GT3 RS shaped hole in my garage, would an Exige fit?

[martinr007]

As per the title, I've just put my 997 GT3 RS up for sale after 15 years ownership and am wondering what to replace it with.

I really don't want to sell my RS, however I'm based in France and the car is on UK plates so it's time to change it. I'd assumed I'd just buy a LHD RS but am wondering if now is the time to try a Lotus Exige. Has anyone done the same and had any regrets? I realise I might be better off asking the question on the Lotus forums but thought if anyone had tried the switch and moved back to an RS then they'd likely be here.

After watching some videos on the 380 Cup, I can't see what's not to like. Most of my driving is on smooth mountain passes as opposed to track days so maybe a "regular" 380 or 410 Sport would be more suited. I just like the idea of the 380 Cup as it's even rawer

Cheers,
Martin

[bosshog]

Hi Martin,

Not quite the same but I just replaced my 981 GT4 with a 350 Exige.

It’s more engaging and more raw experience so depends on how comfortable you like to be a longer trips. The 350 onwards have the new gearbox setup, which I really recommend as the older one can be a pain at times when you try to hurry it. I have a 991 turbo s as well as the daily and when I get in the Exige I never think it s slow, so consider carefully if you need the higher power versions - try them if you can. If you do track days then the 410/430 variants have charge coolers so won t suffer heat soak power loss but on public roads I doubt you d need to worry about that. The 350 comes standard with bilsteins race shocks/springs , I replaced them with the sport version used on previous Exige models, as around here the roads are too bumpy. However if your roads are mostly smooth the standard with be total fine. The 410/430 have Nitron setup so can t speak for that as I ve not tried. I don t know much technically the difference with 3890 versions.

In terms of driver fun - the first thing I did was take the hard top off (and source a Softtop and left in the boot). It brings the world and soundtrack into the car and is IMO a much better experience. The longer wheel base (say compared to an Elise) makes for a very sure footed driving experience. Typical lotus handling - it s a very sorted .

It s huge fun and I doubt you would regret. I haven t thought about the GT4 since I got it and I loved that car.

Definitely worth a try if you can .

Edited by bosshog on Saturday 21st June 08:29

Edited by bosshog on Saturday 21st June 08:46

[bosshog]

[martinr007]

Thanks for the info, that is a lovely looking Exige you have there. Nice to be able to pair it with a Turbo S as a sensible daily driver

I’m pretty fortunate with the roads that surround me (Grand and Petit St Bernard passes 30 - 45mins away and Furka and Susten Passes 3hrs away) so not too bothered about long journeys / comfort, I’m not sure if it’s just the cups or all versions after the 380 have the Nitrons fitted but have read good things about them.
Do you have a standard exhaust and is it loud enough? My RS had a Sharkwerks exhaust fitted and it made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end when giving it the beans

Monza is only 2hrs away so I’d definitely like to do the odd track day, hence my thinking about the 380cup. In reality though, most of the driving will be in the mountain passes so think a 380 or 410 sport would be more than enough, this lunatic is testament to that https://youtu.be/kMYTWp2RM8s?feature=shared.

I thought the cars would have came with a soft top as standard so that’s good to know. I live in a ski resort so it would only be used between April to November in the sunny weather, would definitely plan on having the top off!

Cheers,
Martin

[bosshog]

martinr007 said:

Thanks for the info, that is a lovely looking Exige you have there. Nice to be able to pair it with a Turbo S as a sensible daily driver

I m pretty fortunate with the roads that surround me (Grand and Petit St Bernard passes 30 - 45mins away and Furka and Susten Passes 3hrs away) so not too bothered about long journeys / comfort, I m not sure if it s just the cups or all versions after the 380 have the Nitrons fitted but have read good things about them.
Do you have a standard exhaust and is it loud enough? My RS had a Sharkwerks exhaust fitted and it made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end when giving it the beans

Monza is only 2hrs away so I d definitely like to do the odd track day, hence my thinking about the 380cup. In reality though, most of the driving will be in the mountain passes so think a 380 or 410 sport would be more than enough, this lunatic is testament to that https://youtu.be/kMYTWp2RM8s?feature=shared.

