Demise of Exige S3
Discussion
Hi-ya You All, having owned LTS for around 15yrs now from S1 Elise to S3 Exige it’s a strange mix of sorrow and elation to see the end of this era. I’ve been fortunate to go from new 350 to new 410 in only a couple of years. Not a regret in doing this as you compare with the huge depreciation of ‘Mucky L’s’ and well it’s nothing plus all Lotus owners should be in for a pleasant surprise on an increase in values and I wonder if anyone out there clever enough to predict the likely results on this?
Hi-ya, After almost twelve months on 410 from 350 I can vouch for a great deal of this apart from track but I’ve done so with an S1 160 and I can only imagine it’s more of the same and some with 410. Sure you’re correct on values as although Amira clearly lovely, I can imagine that the weight penalty will somewhat detract from the overall feel of some rawness, connection and massive urgency! Therefore the true desirability in 350 / 410 remains as strong as ever. Cheers, Jon
I’ve a friend whose just bought a brand new 350 as he’s not sure the Emira will be the car he’d hoped (I know that’s a contentious view) but we discussed when the normal AMG powered Emira would be available (likely early 2023) & he decided to take the 350 as an interim, but I think he may just decline the Emira slot in due course. I think the Emira will be a polished car but it won’t offer the visceral experience of an S3 Exige. The values of S3s seem strong at the minute and any possibility of a discount on a brand new one is very limited I understand.
the new or newer S3 exige's seem to be on sale out in Germany, lovely prices if we could pay that in the Netherlands,
for now it looks a bit like prices of the S3 are a bit going down, my guess is because of the Emira to come,
but if that car does not give what lotus Exige/Elise drivers thought to find in the Emira, then I guess prices of certain cars will be stronger again and hold that (the good cars)
for now it looks a bit like prices of the S3 are a bit going down, my guess is because of the Emira to come,
but if that car does not give what lotus Exige/Elise drivers thought to find in the Emira, then I guess prices of certain cars will be stronger again and hold that (the good cars)
GTRene said:
the new or newer S3 exige's seem to be on sale out in Germany, lovely prices if we could pay that in the Netherlands,
for now it looks a bit like prices of the S3 are a bit going down, my guess is because of the Emira to come,
but if that car does not give what lotus Exige/Elise drivers thought to find in the Emira, then I guess prices of certain cars will be stronger again and hold that (the good cars)
Emira won't come close to the raw drive of an Exige, UK is realising this and S3 Exige prices are on the up.for now it looks a bit like prices of the S3 are a bit going down, my guess is because of the Emira to come,
but if that car does not give what lotus Exige/Elise drivers thought to find in the Emira, then I guess prices of certain cars will be stronger again and hold that (the good cars)
Drive an Evora 410, that is your Emira right there, Emira will be more capable than the Evora but will probably feel a touch less involving and a little less urgent than the Evora 410 due to extra weight and it been a bigger car.
The Exige will remain very unique, 1100kg, none power steering, for the people who want the true Lotus experience then you won't be able to beat an Elise or an Exige for that, the long term values will hold very strong I am sure. What other car even comes close to the driving experience, nothing and the Emira won't drive like an Exige.
Gibbo205 said:
Emira won't come close to the raw drive of an Exige, UK is realising this and S3 Exige prices are on the up.
Drive an Evora 410, that is your Emira right there, Emira will be more capable than the Evora but will probably feel a touch less involving and a little less urgent than the Evora 410 due to extra weight and it been a bigger car.
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I agree that the Exige is a visceral experience but after driving an Exige 350 on track back to back with an Evora Sort 410 I preferred the Evora as a track car. Felt more stable under heavy braking and excellent hydraulic steering meant I could concentrate on placing the car rather than fighting the wheel. The Evora chassis is stiffer than the Exige. I tried hard to love the Exige but couldn’t. Will be interesting to see if Lotus eventually do a track version of Emira as in my book it will probably be preferable to an ExigeDrive an Evora 410, that is your Emira right there, Emira will be more capable than the Evora but will probably feel a touch less involving and a little less urgent than the Evora 410 due to extra weight and it been a bigger car.
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I put 3k m on a new 350 before recently moving onto new Exige 410 and as this is closer to the 430 you’ll find it appreciably more positive and urgent with nitrons, stiffer tyres and a proper sport clutch and supercharger. The 350’s engine was great but the S/C didn’t feel as integrated an quick picking up. Quite simply the Exige 410 is almost the ‘full development package’. I reckon the Evora might feel more ‘taught’ as quite a bit heavier and may give the feeling of sitting down more as for the weight. Plus the Exige 410 tyres wider at rear and I reckon stiffer whilst leaving the fronts to ‘carve’ without too much width, coupled with the unassisted steering. This blend is magical on the move and I can’t see that relatively lifeless PWR steering would be of any benefit to a near 1t package. The Emira likely won’t touch it as I believe heavier again with similar max PWR where I reckon it needs more like 500bhp to get the same magical 370bhp p/ton. The rear of an Exige 410 I reckon looks very mean, more purposeful and quite uniquely so whereas an Evora or especially Emira just a bit too much like others…
Horses and courses. I found the steering on the Evora just as communicative as the Exige. The brakes were also better (I subsequently found that they had been spec’d for the cancelled Espirit and so were more than up to the job). And the final thing that put me off was the faff getting in and out and the relative lack of space for longer trips. The Exige is a compromise too far for many people. That doesn’t take away anything from it being a good track car.
Gadzookoids said:
Horses and courses. I found the steering on the Evora just as communicative as the Exige. The brakes were also better (I subsequently found that they had been spec’d for the cancelled Espirit and so were more than up to the job). And the final thing that put me off was the faff getting in and out and the relative lack of space for longer trips. The Exige is a compromise too far for many people. That doesn’t take away anything from it being a good track car.
That's the thing, it is a good track car, but not a great one compared to the others. I know several owners who own 2/3 lotus/raced lotus who just don't rate the S3 at all compared to a nicely tuned S1 exige or 2-11 even. The evora is a better chassis for racing too. I happen to agree. A good road car, but for track, not great. Just doesn't turn in nicely. Gadzookoids said:
Horses and courses. I found the steering on the Evora just as communicative as the Exige. The brakes were also better (I subsequently found that they had been spec’d for the cancelled Espirit and so were more than up to the job). And the final thing that put me off was the faff getting in and out and the relative lack of space for longer trips. The Exige is a compromise too far for many people. That doesn’t take away anything from it being a good track car.
I wonder how those Evora GT cars drive, I once sat as a passenger in a more standard 350hp Evora, which felt good, yes it felt different then in a elise/exige, but still very good, a bit grown up car.
For me the point is that there is an overlap in performance between the different models in the Exige and Evora range. Ultimately the Exige is a better track car and that is mainly down to its lighter weight and all the benefits that brings. For reference an Exige 430 Cup is 1 sec a lap faster than the Evora GT430 (around Hethel). So if Lotus decide to make a track version of the Emira it will be interesting to see where it drops in terms of performance. The starting point is already better than an Evora (as it has the wider track) and if they can get some more power out of their chosen engine/transmission combinations then it has real potential. But they will need to work on its weight!
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