New to Lotus - thinking of getting an Exige - advice?
Discussion
I'm looking to sell my Porsche 911 and get an Exige. I want to start doing track days (5 or so a year I guess). Having never owned any Lotus I'd welcome some general advice:
1. What are some common issues with the Exige I should look for?
2. For a 6'3" slim(ish) male - are there any models or seat types known to provide more legroom?
3. With approx £25k budget what model will suit track days and road use?
4. If anyone has experience of running an Exige for road and track, some idea of running budgets would be good
5. Dealer or private?
6. Anyone you can recommend for pre-purchase checking a car?
If anyone is in the Hertford to Cambridge area with an Exige and can spare me the time for a coffee and a chat (and to see their car!) that'd be even better.
Thanks in anticipation.
1. What are some common issues with the Exige I should look for?
2. For a 6'3" slim(ish) male - are there any models or seat types known to provide more legroom?
3. With approx £25k budget what model will suit track days and road use?
4. If anyone has experience of running an Exige for road and track, some idea of running budgets would be good
5. Dealer or private?
6. Anyone you can recommend for pre-purchase checking a car?
If anyone is in the Hertford to Cambridge area with an Exige and can spare me the time for a coffee and a chat (and to see their car!) that'd be even better.
Thanks in anticipation.
Masher964 said:
I'm looking to sell my Porsche 911 and get an Exige. I want to start doing track days (5 or so a year I guess). Having never owned any Lotus I'd welcome some general advice:
Gary- My comments *
- problems with second gear are common on bothe N/A & SC Exiges
- Probax seats are good and i'm 6.1 and had plenty of room. Removeable steering wheel helps entry and exit
- All Exiges
- Tyres aren't cheap but no more than a 911 for set. Change the oil and regular servicing are all they need.
- Depends if you need finance?
- have the car checked over by a Lotus specialist in your area. Sinclair's etc charge around 2 hours labour (£140?) AA/RAC are a waste of time
- sold mine and bought a 911!
Presume that you are talking about an S2 Exige with a Toyota engine...
1. What are some common issues with the Exige I should look for?
Not much really... engines are ok, but some with high track mileage/poor maintenance have suffered from cam lobe wear or cylinder ovalisation... which leads to pretty heavy bill. Little you can do to check for this in but its happened on handfuls of cars, definitely not the norm.
On higher power cars and cars with extensive track use... 3rd gear is a recognised weak point - which may require a gearbox rebuild at some point.
Other than that... look for accident damage... critical points are front wishbone mounts.
2. For a 6'3" slim(ish) male - are there any models or seat types known to provide more legroom?
If you are 6'3, you will probably just fit and hopefully get comfortable... I'd advise you go out and a try a few. I'm 6'... but not slim and legroom is ok, but not generous. If you have a harness bar and harnesses (which I'd advise on a track car), this may rob you of the last half inch of seat travel.
3. With approx £25k budget what model will suit track days and road use?
You have pretty much your choice of cars at that point... you should be into a 240Performance Pack car, or maybe even an leggy 260bhp version. All exiges are well suited to being on track... I would look out for cars with suspension upgrades, nitron or quantum dampers etc You could go N/A if you want.... or pick up a car with an aftermarket supercharger conversion... although with the supply of factory supercharged cars around... I'm not sure I'd bother with an aftermarket car, unless it was running 280bhp + (although, with that power, I'd refer you back to the previous gearbox issue... factory cars are basically limited to 265bhp as that's the design limit on the box)
4. If anyone has experience of running an Exige for road and track, some idea of running budgets would be good
IMO e3xiges/Elises are are great combination of pace for the money - can't really be beaten. Expect 30mpg on the road, in most circumstances the main inexplicable running cost is tyres which will last between 5-10k miles on the road... which is strange given the car is so light.
On track... fuel consumption will be doubled... and tyre / brake pad wear will be significcantly more than that. If using A048s or R888 tyres, I reckon you'll need two sets a year for 6 track days and a set of front pads every year - rears every two. I just assume I need to set aside between 250 and 500 quid for post TD maintenance... depending on how hard the circuit is on the car.
5. Dealer or private?
Yes... either. Don't be afraid to buy private... there are lots of enthusiasts out there that look after exiges pretty well that won't go back into the dealer network. There are non-franchised trade specialists too... Scott Walker and Will Blackham spring to mind - both specialise almost exclusively in Lotus cars and tend to know when fgood cars are coming up. I'd bear in mind that over the winter... deliveries of the new V6 exige are going to kick in ... if you believe the hype a few people will sell up their 4cyl cars to move up a step.... although given the price to change is going to be 30k.... I personally have my doubts that people will be doing this in droves.
