Everyday Driver’s take on Elise, Evora and Emira

[3A3968M]

 

[cyanmauve]

They like it!

 

[Eagle7]

This was a REALLY good review of all 3 cars. Honest, realistic, and not trying to be cutesy or a Jeremy Clarkson/Chris Harris entertainment special. Both these guys 'get' what a Lotus is all about, and understand that dynamic. I really enjoyed this one.

 

[Fasttoys]

He is a big Lotus guy and now owns all 3 cars. He had the Lotus Elise for a long time. Not a bad review but he is a little bit of a Lotus lover.

 

[KCMO68_510]

Not a bad review but he is a little bit of a Lotus lover.

He's an "old Lotus" fanboi. Which to me, means he'd have the most reason to be MORE critical of a heavier car, with lots of extras. The fact that he likes it and identifies it as being uniquely Lotus is quite the compliment for the car.

 

[seriously]

Great review and I can relate to their sensibilities.

Too bad they didn't have an Exige to review. I think the Elise is kind of the original modern Lotus with no real rivals. The Exige was the beastly hardcore one. The Evora tried to take on the 911 with 2+2 seats and more amenities, but wasn't good enough. Still successful in Lotusy ways. The Emira kind of feels like a successful version of the Evora. It greatly improved the design inside and out, increased build quality and softened the edge a bit. It created a nearly objectively desirable car which you have to do if you're going to tangle with Porsche and the like- it can't just be driving dynamics. Now the 911 has gone so far upmarket it's not the target anymore. It's something between the Cayman/911, the Corvette, etc. One thing is true is that the Emira doesn't happen without the Elise and the Evora. That was a great through line.

 

[scc.131.fe]

Exit Harry, enter Todd. Keep the videos comin'!

 

[cyanmauve]

There's a great new Everyday Driver video out today- "Emira, NSX, or Ferrari 360- Which would you Rather?"

Now I just need to find a NSX and a 360 to try out to see if I agree!

 

[Fasttoys]

Both these cars are too old and interiors are definitely dated. Been a long while since I driven them both, at the time I loved the Ferrari 360 but the F1 trans is not for everyone. 430 was a leap forward and the 458 was just perfecto.

 

[cyanmauve]

Both these cars are too old and interiors are definitely dated. Been a long while since I driven them both, at the time I loved the Ferrari 360 but the F1 trans is not for everyone. 430 was a leap forward and the 458 was just perfecto.

The 360 had a manual swap done. I couldn't help but think that despite lacking 2 cylinders and over 1,000+ RPM, the Emira with 3rd cat delete and valve controller sounds pretty dang good next to the 360's flat pane V8.

I'm not a huge fan of the nose of the refreshed 1st gen NSX, and the 360 never did that much for me styling wise. Fun video though!

 

[cyanmauve]

Also, I would prefer a car with no screen at all and analog gauges, with hard button controls for everything, so the older interiors don't bother me one bit!

 

[seriously]

There's a great new Everyday Driver video out today- "Emira, NSX, or Ferrari 360- Which would you Rather?"

Now I just need to find a NSX and a 360 to try out to see if I agree!

Great enthusiast comparisons because at current market prices it makes sense to consider these options.

Impressive that the Emira is a serious contender with Japanese automotive royalty and an Italian fantasy (manual 360s weren't really a thing).

In the end, it feels to me that the Emira is excellent at nearly all aspects while the NSX and 360 are outstanding at some points and worse at others, more peaky. If the NSX was re-released with a supercharger I'd be on a different car forum. As it is, Emira all the way.

 

[Rupes]

Nice video. They need to update the infographic in the conclusion section. Todd's review says "3rd" for the Emira when it's actually "1st." He had already awarded 3rd place to the Ferrari.

 

[cyanmauve]

I do wonder if the NSX would really feel quick. I love its understated, clean design. Looking exotic without strakes, scoops, fins and huge spoilers is quite a trick! I think the design has stood the test of time much better than the 360.

There were a few OEM manual 360s.

 

[centerpunch]

Link

 

[centerpunch]

I have an NSX (and 993), still considering what to do when my Emira arrives.