M3 CSL or Exige S?

[Herman Toothrot]

Exige would be my choice as long as I had another car of some sort. If it was all I had I'd go CSL,.. well I wouldn't but I'd not have a Lotus as my only car it really isn't very practical, fine as a daily driver to take yourself to work in and great on the track, but not much use for anything else. Really Loti are best when they make up part of a multi car garage.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Tuesday 14th December 22:12

[derestrictor]

DJC said:

derestrictor said:

You simply cannot say no contest; both cars are sublime in various ways.

Hi. Let me introduce myself...

Exige.

No contest

I'd expect nothing less from you, Dennis.

Naturally, your huge experience in the car that is 85-90% GT3 guides you so assuredly...

I can see the point of an Elise (the al fesco) but less so the Exige.

Your new friends in lederhosen will laugh at you, if you do...

[Wallsy]

For you I would say keep the CSL and save yourself some cash. The Exige is a great car but I think you would get bored with it in a few months. You would certainly use the CSL far more over the next few months.

[L100NYY]

http://www.gilescooperautomotive.co.uk/lotus-exige...



Number 038
LS3Z-SC/CUP
BUILT BY LOTUS SPORT

First Reg: 25/01/2006
3 Owners
22195 Miles From New
Service History
Taxed 31/07/2011
MOT 02/07/2011

Storm Titanium Bodywork
Black Alcantara Probax Seats
Black Alcantara Interior
4 Point SCHROTH Harnesses
T45 Roll Over Hoop / A Frame
Harness Bar
Black Carpet Set
Blaupunkt CD34 Radio / CD
Air Conditioning
Front Driving Lights
Armourfend Protection Film

Split 8 Spoke Refurbed Satin Black Wheels.
4 Very Good AO48 Tyres

Special CUP 240 SPEC Includes:

Supercharged 243 BHP Engine
Uprated Clutch Assy
Limited Slip Diff
Lotus Traction Control
Twin Oil Coolers
Stage 1 Stainless Exhaust
2 Way Adjustable Ohlin Dampers
Height Adjustable Spring Platforms
Adjustable Front Anti Roll Bar
Double Shear Track Control Brace
Cross Drilled / Vented Discs
Upgraded Pads
Accusump

Edited by L100NYY on Wednesday 15th December 09:37

[kambites]

For that money, I'd probably go for a supercharged Honda powered S2 Elise with the best suspension and braking modifications that I could find.

[AndrewO]

Great Pretender said:

Good shout but I need something in warranty that is also reliable. I can't have either with a Noble.

Reliability wasn't great when I had mine (111S), Dealer was miles away and customer service was crap. Stick with your M3....buy a motorbike.

[L100NYY]

kambites said:

For that money, I'd probably go for a supercharged Honda powered S2 Elise with the best suspension and braking modifications that I could find.

Tough call but I would favour a factory car particularly when it's one of the Lotus Sport products. Gives it a tad more gravitas and will help when re-selling again too.

[kambites]

L100NYY said:

kambites said:

For that money, I'd probably go for a supercharged Honda powered S2 Elise with the best suspension and braking modifications that I could find.

Tough call but I would favour a factory car particularly when it's one of the Lotus Sport products. Gives it a tad more gravitas and will help when re-selling again too.

Can't say that "gravitas" has ever really been one of my aims when buying a car.

These guys even claim to be able to sell you what is essentially a brand new Honda Elise with a warranty for just over 25k: http://www.stark-automotive.co.uk/eliserspec.htm . I don't really know anything about them, mind.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 15th December 10:02

[CraigyMc]

kambites said:

...I don't really know anything about them, mind.

Where Scuffers when you need him?

[sleep envy]

derestrictor said:

We both know the only way from a CSL and it is a human number; it's number is 997...GT3.

>cough<gen 2>cough<

[derestrictor]

After the Mattel grade (interior) garbage aka 996, it would be entirely academic to this northen pleb, I assure you, Ricardo.

[wanacoop]

what about the m3 cs? EVO mag love it, has a manual box,csl steering rack,and a few other bits. Worth test driving..

