Fancying a change to a Lotus Exige
Discussion
Hi fellow PH'ers
Does anyone have any thoughts on Lotus ?
Fancied a run out in my V8 Vantage this morning and headed down to my local Lotus dealer (Stratton Motor Company), who also deal in Aston Martin.
Looked at the latest 350bhp Exige S and Evora and must admit I'm quite tempted to leave the fold for something totally different.
The Vantage is a thing of beauty, and leagues ahead in terms of build quality, but I'm finding it almost too precious to enjoy thoroughly.
At 6ft 3 I did find it almost impossible to get comfy in the Exige Coupe, but was then shown a roadster which is much easier to climb in and out of without losing all your pride.......
To me, it did feel like a much more driver focused car, and I'm looking forward to taking the roadster for a spin when its been prepped for sale.
Not sure I fancied the trade in however, being quoted 30k for mine, a rare DBR9 Racing Green V8, with 35k on the clock, and absolutely flawless bodywork.
Has anyone had any experience in one ? I'm lacking throttle response and performance and feel the Aston is more GT for what I would like to get from my summer use 3rd car.....
Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated.
Does anyone have any thoughts on Lotus ?
Fancied a run out in my V8 Vantage this morning and headed down to my local Lotus dealer (Stratton Motor Company), who also deal in Aston Martin.
Looked at the latest 350bhp Exige S and Evora and must admit I'm quite tempted to leave the fold for something totally different.
The Vantage is a thing of beauty, and leagues ahead in terms of build quality, but I'm finding it almost too precious to enjoy thoroughly.
At 6ft 3 I did find it almost impossible to get comfy in the Exige Coupe, but was then shown a roadster which is much easier to climb in and out of without losing all your pride.......
To me, it did feel like a much more driver focused car, and I'm looking forward to taking the roadster for a spin when its been prepped for sale.
Not sure I fancied the trade in however, being quoted 30k for mine, a rare DBR9 Racing Green V8, with 35k on the clock, and absolutely flawless bodywork.
Has anyone had any experience in one ? I'm lacking throttle response and performance and feel the Aston is more GT for what I would like to get from my summer use 3rd car.....
Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated.
I went from a BR'd 4.3 V8V to a Lotus Evora S a couple of years ago (co-incidentally also because of a visit to Stratton's).
I don't regret it for a second. All Lotuses of all flavours are very much 'drivers cars'. You will find that you might have to compromise on certain creature comforts (particularly in the Elise/Exige type cars) compared to an Aston but for me, it's totally worth it.
You might find however that you are better suited to an Evora. I'm 6'4" and although I fit in an Exige, I fit much better in an Evora.
I don't regret it for a second. All Lotuses of all flavours are very much 'drivers cars'. You will find that you might have to compromise on certain creature comforts (particularly in the Elise/Exige type cars) compared to an Aston but for me, it's totally worth it.
You might find however that you are better suited to an Evora. I'm 6'4" and although I fit in an Exige, I fit much better in an Evora.
Thanks for the response Bravo, and lovely to hear from someone who has done exactly what I'm thinking.......
Is the throttle response much sharper ? Just wondering whether they are as fast as whats on paper......
I think my driving style is different to what is intended for the Vantage (more of a sporty GT than a racer) and hence i've started looking at alternatives.
I did find the Evora much more roomy inside without the huge sills to pass over, but have fallen for the menacing looks of the Exige.
With any small batch manufacturer, I'm sure there are a few niggles to contend with, but pound for pound, I don't think there is another car on the market which matches the performance.
Of course the other contender may be a 4C, but can't get my head around a 1.8Litre engine, seems wrong !
Is the throttle response much sharper ? Just wondering whether they are as fast as whats on paper......
I think my driving style is different to what is intended for the Vantage (more of a sporty GT than a racer) and hence i've started looking at alternatives.
I did find the Evora much more roomy inside without the huge sills to pass over, but have fallen for the menacing looks of the Exige.
With any small batch manufacturer, I'm sure there are a few niggles to contend with, but pound for pound, I don't think there is another car on the market which matches the performance.
Of course the other contender may be a 4C, but can't get my head around a 1.8Litre engine, seems wrong !
I half flirted with a Exige S a few years ago - took one for a test drive and it was a great little car, but compromised so much compared to a V12V.
If you want a more throttle response and an engaging drive than the V8V I would suggest trying a V12V, ideally with lightweight seats - it will give you a lot of what you are hoping for from the Exige S but without having to give up on the car being useable every day, easy to get in and out of and all the creature comforts.
