Plunging into Exige Ownership
Discussion
Hi All, long time forum lurker and occasional poster, albeit admittedly never in the Lotus forum.
I've found myself in a position where I am realistically able to afford to own and run one of my childhood bedroom poster dream cars; I am currently leaning toward a Lotus Exige, S2 supercharged. I've read the buyers guide, I've had a look at some video footage and re-affirmed my fondness of the car by watching Clarkson dodge an Apache on the old TG episode. This would very firmly be a second car used for spirited weekend jaunts and a handful of track days a year.
(Other than "BUY ONE!") Does anyone have any useful hints, and tips when viewing this sort of vehicle? Being open and honest, I've never spent more than 6k on a car (I've never been in a position to!) and I have absolutely no experience on etiquette when contemplating this sort of purchase.
My alternative thoughts were a Supercharged S2000 (I already have one that isn't charged), An M12, or maybe a TVR. I did an experience day in an Exige many years ago and thoroughly loved it, which is why I think my heart strings are being pulled in the direction of one.
Any help, advice, etc. greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Matt
I've found myself in a position where I am realistically able to afford to own and run one of my childhood bedroom poster dream cars; I am currently leaning toward a Lotus Exige, S2 supercharged. I've read the buyers guide, I've had a look at some video footage and re-affirmed my fondness of the car by watching Clarkson dodge an Apache on the old TG episode. This would very firmly be a second car used for spirited weekend jaunts and a handful of track days a year.
(Other than "BUY ONE!") Does anyone have any useful hints, and tips when viewing this sort of vehicle? Being open and honest, I've never spent more than 6k on a car (I've never been in a position to!) and I have absolutely no experience on etiquette when contemplating this sort of purchase.
My alternative thoughts were a Supercharged S2000 (I already have one that isn't charged), An M12, or maybe a TVR. I did an experience day in an Exige many years ago and thoroughly loved it, which is why I think my heart strings are being pulled in the direction of one.
Any help, advice, etc. greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Matt
Looks like you have a similar shortlist to me! (with the exception of the noble as the prices of them has pushed them out of my budget unfortunately.
I think the appeal of the exige is having more confidence to wring its neck and not have big bills looming!
Good luck in your hunt! Hopefully we don;t end up fighting over the same cars!
Dave
I think the appeal of the exige is having more confidence to wring its neck and not have big bills looming!
Good luck in your hunt! Hopefully we don;t end up fighting over the same cars!
Dave
Thanks guys 
Don't worry, no fighting.. I have to wait until funds actually become available which won't be until somewhen after Christmas - definitely going to start going and having a look at a few shortly after the New Year
TBH the Noble is pushing the budget massively, but I can only imagine they'd go up in value now?!
Don't worry, no fighting.. I have to wait until funds actually become available which won't be until somewhen after Christmas - definitely going to start going and having a look at a few shortly after the New Year TBH the Noble is pushing the budget massively, but I can only imagine they'd go up in value now?!
gashead1105 said:
Nah. Its black. You'll have to clean it 50 times a day to keep it looking nice. Love them to bits but they are getting pricey. Think an Elise Cup is better value now and you can drive it without feeling guilty.
Will Blackham and Lotus Hardtops are very reputable dealers if you don't fancy private buying (Both are on the classifieds)
Will has this Toxic Green Club Racer in at the moment that would make me think twice about a S2 S Exige for similar money
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Also SELOC has decent cars come up, worth putting a wanted ad when you are ready to buy. Prices usually go up in Spring slightly but more cars are for sale then (as a general rule).
Will has this Toxic Green Club Racer in at the moment that would make me think twice about a S2 S Exige for similar money
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Also SELOC has decent cars come up, worth putting a wanted ad when you are ready to buy. Prices usually go up in Spring slightly but more cars are for sale then (as a general rule).
Before my V6 Exige I was searching for an S2 Exige but I went for the Elise SC equivalent. Essentially the same car, but with benefit of rear view vision and soft top. And as said some of the S3’s look much better value.
Problem now with Exige S2 is that they are going to get even more mileage sensitive, so if you find a low mileage one it’s going to cost a packet. Then you end up being obsessed about racking up any miles.
Problem now with Exige S2 is that they are going to get even more mileage sensitive, so if you find a low mileage one it’s going to cost a packet. Then you end up being obsessed about racking up any miles.
These cars have all been on my list at some point too. In the end the Exige won - there's no luggage space in a Noble (so weekend trips are out) and the running costs of a TVR just weren't going to fit my budget at the time. Also I don't know what sort of driving you do but if it's your first performance car purchase, I'd say a TVR is a bit unhinged - no ABS, traction control, airbags etc. The Exige is hardly tame but it is comforting to at least have all these things.
