Thinking of selling Supra for a Lotus Emira - Opinions?

[jchadwell]

The least expensive Ferrari is, I believe, the Portifino and that car STARTS at $215,000. And good luck finding no options base supercars. What I consider supercars (thinking 911 T, MacLaren, Aston, Ferrari and the like) legitimately start at probably $250,000 and up. I don’t disagree with your thought process but I don’t see the Lotus price being remotely near supercars money. Hell you can option mainstream pickups and SUVs to damn near six figures today.

It's interesting because the Supra in isolation is reminiscent of a supercar. It's not. Not even close but as I like to put it, it looks like it has breakfast with supercars. But.. when the Supra is parked next to an Emira, the Supra looks cheap. Yes, the engine is arguably better but when compared to the Emira (inside and out), the design choices and body lines seem flat and the Supra really looks cheap and a pale imitation.

Now the Emira has the same problem but because of its price point, it is worse. Since the Emira commands near supercar money here, when it is parked next to a genuine supercar, it just looks stupid. It's the rich kid who just isn't cool. On the other hand, when the Supra sits next to a Ferrari, it's accepted because everyone knows this little guy is trying to punch above it's weight.. like an underdog. The Emira on the other hand looks great in isolation or with us peasants, but it just can't punch at its own level aesthetically.. And to make matters worse, it has a Toyota engine in it, lol.

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[jchadwell]

The least expensive Ferrari is, I believe, the Portifino and that car STARTS at $215,000. And good luck finding no options base supercars. What I consider supercars (thinking 911 T, MacLaren, Aston, Ferrari and the like) legitimately start at probably $250,000 and up. I don’t disagree with your thought process but I don’t see the Lotus price being remotely near supercars money. Hell you can option mainstream pickups and SUVs to damn near six figures today.

Self reply-I cannot believe I’m old enough that because of inflation a $100,000 car is no longer in the astronomically expensive supercar realm.

 

[BMWAF]

Just a simple question here. I am NOT trying to start an argument. Is a $100,000 plus Boxter or Cayman GTS a “super car”? Are those cars $50,000 better than our cars? What about the $150,000 and up more track focused models? Those cars are 2 to 3 times more expensive than our Supras yet require Cup 2 tires to (in many cases barely if at all) perform any better. And the $100,000 Lotus Sport with the MB engine/auto performs as well if not better than those $100,000 P-car GTS models while arguably (in my opinion at least) looking better.
I just don’t see the Lotus trying to compete with exotics and supercars. I see it as competing with the GTS spec P-cars and maybe z51 Vettes. The price and performance is similar and in my eyes the Lotus looks better.

That's true but here they are even more expensive. Supra's here costs from around $100k AUD. The cheapest Emira (new) is $200k AUD without options. While yes, it's not Supercar money, at double the price, it is well above Supra money and entering a much higher bracket.

 

[itzTang]

heck most people aren't even using their cars to their full potential. most are just buying for the looks. Buy what you like and can afford comfortably. no need to let other people dictate what you do with your money.

 

[spaghettihoes]

heck most people aren't even using their cars to their full potential. most are just buying for the looks. Buy what you like and can afford comfortably. no need to let other people dictate what you do with your money.

Agreed, get what makes you happy. We're not all looking for the same thing.

I considered an Emira as well but from a performance standpoint the Supra at almost half the price is a much better value proposition. The Emira was getting close in price to C8 Z06 territory, which is in another performance category altogether.

People on this forum seem a bit overly defensive of the Supra, probably because of the backlash the car got when it first came out although people are now realizing how good the car actually is.

The Emira is gorgeous and comes with a hydraulic steering rack which I'd love on our cars. It's also the last gas powered Lotus so if you always wanted a Lotus it's a great one to pick. Don't take the opinions here too seriously, if you asked on the Lotus forum you'd be getting replies shitting on the Supra. Just determine what you're looking for and if it's worth the additional cost.

 

[Artistic]

Couple of things to notice before the jump.. Supras were carefully thought and executed by the japs. It was a car with already running aftermarket parts the buyers didn't had to wait decades for market to catch up with the upgrade parts that too depending on success. In other words supras have more fan base hence more and cheaper options to explore for upgrades. It's quickly becoming a bad boy toy. I have seen people ditching mustangs for supras. This all leads to better resale as well. If I was you I would stick to this wonderful machine and think of next upgrade plan.

