Lotus 3rd Phone Call

[Tonyshepp]

Maybe not drastically, but one set up will be deemed better than the other and it will grate if you have picked the wrong one, not having been given a great deal of opportunity to test or even research the different

Maybe not drastically, but one set up will be deemed better than the other and it will grate if you have picked the wrong one, not having been given a great deal of opportunity to test or even research the different specs

It comes back to option pricing and not knowing if Sports will be an option, if you can get a full fat FE why remove options to be more like a base Emira. I'm sure the reviews will be mostly on the sports suspension and Cup2s to get the best outcome, IE it outhandles a GT4 etc etc. After all other manufacturers present their best cars for review and if it's compared to a 718 GTS doesn't that have sports pasm suspension, whist the boggo 718 is touring setup.

 

[Leonard]

It comes back to option pricing and not knowing if Sports will be an option, if you can get a full fat FE why remove options to be more like a base Emira. I'm sure the reviews will be mostly on the sports suspension and Cup2s to get the best outcome, IE it outhandles a GT4 etc etc. After all other manufacturers present their best cars for review and if it's compared to a 718 GTS doesn't that have sports pasm suspension, whist the boggo 718 is touring setup.

Yup that is all true. I know lotus does great suspension set ups but it is a shame it isn't a bit tricker. A PASM set up would be the ideal solution for this car. Touring and Sport in one package

 

[TomE]

Lotus doesn't have the same approach to suspension as Porsche, hence why there's no cost difference between the two.

I'm sure "the market" will say Sport = better, because everyone has been conditioned by other brands to think Sport = upgrade = better so they can sell you it as a cost option. But there are lengthy threads on every Lotus forum with arguments for and against each setup on the Emira. And, as Gav and everyone else at Lotus has said, it really depends on your usage. They will both be brilliant and both have slight compromises in certain situations.

If you're worried about resale above every other criteria then go for Sport. But as a driver I'd recommend getting the one you'll enjoy driving the most, rather than the one the next owner "might" pay a tiny premium for.

 

[TomE]

...the press cars and dealer demo cars are a fairly even split of Sports and Touring.

 

[Leonard]

If you're worried about resale above every other criteria then go for Sport. But as a driver I'd recommend getting the one you'll enjoy driving the most, rather than the one the next owner "might" pay a tiny premium for.

Sorry I'm derailing this thread now...
That is my worry tho Tom that I won't get the set up I enjoy driving the most. Not coming from a Lotus background I have no benchmark

 

[TomE]

If you can, try to test drive an Evora S (equivalent to Touring) and a GT410 Sport (equivalent to Sports). If your local dealer can't help then see if any of the MLOC owners can.

If you can't do that, then take the advice of the ride and handling team. Touring is for fast road driving on mixed surfaces (including day to day, long distance and spirited cross-country) and will be perfectly capable on track. Sports is stiffer for a more enhanced feel and is more track-focused but has the minor downside of a slightly harsher ride on poorer surfaces. And for some "enhanced feel" is too much feedback depending on what they've driven before.

The differences between them are far smaller than between Elise Touring and Exige Sports.

 

[Leonard]

If you can, try to test drive an Evora S (equivalent to Touring) and a GT410 Sport (equivalent to Sports). If your local dealer can't help then see if any of the MLOC owners can.

If you can't do that, then take the advice of the ride and handling team. Touring is for fast road driving on mixed surfaces (including day to day, long distance and spirited cross-country) and will be perfectly capable on track. Sports is stiffer for a more enhanced feel and is more track-focused but has the minor downside of a slightly harsher ride on poorer surfaces. And for some "enhanced feel" is too much feedback depending on what they've driven before.

The differences between them are far smaller than between Elise Touring and Exige Sports.

Cheers Tom. I had planned to get a test drive at Central, but been ill last 4 weeks and now I'm told I need to lock in my spec tomorrow... so run out of time! I will go Touring and hope for best. I'm probably just worrying too much, but like everyone on here making the same decisions its bloody hard with the limited information we have been given.

 

[donskibeat]

I see comments that people are being asked to lock in specs soon - but I thought Lotus had promised we could see cars in all the colours before having to lock the specs?

 

[TomE]

Why are they asking you to lock in spec tomorrow? I thought it could be changed up until January third deposit and confirmation of spec?

