Discussion
Have test driven both and decided the rear visibility on the exige and the advantage of taking the roof off the Elise I concluded the 111r was for me. But everytime I look at the classifieds the Exige just looks as sexy as hell and I could probably live with the rear visibility and the lack of a garage means permenant hard top may not be a bad thing.
Is there anything else I should consider in making a choice between the two? Obviously I could get a newer 111r (55) compared to an Exige (05. What about running costs being the same engine presumably service costs are the same, what about tyres etc? Another factor is I will probably never track the car its just to bring the grin back but I will use it as an everyday car my commute is only 11 miles though.
Can anyone give me any advice or something that I should be aware of that might help my decision making?
Helppppppppppppppppppppppp
Is there anything else I should consider in making a choice between the two? Obviously I could get a newer 111r (55) compared to an Exige (05. What about running costs being the same engine presumably service costs are the same, what about tyres etc? Another factor is I will probably never track the car its just to bring the grin back but I will use it as an everyday car my commute is only 11 miles though.
Can anyone give me any advice or something that I should be aware of that might help my decision making?
Helppppppppppppppppppppppp
I went through a similar debate in my head which originally started with a 111S, rapidly changed to a 111R and then an Exige or an Exige S. I wanted a hard top anyway as not really interested in convertibles any more plus I found the Exige suspension felt better. On top of they I prefer the look of the Exige.
Similar sort of dilema here, not got a garage, so it'll be sat on the driveway all year round. Most places charge same for R and Exige servicing from what I've seen, as they are pretty much the same.
Pretty much in the same situation, doubt I'll ever track it, but it will be my every day drive on a 70 mile round trip to work (I can't see me working from home as much if I get one).
Pretty much in the same situation, doubt I'll ever track it, but it will be my every day drive on a 70 mile round trip to work (I can't see me working from home as much if I get one).
Janitor said:
Tyres are a major consideration if running costs are being taken into account
Get an Elise with Exige suspension
Obviously it depends on how you drive it but what difference in miles are we talking between the standards on an 111r and the exige? Also how much would a suspension upgrade cost me roughly?Get an Elise with Exige suspension
Same here, loved the look of the exige and when i had the elise (before the exige) sometimes could not be arsed to take the roof off (me just being lazy). I really dont miss having a soft top and how often do we have really good weather? My Exige lives outside and with the hardtop i've had no leeks, although with a well fitted soft top you shouldn't either.
Positives: To me at speed my Exige feels more stable than my old Elise (although that wasn't a 111r), better looks.
Negatives: it does tramline a bit due to the AO48's. Visibility, although you do get used to it and with the N/A Exige you can use the rear view mirrow to see a little of what is behind you.
HTH
Tanman
Positives: To me at speed my Exige feels more stable than my old Elise (although that wasn't a 111r), better looks.
Negatives: it does tramline a bit due to the AO48's. Visibility, although you do get used to it and with the N/A Exige you can use the rear view mirrow to see a little of what is behind you.
HTH
Tanman
mollymai said:
Janitor said:
Tyres are a major consideration if running costs are being taken into account
Get an Elise with Exige suspension
Obviously it depends on how you drive it but what difference in miles are we talking between the standards on an 111r and the exige? Also how much would a suspension upgrade cost me roughly?Get an Elise with Exige suspension
Tyres I'm taking a guess at 4-5k from a set of rear AO48's against 8-10k from a set of AD07's on a 111R... the cost for a full set of AO48's I think is around £750 versus AD07's for £425-ish (all rough guesses from memory!). It does add up as you can see. To some that's just part and parcel, for others it will be a consideration
(Hi Tony btw!
)assuming average road use (10k miles/year) an Exige would (roughly) cost an extra £500/year for tyres, if that's not a problem and you won't miss the soft-top, then go for the Exige because you prefer the styling.
there's no difference in the real world performance between either car, and the AO48s will entertain (dry) and frustrate (wet) in equal measure.
either one will definitely put the 'grin' back into your commute, although with only 11 miles you might be at work before the Yota's really warmed up.
there's no difference in the real world performance between either car, and the AO48s will entertain (dry) and frustrate (wet) in equal measure.
either one will definitely put the 'grin' back into your commute, although with only 11 miles you might be at work before the Yota's really warmed up.
