The MISTAKES With My Lotus Emira?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ค. 2024
- This wasn't what I expected! 6 months into ownership of my Lotus Emira First Edition, let's talk about the pros and cons, and the mistakes I've made with it. The Emira is a huge success for Lotus, but what could be improved, and what would I change, it's time to give my feedback.
Having ordered my Lotus Emira a few years ago, it arrived late last year, and is now over half a year in my possession having very much become my daily driver in recent times. At the time of ordering, I lived in the city and the plan was for it to be a toy/weekend car, whereas I've now moved to the countryside and it's turned into a rather brilliant thing for the daily run.
However, through my usage and now 3,000 miles on the clock, there are plenty of observations to share, both positive and negative, about the car. From driving, interior, and more specifically moving onto the mistakes I made with my spec in terms of the change of usage, and what I'd do differently next time around.
Thanks also to DeAgostini for supporting today's episode. As a huge fan of memorabilia and collectibles, the new Lotus Renault 97T driven by Ayrton Senna is right up my street. Check out more here: www.deagostini.com/uk/scale-m...
Thanks for watching, Tim
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:07 My Emira Use?
03:08 The Good and the Bad
06:08 Surprising Luggage Space
07:30 DeAgostini Lotus Renault 97T
09:18 Emira vs Cayman GT4
11:00 Wrong Chassis Choice
11:47 Interior Thoughts
14:25 Driving Modes
16:07 Steering Wheel Buttons
18:35 Supercharger Throttle Body
19:33 Headlights
21:11 Fuel Economy
22:16 Yellow Car
23:16 Final Thoughts
24:59 Wrap Up
#Lotus #Emira #Review
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As the owner of an early dark verdant over tan touring pack car with silver wheels, I agree with everything you say. 😁 My console isn't rattly, but the boot lid sticks, and the paint quality is truly awful. I drive it everywhere in Track, find the drive mode selector really annoying, but I don't care about any of the foibles. It's a car you have to really drive, it makes you work, and when you get it right you feel a real sense of achievement. Threading it down some twisties is a special pleasure. Of all the cars I've had, the Lotus is my favourite, (and to qualify that, I used to have a 458 Speciale.)
could you elaborate on the paint quality? im in the US and have been anxiously waiting over 2 years already for my car. would love to hear more feedback like this from current owners
@@josenoy5430 It's really bad orange peel, not well polished from factory ( I collected from factory, so no transport or dealer issues) it basically needs a very good machine polish and detail if you care about how it looks. I'm going the other way and not caring at all, not washing it, and just driving it because it's not going to look worse dirty.
WOW! Better than a 458 Speciale?? That is VERY high praise indeed.
@@brianglassey1537 well not better, but I prefer it. A Speciale is at its best at the top of its range and it’s pretty hard to get to that on a public road, when you do, it’s more about holding on than mastering it. The lotus is brilliant and alive from 3k rpm to the redline and because it’s so analogue you have to learn it and work hard to get the best from it. So when you do get it right the performance is way more accessible and rewarding. Of the two, I prefer the lotus.
@@dansutherland70I agree with the orange peel and so I had mine machine polished and ppf fitted and is now perfect but obviously addition cost.
I think that not only the Emira but all lotus automobiles ars soo underrated and forgotten, so nice to see you talking about yours and putting the spotlight on it.
Because they fall apart after a few years
@@ashishpatel350you owned one?
Within the last couple of months, I drove a 22 year old Exige 2hrs on the motorway to the track, drove it hard all day and then drove it 2 hrs home and it didn’t miss a beat. Lotuses since the Elise in 1996 have been excellent generally in my view. Sure, treat them like a small hatch and park them outside every winter for 6 years and the Lotus will not last. But treat it with a little respect and love and good servicing and it will deliver for many years, just as the Exige has…
@@ashishpatel350 My Elise S2 is 14 years old, 100% reliable, and still drives and looks like new ;)
@@christopheouvrard8548 How many miles on it? I have a Miata and I've put over 1200 miles a pop on it just riding around over weekends several times. Is Lotus up for that kind of thing?
