Seriously considering an Exige S PP - advice please!
Discussion
Hello all,
As it says in the title! Actually, I've put a refundable deposit down on the Exige Sprint (Persian Blue) - the car's got a production slot and would be delivered in about mid-March. But before I decide yay or nay, I'm after a bit of advice from the people who know best...
The car would be a second car, used on track and road. I've done over 20 trackdays in the past, driven S2 Elises before, and have owned a VX220 Turbo for a couple of years between 2003 and 2005, so I have a decent idea about what I'm getting myself into and what I want from the car.
I had a very brief test-drive in the Exige S PP yesterday but the car had only done 35 miles so didn't open it up beyond 6500 rpm, out of deference. A couple of things really struck me:
Rearward visibility! I hadn't appreciated that you literally cannot see anything through the rear view mirror, and I found this pretty unnerving. Do you get used to this really quickly or is it always something that saps your on-road confidence by being robbed of peripheral vision and normal cues?
The supercharger whine noise - does anyone find it difficult to tolerate for sustained fast road driving, say for 2 hours or so. I thought it was fine over a very brief 15 minute drive at medium revs, but what's the longer-term verdict?
Tyres. I've read on here that the A048s are decent in the wet, and it would seem perhaps to miss the point of the Exige to consider other options, especially as it will be a second car. But (other then the Toyo T1-Rs), is there a less extreme tyre that fits the car and works well on it? Can you get the AD07s to fit the Exige now, given that the Elise SC runs on them?
I'm getting a fuller go in the Exige S PP next week, and also hopefully a test drive in the Elise SC. The dealership (Dick Lovett Swindon) has just taken delivery of a Burnt Orange one, which looks stunning.
I love the idea of the Exige Sprint but I'm concerned I might actually dislike certain aspects of the car over time, and would perhaps be better suited by the Elise SC. The Elise is definitely the more rounded car of the two, but the sheer performance and braking capability of the Exige is what I'd crave in a 'track and road' car.
All advice, comments and opinions gratefully appreciated.
Thanks,
Stunters
As it says in the title! Actually, I've put a refundable deposit down on the Exige Sprint (Persian Blue) - the car's got a production slot and would be delivered in about mid-March. But before I decide yay or nay, I'm after a bit of advice from the people who know best...
The car would be a second car, used on track and road. I've done over 20 trackdays in the past, driven S2 Elises before, and have owned a VX220 Turbo for a couple of years between 2003 and 2005, so I have a decent idea about what I'm getting myself into and what I want from the car.
I had a very brief test-drive in the Exige S PP yesterday but the car had only done 35 miles so didn't open it up beyond 6500 rpm, out of deference. A couple of things really struck me:
Rearward visibility! I hadn't appreciated that you literally cannot see anything through the rear view mirror, and I found this pretty unnerving. Do you get used to this really quickly or is it always something that saps your on-road confidence by being robbed of peripheral vision and normal cues?
The supercharger whine noise - does anyone find it difficult to tolerate for sustained fast road driving, say for 2 hours or so. I thought it was fine over a very brief 15 minute drive at medium revs, but what's the longer-term verdict?
Tyres. I've read on here that the A048s are decent in the wet, and it would seem perhaps to miss the point of the Exige to consider other options, especially as it will be a second car. But (other then the Toyo T1-Rs), is there a less extreme tyre that fits the car and works well on it? Can you get the AD07s to fit the Exige now, given that the Elise SC runs on them?
I'm getting a fuller go in the Exige S PP next week, and also hopefully a test drive in the Elise SC. The dealership (Dick Lovett Swindon) has just taken delivery of a Burnt Orange one, which looks stunning.
I love the idea of the Exige Sprint but I'm concerned I might actually dislike certain aspects of the car over time, and would perhaps be better suited by the Elise SC. The Elise is definitely the more rounded car of the two, but the sheer performance and braking capability of the Exige is what I'd crave in a 'track and road' car.
All advice, comments and opinions gratefully appreciated.
Thanks,
Stunters
Remove the rear view mirror and it gives you a better field of frontward view, and stops you looking behind at the inter cooler. I find you adapt very quick to the lack of view, but its a night mare if you need to reverse park all the time.
