Lotus Exige S2: PH Carpool
This PHer's Exige had done 3,000 miles in five years, and then 2,000 miles in his first six weeks - bravo!
Car: Lotus Exige S2 (N/A Touring)
Owned since: July 2017
Previously owned: Peugeot 206 1.1, Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 1.7 CDTi, BMW 335i (E92), Porsche 924S, Honda Civic Type R (EP3), BMW 540i Sport (E39), BMW M135i (Fiancée's car and for errand running)
Why I bought it:
"After accumulating six points after being caught at a slightly silly speed trying to get back to watch a Six Nations game (awful excuse, I know), I realised that driving a reasonably fast (in a straight line) car on UK roads wasn't really viable. Six months later the E39 died when an elderly gentleman emerged from a side road unexpectedly and I decided that it was time for a change.
"With a likely need to upgrade the flat in a few years, a wedding on the horizon and a new A2 licence in my hands to cover commuting, the world was my oyster. I decided I wanted something a little less refined, something entertaining on the road at lower speeds and a little more capable on track, but I had a few conditions: fun, obviously, but ideally without chronic depreciation and with reasonable running costs. Why leave savings in the bank when you can drive them?
"A friend with an S1 Elise planted the idea of a Lotus in my head and I scoured the classifieds, ruling out most TVRs on running cost grounds. Being the powerfully built director type I knew I'd need an S2 for reasons of accessibility, but hadn't fully decided between Elise or Exige; I was, however, fairly set on a Toyota-engined car to avoid HGF ribbing and because I was one of the few that liked the power delivery in my old Civic Type R. Unfortunately, I was limited by budget: I could stretch to either a mint N/A 190 Exige or a supercharged Elise, and the SC I loved the sight and sound of was a good £5k over budget. Although my man maths is fairly good, the gap was still a step too far for me, especially when it amounted to only 30-50hp (and a very nice whine). It was a dilemma, but surprisingly Exige insurance costs were significantly below an Elise's and I far preferred the shape, so the decision was made.
"Lastly (and most importantly) the colour: Magnetic Blue is fairly rare and in my opinion suits the car perfectly; the last thing I wanted was a black, grey or silver car - I'd had enough of them!"
What I wish I'd known:
"That buying a low, fibreglass car would make me too paranoid to leave the car in a supermarket and that any food would be cooked on the journey home; that a standard size numberplate can't be mounted to the front without trying to dislodge itself at each speed hump or undulation in the road (even with a smaller plate you still have to be very careful with ground clearance); and that even when using the front seat it can be difficult to fit a full set of golf clubs in the car!
"My other intention for the car was to start doing a few more track days; however after testing at Brands Hatch showed static readings of 101.6dB (pre-cam change) and 103.3dB (post cam change), I am limited by noise restrictions at a number of circuits!"
"The smile it puts on my face when you reach an open flowing road, the surge in power above 6,200rpm, the pops on each upchange and the non-stop gurgling on the overrun when you ease off the throttle courtesy of the Larini exhaust system. The car actively encourages you to drive a gear or two lower than you should be.
"Also the reactions you get when out and about. People let you out of junctions, don't get angry when they're overtaken and kids (plus those who are still kids at heart) often stop and stare at it."
Things I hate:
"There is very little I dislike beyond trying to get out with dignity, although there are several slight annoyances. The glue used in Norfolk isn't up to much; despite being stored in a dry garage I've had a piece of interior trim fall off, landing on my head whilst driving down the A21. Also the Alcantara across the instrument binnacle is bridging and the headlining is beginning to sag, but they are all small and easily rectifiable.
"It's also not too waterproof when it rains, the boot leaks a little (another area that will get some attention this summer), the windows drop a bit despite regular adjustment and the front nearside indicator, after getting caught in a monsoon on the M40 (not fun on R888s), seems to have swallowed a lot of water. Again, all easily fixable and fairly minor annoyances for a weekend car.
"Lastly, the fuel gauge lies. Stopping on the side of a Belgian road with a quarter of a tank remaining required a push to level ground (the fuel pickup appears to be on the offside of the tank...)"
"Nothing beyond petrol, tax and insurance. The small re-trimming jobs should be solved by a local trimmer for a relatively modest outlay and a basic service is less than £200 at a Lotus specialist - thank you Toyota!"
