No excuse for the lack of a courtesy vehicle. When my car went in for warranty work on a dented panel ( done before purchase and agreed to fix by dealer) they had non available so the service manager gave me his own car for a week! Things like that stick with you.
buck3366 well just remember that the managers car was intended to be used for customers to begin with and when not needed they can grab one until needed, so while he could’ve been a dick, he did what he was supposed to not so much above and beyond, these days I guess that is praise-worthy nonetheless
Alpine lied too. They claimed their A110 Premiere Edition has a kerb weight of 1103kg, but when Evo Magazine put their test car on the scales it weighed even less at 1094kg.
Sad to see her go, but VERY much understandable, mate! Big props for naming and shaming those deserving of it! Here's to the awesomeness of the Evora and what it's meant and been for you! (Also, it's now a dream car of mine directly because of you ;) )
Thank you JayEmm! I’m a very happy 2012 Lotus Evora S driver. But my dealer is from heaven: Thierry Verhiest, Ostend, Belgium. Makes all the difference!
I've been following you since the start. You're a big reason why I chose to buy my own Lotus Evora 400 a year ago... Now in the past year, I have only put 2k miles on it... yet I have been to the dealership for repairs FIVE TIMES!! There is a quality control issue and I've never felt fully 'comfortable' with the car. As far as dealers.. my local dealer in San Diego is an absolute joke... they are inept, clueless and really don't give a rats ass about Lotus... so I drive 100 miles away to Irvine to have my car serviced. I also have never, not once, heard from Lotus or a dealer about anything anytime... it's like they just want your money and to get rid of you. All this being said... it is a fun car to drive, very unique and gets lots of eyeballs...
@@Jdalio5 LOL - you must be a gluton for punishment, asking me to sell you the car after telling you all of my issues....lol Nope, don;t have it... the transmission went out and instead of paying 5k to repair it, I sold it that day to the dealer.... Horrible car.
Well done for the time you had the Evora, I hope this video helps the new owners in the improvement of the brand. We are greatful to you for introducing us to; and making your Evora available to Charlie so we can continue in following its journey. We look forward to seeing what you choose to replace it.
I've been watching your vids since you had 500 subscribers... I came to this channel because of the Evora, and me being a fan of Lotus, it was great to see first hand experience when purchasing a new lotus and the excitement that goes with it... Anyway I will stick around due to your great videos...Keep rocking
I'm sorry to hear about your issues with your dealer network but I am glad that the sale worked out so well for you. I've enjoyed your Lotus 400 content and would still love to drive (and perhaps own) one someday. I'm very curious to see what you have replaced your 400 with. Keep up the good work!
A sad day obviously but the best outcome for you. That car and your channel has created friendships as well as experiences and at least you will still see the car and have access to it. Excited for the reveal video, your next project looks really exciting.
Honestly I have nothing good to say about JCT600. I have only experienced them through Porsche and I find them extremely rude. They think they are something special. They have such a bad attitude. I wish I could use another franchise for Porsche to get my car serviced at but all that are near to me are JCT. And it’s sad to see the lotus go, it sounded terrific!!
I wouldn’t want to put my experiences with them in the public domain, wouldn’t ever use them again for anything is all I can say, and thats with nearly 20 years of dealings. Thier sales team are fantastic, top notch..... then.... well....
Totally understand the reasons for moving on. Touch wood still enjoying my 400, and it will be 3 years old in December. Fingers crossed the enjoyment continues.
This guy’s honesty is admirable. The amount of extra content he could of got if he was biased. He sticks true to his opinion. Your insurance can give you roadside assistance and courtesy car cover. I have a 2018 Yaris for 18 months now. I have this cover and Toyota hardly breaks down. It does happen on the odd occasion to Yaris owners.
I've just sold mine, I miss it as it has been replaced by an i8 which is a different beast all together (still good but less intense!) I purchased my 400 via lotus Silverstone which helped as they're nice people and are very much customer first. As per your comments on dealers, jct600 for a car like this is not a good mix, they have issues with porkers aswell so it isn't isolated. It also baffles me how they risk annoying a guy who started a video blog series on lotus due to the purchase of this car! If I ran the dealer you'd be treated like a loss leader to allow me to showcase what the dealer/brand could do, it's amazing arrogance that they would short change you when you have 20k subs. I hope you enjoy the new car I'll be sticking around!
Here in the USA poor Lotus Dealership support is all to common. I refuse to take my 2011 Evora to the dealer that I bought it from new. Every warranty visit resulted in more problems. Dealer could care less about the Lotus portion of their dealership. Dealership would rather support Aston Martin and Lamborghini. Over the last 8 years I would say overall the car has performed well and have had no major problems, just strange minor problems. Good luck on the next adventure
I was shocked when the notification popped in to say you had released a new video and I read the title!! From getting to know you from this channel I knew it would not be a clickbait title and I felt gutted. Gutted for me as I love the Evora and gutted for you as I knew how much you loved the car. Having seen your video I am angry at the dealer for depriving everyone on this channel the chance to see the car. The small saving grace is that Charlie has bought it, who I also follow but not as closely as you. I am definitely not unsubscribing and I look forward to seeing where you go from here. Good luck and chin up!
James - I will always be grateful for your help in getting me into my first Lotus. Your videos sealed the deal. Shame about the Evora but I understand and respect your decision. Would be good to see you back in a different Lotus soon. My Elise 220 is not my daily, and will always be simply a great sports car and great fun drive. Perhaps a return to an Elise is something that you'd consider. Good luck J
True story - The late great Roger Moore enquired in to buying an Esprit after making The Spy Who Loved Me, Lotus offered him a 2% discount. Good old Lotus.
Hi James, the upside is your car journey is still in it's infancy and I'm sure there are many many more exciting adventures to come. So... now that you have seen the light, go get that Porsche and just drive and enjoy!
Sad to see the Evora gone JayEmm but I hope you find the same passion for another marque. Thank you for sharing the journey with us and here's looking forward to seeing where go from here! Like quite a lot of people commenting I have nothing good to say about JCT600; having had dealings with JCT600 Peugeot and JCT600 Audi, I'm not convinced they could cheese in a sandwich without messing it up (language moderated at this point). Lotus Leeds are my nearest dealer but I vowed I'd never step foot over their threshold, I'll head much farther afield to avoid giving them business; based on your experiences it sounds like I made the right decision!
Really sorry to see it sold, I do think it’s a shame and I can appreciate the supercharger going will have created some concern about ongoing costs as it comes out of warranty, compounded by dealer / lotus support (lack of)...seems the cars done its job for you though, which was to support the launch of your channel. I’d already planned for an Evora and the content you’ve delivered really kept me on track!! My guess is you will miss this car, they get under your skin, mine certainly has and I’ve only had it 4 months!
I owned a 2013 Lotus Evora S ips still under warranty.It was returned to the factory many times for faults. The worst was it would suddenly go into ‘limp home’ mode.The factory were unable to fix it so I reluctantly sold it and bought a new Jaguar F type S.
