Exige 220 S - I drove one, I bought one!!!

[S Works]

shot2bits said:

S Works said: I'd be cacking myself at the moment if I had an S2 Exige that I wanted to sell... they're gonna be pretty cheap soon I reckon. How long until the first sub 20k S2?? I disagree - the new model introduces more interest in the range IMO. If a new S is getting on for £40K then a second hand standard S2 is not going to be under £20K... At least I very much doubt it

Fair enough, I'm too hungover to argue the toss as eloquently as I'd like to, but I can't see the Standard S2 Exige getting any press at dealerships from now on. Every stealer out there is going to try and get people to spend a few quid more to trade up to the S for sure. Anyone with half a brain looking to get an Exige will have a go in both, and by the sounds of it, will be making the choice for the S because it's better than the "standard" model.

Whilst the "standard" model is undoubtedly a quick car, it's not THAT quick and remains a heavy car vs. its power output and as such for me still remains a nice option, but not a 'must buy'. When I tested one last year I was of the opinion that the 100% premium for one of those (30 vs. 14k) over a Sport 160 did not represent 100% more fun, excitement, driveability etc.... hence I made the choice for me that was (I thought) the best one at the time. I doubt I've lost more than maybe 1-1.5k on my car in that time (on paper of course).

You've only got to look at the used market for them using PH classifieds as a guide to see that if you bought one new for £35ish k in 2004, you've probably lost almost 10 grand on it already (given that there are quite a few cars in there at 25k which aren't selling at the moment). However, an Exige at around the 22-23k pricepoint begins to start looking interesting to me as potential buy.

Conversely, I'm of the opinion that IF Lotus provide an upgrade kit so you can retrofit this blower then it will probably make the used market in "standard" car much more attractive. Again, IF, they can produce an affordable package which comes in at say 4 or 5k (supplied and fitted) which brings the car to an aftermarket 'S' engine spec, then people like me MIGHT be tempted to go that route.

Personally I'm looking forward to trying one of these 220S's out.


>> Edited by S Works on Sunday 19th February 11:23

[chris_n]

elise-type25 said:

Hope this helps - and you don't mind Chris - but people seem to be having trouble ...

Don't mind at all - I was struggling with the technology. Thanks for sorting!
Chris

[moominter]

[/quote]
You've only got to look at the used market for them using PH classifieds as a guide to see that if you bought one new for £35ish k in 2004, you've probably lost almost 10 grand on it already (given that there are quite a few cars in there at 25k which aren't selling at the moment). However, an Exige at around the 22-23k pricepoint begins to start looking interesting to me as potential buy.

Conversely, I'm of the opinion that IF Lotus provide an upgrade kit so you can retrofit this blower then it will probably make the used market in "standard" car much more attractive. Again, IF, they can produce an affordable package which comes in at say 4 or 5k (supplied and fitted) which brings the car to an aftermarket 'S' engine spec, then people like me MIGHT be tempted to go that route. [/quote]




I bought my 04 Exige for 35k as it was one of the first cars on the road and dealers at the time would not discount them as demand was high.
I have just traded my mint Exige in for an S for 28k not so bad.

[bogie]

yep..and upgrading is even worse...if you were one of the 1st Exige buyers then maybe you get 22K trade in against an Exige S at 35K ish in decent spec...so £25K spend in under 2 years to upgrade...ouch...thats an expensive 30bhp

[batster]

Well done Chris - loved the review. Having ordered one but not driven an S, it gave me a real buzz to hear how well it drove etc.

Put a blue light on the top and a stripe down the side and it would make a great Rozza

Daft question but is it still possible to take the roof off like the standard exige or does the new intake put piad to that?

We'll all have to arrange a meet when we get our cars. Mine comes in March so can hardly wait...

Batster

[s,one]

bogie said:

yep..and upgrading is even worse...if you were one of the 1st Exige buyers then maybe you get 22K trade in against an Exige S at 35K ish in decent spec...so £25K spend in under 2 years to upgrade...ouch...thats an expensive 30bhp

I think were missing somnething here, 34k is the starting price with the s as is 29k for the std s2exige. By the time youv'e specced it up it's going to be nearer 40k.
Makes the equation worse really but you can get a specced std Exige for about 31k so there is quite a difference in price for the S.

Just my humble!

Steve

[GTRene]

You know the Exige S come's with a different roofscoop? but when you look at the picture it looks just like a "bolt" on air-inletscoop so that means when you wanted that part too, you can order one by Lotus and put(seal/glue?) that piece on your Exige?? they say its better when driving at high speeds is my guys! to get more air in instead of air over when driving at high speeds, but anyway when its better for the S its also better for the 240R and 240 cups...

GTRene

[bogie]

[quote=s,one]

bogie said:

yep..and upgrading is even worse...if you were one of the 1st Exige buyers then maybe you get 22K trade in against an Exige S at 35K ish in decent spec...so £25K spend in under 2 years to upgrade...ouch...thats an expensive 30bhp

I think were missing somnething here, 34k is the starting price with the s as is 29k for the std s2exige. By the time youv'e specced it up it's going to be nearer 40k.
Makes the equation worse really but you can get a specced std Exige for about 31k so there is quite a difference in price for the S.

Just my humble!

Steve[/quote]

makes aftermarket superchargers look cheap !

