Thinking of an Exige S2
Discussion
I currently have an E89 Z4 (28i M-Sport) which I've had for just short of 2 years now. It's a great car - reasonably quick, comfortable and never caused me any problems.
However, I'm now thinking about trading it in for an Exige S (S2) - the one with 218bhp and the supercharger.
I've always had a soft spot for Exige's and I can really see the appeal of the whole "back to basics" motoring side of things and the analogue feel of the Exige in comparison with most other modern day motors.
Anyway, I have a number of questions:
1. I don't have a garage (residential parking behind flats). Is this a huge issue in terms of owning one? Do they leak or do you need a garage to really keep them at their best?
2. I do very few miles (about 3500 a year) so it would mainly be used for weekend fun and the occasional long trip. Exactly how much stuff can you fit in the boot of one - enough for a weekend away for 2 people?
3. Is the S2 S the one to go for in terms of power? I used the have a Type R and then an S2000 so I know all about high rpm motoring and really enjoyed the high revving Honda engines. Will the S2 S suit?
4. What options pack/s should I look for? I see ones advertised with Touring Packs, Sports Packs etc. I don't like the thought of harnesses so the Touring pack is perhaps a must.
5. Are there any Lotus specialists in the North West? I live in Preston so one nearby would be useful.
The one I have my eye on at the moment is this one? Any thoughts? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Seems like it's had the supercharger fitted as an aftermarket part as opposed to out of the factory.
Thanks in advance!
However, I'm now thinking about trading it in for an Exige S (S2) - the one with 218bhp and the supercharger.
I've always had a soft spot for Exige's and I can really see the appeal of the whole "back to basics" motoring side of things and the analogue feel of the Exige in comparison with most other modern day motors.
Anyway, I have a number of questions:
1. I don't have a garage (residential parking behind flats). Is this a huge issue in terms of owning one? Do they leak or do you need a garage to really keep them at their best?
2. I do very few miles (about 3500 a year) so it would mainly be used for weekend fun and the occasional long trip. Exactly how much stuff can you fit in the boot of one - enough for a weekend away for 2 people?
3. Is the S2 S the one to go for in terms of power? I used the have a Type R and then an S2000 so I know all about high rpm motoring and really enjoyed the high revving Honda engines. Will the S2 S suit?
4. What options pack/s should I look for? I see ones advertised with Touring Packs, Sports Packs etc. I don't like the thought of harnesses so the Touring pack is perhaps a must.
5. Are there any Lotus specialists in the North West? I live in Preston so one nearby would be useful.
The one I have my eye on at the moment is this one? Any thoughts? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Seems like it's had the supercharger fitted as an aftermarket part as opposed to out of the factory.
Thanks in advance!
Great cars. Lots of fun.
Two squashy sports bags and the you squash other bits in all the remaining places. If you've got a girlfriend, she'll have to adapt. No handbags, spare pairs of shoes, hairdryers and make up bags, theres not enough room. Its actually a plus point in my eyes. Just the bare essentials.
I think its a 190 bhp car with a supercharger added on too although not 100% sure.
The front looks well 'peppered' with stone chips, but that might just be a poor photo
I'm only aware of a Touring Pack. On an Exige, that' carpets for sure, not certain what else.
Check out for any upgrades or modifications. Strangeley enough, standard cars hold their value better. The right upgrades wont necessarily detract from the car, but won't add much value either so don't get taken in by sales talk.
For that sort of money I'd be tempted to hold on a little. If you're not in a big rush I think you'll see a few cars coming onto the market soon.
I much prefer the following. Both private sales. Room to haggle, and genuine Exige S cars
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
Enjoy looking
Two squashy sports bags and the you squash other bits in all the remaining places. If you've got a girlfriend, she'll have to adapt. No handbags, spare pairs of shoes, hairdryers and make up bags, theres not enough room. Its actually a plus point in my eyes. Just the bare essentials.
I think its a 190 bhp car with a supercharger added on too although not 100% sure.