Some tips
- Look for a supercharged one (post 2007-ish) with the updated dash and airbags.
- Performance pack is the icing on the cake but you'll pay a bit more. Still plenty of car without it.
- Many cars will have been tracked; not a problem as long as they've been well looked after.
- If you buy privately get a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist.
- Running costs are generally pretty reasonable, and the Toyota engine is solid.
- The boot is small but if you pack well you can easily fit everything for a weekend trip in it.
- Don't rule out an Elise SC! Also very good cars and a bit more user-friendly.
- Obviously you don't plan to crash it but keep in mind that parts for all the cars you mentioned can be a total nightmare to source.
If you're keen on an Exige, it's worth joining the SELOC forum. I found mine just by asking if anyone on there had one they wanted to sell.
Some tips
- Look for a supercharged one (post 2007-ish) with the updated dash and airbags.
- Performance pack is the icing on the cake but you'll pay a bit more. Still plenty of car without it.
- Many cars will have been tracked; not a problem as long as they've been well looked after.
- If you buy privately get a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist.
- Running costs are generally pretty reasonable, and the Toyota engine is solid.
- The boot is small but if you pack well you can easily fit everything for a weekend trip in it.
- Don't rule out an Elise SC! Also very good cars and a bit more user-friendly.
- Obviously you don't plan to crash it but keep in mind that parts for all the cars you mentioned can be a total nightmare to source.
If you're keen on an Exige, it's worth joining the SELOC forum. I found mine just by asking if anyone on there had one they wanted to sell.
Stu-C123 said:
These cars have all been on my list at some point too. In the end the Exige won - there's no luggage space in a Noble (so weekend trips are out) and the running costs of a TVR just weren't going to fit my budget at the time. Also I don't know what sort of driving you do but if it's your first performance car purchase, I'd say a TVR is a bit unhinged - no ABS, traction control, airbags etc. The Exige is hardly tame but it is comforting to at least have all these things.
Some tips
- Look for a supercharged one (post 2007-ish) with the updated dash and airbags.
- Performance pack is the icing on the cake but you'll pay a bit more. Still plenty of car without it.
- Many cars will have been tracked; not a problem as long as they've been well looked after.
- If you buy privately get a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist.
- Running costs are generally pretty reasonable, and the Toyota engine is solid.
- The boot is small but if you pack well you can easily fit everything for a weekend trip in it.
- Don't rule out an Elise SC! Also very good cars and a bit more user-friendly.
- Obviously you don't plan to crash it but keep in mind that parts for all the cars you mentioned can be a total nightmare to source.
If you're keen on an Exige, it's worth joining the SELOC forum. I found mine just by asking if anyone on there had one they wanted to sell.
Thanks for the tips - some useful points.Some tips
- Look for a supercharged one (post 2007-ish) with the updated dash and airbags.
- Performance pack is the icing on the cake but you'll pay a bit more. Still plenty of car without it.
- Many cars will have been tracked; not a problem as long as they've been well looked after.
- If you buy privately get a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist.
- Running costs are generally pretty reasonable, and the Toyota engine is solid.
- The boot is small but if you pack well you can easily fit everything for a weekend trip in it.
- Don't rule out an Elise SC! Also very good cars and a bit more user-friendly.
- Obviously you don't plan to crash it but keep in mind that parts for all the cars you mentioned can be a total nightmare to source.
If you're keen on an Exige, it's worth joining the SELOC forum. I found mine just by asking if anyone on there had one they wanted to sell.
I've had a number of quick cars and most recently been westfields and my current caterham. So not a lot of power but no driver aids to speak of so (famous last words) I'm comfortable with back to basics motoring.
Even an exige is a massive step up in terms of practicality compared to my caterham so no problems there.
I'm thinking my budget is going to have me in a n/a exige or a sc elise.
I much prefer the looks of the exige but the extra power would be welcomed as coming from 300bhp/tonne caterham with nice short gearing I don't want it to feel too slow!
Dave
Hi,
Very occasional poster and regular browser here. Just offering my thoughts as I was in the market for a supercharged Exige S2 recently and took the plunge in August, buying an ultra low miles example. It had to be an S2 Exige as I've always loved the shape as a Lotus fan and former Elise 111R owner. I wanted something in top, top condition with low miles for use as my weekend car and the occasional trackday. Things I learned - much of which is obvious:
1) Buy on condition, provenance, history etc - as opposed to age or mileage. There are always several out there and many which are used and abused. Obviously, price accordingly as many may need work of some kind. Some were daily drivers, others 2nd or 3rd cars, others trackday tools etc. Some have been loved and cherished whilst others have been neglected.
2) Definitely get the car inspected by an expert - it's a worthwhile exercise and not expensive when you're spending £20-40k on a S/C Exige, which is the range these cars currently sit in. Good ones start around the £30k level currently in my view.
3) Tastefully executed and well-proven mods are fine in my view but I looked at some less than well thought through examples.
4) Watch out with power upgrades that they are: a) well proven kits and b) are not too much for the Toyota gearbox unless it's been rebuilt and strengthened (260hp is absolutely fine - apparently, anything more than about 280hp requires gearbox strengthening).
5) Watch out for some normal faults: stone chips at front and rear three quarters; failing air conditioning; central locking not working; rear LED lights playing up. Otherwise, the Toyota drivetrain is bulletproof (check it's had the oil cooler hose recall done at a Lotus dealer).
6) Later models have the revised bodywork as well as revised interior, although I prefer the purity of the pre-facelift models.
7) Get to know a great expert to service your new baby, such as BackonTrack in Guildford.
I ended up with an immaculate bog-standard (i.e. no mods) example with just 5k miles on the clock - literally like a brand new car and one of the many special editions too. I shopped around for a while. Ultimately, you get what you pay for and I did pay a premium price for it - at the top end of the market. It's certainly a keeper long-term though and values are headed one way long-term in my view. After 1.5k miles and 3 months of ownership, it's been brilliant. Rapid in a straight line but it's under braking and through the twisties that it comes into its own. Any disappointment? None at all. maybe just the exhaust note, which is slightly disappointing - sounds like a washing machine with the S/C whine - actually has a sound a bit like a N/A four pot touring car. But I knew this anyway anduit's easily sorted by upgrading the Stage One Lotus exhaust I have on it to stage two or an aftermarket exhaust.
In summary, do take the plunge - they're getting rarer all the time as examples get abused and the miles rack up. Most importantly, they're just great fun cars which are hugely capable on track and on road, and which look great too.
Happy hunting : )
Very occasional poster and regular browser here. Just offering my thoughts as I was in the market for a supercharged Exige S2 recently and took the plunge in August, buying an ultra low miles example. It had to be an S2 Exige as I've always loved the shape as a Lotus fan and former Elise 111R owner. I wanted something in top, top condition with low miles for use as my weekend car and the occasional trackday. Things I learned - much of which is obvious:
1) Buy on condition, provenance, history etc - as opposed to age or mileage. There are always several out there and many which are used and abused. Obviously, price accordingly as many may need work of some kind. Some were daily drivers, others 2nd or 3rd cars, others trackday tools etc. Some have been loved and cherished whilst others have been neglected.
2) Definitely get the car inspected by an expert - it's a worthwhile exercise and not expensive when you're spending £20-40k on a S/C Exige, which is the range these cars currently sit in. Good ones start around the £30k level currently in my view.
3) Tastefully executed and well-proven mods are fine in my view but I looked at some less than well thought through examples.
4) Watch out with power upgrades that they are: a) well proven kits and b) are not too much for the Toyota gearbox unless it's been rebuilt and strengthened (260hp is absolutely fine - apparently, anything more than about 280hp requires gearbox strengthening).
5) Watch out for some normal faults: stone chips at front and rear three quarters; failing air conditioning; central locking not working; rear LED lights playing up. Otherwise, the Toyota drivetrain is bulletproof (check it's had the oil cooler hose recall done at a Lotus dealer).
6) Later models have the revised bodywork as well as revised interior, although I prefer the purity of the pre-facelift models.
7) Get to know a great expert to service your new baby, such as BackonTrack in Guildford.
I ended up with an immaculate bog-standard (i.e. no mods) example with just 5k miles on the clock - literally like a brand new car and one of the many special editions too. I shopped around for a while. Ultimately, you get what you pay for and I did pay a premium price for it - at the top end of the market. It's certainly a keeper long-term though and values are headed one way long-term in my view. After 1.5k miles and 3 months of ownership, it's been brilliant. Rapid in a straight line but it's under braking and through the twisties that it comes into its own. Any disappointment? None at all. maybe just the exhaust note, which is slightly disappointing - sounds like a washing machine with the S/C whine - actually has a sound a bit like a N/A four pot touring car. But I knew this anyway anduit's easily sorted by upgrading the Stage One Lotus exhaust I have on it to stage two or an aftermarket exhaust.
In summary, do take the plunge - they're getting rarer all the time as examples get abused and the miles rack up. Most importantly, they're just great fun cars which are hugely capable on track and on road, and which look great too.
Happy hunting : )
Edited by Andrew71 on Wednesday 8th November 13:34
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