Question for Exige Owners.
Discussion
Hi guys.
I'm just wondering what it's like to own one of these?
I currently own an E92 M3 but really fancy a change to a proper sports car next. I'm thinking of a Noble M12 GTO 3R or an exige. Obviously, I'm reaching out to Exige owners here so any general info would be appreciated.
What is the model to have? I'm interested in the S2 supercharged version unless I learn otherwise.
Like I said, any general info appreciated.
Thanks.
I'm just wondering what it's like to own one of these?
I currently own an E92 M3 but really fancy a change to a proper sports car next. I'm thinking of a Noble M12 GTO 3R or an exige. Obviously, I'm reaching out to Exige owners here so any general info would be appreciated.
What is the model to have? I'm interested in the S2 supercharged version unless I learn otherwise.
Like I said, any general info appreciated.
Thanks.
Absolutely stunning vehicles. A fantastic second car. Do not buy if it is your only car. They a a multitude of compromises as a daily drive and it's unfair to subject something so special to that role. I love my 240 but also need a beater to make motor trips and work commutes bearable.
I'll second that!
The 240 is the one to go for IMHO. Having driven both the 220 and the 240 before I bought one, you can tell the difference. By all accounts the difference between the 240 & 260 is less noticeable. The advantage of the 240 is the balance of price vs. performance, they are quite a bit less than a 260 car but still give 90% of the thrill.
I had an Elise as my everyday drive for 3 and a half years and my love of it made it bearable. The Exige is another level though and as a daily runner it just wouldn't be practical. To get the best out of it you need to run the AO48 tyres and they only last about 5K miles so that would significant increase the running costs. Also visibility is greatly reduced over an Elise so parking and spotting people in your blind spot is much more difficult. If you are out for a Sunday blast this isn't an issue but if used everyday it would bother me.
If I was going to pick the perfect Lotus for everyday it would be the S2 Elise SC.
Just my two pence worth.
The 240 is the one to go for IMHO. Having driven both the 220 and the 240 before I bought one, you can tell the difference. By all accounts the difference between the 240 & 260 is less noticeable. The advantage of the 240 is the balance of price vs. performance, they are quite a bit less than a 260 car but still give 90% of the thrill.
I had an Elise as my everyday drive for 3 and a half years and my love of it made it bearable. The Exige is another level though and as a daily runner it just wouldn't be practical. To get the best out of it you need to run the AO48 tyres and they only last about 5K miles so that would significant increase the running costs. Also visibility is greatly reduced over an Elise so parking and spotting people in your blind spot is much more difficult. If you are out for a Sunday blast this isn't an issue but if used everyday it would bother me.
If I was going to pick the perfect Lotus for everyday it would be the S2 Elise SC.
Just my two pence worth.
Will certainly be a lot different to your BM, thats for sure.
You either love or hate lotus cars. They are not for everyone, as they are hard to get in and out off, they are crashy, you feel every pot hole, difficult to have a conversation in, and you are limited for room. However, If it is a weekend car with occasional long trips, it would be fine.
Thats the bad points. Oh also, build quality is not the best, for such an expensive car. Some things may piss you off, like the rattles, and the gear change.
I find for a car of this status, and what It can do, they should have sorted the gearbox. You can buy the uprated cables at around £500, which sorts this out, however you shouldn't have to, Lotus should have.
What you will get from owner ship, Is a car that is not overly popular, attracts major attention all usually in a good way, and It is about as raw a driving experience as It comes. Caterham would be the next step up for balls out back to basics. The feedback from the Exige is sublime, It don't get any better in my eyes. I have yet to drive a car, sub 50k that gives the same driver appeal. They are not the quickest of cars on track, but they are up there and can hold there own. On track Is where the exige feels at home, beautifully balanced chassis, good turn in, maximum feedback and just a hoot of fun.
You could use It as an everyday car, but as the fella stated above, It would kind of ruin the experience off It. It is a car to be appreciated.
