📓 Journals JasonRs 2023 Seneca Lotus Emira 6 Speed

[JasonR]

Hi All,

After collecting my car today I thought I’d write up my journey up to this point.

I guess my journey actually starts back in 2021 before I even knew this car existed. I had just spent over £10k on my 1996 Toyota Supra, it’s a twin turbo car although it didn’t start that way. Lovely car but just didn’t like I’d had to spend so much building the engine and gearbox after they failed. Decided I wanted a new car, probably the only time I ever would, and didn’t see anything I liked, until I saw the emira in a video on YouTube and I honestly thought it would cost over a hundred thousand but was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn’t!

I immediately put a deposit down and booked my supra in for a detail to put it up for sale. It sold quicker than I expected!

Then came the long wait. I went to Nottigham and Hethel for the tour. I wanted Hethel before they announced they’d hold a session there but only showed up after I’d been to Nottigham! My dream was always to do factory collection so I’m so glad they went through with that in the end. It was just an idea back on 2021.

As with everyone else there’s been some not so great communication and some poor customer service but overall I’m really happy with the product. I did have some good experience meeting the directors at Lotus though so I can’t fault them for being in contact with me end of 2021.

So fast forward to 2022 and I was on the fence a lot with the price increase and other issues we’d seen but I held in there because there still isn’t anything as good as this car for the money. I test drove the car end of that year and I was blown away, the car was amazing and I was all in.

Another fast forward to 2023, today in fact and I’ve picked my car up. Really enjoyed the collection but a few issues. They could have used the food they gave out at the Hethel tour session, it was a lot better than sandwiches and I think that would have gone a long way to making people feel special. I love the shop and the whole atmosphere. Sam is great. I didn’t get to see Scott but Sam was great. I loved the factory tour.

The unveiling was amazing and the car is beautiful. Really drop dead gorgeous. Didn’t go without a hitch I think the low voltage caused left side of the screen to vanish on leaving and needed time to sit locked before it came back. So need a quick connect trickle charger! It rained as well so not ideal but enjoyed the drive home!

Anyway I’ve got lots of other stuff to say about the car but I want to drive it a while first. My plan is to drive down south this weekend so I look forward to breaking it in!

 

[JasonR]

I’ve got some more photos and a video if anyone is interested

 

[Drlonline]

I’ve got some more photos and a video if anyone is interested

Yes, please. Also, what was up with the cars parked outside on the road?

 

[JasonR]

Yes, please. Also, what was up with the cars parked outside on the road?

So that was the cars being prepped for tomorrows collection. There was 6 today. 4 in the am and 2 of us this afternoon. It’ll be 12 tomorrow which is the most they’ve had in a day so far

 

[JasonR]

Some videos of today

 

[digilotus]

Some videos of today

Congratulations!! You can’t stop smiling!

 

[Drlonline]

Beautiful car, and yes, the smile on your face is priceless. Hope you had a great trip home in it.

 

[TomE]

Fantastic, congratulations!

If you want an excuse destination for your weekend drive down south, there is a Club Lotus track day at Goodwood on Saturday from 9am to 4pm with a 1 hour break at lunchtime. About 40 cars attending from old Elites and Elans to Elises, Exiges and Evoras. I'm not sure if any Emiras have signed up. I'll be there with my Evora GT430 spectating in the morning.

 

[EspritGuy]

Hi All,

After collecting my car today I thought I’d write up my journey up to this point.

I guess my journey actually starts back in 2021 before I even knew this car existed. I had just spent over £10k on my 1996 Toyota Supra, it’s a twin turbo car although it didn’t start that way. Lovely car but just didn’t like I’d had to spend so much building the engine and gearbox after they failed. Decided I wanted a new car, probably the only time I ever would, and didn’t see anything I liked, until I saw the emira in a video on YouTube and I honestly thought it would cost over a hundred thousand but was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn’t!

I immediately put a deposit down and booked my supra in for a detail to put it up for sale. It sold quicker than I expected!

Then came the long wait. I went to Nottigham and Hethel for the tour. I wanted Hethel before they announced they’d hold a session there but only showed up after I’d been to Nottigham! My dream was always to do factory collection so I’m so glad they went through with that in the end. It was just an idea back on 2021.

As with everyone else there’s been some not so great communication and some poor customer service but overall I’m really happy with the product. I did have some good experience meeting the directors at Lotus though so I can’t fault them for being in contact with me end of 2021.

So fast forward to 2022 and I was on the fence a lot with the price increase and other issues we’d seen but I held in there because there still isn’t anything as good as this car for the money. I test drove the car end of that year and I was blown away, the car was amazing and I was all in.

