Beuty is dead, long live the beast!!!!

[Doug Ward]

After much deliberation (911 CS, Cayman S, Second hand GT3, AM V8 Vantage) i've traded in my 54 plate 111R for a Starlight black 08 model Exige S with touring, sports and performance pack - picking it up in a few days (they had exact color and spec etc in the showroom).

Can't wait!

[S Works]

[21TonyK]

Nice choice. Safe

[abz 7001]

Doug, knew you would see sense! Fanatstic choice, bring it into work, please! Stuart

[Boggy]

Nice one Doug,

Haven't seen you post for ages, I've also got an Exige S 07 in Artic Silver

Boggy

[Doug Ward]

Boggy said:

Nice one Doug,

Haven't seen you post for ages, I've also got an Exige S 07 in Artic Silver

Boggy

Yeah it's been a while, been in a new job for past 18 months that i've been 110% focussed on, can't complain though as ultimately it's the job that funds the toys! Sad thing is the old Elise has sat pretty much idle since the beginning of this year - that was a small part of the consideration in buying this car rather than the 911s however I stress it was only a small part. Putting aside the prospect of having a higher cost and similarly heavily depreceiating car unused on the drive I would have still chosen the Exige S + Performance pack. I'm v.impressed with how the build quality has improved over the past three years and the additional thought that has gone into upgrading the cabin etc. I now think it truly does offer a great balance between track fun, everyday road fun and comfort as long as you can cope with the lack of luggage space.

[Boggy]

Doug Ward said:

Boggy said:

Nice one Doug,

Haven't seen you post for ages, I've also got an Exige S 07 in Artic Silver

Boggy

Yeah it's been a while, been in a new job for past 18 months that i've been 110% focussed on, can't complain though as ultimately it's the job that funds the toys! Sad thing is the old Elise has sat pretty much idle since the beginning of this year - that was a small part of the consideration in buying this car rather than the 911s however I stress it was only a small part. Putting aside the prospect of having a higher cost and similarly heavily depreceiating car unused on the drive I would have still chosen the Exige S + Performance pack. I'm v.impressed with how the build quality has improved over the past three years and the additional thought that has gone into upgrading the cabin etc. I now think it truly does offer a great balance between track fun, everyday road fun and comfort as long as you can cope with the lack of luggage space.

I agree, it shouldn't matter but it does little thing's such as A/c and electric window's do make life a little easier, my Exige is far better then my Elise both in town and on the motorway, of course when you get a decent A road it's in a different league I think you've made the best choice by a long way, it's taken a while but to be honest it's the first time I can honestly say I don't lust after any other car, for me it's perfect

Boggy

[Doug Ward]

Now i'm 1050 miles in and past the first service I thought i'd update this thread.

This car is truly stunning. Having had the 111R before I naively expected this to be just a "better" version of the old but having driven it a little more (not really pushed it though yet) I have to say that it's an entirely different animal altogether.

Greater bhp aside, the different engine profile bought about by the combination of the supercharger, different mapping and what seems to be (will have to compare tech spec) different gear ratios (most noticeable from 4th onward) makes this so different to drive. Couple this with the huge helping of additional grip over the Elise (even without the LTC) and it's simply mindblowing.

What is even more impressive is how the build quality has improved. When I bought the 111R three years ago I had a snag list 15 points long, this time it was 3 points (boot seal, roof seal and rattling from a door panel) which were easily solved. The whole thing seems so much more solid - more like a regular car.

I've never driven a regular Exige S so cant comment on whether the performance pack is worth the extra £3k but i'd say that the overall cost of the car with the touring pack, sports pack and performance pack, though expensive (you start thinking a lot about what else you could get with the money) is worthwhile. Having driven the Elise come rain or shine for three years I found pretty much everything else I considered uninspiring / uninvolving (I didnt consider a Caterham as it's just too impractical).

If Lotus somehow manage to improve things at the same rate they have over the past three years then I can see myself a customer of theirs for a long time to come.

[Boggy]

Doug Ward said:

Now i'm 1050 miles in and past the first service I thought i'd update this thread.

This car is truly stunning. Having had the 111R before I naively expected this to be just a "better" version of the old but having driven it a little more (not really pushed it though yet) I have to say that it's an entirely different animal altogether.

Greater bhp aside, the different engine profile bought about by the combination of the supercharger, different mapping and what seems to be (will have to compare tech spec) different gear ratios (most noticeable from 4th onward) makes this so different to drive. Couple this with the huge helping of additional grip over the Elise (even without the LTC) and it's simply mindblowing.

What is even more impressive is how the build quality has improved. When I bought the 111R three years ago I had a snag list 15 points long, this time it was 3 points (boot seal, roof seal and rattling from a door panel) which were easily solved. The whole thing seems so much more solid - more like a regular car.

I've never driven a regular Exige S so cant comment on whether the performance pack is worth the extra £3k but i'd say that the overall cost of the car with the touring pack, sports pack and performance pack, though expensive (you start thinking a lot about what else you could get with the money) is worthwhile. Having driven the Elise come rain or shine for three years I found pretty much everything else I considered uninspiring / uninvolving (I didnt consider a Caterham as it's just too impractical).

If Lotus somehow manage to improve things at the same rate they have over the past three years then I can see myself a customer of theirs for a long time to come.

Great News Doug,

Any photo's as yet sir

Boggy

[Doug Ward]

[quote=Boggy

Great News Doug,

Any photo's as yet sir

Boggy
[/quote]


Given the weather and the salt on the roads the car has permanently been filthy however here is a reasonable shot I took with the camera phone the other week, not the best angle however does give you a good view of the re-modeled roof scoop.

Edited by Doug Ward on Monday 31st December 09:59

Edited by Doug Ward on Monday 31st December 10:00

[Tim Netherton]

Nice one Doug Those full length roof scoops really look the biz too.

[Philygumbo]

OOOOOOOH NICE!