Supercharged s2 Exige or not ?

[mushee53]

Hi All,

I'm starting to look at s2 exiges and wanted a few owners to let me know their thoughts on which is more fun....I went from a 997 c2s to a 997 turbo and I'm looking for a more engaging Sunday drive event.

I know it's subjective, and I will drive both, but let me know if 190bhp or 220bhp is the way to go..

Thanks

Iain

[lee111s]

I've been in both and it's like night and day.

It may only be 30bhp but the torque is what's the game changer.

I suggest driving both but I can tell you now, once you've experienced a supercharged one you'll never consider the n/a again, not for a second!

Addtionally, if you get a supercharged one it gives scope for easier/cheaper tuning in future if you get bored of 220.

[Autopilot]

I did an Airfield day once in my Exige S and found that there was pretty much no difference in pace around the track that was laid out (Even on the bits where no skills were required).

Having been in Both, I absolutely wouldn't entertain the idea of having a non-SC model. Despite the very similar performance, delivery is very different and the Supercharged version just feels better.

[simpo555]

Had an Elise R 190bhp, and now an Exige S240. Big difference in performance. However, I loved my R when I had it. It's still quick. Afterwards it depends on the budget. You'll get a nice N/A for between £18K-£22K. An S will start around the £25K mark at the moment, and can go up to £35K. Slightly higher running costs too. Enjoy your search, either way they really are great cars.

[mushee53]

Thanks.

Are there any other benefits to the supercharged versions i.e traction control, airbags or better build quality..

I'm thinking 25k for the budget.. Seems the supercharger is winning in terms of appeal though.

[ad260S]

Can't help but love the sound of the Supercharger

[PorscheGT4]

plus and minus for a SC. more weight, and you don't get to rev the car up to get the best from it,
you drive it lazy

hence why people like NA engines.

only you know which camp you are in, I had a 190BHP NA exige and loved it
so more fun you say has to be the NA engine and lighter car.

http://youtu.be/IH5OacjJT50

[200Plus Club]

Is the sc a future classic though? Which exiges will hold their value do you think?

[PorscheGT4]

who cares, I bought mine to drive.

what's up with PH these days values on every bloody thread.

they all hold good value now, S2 exiges have not gone down for a few years now.

[Leggy]

PorscheGT4 said:

plus and minus for a SC. more weight, and you don't get to rev the car up to get the best from it,
you drive it lazy

hence why people like NA engines.

only you know which camp you are in, I had a 190BHP NA exige and loved it
so more fun you say has to be the NA engine and lighter car.

http://youtu.be/IH5OacjJT50

Have driven both. SC much better. More torque and yes you can still scream it to its red line and listen to the SC whine.

[keo]

I started off thinking i will get an Elise£15kish, then wanted the 111R, but an NA Exige isn't much more. The SC Exige would be better though... So the car has more or less doubled in price! I have just got to keep saving. Don't know weather to just get the NA Exige as a half way point, ut won't take me as long save for one. Its still a Lotus and I should be able to sell it in 12/18/24 months time and upgrade to a SC...

[mushee53]

keo said:

I started off thinking i will get an Elise£15kish, then wanted the 111R, but an NA Exige isn't much more. The SC Exige would be better though... So the car has more or less doubled in price! I have just got to keep saving. Don't know weather to just get the NA Exige as a half way point, ut won't take me as long save for one. Its still a Lotus and I should be able to sell it in 12/18/24 months time and upgrade to a SC...

I haven't seen much movement on price with either exige since I've been keeping an eye on them over the last year. Not a bad idea to step in the NA and upgrade at a later date though.

I'm looking forward to test driving a few... It might be a colour that sways me at this stage.. Black looks soooo good.

[keo]

If anything i think they have slightly gone up in price. About 18 months ago i went to look at a red 220 Exige, few mods it was 260bhp, 19k miles really nice car he wanted £26500 for it.
I wasn't much for a couple of changes, was going to have it but the lights fell out and a few little things like that. I know its a Lotus "they all do that sir". So overall i was put off by it. But goes to show the price hasn't really changed.

Looked at a 190 Sports racer Elise at Christopher Neils, that seamed alot better put together it had done 30k as well so it must just be luck of the draw. I was quite impressed with it actually, alot better quality than my old VX220 turbo as well.

I can't decide on colour for an Exige, they all look good!

[mushee53]

Yeah not the most confidence inspiring stuff for that particular sale...

Are many of them generally tuned, played around with.. Assume the engine and gear box can take it but does that put other future buyers off?

[walm]

When I was choosing between them, it just seemed that the NA was FAR more than an 111R despite being pretty much exactly the same car.
So if I wanted that experience with proper soft-top option, I would have gone for the R and save some pennies.

Also there weren't many made - the SC version seemed much more popular, so there were often more available.