Two-year report with 2024 ITS

[optronix]

Yeah just look at how ugly this thing is

I'll take it off your hands @whtciv2k ...no need to pay me either, I'll hold onto it for free .

I heard an emira fly down the road earlier today... Man what a good sounding car. Worth it for that noise alone. Sounded better than the ferrari I crossed paths with yesterday morning. The ferrari was in the wrong color (yellow), so that immediately detracted from it anyway.

Sorry, this one just doesn't do it for me. Especially when you could easily get a 911 for what you'd pay for one of these, which in reality is just a Temu version of a 911 in the first place.

I've fallen out of love with Ferraris, I think I'd still choose an Emira over a Ferrari in most instances- but the thought of a 430 or even 360 with a gated manual is still tough to shake. Sound-wise I like the Emira too, especially with some of the aftermarket options out there but... I think a Ferrari V8 would have to take the W there, right?

One thing I'm under-appreciating for this "3rd car" category, is being able to put the top down. I'm beginning to think that may be a requirement. In that sense, short of an F430 Spider which is probably tipping the scales over $200k if I'm guessing, it really doesn't get much better than a Boxster GTS 4.0 (although the 981 GTS deserves an honorable mention, a step down in driving dynamics especially power, but an actually better exhaust note). I think I was in my mind expecting Lotus to bring a Spider version to market for the Emira, but that's not looking super likely with the state that company is in... but man, what a missed opportunity if they don't.

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[Victorofhavoc]

Sorry, this one just doesn't do it for me. Especially when you could easily get a 911 for what you'd pay for one of these, which in reality is just a Temu version of a 911 in the first place.

I've fallen out of love with Ferraris, I think I'd still choose an Emira over a Ferrari in most instances- but the thought of a 430 or even 360 with a gated manual is still tough to shake. Sound-wise I like the Emira too, especially with some of the aftermarket options out there but... I think a Ferrari V8 would have to take the W there, right?

One thing I'm under-appreciating for this "3rd car" category, is being able to put the top down. I'm beginning to think that may be a requirement. In that sense, short of an F430 Spider which is probably tipping the scales over $200k if I'm guessing, it really doesn't get much better than a Boxster GTS 4.0 (although the 981 GTS deserves an honorable mention, a step down in driving dynamics especially power, but an actually better exhaust note). I think I was in my mind expecting Lotus to bring a Spider version to market for the Emira, but that's not looking super likely with the state that company is in... but man, what a missed opportunity if they don't.

Lotus would only do a spider if they could keep the weight down and rigidity up. The lotus magic is always in the chassis. I don't think they'll ever make it into a vert without redesign. Currently the rear seats are in the way.

I think ferrari has lost their way a bit, as has lambo. Since the early 2010s, it's all been a hp race.

Personally I've thought about a vert (even though I hate them) for my wife mostly and I keep coming back to c7 grandsport, 981 boxster s, elise s240, ap2 s2k, 124 abarth, or 18+ miata.

Edit: read this later... 2025 Lotus Emira v6 https://share.google/AOOq9RBxRmc8hXc0e

 

[ABPDE5]

The Lotus wins on everything vs the 718 4.0 for me -- except the engine. I think the Emira ia gorgeous. I love that it has a (partially) hydraulic rack and double wishbone all around (it's a tragedy that Porsche refuses to give the wishbone treatment to their mid-engine platform for fear it will overshadow the 911). And, I have no doubt the supercharged V6 has plenty of power / torque and good curves for both... But, I just can't get over a 6.5k rpm redline in a car like that. It's not the experience I personally want from that car, and I think, when driving it regularly, I'd unfortunately be reminded of that far more frequently than I would be of the 718's compromised suspension geometry when driving the Porsche. I haven't driven an Emira (and my most recent Boxster/Cayman experience was in a 981 GTS), so this is purely theoretical.

 

[optronix]

Lotus would only do a spider if they could keep the weight down and rigidity up. The lotus magic is always in the chassis. I don't think they'll ever make it into a vert without redesign. Currently the rear seats are in the way.

I think ferrari has lost their way a bit, as has lambo. Since the early 2010s, it's all been a hp race.

Personally I've thought about a vert (even though I hate them) for my wife mostly and I keep coming back to c7 grandsport, 981 boxster s, elise s240, ap2 s2k, 124 abarth, or 18+ miata.

Edit: read this later... 2025 Lotus Emira v6 https://share.google/AOOq9RBxRmc8hXc0e

I don't think Lotus truly exists in the form it's always been in anymore. It's more of a reanimated corpse with Geely at the helm. But if they do continue to improve on the Emira and I can somehow achieve full confidence that it won't be broken for months at a time, I still get the "fizz" every time I look at one.

I still have not seen or heard one in person yet, either... but my wife has, which led us down this path of deep consideration of it being my (our) next purchase. She enjoys these "special" cars every bit as much as I do.

On that note, being able to put the top down is such a game-changer. I'll admit that it adds a degree of complexity for me in the form of "expectation"- hopefully it's just a "me" thing but honestly a drawback I never saw coming is that on a nice day I kind of feel obligated to take the car out when I otherwise probably wouldn't. I don't know if that makes sense and honestly I could see how some people may consider this a net benefit- but for me it sort of added a degree of "pressure", that if I didn't change my plans and go for a drive on a sunny 74 degree day then why bother having the car in the first place... and this is how I also learned that just driving without a plan/destination can actually be irritating.

Anyway, champagne problems amirite?