6. Anyone you can recommend for pre-purchase checking a car?
There are a number of lotus specialists who would be able to help... not sure who is going to be closest to you... but you could try Essex Autosport.. in Romford.
Oh... and lots more views on SELOC.org
1. What are some common issues with the Exige I should look for?
Not much really... engines are ok, but some with high track mileage/poor maintenance have suffered from cam lobe wear or cylinder ovalisation... which leads to pretty heavy bill. Little you can do to check for this in but its happened on handfuls of cars, definitely not the norm.
On higher power cars and cars with extensive track use... 3rd gear is a recognised weak point - which may require a gearbox rebuild at some point.
Other than that... look for accident damage... critical points are front wishbone mounts.
2. For a 6'3" slim(ish) male - are there any models or seat types known to provide more legroom?
If you are 6'3, you will probably just fit and hopefully get comfortable... I'd advise you go out and a try a few. I'm 6'... but not slim and legroom is ok, but not generous. If you have a harness bar and harnesses (which I'd advise on a track car), this may rob you of the last half inch of seat travel.
3. With approx £25k budget what model will suit track days and road use?
You have pretty much your choice of cars at that point... you should be into a 240Performance Pack car, or maybe even an leggy 260bhp version. All exiges are well suited to being on track... I would look out for cars with suspension upgrades, nitron or quantum dampers etc You could go N/A if you want.... or pick up a car with an aftermarket supercharger conversion... although with the supply of factory supercharged cars around... I'm not sure I'd bother with an aftermarket car, unless it was running 280bhp + (although, with that power, I'd refer you back to the previous gearbox issue... factory cars are basically limited to 265bhp as that's the design limit on the box)
4. If anyone has experience of running an Exige for road and track, some idea of running budgets would be good
IMO e3xiges/Elises are are great combination of pace for the money - can't really be beaten. Expect 30mpg on the road, in most circumstances the main inexplicable running cost is tyres which will last between 5-10k miles on the road... which is strange given the car is so light.
On track... fuel consumption will be doubled... and tyre / brake pad wear will be significcantly more than that. If using A048s or R888 tyres, I reckon you'll need two sets a year for 6 track days and a set of front pads every year - rears every two. I just assume I need to set aside between 250 and 500 quid for post TD maintenance... depending on how hard the circuit is on the car.
5. Dealer or private?
Yes... either. Don't be afraid to buy private... there are lots of enthusiasts out there that look after exiges pretty well that won't go back into the dealer network. There are non-franchised trade specialists too... Scott Walker and Will Blackham spring to mind - both specialise almost exclusively in Lotus cars and tend to know when fgood cars are coming up. I'd bear in mind that over the winter... deliveries of the new V6 exige are going to kick in ... if you believe the hype a few people will sell up their 4cyl cars to move up a step.... although given the price to change is going to be 30k.... I personally have my doubts that people will be doing this in droves.
6. Anyone you can recommend for pre-purchase checking a car?
There are a number of lotus specialists who would be able to help... not sure who is going to be closest to you... but you could try Essex Autosport.. in Romford.
Oh... and lots more views on SELOC.org
Edited by subaqua on Wednesday 21st September 09:04
Jack6284 and Subaqua - very many thanks for taking the time to give good comprehensive answers.
Jack - just intrigued why the swap from Exige to 911 when I'm thinking the other way? If we all wanted / needed the same thing at the same time life would be very dull but just interested in what a 911 meant to you that an Exige did not.
Jack - just intrigued why the swap from Exige to 911 when I'm thinking the other way? If we all wanted / needed the same thing at the same time life would be very dull but just interested in what a 911 meant to you that an Exige did not.
I can probably answer your last question, I bought an exige from Castle Lotus in Stansted a couple of months ago, which was a couple of months after my father in law bought a very nice 997 C2S.
They are basically two completely different sorts of cars. One is a beautiful example of German precision engineering designed to be blisteringly fast on a B road, a comfortable GT and able to be used every day with space for 2 adults and 2 children. The other is a lightweight, impractical gt3-baiting toy built by norfolk farmers. I wouldn't swap mine for anything!
I've done about 6 trackdays a year for the past 3 years, and I budget for on doing this in the exige + 5,000 road miles a year to get me through a set of rear tyres. The fronts will hopefuly last a bit longer. Mine has the performance pack, which comes with AP 4 pot brakes and pagid pads - I also budget for a new set of discs and pads each year given the track use. Otherwise, I think it is going to be cheaper to track than my previous hot hatch, although it's been an expensive couple of months since I bought it - on the first trackday, a stone unfortuntately got up into the boot and somehow cracked the rear clam and I put a 2bular exhaust on when I bought the car too.
