Lotus Evora
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Frustration
Originally Posted by LTB' timestamp='1359469441' post='22299947
Lotus really need to sort out that kind of crap.
My Elise likes to let water in and it also likes to store it up inside the passenger door. When you open it after a heavy downpour you sometimes get around a pint of water that falls out of the bottom, onto the pavement thankfully.
I spoke to my local Lotus dealer about it and was told that 'they all do that sir'.
I felt like telling him that they fecking shouldn't. It's disappointing that the Evora is no different.
In an Elise it is somehow forgivable and you just get on with it, but the Evora is more of a luxury/premium product, albeit it made by 3 bearded blokes in a shed in Norfolk.
My Elise likes to let water in and it also likes to store it up inside the passenger door. When you open it after a heavy downpour you sometimes get around a pint of water that falls out of the bottom, onto the pavement thankfully.
I spoke to my local Lotus dealer about it and was told that 'they all do that sir'.
I felt like telling him that they fecking shouldn't. It's disappointing that the Evora is no different.
In an Elise it is somehow forgivable and you just get on with it, but the Evora is more of a luxury/premium product, albeit it made by 3 bearded blokes in a shed in Norfolk.
I also found a loose bolt (clearly from the car) rattling around the boot when pulling out the soggy carpet. I haven't got around to looking for its home. I trust it is not important.
As for the Elise being 65% waterproof, my Westfield is more waterproof than that!
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
I did that when they were all suckered by AGW, but that's another story...
The stupid thing is, the Lotus is all plastic (or composite, as they prefer!) so it's not like you need to go all round with a mastic gun, like you do all over a conventional steel body.
The stupid thing is, the Lotus is all plastic (or composite, as they prefer!) so it's not like you need to go all round with a mastic gun, like you do all over a conventional steel body.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,138
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From: Lothians
Another update after having not really been able to push the car since I got it due to a combination of winter tyres (removed a month ago), busy work period and LSB.
Had my first proper go on normal tyres on mixed Highland roads that I know very well, and when fairly devoid of traffic.
Handling is jaw droppingly impressive. Really quite stunning.
I didn't think the level of stability it exhibits in cornering (at all types of corner) was really possible on the road, but the more you ask of the car the more it just delivers, and all without any hint of a fuss. It's so good that at times it can become strangely dull - perhaps because the point at which it starts to become "interesting" is well into the realms of what would not be safe on the road, and not somewhere I plan to go. Does make you wonder what it is capable of on the track though.
I am also coming round to how good the ride quality is on Highland roads that seem to have deteriorated significantly since last year - I think I am taking it for granted that these upset the car so little, when in the Honda they would have frequently made things uncomfortable grip wise.
Achilles heel, which is the well documented slow/iffy feeling gearbox, is becoming more apparent now as I explore the car's abilities. Mine had had the gearbox "sorted" by the previous owner which is likely why I didn't find it too bad up to now - it varies a lot from car to car apparently, and mine seems to be one of the good ones having been fettled by a dealer down south no doubt getting lots of earache from the previous owner. I am sure mine is as good as it is going to get, so it will be up to me to learn to shift cogs better, and/or drive around it.
Engine at c 12k miles now I think - had about 10 when I got it last November - continues to improve. (Decat getting done next week or two which should help) The (non-supercharged) Toyota unit I have mostly does the job, and in reality arriving at the next corner a bit quicker might not be a good thing I am thinking given the seemingly insatiable appetite of the car to deal with the round bits.
Fuel consumption, c 30-32 cruising at 60-75 on faster A roads and M-Ways, but dropping into low to mid 20s when pushing on in twisty stuff.
Nothing has broken or fallen off yet. Boot seems to have stopped leaking after the dealer adjusted something. Warping A pillar plastic trim replacement parts on order, as is new switch for intermittently recalcitrant cruise control. Driver's side seat bolster wearing, but common issue - will need to see if that can get sorted shortly before warranty expires later in year. There is nothing I have read about or have my own concerns about that is going to go expensively bang over the next few years - yes, little things will go wrong and need fixed, but my dealer is very helpful and knowledgeable and I will just accept these as a "running cost" when the warranty expires. The car is exotic enough for me that I won't begrudge it.
Other annoying things ..........
reversing is still an absolute pig, and after having to make two longish reverses on single track roads this afternoon am thinking I need to select certain highland roads more carefully. I really need a man with a flag or something to leap out and direct.