The front looks well 'peppered' with stone chips, but that might just be a poor photo
I'm only aware of a Touring Pack. On an Exige, that' carpets for sure, not certain what else.
Check out for any upgrades or modifications. Strangeley enough, standard cars hold their value better. The right upgrades wont necessarily detract from the car, but won't add much value either so don't get taken in by sales talk.
For that sort of money I'd be tempted to hold on a little. If you're not in a big rush I think you'll see a few cars coming onto the market soon.
I much prefer the following. Both private sales. Room to haggle, and genuine Exige S cars
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
Enjoy looking
Mines is living on my driveway just now while I build a new garage. No issues with leaks or anything.
Space wise, I've managed 2-up to LeMans camping and 1-up for 3000 miles round Europe. There's more space than it looks but it's still not a lot. Some imagination and selective packing are required.
I went for the S240 as I was coming from a 996 turbo so wanted the extra poke. No regrets after more than 3 years but I'm getting itchy feet as this is the longest I've ever kept a car.
ETA: i use Phoenix Motorsport in Clitheroe for my servicing.
Space wise, I've managed 2-up to LeMans camping and 1-up for 3000 miles round Europe. There's more space than it looks but it's still not a lot. Some imagination and selective packing are required.
I went for the S240 as I was coming from a 996 turbo so wanted the extra poke. No regrets after more than 3 years but I'm getting itchy feet as this is the longest I've ever kept a car.
ETA: i use Phoenix Motorsport in Clitheroe for my servicing.
Edited by jock mcsporran on Monday 20th October 21:40
jock mcsporran said:
Mines is living on my driveway just now while I build a new garage. No issues with leaks or anything.
Space wise, I've managed 2-up to LeMans camping and 1-up for 3000 miles round Europe. There's more space than it looks but it's still not a lot. Some imagination and selective packing are required.
I went for the S240 as I was coming from a 996 turbo so wanted the extra poke. No regrets after more than 3 years but I'm getting itchy feet as this is the longest I've ever kept a car.
ETA: i use Phoenix Motorsport in Clitheroe for my servicing.
I found that company on a Google search last night - thanks for that.Space wise, I've managed 2-up to LeMans camping and 1-up for 3000 miles round Europe. There's more space than it looks but it's still not a lot. Some imagination and selective packing are required.
I went for the S240 as I was coming from a 996 turbo so wanted the extra poke. No regrets after more than 3 years but I'm getting itchy feet as this is the longest I've ever kept a car.
ETA: i use Phoenix Motorsport in Clitheroe for my servicing.
Edited by jock mcsporran on Monday 20th October 21:40
I know what you mean about itchy feet though. I tend to get bored with my cars but have the luxury of being able to get something relatively daft given that I don't use a car to commute.
I'll keep searching and see what comes up over the winter months.
The first car you are looking at is a normally aspirated S2 that has had a Lotus supercharger fitted. You can tell those that were not originally supercharged by the black splitter, spoiler, and side intakes. It is a lower profile supercharger without a chargecooler sitting on top. Supercharged out of the factory is an Exige S. If this was done by a Lotus dealer or specialist, then fine. It looks to have traction control (the button by the gear lever) and the instrument binnacle is not normally covered in alcantara. Good spec I would say.
I have had a NA Exige from new in 2007 and often considered having the supercharger fitted, but I am still not convinced it is necessary. Yes, I am missing a bit of mid range torque, but you would get used to it, so dont dismiss the NA.
I regularly tour Europe with mine, (52000 miles and counting) and even commuted with it in the early years. Space in the boot is ample, you just cant fit a suitcase in. Use lots of smaller ones instead, two average holdalls, plus a few plastic bags is easy.
Mine lives in a garage, and I'd check your insurance cover if it wont, but that all depends upon where you live. It is serviced by Chris Foulds in Huddersfield, and I too go to Phoenix for suspension and set up
Its a Lotus, it may leak living outside.
I have had a NA Exige from new in 2007 and often considered having the supercharger fitted, but I am still not convinced it is necessary. Yes, I am missing a bit of mid range torque, but you would get used to it, so dont dismiss the NA.
I regularly tour Europe with mine, (52000 miles and counting) and even commuted with it in the early years. Space in the boot is ample, you just cant fit a suitcase in. Use lots of smaller ones instead, two average holdalls, plus a few plastic bags is easy.
Mine lives in a garage, and I'd check your insurance cover if it wont, but that all depends upon where you live. It is serviced by Chris Foulds in Huddersfield, and I too go to Phoenix for suspension and set up
Its a Lotus, it may leak living outside.
Edited by sjw on Tuesday 21st October 18:03
My Exige is the car I have owned the longest as I tend to usually get itchy feet and looking at what's next after 12 - 18 months of ownership. I've had my Exige just over 3 years and it's still enormous fun and I don't feel the slightest bit bored with it. I'm even surprised at myself. As much as the desire for a new toy is always there, the reality is the Exige is the perfect blend of usable mini-exotic that means I would have to shell out substantially more in moving to a Gallardo or similar for the thrills I get from the Exige. Even then I am not sure I would get the same level of fun, all the while being able to use it for Euro trips or weekends away and such like that the likes of a Caterham et al can't manage.
Mine lives in a communal apartment car park but thankfully underground so stays dry. Whilst they can be left outside (I wouldn't let that put you off), I do find that mine can be a little grouchy after nights in the damp/wet, probably down to the exposed engine bay beneath the chicken grills on the engine cover. Many do keep them outside though - I tend to find once mine is warm the lumpiness from the revs fades and it's business as usual.
I don't use mine for commuting so it is for high days and holidays. I have had a series of Lotuses and never really fancied one for an absolute must commute, albeit it's do-able and, again, many do. In the past when I have had to do many miles in a sports car I swapped for a Boxster S for a while which was arguably less compromised to do both jobs admirably, albeit it was far less fun. If I were doing modest commute miles I might be tempted, but its still unpleasant on the wrong day, soaking your suit trousers on the high sills, struggling to see out of the windscreen with crap lights on dark wet evenings and tyres slipping all over the place.
Personally I think a supercharger is needed. Having had a 160 S1 Elise, an S2 111S and a brief stint with a 190 Exige S2, I think the NA cars, as great as they are, do suffer from a slight gap in power which the SC fills. I did get a little fed up in my old Elises with quick diesels causing frustration in straighter roads. Whilst no Lotus is really about straight line power, it's nice not to have to yield to a repmobile cos you are holding it up on roads other than the twisties. Mine runs circa 240bhp and I really feel it's a nice sweet spot. Of course, I'd love a tad more horses but afraid of gearbox woes if I go higher and I can see £4k - £5k moving from 240 - 280bhp by the time I take account of gearbox reinforcement so will satisfy myself with 240 for now. It's plenty quick enough in honesty.
Mine is an aftermarket SC. I am happy as it has that bit more poke than the 220 factory cars, but its fair to say resale favours the factory set up. Either pay the right price for an aftermarket SC car and accept it, or pay more knowing resale should be better on a factory car - and possibly less limited in potential buyers. At the end of the day, I bought mine with a few minor niggles, in the wrong colour, with a view to making it a project car and modifying it relatively extensively. Hence limited resale opportunities in any event. I'm 3 years into the project and a respray to a lairy colour is one of the final pieces of the jigsaw. If you are holding out for a particular colour, be aware that so few come for sale you may be waiting some time so I would be prepared to compromise either on spec, year or colour or all of the above! Dependent on how averse you are to modifying, you can always rectify some of these areas yourself - in my case I decided to buy on spec and change the colour later. I then got far too engrossed in rebuilding the entire thing and building my own unique interior etc etc!
Mine lives in a communal apartment car park but thankfully underground so stays dry. Whilst they can be left outside (I wouldn't let that put you off), I do find that mine can be a little grouchy after nights in the damp/wet, probably down to the exposed engine bay beneath the chicken grills on the engine cover. Many do keep them outside though - I tend to find once mine is warm the lumpiness from the revs fades and it's business as usual.
