New owner incomming

[Foobs]

Hi All
I’m down in sunny /) Cornwall and have been completely hooked on the Lotus Emira for the last 18 months, but have not been in the position to purchase one. I come from 8 years in the Mini scene (classic and BMW) and 25 years driving various other mild hatches. I’ve always been drawn to cars that put the driver first and, after a test drive at a Thruxton track event, the Emira just hits that sweet spot of feel, balance, and that V6 noise. The Mini will always have a place especially with the narrow roads here, but I’ve just reserved a ‘24 plate Magma Red V6 manual Emira. The wait is excruciating as it’s having some osmosis on the doors rectified before I take delivery at the end of the month. It’s going to be a long three weeks

Apart from B road blasts, I try to get out on the odd track day when time and tyres allow — nothing too hardcore, just chasing smoother laps and a bigger grin. When I’m not out driving, I’m usually gaming, keeping up with the latest tech and gadgets, or finding new excuses for another mod or detailing session.

Looking forward to chatting builds, mods, and road-trip ideas with fellow Emira addicts!

 

[geoffbland]

Welcome to the gang. Post some pics when you get your car.
Be sure to check out some of the lotus owner groups like LDC for plenty of road trips and other events. There's a South West Lotus Drivers Club on Facebook too.

 

[Andrew25]

Welcome to the forum! I've been waiting my delivery for 1 and 1/2 months, and then had the car several times at several shops for this and that (like now as well)...Overall, after 6 months, I had the car in a drivable state in my garage for about 2 months. 3 weeks are nothing , they'll go by blazing fast and you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[SimonT]

Hi All
I’m down in sunny /) Cornwall and have been completely hooked on the Lotus Emira for the last 18 months, but have not been in the position to purchase one. I come from 8 years in the Mini scene (classic and BMW) and 25 years driving various other mild hatches. I’ve always been drawn to cars that put the driver first and, after a test drive at a Thruxton track event, the Emira just hits that sweet spot of feel, balance, and that V6 noise. The Mini will always have a place especially with the narrow roads here, but I’ve just reserved a ‘24 plate Magma Red V6 manual Emira. The wait is excruciating as it’s having some osmosis on the doors rectified before I take delivery at the end of the month. It’s going to be a long three weeks

Apart from B road blasts, I try to get out on the odd track day when time and tyres allow — nothing too hardcore, just chasing smoother laps and a bigger grin. When I’m not out driving, I’m usually gaming, keeping up with the latest tech and gadgets, or finding new excuses for another mod or detailing session.

Looking forward to chatting builds, mods, and road-trip ideas with fellow Emira addicts!

When you say 'rectified' do you mean door replacement? Doors are replaced under warranty, not sanded and repainted.

 

[bhmunroe]

Good day all. I am here living in America's playground city - Las Vegas. Just picked up a new Emira on Friday of this week. Traded in a 2021 Audi TT and absolutely love this Lotus!! Looking forward to learning from everyone.

 

[geoffbland]

Good day all. I am here living in America's playground city - Las Vegas. Just picked up a new Emira on Friday of this week. Traded in a 2021 Audi TT and absolutely love this Lotus!! Looking forward to learning from everyone.

Welcome to the gang. Surely we have to have some pics of this then - your new car on "The Strip" somewhere...

 

[Foobs]

When you say 'rectified' do you mean door replacement? Doors are replaced under warranty, not sanded and repainted.

I’m well aware that they are replaced entirely, but they are sanded and painted to ensure the correct colour match.

 

[Enjoy your car]

Hi Everyone,
Here are my thoughts after owning multiple Porsche and just trading in a 718 GTS 4.0 and moving to Emira V6.

