Exige 350 / 380 / 390 / 410

[ecain63]

Valves open on startup to protect the engine. Same reason they open at 4500rpm

[Autobantz]

Mr R said:

Thanks for all of the info everyone.

Paul - that's great to hear that you can make a set of tyres last across multiple track days as I would like to do more in the coming years. Also thanks for sharing the video, certainly looks like good fun!

Rick - thanks for the info on potential upgrades, I think my preference would be to go for one of the higher power factory setups but it's worth knowing that there's options.

Keo - that's very kind of you to offer, unfortunately I'm in the South East near the Berkshire / Surrey borders.

Think I need a trip to Bell & Colvill in the next few weeks to do some further research.

Thanks again everyone!

I’m late to the party on this one. What did you end up doing? Did you get a Lotus?

I’ve just bought a 410 Exige 20th Anniversary, having previously owned both 996 and 997 GT3s.

The 997 was a better all round car but a bit heavy on consumables with heavy track use. I preferred the rawness of the 996 when really on it.

Had a bit of a sports car hiatus to have kids etc, at which point the idea of an automatic GT3 (991) just didn’t feel right. Now of course, a manual 992 is at least double the price of a new Exige, so it’s rather a moot point.

That being said, the Exige is probably a better drivers car than the GT3 at 10/10ths. It’s an amazing thing to really throw about and get stuck into. And there’s a real sense of integrity to the build quality and depth of engineering too (which surprised me). Obviously not Porsche levels, but it does feel like Lotus products are now genuine alternatives to the typical Germans/Italian sports car options.

Overall, the Exige feels like a junior Group C racer for the road. It’s an unmatched driving experience for the price point.

[Mr R]

Hi Everyone,

OP here. Thanks for the reminder to update this thread.

I ended up in a 718 Spyder, mainly because I managed to get a favourable part-ex price on my GT3 having not had any luck trying to sell it privately or via CarWow / Motorway, and I was very conscious about coming to the end of the 10yr engine warranty period so it was almost a no-brainer.

Unfortunately I am not really gelling with the Spyder. It looks awesome and by all objective measures it is an incredible car, it just doesn't excite the same way as the GT3, mainly because it feels too civilised. I had a 981 Spyder before which surprisingly had more character.

So I'm still keeping an eye on the classifieds pretty much daily with a view to changing again in March / April once the Spring market starts to pick up. An Exige is definitely on the short-list and the Autumn Gold 410 currently for sale is very tempting...

I'm also tempted to go back in to a 991.1 GT3 if I can find one with a replacement engine as I really miss the sensation of ringing out to 9000rpm. I really want a 991.2 GT3 but the price jump is just too big.

The wildcard is an Alpine A110 which could free up some cash whilst still providing lightweight thrills. I do worry that I'll find the engine and drive train rather normal though.

I did test drive an Emira which was ok. Loved the looks and the interior is lovely but I didn't find it very exciting and strangely it didn't feel that quick. I say strangely as I have previously driven an Evora 410GT which felt proper rapid by comparison.

I think the next step is to go and have a proper look at some Exiges and try and get a test drive as it definitely feels like an itch that needs scratching at some stage!

I'll keep the thread updated with any further progress in the coming months

[Implus1]

Mr R said:

Hi Everyone,

OP here. Thanks for the reminder to update this thread.

I ended up in a 718 Spyder, mainly because I managed to get a favourable part-ex price on my GT3 having not had any luck trying to sell it privately or via CarWow / Motorway, and I was very conscious about coming to the end of the 10yr engine warranty period so it was almost a no-brainer.

Unfortunately I am not really gelling with the Spyder. It looks awesome and by all objective measures it is an incredible car, it just doesn't excite the same way as the GT3, mainly because it feels too civilised. I had a 981 Spyder before which surprisingly had more character.

So I'm still keeping an eye on the classifieds pretty much daily with a view to changing again in March / April once the Spring market starts to pick up. An Exige is definitely on the short-list and the Autumn Gold 410 currently for sale is very tempting...

I'm also tempted to go back in to a 991.1 GT3 if I can find one with a replacement engine as I really miss the sensation of ringing out to 9000rpm. I really want a 991.2 GT3 but the price jump is just too big.

The wildcard is an Alpine A110 which could free up some cash whilst still providing lightweight thrills. I do worry that I'll find the engine and drive train rather normal though.

I did test drive an Emira which was ok. Loved the looks and the interior is lovely but I didn't find it very exciting and strangely it didn't feel that quick. I say strangely as I have previously driven an Evora 410GT which felt proper rapid by comparison.

I think the next step is to go and have a proper look at some Exiges and try and get a test drive as it definitely feels like an itch that needs scratching at some stage!

I'll keep the thread updated with any further progress in the coming months

OP, I’ve just got into a 430 Cup from a 718 Spyder and it’s in a different league of excitement compared to the Porsche and right up there with my old 570S Spider IMO.

[Mr R]

Hi Everyone,

Quick thread update.

Thanks again for everyone's advice and feedback on this thread. I'm pleased to say I have just placed a deposit on a 410 Sport which I will be picking up later this month!

Very excited to finally be getting in to Lotus ownership and already eyeing up some trackdays for what's left of the summer.

