Lotus Emira v Porsche 992 Gts
Discussion
Deliberately avoiding putting this in either the Porsche or Lotus forums for fear of bias either way.
Putting price difference aside, which would suit the following requirements more.
Weekend/ mainly summer car only, other than the few nice days we get in winter. Would do a max of 5k miles per year, no track days.
Already have a deposit down on the i4 Emira but have wondering eyes ( especially as comms from Lotus has been pretty poor IMO) Not had a Porsche before so can’t comment on the buying experience, maybe others have some insight to share?
Emira arguably looks more exotic/ special, handling should be second to none, jury is still out on how the amg will sound/ go.
Porsche would still handle great, especially 2wd with rws and a manual shift. Will be quicker for sure, not sure if it will be the kind of car to jump in and just drive for the sake of it though, a Gt3 would definitely tick that box but no chance of buying one of those new. The rear seats of the 992 would be beneficial but not the be all or end all as this would not be a daily. Presume the build quality will be better than the Lotus and probably prefer the interior a little more than the Lotus but both are nice cabins.
Waiting times, I suspect both will be running in to early next year which is fine either way. I’m interested in opinions that I may not have thought of that would help me decide whether to stick or twist!
Putting price difference aside, which would suit the following requirements more.
Weekend/ mainly summer car only, other than the few nice days we get in winter. Would do a max of 5k miles per year, no track days.
Already have a deposit down on the i4 Emira but have wondering eyes ( especially as comms from Lotus has been pretty poor IMO) Not had a Porsche before so can’t comment on the buying experience, maybe others have some insight to share?
Emira arguably looks more exotic/ special, handling should be second to none, jury is still out on how the amg will sound/ go.
Porsche would still handle great, especially 2wd with rws and a manual shift. Will be quicker for sure, not sure if it will be the kind of car to jump in and just drive for the sake of it though, a Gt3 would definitely tick that box but no chance of buying one of those new. The rear seats of the 992 would be beneficial but not the be all or end all as this would not be a daily. Presume the build quality will be better than the Lotus and probably prefer the interior a little more than the Lotus but both are nice cabins.
Waiting times, I suspect both will be running in to early next year which is fine either way. I’m interested in opinions that I may not have thought of that would help me decide whether to stick or twist!
toohuge said:
Have you driven a recent 911?
They are really, really good. I agree the GT3 (and the rs for that matter) are more 'drivers' cars, but honestly, the 911 s / gts are really, really good cars.
No, I’ve only ever drive my friends 993 and that was about 15 years ago! I’ve watched all the videos on YouTube on the Gts and it does look impressive, hence having my head turned.They are really, really good. I agree the GT3 (and the rs for that matter) are more 'drivers' cars, but honestly, the 911 s / gts are really, really good cars.
Assuming a 992 GTS is a 4.0 NA then the decision is very hard, if the Porsche is turbocharged then for me it would be an easy choice, Emira all day long.
For me what makes the Emira so special is:
SC V6 - They sound out of this world good, both in the cabin and outside it (Own a 987.2 Spyder & Exige 410)
Manual - Lotus manuals superb now, as are Porsche (6-speed)
Steering - No one does it better than Lotus, Porsche were a true rival ten years ago with the 987/997 generation cars, but though Porsche do the best electric racks they are somewhat behind the best hydraulic racks. I own a 987.2 Spyder and Exige, driven the Evora, steering is superb on them all, drove a 981 GT4, epic car but the steering for long gearing for me were a huge let down, hence I purchased a 987.2 Spyder, zero regrets, its manual, buckets, ceramics and probably the best, most fun engaging road car I own, it is also epic on track too.
Interior quality and fit - Emira brings Lotus on a long way, Porsche will still be better!
However for me even as good as the Porsche is, I'd have no hesitation and buy the Emira, in fact I have, delivery this year in June, we know it will drive very much like an Evora 410 which is an epic steer and well just look at it, easy choice and Lotus residuals will be very solid. Long waiting list now though potentially, even longer once reviews pop out in April singing its praises.
The Emira could and likely will go down as the last true best ICE car on sale, manual, hydraulic steering rack, reasonably light at 1400kg, great sounding motor with V6, up epic tuning ability with the AMG and all for under 80k delivered.
