RE: Lotus Exige S2: PH Buying Guide
Discussion
LankyLegoHead said:
any owners on here with longer legs got any mods/advice?
Brain dump from my Lotus days...I'm 6ft 7in. General advice for taller readers: You don't fit in a Lotus. You might think you do, but you don't. Buy one anyway.
It definitely depends whether you're long in the leg or the back whether you'll manage to engineer a way to make it useable, but you'll never properly be comfortable in any Lotus. I juuuust managed to fold myself into Elises in my 20s, but couldn't do more than about 3 hours at a time. Not a chance I could do it these days, mostly due to a knackered spine and knee joints from... you guessed it... folding myself into Elise daily drivers during my 20s.
S1s have marginally more headroom than S2s, but obviously the S1 is a whole different proposition to this S2 buying guide.
Tall people will slide and slouch down into the seat to kid themselves there's enough headroom. This might get you out the showroom with your dream car, but won't help when you fit harnesses and can't tighten them up, or have to drive more than 20 miles with no lumbar support.
The Elise has more headroom than an Exige (I don't mean with the roof off... that's obvious. I mean the softtop is thinner than Exige hard top).
In an S2 (and VX, but not S1), with the seat all the way back the headrest is tucked under the rollover-bar cover, or so close to it that in a whiplash-type crunch your head would make contact with the fiberglass bit before the headrest of the seat if you're tall. Not a good idea.
It is possible to fit a softtop to the Exige. This was hinted at in the article as "removable roof panel". You can buy the bits from the S2 Elise to fit the Elise softtop to an S2 Exige, but not sure if this was ever officially supported by Lotus. Any dealer will do it though. Whether it adds any significant headroom, I doubt.
Removable 280mm steering wheel adds knee-room (as the removable boss brings it closer and the reduced diameter helps slightly too), but gains are marginal and knees and ankles will be at very splayed and unhealthy angles. Heel and toe is impossible. 10 years of daily knee-twisting angles will have consequences.
When checking your headroom, take a helmet. There is no point having a Elise/Exige that you can't take on track.
Narrow driving shoes, e.g. Puma Speedcats realy do help for the big-footed. They have some styles that look like ordinary trainers and you won't look like a race-driver wannabe.
If you're long of back and short of leg, you can get a seat adapter plate which tips the seat angle backwards and lifts the thighs to gain headroom, but at the expense of knee room, which is already tight. It does not actually lower the bum-point any further as this is already a blonde one from the floor of the car.
Don't be fooled into thinking the Evora has much more room just because it's bigger overall. Driver headroom and kneeroom still suck for tall people.
It was only seeing photos of myself on track and realising how far out the roof my helmet was sticking that made me realise if I'd ever rolled an Elise, I'd have snapped my neck.
Remove the rear view mirror. If tall, it's going to block more forward view than provide any rear-view benefit, so just get rid of it, or there's also a mod for a smaller mirror if removal is a step too far.
Generally, if you think you won't fit in an Elise/Exige/Evora, then you won't. At least, not comfortably. But that's not to say you shouldn't do it anyway and to hell with the contortions, endless ridicule and life-long aches and pains. It's an experience you'll never regret, and the friends I have made from Lotus clubs/events/trackdays/holidays are life-long.
Interestingly, you quite probably WILL fit in an 2-11 (with or without full race cage). It's very comforable indeed. I have no idea why, as the dash and rear bulkheads are the same as the Exige/Elise as far as I know. I think it's something to do being able to sit more bolt-upright with zero headroom restriction and no windscreen to peer underneath, which makes for more knee space. Just don't roll it. In fact, don't buy one at all because 2-11 prices are already running away from me, and I don't need more marketplace competition, thank you!
Edited by TartanPaint on Monday 31st October 11:05
DaveGB said:
Sold my previous Evora and Exuge V6S on SOR via Lotus Silverstone, and both sold within a couple of weeks max. Decent cars sell fast.
I also sold my S2 Sprint SOR through Silverstone. Took them a matter of days - I couldn't sell it privately though before I took it to Silverstone. My assumption is that people prefer to spend this sort of money at a dealer rather than privately. Which to be fair is my opinion as well when I'm buying! Edited by DaveGB on Monday 31st October 01:24
In response to some of the comments on this thread...