The Elise I have to admit is a bit more user friendly. The SC version which I had is a good compromise between the two. Plenty of power for street driving and still acceptable on track to keep in the mix.
I think when you drive one, you will either never want to own another car again, other than lotus, or you will hate It for some of the things mentioned above.
You either love or hate lotus cars. They are not for everyone, as they are hard to get in and out off, they are crashy, you feel every pot hole, difficult to have a conversation in, and you are limited for room. However, If it is a weekend car with occasional long trips, it would be fine.
Thats the bad points. Oh also, build quality is not the best, for such an expensive car. Some things may piss you off, like the rattles, and the gear change.
I find for a car of this status, and what It can do, they should have sorted the gearbox. You can buy the uprated cables at around £500, which sorts this out, however you shouldn't have to, Lotus should have.
What you will get from owner ship, Is a car that is not overly popular, attracts major attention all usually in a good way, and It is about as raw a driving experience as It comes. Caterham would be the next step up for balls out back to basics. The feedback from the Exige is sublime, It don't get any better in my eyes. I have yet to drive a car, sub 50k that gives the same driver appeal. They are not the quickest of cars on track, but they are up there and can hold there own. On track Is where the exige feels at home, beautifully balanced chassis, good turn in, maximum feedback and just a hoot of fun.
You could use It as an everyday car, but as the fella stated above, It would kind of ruin the experience off It. It is a car to be appreciated.
The Elise I have to admit is a bit more user friendly. The SC version which I had is a good compromise between the two. Plenty of power for street driving and still acceptable on track to keep in the mix.
I think when you drive one, you will either never want to own another car again, other than lotus, or you will hate It for some of the things mentioned above.
The Exige S is a much more focussed car compared to the e92 M3. It compromises comfort for the sake of passing all the sensations of driving through to the driver. They're a great weekend car, but they can't touch the M3 for everday useability. I had trouble getting my laptop bag into the boot of my Lotus!
But as a weekend car, they are amazing fun. They are so exciting at speeds this side of three figures - more so than the M3. But if you frequent places such as the autobahn, the M3 is much more accomplished at three figure speeds!
The supercharged engine still has a frantic top-end, so the power delivery characteristics aren't a million miles away from that of the M3. However, with the standard exhaust I wouldn't say that the sound of the engine is great. I find that from inside the car the exhaust is drowned out by supercharger whine and intake noise when you put your foot down. I much prefer the sound of the M3's V8 climbing through the revs!
But as a weekend car, they are amazing fun. They are so exciting at speeds this side of three figures - more so than the M3. But if you frequent places such as the autobahn, the M3 is much more accomplished at three figure speeds!
The supercharged engine still has a frantic top-end, so the power delivery characteristics aren't a million miles away from that of the M3. However, with the standard exhaust I wouldn't say that the sound of the engine is great. I find that from inside the car the exhaust is drowned out by supercharger whine and intake noise when you put your foot down. I much prefer the sound of the M3's V8 climbing through the revs!
Edited by daz1001 on Tuesday 22 July 12:26
Do it. Test drive. Buy. Now.
They are soo good. I was forced to sell my 2006 Exige S220 and am now simply saving up again for an S240 because I miss it so much and also agree the S240 is probably best value. Only had it for just short of 2 years so maybe I would have eventually gotten bored but it still felt special to drive after a year of almost constant daily driving. When I first bought it was my only car (had a 1987 Porsche 924S before
) but I did get another as a winter beater before the snow came!
The only problem I had with daily driving was I wasn't able to baby it as much as I wanted to, and me wanting to baby cars isn't normal but it just felt so special! Daily use did cause probably a lot more scratches to the sills for example (especially those pesky passengers who always slam the poor fibreglass doors too hard).
You only live once; buy a Lotus.
They are soo good. I was forced to sell my 2006 Exige S220 and am now simply saving up again for an S240 because I miss it so much and also agree the S240 is probably best value. Only had it for just short of 2 years so maybe I would have eventually gotten bored but it still felt special to drive after a year of almost constant daily driving. When I first bought it was my only car (had a 1987 Porsche 924S before
) but I did get another as a winter beater before the snow came!The only problem I had with daily driving was I wasn't able to baby it as much as I wanted to, and me wanting to baby cars isn't normal but it just felt so special! Daily use did cause probably a lot more scratches to the sills for example (especially those pesky passengers who always slam the poor fibreglass doors too hard).
You only live once; buy a Lotus.
The last line above sums it up perfectly. You only live once, but a lotus.
I feel I have lived a richer life for being part of the fold. Weird? Probably but it expresses the sensation you get from this car. Once you've been behind the wheel of any contemporary lotus, your driving days are going one way only. Nothing touches the feedback you get from these things. Even my old lesser powered elise was a hoot and in some ways better (less mad speeds
)
I feel I have lived a richer life for being part of the fold. Weird? Probably but it expresses the sensation you get from this car. Once you've been behind the wheel of any contemporary lotus, your driving days are going one way only. Nothing touches the feedback you get from these things. Even my old lesser powered elise was a hoot and in some ways better (less mad speeds
) Well, I've got to be honest, there are some really good replies there... just what I was looking for.
As for the second car option, that is what it would be. My M3 is currently my second car. I have a little knock about van for doing my hobbies and the 200 mile a week commute to work. The M3 is driven whenever I feel like driving it which really helps keep it clean and feeling special.
The reason i posted this thread as i was a little afraid that the Lotus may seem slow compared to the M3? Going from a big power V8 to a 1.8 litre car did worry me a little. but, based on what you have all said it doesnt sound like it would be a disappointment.
So where do you all get the Lotus serviced? Lotus only or are specialists used?
Any more replies are appreciated.
I am not imminently going to buy an Exige but it is defo nudging the top of the next car list!!!!
As for a buying guide, which is the model to pick?
What is the cost of servicing and consumables like brake discs and pads? I'm assuming this isnt as expensive as the M3??? Also, what are the servicing schedules?
And as for my fellow welsh friend who offered to take me for a spin, I am in Port Talbot so not too far away from you at all. and so far, you're the closest Exige that I know of. I may well take you up on your offer to come and have a look some time.
Sorry for all my questions guys, but its great to hear the responses from actual owners and enthusiasts.
Thanks!!!!
As for the second car option, that is what it would be. My M3 is currently my second car. I have a little knock about van for doing my hobbies and the 200 mile a week commute to work. The M3 is driven whenever I feel like driving it which really helps keep it clean and feeling special.
The reason i posted this thread as i was a little afraid that the Lotus may seem slow compared to the M3? Going from a big power V8 to a 1.8 litre car did worry me a little. but, based on what you have all said it doesnt sound like it would be a disappointment.
So where do you all get the Lotus serviced? Lotus only or are specialists used?
Any more replies are appreciated.
I am not imminently going to buy an Exige but it is defo nudging the top of the next car list!!!!
As for a buying guide, which is the model to pick?
What is the cost of servicing and consumables like brake discs and pads? I'm assuming this isnt as expensive as the M3??? Also, what are the servicing schedules?
And as for my fellow welsh friend who offered to take me for a spin, I am in Port Talbot so not too far away from you at all. and so far, you're the closest Exige that I know of. I may well take you up on your offer to come and have a look some time.
Sorry for all my questions guys, but its great to hear the responses from actual owners and enthusiasts.
Thanks!!!!
As for servicing, I use Q-Mech in Bridgend - Lotus & Caterham specialist - Knows his stuff and very reasonable too - Wouldn't consider going anywhere else.
I had the car serviced last September - Full service cost about £200 (cant quite remember all that was done) but i remember thinking it was excellent value!!
As i say, if you're in the area, or want to meet half way just send me a message and I be happy to meet up. Always good to meet a potential enthusiast!!
My advice, dont ponder and get buying - It will be the best drivers car you have ever owned!!
I had the car serviced last September - Full service cost about £200 (cant quite remember all that was done) but i remember thinking it was excellent value!!
