Buying a non Supercharged Exige...

[stevoSTi]

Afternoon all.

I am in the process of looking for a weekend hack and have narrowed my choice to a couple of cars of which 1 is an Exige. I'd love the Supercharged version as I have a friend with one and having driven it all I can say is WOW - unfortunately they are a little out of my price range.

I realise I need to test drive one to know for sure and that it's never going to be near the performance of the SC'd car but what is the general feeling amoungst owners of this (the non Supercharged) model?

Thinking around a 2004/5 car...

Any pointers appreciated.

Stevo

[21TonyK]

The advantage of an NA car vs. factory SC is that you can always upgrade an NA car with a Katana for less than the cost of a factory model and have more power (circa 250hp).

So, from that perspective you can't lose really. The question is whether or not you will be disappointed with an NA car on road and then realise you need to spend another £4K to be happy.

I have an NA car myself and love it. But, on road, there are times when more torque would be good. Today for example I had a 130 mile cross country sprint and I had to concentrate all they time. Okay it was pissing it down on a set of well worn 888's but I was constantly changing gear to keep the revs up so I was around on on second cam. I really wasn't driving for fun today and just wanted to get home ASAP and it was hard work!

On track it's very different, the car is plenty powerful for a lot of fun to the point that when driven hard it can out pace a lot of "bigger" cars (including SC Elises).

If you are looking at an NA car then theres not a huge difference other than the touring and performance packs.

Only thing I would be fussy about is aircon which IMHO is essential and preferential for resale. Everything else is questionable and subject to the cars use, ie. track - get a performance pack with better seats.

Post up any specific questions and loads of people on here can answer.

[b14]

I've purposefully never driven a supercharged car (just so I don't get jealous and spend 5k on a supercharger!) but I love my n/a car. The only time I ever feel like I need more power is in 6th gear on the motorway - but even then it is still pretty quick and dropping into 4th and nailing it will see off most other cars.

Have a drive and see what you think.

PS on track people say that the n/a car can be quicker once the SC cars' intercoolers are glowing red hot and the supercharger is wheezing

Edited by b14 on Wednesday 3rd February 20:14

[John D.]

An NA Exige is not slow by a long shot! Everything is relative of course

[stevoSTi]

Thanks both for your views, nice to speak to owners with RL experience of them.

Seeing one at the weekend so will see how we go - like the fact that I can upgrade at a later date though, didn't know that.

Def' want a car with A/C, and preferably a more lary colour (or black) although not yellow, well....

Thanks also for the info re versions to get as I know the early S2 cars had the K lump right?

Final thing is noise....sad I know and probably trying to hold onto my mispent youth but I want her to be loud and popping, presumably with th eright exhaust/de cats that's possible?

Thanks again all!

Stevo

[chevronb37]

All S2 Exiges were fitted with the Toyota lump. Just for some balance, it might be worth having a look at a 111R Elise as well. They're generally £3k cheaper than the equivalent Exige and you have the benefit of open top motoring. It was the better option for me, but everyone's different. Whatever you choose, you'll adore it! Happy hunting.

[5tevo]

Cheers, not sure why I thought that the early S2 cars had the Rover lump.

I really, really wanted a rag top but imo the Elises just don't look as good (horses for courses), not sure of any subtle mods that can be done to them to 'toughen up' the look?

The other thing is performance, loosing out (slightly) to the SC by getting an Elise I'll loose slightly more is there really not much in it?

Stevo

[cyberface]

5tevo said:

Cheers, not sure why I thought that the early S2 cars had the Rover lump.

I really, really wanted a rag top but imo the Elises just don't look as good (horses for courses), not sure of any subtle mods that can be done to them to 'toughen up' the look?

The other thing is performance, loosing out (slightly) to the SC by getting an Elise I'll loose slightly more is there really not much in it?

Stevo

Early S2 Elises had the K engine. The Exiges didn't come till later.

You can blend bits of Exige clams and bodywork addenda onto an Elise, equally you can take the roof off an Exige (though I just scream WHY?). Lots has been done, including building an Exige from an early K-engined S2 Elise (so the Honda conversion can be done...) by acquiring Exige clams and then hacking around to change the necessary subframe heights so the clams fit right.

Loads has been done. Bodywork costs a fortune though unless you can do it all yourself. So I'd save the money for the inevitable supercharger you're going to end up buying

The benefit of this, of course, is that IIRC the aftermarket blower conversions don't rely on a large air-air intercooler mounted on top of a hot engine and fed with air from a small roof scoop. So you can remove the roof and do the 'soft top Exige' look (which personally I think looks silly, but each to his or her own!) without being admonished by some people for potentially reducing the airflow to the intercooler....