[s,one]

bogie said:

[quote=s,one] bogie said: yep..and upgrading is even worse...if you were one of the 1st Exige buyers then maybe you get 22K trade in against an Exige S at 35K ish in decent spec...so £25K spend in under 2 years to upgrade...ouch...thats an expensive 30bhp I think were missing somnething here, 34k is the starting price with the s as is 29k for the std s2exige. By the time youv'e specced it up it's going to be nearer 40k. Makes the equation worse really but you can get a specced std Exige for about 31k so there is quite a difference in price for the S. Just my humble! Steve

makes aftermarket superchargers look cheap ![/quote]

Yea that's the point and the std car might be peaky, but when I'm on track that's were I spend most of my time at the top end of the rev range.
so if some one could tweek another say 20 horses out of the std motor we would all be happy.
Saying that still love to buy a 220 or 240 car if money wasn't a issue. But I've got a std Exige and to be perfectly honest I think it's an absoloute blast!.

Steve

[GTRene]

Steve, you can choose your package out this list, or sort like's.

www.ragnorakracing.com/page/page/2337807.htm

GTRene

[moominter]

Is the air box the same on the SC 220/240 cars as the STD Exige , will the ITG induction kit fit off my STD Exige ?

[Joe - Exige S]

Hi all - I have just ordered an Exige 220 S and whilst choosing the spec was fairly straight forward (Sport pack, Aircon, S/exhaust + Met or lifestyle paint), I'm having trouble deciding on the colour - I've got it down to Solar Yellow (Stands out - May get a bit much after a while), Phantom Black (Looks great but a nightmare to keep clean + black tends to hide the cars lines as well as the new body coloured bits) or Graphite Grey (Sharp but a bit boring?) - All opinions welcome.

PS - I live in Bournemouth and would be interested in joining B.O.L.O.C - Existing members please give me a shout.

Cheers,
Joe

[just1]

Hi Joe congrats on ordering your new car!! The boys and girls here at Bolocs will look foward to meeting you soon, keep your eyes on the threads and pop along anytime, feel free to join us before the car arrives and get chatting, usual meets are Sunday Breaky and when the weathers better a friday burger run to swanage, as well as other events and meets through the year. What part of Bournemouth are you from???

Just

[bob_defly]

Nice car Chris!

If they could just trim 3mm off the intercooler so they could shut the boot properly...

[bruh_la]

Maybe the press car is a 240r installation with a 220 ecu map. That would explain the bad engine cover shutline. I can not imagine customers putting up with this bad shutline. Exige S customers are buying an off the line production model and would not want it too look wrong.

This is of course wishful thinking from someone who has ordered one.

I must say i am happy to hear that the car is great to drive, especially from an existing owner. However what i do not like is the body coloured bits (which can not be deleted when ordering, according to my dealer), the afterthought roof intake, the exhaust and the bad engine cover shutline.

Its a shame, i want the car for the extra power and i have ordered it despite all the other rubbish. (in my opinion) Lotus could save money by leaving the exhaust standard, the black bits standard and i would still pay the same price. They have devalued the car in my (the customers) eyes and spent their own money to do it!

I would prefer them to spend their money on an intercooler that allows the engine cover to fit properly and maybe an intake which looks a bit less like an afterthought.

Maybe i should start a thread with a body colour bits poll for future Eige S owners, if it turns out like i think it would, i will send the link to Lotus and save them money by leaving them black and giving the customer what he wants.

Ian

[chris_n]

You went for the white didn't you? I think it looks great in White and am seriously tempted myself (got to confirm paint colour to the dealer this morning and still trying to decide). It's between black, white, and Magnetic blue currently.

I do agree on the colour coding. I could see Reverie or someone doing a good trade in replacement carbon fibre bits! Have to say I thought the roof scoop looks OK.

I'm sure any fit problems with the engine cover on that particular car could be adjusted out. Ultimately if my car came with a major fit issue I would just refuse to accept the car until I was happy.

[Tim Netherton]

Great post Chris - pics of the car look superb - start counting the days down!

[bruh_la]

Chris

"I'm sure any fit problems with the engine cover on that particular car could be adjusted out. Ultimately if my car came with a major fit issue I would just refuse to accept the car until I was happy."

I agree, they must be aware that an off the line production model cannot look wrong or badly fitted.

"Have to say I thought the roof scoop looks OK."

Good to hear it looks better in reality. I am happy it now has a function, i was never totally comfortable with a fake air intake on the roof.

As for the colour, you know my thoughts,

I think black would make the body colour bits less of an issue, but its not the best colour to show the window, mesh etc graphics of the car.

Blue is a lovely colour, suits a special road car...not track/motorsport enough for me.

I love the Ford GT from the start sequence of GT4. If you have not seen it take a look. Its whhite with a black carbon rear wing and it looks the dogs danglers.

Ian

[trimbo]

Joe - Exige S said:

Hi all - I have just ordered an Exige 220 S and whilst choosing the spec was fairly straight forward (Sport pack, Aircon, S/exhaust + Met or lifestyle paint), I'm having trouble deciding on the colour - I've got it down to Solar Yellow (Stands out - May get a bit much after a while), Phantom Black (Looks great but a nightmare to keep clean + black tends to hide the cars lines as well as the new body coloured bits) or Graphite Grey (Sharp but a bit boring?) - All opinions welcome. PS - I live in Bournemouth and would be interested in joining B.O.L.O.C - Existing members please give me a shout. Cheers, Joe

Hi Joe, I've had a Graphite Exige for the last five months, still really like the colour. You don't have to keep it spotless to look good, but when it is really clean you get some 'blueness' in the grey which looks quite good (IMHO). Will definitely be testing an Exige S soon, if that leads to a purchase I'd be tempted to stick with Graphite. Would prefer black bits though.

[chris_n]

Well I've gone for Magnetic Blue in the end. Time will tell if the colour coded bits grow on me or whether I decide to swap them.

I need a delivery date next so I can start counting down the days!