Exige...maybe?

[rob999]

Hi everyone.
Yes its yet another 'maybe I would like an exige' thread!
However, I'm looking into the future a bit..(well around Oct/Nov this year).
I think my budget would be around £18.5k and I've honestly always loved the styling of the exige. The elise with its soft top has never really appealed to be fair.

I guess my question is....what would you suggest for that kind of budget? My ideal car would be a T350c, but realistically my salary couldn't afford the potential running costs hence the Lotus. My other option would be a well specc'd VXT.

I know advice has been given about buying 06 or later models if possible due to LED lights/fly by wire etc...do you believe I may be able to get an S2 for that kind of budget? It'd be lovely to get an 'S' but I don't think prices will drop that far!!!

Thanks for any advice everyone

[21TonyK]

Buying privately you should get a 2006 car for that sort of money later in the year quite easily. Exiges S will be well over £20K still but nothing wrong with an NA car as a starting point.

[rob999]

Thanks Tony, do they tend to depreciate a little bit in the winter months? Their residuals have stayed fairly strong to be honest over the last year or so....

Also, is the sports exhaust standard?

[21TonyK]

Don't really depreciate as such, just take a bit longer to sell although Exiges are not seasonal as such. By the end of this year a 2006 will be 4 years old and probably modified. Exhausts are usually the first thing people change but there are a lot around, Larini and 2Bular being the most popular third party. You need to watch this if you are planning track days as some are too loud for the stricter tracks.

[rob999]

True.
I've driven/owned a Stg 2 VXT with a blueflame exhaust which wasn't too loud. But under Bedford's rules who knows!!
I'll need to test drive a car to see how it fairs...obviously very different from a mapped turbo lump!!

[C43]

Get a Europa, a well sorted one will be quicker than an Exige and can be used every day.

[sy247]

I am looking at an 2006 Exige S2 on Sunday that has done 20K. Modified induction and ECU remap. Up for £20,5000. Any thoughts on whether this is a fair price?

[Vladimir Pukin]

rob999 said:

Hi everyone.
Yes its yet another 'maybe I would like an exige' thread!
However, I'm looking into the future a bit..(well around Oct/Nov this year).
I think my budget would be around £18.5k and I've honestly always loved the styling of the exige. The elise with its soft top has never really appealed to be fair.

I guess my question is....what would you suggest for that kind of budget? My ideal car would be a T350c, but realistically my salary couldn't afford the potential running costs hence the Lotus. My other option would be a well specc'd VXT.

I know advice has been given about buying 06 or later models if possible due to LED lights/fly by wire etc...do you believe I may be able to get an S2 for that kind of budget? It'd be lovely to get an 'S' but I don't think prices will drop that far!!!

Thanks for any advice everyone

I went to test drive a T350c many years ago. Walked away from the dealer after putting a deposit on an Elise instead. The TVR was just too serious and the interior, which I thought I'd like from the pictures, really did feel like it was put together in a shed. The Lotus made me smile.