Tuesday 28th January 2014

Lotus Exige S1: Spotted

So the new Exige Cup is a fabulous thing, but the original was pretty special too

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Pictures can make or break an advert. Even if the description is good, a few ropey images can arouse suspicion; why rush the pics? Is there something to hide?

Now this is how to do advert pictures

And moreover, great pictures draw buyers in. When you're trawling through pages of ads with similar photos, it takes something special to grab the attention. This Exige did exactly that; even with just seven other S1s available, it stands out a mile.

In fact all of the images for this Chrome Orange Exige are excellent, the one with the plane especially. You want it now, regardless of the price, regardless of the advert details.

As luck would have it, this Exige is the cheapest S1 on PH and comes with a well written and detailed advert. Phew. The primary reason for its relative affordability (the other early Exiges are typically around £30K, this one is £22,995) is the mileage; it has been this owner's daily driver, hence its 51,000 miles. But as is pointed out, having to rely on the car means it's been kept in good working condition and an average of around 4,000 miles a year is hardly racking them up. Kudos for using something so fabulously uncompromising every day too.

Live out your Group C fantasies right here

There's a fondness for the early Elise derivatives now that's being reflected in used values. As Dan mentioned in the Exige Cup review, that original dynamic delicacy is gradually being eroded in the pursuit of performance. The Exige arguably straddles both perfectly, matching the Toyota-powered S2 for power but with the Elise S1 origins (and many would say better looks). And for those with K Series concerns, the head gasket on this car was changed less than 3,000 miles ago.

Take a look at the interior picture; who doesn't want to drive it right now? It's sparse but beautiful, containing only what's required for a totally immersive drive. As with the outside, it looks to be in superb condition also.

The most vital check when contemplating an Exige is crash damage as the aluminium chassis has to be replaced rather than repaired in most cases. This particular Exige has an MOT looming too.

Having said that, there seem to be decent investment potential in S1 Exiges, with values gradually climbing as those of S2s slide and the new Exige arguably moves further from the original. Buy it, enjoy it, and don't forget to take some pictures.

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LOTUS EXIGE S1 VHPD
Engine: 1,796cc four-cylinder
Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 195@7,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 146@5,000rpm
MPG: NA
CO2: NA
Recorded mileage: 51,285
First registered: 2001
Price new: £32,995
Yours for: £22,995

See the original advert here

[ReVolt]

Awesome looking car and I thought exactly the same as you when seeing the advert!

[suffolk009]

gorgeous cars.

[swilding]

That looks lovely. The S1 is really awesome to look at. The modern car doesn't quite do it for me.

I find mine really nice to drive on todays roads. Enough performance that you can use most of it on the road without significantly breaking the law.

I'm sure it will sell quickly at that price.

[jke11y]

I owned an S1 Exige after and S2 exige and the older car was just way cooler.

My brother had one at the same time, combined we paid about £27k for them both - his was recently re-advertised in Germany at over 30k euro!

[83AndyJ]

If the seller will permit, surely the image featuring the aircraft is pic of the week / year

[400SE Dave]

I wouldn't say S2 Exige values are on the slide, if anything they have risen since the price of the V6 Exige was annouced.

S1 Exige will always be way more collectable, especially as more and more get engine swaps..IMO

[M4rk H]

Thanks for the nice write up, that's my car for sale! I need to stop reading this as it makes me want to just keep it!

[4a4]

Lovely example - stunning pictures!

To the owner - have you had a go in a V6 Exige yet? People are quick to say that they're losing the dynamics, but they are truly incredible to drive!

[carinaman]

The trouble with that image is that the DC-3 looks as right as the Supermarine Spitfire, I always look out for the one beside the Top Gear track.

[Scott_Mac]

Doesn't hurt that it is owned by the guy who started MLOC (Midlands Lotus Owners Club) and has documented everything.

It's a lovely car too....

[M4rk H]

No not tried the new Exige yet but I was very impressed with the Evora-S!

[northernmedia]

'Bought for £24,950 in March 2004 at 8,700 miles'

How about that for depreciation

[M4rk H]

To give him credit the plane photo and the hangar photo are courtesy of http://gfwilliams.net/ he did them as a part of a photoshoot

[Shnozz]

400SE Dave said:

I wouldn't say S2 Exige values are on the slide, if anything they have risen since the price of the V6 Exige was annouced.

S1 Exige will always be way more collectable, especially as more and more get engine swaps..IMO

I agree. I think the article is misleading on that front. S2 prices have hardened in the last 3 years and the market now is no lower suggesting a plateau rather than any slide. Instead, the S1 Exige has appreciated at a gathering pace over that same period and the fact that they were low volume and very different to the Elise has no doubt been behind that exclusivity (as against the S2 which is little more than a fixed top 111R).

That S1 Exige looks a bargain. The mileage isn't exactly moon and back stuff, and it's in the most sought after colour. Frankly I am amazed it's still for sale.

[Captain Muppet]

Perfect.

>tries to find the money and fails<

[JohnT993]

looks stunning, i'd love an S1, wish i'd bought one 5 years ago when they were cheaper!
the rear end is class.

however, as someone who tried fairly seriously to buy an exige s2 3-4 years ago, and then (a 993 later) did buy one 7 months ago, I can testify that values are not falling! stable if not slightly on the rise i'd say, try find a good one below 20k - at any point in the last 8 years its been almost impossible, and they were £30k cars in 2004/05 - pretty stunning residuals me thinks.

[redroadster]

Still of my favourite looking cars really does look the part and yes newer exiges don,t look quite the same this model stance just looks so right.

[beezer]

A properly proportioned Exige, looks are absolutely time warp and it will only appreciate in value.

[chevronb37]

4a4 said:

Lovely example - stunning pictures!

To the owner - have you had a go in a V6 Exige yet? People are quick to say that they're losing the dynamics, but they are truly incredible to drive!

I've got an S1 and had 24 hours with a V6 Exige last year. Briefly: the V6 is epic and make the S1 feel like a toy in comparison. BUT the S1 is fun in ways the V6 simply cannot offer. The V6 is heftier where the S1 is more physical. The V6 is faster but the VHPD in the S1 feels like a racing engine. In reality, the V6 is way too fast for the road. I have no ego about it, it's too fast for me but it's an amazing achievement for Lotus.

I wrote a full account of my time with the car: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2013/lotus-exige-...

And got a pro photographer to take a few snaps:



For what it's worth, I reckon the S1 Exige is the best looking Lotus road car ever. It's so perfectly tightly packaged and aggressive without being macho. And it looks so much better dirty. I adore mine.

[TimS2000]

Stunning, my favourite Elise derivative, would love to own one someday