LOTUS BLOCKED ME BUYING MY EMIRA! Here's what happened...

LOTUS EMIRA CANCELLED!: I tried everything to make the Lotus Emira order work but events conspired against me and it just was not meant to be!
Following the Emira test drive at the beginning of 2023 I was really looking forward to taking ownership of the car…here I explain all the events that led to me eventually Cancelling My Order.
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[@RichReviews_]

Following the Emira test drive at the beginning of 2023 I was really looking forward to taking ownership of the car…here I explain all the events that led to me eventually Cancelling My Order... Have you cancelled your Emira Order? Let me know below what made you decide to cancel...

[@stealth_yellow]

I cancelled my order after waiting over 2 years. So glad I did. You can now pick up a 2023 car for about £60k.

[@topend2282]

I believe we are seeing the Chinese side of this company now. Much like, how Evergrande was taking mortgage payments for condominiums on land that they had not broken ground on…. Terrible business practice!

[@RichReviews_]

A major financial backer will always have a key say in the future of a company...unavoidable.

[@FalcoBikes]

There you are being ignorant... the Chinese branch of Lotus (basically the Chinese folks employed by Geely) are WAY more efficient than the UK branch. Labor laws may be more relaxed and employee benefits/rights may be less than in the UK (third world vs first world issue) but that's a different topic. I mean I know on the internet it's plausible and popular to just sh*t on anything China related, but in this particular case, it's simply false. In fact the new Chinese boss of Lotus is pretty upset with the UK pace.

[@s8aan]

Shame, it's an excellent car. I'm -1 day short of a year ownership. Absolutely loving it. Pickup one on the used market, get a decent exhaust on there and it really opens up.

[@RichReviews_]

That's really good to hear.

[@davem7139]

I cancelled my deposit/order after getting a cayman allocation. What a great decision. In the states these are years behind schedule and the original 79k usd base price seems to have been wildly inaccurate.

[@Steveawm430]

What is the 718 GTS depreciation like in the US? In the UK, in AutoTrader, a 2022 is up at £64k whilst two new ones are at £91-95k, so looks like they are taking a hammering this side of the pond.

[@s.gharavi1614]

​@@Steveawm430Americans love Porsche so much that they haven't depreciated...yet! But they will. Even 911s are going to have 15-20% corrections within 12-18 months.

[@jackdale9249]

just because you would have had to park it outside ? OMG how silly ! build a bloody shelter for it ! not very difficult . you clearly did not want it ! and weird laws there in UK ! IN USA the title is in YOUR name but they are a "first secured party " Change your laws ! and situs in UK ! what a drama king !

[@RichReviews_]

The FB LI battery king is back! 👍😂 Watch the video and maybe Listen to the chronological events?…you’ll then note it wasn’t about parking outside.

[@user-vh2ct6xx2m]

Maybe get some new curtains rather than a new car 😂😂

[@RichReviews_]

They’re classic! 👌🏻

[@meenboli]

As an Emira owner in waiting for a 2024 Q2 build slot - this is very interesting. I hadn’t started looking at finance options yet - but I will be now!

[@RichReviews_]

Good luck!

[@trigganometry168]

Sorry to hear. I'm so glad I pulled my Emira deposit and got a Cayman GTS 4.0 last year. My Cayman also got a bit of delay from parts shortage. It was delayed for a few months and I missed out on a 1.99 loan rate and ended up with 3.24

[@RichReviews_]

Sorry to hear that, it makes quite a difference and a shame you could not secure the rate previous to the hike but at least 3.24 is still a good rate in reference to what is around now.

[@ronaldwilliford301]

Don’t buy from them! All this sounds like Lotus is very crooked! Greedy.

[@mnewlyn]

mine's parked on the street in front of our comprehensive school in central London all year, it's fine, you don't need a garage - take delivery.

[@RichReviews_]

I would recommend watching the video again. It’s not about the parking.

[@rd5140]

ahhh, nothing like the whiff of scared money on a Sunday morning read...