As i say, if you're in the area, or want to meet half way just send me a message and I be happy to meet up. Always good to meet a potential enthusiast!!
My advice, dont ponder and get buying - It will be the best drivers car you have ever owned!!
In terms of performance, the Exige 260 and E92 M3 are both around ten seconds to 100. The BMW is likely to be quicker from there on, as the effect of aerodynamic drag becomes more dominant. I suspect that the refinement and higher seating position of the BMW will make if feel less quick - when I got the Elise, at first I found I was driving it slower than the RX-8 simply because it felt as if I was going faster.
I get my Exige 240 serviced by a Lotus specialist with a great reputation. Services come in between £200 and £300.
I'm using uprated Alcon brake discs on my car, which cost £700 initially (£530 for just the rotors after that as the bells can be re-used). That's still cheaper than a set of front rotors for the M3! The replacement OEM discs come in at £300! Front brake pads are around £215 for Pagids. I paid £600 for the fron Pagid pads on the M3!
A 4 wheel alignment comes in at £130 - a lot less than a KDS alignment from a BMW dealer!
In the 4 years that I've owned my Lotus, servicing and brakes have been the only regular cost. Oh yeah, and tyres too! A full set of Toyo R888s can be had for around £600 if you shop around! That's compared to £1300 the last time I replaced the Michelins on the M3!
I'm using uprated Alcon brake discs on my car, which cost £700 initially (£530 for just the rotors after that as the bells can be re-used). That's still cheaper than a set of front rotors for the M3! The replacement OEM discs come in at £300! Front brake pads are around £215 for Pagids. I paid £600 for the fron Pagid pads on the M3!
A 4 wheel alignment comes in at £130 - a lot less than a KDS alignment from a BMW dealer!
In the 4 years that I've owned my Lotus, servicing and brakes have been the only regular cost. Oh yeah, and tyres too! A full set of Toyo R888s can be had for around £600 if you shop around! That's compared to £1300 the last time I replaced the Michelins on the M3!
I was torn between a supercharged Exige and a Noble. The Noble was frantically quick and handled well. However, I was put off by the power delivery, which seemed more linear on the SC Exige, the lack of any boot aside from the space behind the seats, and the interior.
The Exige doesn't excel in boot space or interior, but it was that tiny way ahead on both fronts and that small amount switched it to liveable (and capable of weekends away and european trips).
The running costs also seem to be a fair whack less, although the Noble is still dirt cheap when you compare it's performance to the dancing donkeys/lambos of the world.
An Exige with 250 - 300bhp is a great mix of pace and handling IMO. A true mini-exotic. So long as you dont mind a degree of compromise in terms of comfort, noise and space, it makes for an awesome all round package. I have had a few TVRs and Elises/Exiges over the years and never run them as a daily car as it would frustrate me too much. Thats not to say it cannot be done - many do - just that I would rather a normal car for day to day stuff and keep the Loti for pure driving pleasure. That said, I did swap both the toy and the daily hack of the time for a Boxster S for a few years as a 1 car fits all solution. It was a better balance IMO, but the moment my commute dropped away, I was straight back to an Exige for a weekend weapon.
The Exige doesn't excel in boot space or interior, but it was that tiny way ahead on both fronts and that small amount switched it to liveable (and capable of weekends away and european trips).
The running costs also seem to be a fair whack less, although the Noble is still dirt cheap when you compare it's performance to the dancing donkeys/lambos of the world.
An Exige with 250 - 300bhp is a great mix of pace and handling IMO. A true mini-exotic. So long as you dont mind a degree of compromise in terms of comfort, noise and space, it makes for an awesome all round package. I have had a few TVRs and Elises/Exiges over the years and never run them as a daily car as it would frustrate me too much. Thats not to say it cannot be done - many do - just that I would rather a normal car for day to day stuff and keep the Loti for pure driving pleasure. That said, I did swap both the toy and the daily hack of the time for a Boxster S for a few years as a 1 car fits all solution. It was a better balance IMO, but the moment my commute dropped away, I was straight back to an Exige for a weekend weapon.
