RE: PH Carpool: Lotus Exige S1
Discussion
MattyB_ said:
Oh, and everybody looks, stares, takes pictures, asks questions - if you want to know what its like to be famous, drive an S1 Exige. It also didn't help that mine was riddled with eletrical problems leaving me frequently stranded.
Ain't that the truth. This is the one I drove, conspicuous isn't the word and my Elise is bright yellow!
kambites said:
Carnnoisseur said:
I've never had the opportunity to experience an Exige first hand, but have always admired them from afar. Aside from the uncomfortable hot cabin over long journeys, is it also hard to get in and out of like the Elise? (I've driven one of those, I had a nightmare climbing out)
It's exactly the same as an S1 Elise. 
Can't think the last time mine had it on, it's just in the garage with a shower cape thrown over it at the moment.
Si_man306 said:
You lucky, lucky, lucky bar steward.
To have an Exige S1 is a special thing, to have the last ever built, complete with all those signatures is something special indeed.
I'd actually say don't ever sell it, as it will never go down in value and you'd regret it if you ever did! That ones a keeper.
Thanks and she's a keeper unless I come across a mint 996 GT3 that I can afford. But like you say I'd probably miss it.To have an Exige S1 is a special thing, to have the last ever built, complete with all those signatures is something special indeed.
I'd actually say don't ever sell it, as it will never go down in value and you'd regret it if you ever did! That ones a keeper.
dapearson said:
I read that with a sense of dread! S1 Exiges are getting rarer. Such a shame to convert them to a non k-series.
Well done on resisting the urge to do the conversion anyway.
Surely a normal elise would be a suitable donor if all you're doing is using it as a road car?
Why The Honda engine is far better.Well done on resisting the urge to do the conversion anyway.
Surely a normal elise would be a suitable donor if all you're doing is using it as a road car?
Thorburn said:
Out of interest what is the full spec of the car in terms of suspension?
Had an S1 Elise for almost 5 years now and having watched the values rise in that time always regretted not getting an S1 Exige - but having finally driven one a couple months back in 177bhp trim with the standard Lotus Sports Suspension it was one of my greatest motoring disappointments.
Simply couldn't drive it quickly over less than billiard table smooth surfaces as the car seemed to be constantly bottoming out and scraping along the ground (was actually just scuffing the mudguards along the ground, but when someone has lent you their car you don't want to damage it!), which meant never really got the VHPD working outside that 'p
s off and come back in 1000rpm' part of the rev range.
The car is running the factory LSS which I have to say for my use works very well. I actually find the suspension very supple and it really inspires confidence at speed. I've had no issues with it grounding out other than trying to get it into an underground car park once.Had an S1 Elise for almost 5 years now and having watched the values rise in that time always regretted not getting an S1 Exige - but having finally driven one a couple months back in 177bhp trim with the standard Lotus Sports Suspension it was one of my greatest motoring disappointments.
Simply couldn't drive it quickly over less than billiard table smooth surfaces as the car seemed to be constantly bottoming out and scraping along the ground (was actually just scuffing the mudguards along the ground, but when someone has lent you their car you don't want to damage it!), which meant never really got the VHPD working outside that 'p
s off and come back in 1000rpm' part of the rev range.MattyB_ said:
Oh, and everybody looks, stares, takes pictures, asks questions - if you want to know what its like to be famous, drive an S1 Exige.
Is that not the case with all Elise/Exige? They are not exactly common on the roads. Mine certainly turns heads, even as a lowly S2 111S Exige though to those in the know
Cotty said:
Is that not the case with all Elise/Exige? They are not exactly common on the roads. Mine certainly turns heads, even as a lowly S2 111S
Exige though to those in the know
Certainly is no different in my S2 Exige. As a fellow Lotus owner though, seeing an S1 Exige on the road was an eye popping experience for me, but I suspect the uninitiated would get a similar thing from my car.Exige though to those in the know
Part of me would love to own the S1, but the comments from owners in this thread do little to dispell my thoughts it won't be able to hack the regular , all-year usage my S2 recieves without succumbing a variety of gremlins. Or perhaps some would say it shouldn't be subjected to that anyway, and be saved as a 'high days and holidays' car?
They're so tempting, though!
If it's an Exige, these days it HAS to have a K-series, you'd be mad to swap it for a Honda.
Granted, I've spent a bit of money on mine turning it into the closest thing you'll find to a brand new Exige S1 as well as tweaking the VHPD a little, but there's little else that can thrill like a well-sorted Exige S1... for any money!
You can really choose how to drive it. Tidy and quick:
http://youtu.be/OGwrz1b2YWk
Or messy and fun!
http://youtu.be/YldZfbwPpCA
Granted, I've spent a bit of money on mine turning it into the closest thing you'll find to a brand new Exige S1 as well as tweaking the VHPD a little, but there's little else that can thrill like a well-sorted Exige S1... for any money!
