I’d be the one posting a review after watching. Totally unbiased - my car looks amazing when I’m looking at it flying by me. Nick, thank you for having us over and producing this video so quickly!
I’ve always loved Porsches and always will. Recently, I bought a 992 GTS with PDK, and, sadly, it didn’t hit really me emotionally unless I was pushing past 120 mph. At lower speeds, it felt bloated and uninspiring. I proceeded to tune it, and the car still left me wanting something more... That’s when I decided to get a Lotus Emira. I made a few tweaks-deleted the third cat, added a lightweight battery, and installed an Eventuri cold air intake. Driving it with the windows down is a completely raw, visceral experience. It taps into a primal energy that feels like the essence of what a true sports car should be-something modern Porsches seem to have lost touch with. Is the Lotus a better car? No. Is it more capable? Probably not. Is it more of the car I want? Hell yes. My next step is to tune it with JUBU to bring the HP to about 460.
I’ve owned 10 Porsches including several 911s and a 991.2 GT3 Touring. My current garage includes a 718 Spyder, Boxster GTS 4.0 and an Emira among others. My favorite car to drive is the Spyder over all the 911s. However, nothing has the steering feel of the Emira and nothing gets second looks in a parking lot like the Emira.
arent the 718 spyder and boxster gts 4.0 a bit too similar to own at the same time? also considering you have both, can you tell about the differences btw the two
@ They are different the way some 911s are close but different. The Spyder is lower and firmer. The GTS is softer and a better daily. Also, I’m a top down guy and even though I can get the Spyder top up or down in 30 seconds you have to get in and out of the car to do it. There is something nice about just sitting in the car and pushing a button. All that being said the Spyder is my current favorite car. It definitely looks better than the GTS as well.
@ interesting, i always thought i would have to choose between the two for my dream garage. I still would choose to get a 718 spyder as the weekend specialty and a 991.2 carrera 4 gts as a daily I believe but still interesting nonetheless
@ There is definitely more headroom in the Emira than the 718. However, the way the dash is made if your legs are very long it might be a little tough getting in and out. If you are considering one you definitely need to try getting in and out of one before you buy.
'22 Cayman GTS 4.0 owner here. The 4-liter engine is pretty reliable overall, as are the cars. I spend 15 minutes every morning on the P-car forums after reading the morning paper, so I'd hear about any problems early. Porsche did have to replace a batch of engines in the early 4-liter cars (MY2020 and early MY2021 I believe) - those were delivered with a faulty oil pump from the factory, and addressed via engine replacements. But all those replacements have been done for 2+ years now. There are occasional A/C problems (restarting the car fixes it), and occasional engine mount failures (warranty replacement) - and even the occasional engine failure (still believed to be related to oil pump problems; warranty replacement). But there are tens of thousands of these cars out there now, so it's clear the overall the failure rate is low across a large sample size. The Lotus sure is pretty, however - but I'm in love with the sound of Porsche's 4-liter engine above 6K rpms with the stock OAP removed and the PSE exhaust forced into the open position. It's insanely good!
Meanwhile my 991.2 GT3RS had a blown engine within 23k miles 😂 They replaced the engine but I’m not keeping this ticking time bomb, absolutely ridiculous. Anyone that tells you they resolved everything after the .1 massive fkup is lying to you. I personally know 2 others that had that the bottom end go out too and they moved onto other cars.
A "mate" (as you would say) of mine just got this identical spec and I can tell you that the camera doesn't do it justice. It is absolutely jaw dropping in person. Not to mention, it is effing WIDE! Parked next to my cayman it looks like its wide enough to seat 3 abreast in the cabin. It's definitely a wonderful alternative to a Porsche and I'm waiting for my friend to finish his break in so I can steal it for the weekend! Great job as always Nick, always enjoy your content.
Another fine review and it's great to see you again. Cheers. Every review I've seen of the GTS 4.0 fairly screams "GEAR RATIOS GIVE US DIFFERENT ONES" but the flat six is so delightful they forgive Porsche that. As you point out Porsche cleans up on a'la carte options and I've seen used cars with a substantial dealer markup. All that said: I'm a lifelong Lotus fanboy and given the chance to own the last of a legendary Lotus line I'd be sorely tempted. That color is striking and not unlike Porsche shark blue.
I have a 911, Spyder, and Emira. Porsche guy through and through. The Porsches are better in almost every way but I find myself driving the Emira the most….
@@tylertul this comment is like reading my mind. I also own Emira, 718 Spyder, and 992 GT3 Touring and I can’t say the Emira is better in any single way to the Porsches ……yet it’s always the car I find myself driving over the others. I’m not entirely surprised as I had an Evora GT and a 718 GT4 at the same time back in 2020 and enjoyed the Evora despite it being a virtual kit car compared to the faultless 718 GT4.
@@jameswillard1 would you drive it if ti was smaller but you still fit, 0 to 60 miler per hour in 6 seconds instead of 4.5, fake engine sound , 30k us dollar but the cheapest car to own? momentum preservation is more efficient and longer systems longevity than only relying on regen brakeing , limited slip differential , evora power steering/no power steering, also helps efinnecy/emissions including tire wear dust. sense of danger excitement and accomplishment is controllable, i mean even a low speed crashing into pedestrian can be majot injury. imagine if such a car is seen as a cheap car they also the safest with minimal active suspension and recycled forged carbon fiber structral parts, with a enjoyable look but not expensive looking (at least in the attention span and mind of monkeys whod damage yoru car out of jelousy etc). police tend not to suspect you. hagerty carmudgeon podcast white guy called jason said evora power steering is better than any other power steering, all the good of no power steering without the useless parts, which emira has not achived.
@@porkchopexpress6969probably prefer the Porsches don’t get stolen due to their superior resale value. But that is a great question. The Emira is a fun car though so let’s hope I don’t have to choose.
I like how the gears are short and tightly spaced. I don’t understand why Porsche can’t do the same with the Cayman GTS 4 liter. Probably the Cayman GTS would end up too quick compared to the base 911 if they optimized the Cayman gearing for performance.
The Emira and Evora both caught my eye. I'd love to get my hands on either one. Starting to see a few more reviews on it, and they've all been pretty positive for the most part. Lots of luck with it Boris.