Another fast forward to 2023, today in fact and I’ve picked my car up. Really enjoyed the collection but a few issues. They could have used the food they gave out at the Hethel tour session, it was a lot better than sandwiches and I think that would have gone a long way to making people feel special. I love the shop and the whole atmosphere. Sam is great. I didn’t get to see Scott but Sam was great. I loved the factory tour.

The unveiling was amazing and the car is beautiful. Really drop dead gorgeous. Didn’t go without a hitch I think the low voltage caused left side of the screen to vanish on leaving and needed time to sit locked before it came back. So need a quick connect trickle charger! It rained as well so not ideal but enjoyed the drive home!

Anyway I’ve got lots of other stuff to say about the car but I want to drive it a while first. My plan is to drive down south this weekend so I look forward to breaking it in!

Congratulations. With great pride you can change your profile statement to Emira Owner.

 

[ino]

Then came the long wait.

Your long long patience has finally paid off. Cheers!

 

[JasonR]

Congratulations!! You can’t stop smiling!

I honestly couldn’t and my dad took a snap of it

 

[JasonR]

Fantastic, congratulations!

If you want an excuse destination for your weekend drive down south, there is a Club Lotus track day at Goodwood on Saturday from 9am to 4pm with a 1 hour break at lunchtime. About 40 cars attending from old Elites and Elans to Elises, Exiges and Evoras. I'm not sure if any Emiras have signed up. I'll be there with my Evora GT430 spectating in the morning.

Thanks Tom!

It’s a little off course but I’ll try and make it over. Might be a bit late by the time I got there though

 

[JasonR]

So this weekend has been an epic time with the Emira, really loving it as a car. Heading down to Eastleigh to see some friends and set a route avoiding motorways. Took longer but breaking the car in as it should. Now I’m back the car is up to 480ish miles.
It gets head turns everywhere it goes! A few issues I’ve noticed from driving it from quirks to needing correction:

1. The brakes feel really under assisted. You really need to stomp on the brakes to get the most out of them. Doesn’t feel right to me unless this is just bedding them in

2. The usual twisted seatbelts. Not sure how this gets past QA.

3. The gesture controls on the steering wheel keep setting stuff off and it’s annoying as hell (need to switch it off somehow)

4. The passenger side rear arch isn’t flush with the door. Only really notice it in the side mirrors but it’s annoying

5. Chip on the heat proof coating on the underside of the boot. About a 5p size but annoying.

There were some voltage issues with the infotainment being odd when I got the car (settings vanished) but that was solved by locking it for a few minutes. Also it appeared to get hot and freeze apple car play in standing traffic not sure if the phone or the infotainment was to blame.

Other than those few issues the car is brilliant. Pulls hard, takes corners even harder and looks stunning. Best car I’ve ever driven honestly and wouldn’t trade it for any of the competition.

Interested to know if anyone else has the above issues or if they’re normal etc.

Next plan is to get it to 1000 miles so I can really open it up. Car has so much more to give!

 

[Pugwash]

My brakes were sharp from the get go. If I had stomped on them the car would have stood on its nose.
You get used to the gesture controls on the steering wheel. You can click instead of swipe but sometimes they do different things (like the mute function). I haven’t found a way to switch them off.

 

[JasonR]

Some photos from the weekend with a mates LC500. Makes the emira look small in some ways!

 

[JasonR]

My brakes were sharp from the get go. If I had stomped on them the car would have stood on its nose.
You get used to the gesture controls on the steering wheel. You can click instead of swipe but sometimes they do different things (like the mute function). I haven’t found a way to switch them off.

Ok it needs to go back to Lotus then as they definitely aren’t sharp. They’re really quite gentle until you stomp on them

 

[CDM1855]

My brakes certainly didn’t feel grabby and needed to be pushed down quite hard to work. I will monitor them when I get the car back

 

[Wonza]

The seat belts are normal and meant to be twisted. I had this conversation with the dealer too and they’re all like that. It’s actually quite useful because the seatbelt rests on the seat side bolster nicely. I’m sure the brakes will bed in and improve. Also depends on the last car you’ve just driven too.

 

[VL3X]

I’m sure the brakes will bed in and improve. Also depends on the last car you’ve just driven too.

Bedding pads takes just a few moderately quick high pressure stops. It doesn't take weeks.

FWIW, the Emira I drove had very sensitive and efficient brakes. Almost too good for daily driving, but I'm sure I'd get used to it once/if mine arrives.

 

[digilotus]

My brakes certainly didn’t feel grabby and needed to be pushed down quite hard to work. I will monitor them when I get the car back

I'm wondering if you have air in the line? The brakes I drove felt quite sharp and stong enough to stop a train.