Charger only really whines all the time when on the ball, 2 hours of fun driving it WILL NOT get on your nerves you'll love it, and 2 hours of cruising and you won't hear the whine.
Tyres are A048 LTS version, can run T1R's for the less track focused driver, and also Toyo R888's.
Charger only really whines all the time when on the ball, 2 hours of fun driving it WILL NOT get on your nerves you'll love it, and 2 hours of cruising and you won't hear the whine.
Tyres are A048 LTS version, can run T1R's for the less track focused driver, and also Toyo R888's.
Welcome and congrats on your selection ... I bet you're excited 
As you've noted, it's worth getting a drive in the Elise SC and a test drive in a fully run in Exige S PP so you can decide which you prefer. You've still got another 1500 rpm to go
Yes there's no rearward visibilty thru the rear view interior mirror but it's something I've got used to ... probably because there's no choice in the matter!!
Supecharger whine? I like the noise and do not find it intrusive but I have been in other Exige S where the noise is very subdued so perhaps they vary in volume (that one did have the extra sound deadening insulation with the touring pack). I tend to only notice the whine when it becomes more pronounced under acceleration.
As for the tyres; and although I've not used them myself; I've heard lots of good things about Toyo 888 which are reputedly better in wet conditions. I've also driven a 240R around a wet Silverstone which was shod with Continental Sports so that might be another alternative.
Good luck with whatever you choose
As you've noted, it's worth getting a drive in the Elise SC and a test drive in a fully run in Exige S PP so you can decide which you prefer. You've still got another 1500 rpm to go
Yes there's no rearward visibilty thru the rear view interior mirror but it's something I've got used to ... probably because there's no choice in the matter!!
Supecharger whine? I like the noise and do not find it intrusive but I have been in other Exige S where the noise is very subdued so perhaps they vary in volume (that one did have the extra sound deadening insulation with the touring pack). I tend to only notice the whine when it becomes more pronounced under acceleration.
As for the tyres; and although I've not used them myself; I've heard lots of good things about Toyo 888 which are reputedly better in wet conditions. I've also driven a 240R around a wet Silverstone which was shod with Continental Sports so that might be another alternative.
Good luck with whatever you choose
Thanks guys.
Would a Police Officer take a dim view of somebody removing the rear view mirror? I agree it would make sense to do so, but I remember reading that carmakers are legally obliged to put one in the car.
This of course may be different from motorists being legally obliged to have a rear view mirror in their car...
Anyway, on initial acquaintance with the car I was pleasantly surprised by how light the clutch was, and the pedals felt better-spaced and nicer to use than those on the S2 Elises I drove in 2001 and 2003. The steering was a bit lighter than I remember it being on my old VXT, and the brake pedal had virtually no slack in it, so would require a bit of practice to attain the a smooth deceleration technique on-road.
The car, as ever, looks fantastic, and the AP Racing brakes on the front certainly pump up the visual drama very nicely. Can't wait for a proper go next week.
Would a Police Officer take a dim view of somebody removing the rear view mirror? I agree it would make sense to do so, but I remember reading that carmakers are legally obliged to put one in the car.
This of course may be different from motorists being legally obliged to have a rear view mirror in their car...
Anyway, on initial acquaintance with the car I was pleasantly surprised by how light the clutch was, and the pedals felt better-spaced and nicer to use than those on the S2 Elises I drove in 2001 and 2003. The steering was a bit lighter than I remember it being on my old VXT, and the brake pedal had virtually no slack in it, so would require a bit of practice to attain the a smooth deceleration technique on-road.
The car, as ever, looks fantastic, and the AP Racing brakes on the front certainly pump up the visual drama very nicely. Can't wait for a proper go next week.
Agree with the rest, have had an Exige S for 18 months and you do get use to no rear view mirror and I've spent 3 or 4 hours in the car and the S/C whine just fades into the background. As for removing the interior mirror and your friendly policeman you will find that the law states you only have to have 2 mirrors. That can be both wing mirrors or a drivers side wing mirror and an interior mirror.