I don't use mine for commuting so it is for high days and holidays. I have had a series of Lotuses and never really fancied one for an absolute must commute, albeit it's do-able and, again, many do. In the past when I have had to do many miles in a sports car I swapped for a Boxster S for a while which was arguably less compromised to do both jobs admirably, albeit it was far less fun. If I were doing modest commute miles I might be tempted, but its still unpleasant on the wrong day, soaking your suit trousers on the high sills, struggling to see out of the windscreen with crap lights on dark wet evenings and tyres slipping all over the place.
Personally I think a supercharger is needed. Having had a 160 S1 Elise, an S2 111S and a brief stint with a 190 Exige S2, I think the NA cars, as great as they are, do suffer from a slight gap in power which the SC fills. I did get a little fed up in my old Elises with quick diesels causing frustration in straighter roads. Whilst no Lotus is really about straight line power, it's nice not to have to yield to a repmobile cos you are holding it up on roads other than the twisties. Mine runs circa 240bhp and I really feel it's a nice sweet spot. Of course, I'd love a tad more horses but afraid of gearbox woes if I go higher and I can see £4k - £5k moving from 240 - 280bhp by the time I take account of gearbox reinforcement so will satisfy myself with 240 for now. It's plenty quick enough in honesty.
Mine is an aftermarket SC. I am happy as it has that bit more poke than the 220 factory cars, but its fair to say resale favours the factory set up. Either pay the right price for an aftermarket SC car and accept it, or pay more knowing resale should be better on a factory car - and possibly less limited in potential buyers. At the end of the day, I bought mine with a few minor niggles, in the wrong colour, with a view to making it a project car and modifying it relatively extensively. Hence limited resale opportunities in any event. I'm 3 years into the project and a respray to a lairy colour is one of the final pieces of the jigsaw. If you are holding out for a particular colour, be aware that so few come for sale you may be waiting some time so I would be prepared to compromise either on spec, year or colour or all of the above! Dependent on how averse you are to modifying, you can always rectify some of these areas yourself - in my case I decided to buy on spec and change the colour later. I then got far too engrossed in rebuilding the entire thing and building my own unique interior etc etc!
Looks like a fair bit of stuff you crammed in there. Thanks for the info, appreciated.
I'm not too fussed about colour tbh. I'd prefer an orange/green/yellow give that it's a bit of an 'out there' car anyway but would also be happy with white/black/blue.
I'm going to have a look at a few and see what's around. I'm steering towards the SC ones though just because of more power.
I'm not too fussed about colour tbh. I'd prefer an orange/green/yellow give that it's a bit of an 'out there' car anyway but would also be happy with white/black/blue.
I'm going to have a look at a few and see what's around. I'm steering towards the SC ones though just because of more power.
I 've had an Elise S1, Exige S2 and now an Elise SC. None have leaked. We have regularly toured in France for a week with 2 crash helmets and a full complement of make up. As a weekend car they are pretty much perfect, they thrill at relatively low speed, as opposed to say a Cayman S which only really gets interesting at illegal speeds.
Having had a NA Exige I'd say the S us the one to go for, the extra torque makes for an easier driving experience, although you do lose some of the already limited rear view
The critical option is aircon
Having had a NA Exige I'd say the S us the one to go for, the extra torque makes for an easier driving experience, although you do lose some of the already limited rear view
Edited by guyh on Saturday 25th October 22:28
The critical option is aircon
Edited by guyh on Saturday 25th October 22:29
The massive cooler on the top of the engine preventing any rear view is a pretty good identifier of the factory S or just put the reg into an insurance quote or askmid.
My tips for an Exige:
- As above NA fitted with aftermarket superchargers are cheaper than factory usually.
- Adding an aftermarket one costs c.£4k and you won't get your money back since the gap NA to factory S appears to be around £4k - so if you want a supercharger buy the factory S.
- Harnesses are a royal pain in the butt. Make sure you have a regular belt - otherwise you can't look properly at junctions. Some cars have both - not sure it is Touring Pack related.
