What's great about your Emira Purchase?

[Abaco24]

I love first of all that it exists. I have wanted a Lotus since I was eight, and I'm not eight anymore. I appreciate the company sticking around (barely) and making one that I could finally get myself when I was ready.

I love that at 6'3 I fit in it (just), and I love that it's a modern version of what for my generation is a real sports car: one that rewards precision and smoothness, but needs to be driven with a high degree of attention. I love that for years I had read and heard things like "handling by Lotus" and "steers almost like a Lotus" and this car met and even exceeded my very high expectations. I love how smooth it is on an undulating road in a way that makes you get out and look back wondering how they did that. I love that I ran over an iphone headphone wire and felt it through the steering. I love that it's perfectly enjoyable and feels special even at 35 mph.

It makes a great noise, and it wheezes when it goes faster. I love the playful whimsy of the blow-off valve and the theater of the exposed linkage. I love how it manages to feel very planted and like it's on its tip toes at the same time.

I love that the attention it gets (which is a lot) is almost universally positive. People either don't know what it is and want to talk about it (women in particular seem to think it's gorgeous), or they know exactly what it is and are excited to ask about the experience. I've had people leave restaurant meals to come out and look at it because they've never seen a Lotus in person. I love that it's all functional curves and a very organic shape.

With Nimbus, I love the classy vibe it has, and that it's at least 10 different colours, and sometimes 3-4 at once. There's more, but I think I need to go for a drive.

View attachment 85250

That's my color choice with the red & black leather interior. Not a fan of Alcantara on anything. Nimbus Grey has nice bronze tones. A classic that would make James Bond proud!

 

[Foosh]

@netsinah

Vivid Red V6 manuals are not only fastest, but they are the most trouble-free.

 

[Driver75]

I was cross shopping a Miata RF club, Cayman GT4, NA2 NSX (I own a NA1) or the Emira.
Miata was great but the looks didn't quite do it for me. Almost bought another NSX, but then stopped to look at an Emira and fell in love with it. It's really a more powerful, modern NSX type a car for me so far. And I just love looking at it too on top of the amazing driving experience.

 

[seriously]

I was cross shopping a Miata RF club, Cayman GT4, NA2 NSX (I own a NA1) or the Emira.
Miata was great but the looks didn't quite do it for me. Almost bought another NSX, but then stopped to look at an Emira and fell in love with it. It's really a more powerful, modern NSX type a car for me so far. And I just love looking at it too on top of the amazing driving experience.

That's a great selection of cars to cross-shop. To most people they would think that's insane to consider a Miata RF club or a Cayman GT4, but when you're interested in drivers cars it makes sense. I've long been a fan of the NA1 NSX and still remember when they were "affordable". I, too, enjoy the Emira as a kind of rebirth of the original NSX formula.

 

[Foosh]

We currently have a 911 (991.1) Turbo S, Miata (ND.2 MX-5) Club, and C8 E-Ray. All are awesome cars, and I enjoy driving all of them very much. However, the Emira is currently my #1 choice. I suppose some of that is due to the fact that it is the latest arrival, thus a "honeymoon" effect.

When I try to objectively parse out what constitutes the most fun driving experience for me, it's still the Emira. A lot of what goes into personal preferences for best driving experience vary widely. For me, lightness and manual transmission are near the top of the list of most important qualities.

 

[T6061]

Have owned a '86 GTI, a '90 Miata, a '91 NSX and a '05 Cooper S. Have driven a Boxter, 911 and Lambo but none ever made me want to own them. The Emira is the pinnacle for me. Stunning design. Not a bad angle. Love the drive, the heritage, the positive comments and interest in the car. Just the right amount of power and capability for the street. A privilege to have in the garage. My daily driver. Crossed 28k miles a couple of days ago. The executor of my estate will sell this car.

 

[scc.131.fe]

Since most replies have already hit my highlights, I'll just add that it only took me about 10 minutes in the car to forget that I once had all that cash in the bank.
-Never looked back
-Don't care what they are worth now
-This one is mine!

