McLaren but I am far too tight and wouldn’t be able to stomach the running costs for long so would probably budget to have one for a year or two and then get back into something more reasonable to run like an Evora/Exige. 

[philnotts]

11 hours ago, scotty435 said:

Totally agree about the awkward dilemma. The biggest enjoyment I get out of my car ownership is a Sunday morning run out with MLOC obviously a lotus club for lotus owners with a great bunch of fellow enthusiasts so hopefully the dilemma is not so awkward in a years time ?

Sorry to hear about the delay again Scott, that was one of the reasons i pulled my deposit for the Emira and bought the GT410 instead!. Im sure the Sunday morning crew from MLOC will still welcome you on the runs in the McLaren?! If not, your welcome to show me some of the routes in the McLaren!

Good thing about the Emira deposit is that you can cancel and request a refund right up to 30 days before delivery, unless this changes!

As someone else has said, you probably won't want the Emira after the McLaren but in a good position to swap your order to a more faster version if they announce this. Or keep the McLaren and buy a Exige S2 to run along side it!

 

[jep]

13 hours ago, LotusLeftLotusRight said:

you’ll never be satisfied with an Emira after a year or so in that.

I haven't owned Emira, probably not my kinda car but if I had to choose between Evora NA and McLaren 12c, I'd keep the Evora. 

For me, the Evora is probably the most perfect sports car. Dynamic, sense of occasion, practical, reliable, quick enough, reasonable running costs and the best looking mid-engine +2 ever made.

You're probably right about Mc over Emira though!

Justin