I have had it for 3 years now with a number of problems which were fixed under warranty.The 2 major issues were a knocking in the roof (which was a missed adhesive and involved a strip down) and corrosion of the rear x member which was replaced.Jaguar have extended the warranty by 1 year.I am now very pleased with the car and the dealer , Marshalls ,Peterborough have been excellent.
As someone who has owned an Elise for 9 years, I am not surprised. It's all the Lotus specific stuff that will drive you nuts. The rock solid powertrain and out of this world driving experience are the only reasons I have kept mine so long. It is almost a requirement for a Lotus owner in the U.S.A. to be handy in the garage because the service network is spread thin.
To me it has always been the dream car. This damning report should lead to a very public Lotus apology to you, whilst at the same time committing to a courtesy cars guarantee for "under warranty" repairs, an improved customer desk, improved customer relations including pro active new-car clients activities and publications and a quality control system for their dealers. I think if they do not do this a video like this will be result in a major (further) drop in sales for the foreseeable future. I am amazed they have not responded yet. Also this must be infuriating to many of the Lotus staff, it cannot be very motivating for all those excellent engineers to see their customer service department kill off so publicly all their good work? Jay, please post a new video if they do respond, your video is exceptionally valuable for prospective buyers. Finally can you disclose your sale price? It may help people contemplating buying a second hand Lotus (if they still dare....) Thx for the video!
Hi Bert Unfortunately I do not think Lotus will pay any attention to this video, but it is clear from the comments which dealers care and which do not. The sale price of the car is a private matter but all I will say is they hold their money well
I have just exchanged my 400 for a new 410gt. I have not experienced any problems over 2 years save a squeaky door handle admittedly with low mileage. Had to replace the battery because I left the car too long and it drained to zero. For me the best way to enjoy the car is something for the weekend if you can afford something beyond the daily driver. The need or anguish about not getting there diminishes. It still is one of the greatest bang for the buck in supercars. I am concerned that with Geely and pollution rules this may be the last of the V6 engines (Volvo is all 4 cylinders now); Keep the channel going.
Such a shame to hear you've sold it! I know only a minor part of your decision but I strongly feel if you had bought from a dealer like Bell & Colvill you would have got that "welcome to the family" feeling as I know first hand they do lots of events and trackdays for their customers I've been on. It has been great to watch your videos on it and the 400 has been placed on my must have bucket list because of them! Looking forward to seeing what's replacing it!!
Sorry to see you go JayEmm - I would say that you're one of the reasons I upgraded to an Evora 400. Your comments about the failure of your dealer to create a an enjoyable owner experience ring true to me. Fortunately for me, the local dealer in Sydney - Simply Sports Cars - has always been brilliant. Lotus only track days, owner support for the Targa rally events, exceptional customer service etc have really made the difference to me in the total experience. I think your expectations as a new car buyer are optimistic at best. The best dealer service I've ever had have been with Lexus who would pick up the car from home and leave a courtesy car - but I think they are exceptional.
Peter Wolsey I had the pleasure of meeting the SSC guys in Melbourne just this week, great passion and integrity - true enthusiasts, helping educate me on my planned Evora S purchase. JayEmm - echoing other folks thanks for your open ness, transparency and style and all the best !
Thanks JayEmm for all your videos on your Evora. I've seen your car in the flesh many times as I live 30 miles North of London and seen it at various car shows and have always admired it I feel sad for the way you've been treated by JCT600. Seems like another case for we've got your money and now we don't care big company attitude. I always looked forward to the Evora videos as I own a N/A IPS for nearly 3 years now and it's been a amazing and reliable car so I will miss your updates. Best of luck with your new car whatever it is.... Im not unsubscribing as I want to see what it is....😃
I get you man..having a shitty dealership for your dreamcar is just big bollocks...i went to see for my first lotus here in belgium and there was one dealer here that was just utter crap at customer support and service,selling the car to someone else when i had an appointment for a test drive i was like wtf?! A little while i bought my dreamcar a blue lotus elise 111r as u can see on my channel..bought in belgium in oostend lotus and everytime i walk in for a chat and just my regular service the owner of the whole thing allways give me a handshake and is allways real nice and talkative..i mean there are still good dealers out there for lotus,sucks you had bad experience with your dealer...hope this wont be your last lotus tho...keep up your channel,because its bang on amazing!keep up your good work!!!
Your cataloging your niggling problems with your beautiful Lotus reminds me of my life lessons from my first car, a Triumph GT6 MKIII. I have been pining for a Lotus the last four years. This video confirms that the modern Lotus models are brilliant designs, meagerly executed. Triumph motorcycle company has done a superb effort of recreating their product. I vote for Triumph taking over Lotus! In the mean time, I'll stick to my budget Boxster, z3, and MX5. : )
Guess I’m lucky to be living in the Netherlands because Willem and Jan van der Kooij are the best when it comes to customer service and involvement. Sorry to hear that there are so manu people out there that are not happy with there Lotus dealers. I’ve got a Lotus Elise cup250 for about 9 months, have driven about 18.000 km’s with it and I still absolutely love it!
Owning a 1971 Lotus Elan plus 2 I have found and I always say to people that it’s Lots Of Trouble Usually Simple instead of usually serious, great channel ! Keep up the good work 👍🏻
Agree mate...I bought a brand new Excel back in the 80s from JCT600 Bradford, completely useless. Loads of problems, squeaking windows, scratchy engine etc. Gave it back within 28 days. Bunch of idiots unless they're taking cash.
Thank you so much. I was really looking into buying a used GT as a retirement gift but can see now I'll just enjoy my 370z which has been fantastic! Service included... Cheers
I have to say that my experience of both the Lotus factory and my dealership Lotus Silverstone, has been completely opposite to yours. Any problems I have had with my Elise which was collected 18 months ago and ordered new have been dealt with in a very timely and professional manner. Since ordering my car the level of care and service has been second to none and as someone who has bought privately a number of new cars from Nissan, Audi, Seat and VW in the last 8 years my experience with Lotus has, by a considerable margin been the best. My only comment about JCT600 would be, that many years ago, having just graduated and secured my first job as am automotive engineer, I walked into their Porsche dealership to view the cars and within 5 mins was asked to leave as I clearly was not buying. This one action 30 years ago, has meant I have no interest at all in ever buying a Porsche !
Sorry to hear you comments about the selling Dealer,I can add that my local Dealer Murray now Leven Lotus sell quite a few down south and would rate the customer service as the best. On my second Evora from them.
I was stuck with a faulty engine sensor on my TTRS in the middle of the alps. Would only rev to 2000rpm. Audi fixed it within 2 days, over christmas, with parts overnight shipped from Germany. Of course I got a free rental car from them. And had they not been able to fix mine, I could have taken any transportation to my home town (including said rental car), while my car would have been delivered to my doorstep once fixed. All for zero money. This is how customer service is done.