Tim - a likely source of the error codes is a low battery. If you aren't putting it on trickle charge and are doing lots of short journeys it will throw up errors. Glad you are enjoying learning the car
I have a poor memory but I seem to recall Harry's Garage was touring the factory and pointed out the only real difference from sport chassis to tour chassis was the shocks and tuning. Should be easy enough to go back and have that changed at the dealership. It's certainly a good looking car, I'm glad you're getting to use it.
P
I think you are right. Maybe springs. . it's am easy fix.
Nothing wrong with your memory, you are correct, most should order the touring setup unless it’s going to be primarily a track toy
I have a little sock that fits over the gear shift when I park my Lotus, works a treat, never gets too hot or too cold, try it. When you’re driving just pop it in any storage space you have, sounds bonkers but it works. Your welcome. 👍
I had my metal shift knob trimmed for £50
I knew you were gonna mention the suspension, everyone ive spoken to and everything ive read al say the tour suspension takes nothing away from the handling while being better to live with
Thanks for the update Tim. Happy that it sounds like my choice of the touring spec for my Emira is probably going to work out fine.
They are finally staring to show up in California, at least dealer demonstrators. Mine is still not due until November.
I will start searching for a replacement shift knob now.
Thanks for the tour Shmee! 💛💚💙
Good points about the Emira. 👌
They should offer an optional shift knob cover for those hot days. 😄
In an Elise (same shift knob) I'd just leave a drink koozy in the car.
@@getawaydriving Imagine in winter brrr
if your hands are too soft you can always wear gloves :p
@@blarkdexture8899 Koozy works for that too
I had my mom crochet me a little sock for my aluminum knob hahaha
Thank you Tim for another great video. My Emira is in dark verdant with tan interior and an automatic with paddle shifts. That helps as it is my daily driver and Belgium has a lot of traffic jams. And the leather and metal gear shift does not get as hot in the manual😊. I agree that the touring chassis setup, which I went for is the better option for a daily driver. Plus, I take it that no many people can shift as quickly as the auto box does. And I never have to hold the steering wheel with just one hand. I’ve taken mine to France, The Netherlands and Germany, so that it’s brilliance has shone through on many occasions. Enjoy yours!
Good video which you finally tell us some realistic negatives! Instead of just everything's great. More like this please
I've been waiting for this video. Pretty thorough too. Thx!
Brilliant review, your reviews, together with Harry's have really helped me with my journey and decisions about the Emira, I think it's a simply beautiful car and I pick mine up in 5 days! I've gone touring as the roads around where I live are pretty abysmal.
Congrats man! Hope you can sleep this week - Id be as excited as a kid on Christmas eve. Good luck, and enjoy it for all of us who envy new Emira owners!
How is it 🎉🎉🎉
I love your honest review of the car.
Really helpful review. Thanks Tim!
Thanks Tim, not sure you are aware but by holding the start button down for 10s without the clutch, you can turn everything on and select sport before she fires up, a kinda half solution to the issue of perm selection. I have a yellow touring with half black pack, thoroughly enjoying it so far but two foibles need sorting: A/C has errored and does not work and at very low speed there is a loud metal twanging coming from the steering / floor panels which is interesting!! 😃 thanks for the update!!
You said it early on - it's your first Lotus. Those of us with mid-engine powered Lotus car ownership experience know this Emira is the easieat Lotus to get into and out of. It just take a bit of practise to point your toe as you lift your leg and place it in the car. And as for character - Lotus has Character in Spades!
I appreciated learning more about the Lotus. I have only had two seperate friends who have owned a Lotus here in Palm Beach, Florida.
I really like the Lotus Emira. It is a beauty. And a beast. Your spec is spot on...Good job!!
Loved the revue Tim.. I wouldn't complain if it was on my drive with a bow on it at Christmas.!!
I wish Lotus would have still been making the Esprit. Imagine what it would look like today with all the updates in body work and engines . Bet it would have give the lambos a run for there money.