A couple of questions if I may:
- What's the general consensus on Best track exhaust? Ideally I would like something that I can change over easily at home as would like to keep the full sound experience for road use if possible

- I would quite like to get harnesses fitted, any recommendations on suppliers? Presumably the harness bar would need to be professionally installed given it's a safety item?

- Any recommendations on Owners clubs / forums beyond what's available here

- Are there any insurers that specialise in Lotus? My Spyder is currently with Lockton who offer discounts for Porsche Club GB members so interested to see if anything similar exists in the Lotus world

I think that's it for now but will no doubt have more questions when it gets closer to handover day (need to wait for the soft top conversion to be fitted first)!

Thanks everyone

[Paul_M3]

Mr R said:

Hi Everyone,

Quick thread update.

Thanks again for everyone's advice and feedback on this thread. I'm pleased to say I have just placed a deposit on a 410 Sport which I will be picking up later this month!

Very excited to finally be getting in to Lotus ownership and already eyeing up some trackdays for what's left of the summer.

A couple of questions if I may:
- What's the general consensus on Best track exhaust? Ideally I would like something that I can change over easily at home as would like to keep the full sound experience for road use if possible

- I would quite like to get harnesses fitted, any recommendations on suppliers? Presumably the harness bar would need to be professionally installed given it's a safety item?

- Any recommendations on Owners clubs / forums beyond what's available here

- Are there any insurers that specialise in Lotus? My Spyder is currently with Lockton who offer discounts for Porsche Club GB members so interested to see if anything similar exists in the Lotus world

I think that's it for now but will no doubt have more questions when it gets closer to handover day (need to wait for the soft top conversion to be fitted first)!

Thanks everyone

`

Congratulations on your purchase, I'm sure you'll love it. With regards to your questions:

Track exhaust - There are a few options out there. Up until recently they were 1) The offical Lotus Track exhaust, 2) Hangar111 track exhaust and 3) 2bular track exhaust. Option 3 was possibly the most used, but you will see mixed reviews mainly relating to lead times and communication. It also needs add-on silencers to pass the noise test at some circuits.

I personally used a DIY add-on silencer for three years which looked silly but got me on a few circuits.

Recently a new option has appeared from South West Lotus, and that is what I've now got fitted. I decided to go for this one as it was very good value compared to the others, and it was already breaking my heart to take off the OEM exhaust, never mind paying a fortune to do so!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295484010920

I've been very pleased with it, and South West Lotus are brilliant to deal with.

I did a little video review of it with a noise test. (Ignore my stupid Suffolk accent, I'm not 'quite' as dumb as I sound)

https://youtu.be/lBU3ChkaHL8?si=XJgnXIMaLlXDpR3Y

I've done a handful of track days since, and the real static reading tested at circuits is around 96dB. The drive by will be under for nearly all circuits, and I was even able to go full throttle past the noise meters at Bedford Autodrome which is notoriously strict and difficult to pass. If you can pass at Bedford, you can pretty much pass at all circuits with the exception of Thruxton which has a ridiculously low static limit of 90dB.

Here's what it sounds like in action (although the audio is from the rear camera outside the car, obviously it doesn't sound as loud inside)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdMQtsWLozI

The other bit of good news is that the exhaust swap is easy on the Exige. Once you know what you're doing it takes about an hour from start to finish.


Harnesses - By far the easiest and most popular option is the Seriously Lotus Harness Bar and Schroth Lotus Harnesses.

https://www.seriouslylotus.com/sl-harness-bar

https://www.seriouslylotus.com/schroth-lotus-ii-fe...

It's relatively easy to fit, depending on how competent / comfortable you feel. The seats come out with just four bolts each, and the bar attaches to the existing seat belt mounting points. The lap belts attach to the existing mounting points on the seats with no additional components needed on the 410 (the earlier cars had different runners and needed an adapter)




Forums - This is the only one I regularly use, and the search function will probably answer most questions you may have: https://forums.thelotusforums.com/forum/344-v6-exi...


Owners Clubs - If you're planning on doing a few trackdays then Lotus-On-Track are worth joining. Firstly they do a wide range of track days at decent prices, but also for the reason which I'll explain in my next point....


Insurance - I'm with Classicline. Very reasonable on price, and they do a policy which covers a certain amount of track days. With them you are covered for 6 track days with any organiser. However, you can do an unlimited amount of 'club' track days. Lotus-On-Track is a club, and therefore any trackdays you do with them do not count towards your allocation of six. It's worth bearing on mind your excess is 10% of the cars value when on track, and you are also not covered for fire.

Hope this helps, but by all means message me on Instagram with any other questions you may have. I have an account on there under @pauls_exige_410

[Mr R]

Thanks for the comprehensive response Paul, really helpful. I also had a look back through your Readers Car thread and it's great seeing how much you have done to your car to make it your own, looks awesome!

I have just ordered the exhaust you recommended from SW Lotus, who are already in the process of shipping it, and I have also joined Lotus On Track so hopefully I'll see you at one their events in the coming months - looking at Donnington and maybe Silverstone later in the year

Think I'll speak to Bell & Colvill about the Harness Bar as my spanner skills aren't great but thanks for sending the links to the parts, will get them ordered soon.

I don't use Instagram I'm afraid but thanks for the kind offer to answer any more Qs. I'll keep this thread updated over the next few weeks and then maybe post a Readers Cars thread once I have collected it.

Thanks again for your help, very kind of you.