PH Carpool: Lotus Exige S1
This week's Carpooler sought an Exige for a Honda conversion but got more than he bargained for
Car: Lotus Exige S1
Owned since: February 2008
Previously owned: Westfield SE, Lotus Elise S1, BMW E46 M3, Lotus Exige S2, Clio V6 255 and currently have a 996 C2 as a daily.
Simon hasn't been shy using the Exige properly
"Having owned a series two Exige as a daily for a couple of years I started to feel guilty about it getting all stone chipped and weathered. This combined with the fact I wasn't using my Westfield very much made me rethink my garage.
"At a similar time a friend of a friend let me have a go in his S1 Exige with the supercharged Honda conversion. Just wow. I was sold instantly and just had to have one. So the search for a good donor car began. I viewed a few cars but none of them came up to scratch until I saw a beautiful red one for sale at LotusRacing in Lancashire (Thanks Chris). The car was in excellent condition and a deal was done."
What I wish I'd known:
"Well the car was advertised as being the last S1 built but to be honest I completely ignored this, as there was no proof and I just bought the car based on condition. However looking through all the paperwork I found an invoice from Bell & Colvill who carried out the '190' upgrade in 2004. On this invoice they had written the comment "Behind the rear cabin panel on the bulkhead is lots of writing and signatures wishing happy motoring to the last Exige built." For years I had been meaning to take the interior out to check but just hadn't found the time. So earlier this year whilst the car was being serviced I asked if they would also remove the interior and take some pictures of the bulkhead.
Investigation turned up unique history
"So all this is great news but has rather put a stop on my engine conversion plans!"
Things I love:
This car just oozes character from the burbling idle to the hesitation at 2,000rpm. For me it's one of the best looking road cars and certainly has lots of road presence for such a small car. I'm always surprised at the progress I can make on a motorway or dual carriageway as cars just move out of the way to have a closer look. The car generates such a positive response from other road users with kids waving and people wanting to talk to you about the car. I certainly don't get this effect with the other German brands in the household!
I also recently had a significant birthday and treated myself to a day driving various interesting cars including Gallardo, Ferrari 360 and Aston V12. The day confirmed to me that the driving experience of the Exige is really up there with the best.
Things he hates? "Very little!"
Very little. To be honest it could do with a little more power but then so could almost everything.
Costs:
Routine maintenance is very reasonable and for the last few years I've used Guglielmi Motorsport who I would definitely recommend. Oh and don't believe what they say Lotuses being lots of trouble as this really isn't my experience. Insurance is also cheap with a limited mileage classic policy and values have been on the increase over the last few years so there is no better time to own one.
Where I've been:
In 2010 I did the Alpine Assault Tour with Petrolhead Nirvana which was great fun. To be honest the Exige wasn't the best place to be on the journey down (hot and noisy) but once there it was in its element. I've got some great memories of following a Ferrari 360 at pace down the Route Napoleon that will stay with me forever.
Simon is living up to those best wishes!
I'm always looking through the classifieds and dreaming but just not sure if anything could every fill her shoes. Saying that a 996 GT3 would go down nicely.
I miss all the ones we had (my bro had a K exige at the same time I did) and know one day I will look back at the times we bought them for £12.5k/15k and wish we had kept them.
I've just noticed what the things are being advertised for these days. When did that happen? 
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.
ds. The noise, the smell, sheer intensity of flinging one down a deserted moorland road. Don't believe all you read about reliability - they will break down and they will cost you money. But when you're harnessed in and hammering towards the red line there is genuinely no place I'd rather be. They're so raw, analogue and responsive. It's pure, elemental motoring.
A £6k Elise and £3k on the Exige body panels would leave you at least £18k to spend on wheels and an engine.
Hmm....
I still miss the drama of the VHPD, but the car starting first time when its been left ten days is always nice, as is having some confidence that you've a better than 50/50 chance of making it back in one piece when you turn up at the Eurotunnel check in on Friday night.
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.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff