Possibly looking to move on my Exige..not sure
Discussion
Hi All,
Have had my Exige 420 from new - and have loved it. 15k miles done in it, with European road trips making up 12k+ of that.
What I would really like is a V8. The Mercedes SL 63's have always appealed - test driving a car this week confirmed that. 5.5L V8, with 585hp and 900nm is quite something. Add to that the refinement and how the roof comes down...it's quite compelling.
The idea was for the SL to become the daily and replace a BMW M140i, although having two 2 seaters may not be the best! I have had the BMW since new, have looked after it meticulously and it hasn't put a foot wrong at 65k miles. For what it's worth, it may be best to keep.
As such, the Lotus is the car I am questioning. It would be impossible to replace however, and there are only 34 420's in the country so even if it is the same as a 410 practically speaking - it's still quite special.
Undecided....
Have had my Exige 420 from new - and have loved it. 15k miles done in it, with European road trips making up 12k+ of that.
What I would really like is a V8. The Mercedes SL 63's have always appealed - test driving a car this week confirmed that. 5.5L V8, with 585hp and 900nm is quite something. Add to that the refinement and how the roof comes down...it's quite compelling.
The idea was for the SL to become the daily and replace a BMW M140i, although having two 2 seaters may not be the best! I have had the BMW since new, have looked after it meticulously and it hasn't put a foot wrong at 65k miles. For what it's worth, it may be best to keep.
As such, the Lotus is the car I am questioning. It would be impossible to replace however, and there are only 34 420's in the country so even if it is the same as a 410 practically speaking - it's still quite special.
Undecided....
Edited by CM96 on Sunday 6th April 20:17
Hi Charles,
Hope you're well mate?
I can't help with your question, but I am going through a similar thought process myself (albeit for different reasons)
This year has seen the usual insurance companies that provide track day cover change their rules quite significantly. This means that in reality I will either be very restricted in the number of track days I can do, or the cost per day will increase prohibitively.
If I can't do a decent amount of track days then I'm not sure I can justify keeping the Exige. I'd be taking a different route and if I replaced it with anything it would be something that would still be primarily a track car, but significantly cheaper. The problem I've got there is that after the Exige, will everything just feel a little bit boring on track?
Hope you're well mate?
I can't help with your question, but I am going through a similar thought process myself (albeit for different reasons)
This year has seen the usual insurance companies that provide track day cover change their rules quite significantly. This means that in reality I will either be very restricted in the number of track days I can do, or the cost per day will increase prohibitively.
If I can't do a decent amount of track days then I'm not sure I can justify keeping the Exige. I'd be taking a different route and if I replaced it with anything it would be something that would still be primarily a track car, but significantly cheaper. The problem I've got there is that after the Exige, will everything just feel a little bit boring on track?
Hi Paul (it's James V, not sure you'll remember this is my PH account).
I think you can still have a lot of fun in something quite a bit cheaper tbh - something like a track prepped Cayman would be worth well under half of what your Exige is and still goes well, though granted, it'll use tyres and brakes a bit quicker.
I ran an R53 for a winter, almost in road spec, and I had a riot just caning that around and not caring and that was worth less than a half decent watch. So it's doable.
I got my Exige in just before the change on insurance rules, so I'll be tracking that this year along with the M2, but it does make you wonder if it's worth it.
I think you can still have a lot of fun in something quite a bit cheaper tbh - something like a track prepped Cayman would be worth well under half of what your Exige is and still goes well, though granted, it'll use tyres and brakes a bit quicker.
I ran an R53 for a winter, almost in road spec, and I had a riot just caning that around and not caring and that was worth less than a half decent watch. So it's doable.
I got my Exige in just before the change on insurance rules, so I'll be tracking that this year along with the M2, but it does make you wonder if it's worth it.
Actus Reus said:
Hi Paul (it's James V, not sure you'll remember this is my PH account).
I think you can still have a lot of fun in something quite a bit cheaper tbh - something like a track prepped Cayman would be worth well under half of what your Exige is and still goes well, though granted, it'll use tyres and brakes a bit quicker.
I ran an R53 for a winter, almost in road spec, and I had a riot just caning that around and not caring and that was worth less than a half decent watch. So it's doable.
I got my Exige in just before the change on insurance rules, so I'll be tracking that this year along with the M2, but it does make you wonder if it's worth it.
Hi James, I think you can still have a lot of fun in something quite a bit cheaper tbh - something like a track prepped Cayman would be worth well under half of what your Exige is and still goes well, though granted, it'll use tyres and brakes a bit quicker.
I ran an R53 for a winter, almost in road spec, and I had a riot just caning that around and not caring and that was worth less than a half decent watch. So it's doable.
I got my Exige in just before the change on insurance rules, so I'll be tracking that this year along with the M2, but it does make you wonder if it's worth it.
Firstly, I 100% would not have remembered that was your PH account!
Funnily enough, I did specifically mention you and your R53 when I was chatting to a fellow Exige owner at Snetterton the other day.
