Can't believe folks are still benchmarking the Emira against GT3s, Lamborghini, Ferraris and the like.
What's so wrong with a rather affordable car (I see many more expensive teslas here in CA every 5min, like $120k X models carrying children)that is very aesthetically pleasing and that has solid but not amazing performance?
Why does it have to be an ultra hardcore Exige proposition that has proven over and over to be unprofitable?
Why can't folks realize that this is the starting edition and there may be more hardcore ones for a higher price (in tune with avoiding another bankruptcy)?
100% this. I think many people were hoping the Emira to be something that it simply isn´t and was never meant to be. Supercar looks and (entrylevel?) sportscar pricetag have created an expectation that is just unrealistic. Especially for a company like Lotus that doesn´t (yet? let´s see what Eletre will achieve) have the means to subsidise the sportscar range product and their development. Porsche is clearly developing the GT cars with money earned on the SUVs.
I get if a certain Youtuber buys the car to create attention on the channel. Soon-ish selling the car on quickly is another piece of attention catching content to attract more viewers. Somebody with 54 cars (and a tendency to brag about that number) is probably fishing for attention and working on a new online persona. A Youtuber that nearly has as many cars as followers (90k is not much by todays standards) is obviously at the beginning of his YT career or better at collecting cars than making videos. Maybe also uninformed or not really bothering when it comes to the purchase of a car that he expected to be something that it clearly isn´t (a Lambo competitor or an Exige replacement).
I still firmly believe that Emira is a niche product within a already small segment of the car industry. Low volume manufacturer with old days race heritage who builds a car with class leading (many would agree) looks at entry level sportscar price. As easy to live with as other cars of the same price tag (easier to use than real super cars, also less maintenance cost - but also less engineering marvel and power), but not as exciting as the big boys stuff (which cost often 2x or 3x the money). In a way exactly what the Lotus Esprit was during her days. The more affordable alternative to the real supercars. Never class leading.
But Emiras details like the open gated manual shifter and the aero on the body work are ahead of the competition (= same price tag cars). The fact that it even _has_ a manual option today. Being supercharger based instead of turbo might also be of interest to some enthusiasts who enjoy old school engine tech. The i4 collaboration with a famous performance brand like AMG is an achievement and another first that we should be excited about (...at the cars pricetag). Ok, it still needs to become a real thing (and I would never claim that Lotus did much right when it comes to communication).
In my opinion Emiras downfall in the public eye was it´s own hype, which also came at a time when everybody was in a gold rush to "make money while owning exotic cars". Plus instead of buying lot´s of SUVs and boring cars from big name manufacturers to get on "the list" to be allowed to buy a GT car... everybody was able to sign up for the ride. Everybody felt as if they "made it" into the exclusive circle of future FE owners, for just a couple of grand (or even without any downpayment in some countries). Much easier and cheaper than establishing a relationship with Porsche dealers for years. But the ownership experience is less exciting than the one you get from the other "closed circle" models like Porsche GTs or Ferrari etc.
In the end it always comes to personal preference and what somebody wants to get for their money. If money would not be a factor I would probably buy a Ferrari or a McLaren. But I would not daily this car as much as I do with the Emira.

And that means to me the Emira is a perfect balance of delivering not-boring driving experience - even also in situations where others would have stepped in their ... Golf or maybe 3-series. And compared to that I feel pretty good behind the wheel of my Emira.
Enough from me. I don´t aim to take
@emiraspain s role here ...

It´s raining like crazy around here, I´ll walk through the rain for 10 minutes to where I park my car and go for a 10 minute drive to meet with my business partner over a coffee.

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