I'm in North London, about 15 minutes from South Mimms services if you want to have a look at/ride in mine - although it's in with the dealer (again!) until this weekend. I was black flagged on the first track day referred to above for tripping the drive by noise limiters and they are fitting a prototype 2bular system that is meant to be that crucial 2 or 3db quieter.
Edit - obviously I haven't had it long yet, but I am budgeting about 2 grand each year tyres, brakes, servicing and mods. I was quoted £660 by castle for 4 AO48 LTS tyres fitted. They do fixed price servicing at around £200 or so each year, exact prices are on the website. I have budgeted for £200 OE spec pagid pads and the same for OE brake discs. That leaves a grand each year for other bits and bobs/gearbox emergency fund. There's very little to go wrong on these cars, really, and it's a conservative budget, but I just know that in a couple of years I am going to want a suspension upgrade (Ohlins are expensive) and I'll probably have a baffled sump or accusump fitted at the next service too.
They are basically two completely different sorts of cars. One is a beautiful example of German precision engineering designed to be blisteringly fast on a B road, a comfortable GT and able to be used every day with space for 2 adults and 2 children. The other is a lightweight, impractical gt3-baiting toy built by norfolk farmers. I wouldn't swap mine for anything!
I've done about 6 trackdays a year for the past 3 years, and I budget for on doing this in the exige + 5,000 road miles a year to get me through a set of rear tyres. The fronts will hopefuly last a bit longer. Mine has the performance pack, which comes with AP 4 pot brakes and pagid pads - I also budget for a new set of discs and pads each year given the track use. Otherwise, I think it is going to be cheaper to track than my previous hot hatch, although it's been an expensive couple of months since I bought it - on the first trackday, a stone unfortuntately got up into the boot and somehow cracked the rear clam and I put a 2bular exhaust on when I bought the car too.
I'm in North London, about 15 minutes from South Mimms services if you want to have a look at/ride in mine - although it's in with the dealer (again!) until this weekend. I was black flagged on the first track day referred to above for tripping the drive by noise limiters and they are fitting a prototype 2bular system that is meant to be that crucial 2 or 3db quieter.
Edit - obviously I haven't had it long yet, but I am budgeting about 2 grand each year tyres, brakes, servicing and mods. I was quoted £660 by castle for 4 AO48 LTS tyres fitted. They do fixed price servicing at around £200 or so each year, exact prices are on the website. I have budgeted for £200 OE spec pagid pads and the same for OE brake discs. That leaves a grand each year for other bits and bobs/gearbox emergency fund. There's very little to go wrong on these cars, really, and it's a conservative budget, but I just know that in a couple of years I am going to want a suspension upgrade (Ohlins are expensive) and I'll probably have a baffled sump or accusump fitted at the next service too.
Edited by gashead1105 on Wednesday 21st September 10:57
In relation to size, I'm 6'3" and 13 stone (although powerfully built, of course). I fit ok in mine. I did Le Mans this year via Belgium and was starting to get a bit uncomfy after a 8 hour day in the car coming back when we had little time for stops as we were pushing it for the ferry, but that was my arris more than my height causing the discomfort.
My Elises were easier to get in/out as I left teh roof off most of the time and just climbed on the seats and dropped down.
I had a removeable wheel in one of my Elises and actually found it harder to get in/out with being able to grab the wheel to lever myself. Same if I am trying to fold myself out of the passenger side!! Without a wheel I find it harder.
My Elises were easier to get in/out as I left teh roof off most of the time and just climbed on the seats and dropped down.
I had a removeable wheel in one of my Elises and actually found it harder to get in/out with being able to grab the wheel to lever myself. Same if I am trying to fold myself out of the passenger side!! Without a wheel I find it harder.
Shnozz said:
In relation to size, I'm 6'3" and 13 stone (although powerfully built, of course). I fit ok in mine. I did Le Mans this year via Belgium and was starting to get a bit uncomfy after a 8 hour day in the car coming back when we had little time for stops as we were pushing it for the ferry, but that was my arris more than my height causing the discomfort.
My Elises were easier to get in/out as I left teh roof off most of the time and just climbed on the seats and dropped down.
I had a removeable wheel in one of my Elises and actually found it harder to get in/out with being able to grab the wheel to lever myself. Same if I am trying to fold myself out of the passenger side!! Without a wheel I find it harder.
