Used 24 FE V6 vs new 25 vs new 26

[redgarl]

From someone looking into an MCPURA/MC20 and an Emira, I am sorry, but I will go against everyone here and tell you to get a 2026 SE model.

First off, First Edition of any cars are not recommended. There was a lot of issues with seals, paint quality, engine thermostats and cooling system, leather quality, AC trouble without talking about the unknowns.

Secondly, you still need to pay taxes at your DMV anyway, so for a clear comparison, you should just compare the retail prices of the cars.

Thirdly, the Masserati will depreciate like crazy and the maintenance cost will be multiple times higher than the Lotus, not to mention way more unreliable.

I ordered my 2026 i4 SE Raceline fully equiped (Blackpack, KEF, 15 spoke wheels, red seat belt, Alcatera interior) for 103 000 USD (145 000 CAD) all inclusive before taxes. Buying the 2024 i4 FE would only have saved me about 12 500 USD (18 000 CAD) while having less than 8000 CAD of options and a color configuration that I hate.

For me, the choice was simple, not having my custom configuration was a deal breaker.

 

[randfunction]

From someone looking into an MCPURA/MC20 and an Emira, I am sorry, but I will go against everyone here and tell you to get a 2026 SE model.

First off, First Edition of any cars are not recommended. There was a lot of issues with seals, paint quality, engine thermostats and cooling system, leather quality, AC trouble without talking about the unknowns.

Secondly, you still need to pay taxes at your DMV anyway, so for a clear comparison, you should just compare the retail prices of the cars.

Thirdly, the Masserati will depreciate like crazy and the maintenance cost will be multiple times higher than the Lotus, not to mention way more unreliable.

I ordered my 2026 i4 SE Raceline fully equiped (Blackpack, KEF, 15 spoke wheels, red seat belt, Alcatera interior) for 103 000 USD (145 000 CAD) all inclusive before taxes. Buying the 2024 i4 FE would only have saved me about 12 500 USD (18 000 CAD) while having less than 8000 CAD of options and a color configuration that I hate.

For me, the choice was simple, not having my custom configuration was a deal breaker.

Lot of good points so thanks so much for the input! And for going against the popular view.. I always (legitimately) appreciate a contrarian view.

I am looking at new ones too, mostly because silver and a red interior isn’t quite my first choice. I like it but I’d prefer red or blue with a tan interior. But also as you point out I’ve always been a little wary of first model years.

In terms of the MC20, the maintenance will indeed be much higher from what I’ve seen. But having researched a fair bit the MC20s they seem to be quite reliable. They actually seem (shockingly) to have fewer problems than the Emira from what I’ve observed. I seen very few reported by any owners. That said folks who get them probably drive them less than the Emira and there are far fewer of them so it’s fair to poke at that.

And I’d def not be getting a new one. They are quite expensive new but the deprecation has been substantial and that’s part of what makes them attractive The used ones I’m looking at are in the 185k range vs a new Emira V6 at like 120k (The local Lotus has a few 25 SEs) Definitely a difference but not the deciding factor for me.

The general consensus is they probably will depreciate a bit more but as a fairly unique supercar they should stabilize at 150-160k. Some risk there but I think that’s a reasonable likelihood.

But thanks again. Definitely some good points!

 

[Jinba ittai]

I ordered my 2026 i4 SE Raceline fully equiped (Blackpack, KEF, 15 spoke wheels, red seat belt, Alcatera interior) for 103 000 USD (145 000 CAD) all inclusive before taxes. Buying the 2024 i4 FE would only have saved me about 12 500 USD (18 000 CAD) while having less than 8000 CAD of options and a color configuration that I hate.

Being in Canada, didn’t the new car also add a 9K luxury tax?