That's a great review and also extremely honest about Porsche ownership, if you listen to most Porsche owners you would think that they never have any issues! I'm 14 months and 6000 miles into my Emira ownership, I too have had the aircon issue (now fixed), as well as very occasional sticking handbrake and non start, both issues fixed by turning off and on again, so software related and will probably be fixed with an update. Apart from that it's been fine, is brilliant to drive and is, in my opinion, one of the best looking cars ever, real supercar looks for sportscar money.
I put down a deposit for an Emira with my local Lotus dealer a year ago. Went to drive the car on their demo day expecting to come away over the moon for the car, but I just wasn’t feeling it after the test drive. I am 6’1”. The seating position is too high, the pedal position is odd, the stereo is garbage, and I got bad vibes about the dealer experience. They happen to have a used 718 GT4 there that I was also able to drive. I immediately fell in love. It took a few months of searching to find my spec but I purchased a GT4 and have no regrets.
My thoughts exactly. I’m a Lotus guy, have had almost every variant in the last 25 years and also lots of Porsches. I tried to compare it to my 718 Spyder.. and there was no comparison.. besides Nothing beats the Elise in the Lotus range for purity of feel, not even the V6 Exige (which I’ve owned). The Emira was utterly forgettable to drive.
The Emira is a lot more visceral than Porsche cars, but the lack of engineering budget to refine things like Porsche is apparent, as well a tiny dealer network by comparison. If you can get past those things, though, you’ll be rewarded with a more visceral driving experience, likely lower running costs over time (Toyota motor, parts cost similar), and something a lot more unique if you value that. I’ve got 100k+ miles on Lotus cars and if a visceral experience is what you value the most, you’ll likely be rewarded if you make the jump.
Love 911s (former owner), now an Emira owner. The Emira is fun to drive at all speeds, gets TONS of looks and compliments, and has plenty of power and handling for road driving.
I think it’s stunning. Other viewers of your channel may wish to tune in to Harry’s Garage who did a vid of a factory tour seeing his own car being built. May I say it’s good to see you putting out some new varied content too Nick, cheers 🇬🇧
Fantastic looking car with very comfortable ride on bad pavements. That’s the strongest calling card Emira has. Certainly a head turner car when driving around town!
Hey Nick, I never thought of this car as a real Porsche alternative before, but it is an interesting thought. Good for Lotus to build a car with so many things going for it. I bought a shark blue 718 Cayman T a few months ago, traded it for a 992 4S, 3 months later and never thought of test driving either one against a Lotus. Like the look of this Lotus and its low rpm torque. I always learn thing from your reviews. Thanks for this one.
Beautiful exotic design. Seemingly reliable engine block. The anticipated little maintenance issues will be a problem but not nearly as expensive as more expensive Italian supercars.
I have the identical car here in Auckland. Owned it for 1 year now. The only issue I have seen on my car is the hill start assist not releasing. (Software bug) The pedal placement on the RHD model is not displaced, I can remember driving the demo LHD car and noticing the odd position. Quite a few of the people who have bought Emira's in NZ have other exotic cars, however are not afraid to put the miles on this car. Our B class back roads are perfect for the chassis design and low torque. Not looking at selling the car any time soon...Thanks for the video comparison.
Fellow kiwi here, I have a 370Z for our B roads and have driven all over the world, I rate our B roads as the best bar none. The roads themselves, the lack of traffic, the scenery and lack of police in combination. I have a route that is over 200km, I pass 6 - 10 cars maximum driving it ... and it's not patrolled. I get out of the car more exhausted than any track day. Love your Emira, not only the spectacular looks, and of course the Lotus handling, steering etc, not only the sound of the engine (and that it'll do 500,000km between rebuilds Lol) ... but because it is a real world supercar - seriously on our B roads you can enjoy it all, and nobody is going to go faster, the road and your talents are the limit, not horsepower (and I'd acknowledge on our B roads a well driven Accord Type R is going to be as fast).
@@John-i1g Kiwi in Waikato here - the cops aren't there... until they are... make sure you have a good radar detector, and watch for instant on! Having stated that - driving in the South Island I agree - hardly ever see a patrol car.
@@Beer_Dad1975 Honestly, been driving since 1987 - 1 speed camera ticket, 3 pulled over tickets, last one in 1999. No radar detector. Do drive at significant speeds every week. But chosey - don't just drive anywhere, anytime like a madman. If you're picky in the lower North Island, if you know your police fleet inside out, have 20/20 vision and alertness, the ticket count is that low. Appreciate that above Taupo through to Whangarei it's much more heavily patrolled and 2 of my 3 pulled over tickets were there!
@@John-i1g I'm similar to you, have had very few tickets in my 35 or so years of driving as I know there is a time and a place. The Waikato police are a breed unto themselves - the last ticket I got was 4 years ago on New Years Eve at 6am in the morning travelling from Hamilton to Thames - I was doing 106... 6km/h over the limit on a perfectly straight, flat road - and myself and the officer were the only two cars on the road for miles. He treated me like I was a criminal, lectured me, breath tested me, checked my car out from top to bottom, and issued the $30 or whatever it was ticket after holding me up for about 15 minutes. About a year after that I was pulled over in the same area because someone had "reported me" for unsafe overtaking - but I literally hadn't overtaken anyone the whole trip. I offered to show him my dashcam footage but he refused and issued me with an official warning - and again, came across very surly and arrogant. I got a very rude letter about later stating it was "on my record" and basically they'd be watching me. I disputed it again offering my dashcam evidence that I hadn't overtaken anyone, and they did write back saying they had removed it from my record. Never got treated that way by cops in Auckland, even when I was a young hoon!
@Beer_Dad1975 Definitely sounds like you got mistreated. Because I haven't been pulled over for so long, I haven't really seen the change in police attitudes but I've heard similar stories. Sounds like we've been driving similar amount of time and similar age. When I started it was so different. Got pulled over doing 80 in a 50, cop asks why, I explain I'd just fitted extractors and was testing out the gains etc, we got into a conversation, he gets me to pop the hood, he says nice work (it was obvious from gasket goo and smell and look of the steel that I was telling the truth) and says I'll let you off but take it easy huh, don't wanna wrap yourself around a tree. And sent me on my way without a ticket. Had a few like that, so to be clear only 3 pulled over tickets but early on, was stopped maybe 6 or 7 times without getting a ticket. I was always straight up with the police and back then didn't have any issues with their job, and their discretion, which they clearly used. I am sure if I got stopped these days, despite having a way safer profile than my 15 year old self, I would get the treatment you have. It's a shame. Meanwhile it's great to still love driving, still have a driver's car, and still be able to enjoy our incredible and traffic and police free back roads - and warms my soul whenever I come across another Kiwi who still has petrol coursing through their veins 😀
You should try driving the c8 z06. Completely diff car than base c8. I've had 2 911s a 570s a nissan gtr and an audi r8. Out of them all the z06 is up there with the 911 and 570s, but unlike Mclaren my z06 actually works. Cheers.
