2023 Lotus Emira First Edition owner review

Have you experienced any reliability issues with your vehicle since you purchased it?

Yes.

A few niggling issues which have been promptly dealt with by SSC.

Early days, there was a stall start issue relating to the fuel.

There have been some other minor issues relating to air conditioning and minor interior problems, which were quickly fixed. All to be expected with a hand-built car.

Have you had to make any warranty claims?

Yes.

The Emira is notorious for having paint bubble problems. Unfortunately, this has occurred three times. To the Australian dealership's credit, each time the panel has been replaced and paint-matched. There were no delays in waiting for replacement panels.

Has your vehicle been serviced at least once since you took ownership?

Yes.

The 15,000km service was completed by the dealership at a reasonable price and time. The only issue is there is only one dealership in NSW at Atarmaon that can do the service, so you will need to be prepared to travel.

Overall, are you satisfied with your ownership experience so far?

Yes.

I have had the Emira for nearly three years, and it is my daily drive. It still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it and have just ticked over 30,000. All hand-built cars will come with their own nuances that make them all that more special.

David’s experience with the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition

The Lotus Emira is arguably the most complete petrol Lotus ever made.

It’s not as raw as the Elise and not as polished as a Porsche — but it sits beautifully in between. It feels special every time you look at it, and even more so when you drive it.

If you value steering feel and engagement over outright badge prestige, it’s one of the best modern sports cars available.

If you want:

Pure driving feel → V6 manual

Daily usability + tech → AMG DCT

Something that feels rare and exotic without Ferrari money → Emira makes huge sense

It’s not the fastest in its class. It’s not the most practical. But it might be the most emotional.
Who Should Buy It?
You’ll love it if:
You value steering feel over lap times.
You want something rarer than a Porsche.
You want the last analogue-ish experience before EV takeover.
You care about how a car feels more than what badge is on it.

You might not if:
You want ultimate resale security.
You need perfect build quality.
You prioritise outright speed over engagement.
Final Deep Verdict:

The Emira isn’t the fastest.
It isn’t the most luxurious.
It isn’t the most practical.
But it might be the most emotionally satisfying new sports car you can buy under $250,000.
It feels like the end of an era — because it is.