What to do? 911T plus Base Emira

[Cachaco131]

Hi all, it's been a while.

I ordered a 911 Carrera T some 2y after I put a deposit for a Base V6 and got delivery about a year ago. It's my turn now to configure and order the Emira. Having second thoughts.

First world problem of course. I had an Elise and was hoping to get a similar raw and great steering feel but more grown up obviously. So I put a deposit for the V6 but it's taken forever and took a chance on the 911. And I...love it. Does everything incredibly well and performs amazingly when pushed. Base engine feels very NA - sometimes feels a bit underpowered, probably because of how linear it is and how well it puts power down. Gearbox is great. Suspension is firm but not harsh. Looks are subjective .

I have driven the Emira twice and will try again tomorrow. I think steering, looks and engine/exhaust noise is where the Emira wins. And it's more unique of course. But... can I justify this purchase? I've two more cars and not enough time to drive them all (Emira seems less of a daily than the 911). I want V6 manual and after buying the T, was hoping maybe there would be a more hardcore version - S/R etc. But nothing has been announced.

Now the dealer says V6 is done and I have to order by Feb 15. Ugh - ideally I could roll over the deposit for something more hardcore and wait (but not I4).

Seems depreciation is on my side and will be able to buy a used one in the future.

Thoughts?

 

[Bimmernate]

I don't think you can go wrong no matter what you decide. That is a beautiful spec 911 T you have. Some thoughts though:

I think it really just depends on what else is in your arsenal. Are you looking for a daily driver (keep the porsche), or a non-daily weekend sports car? Because if its the latter, you said yourself, the emira wins in terms of steering, engine, sound, looks, all of which are literally the most important aspects of a sports car.

Regardless, both cars are not going to lose a whole lot of value. Porsches are known for their lack of depreciation, and the emira, with its limited V6 run, looks, sound,etc, i think will have a pretty stable price point throughout its future. Is there a specific spec of emira you are attached too? IMO, I think the future emira versions will be faster, but less exciting...At the end of the day, the emira is about the excitement, so i'd stick with the V6 manual (personal preference). If I just want something super fast/ "automatic", i'll buy an EV.

Like I said, no wrong answer here. Both phenomenal cars

 

[Jinba ittai]

You’re asking a forum for Emira enthusiasts if you should get an Emira. I think you already know what you want to do; you’re just trying to rationalize it. Thing is this isn’t a rational decision - the right car is the one you want.

 

[seriously]

If you are still not bored of the 911T I would wait and see what happens with future emiras. Only other factor is whether specing your own emira and getting delivery new is a priority. If it is, I would order now. If it isn’t I would roll the dice and wait. Newer version will emerge and there will be lightly used ones on the market. It’s too niche of a car to work for everyone.

 

[trackday14]

If the V6 is discontinued, don’t expect clean, decent mileage V6 examples to depreciate - like the Elise and Exige, prices will go up after a few years.

I am also fortunate to have more cars than I can drive regularly - if you can stretch to add a manual V6 Emira, do it. I have been surprised how much I drive it over my German cars…and one of them is a 1M that I have had for 13 years.

 

[chirowolf]

Can't argue with the capabilities of the 911. For me, it was more about exclusivity. Even where I live (the Midwest) you can't swing a cat without hitting a 911. From a pure visual standpoint, they are just not that interesting. Most of the general public will think 2003 Cayman is the same as a 2025 GT3.
The Lotus stands out.
I know, "don't buy a car for looks" , but come on, the Emira is objectively gorgeous.

No hate for the 911, but you are on a Lotus forum

 

[Cachaco131]

Can't argue with the capabilities of the 911. For me, it was more about exclusivity. Even where I live (the Midwest) you can't swing a cat without hitting a 911. From a pure visual standpoint, they are just not that interesting. Most of the general public will think 2003 Cayman is the same as a 2025 GT3.
The Lotus stands out.
I know, "don't buy a car for looks" , but come on, the Emira is objectively gorgeous.

No hate for the 911, but you are on a Lotus forum

Hard to disagree with the looks and hate or no hate it doesn't bother me. I'm sure there are several 911 owners here so they can provide some perspective.

I'm just trying to think whether I swing it now and have a "somewhat similar" car to the 911, maybe parked too much, simply get the deposit back or ask the dealer to keep the deposit and keep my name at the front if there is a more hardcore Emira V6 (manual) launched. I'm leaning towards the latter but not sure if possible or even worth it.