Consumable cost would be a consideration as well, so I've mentally already dismissed things like Caymans. I think if I went down that route, my current preferred choice would be a 2 litre Mk4 MX5 with a few tweaks to it. BBR220 upgrade and some coilovers should put it 'mid-pack' on a lot of track days and give opportunity to have fun with other cars.
Not that any of this helps Charles with his dilema of course. (Sorry Charles)
To answer the OP I can't imagine swapping my Exige for a Merc other than an AMG GT-R to be honest, but I track the Exige and so I have a specific set of criteria. Nonetheless to me a Merc just isn't as special as a last of the line Exige.
As to Paul, yeah, check out BC Motorsport - he's a mate of mine, and competes in a Mk IV MX-5 and it's a really cool little thing, though for the money would you not consider an s2 Elise? A mate is about to sell is SC s2... If you DID sell your Exige, let me know, please!
As to Paul, yeah, check out BC Motorsport - he's a mate of mine, and competes in a Mk IV MX-5 and it's a really cool little thing, though for the money would you not consider an s2 Elise? A mate is about to sell is SC s2... If you DID sell your Exige, let me know, please!
Actus Reus said:
As to Paul, yeah, check out BC Motorsport - he's a mate of mine, and competes in a Mk IV MX-5 and it's a really cool little thing, though for the money would you not consider an s2 Elise? A mate is about to sell is SC s2... If you DID sell your Exige, let me know, please!
That's useful to know, cheers. I did used to own an Elise SC, but I think for the money of a decent one I could probably get 5 or 6 year old MX5 and do all the mods I wanted to it. I actually think the performance between the two would then be similar (based on some youtube videos of MX5's and my own old Elise videos).
I guess overall consumables would be cheaper on the MX5. Perhaps more importantly, you can't have a cheap crash in an Elise. Even a relatively minor brush with the barriers could well require a new front or rear clam and big paint job. With an MX5 I could probably get the parts off ebay.
LOL, no problem. If I do decide to sell, you'll be the first person I tell.
They're making it difficult for people like us these days. We're lucky to have what we have, but we work hard for it. Insurers stack it against us, government stacks it against us, and the weight of life stacks it against us. It'll be interesting to see what it's all like in 5 years when / if CE gets outlawed.
For now, we'll do our best to soldier on :thumbs:
For now, we'll do our best to soldier on :thumbs:
Seems an odd swap unless your needs and use have completely changed. That said, I do understand that sometimes the Exige can seem redundant if circumstances dictate its an inappropriate car for the task at hand. The question is how often that particular task occurs...
If my fun car usage was limited to cross continental Euro jaunts with Mrs and luggage for high end restaurants, clearly something like a Merc SL/AMG GT or Aston etc is better placed to enjoy them with less compromise. Perhaps a mid ground is something like a McLaren 570GT.
On one hand its often hard to make the case for an Exige in the garage, and on others there is nothing quite like it....and as you say, very hard to replace if you sell on a whim and want to find another.
If my fun car usage was limited to cross continental Euro jaunts with Mrs and luggage for high end restaurants, clearly something like a Merc SL/AMG GT or Aston etc is better placed to enjoy them with less compromise. Perhaps a mid ground is something like a McLaren 570GT.
On one hand its often hard to make the case for an Exige in the garage, and on others there is nothing quite like it....and as you say, very hard to replace if you sell on a whim and want to find another.
Cheers chaps. Exactly as Paul has said too, the track insurance situation has radically changed which is a shame. 3x more expensive than when I first got the car which is significant. I have used it mostly in Europe - track day holidays but where the roads are generally much better and it turns to a mini holiday.
In the UK I struggle to enjoy the Exige much on the road. Small narrow lanes where I am and after track driving nothing comes close! Add to that the stock exhaust sounds great…but then rules you out of most UK TD’s. Easy to change but is a faff time after time.
Still, 3 trips to Spa booked this year (LoT in May & June, then RMA in Sept), maybe that will change thoughts on it
I am firmly on the hunt for an Sl63, the only thing is they barely sold any in the UK, yet alone the facelift ones. Think it will be a long search for the right car. Very expensive new but a great used buy. The car I saw above came back with a mileage discrepancy on the HPI check which ruled it out.
Exige…not up for sale (yet) but if made an offer I would explore the conversation is my thinking on it 🤔
In the UK I struggle to enjoy the Exige much on the road. Small narrow lanes where I am and after track driving nothing comes close! Add to that the stock exhaust sounds great…but then rules you out of most UK TD’s. Easy to change but is a faff time after time.
Still, 3 trips to Spa booked this year (LoT in May & June, then RMA in Sept), maybe that will change thoughts on it
I am firmly on the hunt for an Sl63, the only thing is they barely sold any in the UK, yet alone the facelift ones. Think it will be a long search for the right car. Very expensive new but a great used buy. The car I saw above came back with a mileage discrepancy on the HPI check which ruled it out.