Actually you can tune the GTS and it makes ~440hp! This includes a big bump in torque? I’m poor so this car is well out of my price range compared to my old 981 Boxster S but is quite intriguing so thanks so much for the review!
Boxster GTS 4.0 stick for 3 1/2 years, zero issues, loads of track days and spirited drives. No idea where you’re getting the idea that these engines are problematic.
Plenty of examples on Rennlist. My own 991.2 3RS had its bottom end go out within 23k miles. Engine got replaced since I still had warranty but they said I’d be at $85k if I didn’t. There is no permanent fix, .1/.2 doesn’t matter these engines will go at any given moment. I personally know 2 others that had their engines replaced as well and sold their cars.
I've had an Emira for a year now after owning a long list of Porsches. It's a lovely car. I find most modern Porsches, esp with PDK, a bit boring except when you're driving the nuts off them. With the Emira there's a "sense of occasion" even when you're not driving fast. It has real presence on the street; you'd think it was a super car for the number of looks, waves, thumbs up you get.
Longtime Porsche owner and enthusiast that bought an Emira FE just like the one in this video. I got tired of the Porsche surcharges and allocation barriers. Porsche caters more to elite buyers rather than enthusiast buyers. Yes, there are compromises coming from Porsche including the quality issues and terrible customer experiences on multiple fronts. However, it is a great sports car for the enthusiast driver who can overlook the typical British shortcomings. It’s worth a look.
Our 992 Carrera S has been 100% trouble-free for three years and 11,000 miles so far. Not even one check engine light. And with twin turbos it has almost full torque from 2,000 rpm.
This is going to be a helluva car if you tune it to 500hp and change up the suspension a bit to get rid of the softness. Widen the tires by 10-20 fr/rr and slap on a moderate front and rear aero bits.
You are a step behind the game. That is a First Edition model, and yes they come basically full load. BUT they are no longer available to order. The Base Edition is now whats available to order and now you are paying for things like paint colour, fabric trim, rim choice, caliper colour....... Fully loaded, a bit more money than the equivalently filled First Edition.
I also had money down on the Emira, waiting for several years. I pulled it when a buddy of mine got his and it was trash. It was back&forth to the dealer for the first 2 months. Scariest of all is that they seemed to not even have fixes for the problems. Others were uncorrectable without using caulk and patches. He was smart and bailed on his. I checked the forums and they were plastered with the same. I pulled my deposit and ordered a 718 GTS 4.0. I've owned Mclarens and I'll never suffer like that again!
The "power down low" complaints seem to be related to the gearing of the manual transmission. My BGTS 4L with the PDK auto seems great to me. And finally, you can't get a convertible, like the Boxster variant from Porsche.
Love this and glad I found your channel, We are doing a Supra Meet at Lime Rock Park, CT (Nov 16, 12-5pm) so it's coming up soon, would love to meet you there If you can make it! I can put your name down for media pass., Thanks 😁
Great to see you Nick! Would love to hear your thoughts on the new Macan EV now that's it's available and hopefully you had a chance to check one out in person. Tbh, I was a bit underwhelmed by the performance and the interior materials. Maybe Turbo version + leather package would fix that, but is this car worth that much?
Just sold my 992 911 S and will be picking up an Emira. Just want to try something new with a little more personality. I am nervous about depreciation though.
Such a shame they ended the Elise. The Emira, regardless of what their marketing may claim, is a modernized Evora seemingly with that car's older 400bhp engine rather than the 410bhp or 430bhp variant that came with later generation cars. It's far from being a light weight sports car either which runs contrary to Colin Chapman's design philosophy.
The problem was that the Elise is a pain to get in and out of and has little in the way of creature comforts. This certainly appeals to a small, driver-focused, segment, but that segment was far too small for the cars to sell in any volume. Like it or not, in today’s SUV obsessed world, Lotus had to make a car that would appeal to a larger audience (albeit still small- the sports car world is far smaller than it’s been in the last 4 decades).
If you could dream build a more modern Carrera what would you choose? Would you put a GT3RS engine in a base 992.2 or 991? This can be done I hear. LTNS What would Murray do?
Deleted the third cat and cold air intake, I’ve got the same car tell me more about that. Also, what about that tune to get 460 hp thank you in advance Andy from New Jersey.
Apparently the latest Porsches don’t like not being constantly driven. It causes issues with the engine. So if it is your special car that you store all winter and barely drive it during the warmer months, you are essentially killing your car. I have heard the same things about Ferraris. They need to be driven to remain healthy. I’d bet the Toyota drivetrain in this car is pretty sound.
Thanks for a another great video. I currently own a 981 GT4 and have been eying the Emira as I find the GT4 too extreme for daily driving and feel a little silly taking it to do errands. So, have you driven the GT4? If so, how does the Emira compare? Looking for something more enjoyable for road trips and general duties. Thanks!
It was between this and the C8 for me. The same cons that Nick listed are what ultimately tilted me toward the C8 (enjoyed Nick's C8 review btw, same color C8 as mine). But I still admire the Emira and occasionally wonder, "What if?"
Hey Nick, great review on the Emira & good comparison with the GTS 4.0. You captured my attention when you said that some people who own the 718 GTS 4.0 are reporting engine problems… what exactly are these problems? Can you please elaborate a bit? Thanks!
I know 4 people with this engine, 2 had fuel pump issue, 1 had check engine that turned into a replacement engine and the last one has had check engine from sensor over and over.
@@NickMurray Wow, that’s concerning indeed! Maybe your curse is contagious? Thank you for the clarifications, I’ll keep a close eye on mine… 20,000 miles and no issues… for now! 😉
@@wizzpet6562 Yes and maybe everyone one else has had no problems, it is hard to know if they are any worse than other models, I just flagged it as a possible issue because of what I hear from people I know.
