Considering swapping the 111R for an Exige?

[doug ward]

The reason I bought the 111R rather than the Exige was purely down to the fact that you can take the roof off (I know you can with the Exige but it essentially looses the aerodynamic properties that give it so much more downforce than the Elise). I also decided not to go for air con on the Elise as I figured you would not need it if you had the roof off.

After 9 months of 111R ownership I find that a) I'm not so fussed as to whether i've got the roof off or not, especially as the weather has been so cr&p this summer. (b) With the roof on in less than ideal weather the cabin temp makes you wish you had air con. As such i'm thinking of sending the R back and getting an Exige in time for next spring. Question is whether its worth taking the hit on depreciation and whether its a wise thing to do right now as Lotus may decide to bring out a S3 elise in the next 3 years (about the time i would keep the Exige for) or indeed another 240R type special edition.

Anyone cashed in their R for and Exige - Thoughts?

[Mrs Boggy]

Me and Boggy are thinking the exact same thing. We bought our 111R nearly a year ago and we are debating whether to trade the Elise in for a Krypton Green Exige! The roof coming off is all very nice when we have constant good weather, but even then you can get fried from the sun!

Boggy spoke to autobytel who we bought the Elise from and it worked out that we would have to put about £6000 towards it if we traded in the Elise... not too bad, very tempting..

[boggy]

Hi all,

Yes Tim's been trying to talk us out of buying this but I think once we've got our next House there will be no stopping Mrs Boggy

Boggy

[eveningladies]

I did exactly the same thing. I had a 135R but never really took to open top motoring. I think I had the top off twice over last summer, and after that just kept the hard top on. It's all down to personal preference I suppose.

Sold the 135R and got an Exige and much prefer it. It's got A/C which I do use occasionally, but I'm pretty ambivalent about. Given the choice I would have probably saved the small amount of weight.

Cheers

Nick

[beachbum]

111R with roof on, how strange. Reason I bought it over the Exige was the fact that the roof came off. Its actually noiser with the roof on anyway.

As long as its not raining extremely hard the roof stays off, irrespective of what time of the year it is. A good coat and the heater turned up to max, sorts out any really cold days, but then on the South coast they dont happen to often.

In all, I wouldnt change the 111R for Exige, I'd spend whatever money it would take to upgeade to the exige and just upgrade the 111Rs suspension, breaks and reduce as much weight as possible.

[RCduck7]

Can you put the roof of the exige somewhere in the car?

[jfrf]

personnaly i wouldnt be able to justify the switch financially, as the change is not much (ie both have same engine), but if you have the money go for it.

as for needing aircon, just open the window.

I dont have aircon and cant say i need it.
not for 1k anyway

[bob_defly]

I have been in an Exige with the roof off, it was much better with it on.

The air-con is the only thing that will cool you down in really hot weather, in an open top you still get really hot.

[anonymous-user]

RCduck7 said:

Can you put the roof of the exige somewhere in the car?

No, it's much too big.

[jamieall]

As an Exige owner cant fault it

But if I were you I would hold off. A friend of mine was ready to do exactly what you are about to, in the end it was a lot of money. He went for some sticky tyres and nitrons, he is now happy as pig in ......

Plus come next March there will be a new Exige option the SC

[S Works]

Anyone considering doing this should really consider the Honda'd S1 Exige route. Works out at about the same or less than a fully specc'd up S2, is faster, looks the dogs danglies and is a car for all seasons.

For me it's the car Lotus should have made - if only I had the £££'s to chuck at it without feeling guilty about other things.

[mrjonty]

I have an Exige, it's awesome. If I was in your position I would consider Ohlins suspension and A048's with a hard top. Cheaper and I would think similar performance to a standard Exige.

[S Works]

boggy said:

Hi all, Yes Tim's been trying to talk us out of buying this but I think once we've got our next House there will be no stopping Mrs Boggy Boggy

Ahh what the hell, it's your money mate, and you only live once... just promise me you'll try out a Honda'd one first before you shell out the dosh. I'll buy you a few beers if you don't like it

[gooby]

jamieall said:

Plus come next March there will be a new Exige option the SC

Now that is the only thing that would get me out of the R, or supercharge the R

[Davey S1]

S Works said:

Anyone considering doing this should really consider the Honda'd S1 Exige route. Works out at about the same or less than a fully specc'd up S2, is faster, looks the dogs danglies and is a car for all seasons.

No its not. An S1 Exige, fantastic as it is, is not a car for all seasons. You would have to be completely hardcore to use it all the time, Honda engine or not.

It has no boot space (although I understand you can get a very very small compartment fitted if you have the Honda, although way smaller than the Exige boot)and the air con is next to useless.

I went out with a friend in his new 111R and whilst it is really nice parked next to my Exige it just looked a little boring. The styling differences are small but the Exige just looks much more aggressive than the 111R

I have not missed taking the roof off at all in the Exige. Its far more comfortable with the roof on and air con turned up.

It was absolutely amazing at Donnington yesterday. I did 175 very hard track miles then just turned up the CD player and cruised home.

Take one out for a spin and decide for yourself but I'm very glad I went for the Exige over the 111R (or Honda conversion). They are both more than fast enough on the road and if you get the Exige you should be able to add the supercharger soon if you want.

[zo-fo]

WARNING VX220 OWNER

Just an obvservation, but most Elises I see on the road have the hood on, and most VX220s (and convertible TVRs for that matter) don't.

[gooby]

I am not sure the exige is that much better looking than the elise. Depends on the liz!

[Mrs Boggy]

I agree with Davey S1, me and Boggy love the 111R, it is a wonderful car but the Exige does look much more aggressive and sportier... in Krypton Green as well it would be superb...

and in response to the VX220 driver, watch what you say on here about the Elise!

[boggy]

S Works said:

boggy said: Hi all, Yes Tim's been trying to talk us out of buying this but I think once we've got our next House there will be no stopping Mrs Boggy Boggy Ahh what the hell, it's your money mate, and you only live once... just promise me you'll try out a Honda'd one first before you shell out the dosh. I'll buy you a few beers if you don't like it

Afternoon Tim,

I think I already owe you a couple of Beer's mate, will try out a Honda conversion thou, you've got to try out everything it's a lot of Dough

Boggy

[RCduck7]

What is the cheapest way other then buying a lotus ready made with a honda that put someone else together?
Are there exiges without an engine easy to find or something?
Or do i just buy an exige get the toyota out and sell it and buy a honda engine and get it in?
How much would cost that including working hours??
Does a honda s2000 engine fit in it?
I drive a honda s2000 right now but i bet noone would buy it from me if it was fitted with the toyota engine.
Sorry for this waterfall of questions but i'm in the middle of wanting to buy something else in the future but i'm holding back when i think about what they could do with the exige future.