Thanks for your honesty and we look forward to see what you bought !!!! BTW off the back of your Channel I ignored your advice to by a S3 Exige and purchased a S2 260 RGB in Yellow ( number 1 of 10) Look forward to more videos Sir ! :)
Long Stratton Lotus are great mechanics and do fantastic work, but their lack of courtesy car is a joke! When I took my Elan in for a new radiator 3 years ago, they did give me a falling apart VW Polo which they said I had to pay for insurance for it myself which cost me 50 quid so not as bad as your cost of hiring a car, but if you bought the car from new...really falls short of the "Lotus Experience"
Having worked in the industry for 35 years customer service is paramount, regardless of price and I was in the volume game. If I was buying a super car at these sort of prices then service is a must and my expectations would be on the ceiling. So who is the best if you have your lottery win?
Hi JayEmm. Firstly, thanks for all the great video's - has it really been 2 yrs? Of course like many, I started watching because of the Lotus content, so good news that you'll keep some Lotus features going even with the E400 gone. Yup, kinda sad when I read on TLF you'd sold it, but its your car / money / choice. I think over the years you've treaded a finely judged line between telling us what you really think of things, yet not aimed to piss anyone off - a level of honestly thats is lacking elsewhere. I've owned many Lotus', but never picked-up the full tab, as I've always bought them used & maintained them myself - so I can fully understand that good customer care is expected when buying new from a dealer. Lets see what the future brings for both Lotus under Geely & your channel.... either way I'm sure it will be a great journey. Cheers
I was soooo close to purchasing a 2017 Red Evora 400. Thank you Jay for responding to my messages. it was beautiful. Something kept nagging at me down deep and I just could not pull the trigger. I drove by Carlock In Nashville yesterday and they had a neon looking green Evora. Oh my it was so awesome to see. That being said something inside me tells me that I am glad that I passed. The more research that I saw about so many issues the better I feel. I will stick with my Audi TTS for now. I know it is not a purist drive but I really enjoy the interior and it is plenty quick. I do love the look of this car. Maybe someday Lotus will get their issues down to a minimum. Good luck Jay on your new ride. Maybe check out the new Supra. It is on my radar but my TTS is really giving me what I need.
Great to see honesty, I'm thinking Lotus should be at least sponsoring you for all the advice and content you've put there way as well as the many new customers they have gained over the past two years directly from your content.... Unfortunately car dealers have the worst customer service almost out of all verticals.... Im hoping you may at some point get the Exige 350 + or a cup version for your new car
Truly sorry to see your Evora adventure end in this manner. But I do understand and sympathize. One of the reasons I chose a Grand Sport over the Evora was my concern with getting proper Lotus service here in the States. Even so, the sad truth is most Chevy dealers here can’t tell the difference between a Corvette and a blueberry muffin. I look forward to your next drive!
I had problems with JCT600 Porsche back in 2007 when I had my Boxster S. They truly do not give a toss about customer service in any shape or form. Regarding your Lotus you'd have been better with a Cayman GT4. Better, faster car and you'd have probably made money on it..
That’s what I’m hoping with their next plant upgrades but the dealer experience is vital as they are the front end of the business. I’ve put a deposit down for an Emira so if i do go for one Lotus they must get the customer service right.
A bit of a shock!! Although saying that I did think that you skated over the supercharger braking in the last updated and now I see why. You have managed to ignite a interest in lotus for me and hopefully next year if finance dictate I will serious consider a Evora.
Mate, totally sympathise with you on all points. I bought a launch model Evora S from JCT Leeds years ago (when they were at the Ferrari/Maserati/Aston location) and had nothing but issues. Poor dealer help, unresolved issues, recalls galore. 3 month wait on parts when someone rear ended it. It really did leave me frustrated. Amazing car but owning made me angry, So I chopped it in. Sad to see the ownership experience has not changed. I had a Exige S prior to that and had zero issues (purchased from Christopher Neil) but really only had JCT service it.
Sorry to hear this, but service support is a real weak-point of the Lotus experience. I'm one of the guys who bought an Evora on the back of your channel, so a bit sad to hear this news, but looking forward to your future (esp. Lotus) material.
S2 Elise, 15k+ miles and a few minor issue nothing serious apart from transmission oil being spilt (must've been the first owner to actually drive it fast) and a faulty headgasket...which I had coming, so no blame on lotus...dealerships however...oh no...won't see me there again ever...I have my car guru now and he's brilliant!
Well very sad. Not sure what to say. My Evora has been great, but it is not under warrantee. I have owned an Audi TT MK2. Really a lot of support. Even here in Southern California , not much Lotus support. I think better things are coming for Lotus. Will see.
Sorry to watch this video. Nick Murray another you tuber had major issues with his previous 911. He used his channel to help persuade Porsche North America to do the right thing. He had an M4, but returned to a 991 911.
Started watching the channel for the evora content so I'm sad to see her go but as an Evora owner, all be it in Dubai, I know the pain of ownership. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Agreed, customer service not at the level of say Mercedes. They are a small company, and surely have room for improvement. Doesn't make them bad, just not great.
I was looking to buy this car and to hear your experience is turning me away from Lotus and I will stick with a used Porsche or a Ferrari which will hold their value.
You were failed, my dad bought a used Lexus es350, that’s a pretty entry level Lexus with the NA 3.5 V6, he got it about 3 years ago almost and it was about 3 years old, it’s a 2013 i believe. Every time it has a dashboard light go off, or a airbag recall, even when he needed a tire repaired, they throw him the keys to a newer/better equipped car & they’ll even drive his car to him and pick up the loaner if he so desires. For a glorified Camry worth about $15k iirc
All IMO could be very wrong. Watch the making of the Elise documentary from the early 2000 late 90s, that will show you what kind of company they are. Summery; they just make great unique cars, really thats all they've been good at, as a bod of engineers and designers. They do have their new owner/governors so it may change? I feel like a Lotus is something you have to take ownership of, where a warranty is only a few years direct with the factory at lead times and postage cost. If you are buying for after sales then I don't think a lotus is there at the moment.
Nothing but the truth of story of the British moter dealership in general .Friday fun for so many across Britain even though it's the mobile phone age. Never breakdown on a Friday and worst are the days of TVR.
Fair do, good rant well explained. It's sad when a great car is sullied by problems and poor customer service. But I hope you are getting a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II. That would be something....
A 2+2, so two adults and two children can go away for an exciting holiday in it, as long as a small van comes along with luggage. What were Lotus thinking.?? A type 50 2+2 at least had luggage space.
Back in the 70s if you drove Lotus then you fixed it on Sunday to drive it on Monday. These days owners are poofs more concerned with topping up their after shave than their oil and wouldnt fix a car for fear of chipping their nail varnish. If you cant be bothered to learn and keep a runabout for when your car needs work then you deserve all you get. FSH and warranty systems are designed to rip you off and stabilise dealers work load/ annual accounts NOT keep your car in tip top condition. Missing stamps in the book lead to sleepless nights about work that wouldnt have been done anyway. Wake up, man up, smell the coffee and get real.
I bought a 400 on the back of your videos which I watch religiously , such a shame to her the news. Could I ask if there was any diagnostics on the super charger failure? Also bought mine from the same dealer in Leeds. I live in London and need it’s second service soon, who would you recommend ? Keep up the Evora content please!!!