 

[Abaco24]

Have owned a '86 GTI, a '90 Miata, a '91 NSX and a '05 Cooper S. Have driven a Boxter, 911 and Lambo but none ever made me want to own them. The Emira is the pinnacle for me. Stunning design. Not a bad angle. Love the drive, the heritage, the positive comments and interest in the car. Just the right amount of power and capability for the street. A privilege to have in the garage. My daily driver. Crossed 28k miles a couple of days ago. The executor of my estate will sell this car.
View attachment 85290

After the 28K, what, if any, issues have you had other than oil & tires (tyres) depending on your location..lol

 

[T6061]

Only minor issues. Drivers side seat controls plastic panel center clip broke and was replaced under warranty. It's broken again. Will replace next service. Driver's exterior door handle return spring is broken. It still works but you have to push it closed after opening it. Will repair next service. Had to replace a windshield due to a rock hit on the freeway. Other than the three month wait for the windshield to arrive in SoCal from England, no problem getting it replaced. Routine service items handled by the dealer beyond oil/filter changes (Eurocar in Orange County, CA) included the cabin air filter, software updates, the water diverter (my car was built just prior to them adding it at the factory) and the swap at my request of the OEM brake pads for Hawk Ceramics (much better than stock for street). Car has never not started or left me stranded. Relative to other cars I've owned, I would classify my Emira as relatively trouble free.

 

[Abaco24]

Only minor issues. Drivers side seat controls plastic panel center clip broke and was replaced under warranty. It's broken again. Will replace next service. Driver's exterior door handle return spring is broken. It still works but you have to push it closed after opening it. Will repair next service. Had to replace a windshield due to a rock hit on the freeway. Other than the three month wait for the windshield to arrive in SoCal from England, no problem getting it replaced. Routine service items handled by the dealer beyond oil/filter changes (Eurocar in Orange County, CA) included the cabin air filter, software updates, the water diverter (my car was built just prior to them adding it at the factory) and the swap at my request of the OEM brake pads for Hawk Ceramics (much better than stock for street). Car has never not started or left me stranded. Relative to other cars I've owned, I would classify my Emira as relatively trouble free.

What was the cost of the rock hit for the windshield - so the dealer covered that under warranty?

 

[T6061]

No. Not a warranty repair. $4300 or so. Submitted to my insurance. Covered, less my $1000 deductible.

 

[Abaco24]

No. Not a warranty repair. $4300 or so. Submitted to my insurance. Covered, less my $1000 deductible.

Had the same with my Porsche Boxster S - USAA would not cover an OEM windscreen, so they installed an aftermarket one. Worked fine, no issues.

 

[T6061]

Had the same with my Porsche Boxster S - USAA would not cover an OEM windscreen, so they installed an aftermarket one. Worked fine, no issues.

Wasn't an option for the Emira. Safelite sent me to the dealer.

 

[Arafaat]

I was cross shopping a Miata RF club, Cayman GT4, NA2 NSX (I own a NA1) or the Emira.
Miata was great but the looks didn't quite do it for me. Almost bought another NSX, but then stopped to look at an Emira and fell in love with it. It's really a more powerful, modern NSX type a car for me so far. And I just love looking at it too on top of the amazing driving experience.

I had a 1991 NSX (heavily modified) and honestly the Emira really reminded me of a more modern version and so damn good (though I opted for the auto V6 Emira as it is my daily.) We never got the modern NSX's as I would defo had been looking at that too!

 

[Foosh]

Had the same with my Porsche Boxster S - USAA would not cover an OEM windscreen, so they installed an aftermarket one. Worked fine, no issues.

You have to have a special rider for all OEM parts on most insurance policies these days. It costs a bit more, but worth it.

Glass breakage is covered under "comprehensive" coverage (theft, vandalism, weather, flying objects, etc.). Comprehensive claims do not generally raise your insurance rates because you are not considered at fault..

 

[Abaco24]

You have to have a special rider for all OEM parts on most insurance policies these days. It costs a bit more, but worth it.

Glass breakage is covered under "comprehensive" coverage (theft, vandalism, weather, flying objects, etc.). Comprehensive claims do not generally raise your insurance rates because you are not considered at fault..