You can really choose how to drive it. Tidy and quick:
http://youtu.be/OGwrz1b2YWk
Or messy and fun!
http://youtu.be/YldZfbwPpCA
Arun_D said:
Cotty said:
Is that not the case with all Elise/Exige? They are not exactly common on the roads. Mine certainly turns heads, even as a lowly S2 111S
Exige though to those in the know
Certainly is no different in my S2 Exige. As a fellow Lotus owner though, seeing an S1 Exige on the road was an eye popping experience for me, but I suspect the uninitiated would get a similar thing from my car.Exige though to those in the know
Part of me would love to own the S1, but the comments from owners in this thread do little to dispell my thoughts it won't be able to hack the regular , all-year usage my S2 recieves without succumbing a variety of gremlins. Or perhaps some would say it shouldn't be subjected to that anyway, and be saved as a 'high days and holidays' car?
They're so tempting, though!
Compared to an S2 they're raucous, nimble and direct. Certainly you'd be taking a step back in the civility stakes but the added benefit of analogue throttle, no brake servo and that stupid VHPD make them much more involving. As if an S2 wasn't involving enough!
Personally I love mine and cannot honestly think what I'd change it for. But you have to accept that it is a little fragile and should be treated accordingly. I've still done 8,000 miles in mine. That includes half a dozen track days and plenty of reasonably brisk road running.
Must admit even though I love the look of the Exige, it just isn't as pleasant a place to be as in an Elise/ VX220, it is such a hot and noisy cabin. I felt like I needed a far longer break between going out on track than I have with any other Elise derivative, just made me feel quite sick. That particular car started life as an S1 Elise that went Honda and then Exige, I'd been out in it when it was a Honda Elise and loved it.
Supercharged 2.2 VX220 or Honda Elise S2 is what I'd want if I revisited the Lotus fold.
Supercharged 2.2 VX220 or Honda Elise S2 is what I'd want if I revisited the Lotus fold.
chevronb37 said:
To my eyes the best looking Elise derivative by some distance and a car which still makes me shiver with excitement every time I pick up the keys. MattyB is right that they are like a caged tiger around town but the solution is just to keep it for best. The buzz as I leave a village and head out into the Dales early on a Sunday morning is phenomenal.
I think it's one of the best looking cars period. I found it difficult to stop walking around it or taking pictures from 100 different angles.
Thorburn said:
Out of interest what is the full spec of the car in terms of suspension?
Had an S1 Elise for almost 5 years now and having watched the values rise in that time always regretted not getting an S1 Exige - but having finally driven one a couple months back in 177bhp trim with the standard Lotus Sports Suspension it was one of my greatest motoring disappointments.
Simply couldn't drive it quickly over less than billiard table smooth surfaces as the car seemed to be constantly bottoming out and scraping along the ground (was actually just scuffing the mudguards along the ground, but when someone has lent you their car you don't want to damage it!), which meant never really got the VHPD working outside that 'ps off and come back in 1000rpm' part of the rev range.
Such a pity mate... that my car was not in a good state when you drove it! The Geo was WAY out, ARB bushes stuffed and the LSS is not the best bit of kit to handle those bumpy roads! Now that the 46mm Nitrons are fitted (the 40mm's are great too!) and an accurate 'Geo' competed, the handling is just as it should be! Sublime! I have owned Elise S1, Exige S1, Elise S2 and Exige S2... and coming back to a properly set up Exige S1 with the (now) 190 ECU spinning the little 'K' series up to 7,800 RPM is just THE best handling involving intense smile generating experience of them all! PM me and we will set up another drive mate... your 'disappointment' will been a thing of the past!!! Had an S1 Elise for almost 5 years now and having watched the values rise in that time always regretted not getting an S1 Exige - but having finally driven one a couple months back in 177bhp trim with the standard Lotus Sports Suspension it was one of my greatest motoring disappointments.
Simply couldn't drive it quickly over less than billiard table smooth surfaces as the car seemed to be constantly bottoming out and scraping along the ground (was actually just scuffing the mudguards along the ground, but when someone has lent you their car you don't want to damage it!), which meant never really got the VHPD working outside that 'p
s off and come back in 1000rpm' part of the rev range.
chevronb37 said:
I am a little cynical, but only because mine has suffered a few maladies recently. The first 5,000 miles were totally fault-free. The subsequent ones less so. Nothing has been too dreadful though and I have kept the car so that tells you something!
Compared to an S2 they're raucous, nimble and direct. Certainly you'd be taking a step back in the civility stakes but the added benefit of analogue throttle, no brake servo and that stupid VHPD make them much more involving. As if an S2 wasn't involving enough!
Personally I love mine and cannot honestly think what I'd change it for. But you have to accept that it is a little fragile and should be treated accordingly. I've still done 8,000 miles in mine. That includes half a dozen track days and plenty of reasonably brisk road running.
Thanks or that, I appreciate hearing your experiences. I'm sure the driving experience is stunning on another level, which is difficult for me to imagine, given how impressed I am with my S2! I'd love to try one, just to see.Compared to an S2 they're raucous, nimble and direct. Certainly you'd be taking a step back in the civility stakes but the added benefit of analogue throttle, no brake servo and that stupid VHPD make them much more involving. As if an S2 wasn't involving enough!
Personally I love mine and cannot honestly think what I'd change it for. But you have to accept that it is a little fragile and should be treated accordingly. I've still done 8,000 miles in mine. That includes half a dozen track days and plenty of reasonably brisk road running.
Sounds like it's definitely one to go on the list once i'm sorted with a garage and daily runabout, but the S2 is a great compromise for performance and everyday civility as an only car.
Edited by Arun_D on Tuesday 11th December 09:44
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