As a former Esprit GT3 Owner, I would point out that the Emira IS the new Esprit in my opinion.
A superb description of a wonderful car. If you do sell the Emira, I can't see it hanging around for long and a premium to be had Tim. Thumbs up man!
Absolutely love the review type presenter videos you do. So so good. 👍
Loved hearing your review on the car, bearing in mind i work at lotus 😀
I think you could swap your car to Touring spec fairly cheaply. It's not a "chassis" difference as you described it, it's a suspension difference. And as you'll remember from your factory tour, it's just the compression rate on the springs. Easy.
Yeah, as I know it it's no hardware difference between the two, just damper settings.
Was delighted when you got it,, stunning little affordable sports car 🚗 unique really
As far as I know the only difference between the two chassis options is the spring rates so it would be a relatively easy job to swop them over.
Well Tim as you say that trip was eventful. But just glad you managed to get through Paris unscathed. I would be absolutely bricking it driving through the centre of Paris. Have a good Xmas and I look forward to what you have planned for next year.
Enjoyed that.
A really good, honest review.👍
It’s interesting having yours and ‘Harry’s Garage’ Lotus Emira, long term reviews.
The best spec I've seen is the British Racing Green with Tan Interior! Looks so timeless and classic Lotus! And of course Gold Alloys!
I just wish the paint wasn't quite so dark on that one
@@Shmee150 It looks a lot better in daylight and especially in the sun!
Wrap it, not many panels and colour choice is endless & it will protect the paint for resale time particularly if its a daily
@@S-T-E-V-ETim is in the UK. No sunlight unfortunately
Problem is is that it's not British Racing Green - and it only looks amazing (which it does) in bright sunlight. The paint is just not bright enough - for me that is - plenty owners seem to love it.
You look very healthy and well Tim. Thanks for keeping up the good content.
Insane Emira Tim !! 💛💛
Ah Tim you should have watched Harry from Harry's garage he stated that you definitely should go for the touring setup if your mainly using the car on the road
By the way yellow is a great colour for good visibility on the road
Great balanced view. Happy I have the Touring chassis. Gear lever suits me, as it reminds me of my old Elise 111R - you can use one of the Innocent Smoothie knitted hats for winter or summer ! 21mpg matches the driving I do, whenever I’m out…. Chosen over a Cayman GTS.
Good piece of considered automotive journalism there Tim.
The grey/bronze looks great on it. Most annoying thing I've heard about it (don't own one) is the inability to change the speedo to Km/h when driving on the continent (unless that's changed)
By far the most practical Lotus, and the best sports car of The Emira’s segment.
Evora is more practical still.
Shmee, to help with the shift knob in the heat, keep a rag or shirt over it while its out in the sun.
I had this issue in one of my cars that had a metal knob, it worked fairly well. At least to where i could grab it for shifts
Honestly? I think that car looks FANTASTIC in that hue of yellow. If I were to buy one, it would definitely be in this spec... a different color interior, though. Quite frankly, I highly doubt I would be able to fit in this car because I'm pretty tall - 6'5" / 195 cm.
As far as some of the things you would have done differently:
The steering wheel? You can always have it redone with leather, which is what I would do.
The suspension setup? You can always swap the springs and shocks with the factory touring components for a more supple ride.
This was one of your best videos, I picked up great information about the Emira. I ordered mine in Green with a tan interior and a touring chassis, as well as the manual. I wish I had your problem though, choosing between a Lotus and a 1000-horsepower Ferrari.
Great choice sir
@@scottnaish-theheartpatient2016 Thank you Scott, by the way, what Is the heart patient?
Was great to see the cars at FOS, just booked for next year 🎉
Clever planning so far ahead
Me too. Its already a nightmare finding accommodation close but I got something 👌🏽
Same - accommodation already hard to come by, managed to book the same pub B&B as this year
I really would love a Series 2 Elise or Exige S, tho the Emira is pretty too, just heavy comparitively, and the former 2 arent crazy expensive here in the US, always loved the way lotus look and the Toyota engines really help sell me on them. One of the only EU cars id really consider seriously unless i won a lottery or something outside of maybe VW or a couple older Audi models lol.
Nice video Tim! 👍🏻👍🏻
Some of new colors they've just introduced are nice. A couple nice blues. A dark blue, tan interior, i4 DCT, touring chassis car would be cool.
Shmee, Thanks for a good overview of the new Emira after a a few months of ownership. I'm sure you could easily get a leather shift knob for the hot days but the cup holder placement looks awful. Hopefully that will be redesigned in the near future. Otherwise its a stunning car and I really like the bright canary yellow with black contrasting parts.
Hot knob? Driving gloves.
Lovely and balanced review! I wondered whether you have noticed much heat transfer from the engine to trunk? Thankyou.
A simple leather cap/sock will stop the gear shift knob being burning hot in the summer or freezing cold in the winter 😊
Great review Tim , I love my emira I currently have a Porsche gt3 and a couple of Ferraris but finding myself picking up the keys to my lotus more than the others.
I do like the aerodynamics by the driver door
Very nice colours you chose (I would have gone for a black interior, however), It's really a beautiful, no-nonsense sportscar. Yes, touring spec would make more sense for British roads. Anyway really well done by Lotus, a refreshing contribution to the genre!
The amount of tech geekiness Tim knows is insane - I knew senna raced a 97T, but would never have know the engine code February - Tim, o salute you.
I've always wondered why no one has made a car that LOOKS like this, like a sports car, but is built like a Ford Focus and the performance as such. Surely there's a huge market for people who can only afford/need normal car performance and price but would like something that just looked cool.
The Mazda miata
@@buellcj I love my Miata but in no way, shape, or form is it as GOOD LOOKING a car as this Emira, and that's what the OP is talking about.
A Miata that LOOKED like the Emira and say came factory stock with adjustable coilovers, race seats, and sold for around $42K (for decked out top tier models) would probably double the Miata's sells figures.
I also wish (for ALL cars) that base model MEANT base model with no frivolities (not even a stereo). All I personally need is heat, AC, and a nice flat smooth spot on the center dash to stick a Garmin GPS. I would even welcome a return to manual windows. I know the government mandates some crap, but other than the mandated stuff you should be able to buy a car "clean" and option it out as you wish (and are willing to pay for).
Nice review. Looking forward to my test drive in a few weeks at Monterey car week and comparing it to my prior cayman gt4 and current manual Gallardo.
Great review. Fair and constructive.
Love to see a VERY early car in the garage. Something from the 1800-1900s. Park it right next to the most advanced car. Propper book ends showing where we came from and how much cars have advanced.
ITS SOOO HARD TO CHOOSE, there are soo many beautiful cars that you’ve been blessed to personally own. And I honestly think
That the Ferrari SF90 has to probably definitely is my absolute dream car!!! Left hand steering though, as I’m in the US. And I doubt I’ll ever get to that level to ever own one.. but God.
What a dream that would be.
Cheers Shmee!! Thanks for everything
Good presentation for Lotus especially in the driving test. Great vibes.Nobody like shmee 150
Wooden gear nob £250 ish
EML usually a sensitive little battery
SOS normally trying to find a signal
New colours coming would suit👍🏻
Cup holders are a tad annoying but drive it don’t drink in it!!
Tour is a great chassis for our wonderful roads and still good on track.
The haptic pads on the steering wheel are easily nudged but🤷🏼♂️ and the leather wheel is a smidge bit thinner!
Cheers to you Shmee!!!
And to you
@Shmee150 there is a wooden gearnknob from the Exige 430 Type 25 Part Number A138V0971J that should fit in place of the metal knob.
I've never liked that same knob which is in my Elise S3. I'm surprised that there isn't a nice aftermarket spherical wooden gear knob, reminiscent of those fitted to the Guigiaro Esprits, available for the Elise, Exige, Evora and Emira.