As for comparing it to an M3, only you can judge that. It's a scalpel -v- a sledgehammer.
I was driving a C63 AMG last week and had some fun, but it didn't feel quicker than my Exige, just different. And it felt very, very lardy!
Similarly, I was at the Porsche test centre at Silverstone yesterday and had an hour on track in a Cayman. It felt far less analogue, far less attached and far less precise than my Exige. It's an entirely different proposition and 5 minutes behind the wheel will tell you if you will love or hate it. They are very much a marmite car and nothing I have driven (Noble included) can really replicate the same drive.
I was driving a C63 AMG last week and had some fun, but it didn't feel quicker than my Exige, just different. And it felt very, very lardy!
Similarly, I was at the Porsche test centre at Silverstone yesterday and had an hour on track in a Cayman. It felt far less analogue, far less attached and far less precise than my Exige. It's an entirely different proposition and 5 minutes behind the wheel will tell you if you will love or hate it. They are very much a marmite car and nothing I have driven (Noble included) can really replicate the same drive.
Not really comparing apples with apples as they're such different cars but my dad had an E92 M3 for a few years so I've spent some times in one - though I never actually drove it. Personally, I never warmed to the M3 - always felt big and aloof to me. You could feel the weight moving around fairly high up, the sound anodyne and the interior no different to the 335i Touring he had as well. Saying that, as a vehicle to cover distance in at decent speed, it was fantastic. But, never felt anything other than a fast saloon car to me.
A Lotus on the other hand is a deeply hateful device in an enormous number of respects. They leak, they break down, they're too hot in summer, they make all your luggage smell of petrol and you look a tw@t getting out of them. In fact, there's no getting away from the fact that you look a tw@t in an Exige all the time.
However, as a tool for savouring the process of driving, I'm yet to find anything which will touch an Exige. Admittedly, mine is one of the rattly old S1s, but it really is phenomenally good. On anything other than a dual carriageway it's fast enough between corners to keep somebody of my meagre talents well entertained. But crucially, because of the balnce and the location of the engine you can use wide throttle openings with incredible confidence and as a result of the light weight it just breeds confidence under braking and at the turn-in phase of a corner.
Basically a fully-lit Exige down a country road is as good as it gets. I took an hour-long route across country yesterday in convoy with a friend. It was hot and the route was full of corners and gearchanges. I was actually panting from the exertion when we arrived at our destination such was the heat and physicality (and my total lack of fitness) of it all. I absolutely wouldn't have swapped it for anything though. Flawed but fabulous.
A Lotus on the other hand is a deeply hateful device in an enormous number of respects. They leak, they break down, they're too hot in summer, they make all your luggage smell of petrol and you look a tw@t getting out of them. In fact, there's no getting away from the fact that you look a tw@t in an Exige all the time.
However, as a tool for savouring the process of driving, I'm yet to find anything which will touch an Exige. Admittedly, mine is one of the rattly old S1s, but it really is phenomenally good. On anything other than a dual carriageway it's fast enough between corners to keep somebody of my meagre talents well entertained. But crucially, because of the balnce and the location of the engine you can use wide throttle openings with incredible confidence and as a result of the light weight it just breeds confidence under braking and at the turn-in phase of a corner.
Basically a fully-lit Exige down a country road is as good as it gets. I took an hour-long route across country yesterday in convoy with a friend. It was hot and the route was full of corners and gearchanges. I was actually panting from the exertion when we arrived at our destination such was the heat and physicality (and my total lack of fitness) of it all. I absolutely wouldn't have swapped it for anything though. Flawed but fabulous.
Again guys, thanks for all the feedback.
I am immensely happy with my M3 and i love it for everything that it does. its extremely fast, but still has class and road presence without being a chav car. I don't think the Exige has the same sort of class, but it certainly doesn't have any chav appeal in my opinion. It has an obvious pedigree and that's what i find attractive. There are fast cars out there which i wouldn't think twice about, unless they have some unique pedigree, i don't want to know.
