What to do? 911T plus Base Emira

[Cachaco131]

I drove the Emira today - not a great route though, highways and a lot of on and off ramps lol. It was the touring suspension which was new to me, didn't seem that different than the sport I had driven.

Bottom line: I liked it, but didn't love it. The 911 has a way of making other cars don't seem as good (even if they are). For some reason (even on Track setting) the engine / exhaust was less intoxicating than I remembered, a lot of it is drowned by the supercharger whine I think. The steering has less feel than I remembered, not sure if suspension affects this in some way. Shifter I found a bit meh quality to be honest. Looks are amazing and interior is enough for me. I think I'll unfortunately pass - it has more drama, but not too much more once you push the 911 T. So I think I'll try to keep the deposit and wait and see (not that hoping for Lotus is a good strategy). Thanks all.

 

[chirowolf]

I think one of the big misses in this post is price. An Emira is relatively easy to find at $100K but a 911T starts at $1490K base and climbs aggressively with the "Porsche Tax" Almost any configuration has the car above $150K and a nice spec is closer to $160k to $180k!!!
With another $40k to $80K I'm getting the Emira and another car or 2. Let's throw in a 35th Anniversary MX-5 with all the trimmings.
The Cayman GTS 4.0 is a much better comparison.

 

[Jinba ittai]

I drove the Emira today - not a great route though, highways and a lot of on and off ramps lol. It was the touring suspension which was new to me, didn't seem that different than the sport I had driven.

Bottom line: I liked it, but didn't love it. The 911 has a way of making other cars don't seem as good (even if they are). For some reason (even on Track setting) the engine / exhaust was less intoxicating than I remembered, a lot of it is drowned by the supercharger whine I think. The steering has less feel than I remembered, not sure if suspension affects this in some way. Shifter I found a bit meh quality to be honest. Looks are amazing and interior is enough for me. I think I'll unfortunately pass - it has more drama, but not too much more once you push the 911 T. So I think I'll try to keep the deposit and wait and see (not that hoping for Lotus is a good strategy). Thanks all.

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I didn’t expect that. Usually it’s the test drive that seals the deal and other factors (dealer network, reliability concerns, etc.) that keep people away. Enjoy the 911T. Cheers.

 

[Cachaco131]

I didn’t expect that. Usually it’s the test drive that seals the deal and other factors (dealer network, reliability concerns, etc.) that keep people away. Enjoy the 911T. Cheers.

I know. Dealer network isn't great but not my biggest concern.

 

[Cachaco131]

I think one of the big misses in this post is price. An Emira is relatively easy to find at $100K but a 911T starts at $1490K base and climbs aggressively with the "Porsche Tax" Almost any configuration has the car above $150K and a nice spec is closer to $160k to $180k!!!
With another $40k to $80K I'm getting the Emira and another car or 2. Let's throw in a 35th Anniversary MX-5 with all the trimmings.
The Cayman GTS 4.0 is a much better comparison.

Fair point. Different price point and competition. I was just trying to assess my current situation and determine if it was worth it. True, Porsche MSRP has increased a lot lately. Can't say Porsches are good value, they are just good.

 

[cyanmauve]

You gotta go with your gut. If the test drive didn’t convince you, pass!

 

[idleuser]

It’s impossible to have less steering on the Emira vs the Porsche. Electronic steering vs Hydraulic.

What I think happened is that you adapted your driving style to the 911T.

 

[Cachaco131]

It’s impossible to have less steering on the Emira vs the Porsche. Electronic steering vs Hydraulic.

What I think happened is that you adapted your driving style to the 911T.

I wasn't comparing the steering of the two brands. The steering of the Emira is good, but I was comparing it to the first Emira test drive I did. Felt less good, less special for some reason. Maybe just had too high expectations.

 

[seriously]

It’s impossible to have less steering on the Emira vs the Porsche. Electronic steering vs Hydraulic.

What I think happened is that you adapted your driving style to the 911T.

I respectfully disagree. I don’t think all hydraulic racks are better than electric. Porsche has probably the best electric steering rack out there. Which one is better I think is up to taste.

And yes the Porsches are great cars and not a great value. Agreed on that.

 

[Honcho]

If you're coming form an Elise I think the Emira will feel more like a GT car.

 

[Beachbum]

If you're coming form an Elise I think the Emira will feel more like a GT car.

I'll 2nd that. Elise is the hooligan, the Emira the parent

 

[Ohio Enthusiast]

I don’t think all hydraulic racks are better than electric. Porsche has probably the best electric steering rack out there. Which one is better I think is up to taste.

Agreed as well. After driving some great hydraulic, electric and manual steering racks, I would say that a good electric is superior to a good hydraulic and is much closer to a good manual rack. All hydraulic racks I drove (granted, I never drove an Evora or Emira) had a certain gumminess on/off center. This doesn't affect steering feel, but does make the driving experience a little less edgy and less connected. Comparing to a good electric rack (I own a BRZ and drove a 981 Cayman GT4) or a good manual rack (drove an Elise), both feel much more instant on/off center.

I guess it's like suspension philosophy - some like the Miata's softness and body roll, but I just can't feel connected to the car like that.

 

[chirowolf]

If you're coming form an Elise I think the Emira will feel more like a GT car.

I came from the 2011 Evora NA. The Evora is the young uncle of the Elise and the Emira is definitely the parent.
I loved my Evora, but it had gotten a bit hard and load. The Emira give me 90% of the edge of the Evora but all the smoothness for a 1000-mile drive.