Good, well balance video.👍
You can start the car in sport or track mode while press and hold the power button for 5 seconds before start the engine. Its also mentioned in the manual.
Gosh! Are you really suggesting that there are some men who don't RTFM [Read The Effing Manual]? Surely not!😁
@@EleanorPeterson I just read the entire manual while waiting for the Emira😂
Great balanced update Tim, and the biggest compliment you give the Emira is the fact that you still have it and drive it everyday. The spec of mine would have suited you, DV, over tan and Tour suspension! Also, obviously yours was an early car off the production line and, although I too have had a couple of niggles (software) I absolutely love it. The only thing I'd say is that I've only had compliments from other Lotus owners - maybe because of the colour combo? Love the channel.
Hiya, interested to hear what software niggles you've had if you don't mind sharing!
@@Gadgit83 it went into limp mode. Dealer cleared it EML (fuel pressure related) restart the car and it qas fine..apparently there is a fix for it. Other than that, mine is brilliant
@@jtothepmusic ok, glad it was just that. Believe there are some improvements coming for those issues
Emira, Esprit V8, Exige Final Edition, That's my Lotus collection.
Harry's Garage and Mr Metcalf are due an honour in my book and his Emera videos first class.
Harry 4 President
Very thoughtful, well done.
It's a bit concerning to hear the latest financial reports from Lotus, and rumours of redundancies. I read in a tweet from Harry Metcalfe about the reported losses from 2022 of £141m, equating per car sold of nearly £250k due to the limited numbers of cars they were able to produce and actually sell that year. Hope Lotus can weather the storm, and not too many of their UK staff are negatively impacted by this.
Once again Asian cars with "Handling by Lotus" badges.
The loses are hardly a surprise. Last year was basically a right off
This happens with any company that ramps up production
@@alexlam24 Lotus sold 1,710 cars in 2021, but discontinued the Elise, Exige, and Evora. It then made a mere 576 cars in 2022! It unveiled the Evija in 2019 and planned to produce it starting in 2020, that didn't happen (to be fair, AMG One, Nevera, Valkyrie also took years longer). The Emira's 2-year gap between unveiling and customer deliveries wasn't bad.
Lotus discontinuing all its cars then screwing up Evija production guaranteed a huge loss. I hope it successfully cranks out Emiras and Evijas in 2023 (I hear not all Evijas have been sold). But Geely must be seriously considering making all future Lotus cars (all EVs) in China, with only a design and engineering center in the UK like MG.
I have an Emira and you can actually start it in Sport or Track - just hold the start button without any pedals depressed for a few seconds, the ignition then starts up and you are able to select a drive mode before firing up the engine. Cheers!
Thanks Tim for the advice, I was wondering what would be the best for a daily between this and the GTS 4.0 in France or in Japan
He’s driving on my commute to work. Great roads. Through cuffley and past northaw is also good.
Excellent review
I still think the front "hood" looks a bit odd, but better than the grilles on the new BMWs. And I gotta say those Deagostini models look amazing, especially the Mazda Cosmo, but after working out what the total cost is for one, I'm glad they don't ship to the US because holy buckets!
I have an Evora and broke my left ankle playing football and lost flexibilty for a few months but could operate the clutch treading down on it with the seat further forward than before so getting out I'd slide the seat right back and leave it until I got back in and then slide it forward. When healed I still do that even though the seat is further back... so much easier in & out when seat is in rearmost position. Try it.
I recall from my demo drive it was creaking in multiple places. Also wanted sports suspension from tour which they would not change. Canceled my order shortly after. Glad I did since there has not been a single one delivered this year in the states due to what I heard was an emissions issue. 🤷♂️
I’ve got Tour and leather steering wheel and very pleased, I’m getting the lovely looking wood gear knob
Seen a few owners comment on the gearknob being hot in the sun. Dunno if its a thing in the UK but in Australia we use sunshades 😅
Great review!
Hey Shmee, I would love to see an in-depth analysis from you of the 4-cylinder Emira when it's available.
Analysis: don't buy it.
