Discussion
I'm toying with the idea of chopping my 2008 911 C2S in for an Exige and was wondering if anyone on here has done anything similar. Before anyone asks, I absolutely love the Porsche, but since I've just taken delivery of a new Focus RS as my "practical" car, I'm thinking that my "fun" car can be a bit more hardcore.
I've been thinking about a GT3, but I don't really want to have to throw a load of extra cash on the table right now. I also have my name on the list for a Cayman RS, but since Porsche still won't admit that they're going to build one, I'm not sure it's worth waiting.
To be precise it's the Exige Scura that really got me thinking about switching. I know that it's basically an Exige Cup underneath, but I do like that matt black finish and all the exposed carbon fibre, while the fact that they're only building 35 makes it even more attractive. There are three dealers on PH saying that they have slots available, so I'm assuming I'd be able to get one.
Obviously I understand that the Exige won't be as comfortable as the 911, and I'll probably miss that flat-six howl, but I've driven a few Exiges on track and they've never ceased to impress me. I'd only be using the car for weekend blasts and track days, since I'll be using the Focus the rest of the time.
Feedback from anyone who's made a similar switch will be greatly appreciated.
I've been thinking about a GT3, but I don't really want to have to throw a load of extra cash on the table right now. I also have my name on the list for a Cayman RS, but since Porsche still won't admit that they're going to build one, I'm not sure it's worth waiting.
To be precise it's the Exige Scura that really got me thinking about switching. I know that it's basically an Exige Cup underneath, but I do like that matt black finish and all the exposed carbon fibre, while the fact that they're only building 35 makes it even more attractive. There are three dealers on PH saying that they have slots available, so I'm assuming I'd be able to get one.
Obviously I understand that the Exige won't be as comfortable as the 911, and I'll probably miss that flat-six howl, but I've driven a few Exiges on track and they've never ceased to impress me. I'd only be using the car for weekend blasts and track days, since I'll be using the Focus the rest of the time.
Feedback from anyone who's made a similar switch will be greatly appreciated.
Having driven both regularly, I can say you will love the Exige! The porsche feels very well balanced, with good build quality. As an everyday car, probably one of the best. But as for "hardcore pure thrills" weekend runner, the Exige is at the top of its game! The 911 puts a smile on your face. The Exige - a grin! And you'll be grinning all day! My experiance is with the C4S and a 190bhp Exige. The Scura will be in another leaque completely. Stratstone Leicester have most orders on the Scura. They are top blokes down there. I'm sure they'll look after you if you want one. 
Thanks RGILL, that's very helpful. To be honest I had fully intended for the 911 to be my only car, but there were just too many places I couldn't take it, so I've ended up having two anyway. Therefore the extra comfort isn't as important as I thought it would be.
I noticed that Stratstone is advertising one, but I've got to drive to Bristol on Tuesday, so I thought I'd drop into Dick Lovett on my way home, since they're also advertising a slot. If that doesn't work out I'll give Stratstone a call.
Cheers Stephanie, I'll drop tertius a line.
I noticed that Stratstone is advertising one, but I've got to drive to Bristol on Tuesday, so I thought I'd drop into Dick Lovett on my way home, since they're also advertising a slot. If that doesn't work out I'll give Stratstone a call.
Cheers Stephanie, I'll drop tertius a line.
Lots of guys over on Seloc that have experience of both. I think the general consensus is that the current crop of 911s are great as GT cars but for thrills then the Elise/Exige has it whipped.
The Cup 260 looks a great varient but beware the paint warranty (or lack of it!) on the Scura. Lotus are only willing to offer a 12 month warranty on that gorgeous paint finish. I suppose you could offset the costs of keeping that in good nick against the general lower costs of keeping an Exige on track compared to any current Porsche offering (weight being the thing here). Also worth checking the length of the warranty on the mechanicals too: I'm sure a similiar power plant in the 2-11 comes with just a 12 month warranty.
