Well, it comes with a bit of sadness that I am no longer a Jaguar owner. Since 2008, there has been a Jaguar in my driveway until this weekend. I went from an S2000 to a XJ350 Vanden Plas (big change of cars, I know), but wanted something sportier so then came the XK. I loved the XK, but still missed a true sports car and now finally have one. Introducing my new daily; 2011 Lotus Evora.

So far, so good with the car. The AC isn't the strongest, but boy is the handling just out of this world and is actually more comfy over bumps than the XK. Lotus sure knows how to design a suspension. Steering and brakes really inspire confidence and it's very easy to feel how far you can push this car without taking a leap of faith.

I would like to buy another XJ350 at some point as sedan, so I am not gone for good. Will still be active on this forum too. I only visit a few forums and I like the members here.

 

Good luck and enjoy as you will see you only go around once.

 

Nice!

Just curious, they advertise a quieter cabin than the elise... that is not hard as most kia's do. How quiet is the cab and free of rattles did Lotus make this car as I've never been in one.

 

congratulations and enjoy the new ride.

 

Looks great! all the best!

 

The cabin is pretty quiet, the balance of sounds is exactly as you'd want in this kind of car. It is not 100% free of rattles like the XK, but I am not looking out the rear view mirror thinking a part came off like in the Elise. The rattles go down when the car is warm (which is pretty quick).

It's pretty darn near close in solidness as my friends '14 Cayman S. Evora interior blows it away, but there is little options. Steering wheel only goes up and down; no telescope. Adjusting the tilt of the seat must be done with the door open.

This Evora has 11K on it and a couple months of factory warranty remaining. There's a couple of small things I want to have fixed before it runs out. Over all, very nice car that really like a race car.

 

Wow, such a lovely looking car, congrats to you my friend!!

Such a shame to be losing you as a Jaguar owner, but hopefully you'll stick around and drop by often to share your opinions and knowledge?
You'll always be made welcome here, Jag owner or not, as I'm sure you know.

Thanks for sharing pics of your new ride and I wish you the best of luck with your new car, happy motoring.

Hope to see you around the site.

Best as always

Jim

 

Jim:

I am not done with Jaguar, JLR, or this forum. I want to buy an 05-06 XJ8 at some point. The Lotus once off of its warranty will be worked on the Jaguar garage I use for all my cars. I brought it by there yesterday to show them.

There are only a few car forums I visit and this is one of. Still expecting to win one of these giveaway's at some point!

 

Congrats on the beautiful Lotus. Not surprised about the great handling. That is what Lotus always prioritized. Also, not surprised that you find it smoother over bumps than the XK. I always sensed that Jaguar was using too stiff springs on their present crop of cars. Happy motoring!

 

That really seems to be the case, I wonder what their philosophy is designing the suspension in such a way? Not that I am in any position to 2nd guess them. They were one of the first marques to setup a permanent test garage at Nordschleife

 

Lotus makes a great car, I wish they would catch on a bit more in the US.

Gorgeous car enjoy!

 

A co-worker use to own an Esprit and is enamored with the Evora. Ya, Lotus caters to the slimmest contingent of buyers. The way it drives only a very few look for in a car. Plenty of faster cars, but they hells don't drive like a Lotus.

 

Very nice-looking car - enjoy the new ride! Give us a report when you've lived with it for a bit.

 

Man, those wheels really make the car. Nice ride!

Did you get one with a manual tranmission (do they even come in automatic)? I would really like something that's as beautiful as my XKR, but perhaps a little sportier, just as exclusive, but with a manual transmission. Sounds like a Lotus Evora would fit the bill nicely.

 

congrats - sweet looking ride!!! enjoy!!!

 

So glad to hear it, we need the long time veterans like yourself to pass on the info and ettiquette to the newbs....lol

As for the free giveaways, can't say too much but watch this space as there may be some others coming just very shortly!

Please keep us updated with your thoughts / impressions of your new ride as time goes by.

Best

Jim

 

Jeez, seems like we are losing so many members recently, particularly veterans of this forum and frequent contributors!

Nice ride, enjoy and don't be a stranger, even if you don't have an XK at the moment!

 

Absolutely beautiful. Enjoy it much!!

 

You are speaking my mind. I wanted exactly the same, and yes it is a manual.

Yes, they also offer an automatic with paddles called "IPS". I test drove that one and it's pretty similar to what we have, but the software behind it does better rev matching. I'd place it somewhere between ZF auto and the PDK in terms of fun.

In terms of investment, I think the Evora will be money well spent. Look at how well Elise and Exige have maintained value. To me, the Evora is the NSX of today.

 

Well I hope the Evora doesn't hold its value TOO well. Otherwise I will never be able to justify buying one...