Why would you want one? The specialness disappears when you put such a generic engine in it. Just got buy an A35
It’s meant to be good, but it was delayed because of problems cooling it because that engine is designed to be used in the front of a car so relies to an extent on passive air cooling at higher rpms, which is doesn’t get in the back of an Emira . There’s no way it can be tuned beyond the 360hp it’s coming with, lotus tried hard, but all the tuned cars overheated.
The default tour mode is probably something to do with emissions, just like stop/start is usually a default these days. Purely to get through the regulations
Lotus. Thanks Tim we will make those quality changes, however, we are selling out of the carseven with the rattling consoles. Thanks for the review.
Shmee150 Great Video I definitely understand why you dislike those things about your Absolutely Gorgeous Lotus Amira and I think you should get a Shift Knob Cover and see if there's a way to make the Cup holders deeper
I enjoyed that Tim thanks,I really do enjoy That Lotus Emira I’d love one as a Daily 😊😊😊😊😊
I love the yellow and black colour combination. I'm 6ft 9. Would be absolutely hilarious watching me trying to get in and out of one of those!.
Wonder what sports cars are better for the taller driver??
Fantastic content.
Would a large dog fit in the rear parcel area? eg a golden retriever. He fits in an Evora so curious about when this space is smaller in the Emira. Is there any mounting points back there?
I love the green version of this lotus
You should be able to adjust the brightness of the screens in the Setup Menu. At least, most cars today offers that.
As someone who has driven cars with the cupholders behind the shifter (Miata NB2 is one) I say if you have things in the cupholders that bother your shifting you're doing it wrong. The only time I need/want that area clear is when I am driving fast and then I SHOULDN'T be having drinks in the car, period. I can easily drive in a spirited way using my wrist to bend AROUND the front drink or should and wrist coming over the top of the drink.
My R8 also has an aluminium DSG gear knob and it has never got hot while parked.
Its amazing... the ULTRA yellow colour comes off as normal yellow in the video. But the camera compensates by turning all the other cars down. Washing them out. The Solarbeam is usually such a radiant colour.
The cupholders are just perfect in the automatic version....😁😆
Shame the gearbox is wrong
Would be a great video comparing your Emira to your Elise Cup!
The little knitted hats that used to come on innocent smoothie fit great for hot or cold weather 😂
Fantastic 6-month review of the Lotus Emira. @Shmee150 did not make a mistake choosing a bright coloured paint scheme. The Mercedes in the background is just that, a Mercedes in the background. Shmee chose the right colour for his early edition of the Emira. This is a sports-car (well done). I also really like the comment... "I don't think I need to modify it in anyway" >>> This says a lot about the automobile being reviewed.
Tim working out all the kinks for the rest of us !!! Thanks Tim
The color of Lotus is the best one in your collection!
Smooth, nice change from Car Vertical 😂
'The Metal Shift Knob Solution' as I have deemed it, shared it with loads of friends and family. A black Jewellery bag, or some form of thick, opaque cover that can be stored in a door pocket or glove box, something small and when leaving the car, is placed over the shift knob to stop it turning into the Sun on a hot day.
You can start the car in sport by holding down the start/stop button for 5 seconds and selecting the drive mode before starting the engine. Bit of a faff but at least it’s got the tasty exhaust note straight away
Got to see him race at brand hatch in 1986 ( Ayrton senna).
Got to walk down the pit lane
Saw cars and drivers.
The last f1 at brand hatch
So lucky.
Was there for night security.
Both days.
Best day ever.
I really want to purchase one if I can swing it. Car is amazing! Closest thing I'll actually have to the mighty Evija!
This is my bucket list car. It will remain at the bottom of the bucket. I'm just an old hick from the sticks in NC USA. HUGE chunk of change for people like me lol. If the price had stayed at "projected" range, I "might" (big might lol) have been able to pick up a used high mileage one a few years from now. Anyhoo, Lotus managed to produce one of the most visually appealing cars EVER devised that also handles like a Lotus too boot.