I thought the cars would have came with a soft top as standard so that s good to know. I live in a ski resort so it would only be used between April to November in the sunny weather, would definitely plan on having the top off!

Cheers,
Martin

Very envious - great spot where you are. So many good roads about there . I used to live in the southern Alps but not quite on the same as where you are road wise.

With the roof off the standard exhaust is plenty loud enough - it really screaks at the top end. 410/430 are even louder and sounds even better as it has the full larger bore Evora 400 manifolds and exhaust (also 380 I think). All stock Exiges are excellent on track for the odd track day IMO. I think the cup version should only be a consideration if you only do track days .

I think you ll find a 350 more than enough for what you want but if budget allows defo go for the 410 if you can.

Edited to add : just watched that video -that s defo the Evora 400 exhaust setup. I used to have an Evora 410 sport - it sounds pretty epic but it s very loud 110db full chat so won t pass (uk) track day limits - just worth a note. 350 & 380 are the older style supercharged 3.5l V6 and 390 upwards are charge cooled

Edited by bosshog on Sunday 22 June 21:28

[alscar]

Not quite the same either but I sold my 997.2 GT3 Clubsport after 9 years.
I replaced it with an Exige 410 - both even in the same colour , Riviera Blue.
Trouble was I never really bonded or gelled with it and sold it after a couple of years.
Positives ? Noise of the supercharger was addictive , handling superb , exposed gear change and gear change itself excellent , was fun.
Negatives ? Expensive , build quality relative to cost not pro rata , various warranty claims within first 12 months , wife disliked going out in it.
Glad I scratched an itch though.

[bosshog]

alscar said:

build quality relative to cost not pro rata ,

I think this is worth mentioning - for me any Lotus (and I’ve had many) the material finish/perceived quality doesn’t make sense once you get to £60k . They don’t feel for whatever reason as such a solid product as a P car. At £45k for the 350 it feels fine but when you start getting £60k+ prices you need to be comfortable with the fact.

Personally I have far more issue with Porsches than Lotus generally speaking though, and they are cheap to run/maintain

[alscar]

bosshog said:

alscar said:

build quality relative to cost not pro rata ,

I think this is worth mentioning - for me any Lotus (and I ve had many) the material finish/perceived quality doesn t make sense once you get to £60k . They don t feel for whatever reason as such a solid product as a P car. At £45k for the 350 it feels fine but when you start getting £60k+ prices you need to be comfortable with the fact.

Personally I have far more issue with Porsches than Lotus generally speaking though, and they are cheap to run/maintain

Yes in retrospect maybe the 350 like yours would have negated my negative on that aspect and the double right lights look much better than the 410’s !
In contrast I had 3 other 911’s and other than standard servicing not an issue with any of them and in 9 years of the GT3 the only thing that went wrong was the clutch sensor.
All were bought new in fairness.
I’m also not quite so convinced that Lotus are that cheap to service - I’ve just bought a new Dark Horse Mustang to add to the garage and the annual services for the first 3 years can be bought for £670 which is certainly good value.
I did drive the 350 first but wasn’t blown away by the performance which is why I went for the 410 but I was coming from the GT3 which given the OP’s current car is also worth mentioning.
Dealing with Lotus dealers though seemed far nicer than my Porsche experiences though.

[martinr007]

alscar said:

Not quite the same either but I sold my 997.2 GT3 Clubsport after 9 years.
I replaced it with an Exige 410 - both even in the same colour , Riviera Blue.
Trouble was I never really bonded or gelled with it and sold it after a couple of years.
Positives ? Noise of the supercharger was addictive , handling superb , exposed gear change and gear change itself excellent , was fun.
Negatives ? Expensive , build quality relative to cost not pro rata , various warranty claims within first 12 months , wife disliked going out in it.
Glad I scratched an itch though.

Do you mind me asking why you never gelled with the car? I would have thought your GT3 CS would be fairly similar in performance / noise / practicality etc etc with a 410 Exige so it would be a fairly like for like switch?

Cost wise in France there’s a decent spread from about €75 -110k for a 350 to 410 and there’s a few 380 Cups around the 100k mark. I’ve been spoiled having my RS for so long and appreciating in value, I really don’t want to take a bath buying a Lotus . That was another reason (as well as because I think the look amazing) for considering a 380 Cup due to their rarity.

With regards to reliability / service costs from what I’ve read, I thought the servicing costs should end up similar to an GT3, the big one being every 4 years. I’d like to think that on 2018 - 2021 cars, any initial niggles should have been sorted.

[alscar]

martinr007 said:

Do you mind me asking why you never gelled with the car? I would have thought your GT3 CS would be fairly similar in performance / noise / practicality etc etc with a 410 Exige so it would be a fairly like for like switch?

Cost wise in France there s a decent spread from about 75 -110k for a 350 to 410 and there s a few 380 Cups around the 100k mark. I ve been spoiled having my RS for so long and appreciating in value, I really don t want to take a bath buying a Lotus . That was another reason (as well as because I think the look amazing) for considering a 380 Cup due to their rarity.

With regards to reliability / service costs from what I ve read, I thought the servicing costs should end up similar to an GT3, the big one being every 4 years. I d like to think that on 2018 - 2021 cars, any initial niggles should have been sorted.

Possibly that was exactly the issue - maybe I thought it would be a cheaper version and do the same thing and more importantly give me the same feeling -it didn't.
The GT3 sounded better , and arguably was actually more practical despite the rear cage as the front trunk was a decent size for a weekend -not that I ever used it for that.
In contrast the rear boot of the Exige got very warm for obvious reasons.
Whilst I got used to the " tuck and roll " entry and exit to the Exige , dropping down into the nomex covered buckets in the Porsche just felt easier and "nicer ".
I suppose really that the GT3 gave me a special feeling ( even hearing the stone rattles" up " through the cage never bothered me ) and simply the Exige didn't.
As far as depreciation is concerned ( and remember I bought new) I don't think you would lose too much with either a 350 or a 410 although perhaps a 380 could in itself be a good compromise and due to the rarity be a better bet ?
As I type I'm looking at photos in my study of the Exige and the GT3 and I definitely miss the latter !

[finmac]

I am long term Lotus owner (current Exige 410 sport) and also long term Porsche owner (GT4RS replaced recently by Spyder RS). The 410 is a sweet spot car and a fantastic way to carve up a great road - if you go for a lower powered Exige I suspect you’d feel a bit short changed. Make sure your OK with the way it’s a bit less easy to live with that your 911 (harder to get in and out of plus it will likely have more squeaks and rattles etc!). Fabulous drivers car though

[Shnozz]

Can you really get a 350 for €75k in France? I am tempted to import one into Spain if that is the case. Have taken my RHD Exige down there over winter and its superb on those roads but would be very happy if I could stick a LHD one in the garage down there at that sort of price.

[Dr S]

Did an early morning run with my 7.2RS over Susten, Grimsel, Furka in Switzerland last Summer. Mostly smooth roads with the RS being a wonderful machine to attack them. Not convinced that your intended use would speak against the RS...

[martinr007]

alscar said:

martinr007 said:

Do you mind me asking why you never gelled with the car? I would have thought your GT3 CS would be fairly similar in performance / noise / practicality etc etc with a 410 Exige so it would be a fairly like for like switch?

Cost wise in France there s a decent spread from about 75 -110k for a 350 to 410 and there s a few 380 Cups around the 100k mark. I ve been spoiled having my RS for so long and appreciating in value, I really don t want to take a bath buying a Lotus . That was another reason (as well as because I think the look amazing) for considering a 380 Cup due to their rarity.

With regards to reliability / service costs from what I ve read, I thought the servicing costs should end up similar to an GT3, the big one being every 4 years. I d like to think that on 2018 - 2021 cars, any initial niggles should have been sorted.