[_Batty_]

How about a leftfield choice?

Soundtrack from Thor, remixed by RR Merlin. Styling from DTM/GHD, and plenty of poke for side window driving.
Not as focused granted, but worth a thought?

[_Batty_]

last one from me.
which will destroy your wallet contents in about 2 seconds
.
But just look at it!

[DJC]

Great Pretender said:

DJC said:

How much do you want to spend GP?

Not a great deal more than the CSL is worth. So about £25k(ish)

Indie warranty do you?

Im not a great fan of the looks per se, but with a £25k budget Id head straight for a Tamora, take it to Dom and have him do the engine properly, John Quick put a decent exhaust on it and slap a warranty from Dom or Heath on it. Your £25k would give you a rock solid 400pony Tamora, warrantied up.

That would be my logical answer and it would provide better bang for your buck than either the Exige or CSL, nor will you lose much money either short or long term. Tamora values are already at their bottom and Dom worked motors+warranty have finally added the reliability and power gains the market has looked for. As those in the TVR world will probably tell you Im not the Tam's biggest fan, the looks count against it, but for whats being offered at that money its a package there aint much else out there will match.

Or do it with a T350. Same thing applies, inc the looks actually, Im not a great fan of their looks either.

Or go for Loons Cup above.

[braddo]

Wallsy said:

For you I would say keep the CSL and save yourself some cash. The Exige is a great car but I think you would get bored with it in a few months. You would certainly use the CSL far more over the next few months.

What's there to get bored with? Both are equally useable in winter with suitable tyres.

[L100NYY]

DJC said:

Great Pretender said:

DJC said:

How much do you want to spend GP?

Not a great deal more than the CSL is worth. So about £25k(ish)

Indie warranty do you?

Im not a great fan of the looks per se, but with a £25k budget Id head straight for a Tamora, take it to Dom and have him do the engine properly, John Quick put a decent exhaust on it and slap a warranty from Dom or Heath on it. Your £25k would give you a rock solid 400pony Tamora, warrantied up.

That would be my logical answer and it would provide better bang for your buck than either the Exige or CSL, nor will you lose much money either short or long term. Tamora values are already at their bottom and Dom worked motors+warranty have finally added the reliability and power gains the market has looked for. As those in the TVR world will probably tell you Im not the Tam's biggest fan, the looks count against it, but for whats being offered at that money its a package there aint much else out there will match.

Or do it with a T350. Same thing applies, inc the looks actually, Im not a great fan of their looks either.

Or go for Loons Cup above.

Funnily enough when I first met Simon his plans were to buy a Tamora so this could be tempting......

[Rags]

GP.

Based on the feedback regarding your z4м, do you think you will get on with an exige?

[L100NYY]

TVR Tamora -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJrP8Pg2xTQ&pla...

[Great Pretender]

DJC said:

Great Pretender said:

DJC said:

How much do you want to spend GP?

Not a great deal more than the CSL is worth. So about £25k(ish)

Indie warranty do you?

Im not a great fan of the looks per se, but with a £25k budget Id head straight for a Tamora, take it to Dom and have him do the engine properly, John Quick put a decent exhaust on it and slap a warranty from Dom or Heath on it. Your £25k would give you a rock solid 400pony Tamora, warrantied up.

That would be my logical answer and it would provide better bang for your buck than either the Exige or CSL, nor will you lose much money either short or long term. Tamora values are already at their bottom and Dom worked motors+warranty have finally added the reliability and power gains the market has looked for. As those in the TVR world will probably tell you Im not the Tam's biggest fan, the looks count against it, but for whats being offered at that money its a package there aint much else out there will match.

Or do it with a T350. Same thing applies, inc the looks actually, Im not a great fan of their looks either.

Or go for Loons Cup above.

Nice concept Deej, but I reckon the execution would be somewhat different.

I'm an out-of-the-box kinda a guy; when I buy something, I expect it to perform the task for which it was designed without the need for (much) modification or wallet pillage.

Ergo I'd be looking in the direction of a <10k mile Exige (or something similar) with the backup of a full and comprehensive warranty.