Carbuilder
Emira Fan
Not quite in Toronto. In a small city just to the north. This will be a bit long since some people like to know the buying experience. I originally had a deposit on one, but then after waiting and hearing nothing from Lotus, got a refund and moved on. Recently decided it was time to get one.
I wasn't too fussy on colour or interior. I wasn't sure about alcantara since some of the interiors I've seen (after a few years) look like crap, especially the steering wheel. Then I watched some videos on how you take care of it and clean it, and thought it would actually be good.
The one "must have" was the Touring suspension, and that was the issue. There are many cars for sale, used and new, and all of them had the Sport suspension. Some reviews say the Sport isn't too bad, but the ones driving on not so great roads say the Touring is a must. Oh, the other must have was manual, so that made it a 6cyl. I had a car to trade and was in contact with Lotus of Oakville for a while. Then I asked about cars with Touring suspension since I didn't see any on their website; nope, didn't have any. I was told I could order one. Not a chance; more on that later.
I called Gentry (all of their advertised Emira's had Sport suspension) and was told they didn't have any. Then I was told "wait a minute, might have a one". A person that was going to buy the one with Touring suspension decided on one with Sport suspension, so the car was mine if I wanted it. Beautiful colour inside and out; Seneca blue, black alcantara with yellow stitching. The car was registered to the dealer, but with basically no mileage on it. So it was used as far as luxury tax goes, but new as far as warranty.
Why I didn't want to order a new car. There would be luxury tax on it, which is 20% of the price over $100k. No luxury tax on "used" cars. Then there is our usual tax of 13%, and they even charge that on the luxury tax! I added up the price of a 2025 with the options that mine had included, and with all the taxes and dealer fees, it was just over $190k. This is in Canadian $$. That is crazy!
Anyways, I was going to drive it home from the dealer, but winter had set in so I had it delivered. What a beautiful car!
Right now it is in the garage with its mate that is almost 60 years older. Both are waiting for spring.
Rick
I wasn't too fussy on colour or interior. I wasn't sure about alcantara since some of the interiors I've seen (after a few years) look like crap, especially the steering wheel. Then I watched some videos on how you take care of it and clean it, and thought it would actually be good.
The one "must have" was the Touring suspension, and that was the issue. There are many cars for sale, used and new, and all of them had the Sport suspension. Some reviews say the Sport isn't too bad, but the ones driving on not so great roads say the Touring is a must. Oh, the other must have was manual, so that made it a 6cyl. I had a car to trade and was in contact with Lotus of Oakville for a while. Then I asked about cars with Touring suspension since I didn't see any on their website; nope, didn't have any. I was told I could order one. Not a chance; more on that later.
I called Gentry (all of their advertised Emira's had Sport suspension) and was told they didn't have any. Then I was told "wait a minute, might have a one". A person that was going to buy the one with Touring suspension decided on one with Sport suspension, so the car was mine if I wanted it. Beautiful colour inside and out; Seneca blue, black alcantara with yellow stitching. The car was registered to the dealer, but with basically no mileage on it. So it was used as far as luxury tax goes, but new as far as warranty.
Why I didn't want to order a new car. There would be luxury tax on it, which is 20% of the price over $100k. No luxury tax on "used" cars. Then there is our usual tax of 13%, and they even charge that on the luxury tax! I added up the price of a 2025 with the options that mine had included, and with all the taxes and dealer fees, it was just over $190k. This is in Canadian $$. That is crazy!
Anyways, I was going to drive it home from the dealer, but winter had set in so I had it delivered. What a beautiful car!
Right now it is in the garage with its mate that is almost 60 years older. Both are waiting for spring.
Rick