For me what makes the Emira so special is:
SC V6 - They sound out of this world good, both in the cabin and outside it (Own a 987.2 Spyder & Exige 410)
Manual - Lotus manuals superb now, as are Porsche (6-speed)
Steering - No one does it better than Lotus, Porsche were a true rival ten years ago with the 987/997 generation cars, but though Porsche do the best electric racks they are somewhat behind the best hydraulic racks. I own a 987.2 Spyder and Exige, driven the Evora, steering is superb on them all, drove a 981 GT4, epic car but the steering for long gearing for me were a huge let down, hence I purchased a 987.2 Spyder, zero regrets, its manual, buckets, ceramics and probably the best, most fun engaging road car I own, it is also epic on track too.
Interior quality and fit - Emira brings Lotus on a long way, Porsche will still be better!
However for me even as good as the Porsche is, I'd have no hesitation and buy the Emira, in fact I have, delivery this year in June, we know it will drive very much like an Evora 410 which is an epic steer and well just look at it, easy choice and Lotus residuals will be very solid. Long waiting list now though potentially, even longer once reviews pop out in April singing its praises.
The Emira could and likely will go down as the last true best ICE car on sale, manual, hydraulic steering rack, reasonably light at 1400kg, great sounding motor with V6, up epic tuning ability with the AMG and all for under 80k delivered.
That's a tough choice, and I'm not sure you'd be particularly disappointed with either.
My previous car was a 991 Carrera 4S. It was without doubt the best 'all-rounder' car I've ever owned. It was my only car and therefore my daily driver. I also did a handful of track days in it.
The problem I had is that 90% of my journeys were just going to work, which would be a rubbish journey even in a McLaren F1 to be honest. I ended up getting an electric car through a company scheme. My colleague asked if I was going to keep the Porsche as a weekend toy. I said that I wouldn't be, as to be honest it just wasn't 'special' enough for that purpose. I couldn't see me ever just taking it out for the hell of it.
I sold the 911 and bought a Lotus Exige 410. Obviously this is probably a bit more extreme than what you're looking for, but it does give me something special that I want to go drive at the weekends as a great contrast to my boring (but great for purpose) electric car.
If I wanted a weekend car and was considering an Emira, I'd be looking at the manual V6 version. The noise my Exige makes is incredible, and it's a very linear engine. As a fun weekend car, I'm not sure I would pick a dual clutch four cylinder Emira over a Manual six cylinder Porsche, as the sound and interaction for me is a big part of what separates a 'normal' car and a 'weekend' car.
Saying that, I would expect the steering feel to be better in the Emira due to the hydraulic rack. Lotus know a thing or two about steering feel.
The Emira would be a rarer sight on the road, and to me looks like a baby supercar. Maybe less negative attention as it's a Lotus?
In conclusion - I don't know. I reckon they'd both be great.
My previous car was a 991 Carrera 4S. It was without doubt the best 'all-rounder' car I've ever owned. It was my only car and therefore my daily driver. I also did a handful of track days in it.
The problem I had is that 90% of my journeys were just going to work, which would be a rubbish journey even in a McLaren F1 to be honest. I ended up getting an electric car through a company scheme. My colleague asked if I was going to keep the Porsche as a weekend toy. I said that I wouldn't be, as to be honest it just wasn't 'special' enough for that purpose. I couldn't see me ever just taking it out for the hell of it.
I sold the 911 and bought a Lotus Exige 410. Obviously this is probably a bit more extreme than what you're looking for, but it does give me something special that I want to go drive at the weekends as a great contrast to my boring (but great for purpose) electric car.
If I wanted a weekend car and was considering an Emira, I'd be looking at the manual V6 version. The noise my Exige makes is incredible, and it's a very linear engine. As a fun weekend car, I'm not sure I would pick a dual clutch four cylinder Emira over a Manual six cylinder Porsche, as the sound and interaction for me is a big part of what separates a 'normal' car and a 'weekend' car.
Saying that, I would expect the steering feel to be better in the Emira due to the hydraulic rack. Lotus know a thing or two about steering feel.
The Emira would be a rarer sight on the road, and to me looks like a baby supercar. Maybe less negative attention as it's a Lotus?
In conclusion - I don't know. I reckon they'd both be great.
Krikkit said:
None of the 992s are NA except the GT3 these days - it's a 3.0T.
I'd have the Emira in V6 form.
Easy choice then, I am in agreement, Emira, better sound, better looks, better drivers car and more than comfortable enough as it has Lotus suspension who are the gods of suspension setup for crappy UK roads.I'd have the Emira in V6 form.
Go Emira with sports chassis and Goodyear tyres, it will be incredible!
Nobody knows what the Emira will be like.