If you want a more throttle response and an engaging drive than the V8V I would suggest trying a V12V, ideally with lightweight seats - it will give you a lot of what you are hoping for from the Exige S but without having to give up on the car being useable every day, easy to get in and out of and all the creature comforts.
I'm now on my second Vantage, but before then I owned an Exige and an Evora.
The Exige for me was too compromised. It was awesome when you were really on a spirited drive somewhere, but for everything else it's just a bit frustrating.
The Evora however was utterly brilliant. I had my NA one for just over 3 years and loved it. I really miss is as a complete all rounder. I'd say the only three points that the Vantage wins against the Evora is badge, looks and sound. All of which matter more to some than others.
To drive, there really was no comparison. The Evora was comfier, steered better, braked, throttle, the whole lot. I'd recommend a good drive of one. You might not appreciate its range of ability from a 15 minute test drive.
The Exige for me was too compromised. It was awesome when you were really on a spirited drive somewhere, but for everything else it's just a bit frustrating.
The Evora however was utterly brilliant. I had my NA one for just over 3 years and loved it. I really miss is as a complete all rounder. I'd say the only three points that the Vantage wins against the Evora is badge, looks and sound. All of which matter more to some than others.
To drive, there really was no comparison. The Evora was comfier, steered better, braked, throttle, the whole lot. I'd recommend a good drive of one. You might not appreciate its range of ability from a 15 minute test drive.
I used to have a lotus Elise 111s.
I often post on PH in any "most disappointing car" thread that that for me was it
Now admittedly I moved to it from a Caterham 7 (a fabulous car) but the Elise had no sense of occasion, the noise was dull (I even resorted to a sports exhaust, still sounded like a sewing machine), the handling was good but you need a track to really exploit it, performance was so-so and the build quality (still keeping in mind I came from a Caterham) was poor
But don't let that put you off
Give it a go for a couple of years, but unless you're doing track days regularly I'd be surprised if it has that specialness you're after from a weekend car
I often post on PH in any "most disappointing car" thread that that for me was it
Now admittedly I moved to it from a Caterham 7 (a fabulous car) but the Elise had no sense of occasion, the noise was dull (I even resorted to a sports exhaust, still sounded like a sewing machine), the handling was good but you need a track to really exploit it, performance was so-so and the build quality (still keeping in mind I came from a Caterham) was poor
But don't let that put you off
Give it a go for a couple of years, but unless you're doing track days regularly I'd be surprised if it has that specialness you're after from a weekend car
Edited by RobDown on Saturday 29th July 17:31
Thankyou for everyones input....
I certainly have aspirations for a V12 Vantage but with so much other stuff going on at the moment, there slightly out of my price point.
Does anyone know if the V8s or N430 addresses the laggy throttle issue ? Maybe thats another alternative I haven't considered.......
I certainly have aspirations for a V12 Vantage but with so much other stuff going on at the moment, there slightly out of my price point.
Does anyone know if the V8s or N430 addresses the laggy throttle issue ? Maybe thats another alternative I haven't considered.......
James Alexander said:
Is the throttle response much sharper ? Just wondering whether they are as fast as whats on paper......
Definitely make sure that you go out in an Evora 400 before making your mind up. The throttle response is definitely better than the AM V8 and although it is 'only' a Toyota V6, the sound with the exhaust valve open rivals anything else on the road. Even V8/12 Astons!If you don't mind me asking, what sort of budget have you got in mind? I might be able to suggest the ideal Lotus for you.
James Alexander said:
Thankyou for everyones input....
I certainly have aspirations for a V12 Vantage but with so much other stuff going on at the moment, there slightly out of my price point.
Does anyone know if the V8s or N430 addresses the laggy throttle issue ? Maybe thats another alternative I haven't considered.......
I have an S1 Elise and have driven a few Evoras and Exige V6's over the years, also get to drive my dad's V12 Vantage S quite a bit and previously his V8VS.I certainly have aspirations for a V12 Vantage but with so much other stuff going on at the moment, there slightly out of my price point.
Does anyone know if the V8s or N430 addresses the laggy throttle issue ? Maybe thats another alternative I haven't considered.......
I agree with Justin, the Aston had it beat on looks, badge and noise (the later Evora 400 sounds really good, but the V12 through the titanium exhaust is something else), but to drive for sheer enjoyment I'd always take a Lotus.
If it was to track and fun road use, and I could afford it, it would be one of the Exige V6 variants, for pure road use and long road trips the Evora is awesome. I'm relatively short (5'10), skinny (10st) and agile though - for some the Exige in particular is a bit of a pain to get in and out of. The Evora isn't vastly worse than the Vantage in terms of sills, particularly the 400 where they've slimmed them down a little.
Oh, and if I had either the S1 would still have to be in the garage alongside it.
James Alexander said:
I was going to ask the very same question - the facility to sharpen the throttle would be ideal, as the steering is near perfect and the graziano box is also fine to live with.........its just the lag in the pedal !
Bamford Rose did my throttle remap at the same time as the other mods (twin plate clutch & lightened flywheel, manifolds & 200 cell cats, fast road geo and gear linkage modification) and the results are stunning. It's therefore a little difficult for me to say exactly how much of the improved throttle response is due to the clutch/flywheel rather than just the remap. The remap gets rid of the "flat-spot" at the top of the throttle peddle but the clutch/flywheel obviously make a very significant difference to how fast the engine can physically spin up.So my advice is to do the whole lot and have your Vantage as good as it can be as a drivers car (which is very good indeed) but if that's not an option then starting with a remap isn't going to break the bank. Lovely as the V12V is, you certainly don't need to go to a V12 to get a responsive, driver-orientated Vantage, although they definitely are that. The V8 is, of course, ultimately the better handling car due to it's lighter weight and the engine being further back but the V12 boys don't talk about that so much .......
Hi James
I went from a db9 to an Alfa 4c and also have a lotus exige v6 too
Both are great cars but very different to the Aston , totally driver focused and a real occasion to drive as you feel part of the machine
Would I use either everyday the answer is no ! The v6 is bonkers fast
I am 6ft 4 and fit in both because I want to !!
Go for it a change is as good as a rest!
M
I went from a db9 to an Alfa 4c and also have a lotus exige v6 too
Both are great cars but very different to the Aston , totally driver focused and a real occasion to drive as you feel part of the machine
Would I use either everyday the answer is no ! The v6 is bonkers fast
I am 6ft 4 and fit in both because I want to !!
Go for it a change is as good as a rest!
M
All depends on what you need from the Lotus, comparing one to a Vantage is a bit like comparing apples and oranges...totally different and a little pointless imo
I'd have an Exige as an addition to my V12 Vantage, not at the cost of it...good luck with your decision
I'd have an Exige as an addition to my V12 Vantage, not at the cost of it...good luck with your decision
Edited by kbooker on Sunday 30th July 15:09
kbooker said:
All depends on what you need from the Lotus, comparing one to a Vantage is a bit like comparing apples and oranges...totally different and a little pointless imo
I'd have an Exige as an addition to my V12 Vantage, not at the cost of it...good luck with your decision
Comparing the Evora to it isn't apples and oranges though. Similar size, performance, interior space, etc. I find the Vantage a bit snug without the lightweight seats, particularly when passengering. I'm not particularly tall, but it has less leg room than the Evora as the bulkhead stops you putting the seat far enough back. I'd have an Exige as an addition to my V12 Vantage, not at the cost of it...good luck with your decision
Edited by kbooker on Sunday 30th July 15:09
Boot on the Evora is smaller, but 2+0 cars have a shelf behind the seats with a little stowage net, 2+2 cars obviously have the rear seats.
Edited by Thorburn on Sunday 30th July 19:36
V8V Pete said:
The V8 is, of course, ultimately the better handling car due to it's lighter weight and the engine being further back but the V12 boys don't talk about that so much .......
I'm afraid my old original V8V with its crashy suspension, Bridgestones and steel brakes just couldn't carry the speed into the corners like a newer V12. With the V12, compared to the cars being discussed here, it's just coming on the power on the exit you've got to watch out for Thorburn said:
kbooker said:
All depends on what you need from the Lotus, comparing one to a Vantage is a bit like comparing apples and oranges...totally different and a little pointless imo
I'd have an Exige as an addition to my V12 Vantage, not at the cost of it...good luck with your decision
Comparing the Evora to it isn't apples and oranges though. Similar size, performance, interior space, etc. I find the Vantage a bit snug without the lightweight seats, particularly when passengering. I'm not particularly tall, but it has less leg room than the Evora as the bulkhead stops you putting the seat far enough back. I'd have an Exige as an addition to my V12 Vantage, not at the cost of it...good luck with your decision
Edited by kbooker on Sunday 30th July 15:09
Boot on the Evora is smaller, but 2+0 cars have a shelf behind the seats with a little stowage net, 2+2 cars obviously have the rear seats.
Edited by Thorburn on Sunday 30th July 19:36
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