[@RichReviews_]

And you’d defo know! 🤣🤣

[@andrewpreston5046]

I had a deposit down but a health issue, the delays meant that I may not have ever been able to enjoy one! So I bought something else. I did test drive Emira, it was completely underwhelming in terms of performance. When it kind of felt like it was beginning to push, it hit the rev limiter! My baseline of car experience has been completely shifted by a BMW i8 Roadster, the torque it has along with acceleration, touring experience is quite next level.

[@RichReviews_]

Know what you mean about the Rev limiter, caught me out too…seems way too early.

[@russelllutwyche5736]

Cancelled mine early on due to very poor customer service, and took the view that if that was the service I’m receiving before I bought the car what would it be like after I bought the car. There’s nothing worse than being prepared to spend a large sum of money with a company and they leave you feeling like they are doing you a favour allowing you to buy their product. You can get better service at Tesco’s.

[@RichReviews_]

To be fair Ferrari are like that but big brand difference.

[@KR15_KHH]

:) So you can call Tesco: Ferrari, Porsche, Tesla (actually, Tesla is a Tesco), Bugatti, even Toyota (see GR Yaris) and a few 'fashion' brands i.e. Rolex, Patek etc. During the last few years, we had Covid, Ukraine's 'special operation';), Brexit, inflation records, plus the US stirs everywhere and wants to start and lose another conflict. That's why everything is so unpredictable. You can always buy an American car (easier because no one wants their straight-line only toys). If Lotus would like to answer promptly to every customer, they would need to employ half of India (as a telesales team) and a few wizards with GPT-enabled crystal balls to predict what and when happens ...

[@ronaldwilliford301]

Good Luck!👍🍀

[@RichReviews_]

Thanks

[@freddaniali]

Rich, sorry to hear this, but you are on to something here. I think that you should buy the car second hand (with delivery miles and a similar spec), save a ton of cash, and finance it the way that you want. There is nothing wrong with being frugal with your money!

[@RichReviews_]

Thanks Fred, as you say it could be a blessing with the prices falling as they are.

[@simonb3749]

I had completely the opposite experience to this with my Emira. I found Lotus customer care helpful both over the phone and on email (and also in their Silverstone dealership, who managed my test drives. Having owned the car for 4 months now, you couldn't persuade me to switch out of it - it's fun, quick, beautiful and the ownership experience has been great. The car is obviously not going to be for everyone, but for the sake of balance, here to say Lotus nailed customer care for me.

[@RichReviews_]

That’s great to hear, thank you for sharing.

[@GermanWhip-3900]

Poor customer service and lack of personal contact from Lotus is a blessing in disguise. You deserve to benefit from this as you've been very patient. Fancy asking you to watch another KZbin channel to get an update on production issues !!!!! Really

[@RichReviews_]

Agreed...In the end I was happy to get my deposit back in a timely manner, especially given the change in the marketplace.

[@antonyporter565]

Cancelled mine rich. Ordered march 2022 last delay e mail was delivery q4 2024 !👎👎

[@RichReviews_]

Sorry to hear that. Have a look at the classifieds, loads with low mileage and circa 20k under retail!

[@BigTwat]

You dodged a bullet.. They will drop a lot further. I also cancelled my order.. Got a used 718 Spyder instead and the engine is actually more characterful than the Emira V6 lump over a wider rev range.. (Cargraphic valve controller a must though and easy to install). However that Toyota V6 does sound way better in the Exige though (less sound deadening obviously). GT3 991.1 values have nearly bottomed out, good shout.

[@enriquegascon6378]

Just knowing that the Chinese have their hands in this is enough to make run the other way fast.

[@RichReviews_]

😯

[@andrewshaw2614]

Hold out for a second hand one. Sold mine and best offer was £66,500. Lotus offered me £61,000 to px for an auto V6. There are over 70 cars available at dealers and at the old price. I got out before they tank even further! I think sub £60,000 is going to happen quite quickly

[@RichReviews_]

I agree, I think they have a way to drop yet.

[@MrAndyj007]

55k and im in play .. another 6-12 months i reckon

[@manuelpiston]

Auto?! Who wants that? By a Prius

[@RichReviews_]

I guess depends on how good the DCG is but for me it was always a manual.