Where I've been:
"The car had barely covered 3,000 miles in the five years prior to my ownership but covered 2,000 in my first six weeks. A week after collection I took it to Oxfordshire for the HPC young drivers day and a week later on a tour of the Belgian battlefields as part of the Passchendaele remembrance celebrations. Beyond that it's been used for regular Sunday Services and early morning runs, although it is regularly used to take me to the golf course as well when the sensible car is unavailable.
"I also try and give a little back; the car has been on display as part of the Roundel Run show at Biggin Hill air show, been opened up to disadvantaged children at a school in Surrey, and I use it regularly to give regular passenger rides on behalf of a charity supporting adults with SEN. Why not? People can't really damage the car as there is very little that hasn't already fallen off - might as well make somebody's day!"
"To carry on using it as it should be used, in all weathers. However, I am rapidly approaching my annual insurance mileage limit!
"The car is due a service and MOT in the spring. Forced induction/K20 swaps have always appealed, however with the condition of the car being so good I can't justify it currently; it would be a shame to potentially ruin what is such a straight car!"
If you would like to feature your car in PH Carpool, please email carpool@pistonheads.com
And they are surprisingly practical - I managed to fit a child's sofa and a chalk board in the passenger seat on one occasion. Granted I had my face squashed against the drivers window and struggled to change gear, or breathe, but that's beside the point
When I bought my BMW 130i in 2013 you could get them for just under sub £20k and I was very tempted but couldn't justify the extra outlay over my £7.5k alternative purchase. what a mistake as those cars are now about £25k minimum...... gutted! will get into one one day though although the stories of water ingress etc put me off a bit as it would be a daily driver.
This looks fantastic in the blue as well.
Always wanted one, especially in that colour (with some 240r wheels..).
Keep telling myself I will, but struggle with the man-maths considering my VX220 SC is appreciably quicker in a straight line / out of bends, and I've already fitted mostly Exige S2 bits (Bilstein suspension, similar wheels, ABS upgrade, geo), meaning I'd be paying mostly for the body..
I too have just done my first track at Brands Hatch, and was just below the noise limit (mine has a 2bular exhaust)! I actually got black flagged on circuit at one point for noise, but then the car seemed fine after that... so I must have set off the noise limiters with all the exhaust popping and banging. The car was absolutely mega though!
Lost my Elise a few years ago and starting to look now for either an Exige SC or - left-field - a Europa S; I loved mine while I had it - you wore it rather than got in it and the purity feeling of 'you+engine+tyres' has not been equalled since.
Lost my Elise a few years ago and starting to look now for either an Exige SC or - left-field - a Europa S; I loved mine while I had it - you wore it rather than got in it and the purity feeling of 'you+engine+tyres' has not been equalled since.
And to anyone else out there, have you driven the S2 Exige back-to-back with the S3 Exige S or Sport 350? How much of a difference is there in how they drive? I know the S2 will be more raw but is the S3 worth the extra £15-20k?
In the end I personally prefered the lighter, less refined S1 so went with this:
Have probably spent Exige money on it since to get it to a spec I wanted.
A well set up car is a true joy. Mine overseers everywhere when asked!
Your exige looks fantastic in that colour. Time for a gratuitous photo of my two Elise.
Like the author, these two get used. Been to the Pyrenees and the Nurburgring in the S1, not to mention all countries in between of course. N. Wales is a decent Sunday run for me and it does track days whenever possible (See you at Oulton Park at the end of the month?) The 111R is supercharged and a completely different drive. Fantastic and quick with a capital F, but it doesn’t have the purity of feel of the S1. Went up to Scotland in the 111R this summer, bit boomy on the M6, but what memories zipping around the West Coast, roof off - and then back on again quickly!
The plan was always to sell the S1 after buying the 111R. But I can’t do it. And I am running out of explanations for my wife as to why I “need” two. So sadly, the 111R have to go.
Not only is Magnetic Blue a rare colour to see on a NA Exige, but how many 07 plate NA cars do you
See now? Mine is a black 07 plate with FBW Throttle and LED lights, and I’d keep hold of it just for its rarity. I’ve not seen many NA cars built beyond 2005. 99% of cars beyond that model year are supercharged.
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