For the normal people who can afford a 100,000-dollar car, I prefer to get a future Emira GT with these OPTIONS: 01. Yes, .. Two centered 10-inch monitors. One for radio, navigation, camera views. 2nd monitor everything else. 02. No electronic dashboard. Only round analog gauges: ... rpm, speed, transmission oil temp, engine oil temp, radiator temp, engine oil pressures, battery, fuel indicator. 2.5 inch Three gauges possibly positioned on the pillar column. Other 2.5 inch gauges to be placed centrally as a pod, at mid point, above the dashboard. 03. No massive center steering wheel air bag cluster. No need for radio or other controls on the steering wheel. Bare is beautiful. 04. No electronic seat adjustments. All manual gear adjustments ala1980’. Also, for lateral support and seat hardness hand pumps. Lightweight seats less than 30 lbs each. 05. No, heating of steering wheel required. No cooling of steering wheel. No heated seats. No cooling of seats. No heated exterior rear-view mirror. No cooling of exterior rear window. 06. No, Alcantara interior at all. In the heat, Alcantara feels like velour and disintegrates before your eyes. 07. No, electronic telescopic steering column. Manual lever adjustments only. 08. No, lane change/departure warning required. 09. No, automatic forward collision mitigation safety system required. 10. No, automatic hands-free autonomous steering required. 11. No, pedestrian-detection system required. 12. No, parking distance display and park assist required. 13. No, self-parking system required. 14. No warning/bell collision detections from exterior rear-view mirrors 15. Eight to 12 cameras and their views to be accessed from 2nd 10-inch monitor. 16. When driving, able to record front & rear camera views by the push of a button 17. Eighteen-inch tires and wheels are good enough for GT4. So why downgrade the Emira to pimp-mobile overweight 20 & 21-inch wheels. 18. Improve the aerodynamics of the undertray to maximize the car being sucked down to the road. 19. The undertray should be in at least 5 separate parts to facilitate access. 20. Car weight 3000 pounds or less. THAT IS ALL
👍Hey Nick - another great video. I sold my 993 & '07 GT3 I bought (drum roll please-:) a GR Corolla & I absolutely love it. If you give me a do over on all the fast cars I have owned _ I would buy the GR again - ADL👍 How about YOU get a hold of a GRC & give us a review... Don't you have a Golf back in Australia??? (kidding I know your English)
@@NickMurray would you drive it if ti was smaller but you still fit, 0 to 60 miler per hour in 6 seconds instead of 4.5, fake engine sound , 30k us dollar but the cheapest car to own? momentum preservation is more efficient and longer systems longevity than only relying on regen brakeing , limited slip differential , evora power steering/no power steering, also helps efinnecy/emissions including tire wear dust. sense of danger excitement and accomplishment is controllable, i mean even a low speed crashing into pedestrian can be majot injury. imagine if such a car is seen as a cheap car they also the safest with minimal active suspension and recycled forged carbon fiber structral parts, with a enjoyable look but not expensive looking (at least in the attention span and mind of monkeys whod damage yoru car out of jelousy etc). police tend not to suspect you. hagerty carmudgeon podcast white guy called jason said evora power steering is better than any other power steering, all the good of no power steering without the useless parts, which emira has not achived.
Of course the gorilla is going to approve, because he’s not shunted to the back “seat” as per usual ice cream outing. Definitely a fine looking car. 👍👍
Enjoyed the review, as I always do, but it looks way too much like a lesser C8 corvette. Also not super excited to buy a car made in the UK and owned by a Chinese company which may or may not be able to supply parts and service in the future. Don't have that issue with my newish 992 or my 955 OG Cayenne which is still running strong.
I’d be the one posting a review after watching. Totally unbiased - my car looks amazing when I’m looking at it flying by me.
Nick, thank you for having us over and producing this video so quickly!
Thank you for sharing your car for this review, top chap.
Instantly clicked on this one! Missed your reviews nick!
Agree! 🙌🏻
I’ve always loved Porsches and always will. Recently, I bought a 992 GTS with PDK, and, sadly, it didn’t hit really me emotionally unless I was pushing past 120 mph. At lower speeds, it felt bloated and uninspiring. I proceeded to tune it, and the car still left me wanting something more...
That’s when I decided to get a Lotus Emira. I made a few tweaks-deleted the third cat, added a lightweight battery, and installed an Eventuri cold air intake. Driving it with the windows down is a completely raw, visceral experience. It taps into a primal energy that feels like the essence of what a true sports car should be-something modern Porsches seem to have lost touch with.
Is the Lotus a better car? No. Is it more capable? Probably not. Is it more of the car I want? Hell yes.
My next step is to tune it with JUBU to bring the HP to about 460.
I’ve owned 10 Porsches including several 911s and a 991.2 GT3 Touring. My current garage includes a 718 Spyder, Boxster GTS 4.0 and an Emira among others. My favorite car to drive is the Spyder over all the 911s. However, nothing has the steering feel of the Emira and nothing gets second looks in a parking lot like the Emira.
arent the 718 spyder and boxster gts 4.0 a bit too similar to own at the same time? also considering you have both, can you tell about the differences btw the two
@ They are different the way some 911s are close but different. The Spyder is lower and firmer. The GTS is softer and a better daily. Also, I’m a top down guy and even though I can get the Spyder top up or down in 30 seconds you have to get in and out of the car to do it. There is something nice about just sitting in the car and pushing a button. All that being said the Spyder is my current favorite car. It definitely looks better than the GTS as well.
@ interesting, i always thought i would have to choose between the two for my dream garage. I still would choose to get a 718 spyder as the weekend specialty and a 991.2 carrera 4 gts as a daily I believe but still interesting nonetheless
How's the Emira headroom? I'm 6'4 and the Cayman is an immediate write off. Wondering if it's the same with the Emira
@ There is definitely more headroom in the Emira than the 718. However, the way the dash is made if your legs are very long it might be a little tough getting in and out. If you are considering one you definitely need to try getting in and out of one before you buy.