[@MrGB1999]

Hi Rich - can I pick your brain a bit? I've just sold my F430 😢 and am looking at next options. For around the 65-75 mark would you be opting for the Emira or how about a gen 2 R8? How do you think I'll do in an R8 after having driven what is quite a wild Ferrari? Cheers!

[@RichReviews_]

I would look at a 991.1 GT3 but you would have to be careful regarding the engine revision due to the issues they had with the 991.1. We can help you with this...we provide services as follows... Support Calls: * Initial free circa 15 min phone discussion to get to know each-other and to discuss the process. * Technical Support Calls * Calls to discuss specification and approach to procuring a car that meets your expectations. 458 Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI): * Discuss your requirements and expectations for the purchase of your dream car. * Perform an on-the-spot assessment of the car while liaising with you to provide feedback. * Assist in the decision making process and provide support in negotiations if required. Car Collection Video: * Discuss your expectations for the Collection Video and how much you want to be involved. * Develop a Car Collection Video as a special memento for the collection of your dream car.

[@mac_m3]

Go for the GT3. It will hold its value better. In 4-5 years, maybe re-visit the Emira option

[@RichReviews_]

Thanks I feel you’re right.

[@suewoodland1657]

Wow! What awful service from Lotus. It makes you wonder if their cash flow was suffering too with making it difficult for you to get finance under your own steam. If you bought a 2nd hand one, what might their aftermarket service be like. Personally, I’d take the GT3 any day 😉

[@RichReviews_]

Agree, but let’s see where the Emira levels out to in a few months first.

[@Steveawm430]

The GT3 is an epic car, but certainly not an Emira rival. They range in price from £74k for a 2004 996 GT3, to £175k for the cheapest 2023 992 GT3 on AutoTrader.

[@Steveawm430]

That being said I would also go for the GT3 given a choice between the two!

[@RichReviews_]

991.1 GT3s are dropping within range of the current Emira new on-the-road of circa 87k

[@RichReviews_]

100% agree

[@Ben_conduit]

Poor service from lotus!! Can’t believe what I just heard tbh 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@RB-ir5yo]

I had the same customer service from Lotus. Pretty grim to be honest. If you want to buy my Emira let me know! Its May 2023 reg, its done 1083 miles, every extra you can get, and its for sale. I'm staggered by the trade in value I'm being offered. We paid cash for it, £83k. Highest bid we have had in part ex is £70k... Not good. My partner cancelled his order due to Lotus Customer service.

[@_Ben4810]

You gotta laugh at the Emira First Edition flippers moaning on the depreciation....😆

[@kristiancustodio638]

Same here I cancelled my order waited 2 yrs and couldn't get a proper answer when they would be able to build the car I know the whole world is going through a hard time but atleast provide some kind of information for your customers to hold on to .. for a 400 hp car it's not worth it

[@RichReviews_]

Lotus communication is shocking...not sure if this is a bi-product of the direct sales approach or incompetent legacy sales processes or both.

[@danevosler]

Good for holding the line - super dirty by Lotus

[@RichReviews_]

Thanks

[@dash-ryan]

That's why Lotus has failed and will continue to fail in Canada. I really like the Emira, but I bought a C8 Corvette Stingray. From what I'm hearing Emira's are depreciating faster than Corvette's, so no regrets. Pick up a used one in a year. Sounds like you'll get it for a steal.

[@davebarkley8773]

I never thought it was a good idea to buy a new design of anything especially a car no matter what make. Let the manufacturers get the "bugs" and "gremlins" out and let the car get broken in, in the real world and fix those problems. And buy one on the used market and save a ton of money.

[@RichReviews_]

Agree, this is my thought process now.

[@lazzyrj1]

As of January 2024, there are 0 used Lotus Emiras for sale in the entire continental US.