 

[Foxy87]

I am with @redgarl on this one. I ordered a new V6 SE with my favorite spec (fully loaded without the added co driver package). Being located in switzerland the situation looks a bit different though:

- only about ~ 8 V6 manuals are (or were) for sale in the whole country, none of them had the spec I like
- a brand new V6 SE with factory improvements and colored seatbelts, new wheel design and finally colored stiched steering wheel was only about USD 8.5k more than a new FE 3 years ago
- I got to spec my ideal configuration and have full warranty and hopefully less niggles

 

[Honcho]

I have a 2023. The thing I would most like that is on the list of improvements you listed for the new version are the updated gearbox mounts. When driving fast I can really feel the play of the gearbox/engine upsetting the balance of the car when on/off throttle transitioning through corners. There are low costs bushing upgrade kits but I hear these are a headache to install.

 

[redgarl]

Being in Canada, didn’t the new car also add a 9K luxury tax?

On any car above 100 000$ that never was registered to your automobile registration office, it does. The rule is more complex than that.

Item Type Price Threshold Tax Rate Calculation
Vehicles Over $100,000 Lesser of --> 10% of the total price or 20% of the amount above $100,000

So I would pay that luxury tax anyway on a 2024 on the lot if it is new. You cannot dodge it. It is even worst in BC where that luxury tax apply to any car above 100 000$.

Other options will be to buy used either at a dealer or from a private sale, but I will need to pay logistic fees for either flying or delivery, which round to close to 4000$. The only thing I would dodge is the Luxury tax, but I will add logistic cost anyway. It doesn't worth it.

However, we have full inclusive pricing in Canada, meaning MSRP is including all the dealer fees. So you pay MSRP and taxes, that's it... no add-ons! My dealer is a Lamborghini dealer, and they gave me a 2000$ off MSRP for an custom order. I should have bargain a bit more and aim for 5000$, but I am satisfied.

I don't understand why, but the TCO cost less in Canada in comparison with the rest of the world, but the taxes are brutal. You cannot dodge the taxes, even on used vehicles. You will pay them when you will register your vehicle anyway.

 

[redgarl]

I am with @redgarl on this one. I ordered a new V6 SE with my favorite spec (fully loaded without the added co driver package). Being located in switzerland the situation looks a bit different though:

In North America, the Driver Packages are included by default because of regulations. I was surprised to see they were optional in other part of the world. It rounds to 4000 euros alone for all of them.

 

[scc.131.fe]

Happy with my '24 V6 manual, nothing about the '26 'improvements' makes me think twice.

Now, small favor to ask, can everyone please stop posting about the RS6! Y'all all the reason they are holding value so well and I'm trying... TRYING to be sooooo patient while they hopefully begin to show more reasonable depreciation. Do I gotta be a 3rd owner to pay less than 75k?

 

[Foxy87]

In North America, the Driver Packages are included by default because of regulations. I was surprised to see they were optional in other part of the world. It rounds to 4000 euros alone for all of them.

Yeah the co driver package is standard as well, but the extended co driver package is optional (crosscollision warning, automatic highbeam and open door warning). I didnt order the extended package

 

[3A3968M]

Aside from the additional color selection the only upgrade I can think of that distinguishes 2025+ MY is the metal mesh inserts in the intake side pods.

 

[Jbrock]

Aside from the additional color selection the only upgrade I can think of that distinguishes 2025+ MY is the metal mesh inserts in the intake side pods.

My 2024 has the mesh inserts.

 

[Milk242]

My 2024 has the mesh inserts.

The i4 does, don’t think the 2024 V6s did

 

[rzem6bay]

I picked up a 2025 from the lot, by luck exactly the same fully loaded spec I wanted and with a great discount off MSRP.
I initially had a deposit on SE V6 Manual. if you can wait and have the money by all means makes sense, but if you want to optimize getting a discount, it does not seems the delta between SE and FE are that much.

 

[trackday14]

From someone looking into an MCPURA/MC20 and an Emira, I am sorry, but I will go against everyone here and tell you to get a 2026 SE model.

First off, First Edition of any cars are not recommended. There was a lot of issues with seals, paint quality, engine thermostats and cooling system, leather quality, AC trouble without talking about the unknowns.

Secondly, you still need to pay taxes at your DMV anyway, so for a clear comparison, you should just compare the retail prices of the cars.

