Considering an Exige S2
Discussion
I've been lurking on this forum for a little while...it's about time I surfaced and gauged people's opinions.
I've currently got a TVR Tamora (owned it for nearly 2 years) which I really, really like and truth be told would happily keep. However, my other half who also contributes to the car cannot park it very easily in her company car park due to it's huge turning circle. She also finds it a bit tricky to drive.
I've always had a soft spot for Exiges but I was put off at the time by tales of big bills, poor reliability and general 'rawness', but from what I can tell the S2 is quite a different proposition. The engine appears to pretty robust and it seems to be a fairly useable day to day car (the TVR is used most days - plus weekend blasts).
It is a fairly straightforward car? Are there any major perils and pitfalls that I should be aware of. It's early days in the decision making process, but I'd welcome people's feedback as always.
TIA,
Patrick.
I've currently got a TVR Tamora (owned it for nearly 2 years) which I really, really like and truth be told would happily keep. However, my other half who also contributes to the car cannot park it very easily in her company car park due to it's huge turning circle. She also finds it a bit tricky to drive.
I've always had a soft spot for Exiges but I was put off at the time by tales of big bills, poor reliability and general 'rawness', but from what I can tell the S2 is quite a different proposition. The engine appears to pretty robust and it seems to be a fairly useable day to day car (the TVR is used most days - plus weekend blasts).
It is a fairly straightforward car? Are there any major perils and pitfalls that I should be aware of. It's early days in the decision making process, but I'd welcome people's feedback as always.
TIA,
Patrick.
I haven't driven any TVRs, but the only thing I find requires a bit getting used to is the visibility in my Exige S2. I find parking the car anything but forward rather difficult as you have practically no visibility through the back and can only use the side mirrors. In addition (also when driving), the dead-zone a bit behind you and next to the car makes changing lanes and parking difficult. When parking, it's not exactly easy to stick your head out of the window either. My Exige S2 is new though, so it probably just takes some time getting used to. I always remember to take a good look around the car before backing out of a parking and make sure not to park in areas where getting out could be dangerous or difficult.
Then again, it's less of a problem for me anyway, since I don't use the car for every day usage and avoid cities as much as possible.
Then again, it's less of a problem for me anyway, since I don't use the car for every day usage and avoid cities as much as possible.
I also love the looks of a S2 Exige, power of the standard could be better though...but there is always a SC
I testdrove one a few weeks ago, and was also a bit confused by the poor visibility of the rearview mirror, it was worse then I thought, and that one, even not had the intercooler fixed like a 240 has...then there is no view on the street at all, so get that mirror out for better view forward, but to be honest...I miss the view in the rearview mirror but then I'm used to look backwards in them for about 25 years...
I believe speedyellow?? or exige_S?? has a the "problem" sorted, he put a camera in the back? and combined that with his stereo/navig big screen I think...how he did this? better ask him, he could leave a nice thread behind on the FAQ's for all Exige owners to copy his work
GTRene
I testdrove one a few weeks ago, and was also a bit confused by the poor visibility of the rearview mirror, it was worse then I thought, and that one, even not had the intercooler fixed like a 240 has...then there is no view on the street at all, so get that mirror out for better view forward, but to be honest...I miss the view in the rearview mirror but then I'm used to look backwards in them for about 25 years...
I believe speedyellow?? or exige_S?? has a the "problem" sorted, he put a camera in the back? and combined that with his stereo/navig big screen I think...how he did this? better ask him, he could leave a nice thread behind on the FAQ's for all Exige owners to copy his work
GTRene
Go try the standard and newly released supercharged S version.
You'll miss the outright pace of the Tamora and likely as not will prefer the more torquey delivery of the S than the screaming banshee of the standard engine (which only really comes into it's own on the second cam above 6.5k rpm [or thereabouts]).
It's an awesome track weapon but I find the general set-up of the car too twitchy and compromised for B-road blasts (I was extremely surprised to find that the front skips across ruts and bumps and doesn't inspire confidence, where my Elise bites with surety and loads of feedback) - were I to buy one I'd probably spend money uprating the springs and dampers to a better compromise. I also found the loony-tunes second cam of the standard car both annoying and frustrating, but others love it. Horses for courses.
The 'S' is a revalation in comparison.
Turning circle (tight) is not great, and at slow speeds steering is heavy. Rear visibility (via rear view mirror) in the standard car is poor, and in the S non-existent.
