Anyone gone from an Exige S to a Porsche 997 C2S?

[Autopilot]

Has anybody moved from an Exige S to a 997 C2S (3.8)?

I have a BMW 535d tourer (E61) as a daily driver and an S2 Exige S for fun. The only reason I have an estate car was that I needed something big enough to cart the dogs about in and still be a fairly nice place to be on my daily commute.

The Mrs has recently got a dog-friendly car, so I don't really need an estate. In addition to this, I've changed jobs and now get the train to work so I don't actually need a sensible car at all so am mulling over getting rid of the BMW and the Exige and having just the one car for the time being.

The cars I've looked at:

BMW M5
BMW M3
Porsche 997 C2S
Lotus Evora
Audi R8
Nissan GTR

The truth be told, it's the GTR I'd like the most, but as I have a few projects coming up around the house, it would eat up all my budget and the running costs put me off a bit. I've been on one of the owners clubs and the running costs seem pretty horrible!

The 997 is currently my favourite from the list so keen to follow this route. Most of my friends say I'll get bored of the Porsche, but I just don't see how this is possible

It seems like a brilliant compromise and the running costs are acceptable. It's got a load of the thrills you get with the Lotus but much more refined so good for those days when I do drive to work.

Anyone moved from an Exige to a 997 who can chip in with their experiences?

Cheers

[Magic919]

Might be worth posting in the Porker section. I've seen the Exige get the odd mention in there. Have you driven a 997 yet?

[Autopilot]

I haven't posted over there yet, but a good point! I'll copy and paste in a mo, thanks.

I've not driven a 997 yet but will go and see what the fuss is about.. I'm keen to know if there's preferred model between the 2S and 4S. I'm by a Garage with a whole load of 997's so will take a look

[gashead1105]

My father in law has a (regularly polished, rarely driven low mileage) 997.1 C2S and I have an Exige S(print) with a few mods. I've driven his 911 a few times, it's a lovely thing, well put together, sounds good, competent, fast. But compared to the exige it's about as exciting to drive as watching paint dry. If you want something to drive every day a 997 is great, but for weekend, virtually depreciation free thrills you'd be mad to change. IMHO.

Edit: also, there's an important word missing in my paragraph above - fun. There's just no comparison. I have a golf GTI as a daily driver and, honestly, if the 911 had it's engine at the front it would basically be one of them. Also, if your S2 is 260hp or plus you'll have the 911 covered performance wise. The only thing that the 997 has that's better is a fabulous manual gearbox. If only Lotus could do one like it.

Edited by gashead1105 on Friday 5th December 16:01

[Autopilot]

This is what people keep telling me!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll take the Exige to a test drive so I can do a back to back comparison and see how I get on.

Thanks

[gashead1105]

Autopilot said:

This is what people keep telling me!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll take the Exige to a test drive so I can do a back to back comparison and see how I get on.

Thanks

I drove a Cayman R a few weeks ago. Took the Exige on a 30 minute blat ending at the OPC, jumped in the Cayman R 15 minutes later and it basically felt slow, overweight and unresponsive - again a cracking daily driver but I wasn't going to change my weekend toy for one.

[ChrisG C2S]

I've previously had a 997 C2S and now have an Exige V6. If it's for every day I'd probably say to go for the Porsche however the Lotus feels much more special.

[ChrisG C2S]

I've previously had a 997 C2S and now have an Exige V6. If it's for every day I'd probably say to go for the Porsche however the Lotus feels much more special.

[F.C.]

Autopilot said:

Has anybody moved from an Exige S to a 997 C2S (3.8)?

The cars I've looked at:
BMW M5
BMW M3
Porsche 997 C2S
Lotus Evora
Audi R8
Nissan GTR

I owned a Porsche Turbo (twice) and an Exige 240S.
I know the Turbo isn't the same as the C2 however for the sake of comparison the Exige was miles more fun.
The Porsche is a hugely capable car but a little uninvolving (to say the least).
However if you want something that can go warp speed and (despite its weight) handle then the GTR is probably the best bang for buck. (again there is some electronic interference but it's kinda worth it!)
I've been out in a friends GTR and honestly if you can live with the "ricer-esque" image these things are MENTAL!!!!!
I've driven varants of all these cars barring the Evora.
BMW M5
BMW M3
Porsche 997 C2S
Lotus Evora
Audi R8
Nissan GTR

All the cars listed are capable daily drivers (I owned an e46 M3 with SMG box, bloody awful).
The E90 is much softer but a nice place to cover miles in.
M5 Ditto
997 C2s a nice all rounder much better drive than C4s IMO.
The R8 I found a little sluggish and under-steery really needs the V10 (which is on my shopping list) If I could live with the Jap interior and badge I'd buy a GTR.

