If you can, try to get the Exige up on a ramp before committing to buying. This will allow you to check the underside for any damage to the tub from grounding out over speed bumps or angled driveways. The odd scuff is not a concern, but anything more than grazing should be treated with suspicion. As for the tub itself, a history check should show up if the car has been written off and rebuilt. Any serious damage to the tub almost guarantees it will be written off.
Lotus fitted Bilstein dampers to the first non-supercharged Exige models and then upgraded to Ohlins for the 240R. A lot of cars will be fitted with aftermarket dampers, such as Ohlins or Nitron. There are no concerns here other than they will need more regular maintenance due to their more focused nature.
A limited-slip differential was not standard on most Exige variants, but it's reckoned to be a very worthwhile upgrade for track work. At around £800 plus fitting for a Quaife unit, this is one of the more affordable modifications for the Exige and one that will have a noticeable effect on the way the car drives. Another vital element to getting the most from the Lotus is a full geometry check and set-up. Luckily, most Exige owners are fastidious and, because most are used on-track, this is something that should have been done on a regular basis.
The 282mm ventilated brakes of the Exige are more than up to the job of road use. For more dedicated track use, some owners will upgrade to the 308mm discs as used on the 240R. Or you could go for aftermarket kits from the likes of Brembo or AP, or go the whole hog with a set of carbon discs with new calipers from Freno that will set you back around £5,000 for a full set of front and rears.
Many owners stick with the wheels the car left the factory with and you certainly want these included in the deal when buying an Exige. For track use, many owners opt for Team Dynamics Pro-Race 1.2 wheels that cost around £2,000 for a set plus tyres. Some owners prefer the Rays TE37 wheels, which are more expensive but are also even lighter.
As for tyres, the Exige is sensitive to which rubber it runs on, so spend the extra on Avons, Toyos or Yokohamas. Thanks to the light weight of the car, these sticky tyres don't wear out quite as quickly as you might fear, though hard track use will hasten their demise. When looking at a car to buy, check the front left tyre's outer edge in particular for wear as a sign of plenty of track driving. This needn't be a problem, just make sure it tallies with the seller's account of how the car has been driven.
The unassisted steering in the Exige is one of the car's true highlights. It's trouble-free, so just feel for any slop in the system that indicates worn bushes or damage from kerbing or track use. A new rack is £500 plus fitting.
PHer's view
"Steering is accurate, analogue and communicative with only the gear change slightly letting things down."
Jason Sutherland