'22 Cayman GTS 4.0 owner here. The 4-liter engine is pretty reliable overall, as are the cars. I spend 15 minutes every morning on the P-car forums after reading the morning paper, so I'd hear about any problems early. Porsche did have to replace a batch of engines in the early 4-liter cars (MY2020 and early MY2021 I believe) - those were delivered with a faulty oil pump from the factory, and addressed via engine replacements. But all those replacements have been done for 2+ years now. There are occasional A/C problems (restarting the car fixes it), and occasional engine mount failures (warranty replacement) - and even the occasional engine failure (still believed to be related to oil pump problems; warranty replacement). But there are tens of thousands of these cars out there now, so it's clear the overall the failure rate is low across a large sample size. The Lotus sure is pretty, however - but I'm in love with the sound of Porsche's 4-liter engine above 6K rpms with the stock OAP removed and the PSE exhaust forced into the open position. It's insanely good!
4.0 GTS owner - zero problems in the 3.5 years I’ve had it. Literally zero
Meanwhile my 991.2 GT3RS had a blown engine within 23k miles 😂 They replaced the engine but I’m not keeping this ticking time bomb, absolutely ridiculous. Anyone that tells you they resolved everything after the .1 massive fkup is lying to you. I personally know 2 others that had that the bottom end go out too and they moved onto other cars.
Also they stopped good willing engine replacements so if you’re out of warranty you’ll be SOL.
Owned my Emira for a year now. Absolute magic! No issues whatsoever.
A "mate" (as you would say) of mine just got this identical spec and I can tell you that the camera doesn't do it justice. It is absolutely jaw dropping in person. Not to mention, it is effing WIDE! Parked next to my cayman it looks like its wide enough to seat 3 abreast in the cabin. It's definitely a wonderful alternative to a Porsche and I'm waiting for my friend to finish his break in so I can steal it for the weekend! Great job as always Nick, always enjoy your content.
I took mine for 800 mile drive from Warwick through Europe, totally reliable, comfortable, I swapped out of a GT4 and absolutely love my Green Lotus
Thanks for the comment. I own a 981 GT4 now and thinking about making the same switch. Any regrets? Considering anything else? Thanks
Welcome to the happy club!
Good to see you back!
This is the closest you will get to a modern 246 Dino on sale today. Curvy body, mid-mounted transverse V6, non-electric steering, manual gearbox.
Thanks for the review from you and William. I loved William’s acronym for LOTUS! 😂
Wonderful review of the Emira. I never drove one but I'd love to. Can't wait for your next upload.
Another fine review and it's great to see you again. Cheers.
Every review I've seen of the GTS 4.0 fairly screams "GEAR RATIOS GIVE US DIFFERENT ONES" but the flat six is so delightful they forgive Porsche that. As you point out Porsche cleans up on a'la carte options and I've seen used cars with a substantial dealer markup.
All that said: I'm a lifelong Lotus fanboy and given the chance to own the last of a legendary Lotus line I'd be sorely tempted. That color is striking and not unlike Porsche shark blue.
Great to see another car review! Hopefully more coming soon
I have a 911, Spyder, and Emira. Porsche guy through and through. The Porsches are better in almost every way but I find myself driving the Emira the most….
@@tylertul this comment is like reading my mind. I also own Emira, 718 Spyder, and 992 GT3 Touring and I can’t say the Emira is better in any single way to the Porsches ……yet it’s always the car I find myself driving over the others. I’m not entirely surprised as I had an Evora GT and a 718 GT4 at the same time back in 2020 and enjoyed the Evora despite it being a virtual kit car compared to the faultless 718 GT4.
@@jameswillard1 would you drive it if ti was smaller but you still fit, 0 to 60 miler per hour in 6 seconds instead of 4.5, fake engine sound , 30k us dollar but the cheapest car to own? momentum preservation is more efficient and longer systems longevity than only relying on regen brakeing , limited slip differential , evora power steering/no power steering, also helps efinnecy/emissions including tire wear dust. sense of danger excitement and accomplishment is controllable, i mean even a low speed crashing into pedestrian can be majot injury. imagine if such a car is seen as a cheap car they also the safest with minimal active suspension and recycled forged carbon fiber structral parts, with a enjoyable look but not expensive looking (at least in the attention span and mind of monkeys whod damage yoru car out of jelousy etc). police tend not to suspect you. hagerty carmudgeon podcast white guy called jason said evora power steering is better than any other power steering, all the good of no power steering without the useless parts, which emira has not achived.
Lotus magic.
So if a thief comes in the night and takes two.. which one would you like to still be there?
@@porkchopexpress6969probably prefer the Porsches don’t get stolen due to their superior resale value. But that is a great question. The Emira is a fun car though so let’s hope I don’t have to choose.
Good to see you back on this fine Sunday morning. Personally, I'll keep my 981 GTS.
Good choice - I had one and sold it, I miss it!
Same same
@@bavariancarenthusiast2722 Same I have a 981gt4 now but still miss the gts
I like how the gears are short and tightly spaced. I don’t understand why Porsche can’t do the same with the Cayman GTS 4 liter. Probably the Cayman GTS would end up too quick compared to the base 911 if they optimized the Cayman gearing for performance.
The gearing in the Lotus is actually longer it just has a much lower redline.
It’s called a cayman for a reason.
Hey Nick, where’s the 992.2 configurator review?
One day!
Watching TH-cam is just not as much fun without your vids. Miss watching you. Give us an update on your Porsche collection.
The Emira and Evora both caught my eye. I'd love to get my hands on either one. Starting to see a few more reviews on it, and they've all been pretty positive for the most part. Lots of luck with it Boris.
That's a great review and also extremely honest about Porsche ownership, if you listen to most Porsche owners you would think that they never have any issues! I'm 14 months and 6000 miles into my Emira ownership, I too have had the aircon issue (now fixed), as well as very occasional sticking handbrake and non start, both issues fixed by turning off and on again, so software related and will probably be fixed with an update. Apart from that it's been fine, is brilliant to drive and is, in my opinion, one of the best looking cars ever, real supercar looks for sportscar money.
I put down a deposit for an Emira with my local Lotus dealer a year ago. Went to drive the car on their demo day expecting to come away over the moon for the car, but I just wasn’t feeling it after the test drive. I am 6’1”. The seating position is too high, the pedal position is odd, the stereo is garbage, and I got bad vibes about the dealer experience. They happen to have a used 718 GT4 there that I was also able to drive. I immediately fell in love. It took a few months of searching to find my spec but I purchased a GT4 and have no regrets.
There is no substitute! 🤦♂️😂
Well done from walking away.
