Lotus Evora 400

[core2slow]

the interwebz are especially quiet about this car with only about a handful of UK reviews and not much else in terms of YT vids. Thinking of trading in my RS5 for this when it hits our shore sometime spring of next year...anyone a fan of lotus?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGUZH13X5nA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aT4vTMwncU

400hp
302lbft
~3150 pound
4.1sec to 60
~$90k USD

 

[_Rick_]

I just bought a used Elise Series 2 back in July.
So yeah, definitely a fan.

Lately, they're in quite dire straights though, financially. I hope they hold on, but with the Alfa 4C out, they now also have to face some degree of competition in the market - it's a worrying situation.

While I wouldn't quite expect them to go the way of Saab just yet, you should factor this into your decision when buying new.

I was at a "local" Lotus meet in September, and saw a few Evoras - bodykitted sporty ones as well as standard cars, and they sure look good, and have way more presence through their uniqueness than the comparable 911/R8/Corvette.

Buying new means you'll also likely take a harder initial depreciation hit than with a low-end well-specced 911, but long-term the relative rarity might well keep prices up, if you pamper the car.

Compared to an RS5, I'd expect any Lotus to be more fun, but less cruising comfort. And the engine will not compare well to the V8

 

[core2slow]

^^^ True that on the financial front.

I used to own an exige (a few months) but sold that well before the RS5 due to a bunch of issues. Looking past that, i loved the car tremendously even with its lotus "charm" (aka shake, rattle and bang! in non-lotus speak) so I could always see myself getting back into one. I like the look of the Evora but presense-wise, it's just too tame from a lotus perspective. I'm glad that they're going back to the more aggressive root with the body on the new 400.

How's your S2? Still going strong?

I'm willing to look past the V8 and the cruising comfort for some...hate to say it...scalpel-like steering and enthusiastic driving =D (got a prius recently for my crusing comfort needs)

 

[_Rick_]

^^^ True that on the financial front.

I used to own an exige (a few months) but sold that well before the RS5 due to a bunch of issues. Looking past that, i loved the car tremendously even with its lotus "charm" (aka shake, rattle and bang! in non-lotus speak) so I could always see myself getting back into one. I like the look of the Evora but presense-wise, it's just too tame from a lotus perspective. I'm glad that they're going back to the more aggressive root with the body on the new 400.

How's your S2? Still going strong?

I'm willing to look past the V8 and the cruising comfort for some...hate to say it...scalpel-like steering and enthusiastic driving =D (got a prius recently for my crusing comfort needs)

The S2 is hibernating until March. Winter is feeling interminably long already
:/
But then it'll be back to some more rattle and bang (had a mechanic take off the floor in August to look at the exhaust and check the wiring on the post-cat oxygen sensor - welcome to a new rattle ) and endless roaring exhaust for all of 120 hp


But I agree, the more aggressive, Exige-like styling on the performance-oriented Evoras does make them more attractive and eye-catching. But I didn't mind the smooth lines of the base Evora either.

The exhaust sound on the V6 is pretty much pure race car though. Very nice, if you're into that kind of thing

 

[tweakmonkey]

Two of my friends each have an Evora S and I've driven them a bit. They are wonderful cars. Honestly a lot more fun than a Cayman. Well built, quite fast and they sound great with an exhaust. The supercharger whine weeee so fun. Very racey and much higher quality build than an Elise but a lot heavier of course. The suspension even works well on the street.

I think the standard Evora S is a lot prettier than the 400. At least from what I've seen.

 

[core2slow]

The S2 is hibernating until March. Winter is feeling interminably long already
:/
But then it'll be back to some more rattle and bang (had a mechanic take off the floor in August to look at the exhaust and check the wiring on the post-cat oxygen sensor - welcome to a new rattle ) and endless roaring exhaust for all of 120 hp


But I agree, the more aggressive, Exige-like styling on the performance-oriented Evoras does make them more attractive and eye-catching. But I didn't mind the smooth lines of the base Evora either.

The exhaust sound on the V6 is pretty much pure race car though. Very nice, if you're into that kind of thing

Two of my friends each have an Evora S and I've driven them a bit. They are wonderful cars. Honestly a lot more fun than a Cayman. Well built, quite fast and they sound great with an exhaust. The supercharger whine weeee so fun. Very racey and much higher quality build than an Elise but a lot heavier of course. The suspension even works well on the street.

I think the standard Evora S is a lot prettier than the 400. At least from what I've seen.

agree on both counts. the evora base/S is a pretty looking car. Just comes down to personal preference whether you want a pretty car or an agressive-looking car. People on the evora forum are already talking about retrofitting the 400 front bumper to the normal evora and vice-versa...some prefer the -ly face bumper on the new 400 since it seems like they share some of the mounting points.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I saw an Alfa 4C on the freeway last week on my ride home from work and was admiring it quite a bit. It sounded wonderful too.

I could definitely see me buying one of these in the next year or two.

 

[MegaFlop]

I like it. I think the 4C is great as well.

Personally though I ended up with a C7 (Z51) I just couldn't see the value proposition for the imports.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Too bad the 4C is automatic only.