I also posted this same question in the Noble owners section, but obviously asked about owning a Noble. I didn't get anywhere near the response i have had here which doesn't really fill me with confidence about owning a Noble.
I am immensely happy with my M3 and i love it for everything that it does. its extremely fast, but still has class and road presence without being a chav car. I don't think the Exige has the same sort of class, but it certainly doesn't have any chav appeal in my opinion. It has an obvious pedigree and that's what i find attractive. There are fast cars out there which i wouldn't think twice about, unless they have some unique pedigree, i don't want to know.
I also posted this same question in the Noble owners section, but obviously asked about owning a Noble. I didn't get anywhere near the response i have had here which doesn't really fill me with confidence about owning a Noble.
I used to have a Boxster S and the girlfriend of the time had an M3. Both of them were accomplished daily drives, but not special weekend toys.
Whilst the Exige can be used daily, I would soon tire of doing so, hence the Boxster for a few years. However, as a weekend only fun car, I would soon tire of the Boxster or the M3. Neither of them are that special and too compromised on the comfort/usability side to be a fun time only car.
Whilst the Exige can be used daily, I would soon tire of doing so, hence the Boxster for a few years. However, as a weekend only fun car, I would soon tire of the Boxster or the M3. Neither of them are that special and too compromised on the comfort/usability side to be a fun time only car.
otolith said:
The S1 Exige is rather more of a nightmare to live with, though? I can't think the S2 would be much more problematic than my Elise?
I've not owned an S2 Exige but my 111R was no more problematic to own than the CTR which preceded it. The S1 Exige is, admittedly, not quite so useful but it's much more fun to drive. In an ideal world you'd have both as they're so different.
Robbie_FRS said:
Again guys, thanks for all the feedback.
I am immensely happy with my M3 and i love it for everything that it does. its extremely fast, but still has class and road presence without being a chav car. I don't think the Exige has the same sort of class, but it certainly doesn't have any chav appeal in my opinion. It has an obvious pedigree and that's what i find attractive. There are fast cars out there which i wouldn't think twice about, unless they have some unique pedigree, i don't want to know.
I also posted this same question in the Noble owners section, but obviously asked about owning a Noble. I didn't get anywhere near the response i have had here which doesn't really fill me with confidence about owning a Noble.
A Lotus has heritage and if you love motor racing history then owning a Lotus buys you a tiny chunk of that - and a feeling of being part of something which changed motor racing history. That feels kind of special. I am immensely happy with my M3 and i love it for everything that it does. its extremely fast, but still has class and road presence without being a chav car. I don't think the Exige has the same sort of class, but it certainly doesn't have any chav appeal in my opinion. It has an obvious pedigree and that's what i find attractive. There are fast cars out there which i wouldn't think twice about, unless they have some unique pedigree, i don't want to know.
I also posted this same question in the Noble owners section, but obviously asked about owning a Noble. I didn't get anywhere near the response i have had here which doesn't really fill me with confidence about owning a Noble.
In its own way, an M3 has that as well. All iterations of the M3 have racing pedigree and the E92 remains a reasonably successful GT4 car.
Image is a very personal and subjective thing. For many, an M3 is simply a 3-series and they wouldn't know it was anything special. For others it's the ultimate aspirational everyday car. Either way, they're a lovely machine.
The Lotus is, naturally, slightly more divisive. I don't think there's anything chavvy about an Exige but it makes a bold statement about you. Personally I don't like that so much and I know full well that most people think you're a bit of a nob who's trying to look like a racing driver. Ultimately, though, the driving experience is utterly immersive. There's something very special about peering in the wing mirrors and seeing the corner of the rear wing in your vision. The drive makes up for looking a bit of a chump.
Oh and don't wholly dismiss the Noble. I was put off by potential bills but dynamically they're incredible. Very, very fast indeed but useless for a weekend away - as Schnozz acknowledges above.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff