RE: Lotus Exige Cup 430: Driven

[Mikearwas]

Ares said:

Jellinek said:

Ares said:

400bhp/tonne is unparalleled at that price.

New Corvette ZR1 is closer to 500 bhp/tonne and 135k dollars....

And it won't see which way the Exige 430 went on track

How much is the 500bhp/tonne ZR1 in the UK?

I think You'll find you're mistaken. A new ZR1 will decimate this Lotus around almost any track. A standard Cayman was only marginally slower round Hockenheim than the 380. Great cars but have never been properly rapid on circuit.

[DaveGB]

On my 3rd V6 Exige and 8th Lotus overall.

For those that haven’t tried one, please pop down your local Lotus dealer and try one, whether it’s a used V6S , 350, 380 or lucky enough to find a 430.

Then come back and give your view

In the meantime a good video of a 460 bhp exige vs a Speciale at Spa. https://youtu.be/WhdP9jWLebo

Edited by DaveGB on Tuesday 14th November 22:49

[gigglebug]

What would be the advantage of opting for an Evora 430 over this? Genuine question as they appear to be very close in concept and execution. I could understand the Evora if it were still a (sort of) four seater as it would give it a distinct usp over the Exige but as it is they seem so close together as to beg the question "why chose one over the other?"

[Lagerlout]

Very different cars. You can get in and out of the Evora pretty much like a normal car. It's way more comfortable. It's more civilised.

Exige is far more race car and direct, with the V6 grunt.

Elise is my favourite, 250 Cup, brilliant car. Fits around you like a glove and feels like you've put on a Superman suit tailored just for you.

They are all great cars, and quite different. Evora is the only one you don't need to make an effort to get into, but believe me, it's worth the effort.

[gigglebug]

Ah yes, better access would make a difference. Maybe not for everyone but certainly someone getting older and stiffer like me would prefer it to be easier. My brothers has owned an S1 Elise for a long time now and I've been in Exige S3 but I've only managed a look around an Evora so far as oppose to having been in one.

I fully appreciate that there would be subtle differences between the two models it's just hard to see a massive difference on paper.

[Lagerlout]

That's the issue with Lotus, you need to drive them to understand the differences. A lot of bullst gets written about these cars.

[deltashad]

baronbennyt said:

I'm seriously tempted to trade my Cayman GT4 in for this but I'm already very fortunate in having a 3-Eleven in the stable and worry the two are probably too close to one another in concept. Also, the GT4 isn't too shabby!

What would you do - hold or trade?

Hold for sure. You already have two wonderful cars covering the important stuff which will appreciate I suspect more than a single 430 will. Nice choice.

[Onehp]

baronbennyt said:

What would you do - hold or trade?

Depends, if you love both and get to use both, get tired of one and get refreshed by the other, hold. But if half of the time sitting in one, you long for (traits of) the other, or if you only have time to use one of them and are wishing for more time to drive the other, the this Cup 430 might be the perfect middle ground. Something to be said for less vehicles, you get to enjoy them more thoroughly and for the same budget it's likely better, and are less likely to think 'should have taken the other one out'. Perhaps take one for a spin? Maybe it combines the best parts of both for you, or rather compromises the best of both?

Edited by Onehp on Wednesday 15th November 07:09

[Thorburn]

gigglebug said:

What would be the advantage of opting for an Evora 430 over this? Genuine question as they appear to be very close in concept and execution. I could understand the Evora if it were still a (sort of) four seater as it would give it a distinct usp over the Exige but as it is they seem so close together as to beg the question "why chose one over the other?"

I have to say, I thought it was weird they didn't offer at least the GT 430 Sport as a 2+2. It's one of the USPs of the Evora but they negate it on all but the 400.

[D.no]

Awesome thing.

Needs a better gearbox (assuming it's still using the diesel truck gearbox), and more engineering integrity to justify £100k though..

[rodericb]

DaveGB said:

On my 3rd V6 Exige and 8th Lotus overall.

For those that haven’t tried one, please pop down your local Lotus dealer and try one, whether it’s a used V6S , 350, 380 or lucky enough to find a 430.