[@RichReviews_]

Wow

[@holty2]

It is not true that you cannot finance through a 3rd party. No, Lotus don't help, but yes it is possible. I totally agree that Lotus HQ were painful to deal with and I also wasn't able to get them to adjust the invoice name, my finance company Forza Finance said it does unfortunately happen on occasion, but they had a process of drawing down a self-invoice as soon as it became clear Lotus wouldn't do it. My car is financed through Forza, backed by Santander and has been since I collected it in March 2023

[@RichReviews_]

Thank you. No finance company I spoke with would accept an invoice in my name including the car finance sector if my bank. Can you explain ‘drawing down’ pls.

[@BrianCantybollox]

Same here i had no option in April 23 to take lotus finance even though i had sorted an alternative weeks before. Posted this on emira forum some time later to find others had done their own finance. Made me look a bit of a twat but how many times do you challenge a flat no 🤷‍♂️ done 3000 miles. Auto box is fab it needs a new wiper motor and a fuel level sensor already but i don’t care it’s fantastic. I would rather have one and moan about everything than not have one and still moan.

[@TheOrangeEliseCup250]

I canceled my order because of issues, quality & customer service disaster.

[@RichReviews_]

Similar issues to mine and pretty much everyone else that cancelled.

[@Puzzoozoo]

Lotus started its downward trajectory the day Colin Chapman died.

[@manuelpiston]

On racing yeah but not on road cars.

[@FalcoBikes]

Well, as an Emira owner and a legal/financial professional of 20 years, I find your statements rather odd... When you are buying a car with financing, the financing provider DOES NOT OWN the car. They may have a "security interest" in the car, yes, but ownership? No. To have the invoice issued in the bank's name is very odd. The only exception I can think of is a buy and lease back option which can be common in a project financing/leasing context where the true owner would SELL the product to the financing provider/nominal owner and then "repurchase" the product back after the financing is paid off. Either way, if I was running LOtus, I'd be rather cautious before agreeing to this arrangement. In addition, issuing an invoice to the financing provider seems to take away the legal protection of a rightful owner (YOU). Either way very odd indeed.

[@RichReviews_]

Where are you based? This is standard practise for financing a car in the U.K.!

[@DEFACTO9]

Very suprised by this. were you assigned a dealer couldnt the dealer have helped with ownership ?

[@RichReviews_]

Lotus changed their sales approach with the Emira to a direct sales with Lotus, you could only organise test drives with a local dealership and initially that was painful too! Lotus really shot themselves in the foot with this one!

[@jonathanland2218]

Lucky for you, maybe you dodged a bullet. Lotus are the most unprofessional of car manufacturers. There’s always an alternative.Buy the Porsche GT3. Lotus - Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious.

[@superfast30]

I think Lotus is suffering financially. Their recent attempt to sell what should a be a sub million dollar EV super car for 2 million, which is hyper car money speaks volumes. Lotus would be last on my list of sports car makers if I was in the market! The GT3 shits all over the Emira by every measure!

[@TheHesK9]

GT3 is way more expensive than an Emira. That's like saying an Audi RS3 is way better than a VW Polo GTI

[@manuelpiston]

You wouldn't understand lotus. Your brain is to little.

[@sarge27271]

After being treated like a second class citizen by Lotus, you'd buy a used one? They would never see me again. Hop on the Porsche bandwagon. Look into a pre-owned 981 or 718.........Cheers

[@7markshark]

Yes you rae right, here in Germany the same situation. It si not just about the economic situation and the clima , it is of all the troubles and quality with the car

[@RichReviews_]

Wow, had not heard of Germany issues.

[@randlewilliams8288]

Great review, well done for having the strength to walk away

[@RichReviews_]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@randlewilliams8288]

@@RichReviews_ Nephew just sold us Vantage which could be another option for you, he was looking at a Lotus or gt3 , believe he has located a new gt3 with zero premium so that’s the route he is now following. It is is a shame because I still consider Lotus as an innovator offering a individual choice. Looking forward to which way you go

[@RichReviews_]

Thank you...keep watching.