It sounds like you might prefer an Elise SC with sports pack
I am the same... love these cars to bits but don't think I could handle an Exige with the whine and no rear visibility for too long. Elise is a better road car and with the sports pack you get quite a lot of the handling character from the exige... I want to upgrade to an SC
I am the same... love these cars to bits but don't think I could handle an Exige with the whine and no rear visibility for too long. Elise is a better road car and with the sports pack you get quite a lot of the handling character from the exige... I want to upgrade to an SC
Edited by NathanE on Saturday 2nd February 17:17
It sound to me like the Elise SC with uprated suspension and some extra wheels and tyres from the Exige would be just what you need.
Don't forget that you're not stuck with the handling charecteristics that the car comes from Lotus with. Easy enough to get the geo changed.
For me though, it would have to be the Exige. Its the only way I would part with my beloved S1 and even then its really for the looks and I know I'd soon regret the change.
Don't forget that you're not stuck with the handling charecteristics that the car comes from Lotus with. Easy enough to get the geo changed.
For me though, it would have to be the Exige. Its the only way I would part with my beloved S1 and even then its really for the looks and I know I'd soon regret the change.
I've just driven from SW london, to silverstone, done a track day and driven back to Plans motorsport in my 240r. This is a similar spec car to the new exige S PP. I have it as a weekend and trackday car, exactly as you suggest you nwould run yours. I find it fantastic. There's a lot of tyre roar on the motorway and I occasionally wear ear plugs to filter out the din - but then mine doesn't really have any soundproofing unlike the regular production model. Go back and drive a run-in one like they intend - it comes alive in the upper reaches of the rev range.
Supercharger whine - not as annoying as the whine from a Mini's elec poweer steering or the supercharger in an S-type R. Strange comparisons I know, but 2 irritating features on cars I have owned. I quite like the way it all goes a bit bonkers into the red line.
Tyres - endless discussion about this - I like the AO48, they offer stupendous grip on a dry track (incuding a cold one - today just above freezing) and I also find them fine in the wet; clearly you must drive with care though. The wear rate is not great when driven in anger but you can't have everything.
Rear view mirror - forget about it, you quickly get used to it, multivex mirrors make a great addition. Reverse parking obv tricky but I don't buy cars on that basis.
Oh - and I think the aggressive looks alone justify buying the exige.
Good luck with your decision
Supercharger whine - not as annoying as the whine from a Mini's elec poweer steering or the supercharger in an S-type R. Strange comparisons I know, but 2 irritating features on cars I have owned. I quite like the way it all goes a bit bonkers into the red line.
Tyres - endless discussion about this - I like the AO48, they offer stupendous grip on a dry track (incuding a cold one - today just above freezing) and I also find them fine in the wet; clearly you must drive with care though. The wear rate is not great when driven in anger but you can't have everything.
Rear view mirror - forget about it, you quickly get used to it, multivex mirrors make a great addition. Reverse parking obv tricky but I don't buy cars on that basis.
Oh - and I think the aggressive looks alone justify buying the exige.
Good luck with your decision
Stunters said:
Cheers.
Do any of you guys track your cars, and if so, what have you learned now about the car (on road or on track) that you wish you knew when you first had it?
Yes - you need upgraded brakes (at least pads) - you get these with the PP so make sure you go for that. I'd also think about the LSD.Do any of you guys track your cars, and if so, what have you learned now about the car (on road or on track) that you wish you knew when you first had it?
Also I'd get harnesses fitted - I have them and find they make a big difference to the way you are attached to the car.
If you have only been to 6500 rpm you MUST go back and try giving it the full beans.....
Sounds to me like you really need to try an Elise SC. Personally that would be my choice of the two - I couldn't live with no rear visibility and reportedly the supercharger is quieter, plus you don't have a ridiculous choice of tyres for road use (although with either you could always buy a second set of wheels). Pop a set of Pagids on and you'll have great braking performance, too.
I'd just like to add that A048's are rubbish in the wet. The people who say they are fine are driving slow so not finding the limit. I've found the limit in standing water and they let go at a very low speed on a roundabout and I spun nearly 360. If you are doing comuting I would recommend a second set of wheels with road tyres. Also the A048's wear out at a considerable rate.
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