Thirdly, the Masserati will depreciate like crazy and the maintenance cost will be multiple times higher than the Lotus, not to mention way more unreliable.

I ordered my 2026 i4 SE Raceline fully equiped (Blackpack, KEF, 15 spoke wheels, red seat belt, Alcatera interior) for 103 000 USD (145 000 CAD) all inclusive before taxes. Buying the 2024 i4 FE would only have saved me about 12 500 USD (18 000 CAD) while having less than 8000 CAD of options and a color configuration that I hate.

For me, the choice was simple, not having my custom configuration was a deal breaker.

From someone looking into an MCPURA/MC20 and an Emira, I am sorry, but I will go against everyone here and tell you to get a 2026 SE model.

First off, First Edition of any cars are not recommended. There was a lot of issues with seals, paint quality, engine thermostats and cooling system, leather quality, AC trouble without talking about the unknowns.

Secondly, you still need to pay taxes at your DMV anyway, so for a clear comparison, you should just compare the retail prices of the cars.

Thirdly, the Masserati will depreciate like crazy and the maintenance cost will be multiple times higher than the Lotus, not to mention way more unreliable.

I ordered my 2026 i4 SE Raceline fully equiped (Blackpack, KEF, 15 spoke wheels, red seat belt, Alcatera interior) for 103 000 USD (145 000 CAD) all inclusive before taxes. Buying the 2024 i4 FE would only have saved me about 12 500 USD (18 000 CAD) while having less than 8000 CAD of options and a color configuration that I hate.

For me, the choice was simple, not having my custom configuration was a deal breaker.

You are in Canada…Apples to oranges comparison for costs between used and new with the stupid U.S. tariffs in play.

 

[Lotussr]

Hi all. New here. I saw a 24 First Edition is availble near me with only a few hundred miles on it for a little over 90k. Is it worth the 15-20k premium for the 25s I see at my local Lotus? Those would also come with a full warranty. How about the 26? I searched around here and see the 26 will have the following improvements (copy pasting from another thread here)

• New manual transmission compression mounts (V6)
• Damper and wheel alignment changes
• Simpler, lighter cooling system with recalibrated engine thermostat to improve performance in severe conditions
• Blind spot, adaptive cruise (I4) and other driving aids
• Recalibrated air-conditioning control system for more stability

Are these meaningful to the reliabiity for everyday driving? Or just like, better but not critical kind of things. I couldn't find much on if there are similar changes from 24 to 25. Are there any?

I've read of a fair number of QC issues with the FEs (paint bubbling/etc) and I will say at first I was only considering a 26 as I'd really like blind spot monitoring (I know it's not strictly necessary but I find it useful in rain/dark). But from what i know the 26 will be 130K-ish so like 40K premium over this used model whcih is like 1/3 the cost.

The background is I'm toying with the idea of getting a purely fun car before end of year as Washington will impose an extra 8% tax on purchases above 100k starting in 26. I'm looking at a few things including the Emira, Maserati MC20 (you can find some lightly used ones for 185k) or possibly even a Huracan or 488 GTB.The tax wouldn't even affect the used Emira but could be sizable on the others, hence my attempt to make a call. I know the others ones are in another class, but if folks have thoughts they are welcomed. I lke the idea of those other cars, but my test drives of the Emira were some of the most fun I've had in a car.

I just got an Audi 25 RS6 performance earlier this year and it's handles great and brutally fast but at 5k pounds not a pure sports car. Still, I'll just try to content myself with that until I move on in a few years but def tempted esp by what seems like a good deal on the used 24. Thanks for any input!

New 26 not worth paying the uplift for difference in spec , 24 or 25 car still enough of a drivers car for all but the track hardened . Worth adding a McLaren 650 LT to your list !!

 

[@Life411]

Lot of good points so thanks so much for the input! And for going against the popular view.. I always (legitimately) appreciate a contrarian view.

I am looking at new ones too, mostly because silver and a red interior isn’t quite my first choice. I like it but I’d prefer red or blue with a tan interior. But also as you point out I’ve always been a little wary of first model years.