[240Cup]

Yep, did exactly that - Exige 240 performance pack, to a 997 Carrera 2S. Kept the pork 6 months before selling it and have had three Lotii since - a 211, 260 Cup and now V6 Cup. The 997 is the perfect all rounder and you could easily use it as a daily but for something to get out of the garage on a Sunday morning the Lotus beats it hands down. Also if you want to track your toy without spending a fortune on consumables, and/or want something depreciation proof, again the Lotus wins.

I've fallen in love with every single Lotus I've owned but the porsche left me cold. A GT3 on the other hand, now you are talking .. but the boat may have sailed...! They have gone bonkers upwards in value in the last 12 months.

Cheers

240

[Autopilot]

Thank you all for your responses, it's certainly food for thought!

I had set my heart on the GTR but having looked at running costs, I really think I'd start to hate the car each time the wallet came out. If I didn't have housey stuff on the horizon, I dare say I'd have it at the top of the list still.

I've just been to see a 997 C2S with Aerokit and a few other nice bits. Loved the look of it, very low miles and upkeep isn't too bad. I also liked the fact it feels well put together and feels a bit more luxurious (has carpet and no exposed metal ) I didn't drive it, but dare say I'll get behind the wheel of one soon. I'm going to take a look at an Evora S also as the general feeling is that it's like a big Exige, so guess you get a similar driving experience and without it being a bit dull.

Decisions decisions!....although it's a nice decision to have to make

[CTE]

I am lucky in having an Evora S and an Exige S, although one is a company car...guess which one! Anyhow, my business colleague recently bought his dream 911 981 CS4 and in many ways it was a lovely thing. He is not a hard core petrolhead but likes his cars. Anyhow, he sold it after 5 months because it was not exciting enough to justify the compromises for him. I have heard many others say they are dull. I had a ride in it and it was very well put together and fast in a straight line (I also thought the exhaust sounded very manufactured?). I did not get to find out about corners, but guess it will be very competent although may struggle when on poor English roads.

When I compare the two Lotii, the Exige drives very much like an S2 but on steroids, whereas the Evora is much more refined but is just so competent on the road. It is softer then the Exige, but somehow it is still razer sharp and copes unbelievably well on poor surfaces, and whilst it may loose out slightly on the 0-60 dash it more than makes up for that in the real world due to its fantastic chassis...I pushed a GTR really hard on a particular road trip...he was the one struggling, not me, oh yes and in poor conditions. You have to drive one for a few miles before you can really appreciate just how good they are. Go for an MY12 car onwards, they may not be a 911 inside, but they are pretty decent, and in most other respects are very good. Oh yes, the real world fuel consumption is better than the advertised Porsche consumption. I have done thousands of miles on the same road trip to compare.

A mate of mine dreams about owning a GTR one day, and for him it`s the image and the straight line performance, plus the pub bragging rights, and I respect him for his dream...hopefully he will get one...he`ll beat me at Santa Pod.

Depends what bit rocks your boat really. I drive the Exige daily because I like the very focused nature, but most would hate it.

[Autopilot]

CTE....sorry, but I think I hate you

Wow, nice complement of cars! I watched a few videos on Youtube last night of the Evora S and all the reviews said what a capable car it was and was very precise, yet didn't crash about like cars of a similar theme.

I'm really surprised that so many people have said that the Porsche is dull! I have been in a few and found them to be nice, felt quick, fairly agile. I see what people say about how an Exige is more exciting, I used mine this morning (only to take it to the garage to have a new cat fitted) but did smile as soon as I opened the garage door.

The Porsche I looked at on Saturday was a beautiful machine (Had the Aero kit, GT3 Alloys and a few other nice bits) but when I sat in it, it didn't feel as exciting at the Exige, there is something quite special about them and I suppose that it does feel focused (eg no back window, sunk low down, lack of 'stuff' in the cabin), the Porsche did feel a bit too much like a fully functioning car (I've owned a Westfield and allsorts, so quite used to having cars without any luxuries) so will agree it didn't feel as exiting. I think I need to take an extended test drive and see what the rest of the Porsche does for me.

I've decided to bit the bullet a bit and have shortlisted the possibilities to:

Porsche (even if it is to rule it out, but have found a few 997 Turbo's in budget so will take a look at those)

Evora S - The more videos I see, the more I can see what a great car it is.