Possibly that was exactly the issue - maybe I thought it would be a cheaper version and do the same thing and more importantly give me the same feeling -it didn't.
The GT3 sounded better , and arguably was actually more practical despite the rear cage as the front trunk was a decent size for a weekend -not that I ever used it for that.
In contrast the rear boot of the Exige got very warm for obvious reasons.
Whilst I got used to the " tuck and roll " entry and exit to the Exige , dropping down into the nomex covered buckets in the Porsche just felt easier and "nicer ".
I suppose really that the GT3 gave me a special feeling ( even hearing the stone rattles" up " through the cage never bothered me ) and simply the Exige didn't.
As far as depreciation is concerned ( and remember I bought new) I don't think you would lose too much with either a 350 or a 410 although perhaps a 380 could in itself be a good compromise and due to the rarity be a better bet ?
As I type I'm looking at photos in my study of the Exige and the GT3 and I definitely miss the latter !

As good as the Exiges sound, I doubt they’ll compete with an RS with a Sharwerks exhaust . I know I’ll miss that for sure!

I have seen that the Exiges can be challenging to get into, and one of my main concerns is if I’ll fit. I’ve watched a few videos of people who are 6’2 - 6’3, some say it’s too small others say it’s fine, I suppose it depends on leg length vs arm length

[martinr007]

Shnozz said:

Can you really get a 350 for 75k in France? I am tempted to import one into Spain if that is the case. Have taken my RHD Exige down there over winter and its superb on those roads but would be very happy if I could stick a LHD one in the garage down there at that sort of price.

Yep, see below,

[martinr007]

Dr S said:

Did an early morning run with my 7.2RS over Susten, Grimsel, Furka in Switzerland last Summer. Mostly smooth roads with the RS being a wonderful machine to attack them. Not convinced that your intended use would speak against the RS...

I agree! There’s no reason for me not to replace my RS with a LHD one, I suppose I’m just wondering if I’m missing out by not trying something else after 15 years ownership. Assuming my car sells I’ll see if I can bag a test drive before taking the plunge

[Shnozz]

martinr007 said:

As good as the Exiges sound, I doubt they ll compete with an RS with a Sharwerks exhaust . I know I ll miss that for sure!

I have seen that the Exiges can be challenging to get into, and one of my main concerns is if I ll fit. I ve watched a few videos of people who are 6 2 - 6 3, some say it s too small others say it s fine, I suppose it depends on leg length vs arm length

I am 6'3" and have no real issues.

Thanks for the link to the Exiges in France, will follow up on that.

[martinr007]

Shnozz said:

I am 6'3" and have no real issues.

Thanks for the link to the Exiges in France, will follow up on that.

Good to know!
There’s also largus

https://occasion.largus.fr/auto/lotus/exige/?order...
And www.autoscout.fr and www.leparking.fr

[martinr007]

Shnozz said:

I am 6'3" and have no real issues.

Thanks for the link to the Exiges in France, will follow up on that.

Good to know!
There’s also largus

https://occasion.largus.fr/auto/lotus/exige/?order...
And www.autoscout.fr and www.leparking.fr

[martinr007]

alscar said:

Not quite the same either but I sold my 997.2 GT3 Clubsport after 9 years.
I replaced it with an Exige 410 - both even in the same colour , Riviera Blue.
Trouble was I never really bonded or gelled with it and sold it after a couple of years.
Positives ? Noise of the supercharger was addictive , handling superb , exposed gear change and gear change itself excellent , was fun.
Negatives ? Expensive , build quality relative to cost not pro rata , various warranty claims within first 12 months , wife disliked going out in it.
Glad I scratched an itch though.

Do you mind me asking why you never gelled with the car? I would have thought your GT3 CS would be fairly similar in performance / noise / practicality etc etc with a 410 Exige so it would be a fairly like for like switch?

Cost wise in France there’s a decent spread from about €75 -110k for a 350 to 410 and there’s a few 380 Cups around the 100k mark. I’ve been spoiled having my RS for so long and appreciating in value, I really don’t want to take a bath buying a Lotus . That was another reason (as well as because I think the look amazing) for considering a 380 Cup due to their rarity.

With regards to reliability / service costs from what I’ve read, I thought the servicing costs should end up similar to an GT3, the big one being every 4 years. I’d like to think that on 2018 - 2021 cars, any initial niggles should have been sorted.