Last 911 I drove was a 997 GTS, and I thought it was just too sensible. I respected it, I just didn't want one. I'm sure that they have only become more and more like that since then. The Emira is Lotus going down that sensible, easy to live with, ultra-competent, painless daily driver route too, but it remains to be seen whether they will suck all of the excitement out of it in the process.
Last 911 I drove was a 997 GTS, and I thought it was just too sensible. I respected it, I just didn't want one. I'm sure that they have only become more and more like that since then. The Emira is Lotus going down that sensible, easy to live with, ultra-competent, painless daily driver route too, but it remains to be seen whether they will suck all of the excitement out of it in the process.
otolith said:
Nobody knows what the Emira will be like.
Last 911 I drove was a 997 GTS, and I thought it was just too sensible. I respected it, I just didn't want one. I'm sure that they have only become more and more like that since then. The Emira is Lotus going down that sensible, easy to live with, ultra-competent, painless daily driver route too, but it remains to be seen whether they will suck all of the excitement out of it in the process.
That is just not going to happen, the actual drivetrain and driving experience is based on Evora which drives sensational and Gavin Kershaw is certainly the kind of engineer and developer who will always prioritise driving fun and ability on track.Last 911 I drove was a 997 GTS, and I thought it was just too sensible. I respected it, I just didn't want one. I'm sure that they have only become more and more like that since then. The Emira is Lotus going down that sensible, easy to live with, ultra-competent, painless daily driver route too, but it remains to be seen whether they will suck all of the excitement out of it in the process.
The Emira basically fixes the issues of Evora which was an average quality cabin with not so easy get in and out ability and lack of mod cons, the Emira is essentially an Evora in a far better looking shell with some handling tweaks and a far nicer interior, the actual raw ingredients remain the same, V6 SC, manual and hydraulic rack.
The AMG car will for sure be the more quieter car but on the flip side have great tuning ability.
I predict the reviewers will be raving about the car as there will be nothing to rival it for how it feels to drive or at its price point.
Chubbyross said:
OP, have you considered a Boxster or Cayman? I think these would feel more special than the 911, especially in Spyder or GT4 form.
Having driven none of them I would be investigating this route too. Maybe Boxster GTS 4.0. All suggestions are a bit sedate if it truly is going to be a weekend car. Get an exige or better still a motorbike.
btdk5 said:
Chubbyross said:
OP, have you considered a Boxster or Cayman? I think these would feel more special than the 911, especially in Spyder or GT4 form.
Having driven none of them I would be investigating this route too. Maybe Boxster GTS 4.0. All suggestions are a bit sedate if it truly is going to be a weekend car. Get an exige or better still a motorbike.
I think a Boxster GTS 4.0 is a great shout. Amazing NA engine, great handling, and roof down motoring for that special feeling.
Chubbyross said:
OP, have you considered a Boxster or Cayman? I think these would feel more special than the 911, especially in Spyder or GT4 form.
In all honesty I much prefer the looks of the Emira and 992, although appreciate the 718 cars do have much of what I’m looking for in terms of pure driving dynamics especially with that 4.0 engine.Based on reviews only, the 992 Gts seems like quite a step up from a normal c2s.
Gibbo205 said:
otolith said:
Nobody knows what the Emira will be like.
Last 911 I drove was a 997 GTS, and I thought it was just too sensible. I respected it, I just didn't want one. I'm sure that they have only become more and more like that since then. The Emira is Lotus going down that sensible, easy to live with, ultra-competent, painless daily driver route too, but it remains to be seen whether they will suck all of the excitement out of it in the process.
That is just not going to happen, the actual drivetrain and driving experience is based on Evora which drives sensational and Gavin Kershaw is certainly the kind of engineer and developer who will always prioritise driving fun and ability on track.Last 911 I drove was a 997 GTS, and I thought it was just too sensible. I respected it, I just didn't want one. I'm sure that they have only become more and more like that since then. The Emira is Lotus going down that sensible, easy to live with, ultra-competent, painless daily driver route too, but it remains to be seen whether they will suck all of the excitement out of it in the process.
otolith said:
I don't think they will either, but there is a trade-off to be made, and Lotus are trying to attract the kind of people who currently buy more mainstream cars (like Porsches). It just depends how far they go down that track. It's a lot more than a reskinned Evora and Lotus have put a lot of effort into broadening its appeal. We won't know just how far they have gone until the first production cars appear.
Very true, I just have faith they will pull it off, 2022 needs another hero car and Emira looks a solid contender, looking forward to the driving reviews by press come April. 
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