Exige…not up for sale (yet) but if made an offer I would explore the conversation is my thinking on it 🤔
Some of the allure for the Mercedes is this…father has a 1979 R107 280 SL which has been in the family from new. I love the ‘feel good’ factor it has. Then when growing up and seeing Clarkson in the SL55 on Top Gear…from that moment it became ‘the car’ for me
I have however over winter just got a soft top after someone offered it so cheap I couldn’t turn it away
I have however over winter just got a soft top after someone offered it so cheap I couldn’t turn it away
Worth giving an update here as my Lotus journey has concluded. The Exige has been sold! Had two trips to Spa with LoT in it this year then listed for sale after returning from the second trip. To my surprise it sold within about two weeks of being listed.
The chap who bought it previously had a 350 and was after a final edition, seemed very happy with the car which is great. I did have it serviced before and it has been very well looked after so nice to see it go to a good home.
A few reasons for selling:
- Going away on more Euro trips with the wife, I couldn't help but be a tad envious seeing a couple in a Cayman GT4 on the Eurotunnel with the front and rear boot space. Once helmets are in the boot, you are limited on luggage that is handy on Euro trips. The constant squeaks and rattling also started to do even my head in with it.
- Track insurance was becoming a lot more difficult to obtain, and expensive if you could obtain it. This isn't just a lotus issue, does seem to be across the board but it had trebled since I got the car in 2021. I didn't have it track insured this year or last but thought sooner or later the law of probabilities will win out.
- Track exhausts: Having had a 2Bular blow a hole in it (not very confidence inspiring), that took away my 'UK friendly' track exhaust. There are other options e.g. SWLC but options are definitely limited and I enjoyed the OEM sound. Didn't really want to have to change it before and after every UK day, so in reality this just meant doing very few UK track days.
- On top of the above, I actually used the car and did over 17k miles in 3.5 years. I think I did everything in it I wanted to and would quite like to experience and try something else.
- Timing. At the time of listing there were no 410's or 420's up for sale and still plenty of summer left. With the economy also not looking especially great, could be a good time to sell and a better buyer's market later in the year over winter.
So...what comes next? Not sure yet.... I am considering a Ginetta for track use (with trailer), Datum Motorsport looked after my Lotus and they do a lot of Ginetta racing. Seeing some of those cars with full cage and sequential box for roughly half the money of the Lotus could be compelling. Hoping to get out in one to try first.
Or...If going for more of a road with occasional TD approach the real desire would be for a Porsche. A GT3 either a 991.2 or if the stars aligned a 992.1 GT3 Touring would be top of the list. One recently sold on collecting cars for what would have been below cost. So maybe the market is correcting a bit... Still, they are quite a bit above what I would really want to spend. A 718 Spyder would be a more like for like swap, but would it be different enough vs the Lotus? Not sure. Need a few test drives to see. 992 GTS with bucket seats could be a good half way point. Either way i'm going to enjoy the searching process!
Will leave the image of the one I would really want below...
The chap who bought it previously had a 350 and was after a final edition, seemed very happy with the car which is great. I did have it serviced before and it has been very well looked after so nice to see it go to a good home.
A few reasons for selling:
- Going away on more Euro trips with the wife, I couldn't help but be a tad envious seeing a couple in a Cayman GT4 on the Eurotunnel with the front and rear boot space. Once helmets are in the boot, you are limited on luggage that is handy on Euro trips. The constant squeaks and rattling also started to do even my head in with it.
- Track insurance was becoming a lot more difficult to obtain, and expensive if you could obtain it. This isn't just a lotus issue, does seem to be across the board but it had trebled since I got the car in 2021. I didn't have it track insured this year or last but thought sooner or later the law of probabilities will win out.
- Track exhausts: Having had a 2Bular blow a hole in it (not very confidence inspiring), that took away my 'UK friendly' track exhaust. There are other options e.g. SWLC but options are definitely limited and I enjoyed the OEM sound. Didn't really want to have to change it before and after every UK day, so in reality this just meant doing very few UK track days.
- On top of the above, I actually used the car and did over 17k miles in 3.5 years. I think I did everything in it I wanted to and would quite like to experience and try something else.
- Timing. At the time of listing there were no 410's or 420's up for sale and still plenty of summer left. With the economy also not looking especially great, could be a good time to sell and a better buyer's market later in the year over winter.
So...what comes next? Not sure yet.... I am considering a Ginetta for track use (with trailer), Datum Motorsport looked after my Lotus and they do a lot of Ginetta racing. Seeing some of those cars with full cage and sequential box for roughly half the money of the Lotus could be compelling. Hoping to get out in one to try first.
Or...If going for more of a road with occasional TD approach the real desire would be for a Porsche. A GT3 either a 991.2 or if the stars aligned a 992.1 GT3 Touring would be top of the list. One recently sold on collecting cars for what would have been below cost. So maybe the market is correcting a bit... Still, they are quite a bit above what I would really want to spend. A 718 Spyder would be a more like for like swap, but would it be different enough vs the Lotus? Not sure. Need a few test drives to see. 992 GTS with bucket seats could be a good half way point. Either way i'm going to enjoy the searching process!
Will leave the image of the one I would really want below...
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