[@JasonPorter]

I think it's sort of incredible that your frustration with Lotus was based on receiving *delay emails* from them. Compare that to the US, where the car has been delayed at least 6 different times but Lotus never bothered to communicate with customers at all, they literally gave all of us *radio silence for 2.5 years* with _no warning about delays or any explanation whatsoever._ It shows a shocking level of disrespect for their customers in the largest target market, and/or a total lack of understanding of the nuances of the dealer model in the US. Customers in the United States do the purchase transaction through a dealer, but they absolutely see their core business relationship as being with the manufacturer, not the dealer. And they expect product order status updates directly from the manufacturer, as logic and common sense would dictate. Porsche does this with zero problem. Lotus just seems to not care.

[@RichReviews_]

Never knew this...incredible!

[@garymurraya]

in reality your getting one today for not much over 65, they are not selling... SOOOO many problems with them, which you have not mentioned. Paint issues, electronics.... Not porsche quality by any means and very disappointing ... customer service is awful and no matter what price you get one at, you will 100% loose at least 10k in a year...if not 15 if you trade in... Emira I refer to.

[@RichReviews_]

I had heard of the issues but did not want to get on a Lotus Bashing theme; I still love the Emira and Lotus, irrespective of their flawed approach to deliver the Emira.

[@TheHesK9]

I'm not sure where you've got info that they're not selling...Still 2 years worth of orders to build

[@manuelpiston]

They are selling tho.

[@garymurraya]

they have laid off numerous employees at hethel so build them even slower, they are selling and those buying them are selling them on, ie 60 on autotrader and many many more for resale in EU@@manuelpiston

[@user-vh2ct6xx2m]

You obviously don’t have a Porsche, terrible after sales and nearly always have a problem when it comes to service.

[@jf9601]

Interesting video but what is not clear Is how you would have funded the car had it been ready for collection in November. It seems that the bigger issue was financing and perhaps buyers remorse given the state of the economy and interest rates. I suspect this is happening a lot and Lotus will suffer as a result.

[@RichReviews_]

Thank you for engaging with the channel. I had finance sorted no problems, but Lotus just would not work with any other companies other than their adopted financier which was a crazy high APR.

[@martinsaunders2942]

Interesting the discussion of the second hand price of the Emira. The Evora, Elise and Exige hold their value very well, and always have done.

[@RichReviews_]

I do not have facts close to hand but I suspect they dropped initially and then held. The market has been falsely inflated and buoyed by the issues with parts availability due to the impact of CoVID yet these issues are now resolved therefore cars that would not normally be valued as a premium over retail are now impacted by usual depreciation and this in association with the financial downturn and increases in interest rates etc is impacting Emira values. In effect it has come down to good old supply and demand...with over 60 cars being advertised now through classifieds with low mileage it has become a buyers market.

[@s.gharavi1614]

Yeah, the pandemic boosted their prices 40% above where they should be. And they'll likely drop 20-30% in the next 18 months.

[@Jeff-mn2ws]

its hard to get something when your not full of cash but no worries better cars will come along Lotus can stick it the car is JUNK! save your money

[@RichReviews_]

A little harsh but thank you.

[@Jeff-mn2ws]

@@RichReviews_ better will come your way 👍

[@RichReviews_]

Thank you.

[@Jeff-mn2ws]

Remember there is no substitute for PORSCHE !!! 😆😅🤣😂

[@RichReviews_]

This is very true.

[@futurenewmedia]

I said in your last vid you'd be in a GT3... You said 'we shall see' ... I say you will be 😂👍

[@RichReviews_]

You may well be right!

[@martinsaunders2942]

A GT3 is about twice the price though!

[@RichReviews_]

@@martinsaunders2942 about the same for a 991.1

[@DDd-hr6mz]

Not only a disaster for the reputation of the firm, but their contempt for their customers is beyond belief. Scratch 'em off. You can't do business with people like this, and the price point isn't worth it. A Cayman, F-type, plenty of fully developed iron out there without the compromises. And it's a parts bin car to boot.

[@rolandjarrett611]

Ioniq 5N

[@RichReviews_]

??? Why have you referenced a Hyundai?

[@daj021]

Porsche

[@daj021]

sod em.....move on......they are probably going to fold anyway !

[@RichReviews_]

Wow bit of an extreme viewpoint.

[@martinsaunders2942]

I doubt it with Geeley owning them.