Less annoying, but still a bit irritating is the switches you can't see when driving - nothing important of course.... just the lights and the "Sport" button
Unhelpful that the fuel filler release flap button is about an inch away from the other unseen buttons you have to fumble around for - if you ever see an Evora driving around with the filler flap open you will now know why.
Car continues to get lots of positive reaction from random strangers, and I still love the look of it - I used to think it only looked good in strong bright colours, but having followed a grey German Evora for 30 miles today (only the second Evora I have ever seen on the road - yet I passed 3 of those fancypants mid engined Audi things today), am coming around to the plainer stuff.
Overall, no regrets at all so far - in fact, right now, I'd more than happily replace it with a slightly newer model in a few years time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42716266@N00/8845963545/http://www.flickr.com/photos/42716266@N00/8845963545/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/42716266@N00/, on Flickr
Had my first proper go on normal tyres on mixed Highland roads that I know very well, and when fairly devoid of traffic.
Handling is jaw droppingly impressive. Really quite stunning.
I didn't think the level of stability it exhibits in cornering (at all types of corner) was really possible on the road, but the more you ask of the car the more it just delivers, and all without any hint of a fuss. It's so good that at times it can become strangely dull - perhaps because the point at which it starts to become "interesting" is well into the realms of what would not be safe on the road, and not somewhere I plan to go. Does make you wonder what it is capable of on the track though.
I am also coming round to how good the ride quality is on Highland roads that seem to have deteriorated significantly since last year - I think I am taking it for granted that these upset the car so little, when in the Honda they would have frequently made things uncomfortable grip wise.
Achilles heel, which is the well documented slow/iffy feeling gearbox, is becoming more apparent now as I explore the car's abilities. Mine had had the gearbox "sorted" by the previous owner which is likely why I didn't find it too bad up to now - it varies a lot from car to car apparently, and mine seems to be one of the good ones having been fettled by a dealer down south no doubt getting lots of earache from the previous owner. I am sure mine is as good as it is going to get, so it will be up to me to learn to shift cogs better, and/or drive around it.
Engine at c 12k miles now I think - had about 10 when I got it last November - continues to improve. (Decat getting done next week or two which should help) The (non-supercharged) Toyota unit I have mostly does the job, and in reality arriving at the next corner a bit quicker might not be a good thing I am thinking given the seemingly insatiable appetite of the car to deal with the round bits.
Fuel consumption, c 30-32 cruising at 60-75 on faster A roads and M-Ways, but dropping into low to mid 20s when pushing on in twisty stuff.
Nothing has broken or fallen off yet. Boot seems to have stopped leaking after the dealer adjusted something. Warping A pillar plastic trim replacement parts on order, as is new switch for intermittently recalcitrant cruise control. Driver's side seat bolster wearing, but common issue - will need to see if that can get sorted shortly before warranty expires later in year. There is nothing I have read about or have my own concerns about that is going to go expensively bang over the next few years - yes, little things will go wrong and need fixed, but my dealer is very helpful and knowledgeable and I will just accept these as a "running cost" when the warranty expires. The car is exotic enough for me that I won't begrudge it.
Other annoying things ..........
reversing is still an absolute pig, and after having to make two longish reverses on single track roads this afternoon am thinking I need to select certain highland roads more carefully. I really need a man with a flag or something to leap out and direct.
Less annoying, but still a bit irritating is the switches you can't see when driving - nothing important of course.... just the lights and the "Sport" button
Unhelpful that the fuel filler release flap button is about an inch away from the other unseen buttons you have to fumble around for - if you ever see an Evora driving around with the filler flap open you will now know why.Car continues to get lots of positive reaction from random strangers, and I still love the look of it - I used to think it only looked good in strong bright colours, but having followed a grey German Evora for 30 miles today (only the second Evora I have ever seen on the road - yet I passed 3 of those fancypants mid engined Audi things today), am coming around to the plainer stuff.
Overall, no regrets at all so far - in fact, right now, I'd more than happily replace it with a slightly newer model in a few years time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42716266@N00/8845963545/http://www.flickr.com/photos/42716266@N00/8845963545/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/42716266@N00/, on Flickr
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Newcastle and Edinburgh
Couldn't agree more Euan. I took a 2013 Evora S round the track recently: the handling limits you talked about? Don't think they exist! It just grips and goes...you'll fall out of the car before it gives in.