Shame, but when your supercharger gave up I thought you might get rid of it. That's pretty poor on a two year old car. As for the customer service and lack of engagement I can see why that narked you. This is why I would always use a good independent or better still buy secondhand and meet that owner. Glad the stars aligned for you re: replacing and most importantly finding another 'custodian'. These cars have a niche market.... That bloke on the other channel with the blue one still hasn't managed to flog his!! Good luck and can't wait to see the replacement 😎 ps would love to hear the vital stats some time. How many miles covered, costs of ownership, depreciation etc... I came close to Evora ownership this year, but you have opened my eyes so thanks!
Sad story indeed. Lotus really dropped the ball on this. Anyone considering buying a 400 is bound to come across this video. It could well change a few minds. Also sad that this British mark (OK Chinese owned 😆) isn't industry leading. If Triumph can do it for motorbikes surely Lotus can do the same for their cars. Almost sounds a bit TVR with this many issues. Let's hope they do sort their act out otherwise they too will go the dogs.
When my 2010 Elise SC was recalled by Lotus for an oil hose design fault of their own making I was quite unable to negotiate any reasonable solution with the factory in Hethel, who expected me to drive a potentially dangerous car 500 kms to the nearest dealer in the South of France to have the anomaly fixed at their expense. Not having managed to persuade after sales, in the person of Neil Turner at Hethel to propose a suitable solution I confided my car into the very capable hands of my all time favourite mechanics ... the Stevens, father and sons at The English Car Mechanics in Opio, who did a fantastic job to improve my car and eradicate the Lotus factory design faults from Hethel. Yes I paid from my own pocket, but my car was better, as a result than when it had left the factory in 2010. The intransigence of the position at Hethel had been related to cash worries and Neil Turner was simply following orders from above but the incident did nothing to improve client relations. If you have a valuable and/or high performance car that needs attention in the South of France TECM in Opio are the people to take it to ... they are dammned good highly skilled mechanics!
That opening song was amazing! 😍 But great video James, I look forward to the future! I've never liked Lotus if I'm honest, but I know you have loved them for a long time! It'll be interesting to see where this ventures goes! But I shan't miss the Lotus tbh 🙈 Edit: obviously after finished the video I know most the issues aren't lotus but the dealer themselves, thought that needed to be said 🤙🏻
I was about to say why, but you made a good point. Same point as to why we got rid of our quadrifoglio. Customer service was awful and the closest dealer was 100 miles away, plus when we sent it in for its limp mode issue, it had to go in 3 times and still wasn't fixed. So does that mean you're buying a used muscle. 😂💪👍
@@JayEmmOnCars no joke if the car didn't have that stupid issue then there's no point to let it go, it was alot of car for the money. I'll still watch your channel even if you go to different car brands. Unless you go to the dark side of fanboyism. 😂👍
Sad to see the lotus go , Im suprised that lotus lies about the weight didnt know about that the more u know ... Im intressed in the oncoming video about the exige 430 cup and its issues. The exige 410 sport stole my heart and im saving up for one hopefully i wont have any major issues *Knocks on wood*
I actually was looking at them when I got the Evora, but having seen them go from 40k to 70k, I didn't want the car to go back to 40K, and the running costs of a Ferrari would kill me
I really hate to see you get rid of your Evora, but your reasons are completely justifiable. No courtesy vehicle for someone who paid around $100,000 USD??? The supercharger going out is very concerning as well... Anyway, thanks for creating an awesome UA-cam channel, and I look forward to future content as well as what your next purchase will be. I am still a passionate Lotus enthusiast myself who's looking forward to owning one one day (hopefully soon, haven't decided if I want an Elise or Evora). I'd like to meet you if you're ever back in the US visiting North or South Carolina!
@@JayEmmOnCars if you are ever in the bay area, california. Hit me up. I've been a fan of your evora vids for a while. I rent out sports cars on turo (a car share app) and would be happy to set you up with a fun cruiser while you're here.
Sorry to hear of the dealer issues you had, very surprising in this day and age, it seems from my own experience that Porsche dealers are at the other end of the spectrum in terms of customer service, just saying.
I bought a 400 on the basis of this channel instead of a 911 (I already have an S1 Elise however). 9000km in 4 months in Dubai (daily driver) and the dealer here could teach the UK lot many things. We have dealer invited track days, social runs and a WhatsApp group for instant advice. Regrets? None.
This is why you should go for the cheapest Lotus Elise. 118 or 130 hp is fun enough when the car weighs less than 600kg. You will never use a Lotus as a every day car. So go for the lightest one with a more basic engine.
No excuse for the lack of a courtesy vehicle. When my car went in for warranty work on a dented panel ( done before purchase and agreed to fix by dealer) they had non available so the service manager gave me his own car for a week! Things like that stick with you.
buck3366 well just remember that the managers car was intended to be used for customers to begin with and when not needed they can grab one until needed, so while he could’ve been a dick, he did what he was supposed to not so much above and beyond, these days I guess that is praise-worthy nonetheless
Alpine lied too. They claimed their A110 Premiere Edition has a kerb weight of 1103kg, but when Evo Magazine put their test car on the scales it weighed even less at 1094kg.
Preposterous !!
Your openness is refreshing and I hope all goes well with your new purchase. I look forward to seeing what it is.
Sad to see her go, but VERY much understandable, mate! Big props for naming and shaming those deserving of it! Here's to the awesomeness of the Evora and what it's meant and been for you! (Also, it's now a dream car of mine directly because of you ;) )
Thank you JayEmm! I’m a very happy 2012 Lotus Evora S driver. But my dealer is from heaven: Thierry Verhiest, Ostend, Belgium. Makes all the difference!
i own a lotus Evora sport with 17000euro of extra, i bought it with Thierry in ostend and i am happy with their service !!
I've been following you since the start. You're a big reason why I chose to buy my own Lotus Evora 400 a year ago...
Now in the past year, I have only put 2k miles on it... yet I have been to the dealership for repairs FIVE TIMES!! There is a quality control issue and I've never felt fully 'comfortable' with the car.
As far as dealers.. my local dealer in San Diego is an absolute joke... they are inept, clueless and really don't give a rats ass about Lotus... so I drive 100 miles away to Irvine to have my car serviced.
I also have never, not once, heard from Lotus or a dealer about anything anytime... it's like they just want your money and to get rid of you.
All this being said... it is a fun car to drive, very unique and gets lots of eyeballs...
Do you still own the car? Have the problems been sorted out yet? If you ever want to sell the car I'm looking for one.
@@Jdalio5
LOL - you must be a gluton for punishment, asking me to sell you the car after telling you all of my issues....lol
Nope, don;t have it... the transmission went out and instead of paying 5k to repair it, I sold it that day to the dealer.... Horrible car.
Well done for the time you had the Evora, I hope this video helps the new owners in the improvement of the brand. We are greatful to you for introducing us to; and making your Evora available to Charlie so we can continue in following its journey. We look forward to seeing what you choose to replace it.
