Potential Buyer Dilemma

[Lotus64]

V6 auto vs. I4 is a daunting choice between two amazing options.

Exotic noise vs. advanced powertrain.
Linear power vs. massive torque.

Yet, the V6 has flagship status and that's a significant distinction. What justifications could there be to vindicate an upcharge for less power and efficiency? For one, the V6's personality is less mainstream and more closely matches the Emira's ambience.

The I4 has the better, snappier automatic. It's fun using paddles in spritied driving, but manually shifting 8 short gears can become tedious quickly in normal driving, in which case the transmission gets set to auto and becomes transparent to the experience. It will choose ratios more effectively too. At that point, the differences in transmission behavior become less of a factor than the differences in engine behavior.

As for suspension, touring = touring car; sports = sporting car. Sports is compliant, especially for a sports car and dampens imperfections satisfactorily, yet is still very firm.

@Lotuswills , the V6 touring sounds like a nice fit for your use case because

1. Touring because you plan to take trips
2. V6 because as a third car, it seems you're seeking a vehicle that is more emotional and more of an occasion as opposed practical. Seems like you would benefit more from the V6's emotion than the I4s acceleration and fuel economy improvements.

 

[Lotuswills]

Part of the benefit of the 6 gears is the range of each gear. What it avoids is multiple gear changes in overtakes and mid corner when pressing on and the ability to short shift when appropriate as you have greater overlap and still be in the “right” gear.

BTW. The turbo SE is noticeably quicker from low speeds as a consequence but you are very quickly into third.

I’d be more than happy with either, but I personally preferred the V6. Look forward to your thoughts once you’ve tried them both.

Thank you-valid commentts taken on board -All the personal opinions expressed are really appreciated and will help me focus on specifics mentioned in the above replies. Getting excited to actually drive one now !!.

 

[Lotuswills]

V6 auto vs. I4 is a daunting choice between two amazing options.

Exotic noise vs. advanced powertrain.
Linear power vs. massive torque.

Yet, the V6 has flagship status and that's a significant distinction. What justifications could there be to vindicate an upcharge for less power and efficiency? For one, the V6's personality is less mainstream and more closely matches the Emira's ambience.

The I4 has the better, snappier automatic. It's fun using paddles in spritied driving, but manually shifting 8 short gears can become tedious quickly in normal driving, in which case the transmission gets set to auto and becomes transparent to the experience. It will choose ratios more effectively too. At that point, the differences in transmission behavior become less of a factor than the differences in engine behavior.

As for suspension, touring = touring car; sports = sporting car. Sports is compliant, especially for a sports car and dampens imperfections satisfactorily, yet is still very firm.

@Lotuswills , the V6 touring sounds like a nice fit for your use case because

1. Touring because you plan to take trips
2. V6 because as a third car, it seems you're seeking a vehicle that is more emotional and more of an occasion as opposed practical. Seems like you would benefit more from the V6's emotion than the I4s acceleration and fuel economy improvements.

Great practical analasys of what my needs are -Thanks

 

[Lotuswills]

Part of the benefit of the 6 gears is the range of each gear. What it avoids is multiple gear changes in overtakes and mid corner when pressing on and the ability to short shift when appropriate as you have greater overlap and still be in the “right” gear.

BTW. The turbo SE is noticeably quicker from low speeds as a consequence but you are very quickly into third.

I’d be more than happy with either, but I personally preferred the V6. Look forward to your thoughts once you’ve tried them both.

So just back from test drive of the V6 auto. I think my "Dilemma" may be over. The drive was encouraging,loved the Car gear changes via paddle were a little hesitant, get the niggle about 2 stage motion with gear lever/ steering a bit light (but I can live with that). Limited to really opening her up as the city was busy this pm but once on the motorway she started to sing. . Leather seats comfy/Get the part about headrest just up to ones neck. Overall a great experience.
NOW is this the actual Car for me ? ItsVerdant/Red Leather (looks v nice).
It has 15.7k miles registerd June2023
Its a Lotus factory Car 1 owner registered to a Mr C Chapman (interesting). Tour spec. REGISTRATION AO23 ECV
Dealer says HPI clear (just wondering should I get my own done?
Its shod with Good Year Eagle F1 Super Sports over 5mm left.
Service due@ 21,462miles (or March26). BUT dealer will do that Now, Asked if they would check/change transmission oil ( said its only due on 4th service, this will be 3rd)
Warranty will be a Lotus factory one (extended to June 2027 just going to read T&C;s)
Dont think its worth spending an Extra 3k on an I4 (with 11k miles) so NOT planning an I4.test drive now (even tho this was my pre order 5years ago)
Other noteable is that they will take my PX at a fair price, no one really is interested in a 2017 3.7ltr Morgan Roadster and no private enquiries in last 6months.
Any feedback on above would be appreciated if the Car is known to any group member:s.. Thanks in Advance

 

[Colin P]

Assuming I have the right car it’s identical to mine except I have the tan interior right down to the yellow callipers and non diamond cut wheels. Looks a good price. I assume that the doors have been done and/or you’ve checked for bubbles.
As an approved used I wouldn’t bother with doing own checks.
As for the gear changes they quicken up in sport and track and also the harder you drive the quicker they operate.

 

[Lotuswills]

Checked the doors could not see any issues, dealer maintains that as its a factory Car any issues/updates would have been done automatically !. In any case the factory extended warranty will take care of any future issues for at least 18months. (6 months remaining +12 months extended) proviso being that its checked /serviced prior to taking out the extended warranty (which the dealer is undertaking). Looks like I am all in for this one. Thanks everyone for inputs/ commentts.

 

[Nick Sticks]

.....
Its a Lotus factory Car 1 owner registered to a Mr C Chapman (interesting). Tour spec. REGISTRATION AO23 ECV
.....

That will be this car then.

 

[Lotuswills]

Thank you - One Careful Owner then and presumably will have been lovingly cared for
Going for it .

 

[Orchardbike]

Checked the doors could not see any issues, dealer maintains that as its a factory Car any issues/updates would have been done automatically !.

I would NOT assume this without proof. My car was a factory car and it had loads of issues and updates that hadn’t been done. I would check everything personally.

In any case the factory extended warranty will take care of any future issues for at least 18months. (6 months remaining +12 months extended) proviso being that its checked /serviced prior to taking out the extended warranty (which the dealer is undertaking). Looks like I am all in for this one. Thanks everyone for inputs/ commentts.

I’d also recommend checking the warranty wording first. I’ve been promised an extended warranty by Lotus CC, 5 months ago. I’ve asked them for the wording and chased them continuously asking if it’s exactly the same as the normal 3 year factory warranty, but can’t get a straight answer. I’m still waiting now!

 

[Colin P]

Its not. It excludes paint and panels.

It wont let me attach a pdf here, but if you want the policy document let me have your email and I'll send over. I can't believe the trouble you are having getting this, I had my policy documents before I picked the car up.

 

[Lotuswills]

Yes you are correct -Its an underwritten policy requested the specific document, So remainder of Lotus original warranty until end of April 26 (Not June as registered) so as NO apparent paint issues yesterday I will have a couple of months for any paint issues to be dealt with. Then its a 12month extended Warranty BUT only from when I pick up the Car (proposed Feb). I will ensure that I get the Policy documents beforehand