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!

 

[GreggT]

Boy....the review of SJones is painful to read.
'paulecar'.....your point #2 probably nails it.....but if you get an SJones copy of an Emira then even a dealer next door won't be of much help.
I'm also 160 miles from a dealer and only three months into ownership. I know I'll miss being able to just go across town, drop off the car at the Porsche dealership and drive home in a loaner.
I'm hoping that I've been lucky enough to have been dealt one of those 'good' Emiras.
I'm fortunate to have 3 Pcars on the Porsche side of the garage and so I'll just comment on the drive & the experience (so far).
On any given day I'm in and out of either a Pcar or the new Lotus.....so some very general comparatives are easy.
Lotus is V6 sport suspension plus Nitrons....Pcars are X50 Turbo track car, C4S Cab.....both 6 speeds....and an E-Taycan.
Driving the Lotus is a fun change of pace....feels more like an old sports car (I'm old too). Pcars are GT's and keep getting bigger.
Pcars are engineered so well they almost drive themselves, even at incredible speed. The Lotus, on the other hand, deserves your full attention. I like that.

So, you are looking at your decision as a practical one. That's probably wise.
Buying a car can be an emotional trip.....one that casts a certain amount of practicality to the wind.
Good luck on your decision

 

[crestima]

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...

Hi. Looking forward to you joining us for the long term.
While I didn’t necessarily trade in my 2017 991.2 CS for the Emira and did eventually end up selling it afterwards as I found myself always wanting to drive the Emira instead. Bought the 911 new, owned it for 7 yrs and never had a single mechanical problem with it, having only replaced a battery once.
I sold it because it was sitting in my garage collecting dust and despite a great ownership experience and a very good ride (was actually my 2nd Porsche), I just grew bored with it. I’ve now owned the Emira for over 18 months, I haven’t had anything go wrong with it so far (fingers crossed). I continue to find it engaging and fun to drive and awesome to look at. I have the V6 manual and I confess that it was perhaps another reason I found the 911 with tiptronic to be boring since I much prefer the engaging experience of manuals. This is probably more information than you asked for or needed but, in summary, I “never the looked back”.
As for dealership logistics, fortunately for me, living in Miami, I have one 25 minutes away so not in your situation at all but, I do understand your dilemma.
Btw, another attraction of the Emira vs 911 which came as a pleasant surprise is that it’s a lot more of a mod DIY vehicle and I enjoy working on my cars almost as much as driving them, but that’s just me. Hope you find this somewhat informative in helping you reach your decision. Best of luck.

 

[F1 SML8R]

I went from a Carrera T (991.2 w/ CF buckets, PDK, Sunroof delete, Contrasting Stitch Carrera T interior) to an Emira (i4 Sport). I would tell you they are very different cars. The T was supposed to be a more raw 911 and in many ways it was, but it's still closer to a GT than a sports car. The i4 Emira with the Sport suspension is definitely nimbler and faster and closer to a sports car. No regrets here, both offered what I was looking for when I went shopping for them. BTW, I track all my cars 2-4 times a year.

The only things I would say I miss about my Carrera T is the camaraderie of P Car ownership and the dealer support. Dealers were always very nice and well staffed (went to several) and most P owners were in fact enthusiasts (especially Carrera T owners). Just know, Lotus dealers can be hit or miss (I fortunately live albeit far, from 2 very good ones). So yeah, know what you are signing up for and do research about who/what dealer will work on your car before you commit to the brand.

Also, I say I miss the P owner camaraderie, because as much as I love my Lotus (I am a repeat Lotus owner), i'd say 30-45% of the Lotus owners I have met constantly complain and forget the context that they bought into (i.e., a small company that is about passion and heritage and not car status). Don't get me wrong, I know and hang out with a lot of cool Lotus owners, but have met a few who just like to whine. For me, cars are a hobby of passion and a bit of release from work and life drama. So, when owner drama comes into play, it's a bit of a downer for me as a car enthusiast.

 

[Dude]

I’m extremely happy with my Emira. I’ve owned an Aston, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and Porsche and I truly prefer driving my Lotus for daily errands, even over my Porsche. I hope this helps.

 

[B r I a n]

I switched about little over a year ago and am happy I did (came from a 2007 911 Turbo). I feel the Emira is much more fun to drive and I love the look/design or the car. Porsche has a great service and dealer network - just very expensive. Lotus dealer support is very lacking - at least around me. Emira is more of the risky choice, but as they say, "no risk, no reward." Ask the question on the lotus forum - odds are pro Lotus, ask on a Porsche forum odds are pro Porsche. Good luck on what ever you decide.

 

[allenyao09]

It's difficult to predict the overall reliability of Emira. My friend and I have owned the V6 manual for over 1 year now, no real issues so far except for occasional warning lights. But another owner had a radiator fan failure and broke down on the highway. Your mileage may vary.