 

[Leonard]

Why are they asking you to lock in spec tomorrow? I thought it could be changed up until January third deposit and confirmation of spec?

Allegedly not. Caller said any questions. So I said no as I understand it January we can go back to the configurator, see finance options and lock in final spec and pay final deposit. She said no if you change your spec then you will lose your place innthe allocation so let me know any changes now and I will speak with Production Manager and let you know if it will affect your build date. So calling me back tomorrow

 

[Tonyshepp]

Allegedly not. Caller said any questions. So I said no as I understand it January we can go back to the configurator, see finance options and lock in final spec and pay final deposit. She said no if you change your spec then you will lose your place innthe allocation so let me know any changes now and I will speak with Production Manager and let you know if it will affect your build date. So calling me back tomorrow

I spoke to Abby in customer services today she told me my spec could be changed as I had changed my mind on colour since second deposit. She never said my place in the queue would be lost if I changed colour before lockdown of spec for 3rd call.

 

[Pav]

Allegedly not. Caller said any questions. So I said no as I understand it January we can go back to the configurator, see finance options and lock in final spec and pay final deposit. She said no if you change your spec then you will lose your place innthe allocation so let me know any changes now and I will speak with Production Manager and let you know if it will affect your build date. So calling me back tomorrow

In a way this makes sense. They may well have worked out production schedule based on specs from deposit #2 and that's got to be a part of enabling them to make call 3 and confirm June for the early depositors. Changes might be a real headache for them? In a weird way I wouldn't mind as it would stop me thinking about changing it! But it's not ideal granted.

 

[DJW]

Forgot I also asked question when will i4 FE price be released as unfair to expect customers to make final commit payment without knowing the price difference vs V6 FE . I was told January.

Hope Lotus don‘t play silly buggers and delay pricing until after commits for V6 FE.

Losing the love at the mo with lotus holding back pricing for i4 FE which will allow people to suss price for FE premium. As a Lotus fanboy not quite the experience I was hoping for , for a new car.

 

[DJW]

I spoke to Abby in customer services today she told me my spec could be changed as I had changed my mind on colour since second deposit. She never said my place in the queue would be lost if I changed colour before lockdown of spec for 3rd call.

Never fall for the “ they didn’t tell me otherwise“ . Get confirmation if you want to be sure.

I too have been faltering at final colour after @Eagle7 thread on renders. Not until I see final photos of painted cars can I make a final decision and I would expect Lotus to understand that, and not be penalised for any colour changes.

Christ, I would be willing to do 6hr round trip to Herhel to see all 6 colours on cars for comparison.

Would be interesting to know if different colours get you ahead in build schedule , or manual vs auto etc.

 

[TomE]

Allegedly not. Caller said any questions. So I said no as I understand it January we can go back to the configurator, see finance options and lock in final spec and pay final deposit. She said no if you change your spec then you will lose your place innthe allocation so let me know any changes now and I will speak with Production Manager and let you know if it will affect your build date. So calling me back tomorrow

I think that’s very poor, considering Lotus staff at roadshows and Customer Care callers said to many people it would be possible to change spec up until 3rd deposit.

 

[Leonard]

I think that’s very poor, considering Lotus staff at roadshows and Customer Care callers said to many people it would be possible to change spec up until 3rd deposit.

It's certainly a quandary!
When does the deposit become non refundable... I forgot to ask.

 

[TomE]

That should be in Jan when finalise spec and order, and pay third deposit.

 

[NickR]

That should be in Jan when finalise spec and order, and pay third deposit.

I was told there is no 3rd deposit

 

[Pav]

I was told there is no 3rd deposit

This makes sense again, maybe. There’s really no need for another deposit? All points to scheduling builds of the 2nd deposit configurations. Be interesting to see what the production manager comes back with. Maybe some changes are easier to do (e.g. wheel/tyre choice) but if it’s a big one (colour?) that may affect scheduling.

I notice this in the T&Cs of the 2nd deposit page: Possobly gives them a get out the FIA would be proud of.

We will use commercially reasonable endeavours to manufacture an Emira which matches your Configuration as soon as is commercially practicable after 30th April 2022.

 

[New to Lotus]

Any phone calls today?