I'm in - the buyers thread

[nelly111s]

Had my test drive at Lotus Prestbury (Chris Neill's) today. I'll post on a different thread about that.
I'm very much still in.

 

[Vanman1936]

Had my test drive at Lotus Prestbury (Chris Neill's) today. I'll post on a different thread about that.
I'm very much still in.

Had mine last week (posted detail in the test drive section)…..very impressed and 100% in. Nothing else (new) compares as a package in my eyes so a choice of an Emira or something more exotic second hand.

 

[digilotus]

I haven't commented in this thread as yet myself, so for the record I'm 100% still in.

The Emira ticks all the boxes for me. Its unique and not mainstream, a little quirky and uses a manufacturing process that still involves lots of humans. Call me old fashioned, but I like keeping people in jobs even if they're not as fast and get things wrong sometimes compared to a robot. Plus I love the old school reliability of the japanese Toyota drive-train wrapped within some great styling that makes you smile every time you see it.

 

[Andy H]

I thought I'd use this thread to update that I had my test drive this weekend. I've had a deposit down on the I4 since August 2021 and I've been happy to wait out the delays in the hope that it will be the sweet spot for me when it's released.

I'm definitely still in and I learned a couple of important things over the course of the drive...

1. I'm 100% confident that the I4 is the right choice for me. My M3 and RS3 are both DCT and for me that feels like the best of both worlds. My experience of manuals has been from smaller, lighter cars. Personally, I found the manual box and the clutch quite heavy and mechanical and whilst I understand that this engagement is the appeal for many, for me it quickly became tiresome when in traffic.

2. Driving around busy roads in the South East does not really provide the best opportunity for experiencing this car. I'm new to Lotus so everything was very unfamiliar. I think it would take a bit longer to really get a feel for what it's capable of. I've been lucky in the past to be able to do extended test drives where you have more time to get comfortable with the car.

I will take another test drive when the I4 lands in the summer and use that to make my final decision. Hopefully, the familiarity with the DCT and the previous drive will allow me to focus a bit more on the core driving experience. However, unfortunately, on the crowded roads we have here, I think the decision will always need to be something of a leap of faith!

 

[eriegz]

Figured I'd add my voice in here and be counted: I'm still in.

There's just nothing else on the market that excites me at this price level (and believe me, I looked). The only other cars that even come close to stealing my attention away from the Emira are either a) 15 years old, b) $40k–80k more expensive, or c) all of the above.

I'll be honest, this past week on the forum was rough, what with all the bugs and glitches being reported in various members' cars. But it ended on a high note, and I have to believe that Lotus are trying their hardest and that they want to see bug-free Emiras delivered into customers' hands just as much as we do, if not more.

Thanks to all the members who have shared photos and stories from their Emira journeys so far; it really helps to keep the flame alive! This wish may be a month late, but here's to a new year with many more happy customers, which is what we all want!

 

[GIN]

I’m in. I was well prepared for not getting this car (V6 Base manual) until 2024 and it seems that will be best case based on latest news. I already have a fun car (718 Spyder) to drive while waiting so that definitely helps ease the pain of the first world “problem” of waiting on an Emira. It also gives time for the initial issues and parts/service chain to work themselves out. I feel for those who have been in this wait for so long with poor coms and endless delays. I hope your wait ends soon. I am looking forward to the driving experience of the Emira and it’s connection to the road. Hope it’s worth the wait. I haven’t experienced being told your part will be in in 6 months, please don’t drive the car until then, but I have a year to condition myself to this feature of owning a Lotus.

 

[Concept24]

If it's anything like the Evora I test-drove, last Saturday, It will be AMAZING.

 

[JonnyD72]

IN!

Placed my deposit today. Looking forward to see what new colors/options pop up on the configurator soon. I'm in no hurry and am fully prepared to not get the car until 2024. I'm sure there will be lots here to keep me occupied lol

 

[Yachtie]

I’m in, just had my checkout email at 6pm tonight, itching to get home to get things moving!!!

 

[Snakes]

I’m in, just had my checkout email at 6pm tonight, itching to get home to get things moving!!!

So, so jealous! I've got a 2-year wait!

 

[Wake]

I’m in, just had my checkout email at 6pm tonight, itching to get home to get things moving!!!