Thanks Henry
I've been watching your vids since you had 500 subscribers... I came to this channel because of the Evora, and me being a fan of Lotus, it was great to see first hand experience when purchasing a new lotus and the excitement that goes with it... Anyway I will stick around due to your great videos...Keep rocking
I really appreciate it!
Lotus should employ a customer service 'fixer'in to sort stuff out. He be a busy person mind you!
They have customer service people but don't give them any resources!
Are you going to pay for that? Everything costs money mate
I'm sorry to hear about your issues with your dealer network but I am glad that the sale worked out so well for you. I've enjoyed your Lotus 400 content and would still love to drive (and perhaps own) one someday. I'm very curious to see what you have replaced your 400 with. Keep up the good work!
A sad day obviously but the best outcome for you. That car and your channel has created friendships as well as experiences and at least you will still see the car and have access to it. Excited for the reveal video, your next project looks really exciting.
Honestly I have nothing good to say about JCT600. I have only experienced them through Porsche and I find them extremely rude. They think they are something special. They have such a bad attitude. I wish I could use another franchise for Porsche to get my car serviced at but all that are near to me are JCT.
And it’s sad to see the lotus go, it sounded terrific!!
Also jct are a bunch of liars. The number of times they have tried to rip me off... 😡🤬
I wouldn’t want to put my experiences with them in the public domain, wouldn’t ever use them again for anything is all I can say, and thats with nearly 20 years of dealings. Thier sales team are fantastic, top notch..... then.... well....
Totally understand the reasons for moving on. Touch wood still enjoying my 400, and it will be 3 years old in December. Fingers crossed the enjoyment continues.
This guy’s honesty is admirable. The amount of extra content he could of got if he was biased. He sticks true to his opinion. Your insurance can give you roadside assistance and courtesy car cover. I have a 2018 Yaris for 18 months now. I have this cover and Toyota hardly breaks down. It does happen on the odd occasion to Yaris owners.
Somewhere in Tennessee,at the precise moment this video was posted, Scotty Kilmer let out a deep,profound cry of agony and regret.
Thanks for a well considered video that articulates the frustration that can sometimes come with exotic car ownership.
Thanks for watching
And they supported Seb Dellanney..........
Seb who?
Seb best car vlogger
@@Steven-eb5op pffffffffffff
and he has the most annoying voice on you tube i just cannot listen to him
I've just sold mine, I miss it as it has been replaced by an i8 which is a different beast all together (still good but less intense!)
I purchased my 400 via lotus Silverstone which helped as they're nice people and are very much customer first. As per your comments on dealers, jct600 for a car like this is not a good mix, they have issues with porkers aswell so it isn't isolated. It also baffles me how they risk annoying a guy who started a video blog series on lotus due to the purchase of this car! If I ran the dealer you'd be treated like a loss leader to allow me to showcase what the dealer/brand could do, it's amazing arrogance that they would short change you when you have 20k subs.
I hope you enjoy the new car I'll be sticking around!
Thanks for your support Richard
You may as well have bought a Camry then.
U bought overpriced Prius with 3 cylinder
I8 , thought u liked cars?. Would rather have a wheelchair or scooter.
Here in the USA poor Lotus Dealership support is all to common. I refuse to take my 2011 Evora to the dealer that I bought it from new. Every warranty visit resulted in more problems. Dealer could care less about the Lotus portion of their dealership. Dealership would rather support Aston Martin and Lamborghini.
Over the last 8 years I would say overall the car has performed well and have had no major problems, just strange minor problems.
Good luck on the next adventure
I was shocked when the notification popped in to say you had released a new video and I read the title!! From getting to know you from this channel I knew it would not be a clickbait title and I felt gutted. Gutted for me as I love the Evora and gutted for you as I knew how much you loved the car. Having seen your video I am angry at the dealer for depriving everyone on this channel the chance to see the car.
The small saving grace is that Charlie has bought it, who I also follow but not as closely as you. I am definitely not unsubscribing and I look forward to seeing where you go from here. Good luck and chin up!
Thanks Ray!
James - I will always be grateful for your help in getting me into my first Lotus. Your videos sealed the deal. Shame about the Evora but I understand and respect your decision. Would be good to see you back in a different Lotus soon. My Elise 220 is not my daily, and will always be simply a great sports car and great fun drive. Perhaps a return to an Elise is something that you'd consider. Good luck J
It's definitely a consideration John
True story - The late great Roger Moore enquired in to buying an Esprit after making The Spy Who Loved Me, Lotus offered him a 2% discount. Good old Lotus.
Hi James, the upside is your car journey is still in it's infancy and I'm sure there are many many more exciting adventures to come. So... now that you have seen the light, go get that Porsche and just drive and enjoy!
Sad to see the Evora gone JayEmm but I hope you find the same passion for another marque. Thank you for sharing the journey with us and here's looking forward to seeing where go from here! Like quite a lot of people commenting I have nothing good to say about JCT600; having had dealings with JCT600 Peugeot and JCT600 Audi, I'm not convinced they could cheese in a sandwich without messing it up (language moderated at this point). Lotus Leeds are my nearest dealer but I vowed I'd never step foot over their threshold, I'll head much farther afield to avoid giving them business; based on your experiences it sounds like I made the right decision!
Really sorry to see it sold, I do think it’s a shame and I can appreciate the supercharger going will have created some concern about ongoing costs as it comes out of warranty, compounded by dealer / lotus support (lack of)...seems the cars done its job for you though, which was to support the launch of your channel. I’d already planned for an Evora and the content you’ve delivered really kept me on track!!
My guess is you will miss this car, they get under your skin, mine certainly has and I’ve only had it 4 months!
Definitely gonna miss it. No doubts there.
I owned a 2013 Lotus Evora S ips still under warranty.It was returned to the factory many times for faults.
The worst was it would suddenly go into ‘limp home’ mode.The factory were unable to fix it so I reluctantly sold it and bought a new Jaguar F type S.
How has the Jaguar ownership been like since then? Because I've heard that they also tend to be not as reliable.
I have had it for 3 years now with a number of problems which were fixed under warranty.The 2 major issues were a knocking in the roof (which was a missed adhesive and involved a strip down) and corrosion of the rear x member which was replaced.Jaguar have extended the warranty by 1 year.I am now very pleased with the car and the dealer , Marshalls ,Peterborough have been excellent.
That's probably a good idea to extend the warranty, thanks for the response!
Did Lotus realise that you were expecting superstar treatment for buying a car?
I was expecting normal person treatment - ie. If my car breaks I expect a courtesy car
As someone who has owned an Elise for 9 years, I am not surprised. It's all the Lotus specific stuff that will drive you nuts. The rock solid powertrain and out of this world driving experience are the only reasons I have kept mine so long. It is almost a requirement for a Lotus owner in the U.S.A. to be handy in the garage because the service network is spread thin.
Really enjoyed your honesty within this film, customer service counts for everything when you buy a new car, regardless of price.
Absolutely, the idea of no hassle is why people use dealers rather than just buying private
On the positive side, I am still very much in love with my 400 and I can only recommend my dealer at Hexagon as they have always behaved impeccably.
