California drivers - sports or touring suspension?

[3pedal]

Sport with Cup 2s. Not a daily driver. Not a track car. Very happy on SoCal streets. Much more compliant than my GT3 or Elise.

 

[Craiggow]

I choose the touring on my Emira with the V6 Manual and love it. I live in San Carlos, Northern California and mostly drive along the ridge tops of the nearby Santa Cruz mountains and along the coast. I also own a '88 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe and have been driving it in the same hills since I purchased it nearly 30-years ago. The Emira is comparable to the handling of the 911, but of course the Lotus is faster and holds the road even better. I bought the Lotus with the intentions of selling the Porsche, but now unfortunately I find that I love them both! Touring is not a soft suspension in any way. But my take is the sport suspension is likely better suited for track use on really smooth pavement. Touring does its Lotus magic on all roads rough or smooth. If it's all about track competition, you might want the sport suspension. My $.02 worth as a 75-year-old "Driver Enthusiast".

 

[Emira Zeal]

I chose sport suspension with Goodyear tires, V6 with manual. I live in the foothills above Sacramento. I drive on the streets with no intention of the track. Set up seems fine to me. Prior driving experience is a Porsche Boxster.

 

[seriously]

I choose the touring on my Emira with the V6 Manual and love it. I live in San Carlos, Northern California and mostly drive along the ridge tops of the nearby Santa Cruz mountains and along the coast. I also own a '88 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe and have been driving it in the same hills since I purchased it nearly 30-years ago. The Emira is comparable to the handling of the 911, but of course the Lotus is faster and holds the road even better. I bought the Lotus with the intentions of selling the Porsche, but now unfortunately I find that I love them both! Touring is not a soft suspension in any way. But my take is the sport suspension is likely better suited for track use on really smooth pavement. Touring does its Lotus magic on all roads rough or smooth. If it's all about track competition, you might want the sport suspension. My $.02 worth as a 75-year-old "Driver Enthusiast".

I live in SoCal, but am still jealous of those NorCal driving roads! Keep the '88 911!

 

[Balboa]

Touring - so happy I went Touring. Still.nervous this car will start squeaking and rattling too soon. Sports would make it worse

 

[OppositeLock]

It's a Lotus, it absolutely will start squeaking and rattling. Embrace it

 

[Tod]

I'll be driving mostly on the street. Might get into a track day here or there, but not a usual event. I know there's a lot of talk of touring being a really nice balance of handling and ride quality. California roads might be a little more forgiving than what I've heard described in the UK so perhaps sport is no problem. I test drove sport and it seemed fine in my short run around the block from the dealership.

California drivers, what did you pick and how do you feel about it? I know the tires play a large role as well. Thanks!

I have the sport suspension and live in southern California. I recently drove 4 hours to Las Vegas. My wife and I were very comfortable. I would like to try the touring suspension. For now, no complaints.

 

[NorCalEmira]

I chose Sport suspension with Cup 2s to avoid an almost certain suspension upgrade like I've done too many times before. Not a track car but will do occasional track days. Mostly weekend drives. Very happy on NorCal streets and backroads, I test drove a touring equipped car and it was fine but I don't miss the small comfort delta and neither does the wife. Agree that it's more comfortable than my 2014 GT3 was. If I ever make a change, it would be to Ohlins or similar alternative but feel no urgency to upgrade. Tires will wear more quickly but they stick!

 

[Tod]

Sweet! Sound like your happy with the Sport suspension!