Any way I can possibly test drive one in the USA?

[luciddaydream]

Is there any dealership that has one, anywhere?
Any way I can get access to a press car?

I'd love to drive one of these babies somehow before putting money down.
Thanks my friends

 

[TomE]

There have been two tours of factory demo cars visiting US dealers for a few days per dealer, but I believe those have now finished.

Next opportunity will be when the dealers take delivery of their own demo cars, sometime in Q4.

 

[EspritGuy]

Is there any dealership that has one, anywhere?
Any way I can get access to a press car?

I'd love to drive one of these babies somehow before putting money down.
Thanks my friends

Check with Gator in Indianapolis regarding Lotus-paloosa thread.

 

[THX1138]

I have the same question. I'm located in San Diego. Very interested but would like to see in person and drive if possible?

 

[Wiz33]

I have the same question. I'm located in San Diego. Very interested but would like to see in person and drive if possible?

Not sure if it means anything for your location (so check with your local dealer) but the SF bay area there will be one for test drive in Oct and I'm already on the list, not sure of the date yet but I'll post an update if I get more info.

 

[THX1138]

Not sure if it means anything for your location (so check with your local dealer) but the SF bay area there will be one for test drive in Oct and I'm already on the list, not sure of the date yet but I'll post an update if I get more info.

Thank you.... San Francisco is very far away from San Diego, just over 500 miles but I'll consider it, especially if I don't go to SEMA this year. There is no local dealer in San Diego either but I might try Los Angeles.

 

[Wiz33]

Thank you.... San Francisco is very far away from San Diego, just over 500 miles but I'll consider it, especially if I don't go to SEMA this year. There is no local dealer in San Diego either but I might try Los Angeles.

Well, I figured that at least that means a demo car will be in CA and I doubt if it makes the track all the way to SF, It would be the only stop in CA.

 

[THX1138]

Well, I figured that at least that mean a demo car will be in CA and I doubt if it makes the track all the way to SF, It would be the only stop in CA.

Great point, thank you!

 

[Wiz33]

Great point, thank you!

According to this vid that just popped up on Youtube today. it's in LA in the last few days so you might want to start calling around.

 

[THX1138]

I just go a hold of one and he said the car just left his dealership after a month. Yes, I'll try onother one. I called Galpin. I tried calling Lotus of Southern California but it says the number on their website is not a valid number.... : (

 

[Wiz33]

I just go a hold of one and he said the car just left his dealership after a month. Yes, I'll try onother one. I called Galpin. I tried calling Lotus of Southern California but it says the number on their website is not a valid number.... : (

and he doesn't know where it's heading next?

 

[THX1138]

and he doesn't know where it's heading next?

No, he gave me his cell and said to check back periodically, but I'll just keep looking. I have really cool manual Cayman luckily so I'm not breaking in cold sweats, but this is just one of the most beautiful cars to come out in a long time and with a proper manual, it DESERVES to be looked at seriously.

 

[Wiz33]

No, he gave me his cell and said to check back periodically, but I'll just keep looking. I have really cool manual Cayman luckily so I'm not breaking in cold sweats, but this is just one of the most beautiful cars to come out in a long time and with a proper manual, it DESERVES to be looked at seriously.

In that case, I would just wait till the FE hit the dealer later this year or early next. I'm sure at least some dealer in each area will hold on to one for demo. I know my sales person hold the 1st reservation spot at his dealership so his will be at the dealership most of the time when he's working. The Cayman 4.0 GTS was on my shopping list but the wait time is almost as long or longer as my friend placed an order on one last Jan and it won't be here till Dec. But to be honest, I think the Emira will feel lighter and offers more driver feedback which is the main difference I was looking for from my current RS5 (great performance and fun but lacking a bit in character) and the Emira looks kills both

 

[Wiz33]

According to me dealer. There are 2 reasons that you don't see many demo events anymore.

1) Of the 12 pre-production press car in the US. 4 have been retired due to varies pre-production issues so there's only like 6 or less available for demo as at least 1 is always at the factory service depot for training on each coast

2) Lotus is no longer shipping the cars to dealers for Demo. Dealership is now financially responsible for the transportation cost so only the large volume dealers will be able to bear the cost.

But ask around as the press car is still making their rounds to veries dealership.

 

[Hell4Leather]

According to this vid that just popped up on Youtube today. it's in LA in the last few days so you might want to start calling around.

“Quiet”?…….that’s not going to work for me

 

[HeReigns]

“Quiet”?…….that’s not going to work for me

I think they were in Tour Mode until the end when they realized they hadn't even been in Sport or Track.

 

[C7R35]

SLC has two, one manual and one auto, but the automatic version is currently having issues related to elevation and improper tuning. Lotus has advised the dealer not to take people out for drives in it. The manual is still running though and is quite fun!

 

[Ucla95]

Curious any location updates for these demo/tester cars?

 

[Omega2733]

There's a test car currently in Naples for deposit holders through next week then goes to Orlando.

 

[Wiz33]

In the San Francisco bay area. Boardwalk should have a demo cycle in late Nov.