...and the GTR is back on the list. I do love the damn things and they are in budget so would have to accept the fact that if I liked it enough, I'd have to put up with some fierce running costs.

Logically, I can see the Evora being the best compromise so will see if I can't get taken for a passenger ride in one soon!

Cheers

[F.C.]

Autopilot said:

Logically, I can see the Evora being the best compromise so will see if I can't get taken for a passenger ride in one soon!

Cheers

Go to Bell and Colvill, if they know you are serious they will let you out for a test drive.

[chiark]

Not quite what you're after, but I've gone from a 996 as a single car to a 330D F31 as a single car - briefly - and added a cheap Elise for fun.

The 911 is lovely, and worth all the praise it gets for sure, but it is so capable and quick - even in base form - that you may end up frustrated at the lack of chances to exercise the thing.

Despite managing to take my 2 sons camping in the thing (with a roofbox) I found the seats near terminally uncomfortable, and also found myself not driving to avoid putting miles on it. Porsche paranoia is in a league of its own too - every noise becomes an "oh dear, was that the IMS?" moment.

Had it for a year, and loved it, but went to a 330D as it couldn't quite meet my needs of a bit of practicality and a lot of fun. Despite not needing to drive much for work, I've done 10k in 8 months in the 330D (4k in 14 in the 911!), and love the Jekyll and Hyde nature of it with adaptive suspension and eco mode. For fun, a 7k Elise is perfect as the 330D is a bit one dimensional.

I guess my point is you might be disappointed using a 997 as a daily drive. Check it works for what you really want/need from a car.

[Boggy]

I've had both 997 C2 & Cayman S, totally different cars from any Lotus, if you're looking for an everyday supercar then fill your boots however I'd be very careful!

Boring and German! Nothing feels quite like a Lotus, driven more or less everything on the road at some stage and owned a fair amount of metal. I had a 430 spider for a few weeks that was cool but the exception.

Boggy

[RobM77]

I agree with the broad message so far. I've not driven a 997C2S, but I have driven a couple of Cayman Ss and to be honest I failed to see what the fuss was about (and I went into the aborted purchase decision very much a fan of them from afar). I found the Cayman's steering pretty lifeless and devoid of feel and the throttle pedal had a lag at the top as with many modern mundane cars (Fords, BMWs etc). I found it very hard to get comfortable too and needed another few inches of reach adjustment on the steering wheel. There were good points of course - wonderful weight distribution, good performance, awesome brake pedal progression and feel and a lovely although subtle engine note. The interior was also nicely put together and the seats comfortable, although of course the steering wheel reach ruined that for me. A friend of mine who I regularly said that the 997C2S he had for a weekend was very similar to the Cayman and he had the same dislikes - we agree on most things car related, so I assume I wouldn't like the 997 either. It's such a shame because they look like such lovely things - compact, well made, fast, comfortable. If it was my money I'd buy an Evora S, although I recenly drove a 2011 S and found a small lag at the top of the throttle pedal, which was dissapointing and I expected better from a Lotus. I still preferred the overal experience to the 997 though - the chassis feel, steering feel and just about everything to do with driving the thing was better. If you can stretch to it, look at the new Exige V6 too - it's very civilised and an amazing car.

[nsm3]

I went from a 997C2S (2 years) to an Exige S 220 (3 years) to a 997 GT3 (3 years) and now in a Cayman.

Of all the cars listed, including the GT3, the Lotus was the best car to drive just for the hell of it, every drive turned into a little "time trial". Bit of a faff as a day to day prospect, especially in winter (deicing/misting/frozen door locks), but perfectly usable on Toyo tyres.

Often miss it and should really have kept it alongside an oil burner/s41tter for the boring stuff?

[RobM77]

nsm3 said:

Often miss it and should really have kept it alongside an oil burner/s41tter for the boring stuff?

I'm constantly swinging between one nice car and two cars, both in reality and in my mind as I browse the classifieds. I've reached my perfect situation now, which is a 2-11 and a 3 series. The lucky thing is that I'm not that interested in straight line speed in a daily driver or road car, so I can buy a more humble model of BMW, refresh the suspension, get the geo right and I'm very happy. If it was a choice of a 2-11 and a FWD car like a Golf or Passat (which may be how you'd view a slow daily like my 3 series), then I simply wouldn't do it - I couldn't live with a car every day that I didn't enjoy driving, it would be hell for me.