Lotus Exige V6 SC (Exige (S3?) - New Elise SC
Discussion
jokkevlo said:
Scuffers said:
it's not carbon, it will be Kevlar based, and they don't stink if you treat them right.
I know two guys having it, both similar "problem" the smell of Fuel who enters the Cabin. Verhiest Lotus (quiet known in Lotus world) told me this would be the case too.....The bigger bag tank we all know and love will smell of fuel regarless of how it is treated and fitted, that was the comment of the manufacturer today when I was there speaking on another matter. And since they are the best fuel tank manufacturer in the world I would believe them (and I have tried others).
C43
C43
C43 said:
The bigger bag tank we all know and love will smell of fuel regarless of how it is treated and fitted, that was the comment of the manufacturer today when I was there speaking on another matter. And since they are the best fuel tank manufacturer in the world I would believe them (and I have tried others).
C43
then get another manufactures bag tank!C43
I have fitted dozens of them, none smell of fuel.
C43 said:
The bigger bag tank we all know and love will smell of fuel regarless of how it is treated and fitted, that was the comment of the manufacturer today when I was there speaking on another matter. And since they are the best fuel tank manufacturer in the world I would believe them (and I have tried others).
C43
Exactely the same info I got and experienced !C43
@Bobo: delivery week47
morning chaps, still bleating off about the inconsequential ?
in the meantime my old italian mob PB Racing have the v6 on tour at the circuit di san martino del lago. its getting a great response over there, but then again, eyetyes understand what looks good and what doesn't!
they race cup260s on that track so im trying to get comparative times. so far they are going quite nuts for it....
heres a few snaps 'con gnocca' a lesson for you in bella figura - lol
in the meantime my old italian mob PB Racing have the v6 on tour at the circuit di san martino del lago. its getting a great response over there, but then again, eyetyes understand what looks good and what doesn't!
they race cup260s on that track so im trying to get comparative times. so far they are going quite nuts for it....
heres a few snaps 'con gnocca' a lesson for you in bella figura - lol
bobo said:
in the meantime my old italian mob PB Racing have the v6 on tour at the circuit di san martino del lago. its getting a great response over there, but then again, eyetyes understand what looks good and what doesn't!
they race cup260s on that track so im trying to get comparative times. so far they are going quite nuts for it....
Interesting to know how it is on track? Pls poste more info they race cup260s on that track so im trying to get comparative times. so far they are going quite nuts for it....
This is for The Pits who doesn't give any other name. I have just cancelled my order for the V6 Exige but I wish to enquire about the reasons for his dislike of some cars on track that are quite popular for it. If one wants a Caterham track experience with a roof there is limited choice which is why I placed a very early order for the Exige but I am not paying £60,000 for a car which instead of having a device to get the power down puts the brakes on instead. Upon reading this topic's many pages I see it is regarded as a road car however so I have done the right thing as I am a trackday driver with an Auto Diesel Estate for the rough stuff. However it still leaves the question above. What else is there except Exiges Skylines M3s Caymans GT3s Nobles R8s and front/4wh drivers like the Megane or Evo and of these the GT3 is one of the most popular but Pits says it is not a good track car.Reasons please and what is your choice?
Clearly I'm in a minority but 911 GT3's are not to my taste as I find them awkward to drive, inherently unbalanced (due to rear engine) and require adapting to and re-learning how to drive fast. However if you can look past all that then you do get one of the few heavy road cars that's durable enough for regular track use. However it comes at a price. Once up to speed you might not see too many dry track days for one set of tyres. You need to look up what a set of GT3 tyres costs. No wonder most track day goers swap have a spare set of wheels and swap to slicks for the track these days.
In terms of running costs a Skyline GTR is probably not much cheaper but you could buy a car with lots of uprated parts for much less than the cost of a GT3. A well maintained car with sensible track mods would be my preference over a 911. I used to own an R34 GTR and it was very impressive on the track for a heavy car. Very stiff ride on the road though. That weight means you can't have it both ways.
However all this stuff is honestly a bit rubbish (slow and expensive) compared to a quick Caterham. A Radical is in another league again. But a really quick Caterham (R400 upwards) is pretty much fast as you can go without downforce and all for peanuts in terms of tyres and maintenance. The big downside is that you need another car for daily use and getting to the track and back is obviously harder work than something like an M3. Trailering soon makes more sense, especially as you can still get home in the event of an 'off'.
I still think the V6 Exige is the best 'drive to the track and back again' car out there for anything like reasonable money. The four cylinder Exige is already a very good compromise, this one promises to be even better on the road and quicker on the track too (and most likely a bit more expensive to run). As for the traction control, it can always be switched off and I have no doubt an LSD will be available very soon. I read recently that a V6 'cup' car is being launched next month. Lotus tend not to like LSD's though because they tend to promote understeer and corrupt the steering. Personally, I'd try the car 'as is' and assess from there. Certainly the fine handling Cayman R with the LSD fitted is said to understeer more. Ultimate steering feel is a big part of a Lotus for me so I wouldn't rush in to doing anything that might adversely affect it.
Use of the brakes as part of the traction control is very common these days. Certainly Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche all do so you're in good company.
In terms of running costs a Skyline GTR is probably not much cheaper but you could buy a car with lots of uprated parts for much less than the cost of a GT3. A well maintained car with sensible track mods would be my preference over a 911. I used to own an R34 GTR and it was very impressive on the track for a heavy car. Very stiff ride on the road though. That weight means you can't have it both ways.
However all this stuff is honestly a bit rubbish (slow and expensive) compared to a quick Caterham. A Radical is in another league again. But a really quick Caterham (R400 upwards) is pretty much fast as you can go without downforce and all for peanuts in terms of tyres and maintenance. The big downside is that you need another car for daily use and getting to the track and back is obviously harder work than something like an M3. Trailering soon makes more sense, especially as you can still get home in the event of an 'off'.
I still think the V6 Exige is the best 'drive to the track and back again' car out there for anything like reasonable money. The four cylinder Exige is already a very good compromise, this one promises to be even better on the road and quicker on the track too (and most likely a bit more expensive to run). As for the traction control, it can always be switched off and I have no doubt an LSD will be available very soon. I read recently that a V6 'cup' car is being launched next month. Lotus tend not to like LSD's though because they tend to promote understeer and corrupt the steering. Personally, I'd try the car 'as is' and assess from there. Certainly the fine handling Cayman R with the LSD fitted is said to understeer more. Ultimate steering feel is a big part of a Lotus for me so I wouldn't rush in to doing anything that might adversely affect it.
Use of the brakes as part of the traction control is very common these days. Certainly Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche all do so you're in good company.
err... you think a 911 eats tyres, try the GTR, easy to dust of the front tyres in a matter of minutes if you try hard...
And before you start, Ferrari's E-diff is still a physical diff.
The Pits said:
Use of the brakes as part of the traction control is very common these days. Certainly Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche all do so you're in good company.
yes, but the reason it's done is it's cheaper than doing an LSD properly.And before you start, Ferrari's E-diff is still a physical diff.
Mate of mine just drove the new exige all the way up to scotland for a recent top gear group test, so a 7+ hour non stop drive. He said it was really comfortable and a real pleasure to take up there. As for the speed, plenty quick enough, almost too quick if anything for the sort of car that it is. He drove the other cars up there like the MP4 and the 991 but reckoned the exige more than held its own, just the gearbox is a bit under par. Sounds great and looks great. Wouldnt mind testing one myself.
Just read the Top Gear Speedweek test. An interesting conclusion - the Toyota GT86 'wins'. I'll need to re-read exactly why but more important most testers had the Exige S in joint second with the McLaren MP4-12 and the Porsche 911 Carrera S. One had it ahead of the GT86. Bit of a result, especially when you factor in price.
I have one of the first ones on order, and finally got a test drive yesterday.
The whole package has moved on considerably (other than the interior which I don't really mind) I've owned, driven and raced quite a lot of cars, and although maybe not perfect, you'll struggle to find a better car for tearing up suitable back roads. Luckily there are plenty to choose from up here.
It looks more substantial, and is far more useable day-to-day if you wanted, although I'm not sure how the front splitter is going to fare on local speed bumps. Bigger than previous Exiges, but still on the right side of small, now with a properly great noise, briliantly damped, big power on-tap, and not a rattle! Gear change doesn't feel as slick as some, but that's more subjective than real - if you can't change up or down quickly and cleanly, it's your driving you need to look at. (obviously a nice slick, short-shift would be preferable though)
TBH, track days and their rules don't do much for me, and road cars (inc GT3RS) are always rubbish on a track, in comparison to a proper race car, but I think you'll have to be trying hard to not accept this is right up there with the best off-the-shelf cars of its type. Yes, it's expensive, but £ for £ it's right up there.
Well worth a drive for the sceptics. I've had withdrawal symptoms since yesterday, but hopefully only a couple of months to wait!
The whole package has moved on considerably (other than the interior which I don't really mind) I've owned, driven and raced quite a lot of cars, and although maybe not perfect, you'll struggle to find a better car for tearing up suitable back roads. Luckily there are plenty to choose from up here.
It looks more substantial, and is far more useable day-to-day if you wanted, although I'm not sure how the front splitter is going to fare on local speed bumps. Bigger than previous Exiges, but still on the right side of small, now with a properly great noise, briliantly damped, big power on-tap, and not a rattle! Gear change doesn't feel as slick as some, but that's more subjective than real - if you can't change up or down quickly and cleanly, it's your driving you need to look at. (obviously a nice slick, short-shift would be preferable though)
TBH, track days and their rules don't do much for me, and road cars (inc GT3RS) are always rubbish on a track, in comparison to a proper race car, but I think you'll have to be trying hard to not accept this is right up there with the best off-the-shelf cars of its type. Yes, it's expensive, but £ for £ it's right up there.
Well worth a drive for the sceptics. I've had withdrawal symptoms since yesterday, but hopefully only a couple of months to wait!
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