My thoughts exactly. I’m a Lotus guy, have had almost every variant in the last 25 years and also lots of Porsches. I tried to compare it to my 718 Spyder.. and there was no comparison.. besides Nothing beats the Elise in the Lotus range for purity of feel, not even the V6 Exige (which I’ve owned). The Emira was utterly forgettable to drive.
I went from a GT4 to Lotus, so much nicer to own, faster low down and handles beautifully, and they are not common.
@@scottcowan6798nonsense
I feed dizzy after a visit to the Porsche configurator, so it's nice to see a sports car with simplified content choices.
Welcome back Nick - again! Terrific review. Fabulous looking car; so much more exotic in exterior design than the Porsche equivalent. Many thanks.
The Emira is a lot more visceral than Porsche cars, but the lack of engineering budget to refine things like Porsche is apparent, as well a tiny dealer network by comparison. If you can get past those things, though, you’ll be rewarded with a more visceral driving experience, likely lower running costs over time (Toyota motor, parts cost similar), and something a lot more unique if you value that. I’ve got 100k+ miles on Lotus cars and if a visceral experience is what you value the most, you’ll likely be rewarded if you make the jump.
Love 911s (former owner), now an Emira owner. The Emira is fun to drive at all speeds, gets TONS of looks and compliments, and has plenty of power and handling for road driving.
I’ve put >40k miles on the Cayman 4.0 engines between 3 different cars and have had zero issues. That motor has been bulletproof for me.
Not even a padm fault?
Owned by Chinese car manufacturer, Geely. Now using the brand to promote EVs!
I think it’s stunning. Other viewers of your channel may wish to tune in to Harry’s Garage who did a vid of a factory tour seeing his own car being built. May I say it’s good to see you putting out some new varied content too Nick, cheers 🇬🇧
Fantastic looking car with very comfortable ride on bad pavements. That’s the strongest calling card Emira has. Certainly a head turner car when driving around town!
Hey Nick, I never thought of this car as a real Porsche alternative before, but it is an interesting thought. Good for Lotus to build a car with so many things going for it. I bought a shark blue 718 Cayman T a few months ago, traded it for a 992 4S, 3 months later and never thought of test driving either one against a Lotus. Like the look of this Lotus and its low rpm torque. I always learn thing from your reviews. Thanks for this one.
Having had 2 911’s with this motor in turbocharged form and now a 718 GTS, I’ve never heard issues about it from mechanics or on the Porsche forums.
Think he confuses the engine with the gt3 4 liter engine
Welcome back Nick, great to have a review from you finally again!
That Lotus looks fantastic 🎉
Beautiful exotic design. Seemingly reliable engine block. The anticipated little maintenance issues will be a problem but not nearly as expensive as more expensive Italian supercars.
Those Mexican highways look nice in the autumn.
Good to see you back on the road Sir Nick!
I have the identical car here in Auckland. Owned it for 1 year now. The only issue I have seen on my car is the hill start assist not releasing. (Software bug) The pedal placement on the RHD model is not displaced, I can remember driving the demo LHD car and noticing the odd position. Quite a few of the people who have bought Emira's in NZ have other exotic cars, however are not afraid to put the miles on this car. Our B class back roads are perfect for the chassis design and low torque. Not looking at selling the car any time soon...Thanks for the video comparison.
Fellow kiwi here, I have a 370Z for our B roads and have driven all over the world, I rate our B roads as the best bar none. The roads themselves, the lack of traffic, the scenery and lack of police in combination. I have a route that is over 200km, I pass 6 - 10 cars maximum driving it ... and it's not patrolled. I get out of the car more exhausted than any track day. Love your Emira, not only the spectacular looks, and of course the Lotus handling, steering etc, not only the sound of the engine (and that it'll do 500,000km between rebuilds Lol) ... but because it is a real world supercar - seriously on our B roads you can enjoy it all, and nobody is going to go faster, the road and your talents are the limit, not horsepower (and I'd acknowledge on our B roads a well driven Accord Type R is going to be as fast).
@@John-i1g Kiwi in Waikato here - the cops aren't there... until they are... make sure you have a good radar detector, and watch for instant on! Having stated that - driving in the South Island I agree - hardly ever see a patrol car.
@@Beer_Dad1975 Honestly, been driving since 1987 - 1 speed camera ticket, 3 pulled over tickets, last one in 1999. No radar detector. Do drive at significant speeds every week. But chosey - don't just drive anywhere, anytime like a madman. If you're picky in the lower North Island, if you know your police fleet inside out, have 20/20 vision and alertness, the ticket count is that low. Appreciate that above Taupo through to Whangarei it's much more heavily patrolled and 2 of my 3 pulled over tickets were there!
@@John-i1g I'm similar to you, have had very few tickets in my 35 or so years of driving as I know there is a time and a place.
The Waikato police are a breed unto themselves - the last ticket I got was 4 years ago on New Years Eve at 6am in the morning travelling from Hamilton to Thames - I was doing 106... 6km/h over the limit on a perfectly straight, flat road - and myself and the officer were the only two cars on the road for miles. He treated me like I was a criminal, lectured me, breath tested me, checked my car out from top to bottom, and issued the $30 or whatever it was ticket after holding me up for about 15 minutes. About a year after that I was pulled over in the same area because someone had "reported me" for unsafe overtaking - but I literally hadn't overtaken anyone the whole trip. I offered to show him my dashcam footage but he refused and issued me with an official warning - and again, came across very surly and arrogant. I got a very rude letter about later stating it was "on my record" and basically they'd be watching me. I disputed it again offering my dashcam evidence that I hadn't overtaken anyone, and they did write back saying they had removed it from my record. Never got treated that way by cops in Auckland, even when I was a young hoon!
@Beer_Dad1975 Definitely sounds like you got mistreated. Because I haven't been pulled over for so long, I haven't really seen the change in police attitudes but I've heard similar stories. Sounds like we've been driving similar amount of time and similar age. When I started it was so different. Got pulled over doing 80 in a 50, cop asks why, I explain I'd just fitted extractors and was testing out the gains etc, we got into a conversation, he gets me to pop the hood, he says nice work (it was obvious from gasket goo and smell and look of the steel that I was telling the truth) and says I'll let you off but take it easy huh, don't wanna wrap yourself around a tree. And sent me on my way without a ticket. Had a few like that, so to be clear only 3 pulled over tickets but early on, was stopped maybe 6 or 7 times without getting a ticket. I was always straight up with the police and back then didn't have any issues with their job, and their discretion, which they clearly used. I am sure if I got stopped these days, despite having a way safer profile than my 15 year old self, I would get the treatment you have. It's a shame. Meanwhile it's great to still love driving, still have a driver's car, and still be able to enjoy our incredible and traffic and police free back roads - and warms my soul whenever I come across another Kiwi who still has petrol coursing through their veins 😀
A high school buddy of bought one earlier this year, and we're retired!
He loves it, and nothing has fallen off yet... lol
Cayman Boxster benefit from decades of development. Their flat-six is far sweeter. And for similar money, there’s only one choice.
Many hard miles in my Elise and it’s been very reliable. And its performance is on a different planet to a similar vintage Boxster.
Haven’t heard about trouble with the 4,0 GTS? Not in Europe anyway…
You should try driving the c8 z06. Completely diff car than base c8. I've had 2 911s a 570s a nissan gtr and an audi r8. Out of them all the z06 is up there with the 911 and 570s, but unlike Mclaren my z06 actually works. Cheers.
I think that Nick missed that Lotus is owned by Geely and not the underdog anymore as they might seem.
Good point
Actually you can tune the GTS and it makes ~440hp! This includes a big bump in torque?
I’m poor so this car is well out of my price range compared to my old 981 Boxster S but is quite intriguing so thanks so much for the review!
The design is gorgeous. On everything else the Porsche GTS 4.0 is better.
Boxster GTS 4.0 stick for 3 1/2 years, zero issues, loads of track days and spirited drives. No idea where you’re getting the idea that these engines are problematic.
Plenty of examples on Rennlist. My own 991.2 3RS had its bottom end go out within 23k miles. Engine got replaced since I still had warranty but they said I’d be at $85k if I didn’t. There is no permanent fix, .1/.2 doesn’t matter these engines will go at any given moment. I personally know 2 others that had their engines replaced as well and sold their cars.
I've had an Emira for a year now after owning a long list of Porsches. It's a lovely car. I find most modern Porsches, esp with PDK, a bit boring except when you're driving the nuts off them. With the Emira there's a "sense of occasion" even when you're not driving fast. It has real presence on the street; you'd think it was a super car for the number of looks, waves, thumbs up you get.
I’ll go first. Great review Nick!
Good to see you Nick, cool vid!
I LOVE this car!
Longtime Porsche owner and enthusiast that bought an Emira FE just like the one in this video. I got tired of the Porsche surcharges and allocation barriers. Porsche caters more to elite buyers rather than enthusiast buyers.
Yes, there are compromises coming from Porsche including the quality issues and terrible customer experiences on multiple fronts. However, it is a great sports car for the enthusiast driver who can overlook the typical British shortcomings. It’s worth a look.
Our 992 Carrera S has been 100% trouble-free for three years and 11,000 miles so far. Not even one check engine light. And with twin turbos it has almost full torque from 2,000 rpm.
This is going to be a helluva car if you tune it to 500hp and change up the suspension a bit to get rid of the softness. Widen the tires by 10-20 fr/rr and slap on a moderate front and rear aero bits.
You are a step behind the game. That is a First Edition model, and yes they come basically full load. BUT they are no longer available to order. The Base Edition is now whats available to order and now you are paying for things like paint colour, fabric trim, rim choice, caliper colour....... Fully loaded, a bit more money than the equivalently filled First Edition.
I also had money down on the Emira, waiting for several years. I pulled it when a buddy of mine got his and it was trash. It was back&forth to the dealer for the first 2 months. Scariest of all is that they seemed to not even have fixes for the problems. Others were uncorrectable without using caulk and patches. He was smart and bailed on his. I checked the forums and they were plastered with the same. I pulled my deposit and ordered a 718 GTS 4.0. I've owned Mclarens and I'll never suffer like that again!
People who have them rave about the 718 GTS.
The "power down low" complaints seem to be related to the gearing of the manual transmission. My BGTS 4L with the PDK auto seems great to me. And finally, you can't get a convertible, like the Boxster variant from Porsche.
Love this and glad I found your channel, We are doing a Supra Meet at Lime Rock Park, CT (Nov 16, 12-5pm) so it's coming up soon, would love to meet you there If you can make it! I can put your name down for media pass., Thanks 😁
I considering this one. How do you like handling compared to Porsche?
Great to see you Nick! Would love to hear your thoughts on the new Macan EV now that's it's available and hopefully you had a chance to check one out in person. Tbh, I was a bit underwhelmed by the performance and the interior materials. Maybe Turbo version + leather package would fix that, but is this car worth that much?
Just sold my 992 911 S and will be picking up an Emira. Just want to try something new with a little more personality. I am nervous about depreciation though.
Such a shame they ended the Elise. The Emira, regardless of what their marketing may claim, is a modernized Evora seemingly with that car's older 400bhp engine rather than the 410bhp or 430bhp variant that came with later generation cars. It's far from being a light weight sports car either which runs contrary to Colin Chapman's design philosophy.
The problem was that the Elise is a pain to get in and out of and has little in the way of creature comforts. This certainly appeals to a small, driver-focused, segment, but that segment was far too small for the cars to sell in any volume. Like it or not, in today’s SUV obsessed world, Lotus had to make a car that would appeal to a larger audience (albeit still small- the sports car world is far smaller than it’s been in the last 4 decades).
If you could dream build a more modern Carrera what would you choose?
Would you put a GT3RS engine in a base 992.2 or 991?
This can be done I hear. LTNS
What would Murray do?
Being a Porsche nerd i probably would never buy one, but I really like the look. It's fun to see other styles.
Many Lotus drivers were the same; until we tried a Lotus!
I have one and YES its a great alternative to either the 911 or Cayman.
Deleted the third cat and cold air intake, I’ve got the same car tell me more about that. Also, what about that tune to get 460 hp thank you in advance Andy from New Jersey.
Your head is hitting the roof!
I almost bought this car; but ended up getting an allocation for 992.1 but this is the same color I would have spec’d
Apparently the latest Porsches don’t like not being constantly driven. It causes issues with the engine. So if it is your special car that you store all winter and barely drive it during the warmer months, you are essentially killing your car. I have heard the same things about Ferraris. They need to be driven to remain healthy.
I’d bet the Toyota drivetrain in this car is pretty sound.