I also received “my” checkout email last night. After querying the cancellation process in the morning. I also say “my” because when I clicked the link it took me to a completely different spec car to mine (this one was blue, black interior and diamond cut wheels) vs my Yellow, black pack, black wheels and grey interior. Was also addressed to a “Mr R…..” (which for the avoidance of doubt, isn’t my name….)

 

[Technicalthunk]

Test drive done, definitely in. There was a customer car awaiting delivery that was pretty much the same spec as mine. Double definitely in!

 

[TomE]

Excellent! Any pictures of the customer car?

 

[Technicalthunk]

Sorry no; lost in the moment! Very similar to this though: Link

 

[Technicalthunk]

Sorry no; lost in the moment! Very similar to this though: Link

Oops, looks like that’s been sold and the page removed.

 

[fellman3]

Deposit down 14th July 2021 and waiting for the AMG i4. Test drove the V6 on Saturday and still very much ‘in’. Any news on when we’ll be seeing the i4 at dealers and reading road test reviews? June?

 

[Emira28]

I’m soooo in!

It was fantastic to see so many passionate Lotus employees stop and take photos of our Exige Sprint parked outside the factory yesterday while we collected our new Emira. It really demonstrated how much love for the brand exists on site and even instilled a little confidence in the care they take in their current craftsmanship.

The collection experience itself was brilliant. Very personal, very tailored and just a heck of a lot of fun. Looking around the factory and talking with Scott and the team you can see just how much change they’re trying to push through the organisation all in one go. It’s an enormous undertaking in a bid to produce the car they really want to get into customers hands. You can’t help but want to support the effort that’s going in. We even managed a quick word with Matt while he was making a dash for lunch.

Then there was the car itself, which was just wow. I won’t pretend to know all there is to know after only driving a few miles. However, it’s a bit like they took the best bits of the Elise, Evora and dare I say Esprit, matted them together, and teleported them into the future. It’s very familiar Lotus in the way it drives but refined and modern in just they ways you’d want it to be. Then on top of that it looks absolutely magnificent in the metal. Not just good looking, but really superb from every angle. I’m a bit biased being a Lotus owner for >20 years now but it’s everything I could have hoped for so far.

I was taking a look at the Seneca Blue 2nd hand Emira at Hilton & Moss earlier this week and it was sat between a Ferrari Portofino (£175k), Aston V12 Vantage (£133k) and a Porsche 992 GT3 (£204k) - all totally different of course but the Emira had the best interior of the bunch in terms of design and quality. I would take the Emira over any of them in a heart beat, which is exactly what I am doing.

The car is heading off for full Paint Protection Film (PPF) now so have to wait a little longer to really enjoy it but I’m ok with that. All the best to everyone in the queue - it will be worth it!

N.B. I will also posting this on the Emira Facebook group.

 

[TomE]

Congratulations! I've copied your post over into a new Owner Journal so you can add thoughts as you get further into ownership. Lovely Sprint too!

Hethel Yellow to go alongside Exige Sprint

I’m soooo in! It was fantastic to see so many passionate Lotus employees stop and take photos of our Exige Sprint parked outside the factory yesterday while we collected our new Emira. It really demonstrated how much love for the brand exists on site and even instilled a little confidence in...

www.emiraforum.com

 

[meenboli]

Had my test drive at Lotus Prestbury (Chris Neill's) today. I'll post on a different thread about that.
I'm very much still in.

Me too - at Prestbury.

And very much still in too.

It's better built than I expected - and by god it's beautiful.

I'm changing my mind every 7 minutes on the colour though - and can't decide if the black pack is worth having, as it looks equally as good without it.

It's perhaps quieter than I was expecting - but probably no bad thing.

And I'm happy to wait - but maybe I'll get bored after 18 months...

It will never be my daily drive (that's a VW T6), and I already have an Audi S5 Cabriolet (except with 500hp) that gets very light use - so I'm in no rush.

 

[Briggo]

Not sure this is the correct thread but here goes......I am currently still in with my deposit placed for a V6 FE (manual) in June 22. My current estimated production date has slipped to Q2 24. Does anyone know the extent of cancelled orders following the price increase and production delays, and the likihood of being offered a cancelled order for a similar spec car? I have seen a number of people who have had such an offer and advanced the queue and taken delivery recently. Ever hopeful!