- If the car has AC - MAKE SURE IT WORKS. It's a clam-off job to fix the AC which means c.£1.5k.
- AC really helps with demisting.
- If you can - buy one with a nice non-stock exhaust. The regular engine sounds like a sewing machine - honestly it's awful. 2bular seem most popular. Fitting a TRD airbox and 2bular yourself will cost £500-1k.
- Around 50k miles the suspension will most likely need a refresh: £1k or so minimum.
- If it has the AP big brake kit fitted then replacement pads and discs appear unbelievably expensive to fit.
- I had mine in a garage most nights but left outside all day. It was fine and didn't leak!
- The ride is harsh. You will feel the bumps. I like that, but it takes getting used to!
Edited for being an idiot.
My tips for an Exige:
- As above NA fitted with aftermarket superchargers are cheaper than factory usually.
- Adding an aftermarket one costs c.£4k and you won't get your money back since the gap NA to factory S appears to be around £4k - so if you want a supercharger buy the factory S.
- Harnesses are a royal pain in the butt. Make sure you have a regular belt - otherwise you can't look properly at junctions. Some cars have both - not sure it is Touring Pack related.
- If the car has AC - MAKE SURE IT WORKS. It's a clam-off job to fix the AC which means c.£1.5k.
- AC really helps with demisting.
- If you can - buy one with a nice non-stock exhaust. The regular engine sounds like a sewing machine - honestly it's awful. 2bular seem most popular. Fitting a TRD airbox and 2bular yourself will cost £500-1k.
- Around 50k miles the suspension will most likely need a refresh: £1k or so minimum.
- If it has the AP big brake kit fitted then replacement pads and discs appear unbelievably expensive to fit.
- I had mine in a garage most nights but left outside all day. It was fine and didn't leak!
- The ride is harsh. You will feel the bumps. I like that, but it takes getting used to!
Edited for being an idiot.
Edited by walm on Monday 27th October 19:07
Sorry to hijack this thread but I'm also considering an S2
Anyone know or viewed the following?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
http://www.car-hunters.co.uk/lotus-exige-16v-sport...
What's the difference between aspen and ice white?
Budget is approx £27k
Any others out there that may be a better purchase?
Anyone know or viewed the following?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
http://www.car-hunters.co.uk/lotus-exige-16v-sport...
What's the difference between aspen and ice white?
Budget is approx £27k
Any others out there that may be a better purchase?
s99ane said:
Sorry to hijack this thread but I'm also considering an S2
Anyone know or viewed the following?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
http://www.car-hunters.co.uk/lotus-exige-16v-sport...
What's the difference between aspen and ice white?
Budget is approx £27k
Any others out there that may be a better purchase?
Not seen either but the theory on SELOC is that the car hunters one doesn't actually exist/is an agency - it's been on here for months. Anyone know or viewed the following?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
http://www.car-hunters.co.uk/lotus-exige-16v-sport...
What's the difference between aspen and ice white?
Budget is approx £27k
Any others out there that may be a better purchase?
If it were my money, I'd try to find another couple of grand and look at either this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
Or the exige sprint that Will Blackham has (I have a blue and white one) which will look better if you actually go to see it than in the pictures. The 240PP upgrade is more than just a remap, you also get as standard 4 pot AP racing brakes (which are amazing), full length roof scoop and a better ARB. Performance, sport and touring packs basically gives you every option that Lotus offered out of the factory and 2008 cars have the revised interior.
IMHO:
White one
- Over-priced (Snows always do this and it always pisses me off when an ad lists all standard features e.g. ABS).
- High mileage(ish) - you will be selling >50k most likely and that limits your market.
- Lovely example of a stock car, people like that.
- I really like the MY08 IIRC interior (airbags are the key giveaway).
- Things to check: aircon must be VERY cold otherwise broken and expensive to fix, is the traction control switchable?
Orange one
- My god that spoiler is a travesty.
- I may be totally off base here but I think it may also be a con. Registered in Dec 2005 just doesn't make sense. I THINK (absolutely not sure) that it is a completely standard Exige NA that someone has attempted to upgrade to 240.