The spirit of ACBC lives on. It seems not much has changed. I sold my last Lotus in 2006. My Porsche dealer has always treated me quite well.
To me it has always been the dream car. This damning report should lead to a very public Lotus apology to you, whilst at the same time committing to a courtesy cars guarantee for "under warranty" repairs, an improved customer desk, improved customer relations including pro active new-car clients activities and publications and a quality control system for their dealers. I think if they do not do this a video like this will be result in a major (further) drop in sales for the foreseeable future. I am amazed they have not responded yet. Also this must be infuriating to many of the Lotus staff, it cannot be very motivating for all those excellent engineers to see their customer service department kill off so publicly all their good work? Jay, please post a new video if they do respond, your video is exceptionally valuable for prospective buyers. Finally can you disclose your sale price? It may help people contemplating buying a second hand Lotus (if they still dare....) Thx for the video!
Hi Bert
Unfortunately I do not think Lotus will pay any attention to this video, but it is clear from the comments which dealers care and which do not.
The sale price of the car is a private matter but all I will say is they hold their money well
I have just exchanged my 400 for a new 410gt. I have not experienced any problems over 2 years save a squeaky door handle admittedly with low mileage. Had to replace the battery because I left the car too long and it drained to zero. For me the best way to enjoy the car is something for the weekend if you can afford something beyond the daily driver. The need or anguish about not getting there diminishes. It still is one of the greatest bang for the buck in supercars. I am concerned that with Geely and pollution rules this may be the last of the V6 engines (Volvo is all 4 cylinders now);
Keep the channel going.
Such a shame to hear you've sold it!
I know only a minor part of your decision but I strongly feel if you had bought from a dealer like Bell & Colvill you would have got that "welcome to the family" feeling as I know first hand they do lots of events and trackdays for their customers I've been on.
It has been great to watch your videos on it and the 400 has been placed on my must have bucket list because of them!
Looking forward to seeing what's replacing it!!
Sorry to see you go JayEmm - I would say that you're one of the reasons I upgraded to an Evora 400. Your comments about the failure of your dealer to create a an enjoyable owner experience ring true to me. Fortunately for me, the local dealer in Sydney - Simply Sports Cars - has always been brilliant. Lotus only track days, owner support for the Targa rally events, exceptional customer service etc have really made the difference to me in the total experience. I think your expectations as a new car buyer are optimistic at best. The best dealer service I've ever had have been with Lexus who would pick up the car from home and leave a courtesy car - but I think they are exceptional.
SSC seem to be true enthusiasts. I'm not surprised to hear that about Lexus
Peter Wolsey I had the pleasure of meeting the SSC guys in Melbourne just this week, great passion and integrity - true enthusiasts, helping educate me on my planned Evora S purchase. JayEmm - echoing other folks thanks for your open ness, transparency and style and all the best !
Appreciate it Bruce
Thanks JayEmm for all your videos on your Evora. I've seen your car in the flesh many times as I live 30 miles North of London and seen it at various car shows and have always admired it
I feel sad for the way you've been treated by JCT600. Seems like another case for we've got your money and now we don't care big company attitude.
I always looked forward to the Evora videos as I own a N/A IPS for nearly 3 years now and it's been a amazing and reliable car so I will miss your updates.
Best of luck with your new car whatever it is.... Im not unsubscribing as I want to see what it is....😃
Thanks for the support Steve
I get you man..having a shitty dealership for your dreamcar is just big bollocks...i went to see for my first lotus here in belgium and there was one dealer here that was just utter crap at customer support and service,selling the car to someone else when i had an appointment for a test drive i was like wtf?! A little while i bought my dreamcar a blue lotus elise 111r as u can see on my channel..bought in belgium in oostend lotus and everytime i walk in for a chat and just my regular service the owner of the whole thing allways give me a handshake and is allways real nice and talkative..i mean there are still good dealers out there for lotus,sucks you had bad experience with your dealer...hope this wont be your last lotus tho...keep up your channel,because its bang on amazing!keep up your good work!!!
Thankyou very much
Your cataloging your niggling problems with your beautiful Lotus reminds me of my life lessons from my first car, a Triumph GT6 MKIII. I have been pining for a Lotus the last four years. This video confirms that the modern Lotus models are brilliant designs, meagerly executed. Triumph motorcycle company has done a superb effort of recreating their product. I vote for Triumph taking over Lotus! In the mean time, I'll stick to my budget Boxster, z3, and MX5. : )
Guess I’m lucky to be living in the Netherlands because Willem and Jan van der Kooij are the best when it comes to customer service and involvement. Sorry to hear that there are so manu people out there that are not happy with there Lotus dealers. I’ve got a Lotus Elise cup250 for about 9 months, have driven about 18.000 km’s with it and I still absolutely love it!
Any performance car gets expensive to own and what makes the car so great (its focus) does wear off...
Owning a 1971 Lotus Elan plus 2 I have found and I always say to people that it’s Lots Of Trouble Usually Simple instead of usually serious, great channel ! Keep up the good work 👍🏻
Agree mate...I bought a brand new Excel back in the 80s from JCT600 Bradford, completely useless. Loads of problems, squeaking windows, scratchy engine etc. Gave it back within 28 days. Bunch of idiots unless they're taking cash.
Thank you so much. I was really looking into buying a used GT as a retirement gift but can see now I'll just enjoy my 370z which has been fantastic! Service included... Cheers
I have to say that my experience of both the Lotus factory and my dealership Lotus Silverstone, has been completely opposite to yours. Any problems I have had with my Elise which was collected 18 months ago and ordered new have been dealt with in a very timely and professional manner. Since ordering my car the level of care and service has been second to none and as someone who has bought privately a number of new cars from Nissan, Audi, Seat and VW in the last 8 years my experience with Lotus has, by a considerable margin been the best.
My only comment about JCT600 would be, that many years ago, having just graduated and secured my first job as am automotive engineer, I walked into their Porsche dealership to view the cars and within 5 mins was asked to leave as I clearly was not buying. This one action 30 years ago, has meant I have no interest at all in ever buying a Porsche !
Thanks for the warning ⚠️ Jay.
Wonder how reliable the non-supercharged Evoras are. Whats it like to have for 100K plus miles? A dead supercharger wasnt as bad as I was expecting.
Sorry to hear you comments about the selling Dealer,I can add that my local Dealer Murray now Leven Lotus sell quite a few down south and would rate the customer service as the best. On my second Evora from them.
I was stuck with a faulty engine sensor on my TTRS in the middle of the alps. Would only rev to 2000rpm. Audi fixed it within 2 days, over christmas, with parts overnight shipped from Germany. Of course I got a free rental car from them. And had they not been able to fix mine, I could have taken any transportation to my home town (including said rental car), while my car would have been delivered to my doorstep once fixed. All for zero money. This is how customer service is done.
Thanks for your honesty and we look forward to see what you bought !!!!