The Cup 260 looks a great varient but beware the paint warranty (or lack of it!) on the Scura. Lotus are only willing to offer a 12 month warranty on that gorgeous paint finish. I suppose you could offset the costs of keeping that in good nick against the general lower costs of keeping an Exige on track compared to any current Porsche offering (weight being the thing here). Also worth checking the length of the warranty on the mechanicals too: I'm sure a similiar power plant in the 2-11 comes with just a 12 month warranty.
I'd look at an Atom if I wanted something hardcore for weekends and track days. I've had 2 Exiges Mk1 and Mk2 and ok both only 190bhp but I found them dissapointing on the road. Just sold my GT3 and if I were going to invest 45k I'd go back to the GT3 if I wanted a tin top to do track days.
Just my humble
Just my humble
The 996 OR 997GT3 are about the only cars I covet as weekend toys/trackday cars above the Elise/Exige. Unfortunately for me the running costs are completely prohibitive.
Funny thing though. Everytime I think about something that maybe bigger/faster/better I'm reminded of a mistake I made selling a rather small racing yatch and buying a bigger/faster/better one. I always had more fun and less hassle with the tiddler
Funny thing though. Everytime I think about something that maybe bigger/faster/better I'm reminded of a mistake I made selling a rather small racing yatch and buying a bigger/faster/better one. I always had more fun and less hassle with the tiddler
Funny you should mention that TIPPER. One of the things that has got me thinking about changing is that come March I'll be looking at roughly £4k worth of bills on the 911 - first service (£400), extended warranty (£1,300), two rear tyres (£600), road tax (£400), tracker (£200), insurange (£700). If I swap I'll avoid all those bills bar the insurance, and it should be a straight swap, more or less.
sone - I think that an Atom might be pushing the hardcore angle a bit too far - even if I only used it for track days, I'm not sure I'd want to drive all the way to Bedford or Castle Coombe in it
sone - I think that an Atom might be pushing the hardcore angle a bit too far - even if I only used it for track days, I'm not sure I'd want to drive all the way to Bedford or Castle Coombe in it
The Atom's not much worse than any Caterfield you would buy. Can't see a problem driving to track in it. My mate on here with his Atom went all the way to Le Mans in his without issue. Great fun car but do draw a lot of attention.
As an aside I reckon my Exiges cost between 4-500 pound a day to run on track with all things considered so whichever way you look at it it's an expensive day out.
As an aside I reckon my Exiges cost between 4-500 pound a day to run on track with all things considered so whichever way you look at it it's an expensive day out.
MDT48 said:
Funny you should mention that TIPPER. One of the things that has got me thinking about changing is that come March I'll be looking at roughly £4k worth of bills on the 911 - first service (£400), extended warranty (£1,300), two rear tyres (£600), road tax (£400), tracker (£200), insurange (£700). If I swap I'll avoid all those bills bar the insurance, and it should be a straight swap, more or less.
sone - I think that an Atom might be pushing the hardcore angle a bit too far - even if I only used it for track days, I'm not sure I'd want to drive all the way to Bedford or Castle Coombe in it
sone - I think that an Atom might be pushing the hardcore angle a bit too far - even if I only used it for track days, I'm not sure I'd want to drive all the way to Bedford or Castle Coombe in it
I have a 54 plate Exige and it is quite good, now I also have a NOble M12 and there is no comparison between the 2, the Noble is sooo much quicker. When I bought the noble in January this year I also looked at a 996 Turbo Porsche and that was no where near as connected as the Noble or the Exige.
If you as you say have a day to day car and have Exige money then get the Noble
If you as you say have a day to day car and have Exige money then get the Noble
Edited by The devil on Monday 23 November 13:00
The devil said:
I have a 54 plate Exige and it is quite good, now I also have a NOble M12 and there is no comparison between the 2, the Noble is sooo much quicker. When I bought the noble in January this year I also looked at a 996 Turbo Porsche and that was no where near as connected as the Noble or the Exige.