The Lotus wins on everything vs the 718 4.0 for me -- except the engine. I think the Emira ia gorgeous. I love that it has a (partially) hydraulic rack and double wishbone all around (it's a tragedy that Porsche refuses to give the wishbone treatment to their mid-engine platform for fear it will overshadow the 911). And, I have no doubt the supercharged V6 has plenty of power / torque and good curves for both... But, I just can't get over a 6.5k rpm redline in a car like that. It's not the experience I personally want from that car, and I think, when driving it regularly, I'd unfortunately be reminded of that far more frequently than I would be of the 718's compromised suspension geometry when driving the Porsche. I haven't driven an Emira (and my most recent Boxster/Cayman experience was in a 981 GTS), so this is purely theoretical.

All great points. When the Emira was initially released, I was still waiting for my 718 to be built so I had the opportunity to consider getting out of my allocation and switching to an Emira instead. Other than the obvious lack of drop-top, the engine was a huge deterrent for me as well to the point it never really got much past the initial thought phase.

However, after owning the 718 GTS 4.0 for almost a year, I can't honestly say taking it up to redline was a frequent occurrence for me. I mean, having the option available to hear it scream for that extra 1500(ish) rpm was nice, but not one I exercised on a routine basis.

I think I'd be fine with the Camry engine now.

Especially considering just how the damn car looks. I can also concede that after owning Porsches for several years, you do kind of "get used to them". This is reflected in the general experience of having the car out in public. It's not like a Boxster or 911 doesn't get attention, but there are quite a few of them around and I have to imagine the Emira would get heads turning literally anywhere and everywhere it went. I could mostly care less about this and even see how it could be bothersome- but I'm sure this extends to just seeing it in the garage, or the driveway after a wash, or looking back at it after it's parked... there's a lot to be said about having that experience and not having it deteriorate after a few months. The Emira is up there with the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the world in that sense. It's arguably the best-looking car on sale today. And possibly in the all-time greats conversation as well.

 

[ABPDE5]

I don't think Lotus truly exists in the form it's always been in anymore. It's more of a reanimated corpse with Geely at the helm. But if they do continue to improve on the Emira and I can somehow achieve full confidence that it won't be broken for months at a time, I still get the "fizz" every time I look at one.

I still have not seen or heard one in person yet, either... but my wife has, which led us down this path of deep consideration of it being my (our) next purchase. She enjoys these "special" cars every bit as much as I do.

On that note, being able to put the top down is such a game-changer. I'll admit that it adds a degree of complexity for me in the form of "expectation"- hopefully it's just a "me" thing but honestly a drawback I never saw coming is that on a nice day I kind of feel obligated to take the car out when I otherwise probably wouldn't. I don't know if that makes sense and honestly I could see how some people may consider this a net benefit- but for me it sort of added a degree of "pressure", that if I didn't change my plans and go for a drive on a sunny 74 degree day then why bother having the car in the first place... and this is how I also learned that just driving without a plan/destination can actually be irritating.

Anyway, champagne problems amirite?



All great points. When the Emira was initially released, I was still waiting for my 718 to be built so I had the opportunity to consider getting out of my allocation and switching to an Emira instead. Other than the obvious lack of drop-top, the engine was a huge deterrent for me as well to the point it never really got much past the initial thought phase.

However, after owning the 718 GTS 4.0 for almost a year, I can't honestly say taking it up to redline was a frequent occurrence for me. I mean, having the option available to hear it scream for that extra 1500(ish) rpm was nice, but not one I exercised on a routine basis.

I think I'd be fine with the Camry engine now.

Especially considering just how the damn car looks. I can also concede that after owning Porsches for several years, you do kind of "get used to them". This is reflected in the general experience of having the car out in public. It's not like a Boxster or 911 doesn't get attention, but there are quite a few of them around and I have to imagine the Emira would get heads turning literally anywhere and everywhere it went. I could mostly care less about this and even see how it could be bothersome- but I'm sure this extends to just seeing it in the garage, or the driveway after a wash, or looking back at it after it's parked... there's a lot to be said about having that experience and not having it deteriorate after a few months. The Emira is up there with the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the world in that sense. It's arguably the best-looking car on sale today. And possibly in the all-time greats conversation as well.

Because the gearing in the Porsches is way too long! (Or, at least it was in the 981s.)

...more champagne problems

 

[Victorofhavoc]

The Lotus wins on everything vs the 718 4.0 for me -- except the engine. I think the Emira ia gorgeous. I love that it has a (partially) hydraulic rack and double wishbone all around (it's a tragedy that Porsche refuses to give the wishbone treatment to their mid-engine platform for fear it will overshadow the 911). And, I have no doubt the supercharged V6 has plenty of power / torque and good curves for both... But, I just can't get over a 6.5k rpm redline in a car like that. It's not the experience I personally want from that car, and I think, when driving it regularly, I'd unfortunately be reminded of that far more frequently than I would be of the 718's compromised suspension geometry when driving the Porsche. I haven't driven an Emira (and my most recent Boxster/Cayman experience was in a 981 GTS), so this is purely theoretical.

Having driven a Gt4rs on track, yes their redline is intoxicating and just sounds incredible. The way it's geared, though, once you start going you're just spending time in the 5.5k to 9k range. That's similar to how my Z was where you could do 8200 and mostly kept to 4500 to 8k. With the emira being supercharged, I'm sure it played a role in gearing. You'd likely still spend your time from 3.2k to 6.8k, but up to 3.2k it should feel like the evora did, just responsive and torquey. The thing the Porsche lacks is steering feel and brake feel at the limit. It's phenomenal on the brakes, but modulation range is very small when at 80-100% pressure.

Agreed though... I wish it was a little more "special" than just a camry engine. The older 4pots were certainly thrashy and exciting. Stepping into an s2k after an exige was like stepping into an mdx after a type s.

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