Thanks for a another great video. I currently own a 981 GT4 and have been eying the Emira as I find the GT4 too extreme for daily driving and feel a little silly taking it to do errands. So, have you driven the GT4? If so, how does the Emira compare? Looking for something more enjoyable for road trips and general duties. Thanks!
Nick is back!!!
I wonder if I saw this guy driving back to Jersey on the parkway today. I saw. A blue emita headed south and I was hmm that’s rare to see on the road
It was between this and the C8 for me. The same cons that Nick listed are what ultimately tilted me toward the C8 (enjoyed Nick's C8 review btw, same color C8 as mine). But I still admire the Emira and occasionally wonder, "What if?"
The Lotus dealer in Denver has several in stock for sale. I thought there was a 2 year waiting list?
Nick's back!
It's a reasonable alternative to a Porsche. I have a Lotus Evora GT and a Porsche 718 Spyder. Both will outperform the Emira, but not by a lot.
Thanks Nick. Missed your reviews. What are your thoughts on the proposed new electric Boxter Caymens?
Reliability issue? I'll pass!
You know that there is no substitute for Porsche!
4:30 Tiny manufacturer
6:30 It stands out
8:20 Reliability might be OK
Hey Nick, great review on the Emira & good comparison with the GTS 4.0. You captured my attention when you said that some people who own the 718 GTS 4.0 are reporting engine problems… what exactly are these problems? Can you please elaborate a bit? Thanks!
I know 4 people with this engine, 2 had fuel pump issue, 1 had check engine that turned into a replacement engine and the last one has had check engine from sensor over and over.
@@NickMurray Wow, that’s concerning indeed! Maybe your curse is contagious? Thank you for the clarifications, I’ll keep a close eye on mine… 20,000 miles and no issues… for now! 😉
@@wizzpet6562 Yes and maybe everyone one else has had no problems, it is hard to know if they are any worse than other models, I just flagged it as a possible issue because of what I hear from people I know.
Long time no see, Nick!
Why does it look like the seats are way too high
You forgot to check the "Availability" box for the Lotus.... Caymans or Boxster allocations are impossible!
have not had one issue with my 4.0 GTS. car is a year old with 3k miles
For the normal people who can afford a 100,000-dollar car, I prefer to get a future Emira GT with these OPTIONS:
01. Yes, .. Two centered 10-inch monitors. One for radio, navigation, camera views. 2nd monitor everything else.
02. No electronic dashboard. Only round analog gauges: ... rpm, speed, transmission oil temp, engine oil temp, radiator temp, engine oil pressures, battery, fuel indicator. 2.5 inch Three gauges possibly positioned on the pillar column. Other 2.5 inch gauges to be placed centrally as a pod, at mid point, above the dashboard.
03. No massive center steering wheel air bag cluster. No need for radio or other controls on the steering wheel. Bare is beautiful.
04. No electronic seat adjustments. All manual gear adjustments ala1980’. Also, for lateral support and seat hardness hand pumps. Lightweight seats less than 30 lbs each.
05. No, heating of steering wheel required. No cooling of steering wheel. No heated seats. No cooling of seats. No heated exterior rear-view mirror. No cooling of exterior rear window.
06. No, Alcantara interior at all. In the heat, Alcantara feels like velour and disintegrates before your eyes.
07. No, electronic telescopic steering column. Manual lever adjustments only.
08. No, lane change/departure warning required.
09. No, automatic forward collision mitigation safety system required.
10. No, automatic hands-free autonomous steering required.
11. No, pedestrian-detection system required.
12. No, parking distance display and park assist required.
13. No, self-parking system required.
14. No warning/bell collision detections from exterior rear-view mirrors
15. Eight to 12 cameras and their views to be accessed from 2nd 10-inch monitor.
16. When driving, able to record front & rear camera views by the push of a button
17. Eighteen-inch tires and wheels are good enough for GT4. So why downgrade the Emira to pimp-mobile overweight 20 & 21-inch wheels.
18. Improve the aerodynamics of the undertray to maximize the car being sucked down to the road.
19. The undertray should be in at least 5 separate parts to facilitate access.
20. Car weight 3000 pounds or less.
THAT IS ALL
Welcome back Nick- where have you been??
992.2 config video please!
👍Hey Nick - another great video.
I sold my 993 & '07 GT3
I bought (drum roll please-:) a GR Corolla & I absolutely love it.
If you give me a do over on all the fast cars I have owned _ I would buy the GR again - ADL👍
How about YOU get a hold of a GRC & give us a review...
Don't you have a Golf back in Australia??? (kidding I know your English)
@@TerryManitoba the GR is way more fun than anyone would suspect
@@NickMurray Yes -
So it that your Review???
@@NickMurray would you drive it if ti was smaller but you still fit, 0 to 60 miler per hour in 6 seconds instead of 4.5, fake engine sound , 30k us dollar but the cheapest car to own? momentum preservation is more efficient and longer systems longevity than only relying on regen brakeing , limited slip differential , evora power steering/no power steering, also helps efinnecy/emissions including tire wear dust. sense of danger excitement and accomplishment is controllable, i mean even a low speed crashing into pedestrian can be majot injury. imagine if such a car is seen as a cheap car they also the safest with minimal active suspension and recycled forged carbon fiber structral parts, with a enjoyable look but not expensive looking (at least in the attention span and mind of monkeys whod damage yoru car out of jelousy etc). police tend not to suspect you. hagerty carmudgeon podcast white guy called jason said evora power steering is better than any other power steering, all the good of no power steering without the useless parts, which emira has not achived.
Where's the green gloves?
Is the NJ dealership closer to you than Lotus New London?
Yes
I can't tell whether William is less impressed with Nick's driving or the Emira itself.
Finally! 💙💙💙
Of course the gorilla is going to approve, because he’s not shunted to the back “seat” as per usual ice cream outing. Definitely a fine looking car. 👍👍
no ONE does it better Nick. gg wp
Sadly Lotus is not available in my country
I miss you.
@@MostCedric I miss you too
Enjoyed the review, as I always do, but it looks way too much like a lesser C8 corvette. Also not super excited to buy a car made in the UK and owned by a Chinese company which may or may not be able to supply parts and service in the future.
Don't have that issue with my newish 992 or my 955 OG Cayenne which is still running strong.
Sadly, owned by Geely now - so this will probably be not just the last ICE Lotus, but the last British Lotus. The new Eletre is 100% Chinese.