Back from the hoon...now for an Exige!
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Blimey - while I'm away look what you all go and do, eh?! Anyway, enough of that...been on the hoon this past 10 days. Awesome, I fell in love with my car all over again (for about the millionth time). My god it's good. I mean really really good.
Anyway, I have also come to the decision that I'm going to get myself an Exige. I briefly looked into it before I went away but a hoon later I'm certain. The ONE thing I'm uncertain about is the engine. I love the K-series, the way it works so well on the road, however the Toyota's peaky-ness is a bit of a worry. I've only ever passengered in one so I'm going to get myself to Lipscombs and test drive one.
I'll be looking at a normally aspirated car, budget I'm unsure about at the moment - 25k-30k but really it depends on if I find the right car then I'm happy to spend out.
The clincher? I want a white one!! Are there many S2 NA Exiges out there in white? There are a few Exige S but I can't seem to see any originals?
Also, what are the running costs on the car like? My Elise has been flipping excellent on runnings costs and looking at service schedules etc the Exige doesn't seem mega different, but just wanted some real life views on it really?!
So, expect an ad in the classifieds very soon for a black Elise
Blimey - while I'm away look what you all go and do, eh?! Anyway, enough of that...been on the hoon this past 10 days. Awesome, I fell in love with my car all over again (for about the millionth time). My god it's good. I mean really really good.
Anyway, I have also come to the decision that I'm going to get myself an Exige. I briefly looked into it before I went away but a hoon later I'm certain. The ONE thing I'm uncertain about is the engine. I love the K-series, the way it works so well on the road, however the Toyota's peaky-ness is a bit of a worry. I've only ever passengered in one so I'm going to get myself to Lipscombs and test drive one.
I'll be looking at a normally aspirated car, budget I'm unsure about at the moment - 25k-30k but really it depends on if I find the right car then I'm happy to spend out.
The clincher? I want a white one!! Are there many S2 NA Exiges out there in white? There are a few Exige S but I can't seem to see any originals?
Also, what are the running costs on the car like? My Elise has been flipping excellent on runnings costs and looking at service schedules etc the Exige doesn't seem mega different, but just wanted some real life views on it really?!
So, expect an ad in the classifieds very soon for a black Elise
haha thanks 
Loads of shots to go through but I just took that off my pc at home as I wanted to remind myself this morning why I come to work
Oh, I will be one of those annoying (to other Exige owners I guess) people that takes the Exige roof out. I have seen people get soft tops for Exiges - is that still do-able? Does much (if anything) need to be done to the car? And, approximately, how much?!
Thanks all
Loads of shots to go through but I just took that off my pc at home as I wanted to remind myself this morning why I come to work
Oh, I will be one of those annoying (to other Exige owners I guess) people that takes the Exige roof out. I have seen people get soft tops for Exiges - is that still do-able? Does much (if anything) need to be done to the car? And, approximately, how much?!
Thanks all
Hi Tony, welcome back, I hope you had a damn good time.
Consider this.
There is a few ziges that go round here with the roof off - they look rubbish.
For my money I would get an 111R with a hard top. I would then put on some zige wheels and Ohlins, top that with a zorst from 2bular. Stick on a front splitter for a bit of down force.
You then have a package that is lighter, prettier and handles better, ceaper to buy and cheaper to insure. Less fuel.... The list goes on....
Consider this.
There is a few ziges that go round here with the roof off - they look rubbish.
For my money I would get an 111R with a hard top. I would then put on some zige wheels and Ohlins, top that with a zorst from 2bular. Stick on a front splitter for a bit of down force.
You then have a package that is lighter, prettier and handles better, ceaper to buy and cheaper to insure. Less fuel.... The list goes on....
Ace time thanks G - so rubbish to be back!
The thought did occur to me about the 111R route. To be honest I quite like the Exige without it's roof. I certainly don't think it's horrid, but admit it does look a bit uneasy.
Depending on the money though it may be a rather good way forward.
How much are you talking for the Ohlins/A048s etc. set up onto a 111R. Is it £3k?
Thanks!
