Thinking of moving into an S3 Exige

[keo]

Paul_M3 said:

It's currently £540 on my 410.

But bear in mind that isn't forever. For my 2019 car, the tax will drop to £180 next year.

I paid £350 for 6 months last month and thought it was steep! Especially since I only did 1600 miles init last year.

I wasn’t planning on keeping my car that long but if the tax gets cheaper… haha

[mario328]

gavin18787 said:

Would be very interested if you could give any comparisons between the GT86 and the Exige Mario. Appreciate it's like comparing a kitchen knife to a machine gun but nice to hear thoughts from someone that has both.

Hi Gavin,

I'll give you a short summary of my thoughts of 10 years of Exige and 7 years of GT86 ownership, both from new.

Firstly I don't do track days anymore I used to do them years ago in a different car but found the costs and the risks were just getting too much, if I was going to consider TDs again I would much prefer to get a cheaper car like an old MR2 to do track days in.
Secondly, our GT86 is the second generation model from 2017, I've driven a couple of previous models but think our one definitely handles better than the older model, one of the things I'm planning to do later this year to replace the rotten original tyres that come with the GT86 for something a bit better perhaps a set of Michelin PS4s.
Previously I had test drives in a 2012 year and a 2016 year GT86 which Toyota kindly let me have for a few hours. Pictures here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskGe7wio

For the Exige I would say that its overall handling is far more predictable than the 86 and you do you feel it is safer driving it in poor conditions like when it's just rained or when it’s quite cold, it has got quite a sophisticated management system for its time to stop you getting it all wrong but one of the upgrades I did a few years back was to fit a set of Michelin PS4s which definitely improved the grip from the front axle versus the original Pirelli P Zeros, note: My Exige doesn’t have “race mode”.

Onto running costs it's obviously a lot more expensive to have the Exige, although I think it’s cheap to service it. I spend £50 a month on a maintenance contract with a main Lotus dealer that covers all servicing, parts and the annual MOT where the GT86 is relative pennies to run in comparison.
Fuelwise we get approx. 25MPG (Super unleaded) from the Exige and about 35 MPG from the GT (95 RON).

Maybe this says more about my driving style but both cars are very light on their consumables e.g. tyre wear and brakes and in fact in the Exige there is so much engine breaking you would have to be going quite fast to stand on the pedal to stop it. Both cars are on the original brake pads and discs, Exige has 19,000 miles GT has 24,000 miles.

On to things I don’t like, firstly the dipped headlights on the Lotus are absolutely dreadful especially when you consider how incredible the LED lights on the GT86 are, funny enough main beam is “okay”.
They are both quite noisy cars but hey I knew that before buying them, the engine noise on the GT is painful and you never really feel comfortable revving it out, the Exige amplifies any road items that hit the underside of the car and its gearbox is quite vocal but everyone tells me they all do that.

There are many topics on the durability of the V6 Exige clutch but I’ve never have any issues with either car’s clutch but then I’m of a maturity that I don’t slip the clutches much or attempt GP starts.

Other faults, there’s definitely a problem in the design of the air conditioning system on the V6 Exige luckily mine's been modified with new pipes in the sill so I shouldn't see that problem again. Nothing to report on the GT so far apart from a dead battery when it was three years old which was replaced under warranty with a larger capacity unit.
Finally, I think the V6 build quality is much improved over old designs, the doors shut with a nice clunk and it doesn’t let any rain water in.

Go and drive one and see what you think, I was lucky to have a 4 hour test drive on my own to really decide, stuck it in my garage to make sure it fitted etc.

Cheers,

Edited by mario328 on Tuesday 23 April 13:37

Edited by mario328 on Tuesday 23 April 18:05

[gavin18787]

mario328 said:

Hi Gavin,

I'll give you a short summary of my thoughts of 10 years of Exige and 7 years of GT86 ownership, both from new.

Firstly I don't do track days anymore I used to do them years ago in a different car but found the costs and the risks were just getting too much, if I was going to consider TDs again I would much prefer to get a cheaper car like an old MR2 to do track days in.
Secondly, our GT86 is the second generation model from 2017, I've driven a couple of previous models but think our one definitely handles better than the older model, one of the things I'm planning to do later this year to replace the rotten original tyres that come with the GT86 for something a bit better perhaps a set of Michelin PS4s.
Previously I had test drives in a 2012 year and a 2016 year GT86 which Toyota kindly let me have for a few hours. Pictures here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskGe7wio

For the Exige I would say that its overall handling is far more predictable than the 86 and you do you feel it is safer driving it in poor conditions like when it's just rained or when it’s quite cold, it has got quite a sophisticated management system for its time to stop you getting it all wrong but one of the upgrades I did a few years back was to fit a set of Michelin PS4s which definitely improved the grip from the front axle versus the original Pirelli P Zeros, note: My Exige doesn’t have “race mode”.

Onto running costs it's obviously a lot more expensive to have the Exige, although I think it’s cheap to service it. I spend £50 a month on a maintenance contract with a main Lotus dealer that covers all servicing, parts and the annual MOT where the GT86 is relative pennies to run in comparison.
Fuelwise we get approx. 25MPG (Super unleaded) from the Exige and about 35 MPG from the GT (95 RON).

Maybe this says more about my driving style but both cars are very light on their consumables e.g. tyre wear and brakes and in fact in the Exige there is so much engine breaking you would have to be going quite fast to stand on the pedal to stop it. Both cars are on the original brake pads and discs, Exige has 19,000 miles GT has 24,000 miles.

On to things I don’t like, firstly the dipped headlights on the Lotus are absolutely dreadful especially when you consider how incredible the LED lights on the GT86 are, funny enough main beam is “okay”.
They are both quite noisy cars but hey I knew that before buying them, the engine noise on the GT is painful and you never really feel comfortable revving it out, the Exige amplifies any road items that hit the underside of the car and its gearbox is quite vocal but everyone tells me they all do that.

There are many topics on the durability of the V6 Exige clutch but I’ve never have any issues with either car’s clutch but then I’m of a maturity that I don’t slip the clutches much or attempt GP starts.

Other faults, there’s definitely a problem in the design of the air conditioning system on the V6 Exige luckily mine's been modified with new pipes in the sill so I shouldn't see that problem again. Nothing to report on the GT so far apart from a dead battery when it was three years old which was replaced under warranty with a larger capacity unit.
Finally, I think the V6 build quality is much improved over old designs, the doors shut with a nice clunk and it doesn’t let any rain water in.

Go and drive one and see what you think, I was lucky to have a 4 hour test drive on my own to really decide, stuck it in my garage to make sure it fitted etc.

Cheers,

Edited by mario328 on Tuesday 23 April 13:37

Edited by mario328 on Tuesday 23 April 18:05

Hi Mario,

Thanks for taking the time to cover all of those points for me, very much appreciated


Yes I am with you on the cost vs reward on the track days, one of the main things that is making me think twice about the Exige. The GT86 isn't the cheapest of cars but I am happier with that risk and my insurer also covers me for track days which is an added bonus with it currently.

I would certainly recommend changing out the tyres on the GT86 makes such a difference. I run Yokohama V105 on mine and find them excellent. Handle a few sessions on track well and are very predictable and make the experience so much better. My GT86 is the one car I have owned where I am happy that I can drive it fully on the limit and know exactly how it is going to be respond, The yokohama also arn't super grippy so still allow a bit of slip and fun so best of both worlds.

Suprised how affordable the Exige seems with that service plan you have, sounds a good deal.

Going to book some time off work in may and go on a shopping trip I think, try a couple of examples and go from there.