DRIVEN: Lotus Evora 400, Does It Finally Have What It Takes To Shut Up Those Porsche Drivers?

In a word: NO. A plastic British "kit" car with wannabe Ferrari intentions is an epic fail. Could it be that TVR will spank the crap out of Lotus?

All bets say yes.

lotus needs to offer a 6 year 60,000 mile warranty . something to make people trust this desirable but unreliable sports car.

Moreover the mythical handling of a Lotus is just that...a myth. Given its price there are other cars of similar price that are a LOT easier to manage at the track. Their handling isn't terrible, but neither is it otherworldly amazing. The Evora is about $105K and that buys a plethora of cars that are simply better sports cars.

While I love unreliable sports cars/GT cars--TVR and Jensen in particular--I'm willing to wrench on them personally, but people spending $105K for a sports coupe should probably spend for a 911, Cayman, Stingray, Z06, GT350...and avoid the stupidity.

Matt-I have read of more problems with the Stingray. Interiors smelling of glue, engines blowing up. Nope I simply do not trust GM products. If I wanted to buy American and it had to be a sports car it would be the GT350. If it was European I might just take a chance on the Lotus. They have taken a totally reliable V6 Toyota engine and have given it a great noise with great power. So you know right off the bat that the car is not going to leave you stranded on the road. I'm sure that Porsches handle as well as a Lotus. No dispute. However I doubt they ride as well. Further Porsches have electric power steering. While they are improved they are still not as good as hydraulic steering. Further
what new 911 is going to cost $100 grand new today. Maybe completely stripped out if you could find a base Carrera that way. I'm guessing average transaction price of the S is between 120 and 130 grand. And what are getting with the 2017 Boxster/Cayman a turbo 4 cylinder engine that will not sound anywhere as nice the former N/A flat six. Further it will cost even more money than the before. I bet a Cayman S average equipped will broach the 100 grand mark with average options. A hundred grand for a 4 cylinder engine. In your dreams! Frankly German steel bores me. It used to be that one of the appealing things about owning a German sports car or luxury car was that not everyone that was semi well to due owned one. Now they are a dime a dozen. To me they have simply lost their appeal. I might be crazy but Id rather go British or even Italian simply to be different. If came to my senses just a little bit I might consider also the BMW M2. From what I've read almost similar straight line performance to the M4 and more agile handling. I'm also waiting for that Guilia to come out with the 500 HP V6. Yep I'd be crazy enough to take the plunge I'm so off German steel. I just think if you are going to spend some money you have the right to go after a bit of exclusivity. The idea of spending 100 grand for something that the "Smiths" and "Jones" own down the street is simply not very appealing anymore to me.