>> Edited by S Works on Thursday 6th April 11:05
You'll miss the outright pace of the Tamora and likely as not will prefer the more torquey delivery of the S than the screaming banshee of the standard engine (which only really comes into it's own on the second cam above 6.5k rpm [or thereabouts]).
It's an awesome track weapon but I find the general set-up of the car too twitchy and compromised for B-road blasts (I was extremely surprised to find that the front skips across ruts and bumps and doesn't inspire confidence, where my Elise bites with surety and loads of feedback) - were I to buy one I'd probably spend money uprating the springs and dampers to a better compromise. I also found the loony-tunes second cam of the standard car both annoying and frustrating, but others love it. Horses for courses.
The 'S' is a revalation in comparison.
Turning circle (tight) is not great, and at slow speeds steering is heavy. Rear visibility (via rear view mirror) in the standard car is poor, and in the S non-existent.
>> Edited by S Works on Thursday 6th April 11:05
Cheers for the replies so far. Sounds like rearward visibility is an issue - aside from that, no reports of mechanical maladies (yet!).
I'll deffo be test driving - I appreciate the comments re: the 'S', but it will have to be a standard one for me to get it past the g/f as I don't really want to add too many £££'s to do the swap.
I'll deffo be test driving - I appreciate the comments re: the 'S', but it will have to be a standard one for me to get it past the g/f as I don't really want to add too many £££'s to do the swap.
GTRene said:
I testdrove one a few weeks ago, and was also a bit confused by the poor visibility of the rearview mirror, it was worse then I thought, and that one, even not had the intercooler fixed like a 240 has...then there is no view on the street at all, so get that mirror out for better view forward, but to be honest...I miss the view in the rearview mirror but then I'm used to look backwards in them for about 25 years...
I believe speedyellow?? or exige_S?? has a the "problem" sorted, he put a camera in the back? and combined that with his stereo/navig big screen I think...how he did this? better ask him, he could leave a nice thread behind on the FAQ's for all Exige owners to copy his work
Thanks for the tip Rene (if it was directed at me), but I'd rather keep my Exige as raw as possible. Visibility for me is an issue I can live with because I only use the car for serious driving rather than everyday usage.
To be fair, the visibility through the rearview mirror is good enough for noticing cars behind you while driving but insufficient for parking and not-usable at night at all (other than spotting lights from other cars behind you). Rear-view would be completely blocked with the Lotus supercharger though.
I've owned my S2 for nearly a year and have loved every minute of it.Not had one problem worth mentioning and definitely upgrade to the S in a few months ( when second hand examples come available ).Only advice I would give is don't buy new...you will be hit for around 10 grand after a year of ownership.Air con is a MUST as you won't be able to sell it on afterwards...and a Stage 2 zorst plus pipercross air filter is worth getting as it sounds awesome.
We have both - Elise + Sagaris (did have Tuscan before) so know the ups/downs of each brand 
Running costs will be about 1/2 to 1/3rd of the Tamora, on servicing, consumables and fuel.
Parking could be a problem - not due to turning circle (which is a lot better than a Tamora) but due to lack of rear visibility in the Exige...but its a small car and fits easily in normal parking spaces no bother
Reliability - very well sorted now, better overall build than a TVR.
If you can afford a new un then an Exige S would be a good choice ..I think you may find the engine on a std one a little 'peaky' compared to a Speed 6
Running costs will be about 1/2 to 1/3rd of the Tamora, on servicing, consumables and fuel.
Parking could be a problem - not due to turning circle (which is a lot better than a Tamora) but due to lack of rear visibility in the Exige...but its a small car and fits easily in normal parking spaces no bother
Reliability - very well sorted now, better overall build than a TVR.
If you can afford a new un then an Exige S would be a good choice ..I think you may find the engine on a std one a little 'peaky' compared to a Speed 6
patsy said:
Cheers for the replies so far. Sounds like rearward visibility is an issue - aside from that, no reports of mechanical maladies (yet!).
I'll deffo be test driving - I appreciate the comments re: the 'S', but it will have to be a standard one for me to get it past the g/f as I don't really want to add too many £££'s to do the swap.
If you can't stretch to the S for god's sake don't drive one. You'll wonder what the f**k Lotus were upto with the original car if you do... and then you'll buy the S anyway
I vivdly remember my first drive in a S2 Exige... I must admit that with regards to power and acceleration, i wondered what the fuss was all about... the car just seemed to get noisier and thrashier (in not a nice way), but the acceleration wasn't really earth-shattering.