I wouldn't be put off a tracked car. As someone else has said, these cars are not complicated and comprise of basic parts. Generally means they will take some pretty hefty abuse and not suffer. The fact its lightweight also helps with that. If really needed, parts can had cheap and easy to work on, again given its basic DNA.
I am 6'3" and size 11 feet. I had mine nearly 4 years and did 3000 mile roadtrips, a trip to Le Mans and back, regular jaunts from Yorkshire to Hampshire. Never any problems. I would agree a steering wheel spacer is a good way of giving you a bit more room around the knees where it is most needed.
All in all, a great little fun car. With 240bhp - 260bhp I would say that is the sweet spot power wise. I had a few Elises prior to that in the 160bhp range and it always felt that they needed a little bit more. The supercharger sorted that.
I wouldn't be put off a tracked car. As someone else has said, these cars are not complicated and comprise of basic parts. Generally means they will take some pretty hefty abuse and not suffer. The fact its lightweight also helps with that. If really needed, parts can had cheap and easy to work on, again given its basic DNA.
I am 6'3" and size 11 feet. I had mine nearly 4 years and did 3000 mile roadtrips, a trip to Le Mans and back, regular jaunts from Yorkshire to Hampshire. Never any problems. I would agree a steering wheel spacer is a good way of giving you a bit more room around the knees where it is most needed.
All in all, a great little fun car. With 240bhp - 260bhp I would say that is the sweet spot power wise. I had a few Elises prior to that in the 160bhp range and it always felt that they needed a little bit more. The supercharger sorted that.
Tickle said:
I really like Exige’s in all flavours (S1, S2 and S3). I often think about getting an S2 S, this month’s SELOC calendar isn’t helping either!
The thing is I don’t intend to start track days so I see them as overkill for the road, plus every time I have been out with a few Exiges I don’t think they are having any more fun than me in my mere 155bhp Elise.
…Saying all that the look of the things in your mirror or in front on the open moorland or mountain roads is fantastic. The noise from one with a Jim Valentine exhaust is phenomenal too !
If I do change weekend cars, it may just be for an Exige S, one of the few cars that could tempt me away from my S1.
I am with you here. I have an Elise S1 Sport 160 and it is bloody brilliant. Much as I would like an Exige, I don't think it is worth double. Also I have spent way too much on it! All mods I wpuld do to an Exige anyway e.g. faster steering rack, upgraded dampers etc. The thing is I don’t intend to start track days so I see them as overkill for the road, plus every time I have been out with a few Exiges I don’t think they are having any more fun than me in my mere 155bhp Elise.
…Saying all that the look of the things in your mirror or in front on the open moorland or mountain roads is fantastic. The noise from one with a Jim Valentine exhaust is phenomenal too !
If I do change weekend cars, it may just be for an Exige S, one of the few cars that could tempt me away from my S1.
I am looking at getting a straight cut ultra close ratio box, lightweight flywheel and LSD on mu car next. Should make it...interesting.
LankyLegoHead said:
I've wanted an Elise since I got to sit in one as a kid, an Exige would be the dream weekend car. I went to Lotus Silverstone at the weekend (great dealer) as a friend is shopping for an S3 Exige, had a sit in one and I really don't fit! I'm 6ft 4 and had pretty good head room, just my legs don't fit at all.
I'm looking to buy something fun next year around the £15k mark and an S2 Elise would be a dream, any owners on here with longer legs got any mods/advice? Its mainly the fact In 5th gear my knee is wedged between the wheel and the gearstick. Or shall this dream be dropped now...?
Just got an s3 s'charge club racer and have a 36" leg and 6'4". I havve no issues fitting my legs in, i just have to have the seat all the way back. Maybe try some models with different seats as I've got the stripped out CR ones without much padding. I'm looking to buy something fun next year around the £15k mark and an S2 Elise would be a dream, any owners on here with longer legs got any mods/advice? Its mainly the fact In 5th gear my knee is wedged between the wheel and the gearstick. Or shall this dream be dropped now...?
Happy to add to this thread..