Then come back and give your view

In the meantime a good video of a 460 bhp exige vs a Speciale at Spa. https://youtu.be/WhdP9jWLebo

Edited by DaveGB on Tuesday 14th November 22:49

Good vid. Too bad there was no mirror in the Exige to see the X-Bow right behind it......??

[bosshog]

Thorburn said:

I have to say, I thought it was weird they didn't offer at least the GT 430 Sport as a 2+2. It's one of the USPs of the Evora but they negate it on all but the 400.

I'm sure if you ask nice enough you could get the +2 spec'd into it.

[Dafuq]

This is the nuts!

I only have three words to say.......,

Deposit going down 😁

[Atomic12C]

Noble did indeed build this car a while ago, but as they don't build it currently its nice to see someone else think of the needs of the customer market.
BUT....having said that, its way too expensive for what it is.
I've driven the Sport 350 a few times on track over the summer time just gone and yes it is capable and fun, its just not that fun if you were to own one having paid what you would for it.
So, extrapolating this up to this new model, I really do fail to see where the value for money is on it. Maybe thats just my failing.


I also don't think they have a mechanical LSD option, which if they did, I would think give the car an added dimension.
(Happy to be corrected of course)

[kambites]

Atomic12C said:

I also don't think they have a mechanical LSD option, which if they did, I would think give the car an added dimension.
(Happy to be corrected of course)

The Cup 380 had an electronic locking differential as an option. I can't see it on the 430 options list, though.

[GFWilliams]

kambites said:

The Cup 380 had an electronic locking differential as an option. I can't see it on the 430 options list, though.

Is this not just part of race mode? If so, I can safely say it's rubbish. I'm putting a Quaife LSD into my Exige in a couple of weeks, it's very needed!

[suffolk009]

GFWilliams said:

Is this not just part of race mode? If so, I can safely say it's rubbish. I'm putting a Quaife LSD into my Exige in a couple of weeks, it's very needed!

Any other work at the same time? Short ratios, lightened flywheel, better clutch?

[hughcam]

Mikearwas said:

I think You'll find you're mistaken. A new ZR1 will decimate this Lotus around almost any track. A standard Cayman was only marginally slower round Hockenheim than the 380. Great cars but have never been properly rapid on circuit.

That was a 718 Cayman s with PDK, active engine mounts, Cermaics, PTV etc (hardly run of the mill) and it still didnt match a 380 manual...

Bare in mind the 718 Cayman S in technically quicker around the Ring' than a 981 GT4 I would hardly call the Lotus 'Not rapid'...

I think a ZR1 will be quicker on the large circuits but wont be as quick at places like Cadwell etc.

It will be great to see them do a proper track test of the 430 in Evo etc

[MartinGLeeds]

DaveGB said:

On my 3rd V6 Exige and 8th Lotus overall.

For those that haven’t tried one, please pop down your local Lotus dealer and try one, whether it’s a used V6S , 350, 380 or lucky enough to find a 430.

Then come back and give your view

In the meantime a good video of a 460 bhp exige vs a Speciale at Spa. https://youtu.be/WhdP9jWLebo

Edited by DaveGB on Tuesday 14th November 22:49

Superb Video.

The little Lotus driver was sat on the 458s engine bay cover laughing in its driver`s ears through the corners.

Lotus pilot is quite a wheel man.

Well Driven Sir, Plenty in the Tanks.

[D200]

Onehp said:

baronbennyt said:

What would you do - hold or trade?

Depends, if you love both and get to use both, get tired of one and get refreshed by the other, hold. But if half of the time sitting in one, you long for (traits of) the other, or if you only have time to use one of them and are wishing for more time to drive the other, the this Cup 430 might be the perfect middle ground. Something to be said for less vehicles, you get to enjoy them more thoroughly and for the same budget it's likely better, and are less likely to think 'should have taken the other one out'. Perhaps take one for a spin? Maybe it combines the best parts of both for you, or rather compromises the best of both?

Edited by Onehp on Wednesday 15th November 07:09

Tough call, Delta reply makes sense as does this.

But to follow this you would really need to replace both cars with this Exige - and I don't know if I would want to do that.

Therefore you would need to get another car also - but then looking at your garage you have or had lots I would have suggested!

Only thing I can think of would be a 620R plus this Exige in place of your 2 current cars

But I would also be very happy to keep them.

Such an unfortunate dilemma you are in