UK dealer demo cars - specifications

[TomE]

Considering how 'in-demand' these cars are, and the scarcity, I would expect one of the concerns Lotus has is someone going for a test drive and not coming back. Perfect opportunity for thieves to just drive it away and into an electronically shielded big rig, to be shipped out overseas in a shipping container. They periodically find containers loaded with stolen cars at the ports here, usually because they were looking for drugs instead.

Also, while each of us knows we're above reproach and not going to do anything reckless, they don't know that, so this precaution may be an insurance thing. They don't have thousands of extra cars lying around they can use to replace a damaged or stolen Emira.

It may also be precisely because of what happened with some of the 'trusted' journalist, that Lotus has decided to take this approach for test drives with people who they don't even know at all in any capacity. If they didn't, it wouldn't surprise me to have some yo run off with an Emira, just so they can do a video for YouTube with a big click-bait headline "DON'T BUY THIS CAR" etc.

It's okay. It's just a car. If you like driving it with a passenger (dealer), then it'll be even better when you're solo.

There are simple checks all dealers have done up to now, such as requiring pre-booking, seeing/photocopying your driving licence and signing T&Cs. It’s not that different to getting a rental car.

Whatever the reasons Lotus have for their approach, it comes across as a bit “we don’t trust you or the dealers”.

 

[BeHappy]

There are simple checks all dealers have done up to now, such as requiring pre-booking, seeing/photocopying your driving licence and signing T&Cs. It’s not that different to getting a rental car.

Whatever the reasons Lotus have for their approach, it comes across as a bit “we don’t trust you or the dealers”.

Lotus should be putting all there focus and attention on getting the cars produced and leave the dealers to do what they do day in day out demo rides - shows zero trust that the dealers have to get sign off on a route - unbelievable getting them to jump thro unnecessary hoops

 

[Evotion]

I am not even sure I will bother with a test drive. I am getting the car anyway and will then decide my future with it.

I know it will be good, I know it looks the nuts. It will be the least powerful of my 4 cars and I don;t care.

 

[ADC]

Silverstone Lotus will be including at least one lap of the GP circuit in the test drive, right?... RIGHT?!?

The main reason I want a test drive is to judge for myself which suspension setup I'd tolerate (in the UK). Brain says tour, heart/machismo still whispers sport.

 

[digilotus]

Silverstone Lotus will be including at least one lap of the GP circuit in the test drive, right?... RIGHT?!?

The main reason I want a test drive is to judge for myself which suspension setup I'd tolerate (in the UK). Brain says tour, heart/machismo still whispers sport.

Even though I wont be tracking mine I went with the most aggressive spec available: sports + cup2.

I don't plan to use it as a daily or in the rain, and a firm/hard suspension is part of the experience and fun factor for me. All the oldies can get touring (aka lounge furniture) spec!

 

[freefall_junkie]

Parks Lotus in Hamilton are getting a Seneca demo car (yipee! ) and Magma for the showroom. Other details TBC.

 

[Pav]

Might have been covered elsewhere but what is the likelihood of being able to drive both cars if dealer has sports and tour. I guess low as we would all want to do it! I was sport, then changed to tour. Expect I’ll be down to test drive tour. But if it’s too soft I think I’d switch back and go with the 2023 delivery lottery.

 

[TomE]

Might have been covered elsewhere but what is the likelihood of being able to drive both cars if dealer has sports and tour. I guess low as we would all want to do it! I was sport, then changed to tour. Expect I’ll be down to test drive tour. But if it’s too soft I think I’d switch back and go with the 2023 delivery lottery.

It looks like each dealer is getting at least 2 cars (I've heard a few might have 3) and one will be Touring and one Sports. But one is a showroom car and one is a demo car, suggesting you can't drive the showroom one.

This is a stupid idea when many people want to do a back to back comparison!

 

[Twin Cam]

It looks like each dealer is getting at least 2 cars (I've heard a few might have 3) and one will be Touring and one Sports. But one is a showroom car and one is a demo car, suggesting you can't drive the showroom one.

This is a stupid idea when many people want to do a back to back comparison!

I agree, if this is true, what dealers are receiving is one demo car and one showroom queen. Customers would be a lot happier if they could try both Sport and Tour, this would remove the nagging doubt that will linger that they may have chosen the wrong set up for their circumstances

 

[Ian C]

My local dealer advising that we will be sent a link from Lotus direct to book test drives rather than via the dealer

 

[BeHappy]

It looks like each dealer is getting at least 2 cars (I've heard a few might have 3) and one will be Touring and one Sports. But one is a showroom car and one is a demo car, suggesting you can't drive the showroom one.

This is a stupid idea when many people want to do a back to back comparison!

Yep agree stupid idea If they are not going to be demo cars these should of been satisfying customer orders rather than pointless show cars ! yes come and have a look but you can’t get one for 2 years ………

 

[Leonard]

I agree, if this is true, what dealers are receiving is one demo car and one showroom queen. Customers would be a lot happier if they could try both Sport and Tour, this would remove the nagging doubt that will linger that they may have chosen the wrong set up for their circumstances

Once again bonkers there are 2 suspension set ups in this day and age, completely unnecessary. Although I'm sure Lotus would disagree. So now I need to arrange test drives with 2 dealers.
One Emira as good as it could be out of the box would have been a better offering (and more competitive) on so many levels.
Yes I know the FE is there to help streamline production of early cars but look where that's got them

 

[Leonard]

My local dealer advising that we will be sent a link from Lotus direct to book test drives rather than via the dealer

Great so that probably means 2 test drives isn't even going to be possible. Or one will be now and the 2nd "take a look at what you could have won " after deliveryof your own car

 

[emiraspain]

Great so that probably means 2 test drives isn't even going to be possible. Or one will be now and the 2nd "take a look at what you could have won " after deliveryof uour own car

one wonders will Lotus get anything right.... apart from and including the car itself... haha

 

[TomE]

I've said it before, they have no idea about customer service or operating a direct channel. No one at Lotus has tried to put themselves in their customers' shoes. They're ignoring all the feedback they're getting online and via Customer Care.

The car better be fantastic, not just OK, to be worth all this aggravation.

 

[Leonard]

The car better be fantastic, not just OK, to be worth all this aggravation.

I really hope so for everyone that has been so keen and enthusiastic for such a long time.
I have 3 competitor test drives booked in for next week. Couldn't have been a different Customer Experience and hence I'm really looking forward to them!

 

[Lots_Of_Trouble]

I really hope so for everyone that has been so keen and enthusiastic for such a long time.
I have 3 competitor test drives booked in for next week. Couldn't have been a different Customer Experience and hence I'm really looking forward to them!

What are you testing???

 

[Mickle]

What are you testing???

Beat me to asking the same question!
My patience & excitement is also waning, I'm spending more and more time on Autotrader...

 

[Eagle7]

This test drive thing is pretty easy. You only have two choices; it's extreme or not as extreme. Test drive the sports setup. If you like it, then don't bother with touring. If sports feels too harsh for you, then touring is your choice.

 

[emiraspain]

I really hope so for everyone that has been so keen and enthusiastic for such a long time.
I have 3 competitor test drives booked in for next week. Couldn't have been a different Customer Experience and hence I'm really looking forward to them!

your TESTING my patience, thats what you're testing.. haha.

One has to be a 718 GTS/spyder....surely
Maybe an Exige with 400+HP
and maybe a BMW... ohhh I hope not...