I just wanted to share my impressions after driving the Porsche GTS 4.0 to the Toronto Lotus dealership and then driving home my new Lotus Emira. These two cars might live in the same price bracket and vaguely similar design category, but in reality they’re almost polar opposites.
For starters, the weight balance tells you that they are really not that much a like and you can feel it immediately when you drive the cars back to back:

• Porsche GTS: 45/55
• Lotus: 38/62

But here’s where the real differences show up:
Steering & Brakes:
The Lotus has a much quicker, tighter steering ratio. The brakes bite harder and sooner. Everything is sharper. The Emira is absolutely a driver’s car—no question. And under no circumstances should it be anyone’s first sports car. Very satisfying. It honestly feels closer to a Porsche GT4 RS than to a standard GTS.
Shifting:
The tactile feel of the shifter in the Lotus is on another planet. Shorter throws, more precise, much more mechanical. Similar to my gated Audi R8.
Ride & Feel:
The ride isn’t firmer, but it’s more precise. In the Lotus, you’re working—in the best way. Twisty roads suddenly become events. You could drive it to Montréal… but there are definitely cars better suited for that kind of trip. The Lotus is about the moments, the engagement, the connection. It reminds me of the first sports car I ever fell in love with years ago.
One reviewer said it isn’t for everyone—just for people who want an honest, alive-feeling sports car. That is 100% accurate. Lotus is building cars for the individuals who want something truly special.
And then there’s the appearance…
I drove it home, stopped for lunch, and someone came up to me in the restaurant asking if they could take a picture of my car. I’ve owned it for less than two hours.
Lastly; the downtown Toronto Lotus dealership is terrific. They actually wanted to talk about cars. You're not just a number but rather somebody they're interested in keeping a long-term relationship with and not gouging you at every opportunity. I would highly recommend Paul, his father John and their sales associate. This was an all-around excellent experience, and I look forward to going back and actually getting my oil changed, just to catch up.
Have a great weekend.

 

[GNuLL]

Welcome on board. You will love the car, it’s got a very distinctive ride and handling, can’t really be compared to anything else. Be sure to take it easy at first, do the engine break im procedure per the manual. It’s a Toyota engine, you will be able to do a million miles on it. Enjoy and be safe!

 

[Enjoy your car]

Hi,

Thank you for the heads up. I have had a large amount of mid-engine cars, let's put it that way, and this is by far one of the more fun and agile cars I've ever driven. I'm in Canada so now I get to look at the car and wash the car in my garage but unfortunately not drive the car until the spring. Again thank you for the information and have a nice Sunday.

 

[Foobs]

Today was delivery day, probably the 2nd wettest day we’ve had this year, but that didn’t stop me taking it out for our maiden voyage. Anxiety/nervous energy through the roof at this point. All new things to contend with being in different places than I’m used to and the only previous experience was at Thruxton where all I had to concentrate on was going fast and turning the wheel. Two minutes in and can’t see where we are going as every window had misted up. A/C on, fans on full, temp set to high only marginal better visibility after 5 minutes. Decide that I can see enough to get moving and stall it on the first slight hill (the only previous experience of an E-brake has been in an auto and they just release ). Finally get moving and start to relax and then the misses starts fiddling with the air con controls and undoes all my hard earned attempts to see.

Start to make our way and the sound is just giving me goose bumps. The ride is firm on the sports suspension, with no roll and handled the rough road without any issues. Gear changes are positive without any slack. The nervous energy just disappears. We reach our destination, sit and have a cuppa and the get ready to return. There’s a couple of places on the way home that just begs me to open her up (the car, not the wife) and all six cylinders growl into action, the SC whine kicks in and I find myself grinning from ear to ear. We get home and I can’t help looking back at the beauty sat on my driveway. Now I just want to go out in her again and chase the horizon.

 

[Enjoy your car]

Hi,

Congratulations again. I wanted to share a few thoughts based on my recent experience. I’ve owned multiple Porsches over the years—more than I should probably admit—including a 2025 718 4.0 (manual) and a 992.2 T. Both were excellent cars, but truthfully, neither felt as emotionally involving as my current Emira. I’ve only had the opportunity to drive it three times so far; living in Canada means snow has already arrived. This winter, I’m planning to ceramic-coat it and complete a few performance upgrades.

Coming from the audio industry, I’ve noticed an interesting parallel. Many people expect their audio systems to sound spectacular right out of the box, but the reality is that it often takes about 500 hours of play and countless small adjustments for everything to settle, image properly, and perform at its best. Cars are much the same. They need time for components to break in and for the driver to become familiar with the manufacturer’s unique tuning and feel.