The handling was fantastic and I suppose this is what it should really be about... as for the noise,,, well the Exige i drove had the standard zorst, and i doubt many people would settle that for that.
I haven't driven a supercharged S2 Exige, but I suspect that provides the spot-on balance between sports-car grunt and sublime handling...
I'd still chew both my arms off for a S1 Exige with a 300hp Honda conversion... Now THAT is a real Exige! :-)
The handling was fantastic and I suppose this is what it should really be about... as for the noise,,, well the Exige i drove had the standard zorst, and i doubt many people would settle that for that.
I haven't driven a supercharged S2 Exige, but I suspect that provides the spot-on balance between sports-car grunt and sublime handling...
I'd still chew both my arms off for a S1 Exige with a 300hp Honda conversion... Now THAT is a real Exige! :-)
ayjay said:
I'd still chew both my arms off for a S1 Exige with a 300hp Honda conversion... Now THAT is a real Exige! :-)
Today by the dealer there was a silver Exige S1 with oval? big pipe...don't know about the rest, but indeed it looks realy cool and lovely...only more noise and no lugage space in the back?! the good thing then again it has a tinted glas? engine cover so you can look whats behind you
why have they changed that? to heavy? to expensive? it looks great such engine cover! GTRene
GTRene said:
I'd still chew both my arms off for a S1 Exige with a 300hp Honda conversion... Now THAT is a real Exige! :-)
Today by the dealer there was a silver Exige S1 with oval? big pipe...don't know about the rest, but indeed it looks realy cool and lovely...only more noise and no lugage space in the back?! the good thing then again it has a tinted glas? engine cover so you can look whats behind you
GTRene
Hi Rene,
My mate has a black mk1 Exige and it does look cool with the rear plexiglass. Unfortunately its not good for cooling, as hot air rises and has difficulty getting out. In normal road use its ok but on the track he has to open it about 10cm, put a plastic bottle in the gap and then tape it shut! This allows a 10cm gap alround to help the hot air get out.
Most cars have a low pressure area behind the roof, so allowing air to get sucked out there makes sense and also lets the hot air rise out when stopped, which is why Lotus went for mesh in the Exige mk2.
regards Ian
bruh_la said:
I'd still chew both my arms off for a S1 Exige with a 300hp Honda conversion... Now THAT is a real Exige! :-)
Today by the dealer there was a silver Exige S1 with oval? big pipe...don't know about the rest, but indeed it looks realy cool and lovely...only more noise and no lugage space in the back?! the good thing then again it has a tinted glas? engine cover so you can look whats behind you
GTRene
Hi Rene,
My mate has a black mk1 Exige and it does look cool with the rear plexiglass. Unfortunately its not good for cooling, as hot air rises and has difficulty getting out. In normal road use its ok but on the track he has to open it about 10cm, put a plastic bottle in the gap and then tape it shut! This allows a 10cm gap alround to help the hot air get out.
Most cars have a low pressure area behind the roof, so allowing air to get sucked out there makes sense and also lets the hot air rise out when stopped, which is why Lotus went for mesh in the Exige mk2.
regards Ian
Thanks Ian, indeed there was only a small escape route for hot air in the middle of that cover.
what are you doing with that rearview mirror? I would get it out! I saw in that Exige 240 Cup where I sad in at their showroom, there was no mirror and no stcker...all clean and that felt very good! free see through, way better
GTRene
I will tell Martin to remove it before i pick the car up.
He will also replace the white bits with black bits (spoiler and intakes) I am thinking of looking what the car looks like before i remove the white wing...it may look good with its black supports and the othe black bits.
If when i arrive to collect it i do not like the white rear wing, he can swap it for the black one in five mins he already has the bits in black and offered to swap for my bits or i can buy them.
I will go to Moto concept in a week or so, my mate and i will drive a car with the exhaust you found for me.......to see how it sounds. I plan to have the exhaust fitted and the car lowered and the geo done at martins for the first service.
I may also fit a baffled sump at the same time and have the cup brake upgrade done.....i just have to watch the pennies!
Ian
He will also replace the white bits with black bits (spoiler and intakes) I am thinking of looking what the car looks like before i remove the white wing...it may look good with its black supports and the othe black bits.
