Newbie: Considering a switch - 911 to Emira

[paulecar]

Howdy, newbie here.

Brief intro: Originally from the UK, now based in the US. Previously a TVR owner (Chimaera and Cerbera). In the US I've owned an SL500, Ferrari 308 and now a 911C4s. Based in SC.

I have been toying with the idea of switching to the Emira. Finally got a test drive at an accommodating dealership. Tried the 4 and 6 cylinder. I need/want an auto box. Didn't like the auto on the V6, but the dual clutch on the I-4 is very much like the PDK. So overall, a nice drive and very tempting.

So, two questions:
1. Anyone on the list made the same switch? Regrets, or No turning back?

I'm a couple of hours from the nearest dealer. I didn't have a good experience connecting with their sales team for a test drive. Unlike the other dealership that was very accommodating, but they are much further away. (I may praise and / or bad-mouth them later).

So..

2. How do folks deal with the lack of dealerships. This seems to be the achilles heel, rather than the car itself.

Cheers...

 

[netsinah]

Welcome to the Forum! You'll find a Forum thread below, which will give you some feedback in answer to your question. There are other related comments that have been made on this Forum, plus this is the subject of several YouTube videos. As with anything, it comes down to preference. On a personal note, I test drove a 2017 Porsche Turbo S a few years ago (cabriolet; loaded; around 10,000 km), thinking I'd fall in love and purchase it. At that time, I'd had a 2020 C8 convertible. To my surprise, and although I loved the higher HP torque, I wasn't keen on the Turbo S cornering, because of its rear-end weight. I'd gotten used to a mid-engine. I now prefer the Emira cornering/feel, to the C8, but that's just me.

911T vs Emira

Apologies if this has already been posted. https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/lotus-emira-v6-vs-porsche-911-carrera-t/49091

www.emiraforum.com

As for your second question, I'm at a disadvantage with my nearest Lotus dealer being a 3-hour one-way drive away. However I've had zero problems with my Emira, so that's not been an issue. But my dealer asked to see my car, for 7 software updates. I drove it there/back and while there, did some office work out of my briefcase for the day, so didn't mind the drive nor the wait. If your Emira turns out to be "a lemon" the dealer distance will be a problem. Generally, Lotus looks to have worked out many of the initial bugs, so hopefully your experience will be closer to mine. Good luck!

 

[SJones]

I’m a very long term lotus owner, the Emira is my sixth. Based on my experience with the cars and my 2024 Emira, a relative and a close friend also each bought one.
I am now telling all inquires about purchasing one to avoid it at all costs.
While a few of the Emiras have been trouble free, that doesn’t seem to be the norm. Our own car has had the entire HVAC system replaced (defective from the factory), both front fenders replaced/repainted due to factory defects, the plastic side piece on the lower portion of the leather seats cuts the leather, the drivers door handle return failed
(not the spring, the Chinese plastic bracketry that supports it) etc. all in less than a year. My nephews car had several electrical problems (telematics failed, reoccurring random directional signals failing) that were never resolved after the car sat at the dealer for almost three months.
There are very few parts in inventory in the US, and the dealers struggle trying to get answers to problems and parts from both the US distributor or the UK. If something uncommon breaks, expect months of down time.
We bought this car based on the reliability, serviceability and fun of our last two Lotus’ (M100 Elan, and Federal Elise. The Elise was my daily driver for nearly 15 years and the Toyota engine was bulletproof, inspiring us to choose the V6 manual as well as the sport suspension and cup2s. We were looking for a more “adult “:Elise, and the Emira on the surface fit the bill.
Sadly the ownership experience under Geely has been the worst of my life. Geely/ Lotus absolutely don’t give a crap about their customers. I rationalized that with the tub being made in. England, the engine and gearbox being made in Japan, most of the body work being made in Portugal by a Japanese company and the leather being sourced from the UK, that there would be little of the cheaply conceived and made “single use/reject” type Chinese sourced bits that the lower realm of our economy is infested with. Turns out I was wrong.
Now that Geely is apparently shutting down the UK factory I presume whatever production continues with be 100 % Chinese. Good luck with that. Getting parts and service will no doubt descend to a whole new low. I’m going to take one last road trip to the Tail of the Dragon next month, and then it’s time to sell the car I planned on keeping for at least ten years( I’m 73 now). Buy the Porsche, and have no regrets about missing out on the Emira.

 

[NorCalEmira]

My last sports car prior to the Emira was a 991.1 GT3 which I really enjoyed. I didn't want to keep that car out of warranty due to the well documented issues with the valve train. I also missed the manual of my prior car which was a 997 Carrera manual. The Porsche pricing scheme, ADM and private party price gouging made a newer GT3 hard to justify financially and I had already scratched that itch.

I happened to test drive a V6 manual Emira when I had another car in for service at a neighboring dealership and I loved the looks, sharp handling and analog nature of the car. It's not as fast as the GT3 to be sure but the overall ownership experience has been stellar and I have no regrets. I have a number of Lotus dealerships within reasonable driving distance so that wasn't part of the decision in my case.

 

[SJM]

I’ve had 997.1 C4S, C2S, both manual coupes. Now have 23 Emira V6 manual and apart from a software update, no issues. 10k, kms of spirited driving fun. Loved the 997’s and now the Emira also.
The lotus is an occasion every drive.
Yes there are issues/faults reported by owners but no more than 911’s be it bore score(I’ve experienced), 991.2 turbo issues’ 996 IMS and aforementioned 991.1 GT3 engine faults.
If you like the Emira buy and enjoy!