Lotus Emira vs Porsche 911
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 52% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Emira | 911 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 2 550 000 | R 2 760 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 44 570/m | R 48 240/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 75% | 75% |
| Retained after 3 years | 52% | 52% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 328 109 | R 1 437 483 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 1 221 891 | R 1 322 517 |
| Value after 5 years | R 901 754 | R 976 016 |
| Our tier | Luxury flagship & exotic | Luxury flagship & exotic |
Lotus Emira →
The Emira is Lotus's final combustion sports car and returned the brand to South African showrooms under Daytona. The supercharged V6 has been retailed at around R2.55 million, with the AMG four-cylinder version also offered. It undercuts a comparable 911 but carries more resale risk given the small dealer footprint.
Known for: the last petrol lotus
Porsche 911 →
The 911 has been sold continuously in South Africa across every generation and remains the benchmark sports car here. Coupe, cabriolet and Targa bodies are offered, with the current 992.2 range from about R2.76 million and GT models attracting long waiting lists. Well-kept 911s depreciate slowly and GT3 and Turbo variants often trade above their original list prices.
Known for: holding value better than almost any car
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Lotus Emira or the Porsche 911?
They are close to inseparable: 52% vs 52% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Lotus Emira loses about R 1 221 891 over three years and the Porsche 911 loses about R 1 322 517. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Lotus Emira runs about R 44 570 per month and the Porsche 911 about R 48 240, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.