Come on then Sherlock, what's the evidence...?
- According to the wiki even the base S wasn't launched until Feb 2006.
- Under the "tech info" tab the bhp is 141 which is a well known glich on Exige NAs and Elise Rs - the actual bhp is 191. This doesn't happen to genuine S versions.
- Black side-vents.
- Forged race intercooler - clearly not from the factory - hides whether it was supercharged at birth or not.
- If it's car number X of Y - there should be a factory stamp - which isn't in the pics.
- It's not a 240R because they were only yellow or black.
- No roll cage.
- Black wheels - weren't the cup ones silver?
- No fire extinguisher.
- No AP brakes on the front.
Again - really not sure about it but ask what BHP is on the V5 to be sure.
White one
- Over-priced (Snows always do this and it always pisses me off when an ad lists all standard features e.g. ABS).
- High mileage(ish) - you will be selling >50k most likely and that limits your market.
- Lovely example of a stock car, people like that.
- I really like the MY08 IIRC interior (airbags are the key giveaway).
- Things to check: aircon must be VERY cold otherwise broken and expensive to fix, is the traction control switchable?
Orange one
- My god that spoiler is a travesty.
- I may be totally off base here but I think it may also be a con. Registered in Dec 2005 just doesn't make sense. I THINK (absolutely not sure) that it is a completely standard Exige NA that someone has attempted to upgrade to 240.
Come on then Sherlock, what's the evidence...?
- According to the wiki even the base S wasn't launched until Feb 2006.
- Under the "tech info" tab the bhp is 141 which is a well known glich on Exige NAs and Elise Rs - the actual bhp is 191. This doesn't happen to genuine S versions.
- Black side-vents.
- Forged race intercooler - clearly not from the factory - hides whether it was supercharged at birth or not.
- If it's car number X of Y - there should be a factory stamp - which isn't in the pics.
- It's not a 240R because they were only yellow or black.
- No roll cage.
- Black wheels - weren't the cup ones silver?
- No fire extinguisher.
- No AP brakes on the front.
Again - really not sure about it but ask what BHP is on the V5 to be sure.
jock mcsporran said:
Mines is living on my driveway just now while I build a new garage. No issues with leaks or anything.
Mine used to live on the driveway, but during winter it's a major PITA. Frozen windscreen on the inside and out, also any salt on the road seems to destroy any of the chicken wire grills which it may have. I had to clear our garage of kiddy/gardening stuff in order to house it over night. I'm sure it may be do-able, but just too much of a pain. Summer on the other hand is absolutely fine.SeanyD said:
jock mcsporran said:
Mines is living on my driveway just now while I build a new garage. No issues with leaks or anything.
Mine used to live on the driveway, but during winter it's a major PITA. Frozen windscreen on the inside and out, also any salt on the road seems to destroy any of the chicken wire grills which it may have. I had to clear our garage of kiddy/gardening stuff in order to house it over night. I'm sure it may be do-able, but just too much of a pain. Summer on the other hand is absolutely fine.My Elise was outside all the time. My Exige is outside aswell. No problems. It's a car after all. I personally think regular use in all conditions is better than a few times a year. It's a Lotus. It needs to be driven to be appreciated. It's not something to put in the garage or wrapped in cotton wool like a picture. The main PITA is demisting/de-icing in the morning but there's a downside to everything. I'm sure Claudia Sheaffer breaks wind for example
Yup, the 09+ cars have the newer dash which is (imo) much nicer with the speakers mounted in the dash top.
I love my Exige, great car and on track it's just magic even in the wet. What I don't love at the moment is the fact I bought a highly modified one as it's proving to need a bit of fettling to get right (not too much I hope).
They're surprisingly practical, tiny and women seem attracted to them..what's not to love?
I love my Exige, great car and on track it's just magic even in the wet. What I don't love at the moment is the fact I bought a highly modified one as it's proving to need a bit of fettling to get right (not too much I hope).
They're surprisingly practical, tiny and women seem attracted to them..what's not to love?
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