In terms of the MC20, the maintenance will indeed be much higher from what I’ve seen. But having researched a fair bit the MC20s they seem to be quite reliable. They actually seem (shockingly) to have fewer problems than the Emira from what I’ve observed. I seen very few reported by any owners. That said folks who get them probably drive them less than the Emira and there are far fewer of them so it’s fair to poke at that.

And I’d def not be getting a new one. They are quite expensive new but the deprecation has been substantial and that’s part of what makes them attractive The used ones I’m looking at are in the 185k range vs a new Emira V6 at like 120k (The local Lotus has a few 25 SEs) Definitely a difference but not the deciding factor for me.

The general consensus is they probably will depreciate a bit more but as a fairly unique supercar they should stabilize at 150-160k. Some risk there but I think that’s a reasonable likelihood.

But thanks again. Definitely some good points!

My two cents having purchase a '24 FE new - only the second new car I've ever purchased. Just can't stand wasting so much on depreciation, but I'd had an Elise for 10 years and the Emira looked amazing.

How is your age, physical ability to drive one of these amazing cars? I still have my Elise, but it's harder to get in/out and less comfortable than it used to be. More injuries and age-related pains mean the luxury of the Emira is welcome and even though both my Lotuses are MT, when shifting is painful, etc. a car with DCT or Auto is a blessing. I'd love an MC20 or McLaren 600LT one day too. We'll see if the body holds together long enough to make that happen.

Sounds like you're not in a hurry, so you could wait for just the right '24 Emira to be offered up. That's what I'd do. Being 2-3 years old, hopefully any paint, mechanical, other issues have already surfaced if there are any - not every car has issues - they're all different - part of being still largely hand-built.

Hope this is in some way helpful. Fun problem to have!

 

[randfunction]

My two cents having purchase a '24 FE new - only the second new car I've ever purchased. Just can't stand wasting so much on depreciation, but I'd had an Elise for 10 years and the Emira looked amazing.

How is your age, physical ability to drive one of these amazing cars? I still have my Elise, but it's harder to get in/out and less comfortable than it used to be. More injuries and age-related pains mean the luxury of the Emira is welcome and even though both my Lotuses are MT, when shifting is painful, etc. a car with DCT or Auto is a blessing. I'd love an MC20 or McLaren 600LT one day too. We'll see if the body holds together long enough to make that happen.

Sounds like you're not in a hurry, so you could wait for just the right '24 Emira to be offered up. That's what I'd do. Being 2-3 years old, hopefully any paint, mechanical, other issues have already surfaced if there are any - not every car has issues - they're all different - part of being still largely hand-built.

Hope this is in some way helpful. Fun problem to have!

THanks somuch! I'm 47 and very into fitness so no worries there. But, yeah, not in a rush and I think I may juts end up waiting until I decide to move on from the RS6 as my parking situation is pretty suboptimal atm.

I spent a lot of time imagining what it'd mean to have another car to be real about it: having to park my RS6 under pine trees at times, moving it around, which I feel like will just annoy the crap out of me. Ironically I have a 4 car garage but two spaces are used up by a home gym I migth still give in, but the RS6 is still fairly fun/rewarding to drive (even if not Emira) and def more practical as my daily driver, which is what I use it for.

 

[randfunction]

New 26 not worth paying the uplift for difference in spec , 24 or 25 car still enough of a drivers car for all but the track hardened . Worth adding a McLaren 650 LT to your list !!

Yeah, I definitely love McLaren's. The biggest thing that sort of removed them from consideration so far has been the reliability woes. I did actually go over to my Lambo/McLaren/Bentey dealer a few weeks ago.

They also had a pretty nice Huracan. And juts got in a 488 GTB.

 

[Stiffarm]

My exact spec but Nimbus gray with the lipstick red leather. Gorgeous.

 

[Jbrock]

Got the same combo. .
The Nimbus Grey in the sun looks cooper. It’s an amazing color.