Had a Exige s 220 with all three option packs Plus the LSD in burnt orange back in 2008 back in Australia, when the exchange rate sucked so badly and cars cost three times as much. Absolute gem of a car did 1200kms in the first weekend to get the break in service completed. Everything is surreal, the car was absolutely flawless with only the idiot driver being an issue (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP75pRy6phY) We couldn’t get the GTR in Australia and this was the next best thing. Tyre choice is super important. Mine had no leaks no problems no creaks no genuine lotus gotchas. 2 years to the day I sold it for significantly less then I paid for it and loved every second. 2 Car rallies, numerous track days (one I went through three tanks of fuel) daily to work and back and it was perfect. Having owned a 800hp 35 gtr, numerous m cars (current steed is a e92 m3 vert) supercharged mx5, jag xkr etc etc this car was by far the most enjoyable to drive with the feedback from the chassis and steer.
Had a Exige s 220 with all three option packs Plus the LSD in burnt orange back in 2008 back in Australia, when the exchange rate sucked so badly and cars cost three times as much. Absolute gem of a car did 1200kms in the first weekend to get the break in service completed. Everything is surreal, the car was absolutely flawless with only the idiot driver being an issue (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP75pRy6phY) We couldn’t get the GTR in Australia and this was the next best thing. Tyre choice is super important. Mine had no leaks no problems no creaks no genuine lotus gotchas. 2 years to the day I sold it for significantly less then I paid for it and loved every second. 2 Car rallies, numerous track days (one I went through three tanks of fuel) daily to work and back and it was perfect. Having owned a 800hp 35 gtr, numerous m cars (current steed is a e92 m3 vert) supercharged mx5, jag xkr etc etc this car was by far the most enjoyable to drive with the feedback from the chassis and steer.
Talking of 2-11s, there's a collectors' bubble car at Hexagon http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l.... Seems a shame that a car like that has sat in a warehouse for 5 years, and scary to think the amount of work that would be needed to get it useable again.
sad61t said:
Talking of 2-11s, there's a collectors' bubble car at Hexagon http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l.... Seems a shame that a car like that has sat in a warehouse for 5 years, and scary to think the amount of work that would be needed to get it useable again.
None at all I'd imagine.Very nearly bought an Supercharged Exige S2 at the beginning of the year. I ended up with a Ginetta G40r because they don't seam to come up as often and having had an Elise previously I figures it would be a good way to experience a grater variety of cars. Exige is still on the list however.
DaveGB said:
405dogvan said:
Never owned a Lotus but the impression I've gotten over the last few years is that it can take a LONG time to sell a car (someone I know waited 8 months for any serious interest in a current model Elise - that's quite a long time
Sold my previous Evora and Exuge V6S on SOR via Lotus Silverstone, and both sold within a couple of weeks max. Decent cars sell fast. Edited by DaveGB on Monday 31st October 01:24
triathlonstu said:
TartanPaint said:
I'm 6ft 7in. General advice for taller readers: You don't fit in a Lotus. You might think you do, but you don't. Buy one anyway.
Fantastic. Wholeheartedly agree.Getting in and out of the f
kers is another things entirely tho - Mk1 Elise with a hardtop is essentially like trying to climb into a letterbox mounted on the bottom of a door - it's kinda impossible ;0ceebmoj said:
Very nearly bought an Supercharged Exige S2 at the beginning of the year. I ended up with a Ginetta G40r because they don't seam to come up as often and having had an Elise previously I figures it would be a good way to experience a grater variety of cars. Exige is still on the list however.
How are you finding the G40R? I've considered these. It would be interesting to hear the view of a former Elise owner. SpudLink said:
ceebmoj said:
Very nearly bought an Supercharged Exige S2 at the beginning of the year. I ended up with a Ginetta G40r because they don't seam to come up as often and having had an Elise previously I figures it would be a good way to experience a grater variety of cars. Exige is still on the list however.
How are you finding the G40R? I've considered these. It would be interesting to hear the view of a former Elise owner. With the Duratec engine its about the power to weight ratio that I wanted from my S1 Elise, however now I have that power and the Ginetta's chassis absolutely stunning so I am confident would happily take much much more power. The cam in the engine means it comes alive about three and a half and the races to the red line, when you keep the engine in this band the car truly feels alive. There are a couple of features that feel a bit well "because race car" for example the removable steering wheel, there is loads of room and access is loads better than an Elise or similar because you don't have the sill to get over so the removable wheel feel a bit excessive.
If i was to be hiper critical I would ask the factory lift the bottom bar of the roll cage by about 20mm so that you rest on that not the fiberglass door seal getting in and out. However I'm sure others are happy its where it is.
All in a stunning car that is good value. would be very intreated to try the sequential gear box in it.
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