Nothing's leaked, yet, thankfully. Had A-pillar trims replaced (dealer blamed people 'leaning' on them to get in/out the car
), the chrome trim around the rear lights also replaced, driver's seat re-upholstered, and the boot release catch needed a touch of superglue once. Okay, that's actually a longish list for a car I've had less than a year. Tyre cost is also an issue.
I've recently put the much larger Evora S diffuser on mine, along with the sports exhaust (loud). Whoever gets this car after me will be very lucky ;-)
And I'll be in a new gen Exige S next time. Be prepared for serious envy if you ever try one...
Nothing's leaked, yet, thankfully. Had A-pillar trims replaced (dealer blamed people 'leaning' on them to get in/out the car
), the chrome trim around the rear lights also replaced, driver's seat re-upholstered, and the boot release catch needed a touch of superglue once. Okay, that's actually a longish list for a car I've had less than a year. Tyre cost is also an issue. I've recently put the much larger Evora S diffuser on mine, along with the sports exhaust (loud). Whoever gets this car after me will be very lucky ;-)
And I'll be in a new gen Exige S next time. Be prepared for serious envy if you ever try one...
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24,771
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From: Stanmore
Couldn't agree more Euan. I took a 2013 Evora S round the track recently: the handling limits you talked about? Don't think they exist! It just grips and goes...you'll fall out of the car before it gives in.
Nothing's leaked, yet, thankfully. Had A-pillar trims replaced (dealer blamed people 'leaning' on them to get in/out the car ), the chrome trim around the rear lights also replaced, driver's seat re-upholstered, and the boot release catch needed a touch of superglue once. Okay, that's actually a longish list for a car I've had less than a year. Tyre cost is also an issue.
I've recently put the much larger Evora S diffuser on mine, along with the sports exhaust (loud). Whoever gets this car after me will be very lucky ;-)
And I'll be in a new gen Exige S next time. Be prepared for serious envy if you ever try one...
Nothing's leaked, yet, thankfully. Had A-pillar trims replaced (dealer blamed people 'leaning' on them to get in/out the car
), the chrome trim around the rear lights also replaced, driver's seat re-upholstered, and the boot release catch needed a touch of superglue once. Okay, that's actually a longish list for a car I've had less than a year. Tyre cost is also an issue. I've recently put the much larger Evora S diffuser on mine, along with the sports exhaust (loud). Whoever gets this car after me will be very lucky ;-)
And I'll be in a new gen Exige S next time. Be prepared for serious envy if you ever try one...
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
I got a big 2nd gear slide coming out of a roundabout - deliberately. Of course it has limits!
The limits are quite high, but TBH I do prefer the NSX's steering when a dab of oppo is called for. I can see the Ev getting well out of hand it you cannot centre the wheel quick enough. The NSX is like a big, lazy S2000, albeit with a much slower (and heavier - beware!) moment of rotation when the tail steps out.
The limits are quite high, but TBH I do prefer the NSX's steering when a dab of oppo is called for. I can see the Ev getting well out of hand it you cannot centre the wheel quick enough. The NSX is like a big, lazy S2000, albeit with a much slower (and heavier - beware!) moment of rotation when the tail steps out.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 33,838
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From: Sunshine Coast - England UK
Same here, Nick, it seems to break away very nicely but as you say, with anything mid engined you can end up in a big mess if you get it badly wrong.
It's setup so well that it just goes where you point it, which does inspire confidence. Try a GTR for the next level on from that!
Still the best handling car i've ever driven, the Evora.
It's setup so well that it just goes where you point it, which does inspire confidence. Try a GTR for the next level on from that!
Still the best handling car i've ever driven, the Evora.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
Same here, Nick, it seems to break away very nicely but as you say, with anything mid engined you can end up in a big mess if you get it badly wrong.
It's setup so well that it just goes where you point it, which does inspire confidence. Try a GTR for the next level on from that!
Still the best handling car i've ever driven, the Evora.
It's setup so well that it just goes where you point it, which does inspire confidence. Try a GTR for the next level on from that!
Still the best handling car i've ever driven, the Evora.
I've heard from trustworthy the GTR is actually quite handly for such a mass when you get it to 10.5/10 - but you need big roads and balls and shares in Bridgestone, in order to achieve that. And crossing it up you could achieve geostationary orbit...
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