 

[jchadwell]

Couple of things to notice before the jump.. Supras were carefully thought and executed by the japs. It was a car with already running aftermarket parts the buyers didn't had to wait decades for market to catch up with the upgrade parts that too depending on success. In other words supras have more fan base hence more and cheaper options to explore for upgrades. It's quickly becoming a bad boy toy. I have seen people ditching mustangs for supras. This all leads to better resale as well. If I was you I would stick to this wonderful machine and think of next upgrade plan.

BMW is not in Japan…

 

[BMWAF]

People on this forum seem a bit overly defensive of the Supra, probably because of the backlash the car got when it first came out although people are now realizing how good the car actually is.

Nah, it's usually just confirmation bias rearing its ugly head. Happens every time someone uses their hard earned time and money.

Couple of things to notice before the jump.. Supras were carefully thought and executed by the japs.

Are we driving the same car? I can't help but think the "Japanese" design and engineering team at Toyota were up all night making sure that:

• Wind buffeting made the car almost undriveable with the windows down.
• There was no way to sync the climate control.
• Shift lights were placed in a completely useless position and do nothing but further clutter the instrument panel.
• The cup holders were placed where most human elbows would rest.
• Virtually no storage space in the car, except those door card pockets are ace!
• No way to easily read additional racecar information like oil temps.
• The HUD didn't have any racecar functions, like a rev counter or shift lights.
• Made sure we couldn't pop the boot/trunk from you know, the boot/trunk.
• No targa top option.
• And recently that strip of plastic on the fender of the Final Edition - lots of thought went into that one!

I'm so glad all these and any other carefully thought out and executed cost cutting measures were implemented by the Japanese team.

 

[Boataur]

Nah, it's usually just confirmation bias rearing its ugly head. Happens every time someone uses their hard earned time and money.



Are we driving the same car? I can't help but think the "Japanese" design and engineering team at Toyota were up all night making sure that:

• Wind buffeting made the car almost undriveable with the windows down.
• There was no way to sync the climate control.
• Shift lights were placed in a completely useless position and do nothing but further clutter the instrument panel.
• The cup holders were placed where most human elbows would rest.
• Virtually no storage space in the car, except those door card pockets are ace!
• No way to easily read additional racecar information like oil temps.
• The HUD didn't have any racecar functions, like a rev counter or shift lights.
• Made sure we couldn't pop the boot/trunk from you know, the boot/trunk.
• No targa top option.
• And recently that strip of plastic on the fender of the Final Edition - lots of thought went into that one!

I'm so glad all these and any other carefully thought out and executed cost cutting measures were implemented by the Japanese team.

Agree 100%. On the other hand, what can we expect for a measly $60k?

 

[BMWAF]

Agree 100%. On the other hand, what can we expect for a measly $60k?

This. The car here is slightly more expensive after exchange rates, etc. but we are driving cut down BMWs and for the price, nothing comes close. I've even come to terms with the fake vents as they are just a consequence of price point, like most of its other shortcomings.

 

[ColonelAdama]

Nah, it's usually just confirmation bias rearing its ugly head. Happens every time someone uses their hard earned time and money.



Are we driving the same car? I can't help but think the "Japanese" design and engineering team at Toyota were up all night making sure that:

• Wind buffeting made the car almost undriveable with the windows down.
• There was no way to sync the climate control.
• Shift lights were placed in a completely useless position and do nothing but further clutter the instrument panel.
• The cup holders were placed where most human elbows would rest.
• Virtually no storage space in the car, except those door card pockets are ace!
• No way to easily read additional racecar information like oil temps.
• The HUD didn't have any racecar functions, like a rev counter or shift lights.
• Made sure we couldn't pop the boot/trunk from you know, the boot/trunk.
• No targa top option.
• And recently that strip of plastic on the fender of the Final Edition - lots of thought went into that one!

I'm so glad all these and any other carefully thought out and executed cost cutting measures were implemented by the Japanese team.

and no android auto wtf, im tryna trade with my buddies z4 mt rn

 

[Rocksandblues]

The Emira is gorgeous- inside and out. I was on a waiting list briefly. Lotus spent all their money on the sheet metal and interior.
Agree it is not worth the asking price. They are being heavily discounted now on lots.

As several have mentioned. 90% of the Supra owners don't drive it to the limits. If you like the looks of the Emira- buy it. It drives in normal circumstances fabulous. Would be a car meet hero.
Rare- different. I'd say timeless too in looks.

As a track focused owner- I would buy a used gt4 at this point over an Emira. Heck the C8 is twice the car performance wise (just too common now) but is 20k less new now than Lotus.

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