I'm in - the buyers thread

[Hell4Leather]

Just reminding my self…. Test drive in a few days time.

All aluminium / Composite / Tubular architecture
Joint venture with AMG
Hydraulic steering rack
Mid-engined RWD
Lotus chassis know-how
Last ever ICE lotus…..hand built in Hethel….

I’m motivating myself to stay in….. stay in I must.

I find it a bit odd that my configuration code is for an FE but given my spot in line the FE’s for USA should have been allocated out confirmed by the buyers (correct me if I’m wrong). That said will I have to change my contract and configuration based on updated Base specs? I have every intention of loading it up with the FE gear anyway. Should be identical except for the badge.

 

[Silver Storm]

I’m in, I placed my deposit on Jan 9th of this year. I can wait as long as it takes, as long as I can get my hands on a fully loaded V6.

 

[BeHappy]

@TomE have you decided which one your getting yet which que are you in now - has your HY been rehomed ?

 

[Snakes]

My wife and I went to see the demonstrator at JCT600 in Bradford. We were extremely impressed upon seeing the car in the flesh and it looks a lot bigger (and more substantial) than it does in photos and videos. The interior fit and finish looked excellent too. Placed our deposit on the 19th of January and have had the automated email from Lotus.

From what I've read on this site it looks like we're in for a long wait for delivery - maybe until late 2024?

However, I remember Matt Windle telling Harry Metcalfe in his video that they intended to add a second shift (and, he claimed, the extra people that could be seen on the production line, were part of that new employment drive needed to run it). That video was posted 3 months ago and yet, having looked at quite a few of the forums here I haven't heard the 2nd shift mentioned.

If they are still waiting to set that up, surely, when they do, that will drastically shorten the ETA.

 

[First Lotus]

My wife and I went to see the demonstrator at JCT600 in Bradford. We were extremely impressed upon seeing the car in the flesh and it looks a lot bigger (and more substantial) than it does in photos and videos. The interior fit and finish looked excellent too. Placed our deposit on the 19th of January and have had the automated email from Lotus.

From what I've read on this site it looks like we're in for a long wait for delivery - maybe until late 2024?

However, I remember Matt Windle telling Harry Metcalfe in his video that they intended to add a second shift (and, he claimed, the extra people that could be seen on the production line, were part of that new employment drive needed to run it). That video was posted 3 months ago and yet, having looked at quite a few of the forums here I haven't heard the 2nd shift mentioned.

If they are still waiting to set that up, surely, when they do, that will drastically shorten the ETA.

I for one will be amazed if they ever set up a second shift. If they did it now, they would be producing more cars with glitches! Better for them to iron out all the problems they can before increasing production. And by the time they do that, I think they will have eaten in to enough of the waiting list to not warrant the extra cost of a second shift. Always better for a company to be producing less than demand and keep the exclusivity and price high as opposed to over supply and watch the prices crash followed by their waiting list!

 

[Snakes]

Looking at their recruitment pages they are advertising for Paint Sprayers, Hethel, Norfolk - twilight shift 1630 - 0200 Monday - Thursday And they're looking for General Operatives for a twilight shift via the Hays website.

 

[TomE]

They have been recruiting for a second shift since mid 2023 and there was reference to training them in Harry's factory tour video. It's apparent they are not ramping up production as fast as they expected, so total effort per car and move-up time for each work station is longer. That's a combination of training, quality and parts supply.

I don't think they'll see the full benefit of a second shift until end 2023.

 

[Lotustoronto]

I for one will be amazed if they ever set up a second shift. If they did it now, they would be producing more cars with glitches! Better for them to iron out all the problems they can before increasing production. And by the time they do that, I think they will have eaten in to enough of the waiting list to not warrant the extra cost of a second shift. Always better for a company to be producing less than demand and keep the exclusivity and price high as opposed to over supply and watch the prices crash followed by their waiting list!

Just to add - based on North American deposits and the time / place in line we have been hearing on the Forum, even with a second shift it will take them over two years to satisfy current demand... What happens when i4 reviews come out, demo cars are at dealers around the world to test drive and North American/ROW journalists get their hands and start promoting the Emira. My opinion is they smashed the looks of the Emira out of the park and will garnish a lot of attention. 718's going electric in 2025 is only going to help their cause as the last mid engine manual car you can buy sub 100K - or any price bracket really. They are in a very good position, if they can get build quality under control and production ramped up.

 

[Silver Storm]

Placed our deposit on the 19th of January and have had the automated email from Lotus.

From what I've read on this site it looks like we're in for a long wait for delivery - maybe until late 2024?

I placed my initial deposit 10 days earlier than you and my sales manager told me the wait list I’m on will take approximately until summer of 2024 before I can lock in my order with a second deposit. So that would mean 2025 delivery.

 

[Hell4Leather]

I placed my initial deposit 10 days earlier than you and my sales manager told me the wait list I’m on will take approximately until summer of 2024 before I can lock in my order with a second deposit. So that would mean 2025 delivery.

Same here. Looks like 30 months, start to finish. My deposit was Q4 2022 and I have the same estimate from the dealer as you. 2024 spec confirm with 2025 delivery. Man I hope they can do just a little better.

 

[Magicman]

Still in, only a matter of weeks until they tell me they'll be building my car.
Zero excitement at the moment and still cruising autotrader, a bizarre situation created by being here 5 times before.....

However if it does get built pretty sure the excitement will kick in big time when it's collection time

 

[Bilbao-Emira]

Excitement is back for me!

Just being told that my Auto Box will be built in February.

Nimbus, BP, Alcantara w/yellow stitch, yellow calipers, DC wheels

I´m trying hard to believe this will not end up in another delay (the sixth in last 7 months)

 

[DJS]

May I ask where you got that information ?

 

[Bilbao-Emira]

May I ask where you got that information ?

of course, here in Spain everything goes through the dealer.
he got it confirmed last Friday from somebody in Hethel (Production, not CC)

So everything points that the Auto box is moving forward, as there is confirmation for some of you guys in the UK and a couple more posted last week from Italy

 

[DJS]

of course, here in Spain everything goes through the dealer.
he got it confirmed last Friday from somebody in Hethel (Production, not CC)

That is good news, brilliant

 

[FrenchBred]

I’m in, I placed my deposit on Jan 9th of this year. I can wait as long as it takes, as long as I can get my hands on a fully loaded V6.

Blimey, where have you been all this time?!

 

[Sirtreeman]

So, I was umming and ahhing about whether or not to complete the deal. You'll guess the fact that I'm on the I'm in thread I did and checkout has been completed..... Here's hoping delivery is imminent!

 

[Silver Storm]

Blimey, where have you been all this time?!

Obviously crawled out of my hole recently lol. But seriously, Lotus was never on my radar until very recently. Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus is my typical profile. But when I saw the Emira, something clicked. The more Emira videos I watched, the more interested I got. This is the first time in a very long time that I’m getting excited about a new car that’s coming out. I’m gonna try something different and see what’s all the fuss is about. Here’s hoping there will be more grins than disappointments.

 

[richbrown]

I am 100% in!! Test drive today at B&C and loved it ! A fantastic car and everything I hoped it would be.

 

[Evotion]

Great!!!
What have you had previously and what made the Emira right for you?
Nice to hear that the car is a great fit for some!