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I don’t think anyone is saying the auto is a bad transmission, it’s that the whole point of choosing a Lotus is for the legendary driver engagement. It’s what the car was designed for, compromised in the name of, and is singularly best at. Choosing an auto is sort of saying you don’t want maximum driver engagement, which feels contrary to the whole spirit of the thing. It’s sort of like choosing a plug-in hybrid and then never charging it. It’ll still drive fine and be a good car, but sort of misses the point. One doesn’t need to drive the auto to understand that about this car.Lastly, it somewhat bothers me when people make comments that you should only buy this car in a manual when they haven’t even driven the auto. I would have zero issues if they make this recommendations after comparing both. Not saying auto is better, but people just give it a bad reputation by default.
I don’t think anyone is saying the auto is a bad transmission, it’s that the whole point of choosing a Lotus is for the legendary driver engagement. It’s what the car was designed for, compromised in the name of, and is singularly best at. Choosing an auto is sort of saying you don’t want maximum driver engagement, which feels contrary to the whole spirit of the thing. It’s sort of like choosing a plug-in hybrid and then never charging it. It’ll still drive fine and be a good car, but sort of misses the point. One doesn’t need to drive the auto to understand that about this car.
If you really believe this then you have no business looking at an Emira. The Exige / Evora is the car for you.
Unless you don't believe this but like the way it sounds. The Emira is by design built with compromises to address a larger market and be more accessible.
I don't disagree with you, it's your point about driver engagement and how choosing a manual misses the point of a Lotus. The same argument could be had for using larger wheel sizes at the front (choosing form over function), adding weight (directly against the primary ethos of Lotus - simplify and add lightness). There aren't many, using your words, compromised in the name of features on the Emira. No one is more Lotus than Lotus and they went to great pains to create an automatic gearbox for their cars, I don't believed they missed the point.Wait for the reviews. Emira has the same powertrain and similar construction as the Evora. Just because it added a little weight in the name of usability does not mean chassis communication and engagement go out the window. It still has the right ingredients. I expect it to be better than any Porsche in the price bracket.
As far as what’s right for me, thanks for the recommendation but I know what I want. I’ve logged thousands of miles behind the wheel of Elise and Exige both. I’ve used them on street and on track. I know exactly what they are. I’ve also driven every variety of Cayman and Boxster, and several varieties of 911 - also on street and on track. I know what they are too. I’ve spent meaningful street time with the 4C, and track time with the A110. I’m very familiar with this category. I know where each car is on the spectrum of compromise.
Emira is exactly what I’ve wanted for years - a car that takes the best bits of the Lotus (chassis communication, engagement) and (some of) the refinement/usability of the Porsches. The 4C and A110 came close to compromise, but neither offers a manual and so neither were a consideration because that, for me, is a key part of engagement. The Evora was somewhere in the middle as well, but was still unrefined and I personally never loved the styling.