To me, the Lotus has an old-school character—both in terms of feel and sound. It’s louder and less insulated than comparable cars, but in a way that’s intentional and engaging. The shifter linkage feels more direct, without the rubbery sensation found in some modern cars; it reminds me of the gated shifter in my 2015 R8. But the most striking difference is the steering. It has a truly classic feel without being excessively heavy or overly sharp. Some cars are so hyper-responsive that you find yourself constantly correcting. The Emira strikes a great balance.

I really believe this is one of the last true driver’s cars. It’s not about 0–60 times—it’s about emotional involvement. Plenty of electric cars accelerate faster (I previously owned a Plaid), but the experience simply isn’t as engaging.

My advice is to enjoy the process and give the car a solid 5,000 miles before forming a final opinion. Again, congratulations—and enjoy every moment.

 

[geoffbland]

V6 Sports Manual - Nice!
Welcome to the gang!
Is this your first Lotus?

"We get home and I can’t help looking back at the beauty sat on my driveway. "
They all do that sir!

 

[Foobs]

V6 Sports Manual - Nice!
Welcome to the gang!
Is this your first Lotus?

"We get home and I can’t help looking back at the beauty sat on my driveway. "
They all do that sir!

Yes my first Lotus. Previous cars have always been hot hatches. The car previous to this (which I still have) is a modified MINI Cooper S. it would keep up with the Emira on a B-road, but would get left behind on the straights. It also doesn’t have the same sense of occasion that the Emira has. I got back into it after to run some errands and it now feels bland in comparison.

 

[Wolkenspiel]

Looking good! I had my Emira for a couple of months now, but whenever I see a picture of a red one my first thought is "Cute Ferrari", followed by "oh, wait...".

 

[geoffbland]

Yes my first Lotus. Previous cars have always been hot hatches.

Cool - quite a difference to hot hatches then with the Emira being rear-wheel drive. I think when you get more used to it you might find you leave your mini behind on B-roads too.
Also make sure you don't miss out on the social side of things Lotus too. This forum is a good start but (assuming Thruxton is local to you) there's also "Wessex Region Club Lotus" and Lotus Drivers Club you may want to look into.

 

[ADC]

Yes my first Lotus. Previous cars have always been hot hatches. The car previous to this (which I still have) is a modified MINI Cooper S. it would keep up with the Emira on a B-road, but would get left behind on the straights. It also doesn’t have the same sense of occasion that the Emira has. I got back into it after to run some errands and it now feels bland in comparison.

I can absolutely attest that daily-driving an Emira ruins the experience of driving pretty much all other cars

Glad to hear the maiden voyage went well

EDIT: wait til you get some good enough weather to drive around with the windows down... !!

 

[geoffbland]

I can absolutely attest that daily-driving an Emira ruins the experience of driving pretty much all other cars

Strangely - driving the Emira has made me appreciate my Elise S1 again in a way. There's definite similarities to the way they both drive, the feel of the road, the Emira feels like the Elise's big brother - having the Elise feel like the baby brother gives it a different angle. Also the Elise being so stripped back in comparison is now a nice "difference" rather than being just "normal". I was planning on selling the Elise when I got my Emira but think I'm going to keep both.

 

[tarta]

I really agree your opinion.
I used to own Elise S1 111S and Esprit turbo. Now I have Emira V6 first edition. I feel the Lotus DNA from these cars.

 

[LotsOfTriumphsUsuallySexy]

Hi,

Congratulations again. I wanted to share a few thoughts based on my recent experience. I’ve owned multiple Porsches over the years—more than I should probably admit—including a 2025 718 4.0 (manual) and a 992.2 T. Both were excellent cars, but truthfully, neither felt as emotionally involving as my current Emira. I’ve only had the opportunity to drive it three times so far; living in Canada means snow has already arrived. This winter, I’m planning to ceramic-coat it and complete a few performance upgrades.

Not the hijack the thread, but I traded in the absolutely beautiful Aston Martin DB9 V12 for this and 100%, I'm way more connected to the Emira (V12 sounds amazing, but burns so much gas). Part of it is the car itself, but another is this very community without which I wouldn't have learned about how to add more speakers, changing puddle lights, all the many ways of making it go faster, etc.