BTW off the back of your Channel I ignored your advice to by a S3 Exige and purchased a S2 260 RGB in Yellow ( number 1 of 10)
Look forward to more videos Sir ! :)
Oooh nice choice
Long Stratton Lotus are great mechanics and do fantastic work, but their lack of courtesy car is a joke! When I took my Elan in for a new radiator 3 years ago, they did give me a falling apart VW Polo which they said I had to pay for insurance for it myself which cost me 50 quid so not as bad as your cost of hiring a car, but if you bought the car from new...really falls short of the "Lotus Experience"
The sad fact today is that dealers are not interested in cash, too interested in flogging finance and pcp plans to idiot punters. 😕
I hope that Lotus and JCT watch this video and show it to all their employees for training purposes.
They won't
Having worked in the industry for 35 years customer service is paramount, regardless of price and I was in the volume game. If I was buying a super car at these sort of prices then service is a must and my expectations would be on the ceiling. So who is the best if you have your lottery win?
Hi JayEmm. Firstly, thanks for all the great video's - has it really been 2 yrs? Of course like many, I started watching because of the Lotus content, so good news that you'll keep some Lotus features going even with the E400 gone. Yup, kinda sad when I read on TLF you'd sold it, but its your car / money / choice. I think over the years you've treaded a finely judged line between telling us what you really think of things, yet not aimed to piss anyone off - a level of honestly thats is lacking elsewhere. I've owned many Lotus', but never picked-up the full tab, as I've always bought them used & maintained them myself - so I can fully understand that good customer care is expected when buying new from a dealer. Lets see what the future brings for both Lotus under Geely & your channel.... either way I'm sure it will be a great journey. Cheers
Thanks for your support Sean
Very interesting summary of Lotus ownership. Can’t wait to see what will replace the Lotus.
thanks. now i can take lotus off my list
I was soooo close to purchasing a 2017 Red Evora 400. Thank you Jay for responding to my messages. it was beautiful. Something kept nagging at me down deep and I just could not pull the trigger. I drove by Carlock In Nashville yesterday and they had a neon looking green Evora. Oh my it was so awesome to see. That being said something inside me tells me that I am glad that I passed. The more research that I saw about so many issues the better I feel. I will stick with my Audi TTS for now. I know it is not a purist drive but I really enjoy the interior and it is plenty quick. I do love the look of this car. Maybe someday Lotus will get their issues down to a minimum. Good luck Jay on your new ride. Maybe check out the new Supra. It is on my radar but my TTS is really giving me what I need.
Thanks Robert.
Very curious to see what you purchase.
Great to see honesty, I'm thinking Lotus should be at least sponsoring you for all the advice and content you've put there way as well as the many new customers they have gained over the past two years directly from your content.... Unfortunately car dealers have the worst customer service almost out of all verticals.... Im hoping you may at some point get the Exige 350 + or a cup version for your new car
Lotus don't even answer my emails, so it seems unlikely
thanks for your honesty
Buy a Lexus LFA, a Camry TRD Pro or at least a Honda Accord 2.0T. You wont be disappointed.
Truly sorry to see your Evora adventure end in this manner. But I do understand and sympathize. One of the reasons I chose a Grand Sport over the Evora was my concern with getting proper Lotus service here in the States. Even so, the sad truth is most Chevy dealers here can’t tell the difference between a Corvette and a blueberry muffin.
I look forward to your next drive!
I had problems with JCT600 Porsche back in 2007 when I had my Boxster S. They truly do not give a toss about customer service in any shape or form. Regarding your Lotus you'd have been better with a Cayman GT4. Better, faster car and you'd have probably made money on it..
Only if I had one from new, which was virtually impossible
Great car. Super reliable. Quality went up fast. Now the Emira sets the new standard in beauty and desirability.
Is it possible (likely) that with the introduction of the new model (Emira) that this experience would be different?
That’s what I’m hoping with their next plant upgrades but the dealer experience is vital as they are the front end of the business. I’ve put a deposit down for an Emira so if i do go for one Lotus they must get the customer service right.
Brave man £70k + on a lotus , look forward to the new car 👍
A bit of a shock!! Although saying that I did think that you skated over the supercharger braking in the last updated and now I see why. You have managed to ignite a interest in lotus for me and hopefully next year if finance dictate I will serious consider a Evora.
Mate, totally sympathise with you on all points. I bought a launch model Evora S from JCT Leeds years ago (when they were at the Ferrari/Maserati/Aston location) and had nothing but issues. Poor dealer help, unresolved issues, recalls galore. 3 month wait on parts when someone rear ended it. It really did leave me frustrated. Amazing car but owning made me angry, So I chopped it in. Sad to see the ownership experience has not changed.
I had a Exige S prior to that and had zero issues (purchased from Christopher Neil) but really only had JCT service it.
I only know JCT from just over 30 years ago. It sounds like they're no better now than they were then.
Sorry to hear this, but service support is a real weak-point of the Lotus experience. I'm one of the guys who bought an Evora on the back of your channel, so a bit sad to hear this news, but looking forward to your future (esp. Lotus) material.
S2 Elise, 15k+ miles and a few minor issue nothing serious apart from transmission oil being spilt (must've been the first owner to actually drive it fast) and a faulty headgasket...which I had coming, so no blame on lotus...dealerships however...oh no...won't see me there again ever...I have my car guru now and he's brilliant!
Well very sad. Not sure what to say. My Evora has been great, but it is not under warrantee. I have owned an Audi TT MK2. Really a lot of support. Even here in Southern California , not much Lotus support. I think better things are coming for Lotus. Will see.
time to use carbon tubs, long overdue
Not always as good as they seem, lots of issues to consider - cost being the main one
Sorry to watch this video. Nick Murray another you tuber had major issues with his previous 911. He used his channel to help persuade Porsche North America to do the right thing. He had an M4, but returned to a 991 911.
Nick doesn't have a lot of luck with his cars
I feel for you RE: this video. I've also bought through JCT600 Leeds pre Yeadon days
Started watching the channel for the evora content so I'm sad to see her go but as an Evora owner, all be it in Dubai, I know the pain of ownership. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Agreed, customer service not at the level of say Mercedes. They are a small company, and surely have room for improvement. Doesn't make them bad, just not great.
I was looking to buy this car and to hear your experience is turning me away from Lotus and I will stick with a used Porsche or a Ferrari which will hold their value.
You were failed, my dad bought a used Lexus es350, that’s a pretty entry level Lexus with the NA 3.5 V6, he got it about 3 years ago almost and it was about 3 years old, it’s a 2013 i believe.
Every time it has a dashboard light go off, or a airbag recall, even when he needed a tire repaired, they throw him the keys to a newer/better equipped car & they’ll even drive his car to him and pick up the loaner if he so desires.
For a glorified Camry worth about $15k iirc
All IMO could be very wrong. Watch the making of the Elise documentary from the early 2000 late 90s, that will show you what kind of company they are. Summery; they just make great unique cars, really thats all they've been good at, as a bod of engineers and designers. They do have their new owner/governors so it may change? I feel like a Lotus is something you have to take ownership of, where a warranty is only a few years direct with the factory at lead times and postage cost. If you are buying for after sales then I don't think a lotus is there at the moment.
