Lotus Exige S (S2) | Spotted
How to spend new hot hatch money is one of our favourite conundrums. The Exige is an oft-cited answer
Lotus is undergoing its biggest transformation yet, and nowhere is the shift more apparent than in the upcoming Evija EV. The 2,000hp electric hypercar represents so many firsts for the British brand that it’s barely recognisable as a Lotus product at all. Its sub-1.7-tonne kerbweight, while admittedly lighter than equivalent rivals, feels somewhat un-Lotus. Even more so than the lack of engine, completely alien design philosophy and, well, plenty more attached to its carbon fibre monocoque – which itself is another Lotus first.
Impressive as it is, the Evija isn't a signal of what’s to come across the board, it’s a signal of intent to show that Lotus is aiming high on the world's biggest stage. Beneath its mission statement we expect to see a lineup which includes more traditional offerings, designed to succeed the purebred line-up of Elises, Exiges and Evoras. These are the cars that have carried Lotus through difficult years and maintained it in the face of financial difficulty. It's still the best in the business when it comes to chassis work.
The Exige in particular has done a stellar job of illustrating that fact. The S3 has inevitably put on a few pounds compared to its predecessors thanks largely to the addition of a 3.5-litre V6 engine at its heart, but it still tips the scales at 1.1 tonnes. It remains a featherweight in 2020. Still, some purists lust most after the S2 because while it has two fewer cylinders, with even the supercharged Exige S weighed just 935kg.
With the addition of a blower, its Toyota-supplied 1.8-litre four-cylinder produces 221hp and 159lb ft of torque, which is plenty in a car liable to blow away if you sneeze too close to it. Naturally, it’s got manual gearbox, but 62mph still comes in just 4.3 seconds and top speed is a very respectable 148mph, so it’s not like short gearing is the explanation for its pace. Of course, with so little mass onboard the S2 Exige is just as athletic through the bends, its short dimensions and the instantaneous responses afforded by a ‘charged motor meaning it's perfectly in line with the philosophies of Colin Chapman – and effervescently rewarding to drive quickly as a result.
The Series 1 is, admittedly, the rawest Exige offering. The earlier platform is lighter and the K-Series engine – while prone to head gasket failure – is arguably the more exciting, even if it lacks the Toyota unit’s peak punch. But the S2 is generally regarded as offering almost all of the S1’s class and capability in a far more rounded, not to mention reliable, package. And, let’s face it, used values for S2s mean they’re now comfortably the best value option for Exige ownership. You’ll need more than £30k to open your search for an S1 on PH’s classifieds, meaning there’s barely anything between these rare early cars and far younger, V6-powered S3s. By comparison there are two S2s presently on PH for under £25k.
Today’s Spotted is neither of those examples, because we’re opting to spend just short of twenty-eight grand on a rather lovely red Exige S. It’s got 46,000 miles on the clock, a fair amount for a 13-year-old car like this, but most importantly its latest custodian is an Exigephile who came back to Lotus ownership after selling a McLaren. This is their third example of Lotus’s mid-engined sports car, and it looks to be in fine shape both inside and out, with a healthy supply of additional carbon parts added by the current owner. It hasretained a full-service history, both keys and is sat on a set of new boots. Oh, and the only reason it’s being sold is the arrival of a manual Audi R8 Spyder. Say no more.
SPECIFICATION - LOTUS EXIGE S (S2)
Engine: 1,796cc, four-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 221@7,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 159@5,500rpm
MPG: 31
CO2: 216g/km
First registered: 2007
Recorded mileage: 46,000
Price new: c. £35,000
Yours for: £27,950
Anyone who says they are a great daily is either a psychopath or has never driven one.
Love them, though.
Granted I was much younger and much more forgiving of the compromises. Such as virtually no heater and ice on the inside of everything in the winter but 10 years later I look back on it as my most enjoyable driving period. It genuinely never went wrong and was peanuts to run and service, I also didn’t lose a penny in depreciation. Unlike many ‘sensible@ cars.
I would urge anyone in their youth to daily something like a lotus before you get too old and care too much about convenience in your life.
In terms of the exige s2 - a fabulous car I have been fortunate enough to have driven on track as well as road but it’s not even 50 percent the visceral event and drama the s1 provides.
Everyone needs to try a s1 exige. I appreciate this is just my opinion but for me it is the absolute pinnacle of lotus. The purest version of the philosophy and an unrepeatable masterpiece.
Granted I was much younger and much more forgiving of the compromises. Such as virtually no heater and ice on the inside of everything in the winter but 10 years later I look back on it as my most enjoyable driving period. It genuinely never went wrong and was peanuts to run and service, I also didn’t lose a penny in depreciation. Unlike many ‘sensible@ cars.
I would urge anyone in their youth to daily something like a lotus before you get too old and care too much about convenience in your life.
Terrible visibility reversing.
De-mister being entirely notional and having to wait 15 minutes before setting off on a winter morning so it's possible to see out of the windscreen.
Laughable headlights.
Lack of power steering (and wider front tyres on an Exige) making parking a pain.
Fear of parking near anyone else in case they crack the clam and ensure the car is off the road for months while Lotus get round to supplying a new one.
The general level of ridicule as others make fun out of me removing my (6ft 5) frame from the car in the office car park.
Motorway drone
Laughable build quality
Many of these matter a lot less in your 20s and 30s. The high points are the same regardless, though. And reliability and servicing costs are both excellent, as mentioned.