Key word here is "Generally," but good to know I will ask for the rider when the time comes.

 

[SaudiStig]

For me, in addition to what has been already mentioned, there is one more point that I really like about driving the Lotus Emira, you can daily drive it in comfort and play with it at the same time.
Coming from an AlfaRomeo 4C, you will start to appreciate all the new tech and space that the Emira has without sacrificing the driving experience much.
I drive it whenever I can without worrying about supercars value depreciation or minor issues since it is under warranty.

Lotus really nailed it by filling this gap.
Astonishing design, with a lot of fun to drive and with a price tag that is (somehow) reasonable.

V6 Manual

 

[BDW82]

I had been stashing money off to the side for a few years. I knew I was going to make a car purchase just was unsure of when. When I had a death in the family, it was a “what are you waiting for” moment. I cross shopped a lot of different cars. It came down to a 911, Z06 and Emira. I’m 44 and still feel too young for a Corvette. No acid wash shorts and tube socks for me. Yet, anyway.

I test drove a new 911 4S and an Emira within a few hours of each other. My wife has a Macan and that has been rock solid for almost three years. When I drove the 911, it was great. And I knew I’d have no trouble, headache and a good resale. But something drew me to the Emira. I had only seen one at a car show and the closest dealer is two hours away. I sat on it for a few days and went with the Emira. From any angle, it’s stunning. It’s beautiful to drive and it’s just a sense of occasion. I’ve had some interesting cars in the past (BMW M, MB AMG, Ram Trx, numerous older American V8s) but this is just special. I love talking to people about it, letting little kids sit inside, and the memories I’m making with my 14 year old.

 

[geoffbland]

I had been stashing money off to the side for a few years. I knew I was going to make a car purchase just was unsure of when. When I had a death in the family, it was a “what are you waiting for” moment. I cross shopped a lot of different cars. It came down to a 911, Z06 and Emira. I’m 44 and still feel too young for a Corvette. No acid wash shorts and tube socks for me. Yet, anyway.

I test drove a new 911 4S and an Emira within a few hours of each other. My wife has a Macan and that has been rock solid for almost three years. When I drove the 911, it was great. And I knew I’d have no trouble, headache and a good resale. But something drew me to the Emira. I had only seen one at a car show and the closest dealer is two hours away. I sat on it for a few days and went with the Emira. From any angle, it’s stunning. It’s beautiful to drive and it’s just a sense of occasion. I’ve had some interesting cars in the past (BMW M, MB AMG, Ram Trx, numerous older American V8s) but this is just special. I love talking to people about it, letting little kids sit inside, and the memories I’m making with my 14 year old.

A nice story to hear. If you ever get chance go on a long-distance road trip with your 14 year old - or just make time for the chance. I recently did a week long road trip with my son - we planned it together and he choose the places we'd see. It's great for bonding (not that we really needed that) but It's also a memory that'll stick with us both forever.

 

[MAX FPS]

What a great thread. So much of forums is discussing problems about cars we all obviously love. It’s usually only the pictures threads where we step back to admire them. It’s nice to see a thread actually dedicated to talking about why we all love this car.

I agree with everything that’s already been posted, so here’s my $0.02 with my Emira’s stable-mate:

The Porsche 992.2 Touring is the manual gearbox, double wishbone car that’s 9/10 in every category. It ‘s got a legendary pedigree and it has earned it.
And then next to it is the most fun car I own.

The GT3 is literally more than 3x the price of the Emira, but its steering is not as sharp. Its handling not as “alive” and communicative. It’s the same weight, but feels planted rather than light. It’s beautiful, and one of the things I like about it is that to non-Porsche nerds, it just looks like every other 911. But the Emira is an event. There’s no sneaking around town in the Emira. Both cars make you feel special, but the Emira makes you feel like you’re driving an exotic. And both tackle a twisty mountain road brilliantly and with confidence.
There’s not much else like these on the market in between these two. The Emira is not only the best bargain in sports cars, a GT3 is similar but different enough that for the Emira, there is no substitute.