Assumming you buy an exige 
You can see through the rear grill on the NA exige. I found it arkward at first, but you get used to seeing through the mesh.
If you have no plans to go on track, I suggest flogging the 48's to buy a set of road tyres. It really does make in-town driving less tiresome (and less scary on heavy downpours
).
For open top driving, simply buy a 2nd hand S2 soft top.
Rgds
Tom
You can see through the rear grill on the NA exige. I found it arkward at first, but you get used to seeing through the mesh.
If you have no plans to go on track, I suggest flogging the 48's to buy a set of road tyres. It really does make in-town driving less tiresome (and less scary on heavy downpours
). For open top driving, simply buy a 2nd hand S2 soft top.
Rgds
Tom
21TonyK said:
I went through a similar debate in my head which originally started with a 111S, rapidly changed to a 111R and then an Exige or an Exige S. I wanted a hard top anyway as not really interested in convertibles any more plus I found the Exige suspension felt better. On top of they I prefer the look of the Exige.
Couldnt agree with you more.That is exactly why im changing from the 111S to the Exige. Convertibkles dont interest me either anymore plus i love the look of the Exige.The funny thing about the suspension on the Exige is that they havent actually done anything to change it (at least thats what ive been told by a couple of dealers).It felt so much more comfortable to drive and as i will be driving it daily that was a main consideration.
My bubble has been burst slightly after reading some of the posts below about the Exige S220 but then i just look at my screensaver and im fine again.
Roll on next weekend.
Edited by hueandcry71 on Saturday 1st September 11:55
hueandcry71 said:
My bubble has been burst slightly after reading some of the posts below about the Exige S220
Don't let others or my opinion make you second guess your decision or put you off in any way. The S is a superb car by any standards and one which I would think anyone who enjoys cars would be proud to have in their garage. The NA vs. SC argument is a valid one but for me it is based around my current personal preferences, driving style and intentions to spend more time on the track.21TonyK said:
hueandcry71 said:
My bubble has been burst slightly after reading some of the posts below about the Exige S220
Don't let others or my opinion make you second guess your decision or put you off in any way. The S is a superb car by any standards and one which I would think anyone who enjoys cars would be proud to have in their garage. The NA vs. SC argument is a valid one but for me it is based around my current personal preferences, driving style and intentions to spend more time on the track.i chose the exige rather than 111r based on looks
rear visibilty on the exige isnt that bad. you can see through the mesh. also you just rely on wing mirrors more. at the end of the day its no big deal.
exige can have the roof removed no real problem. You can even get a softtop fitted for summer.
As for tyres the standard exiges one do last about 7k rears 15k fronts.
I currently run on toyo888 tyres which are preety similar and which can be had for about £450.
rear visibilty on the exige isnt that bad. you can see through the mesh. also you just rely on wing mirrors more. at the end of the day its no big deal.
exige can have the roof removed no real problem. You can even get a softtop fitted for summer.
As for tyres the standard exiges one do last about 7k rears 15k fronts.
I currently run on toyo888 tyres which are preety similar and which can be had for about £450.
jfrf said:
i chose the exige rather than 111r based on looks
rear visibilty on the exige isnt that bad. you can see through the mesh. also you just rely on wing mirrors more. at the end of the day its no big deal.
exige can have the roof removed no real problem. You can even get a softtop fitted for summer.
As for tyres the standard exiges one do last about 7k rears 15k fronts.
I currently run on toyo888 tyres which are preety similar and which can be had for about £450.
I personally wouldnt dream of having a soft top put on an Exige as you may as well keep or get an Elise. rear visibilty on the exige isnt that bad. you can see through the mesh. also you just rely on wing mirrors more. at the end of the day its no big deal.
exige can have the roof removed no real problem. You can even get a softtop fitted for summer.
As for tyres the standard exiges one do last about 7k rears 15k fronts.
I currently run on toyo888 tyres which are preety similar and which can be had for about £450.
The Exige looks half the car with a soft top on it. To me its the roof that makes the Exige look as good as it does.
All in my own honest humble opinion mind........
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