If you as you say have a day to day car and have Exige money then get the Noble
If you as you say have a day to day car and have Exige money then get the Noble
Edited by The devil on Monday 23 November 13:00
I've driven a Noble M400 and it was in a different league of performance to an Exige (barely heavier, but with well over twice the power!). I think I prefer the feedback and handling on the Exige though, and I certainly prefer n/a or s/c to t/c. It depends where you get your fun I guess.I thought about buying a cup260 car
but two things put me off
1: the 10k you will lose in one year
2: you only get 12 months warranty.
996 GT3 or a Noble 3R has to be worth a look, both of which are very steady prices atm
the money you would lose in depreciation on a new Exige would cover running costs and then some.
Tough choices though, (as for stratstones, I doubt they have many scuds as most were left hand drive, RHD drive one are very limited)
If you wanted an Exige I would buy a fully loaded year old pp Exige for 29k and spend 2.2k with the motorsport dept getting the Cup 260 SPec on it.
but two things put me off
1: the 10k you will lose in one year
2: you only get 12 months warranty.
996 GT3 or a Noble 3R has to be worth a look, both of which are very steady prices atm
the money you would lose in depreciation on a new Exige would cover running costs and then some.
Tough choices though, (as for stratstones, I doubt they have many scuds as most were left hand drive, RHD drive one are very limited)
If you wanted an Exige I would buy a fully loaded year old pp Exige for 29k and spend 2.2k with the motorsport dept getting the Cup 260 SPec on it.
Edited by mrdemon on Monday 23 November 13:24
A mate of mine had an S1 Elise which he swapped for a Noble M12 GTO 3R. I've never been out in a car which is so brutally fast. It covered the ground in a way I never believed was possible. However, he said he got fed up of the attention it got and also claimed it was simply too fast for road use. I know it's not the macho response, but it was so rare that he found appropriate roads and conditions that he never felt he got the best from it. He had a couple of years off sports cars and has recently bought an Elise 111R Sports Racer which he adores.
For a strictly weekend car, I don't think you can do better than an Elise. It may not have as much grip as an Exige but it's plenty fast enough for sane road use and the ability to remove the roof is such a boon - I look forward to early Sunday morning drives in the sun so much more when I know I can go tops off. Still, it's horses for courses I suppose. Whatever you get you will love and you'll have a far closer relationship with the car than you ever could with a Porsche.
For a strictly weekend car, I don't think you can do better than an Elise. It may not have as much grip as an Exige but it's plenty fast enough for sane road use and the ability to remove the roof is such a boon - I look forward to early Sunday morning drives in the sun so much more when I know I can go tops off. Still, it's horses for courses I suppose. Whatever you get you will love and you'll have a far closer relationship with the car than you ever could with a Porsche.
To be honest for a strictly weekend car I'd buy a Caterham. Half the weight of an Elise and whilst the steering feel and feedback may be 10% better in the Elise, Caterhams are in a different league of involvement, handling, response and of course performance. I've owned both by the way. I prefer the Elise, but that's only because I get to drive it more often because of its additional practicalities (i.e a roof that just takes seconds to put up!).
As mentioned above I went from a 911 (a 993 in my case) to an Elise S2 111S. The 993 is a fair bit more raw than a 997 but even so the Elise is such a direct experience that it makes the 993 feel like a GT by comparison. And for reference the 993 had KW Club Sport suspension, buckets a half cage etc..
In my case the big difference is the out and out power and top end performance. The 993 has about twice the power of the Elise and you do miss it as the faster cars go romping away down the straights. Over a lap there is nothing in it (Elise vs 993). the car you are considering is a lot faster of course so I doubt if this will be so much of an issue for you.
I actually had planned to keep both the Elise and the 993 but havE now decided to sell the 993:
I take Rob's point about a Caterham but I think an Elise a perfect blend between on track capability and on-road usability. My Elise is first and foremost a track car.
In my case the big difference is the out and out power and top end performance. The 993 has about twice the power of the Elise and you do miss it as the faster cars go romping away down the straights. Over a lap there is nothing in it (Elise vs 993). the car you are considering is a lot faster of course so I doubt if this will be so much of an issue for you.
I actually had planned to keep both the Elise and the 993 but havE now decided to sell the 993:
I take Rob's point about a Caterham but I think an Elise a perfect blend between on track capability and on-road usability. My Elise is first and foremost a track car.
I also have an S2 111S Still my favourite Elise of all the ones I've driven and I absolutely love it.
That feeling that you describe getting from the 993 into the Elise is much like the feeling I got getting from the Elise into the Caterham; it's a similar step on in immediacy, intimacy and instinctiveness. Out of interest, moving on to a single seater from a Caterham is a similar step in the same direction.
The Elise/Exige is undoubtedly a safer car than a Caterham and, boring as it may sound, that would influence my decision and is something that the OP should consider I think.
Still my favourite Elise of all the ones I've driven and I absolutely love it.That feeling that you describe getting from the 993 into the Elise is much like the feeling I got getting from the Elise into the Caterham; it's a similar step on in immediacy, intimacy and instinctiveness. Out of interest, moving on to a single seater from a Caterham is a similar step in the same direction.
The Elise/Exige is undoubtedly a safer car than a Caterham and, boring as it may sound, that would influence my decision and is something that the OP should consider I think.
GT3 Porker is the way forward, stacks of power and in CS spec it's as raw as the Exige, no turbo charger so the power delivery is very linear no spikes and best of all German reliability. I blew my S2 exige up, ok more bad luck than anything else with only 4k on the clock. When I had a Noble I spent every weekend tampering with something (usually exhaust manifolds). With the Porsche I just put fuel in it and went anywhere without a second thought.
You could pick a good 996 GT3 up for mid 30's and with the money saved over the Exige run it for 2 years and still get more money on re-sale.
I love Lotus but I like something with more grunt and usually that means more cc's.
You could pick a good 996 GT3 up for mid 30's and with the money saved over the Exige run it for 2 years and still get more money on re-sale.
I love Lotus but I like something with more grunt and usually that means more cc's.
chevronb37 said:
A mate of mine had an S1 Elise which he swapped for a Noble M12 GTO 3R. I've never been out in a car which is so brutally fast. It covered the ground in a way I never believed was possible. However, he said he got fed up of the attention it got and also claimed it was simply too fast for road use. I know it's not the macho response, but it was so rare that he found appropriate roads and conditions that he never felt he got the best from it. He had a couple of years off sports cars and has recently bought an Elise 111R Sports Racer which he adores.
For a strictly weekend car, I don't think you can do better than an Elise. It may not have as much grip as an Exige but it's plenty fast enough for sane road use and the ability to remove the roof is such a boon - I look forward to early Sunday morning drives in the sun so much more when I know I can go tops off. Still, it's horses for courses I suppose. Whatever you get you will love and you'll have a far closer relationship with the car than you ever could with a Porsche.
Your right, the amount off attention it gets is unreal, guess we are a load of prima donnas.For a strictly weekend car, I don't think you can do better than an Elise. It may not have as much grip as an Exige but it's plenty fast enough for sane road use and the ability to remove the roof is such a boon - I look forward to early Sunday morning drives in the sun so much more when I know I can go tops off. Still, it's horses for courses I suppose. Whatever you get you will love and you'll have a far closer relationship with the car than you ever could with a Porsche.
Good luck with your decision though
I had a 993 C4s for weekends and sunny days. It was great but almost too civilised. I fancied something much more direct to drive and bought an S2 Exige as a bit of an impulse buy.
I have really enjoyed it, its much more direct and absorbing to drive compared to the 993 - it just cries out to be revved very hard. Thus far its been very cheap indeed to run.
After about 15 months I am beginnig to tire a little of the absolute lack of torque low down. It it entirely gutless unless you are pressing on.
Still love it, but perhaps its needs a charger.........
I have really enjoyed it, its much more direct and absorbing to drive compared to the 993 - it just cries out to be revved very hard. Thus far its been very cheap indeed to run.
After about 15 months I am beginnig to tire a little of the absolute lack of torque low down. It it entirely gutless unless you are pressing on.
Still love it, but perhaps its needs a charger.........
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