[mrdemon]

I drove a SC car and was not impressed at all.
also no faster on track than A NA car.

also a new SC car weight over a ton , mine weighed 870Kg's with 3/4 full tank.
here is a lap by a novice in my NA exige at donny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTpa8K7-Jc0

just make sure you get the motor sport map done, the fooking standard map is undrivable.

Edited by mrdemon on Thursday 4th February 00:10

[b14]

stevoSTi said:

Thanks also for the info re versions to get as I know the early S2 cars had the K lump right?

Final thing is noise....sad I know and probably trying to hold onto my mispent youth but I want her to be loud and popping, presumably with th eright exhaust/de cats that's possible?

Like people have said all S2 Exiges have the Yota engine. The S was introduced I think around 05/55 reg cars in parralel with the n/a car. Then I think around 07 reg they dropped the n/a car and just had the supercharged ones.

Noise, the Lotus stage II is very (very) loud and you get much lairy popping and banging, however they drone like hell on motorways - I found I needed earplugs for long journeys. 2Bular (my preference) or Larini exhausts are much better - still loud when pushing on but no drone at constant revs.

[Esprit]

N/A cars are definitely slower than the S/C cars, although the S/C cars can (especially on track) suffer from crippling heat-soak, which can at times leave them struggling to keep with an N/A car in a straight line.

Plenty of forced induction upgrades for the N/A cars if you want 'em, and yes, driven right, the N/A exige isn't slow by a long stretch

[mrdemon]

quote
"The S was introduced I think around 05/55 reg cars in parralel with the n/a car."

wrong the NA s2 exige came out in 2004 on a 04 plate,

[21TonyK]

Buying an older car you need to be aware of a few things.

Firstly, very early cars don't have oil coolers. Not an issue for road use or for occasional track. For heavier use you are actually better with an aftermarket solution like a Laminova which is more effective and lighter.

Earlier cars are generally lighter, mine is <900Kg fully kitted and fuelled but whether or not you can feel the difference is down to the individual.

The seats are not the greatest. They're okay but later Probax ones are much nicer.

Suspension on earlier cars might be getting a bit soft but there are lots of upgrades out there.

The brakes (or rather the pedal box) on pre-fly by wire cars isn't to everyones taste but can be vastly "improved" with adjustment.

All Exiges need better than OEM brake pads.

All Exiges need better than OEM exhausts.

Whatever you buy you can easily spend a couple of grand adding bits but there are plenty of stock cars with very happy owners out there as well.

[5tevo]

Fantastic info chaps, really appreciated I certainly have what I need to go and test drive at the weekend and make some decisions from there.

If I am looking at an 04/05 car does that count as an 'early' car as far as having an oil cooler is concerned?

What is pre-fly by wire?

Definately sounds like I will need a forced induction kit and the exhausts options sound spot on!

Had swayed away from an Exige to another marque but am now back to liking the sound of an Exige better from what I have heard.

Testing at the weekend will be the decider!

[21TonyK]

04/05 is pre FBW which came in late '06 (I think). Try one and see what you think, most people don't consider the pedal box to be a problem at all. A lot depends on your driving style.

As for oil coolers, really wouldn't worry. Pretty sure all but the very first cars have them and if not a couple of hundred quid solves the issue (if you use the car a lot on track).

A lot of people like the NA cars cam/off cam characteristic. I specifically opted for an NA car as I had come from a string of cars with big, high torque engines which made my driving very lazy. The NA car makes you focus on your driving and the car which is exactly what I wanted. Mine is pretty much used for track days and a few road miles, ie. <1000 on road and 2000+ to/from and on track.

The one option I would suggest is an ECU flash to lower the cam point, this can be done for £150 so not an expensive option at all.

For me, the cost difference between the NA car and a SC car is not justified for my use. If I was using it on road as a main car then I would go for an SC but not for fun driving.

[5tevo]

Thanks Tony, think an '06 will be out of my price range.

The car will be mainly a (fast)road fun car, like to try and find time for the track but will be very few and far between with a 2 year old at home Based on this the oil cooler won't be a problem i don't think.

Where is the best place in the South East (near Windsor) to get stuff like the ECU flashed/sport map and exhausts?

Stevo

Edited by 5tevo on Thursday 4th February 13:10

[21TonyK]

Not near but definitely the cheapest

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0...

They're doing a flash/exhaust and induction kit for about £600 which is pretty good value or £150 just for the flash.

[b14]

mrdemon said:

quote
"The S was introduced I think around 05/55 reg cars in parralel with the n/a car."

wrong the NA s2 exige came out in 2004 on a 04 plate,

Read that again Demon - I know the S2 Exige came out on an 04 plate, I was saying when the Supercharged ones turned up

[5tevo]

Sweeeet, just need a car now!!!

Thanks again.

[mrdemon]

early cars had twin oil coolers if the cars has the sports pack.