I look forward to the next chapter Jay
Nothing but the truth of story of the British moter dealership in general .Friday fun for so many across Britain even though it's the mobile phone age.
Never breakdown on a Friday and worst are the days of TVR.
Fair do, good rant well explained.
It's sad when a great car is sullied by problems and poor customer service.
But I hope you are getting a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II.
That would be something....
That would be something, wouldn't it?
A 2+2, so two adults and two children can go away for an exciting holiday in it, as long as a small van comes along with luggage. What were Lotus thinking.?? A type 50 2+2 at least had luggage space.
Back in the 70s if you drove Lotus then you fixed it on Sunday to drive it on Monday. These days owners are poofs more concerned with topping up their after shave than their oil and wouldnt fix a car for fear of chipping their nail varnish. If you cant be bothered to learn and keep a runabout for when your car needs work then you deserve all you get. FSH and warranty systems are designed to rip you off and stabilise dealers work load/ annual accounts NOT keep your car in tip top condition. Missing stamps in the book lead to sleepless nights about work that wouldnt have been done anyway. Wake up, man up, smell the coffee and get real.
I bought a 400 on the back of your videos which I watch religiously , such a shame to her the news. Could I ask if there was any diagnostics on the super charger failure? Also bought mine from the same dealer in Leeds. I live in London and need it’s second service soon, who would you recommend ? Keep up the Evora content please!!!
If you are in London, I hear good things about Hexagon - but I also highly recommend Bell and Colvill
Shame, but when your supercharger gave up I thought you might get rid of it. That's pretty poor on a two year old car. As for the customer service and lack of engagement I can see why that narked you. This is why I would always use a good independent or better still buy secondhand and meet that owner. Glad the stars aligned for you re: replacing and most importantly finding another 'custodian'. These cars have a niche market.... That bloke on the other channel with the blue one still hasn't managed to flog his!! Good luck and can't wait to see the replacement 😎 ps would love to hear the vital stats some time. How many miles covered, costs of ownership, depreciation etc... I came close to Evora ownership this year, but you have opened my eyes so thanks!
Sad story indeed. Lotus really dropped the ball on this. Anyone considering buying a 400 is bound to come across this video. It could well change a few minds. Also sad that this British mark (OK Chinese owned 😆) isn't industry leading. If Triumph can do it for motorbikes surely Lotus can do the same for their cars. Almost sounds a bit TVR with this many issues. Let's hope they do sort their act out otherwise they too will go the dogs.
When my 2010 Elise SC was recalled by Lotus for an oil hose design fault of their own making I was quite unable to negotiate any reasonable solution with the factory in Hethel, who expected me to drive a potentially dangerous car 500 kms to the nearest dealer in the South of France to have the anomaly fixed at their expense.
Not having managed to persuade after sales, in the person of Neil Turner at Hethel to propose a suitable solution I confided my car into the very capable hands of my all time favourite mechanics ... the Stevens, father and sons at The English Car Mechanics in Opio, who did a fantastic job to improve my car and eradicate the Lotus factory design faults from Hethel. Yes I paid from my own pocket, but my car was better, as a result than when it had left the factory in 2010.
The intransigence of the position at Hethel had been related to cash worries and Neil Turner was simply following orders from above but the incident did nothing to improve client relations.
If you have a valuable and/or high performance car that needs attention in the South of France TECM in Opio are the people to take it to ... they are dammned good highly skilled mechanics!
That opening song was amazing! 😍 But great video James, I look forward to the future! I've never liked Lotus if I'm honest, but I know you have loved them for a long time! It'll be interesting to see where this ventures goes! But I shan't miss the Lotus tbh 🙈
Edit: obviously after finished the video I know most the issues aren't lotus but the dealer themselves, thought that needed to be said 🤙🏻
I was about to say why, but you made a good point. Same point as to why we got rid of our quadrifoglio. Customer service was awful and the closest dealer was 100 miles away, plus when we sent it in for its limp mode issue, it had to go in 3 times and still wasn't fixed. So does that mean you're buying a used muscle. 😂💪👍
I do hear a lot of unfortunate stories about Alfa dealers
@@JayEmmOnCars no joke if the car didn't have that stupid issue then there's no point to let it go, it was alot of car for the money. I'll still watch your channel even if you go to different car brands. Unless you go to the dark side of fanboyism. 😂👍
I never thought I'd see the day when you sold it Jay. But we all have our limits and I've been there myself with another brand.
Is that your Lotus Espirit? Man I hope they reboot that beautiful thing.
Sad to see the lotus go , Im suprised that lotus lies about the weight didnt know about that the more u know ...
Im intressed in the oncoming video about the exige 430 cup and its issues.
The exige 410 sport stole my heart and im saving up for one hopefully i wont have any major issues *Knocks on wood*
Hmmm, this was bought 2 years ago. Hopefully the 2018 onward models will be better!
Is it going to be a lotus Carlton????
now that would be a good idea. :)
Very honest chap. When it’s time to sell it’s time to sell. Look forward to seeing what you get next. Manual 360 maybe?
I actually was looking at them when I got the Evora, but having seen them go from 40k to 70k, I didn't want the car to go back to 40K, and the running costs of a Ferrari would kill me
JayEmm on Cars limited edition manual v8v?
I really hate to see you get rid of your Evora, but your reasons are completely justifiable. No courtesy vehicle for someone who paid around $100,000 USD??? The supercharger going out is very concerning as well...
Anyway, thanks for creating an awesome UA-cam channel, and I look forward to future content as well as what your next purchase will be. I am still a passionate Lotus enthusiast myself who's looking forward to owning one one day (hopefully soon, haven't decided if I want an Elise or Evora). I'd like to meet you if you're ever back in the US visiting North or South Carolina!
I'll be back in North Carolina next year
@@JayEmmOnCars if you are ever in the bay area, california. Hit me up. I've been a fan of your evora vids for a while. I rent out sports cars on turo (a car share app) and would be happy to set you up with a fun cruiser while you're here.
Thanks Man, appreciate it. Keep an eye on here and my FB for announcements about travel plans
Sorry to hear of the dealer issues you had, very surprising in this day and age, it seems from my own experience that Porsche dealers are at the other end of the spectrum in terms of customer service, just saying.
Not all of them, unfortunately. Do you still have your targa?
JayEmm on Cars GTS targa is sold I now have a coupe GTS 2015 year
I bought a 400 on the basis of this channel instead of a 911 (I already have an S1 Elise however).
9000km in 4 months in Dubai (daily driver) and the dealer here could teach the UK lot many things. We have dealer invited track days, social runs and a WhatsApp group for instant advice.
Regrets? None.
Sounds like you are really being looked after, glad to hear it!
In the same position, I'd be looking for a Morgan Aero GT as a replacement.
Not too much out there as special as these cars.
Best of luck to you.
I still haven't driven a Morgan. Not my bag, but very cool.
This is why you should go for the cheapest Lotus Elise. 118 or 130 hp is fun enough when the car weighs less than 600kg. You will never use a Lotus as a every day car. So go for the lightest one with a more basic engine.