Is it 5 times nicer than my Boxster?

[Gforrest2]

Picked this up this weekend and haven't had the chance to really drive it yet.

Yes it's fun, fairly quick, handles nice, and people move over when they see you coming up behind them in their rear view mirror.
But is it 5 times better than a Boxster? Not sure, but don't think so yet. One plus though: No IMS

I only have space for one car in my garage so someone has to stay outside this winter.


'11 Evora (base model) Wish I got/could afford an "S", just like I wish my Boxster was an "S"

[BIGJake111]

Beautiful car. Had it depreciated much since new or was it still fairly close to sticker, I have always wondered about the economics of used lotus cars.

Really though, what a beautiful blue, who wouldn't move over just so that they could get the full view as it went past.

[spinedoc]

Although as much as I love my Boxster, I still have a penchant for American muscle cars. Hey, it's what I grew up with.

I'm thinking in addition to the Boxster, an SRT Hellcat Challenger is likely in my future. The thought of 707 hp is quite thrilling.

Beautiful Lotus though. 3.5 L V6 right????

[Perfectlap]

The thing I love about these cars is that the engines are not hugely expensive to replace...and no IMS.
I saw one on ebay with 50K miles for $3,500.

[Gforrest2]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

Beautiful car. Had it depreciated much since new or was it still fairly close to sticker, I have always wondered about the economics of used loud cars.

They depreciate with the best of them. The sticker on mine was just under $75k. Second owner bought for $60k a year later. I bought it for $40k, with 9,600 miles.

Originally Posted by spinedoc

Although as much as I love my Boxster, I still have a penchant for American muscle cars. Hey, it's what I grew up with.

I'm thinking in addition to the Boxster, an SRT Hellcat Challenger is likely in my future. The thought of 707 hp is quite thrilling.

Beautiful Lotus though. 3.5 L V6 right????

Yup, still haven't forgiven my parents for not letting me buy that yellow '70 Challenger T/A, 340 six pack, 4 speed manual with pistol grip shifter, flat black racing stripe, etc. Think of what that's worth today. Of course I was just a 16 year old kid and I probably would have killed myself in it. Instead, I got a '75 Fiat X1/9 and after all these years, still loving these mid-engine cars.

And yes, 3.5 L V6 straight out of a Toyota Camry. Transmission is Toyota too. 276 hp, 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, 162 mph top speed, and like our Boxsters, 28 mpg on the highway. And just a tad bit heavier at 3046 lbs.

And like my Boxster, I'll probably regret not getting the "S" which adds a supercharger boosting output to 346 hp.

[spinedoc]

Originally Posted by Gforrest2

Yup, still haven't forgiven my parents for not letting me buy that yellow '70 Challenger T/A, 340 six pack, 4 speed manual with pistol grip shifter, flat black racing stripe, etc. Think of what that's worth today. Of course I was just a 16 year old kid and I probably would have killed myself in it. Instead, I got a '75 Fiat X1/9 and after all these years, still loving these mid-engine cars.

LOL….Yep. Had a '76 Trans Am with the 6.6 liter in it. That was a fun car…..you could literally watch the gas gauge drop when you drove it hard…..LOL.

I go back and forth. I like the Challengers..but I also like the Maserati Coupe GT's from the mid 2000's. Something about having a Ferrari motor and transmission is alluring. The problem is, reading up on them, seems that service is expensive…like, makes Porsche maintenance look really cheap, and the Maserati's from that era had a lot of clutch issues. Makes me a little leery, although someone just tried to sell me a 2006 Maserati Cambiocorsa with only 42,000 miles for 15k. Had to really think about that.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by Gforrest2

Yup, still haven't forgiven my parents for not letting me buy that yellow '70 Challenger T/A, 340 six pack, 4 speed manual with pistol grip shifter, flat black racing stripe, etc. Think of what that's worth today. Of course I was just a 16 year old kid and I probably would have killed myself in it. Instead, I got a '75 Fiat X1/9 and after all these years, still loving these mid-engine cars.

My dad refused to let my brother or I buy a car with a 4bl, so my first car was a 70 Mach 1 with a 351C 2bl. Didn't think so at the time, but my dad was a wise man. I had a Driver's Ed teacher who said if your parents don't love you, they'll buy you a muscle car.

I belive that 911 is a 997.2 (2009-2012) based on the tail lights.

[CoBeerToad]

I say it's 2.3 times nicer with no explanation why. Just trust me.

[Porsche Chick]

Originally Posted by CoBeerToad

I say it's 2.3 times nicer with no explanation why. Just trust me.

Agree.

We're not saying why.

[JayG]

But with a Boxster you can at least get in and out easily

Beautiful car in any case

[BIGJake111]

Oh those are some good questions.

How does size compare, I know these are supposed to be slightly larger cars then usual for lotus.

Also how is rear visibility?

[Giller]

$40K and you only get ONE wiper? Yeah, should have gotten the 'S'...

[Gforrest2]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

Oh those are some good questions.

How does size compare, I know these are supposed to be slightly larger cars then usual for lotus.

Also how is rear visibility?

Size wise they're pretty close, but I found the photo below interesting. Not sure what year 911 this but it appears considerably smaller (and sleeker) than the Evora.

Boxster: 170" L x 70" W x 51" H
Evora: 171" L x 73" W x 48" H




There is no rear visibility at all and two huge blind spots on either side. Has a camera, but the angle is pretty narrow. It's supposed to have rear sensors, but haven't figured out how that works yet.

[Porsche Chick]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

Oh those are some good questions.

How does size compare, I know these are supposed to be slightly larger cars then usual for lotus.

Also how is rear visibility?

Oh, Jake, why do you need rear visibility? To see where you were? You were just there!

No one driving a Porsche is allowed to ask about rear or side visibility. It's the rule.

[Perfectlap]

Now that its out of warranty, a Supercharger for a Toyota can't be that expensive? You know down the line. I was seriously considering this car. A former colleague had a black one with the supercharger. He was having more fun than me and all my trips to the mechanics! But the prices are still up there.
My next car list is all over the place. C7 Z06, 997 GT3, FRS, STi, Mini Cooper JCW, Evora...but the Boxster is staying.

[thstone]

Congratulations on the Lotus!!!

Those are great cars and fun to drive. The owners that I have spoken to usually find that they are "hard to live with on a daily basis" because they are purpose built to be sports cars and not luxury cars that look like a sports car.

Best of luck and keep us informed over the course of your ownership as that is a car that many Boxster owners would ultimately be interested in owning.

[JayG]

I remember a quote from some Ferrari driver many years ago

"You don't need a rear view mirror on a Ferrari, what is behind you does not matter"

[Porsche Chick]

Originally Posted by JayG

I remember a quote from some Ferrari driver many years ago

"You don't need a rear view mirror on a Ferrari, what is behind you does not matter"

Agree! Here's what I have on my side mirror

[BIGJake111]

I do notice that any time I check my rear view it's empty for miles.

To relate back to the topic with traffic and such, I've noticed that people usually move over for the Boxster on the highway.

I don't push my weight around but if I am behind someone and there is an open middle even some of the most oblivious Prius drivers move over.

Maybe it's the yellow.

[spinedoc]

So, have you had more time to drive it?

Interested in your thoughts comparing the Boxster to the Evora.

I just had an interesting phone call earlier. Might be buying an 05 C6 yellow coupe to put next to the 986. Different cars and could satisfy different urges.

It's an addiction buying cars…..LOL.

Mike