 

[Cachaco131]

If the V6 is discontinued, don’t expect clean, decent mileage V6 examples to depreciate - like the Elise and Exige, prices will go up after a few years.

I am also fortunate to have more cars than I can drive regularly - if you can stretch to add a manual V6 Emira, do it. I have been surprised how much I drive it over my German cars…and one of them is a 1M that I have had for 13 years.

I've and E46 M3 and has definitely been driven less after the 911 arrived. Great car though. Sell me your 1M.

 

[Cachaco131]

If you are still not bored of the 911T I would wait and see what happens with future emiras. Only other factor is whether specing your own emira and getting delivery new is a priority. If it is, I would order now. If it isn’t I would roll the dice and wait. Newer version will emerge and there will be lightly used ones on the market. It’s too niche of a car to work for everyone.

Thanks, this is actually helpful. Because the Emira doesn't have a fraction of the crazy options that Porsche configurator has, I would not be too worried about not speccing it myself. I do like the HY better than other colors. So I'm thinking about rolling the dice.

 

[seriously]

@trackday14 the 1M is already in that lower miles the better category. So maybe not a problem that it doesn’t get too much drive time?

 

[chirowolf]

Hard to disagree with the looks and hate or no hate it doesn't bother me. I'm sure there are several 911 owners here so they can provide some perspective.

I'm just trying to think whether I swing it now and have a "somewhat similar" car to the 911, maybe parked too much, simply get the deposit back or ask the dealer to keep the deposit and keep my name at the front if there is a more hardcore Emira V6 (manual) launched. I'm leaning towards the latter but not sure if possible or even worth it.

Waiting for Lotus can be a bit of a gamble. maybe look into what the Lotus aftermarket has for a rawer Emira. I know there are a couple of tunes for the Emira (a bit pricey fort the HP gains) Suspension should be easy enough (although I hear the sport suspension is very track focused)
In Europe prices for the Emira have dipped a bit. In the USA prices have been pretty steady if not gone up a bit. a V6 just sold on BAT for $87K and there is a nice Nimbus Gray one right now going for $80k at last bid (pretty sure this will go mid 90s) Maybe in a year or 2 they will be in the 80s or high 70s.
Your 911 is a beautiful spec and does pretty much everything you want. Worth waiting if you have such a good place holder. Its not like the 911 will lose that much value.

 

[idleuser]

Beautiful car, you can't go wrong with either. But the Emira V6 is more special to look and drive. Every drive feels like an occassion. Besides, if you ever wanted to pick up another 911T, they're still going to continue making them. The V6 manual is not long for this world.

 

[trackday14]

@trackday14 the 1M is already in that lower miles the better category. So maybe not a problem that it doesn’t get too much drive time?

My 1M just turned over 44K miles, so about 3K miles per year. The Emira replaced my Porsche Cayman T, which was more of a daily sports car. My wife and I share a manual transmission Cayenne for true daily duties - kids, dogs, Costco…

 

[crestima]

Hi all, it's been a while.

I ordered a 911 Carrera T some 2y after I put a deposit for a Base V6 and got delivery about a year ago. It's my turn now to configure and order the Emira. Having second thoughts.

First world problem of course. I had an Elise and was hoping to get a similar raw and great steering feel but more grown up obviously. So I put a deposit for the V6 but it's taken forever and took a chance on the 911. And I...love it. Does everything incredibly well and performs amazingly when pushed. Base engine feels very NA - sometimes feels a bit underpowered, probably because of how linear it is and how well it puts power down. Gearbox is great. Suspension is firm but not harsh. Looks are subjective .

I have driven the Emira twice and will try again tomorrow. I think steering, looks and engine/exhaust noise is where the Emira wins. And it's more unique of course. But... can I justify this purchase? I've two more cars and not enough time to drive them all (Emira seems less of a daily than the 911). I want V6 manual and after buying the T, was hoping maybe there would be a more hardcore version - S/R etc. But nothing has been announced.

Now the dealer says V6 is done and I have to order by Feb 15. Ugh - ideally I could roll over the deposit for something more hardcore and wait (but not I4).

Seems depreciation is on my side and will be able to buy a used one in the future.

Thoughts?

View attachment 59174

I just recently parted with my 2017 911 Carrera S Tiptronic, which I had owned since new. I also own an MX-5 ND manual, soft top (still have it and intend to keep). The 911 was a great car ownership experience for me and so was my first Porsche, a Boxster S, and none of the two ever gave me a single problem. Driving the 911 regularly for over 7 years, all I had to do was replaced the battery once. I had both the 911 and my 2024 Emira V6 manual for over 6 months side-by-side in the garage and found myself never wanting to drive the 911 again, being compelled to drive the Emira instead. Yet, the MX-5 still gives me the occasional itch to take it out for a fun drive. My decision to sell the 911 was not financially driven, rather it was because it just sat there collecting dust for no good reason. Did I like it? Yep, do I miss it? Nope.