Granted I was much younger and much more forgiving of the compromises. Such as virtually no heater and ice on the inside of everything in the winter but 10 years later I look back on it as my most enjoyable driving period. It genuinely never went wrong and was peanuts to run and service, I also didn’t lose a penny in depreciation. Unlike many ‘sensible@ cars.
I would urge anyone in their youth to daily something like a lotus before you get too old and care too much about convenience in your life.
Terrible visibility reversing.
De-mister being entirely notional and having to wait 15 minutes before setting off on a winter morning so it's possible to see out of the windscreen.
Laughable headlights.
Lack of power steering (and wider front tyres on an Exige) making parking a pain.
Fear of parking near anyone else in case they crack the clam and ensure the car is off the road for months while Lotus get round to supplying a new one.
The general level of ridicule as others make fun out of me removing my (6ft 5) frame from the car in the office car park.
Motorway drone
Laughable build quality
Many of these matter a lot less in your 20s and 30s. The high points are the same regardless, though. And reliability and servicing costs are both excellent, as mentioned.
Not the end of the world though as it made every time I got in the Elise a more special experience. I’m now on a S3, love it and miss driving it, especially over the winter. However, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I look forward to every time I take it out for a drive.
Granted I was much younger and much more forgiving of the compromises. Such as virtually no heater and ice on the inside of everything in the winter but 10 years later I look back on it as my most enjoyable driving period. It genuinely never went wrong and was peanuts to run and service, I also didn’t lose a penny in depreciation. Unlike many ‘sensible@ cars.
I would urge anyone in their youth to daily something like a lotus before you get too old and care too much about convenience in your life.
In terms of the exige s2 - a fabulous car I have been fortunate enough to have driven on track as well as road but it’s not even 50 percent the visceral event and drama the s1 provides.
Everyone needs to try a s1 exige. I appreciate this is just my opinion but for me it is the absolute pinnacle of lotus. The purest version of the philosophy and an unrepeatable masterpiece.
I was 28 and dailyed in Scotland. Once in and warmed up it was great fun but you had to want to have an experience every drive.
Otherwise the ice cold gear knob or door push buttons that would freeze would challenge my patience. Wearing ear plugs so I could drive 40 miles along the motorway as I had a stage 2 exhaust wouldbt be as fun as it felt at the time. Also my 30" suit trousers didn't much appreciate stretching in and out and I lost a couple along the way. So my 36" self today would find it even more of a drag.
I'd have a Exige 220 as a weekend toy in a heartbeat but couldn't think about commuting in one again.
Also still cry a little inside to think I nearly bought a well used Lotus Exige S1 with Aircon for 21k (was put off by the rawness - yep I'm an idiot) but later this itch lead me to get a Elise when I moved to Edinburgh.
Granted I was much younger and much more forgiving of the compromises. Such as virtually no heater and ice on the inside of everything in the winter but 10 years later I look back on it as my most enjoyable driving period. It genuinely never went wrong and was peanuts to run and service, I also didn’t lose a penny in depreciation. Unlike many ‘sensible@ cars.
I would urge anyone in their youth to daily something like a lotus before you get too old and care too much about convenience in your life.
In terms of the exige s2 - a fabulous car I have been fortunate enough to have driven on track as well as road but it’s not even 50 percent the visceral event and drama the s1 provides.
Everyone needs to try a s1 exige. I appreciate this is just my opinion but for me it is the absolute pinnacle of lotus. The purest version of the philosophy and an unrepeatable masterpiece.
I only got the drive the S1 Elise way back when and that really was special - so I am now definitely too old!
Don't daily mine as I just don't enjoy day to day driving in general, so would rather do it in comfort and not care where I park etc, but nothing about the mechanicals would really stop you from using every day.
Despite all that, I've just bought an S2 Exige S. This is absolutely not a rational purchase though there are elements that can be rationalised. But for me the reason was simple, I've wanted one ever since I saw the first reviews appear of them in Evo and on Top Gear. For a long time, they've either been out of reach for my circumstances or couldn't be justified. I did run an S1 Elise as a daily when I was in my 20's and at that age it was very doable but I wouldn't bother now. I'm far too old and boring and stiff of back for that sort of thing now but it's not as tough as some might suggest. The S2 Exige is probably more hospitable in some ways (air con, carpets and a cup holder in mine!) but rearward visibility and not being able to remove the roof (I know you technically can but I think they look a bit odd like that) would be a chore for the boring stuff.
I bought mine as a pure weekend toy, maybe a little track use but it'll probably never do the commute.. I really loved the idea of an S1 Exige but no usable storage space and a far more temperamental drive train put me off. They're really special though. I didn't rally consider too much else. An older 911 might have been nice but I suspect there is far more to keep on top of. A caterham would be fantastic but I knew deep down I'd never use it. Evoras drive brilliantly and the kids would fit in but it didn't pull the heart strings. Most other stuff doesn't really have the same appeal. The Exige S2 strikes me a perfect compromise. Looks fantastic, still feels mega light, trademark steering, looks like a miniature GT car and certainly feels like that with the view from the driver seat too and it's plenty quick enough for the road. Really feels like a special car. I'm still very much in the honeymoon period but right now I'm pretty happy with my lot.
Sold it. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Only saving grace is I still have an S1. And a modified Type R integra as a daily.
I am now some way in to my fifties.
Don’t pigeonhole cars by what age you are or what will people think of you.
Enjoy them whilst you can.
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