Bittersweet Day

Alfisti wrote

I'll be frank, NFI how anyone drops all that coin on a M3 and stares at the maw all the time, it's fucking horrible to look at. As an older 911 owner, i'd 100% pass on a modern 911 (other than a GT3) and go for the Emira.

I fucking love the Emira, it looks absolutely spectacular, still a bit old school and really turns some heads. Yes the engines are a bit meh but I just think a sports car should be a stand out and this car stands out. Bravo on the choice sir.

Well aware of your feelings towards the M3 You've never failed to let me know but I appreciate the authenticity.

I had a thought of getting into a 718, and as good and safe of a choice that would have been - I felt the Emira was more interesting.

Looking forward to getting through these break-in period so I can actually experience the supercharger - as it is, since I'm having to keep it under 4k rpms, it's too much camry engine and not enough supercharged V6.

Emira over 718 all day man, i mean LOOK at it, your car looks like it wants to fellate you.

As the value of my 997 rises, and Emira's sort of stand still, and my youngest is now 10 so in a few years the back seat will not be as useful to me....... I am considering moving to the Emira.

baron95 wrote

That Lotus is the most beautiful sports car at the moment. Not a bad line on it.

Lack of reliability and lack of internal storage space for trips or track day gear is what keeps me away from it.

Enjoy the car and make new memories.

Apparently the refresh of the Emira will have a 4-speed auto as the only choice. Not a typo - 4 speed.

Agreed. The bonnet vents aren't everyone's favorite, but the overall design is one of the best-looking sports cars on the market today.

OP, I am curious how the car's online reputation affected you personally?

Was your social media flooded with "that crowd" or did you directly get attention from these people in real life?

I kinda suffer from the opposite when driving my 1955 English sports, all the attention comes 80yo dudes... lol

wtwo3 wrote

Didn't think this day would come so soon... but I traded in my beloved M3. I absolutely adored this car, but I hated what it became - somehow over my years of ownership this platform turned into a Tik Tok influencer car, and all the kids with rich parents began driving them (and crashing them). I know that shouldn't bother me, but it did as a 40 year old who'd worked my entire life to get into a position to be able to afford one. I just didn't want to be associated with that crowd anymore.

All that being said - it alone wasn't enough for me to simply get rid of my car. I still absolutely loved it and loved driving it.




About a week ago I saw a stunning bright blue Lotus Emira drive by - and that got me thinking. I looked into it more - went for a test drive, and loved it - But I told myself I'm not trading in my perfectly fine M3 for this unless the numbers make sense. The dealer worked with me on the numbers and the stars aligned - I got a great deal and the deal was done.








I'm not oblivious to Lotus's questionable reliability concerns - but I felt ok with it considering it's a 3rd car for me, and it's under warranty for several years. Looking forward to making some new memories!

TriumphTim wrote

OP, I am curious how the car's online reputation affected you personally?

Was your social media flooded with "that crowd" or did you directly get attention from these people in real life?

I kinda suffer from the opposite when driving my 1955 English sports, all the attention comes 80yo dudes... lol

It was both - social media as well as direct real life attention. From clapped out cars trying to race me, to kids walking past supercars to come check out the m3. It was bewildering. Not to mention it seemed like everytime I met another g8x driver at a meet it was a broccoli head kid with a loud and obnoxious burble tune.

The online reputation is even worse. These cars are crashing left and right because kids can't handle them. Insurance rates for them are through the roof as a result. I blame the parents - I don't care how rich I get - i would never get my kids a high powered performance car. Only m3 my kids are getting is a mazda3 and even that they'll need to split the cost via a summer job.

Funny you should mention 80yo dudes... I was out for lunch with the Emira recently and noticed a very old couple (likely 80s) admiring it

johnboy00 wrote

I had the same issue with my 2019 Dodge Charger Scat Pack. I loved driving the car, and it gave me 41,000 trouble-free miles over 7 years of ownership. But I tired of worrying about it being stolen so easily, and being associated with street takeovers and police pursuits.

Same here. I had a Hellcat stolen. That was the end of the Chargers for me.

Too bad, those are great cars.

Thing is, in terms of practical, realiable, emotive performance cars in the US market, there is only Porsche, BMW, Corvette. Maybe Mustang and Lambo can be added.

Every other brand is having reliability horror stories and/or horrible resale value and/or horrible after sales support or even all of the above.

I did Jaguar (when they were good)->Vette/Camaro->M2. I look around and I still like the M2 best, but who knows in a year or so.

wtwo3 wrote

It was both - social media as well as direct real life attention. From clapped out cars trying to race me, to kids walking past supercars to come check out the m3. It was bewildering. Not to mention it seemed like everytime I met another g8x driver at a meet it was a broccoli head kid with a loud and obnoxious burble tune.

The online reputation is even worse. These cars are crashing left and right because kids can't handle them. Insurance rates for them are through the roof as a result. I blame the parents - I don't care how rich I get - i would never get my kids a high powered performance car. Only m3 my kids are getting is a mazda3 and even that they'll need to split the cost via a summer job.

Funny you should mention 80yo dudes... I was out for lunch with the Emira recently and noticed a very old couple (likely 80s) admiring it

My agreed upon value insurance for my 765LT was literally less than the g82 CS I had. I shit you not.

No I do not have mileage restrictions on my policy either.

Now for the OP:

Have you seen what a little bit of vinyl do for the car? The roof vinyl to me looks the best, I've seen in in person. There's more that you can do and I think it looks pretty good too but I haven't seen it in person.

Looking forward to adding one to the collection once that v8 version drops

x622 wrote

My agreed upon value insurance for my 765LT was literally less than the g82 CS I had. I shit you not.

No I do not have mileage restrictions on my policy either.

Now for the OP:

Have you seen what a little bit of vinyl do for the car? The roof vinyl to me looks the best, I've seen in in person. There's more that you can do and I think it looks pretty good too but I haven't seen it in person.

Looking forward to adding one to the collection once that v8 version drops

Looks good... I do have the full black pack - so my roof is black. So far I've purchased some lowering sleeves and spacers to fix the high stance a bit. In the future I may put throw some aftermarket wheels on it. Overall I don't think the Emira needs too much - it's a gorgeous car.

The V8 should be interesting if it drops. My only issue was that all signs are pointing to it being an automatic (the new V6 hybrid coming out will be auto only as well) - so it seems like the end of the line for their manual offerings - I wanted to snag one before that ended.

Do these come in a convertible?

Alfisti wrote

Do these come in a convertible?

Nope... coupe only