The thought did occur to me about the 111R route. To be honest I quite like the Exige without it's roof. I certainly don't think it's horrid, but admit it does look a bit uneasy.
Depending on the money though it may be a rather good way forward.
How much are you talking for the Ohlins/A048s etc. set up onto a 111R. Is it £3k?
Thanks!
TonyHetherington said:
Ace time thanks G - so rubbish to be back!
The thought did occur to me about the 111R route. To be honest I quite like the Exige without it's roof. I certainly don't think it's horrid, but admit it does look a bit uneasy.
Depending on the money though it may be a rather good way forward.
How much are you talking for the Ohlins/A048s etc. set up onto a 111R. Is it £3k?
Thanks!
2 way Ohlins fitted and geo'd from Plans was ABOUT £1.5k. I have a set from a 240r which have lotus sport valving - not sure if it makes a difference, but they are incredible.The thought did occur to me about the 111R route. To be honest I quite like the Exige without it's roof. I certainly don't think it's horrid, but admit it does look a bit uneasy.
Depending on the money though it may be a rather good way forward.
How much are you talking for the Ohlins/A048s etc. set up onto a 111R. Is it £3k?
Thanks!
I have not changed my wheels yet - there were some of the lotus sport alloys (mega light) with new tyres going second hand for 2k in the ads (a tad expensive)
Just by changing to the Ohlins with a decent geo and a set of yokos, my overweight 111R (860kg cornerweighted) goes round bends better than a well set up S160 with a bloody good driver. That suspension and geo is truly astounding. Ask the carrera 4s driver who was eaten in the bendies the other day.
I would estimat the car is 20 - 30% faster in the bends, I cant verify that with anything but "seat of the pants data" but it is at the point where I dont have the balls to go round a corner as fast as the car is more than capable of.
Because the geo is so agressive and the cornering is so addictive - I am EATING tyres.....
Yup, it's Mr Fish in the Europa. Very nice car 
Graphite grey; every car I've had has been a variation of that colour, and then a black Elise, so it's time I moved on. Normally that would be my first and instant choice, but as this will be a proper weekend car (where the Elise I used everyday until about 8 months ago) I want something a bit more "ooooooo".
Schnozz; I saw that exact car actually! Looked really good but I couldn't see air con on it?! Does the touring pack include air con or is that a further option?
I have an appointment with Lipscombs tomorrow to discuss more - and not least get a drive out in one, I've only ever been a passenger.
That white exige above just confirms to me why I want white; yum!!!
(comically, all my friends, girlfriend etc that I've told has said "White? urrrr". Little do they know....."
Graphite grey; every car I've had has been a variation of that colour, and then a black Elise, so it's time I moved on. Normally that would be my first and instant choice, but as this will be a proper weekend car (where the Elise I used everyday until about 8 months ago) I want something a bit more "ooooooo".
Schnozz; I saw that exact car actually! Looked really good but I couldn't see air con on it?! Does the touring pack include air con or is that a further option?
I have an appointment with Lipscombs tomorrow to discuss more - and not least get a drive out in one, I've only ever been a passenger.
That white exige above just confirms to me why I want white; yum!!!
(comically, all my friends, girlfriend etc that I've told has said "White? urrrr". Little do they know....."
Tony, my only advice to you (having driven NA, S and Cup240) would be to think seriously about power delivery. In your budget range will be used Exige S's and frankly I think you'd be mad not to try one for comparison. The SC transforms the power delivery.
If you do go for NA, research the cost of getting the Motorsport ECU remap to bring the cam-change down, very worthwhile mod from what many have said. Talk to SimonK for first-hand experience/opinion. He's probably done more road & track miles in his than most.
Enjoy the shopping
P.S. if you do decide to see sense and consider Honda'ing the 111S, you're welcome to come down and try mine
If you do go for NA, research the cost of getting the Motorsport ECU remap to bring the cam-change down, very worthwhile mod from what many have said. Talk to SimonK for first-hand experience/opinion. He's probably done more road & track miles in his than most.
Enjoy the shopping
P.S. if you do decide to see sense and consider Honda'ing the 111S, you're welcome to come down and try mine
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