 

[chirowolf]

I just recently parted with my 2017 911 Carrera S Tiptronic, which I had owned since new. I also own an MX-5 ND manual, soft top (still have it and intend to keep). The 911 was a great car ownership experience for me and so was my first Porsche, a Boxster S, and none of the two ever gave me a single problem. Driving the 911 regularly for over 7 years, all I had to do was replaced the battery once. I had both the 911 and my 2024 Emira V6 manual for over 6 months side-by-side in the garage and found myself never wanting to drive the 911 again, being compelled to drive the Emira instead. Yet, the MX-5 still gives me the occasional itch to take it out for a fun drive. My decision to sell the 911 was not financially driven, rather it was because it just sat there collecting dust for no good reason. Did I like it? Yep, do I miss it? Nope.

I sold my my MX 5 ND1 club when we purchased our Tesla
I really miss that car and assume I’ll end up with another one maybe one of the later generations that rev’s higher with slightly more horsepower

 

[cyanmauve]

"don't buy a car for looks"

Why the heck not?!?!

The looks are a BIG part of the appeal of the Emira, for me anyway.

Sportscars are semi-practical toys, and I want a pretty one!

A Cayman GTS 4.0 is probably just about an even match for our Emira’s in everything except looks. In fact, what’s what I would have if the Emira didn’t exist. But see the 2 parked side by side and there’s no way I could have been happy with the Porsche knowing the Emira is out there on the streets, looking like it does!

 

[GIN]

I was in a similar position 2 years ago with an Emira on order but declined my order slot when my time came up. Main reasons for opting out were initial quality/reliability, relative fit and finish, dealer availability, and winter driving. I ended up taking delivery of a ‘24 991 4S manual in July 2024. A couple days ago, I received a last call for the Emira email from my local Lotus dealer. I opened it and read it but didn’t consider ordering or trading for an Emira. Still like the Emira, but, I am completely satisfied with my 911. It checks all of the boxes for me. There is an elegance to it that my wife and others appreciate it while I appreciate the fact it is a sports car deep down inside. What ultimately matters is what you like and enjoy. Like someone said earlier, you can’t go wrong with either. They are tremendous cars. I have used this phrase on a similar thread: “Envy is the thief of joy.” Don’t let something you don’t have ruin the experience of what you do. Best of luck. Great 911, btw.

Found this article to further complicate your decision: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/lotus-emira-v6-vs-porsche-911-carrera-t/49091

 

[chirowolf]

Why the heck not?!?!

The looks are a BIG part of the appeal of the Emira, for me anyway.

Sportscars are semi-practical toys, and I want a pretty one!

A Cayman GTS 4.0 is probably just about an even match for our Emira’s in everything except looks. In fact, what’s what I would have if the Emira didn’t exist. But see the 2 parked side by side and there’s no way I could have been happy with the Porsche knowing the Emira is out there on the streets, looking like it does!

Agreed.
Back of the days I bought my first lotus. I was actually looking at an Aston Martin Vantage. The dealer had a new Evora and my wife told me she was not going to ride around in that Aston. She liked the lotus.
Fast-forward 14 years later, started looking again And originally looked at a C8 Corvette parked the newEmira next to the Corvette and hands-down, the lotus won again

 

[B r I a n]

I also went through this (deposit on both - Emira and T). The main decision for me was I just enjoyed doing the Lotus so much, much more. I have had numerous 911s in the past, and love the way they just drive, but the Emira was so much more satisfying for me. T negatives for me were the limited color options (exterior and interior), price (also dealers wanting you to add exclusive options I did not want) and styling (although classic and pretty) the seem a bit boring looking to me now (could be that I have owned and been around them so much). The big pros for the T for me were the fit and finish, reliability, all my P-car club fiends, dealer network and how they hold value. I viewed the T as the conservative pick, the aggressive pick was the Emira. I very rarely buy a brand new sports car, so I wanted to spec it exactly to what I wanted, I couldn't with the T. Luckily my Emira delivered very early (April 2024) and I am absolutely loving in. But you cannot go wrong with either, both are very solid sports cars, just a personal preference in what you prefer more.

 

[benjh1028]

Easiest question on the forum to answer - keep both.