If when i arrive to collect it i do not like the white rear wing, he can swap it for the black one in five mins he already has the bits in black and offered to swap for my bits or i can buy them.
I will go to Moto concept in a week or so, my mate and i will drive a car with the exhaust you found for me.......to see how it sounds. I plan to have the exhaust fitted and the car lowered and the geo done at martins for the first service.
I may also fit a baffled sump at the same time and have the cup brake upgrade done.....i just have to watch the pennies!
Ian
Cheers for all your replies.
Sometimes it's a bit of a double edged sword posting on these forums...the 'standard' is never good enough!
I'll deffo be test driving in the next few weeks but probably won't be stretching to an 'S'. Is the standard Exige really that flat?
Another quick q - are they really tricky in the rain? I've driven the TVR in all conditions and nothing that sinister has ever happened and I don't exactly hang about!
Sometimes it's a bit of a double edged sword posting on these forums...the 'standard' is never good enough!
I'll deffo be test driving in the next few weeks but probably won't be stretching to an 'S'. Is the standard Exige really that flat?
Another quick q - are they really tricky in the rain? I've driven the TVR in all conditions and nothing that sinister has ever happened and I don't exactly hang about!
I'm going to put a post together this weekend showing where the camera is mounted in my car, how the headunit works fitting and hassles so everyone can decide for themselves if a rear view camera is the answer for them.
So someone please bring along a digital cam on Sunday so we can get some pictures.
Thanks
So someone please bring along a digital cam on Sunday so we can get some pictures.
Thanks
patsy said:
I'll deffo be test driving in the next few weeks but probably won't be stretching to an 'S'. Is the standard Exige really that flat?
IMO it isn't (and I've driven the Bemani Exige with 265bhp). Personally, I like the peaky nature of the Toyota engine. I think the torque under 6000 rpm is sufficient for getting through every-day by far and when you want to drive quick, you'd naturally keep the rev above 6000 anyway. Above 6000, there's plenty of torque to play around with and put a grin on your face. On a curvey stretch, I stand by my comment that regardless if its an Exige, Exige-S, 240R or a Bemani Exige, you'll have a big and equal smile as that is what the car was built for. More curves = more fun = less of a realworld difference between the cars.
"Another quick q - are they really tricky in the rain? I've driven the TVR in all conditions and nothing that sinister has ever happened and I don't exactly hang about! "
No not really - one thing to be aware of is that they come with track day tyres as std - Yoko A048s ...these aquaplane quite early in standing water...outright grip when its just 'damp' is good though. You may want to fit some tyres with deeper tread for regular winter use - Yoko A039s etc
Most of the 'whoops I spun it' type accidents you hear of are from new owners who are inexperienced with RWD mid engined cars ...Get out of a hot hatch and into an Elise/Exige and the Elise/Exige can lull you into a false sense of security....it sticks so well in the the dry and you can get away with a few liberties...in the wet its a different story ....let me ask you this...if its pissing with rain, and you are going around a roundabout in your Tamora at what point to you nail the throttle to the floor?
...a day on an airfield playing around will give you a feel for the (very high) limits of an Exige/Elise ......
No not really - one thing to be aware of is that they come with track day tyres as std - Yoko A048s ...these aquaplane quite early in standing water...outright grip when its just 'damp' is good though. You may want to fit some tyres with deeper tread for regular winter use - Yoko A039s etc
Most of the 'whoops I spun it' type accidents you hear of are from new owners who are inexperienced with RWD mid engined cars ...Get out of a hot hatch and into an Elise/Exige and the Elise/Exige can lull you into a false sense of security....it sticks so well in the the dry and you can get away with a few liberties...in the wet its a different story ....let me ask you this...if its pissing with rain, and you are going around a roundabout in your Tamora at what point to you nail the throttle to the floor?
...a day on an airfield playing around will give you a feel for the (very high) limits of an Exige/Elise ......
speedyellow said:
I'm going to put a post together this weekend showing where the camera is mounted in my car, how the headunit works fitting and hassles so everyone can decide for themselves if a rear view camera is the answer for them.
So someone please bring along a digital cam on Sunday so we can get some pictures.
Thanks
Good thing speedyellow
guess more exige owners will look out for something like that...also ofcorse the cost factor, and the advantages of such thing...and is it continu on? can you do it yourself, or better leave it to one with tech background, stuf like that. thanks
GTRene
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