Test drove an exige!
Discussion
Right then. Ive been putting off trying one of those new fangled Toyota engine thingy elise 111R/Exiges for a while as I bought a new 111s just before Lotus revealed the new engines (bugger)and i didnt want to like them...
I must confess, I love the look of the new Exige,especially the metallic black one in the showroom that I had my eye on. Looks wise I want it.
But to be honest I think its wasted on the road. As there are so many bits on it, its heavier than my car so it "feels" much slower than mine and only when you get to 6,200rpm does the fun kick in. But I only got up to 6,200rpm twice on a 30min drive on the open road.
The gear box feels very solid but the brakes feel much to loose (abs) and so the Exige actually feels, on the road at least, very refined.
Im sure on the track the Exige is awsome and if I had the money it would be in my stable. But swap my new 111s for the 111R...not on your nellie.
I must confess, I love the look of the new Exige,especially the metallic black one in the showroom that I had my eye on. Looks wise I want it.
But to be honest I think its wasted on the road. As there are so many bits on it, its heavier than my car so it "feels" much slower than mine and only when you get to 6,200rpm does the fun kick in. But I only got up to 6,200rpm twice on a 30min drive on the open road.
The gear box feels very solid but the brakes feel much to loose (abs) and so the Exige actually feels, on the road at least, very refined.
Im sure on the track the Exige is awsome and if I had the money it would be in my stable. But swap my new 111s for the 111R...not on your nellie.
On my first aqaintance with the Toyota Engined cars, I was not that impressed, came away thinking that they didnt feel like an Elise should....
However a weekend and a sunday thrash around the finest roads Gloucestershire and wiltshire can offer I was totally blown away!... more so than the very 1st time I drove an elise (a '99 S1 111S)
My advice with the 111R is make sure you get a long drive and make sure you use those gears, it just begs to be spanked has hard as you dare, practise changing from 6th to 4th then banging it into 3rd and
as everything else on the road disappears.
I am a convert!
However a weekend and a sunday thrash around the finest roads Gloucestershire and wiltshire can offer I was totally blown away!... more so than the very 1st time I drove an elise (a '99 S1 111S)
My advice with the 111R is make sure you get a long drive and make sure you use those gears, it just begs to be spanked has hard as you dare, practise changing from 6th to 4th then banging it into 3rd and
as everything else on the road disappears. I am a convert!IMO, I have put an ITG induction kit and Lotus sports exhaust in mine and you can really notice the difference.
I love the way the breaks are firmer in the 111s - feels like you have more control and feels more sporty.
Depends what you want I guess. I thought the 111s was refined but the exige is a pussycat compared.
I think people will get fed up with the "Rover" engine but I have more smiles on my face on a 111s than the Toyota engine. Depends what youre used to I guess.
See your point mustard, but you really do have to thrash it to enjoy it. I think on the track it would be awsome but on the roads you really have to work hard.
>> Edited by maverick25 on Friday 6th August 17:44
I love the way the breaks are firmer in the 111s - feels like you have more control and feels more sporty.
Depends what you want I guess. I thought the 111s was refined but the exige is a pussycat compared.
I think people will get fed up with the "Rover" engine but I have more smiles on my face on a 111s than the Toyota engine. Depends what youre used to I guess.
See your point mustard, but you really do have to thrash it to enjoy it. I think on the track it would be awsome but on the roads you really have to work hard.
>> Edited by maverick25 on Friday 6th August 17:44
.... just one of the lads having a spot of fun on his way home (well the Audi guy did ask for it!)
I Cant agree more!!! I test drove one and after really looking forward to it was really dissapointed and more pleased to be driving away in my trusty S1. Mine has been tweaked a little with a Venom Filter (£200) 160 Exhaust (£150) and Luminition remapable ECU (£750) and I have to say it flies. The bottom end is improved, the top end can only be described as scary I would recommend anyone. S1 + £1100 beats £29,000 I'm afraid - sorry Lotus but it's just not quite right 
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