Thanks for the reassurance ref my size and fitting in the car. Being new to the Exige would I be right in thinking if you take the roof off tou're travelling without any roof at all? i.e. when you park and leave the car it's open to anyone. How does the alarm cope with this? My Elises were easier to get in/out as I left teh roof off most of the time and just climbed on the seats and dropped down.
I had a removeable wheel in one of my Elises and actually found it harder to get in/out with being able to grab the wheel to lever myself. Same if I am trying to fold myself out of the passenger side!! Without a wheel I find it harder.
Also saw one advert stating reach/rake adjustable steering. This is not the case in the Elise I drove - is this true or a mistake by the advertiser?
Masher964 said:
Also saw one advert stating reach/rake adjustable steering. This is not the case in the Elise I drove - is this true or a mistake by the advertiser?
There have been a few scammer ads showing "reach/rake adjustable steering" - they just copy the spec list from any old car and put it up with a pic of a lotus.You can play with the steering wheel reach, by getting a motorspot removable wheel and try different boss lengths to get what'd comfortable for you, that's as good as you'll get/
Masher964 said:
Thanks for the reassurance ref my size and fitting in the car. Being new to the Exige would I be right in thinking if you take the roof off tou're travelling without any roof at all? i.e. when you park and leave the car it's open to anyone. How does the alarm cope with this?
Also saw one advert stating reach/rake adjustable steering. This is not the case in the Elise I drove - is this true or a mistake by the advertiser?
I don't take the roof off the Exige. Apologies for any confusion, I was referring to my Elises. You can take the roof off the S2 Exige but I think it looks ridiculous. You can buy a fitting kit and a short tail S2 Elise roof and essentially you've then got a convertible a la 111R. There have been questions raised as to whether the lack of roof scoop then impacts on the cooling for the supercharger on the charged Exiges but many have said that is b0llox. Also saw one advert stating reach/rake adjustable steering. This is not the case in the Elise I drove - is this true or a mistake by the advertiser?
When leaving the roof off my Elises I would just disable the sensor (via the alarm fob) so that it only went off if the door was opened.
No adjustment for steering or seat other than front/back. Somehow Lotus seemed to make the car just right for everyone though! I have faffed around with steering/seating adjustments in every other car I have owned and yet the Lotus feels perfect which is handy given you cant adjust anything other than the seat distance - which I have fully back at my height.
[/quote]
I don't take the roof off the Exige. Apologies for any confusion, I was referring to my Elises. You can take the roof off the S2 Exige but I think it looks ridiculous. You can buy a fitting kit and a short tail S2 Elise roof and essentially you've then got a convertible a la 111R. There have been questions raised as to whether the lack of roof scoop then impacts on the cooling for the supercharger on the charged Exiges but many have said that is b0llox.
When leaving the roof off my Elises I would just disable the sensor (via the alarm fob) so that it only went off if the door was opened.
No adjustment for steering or seat other than front/back. Somehow Lotus seemed to make the car just right for everyone though! I have faffed around with steering/seating adjustments in every other car I have owned and yet the Lotus feels perfect which is handy given you cant adjust anything other than the seat distance - which I have fully back at my height.
[/quote]
Thanks for the update.
Shnozz said:
Masher964 said:
Thanks for the reassurance ref my size and fitting in the car. Being new to the Exige would I be right in thinking if you take the roof off tou're travelling without any roof at all? i.e. when you park and leave the car it's open to anyone. How does the alarm cope with this?
Also saw one advert stating reach/rake adjustable steering. This is not the case in the Elise I drove - is this true or a mistake by the advertiser?
I don't take the roof off the Exige. Apologies for any confusion, I was referring to my Elises. You can take the roof off the S2 Exige but I think it looks ridiculous. You can buy a fitting kit and a short tail S2 Elise roof and essentially you've then got a convertible a la 111R. There have been questions raised as to whether the lack of roof scoop then impacts on the cooling for the supercharger on the charged Exiges but many have said that is b0llox. Also saw one advert stating reach/rake adjustable steering. This is not the case in the Elise I drove - is this true or a mistake by the advertiser?
When leaving the roof off my Elises I would just disable the sensor (via the alarm fob) so that it only went off if the door was opened.
No adjustment for steering or seat other than front/back. Somehow Lotus seemed to make the car just right for everyone though! I have faffed around with steering/seating adjustments in every other car I have owned and yet the Lotus feels perfect which is handy given you cant adjust anything other than the seat distance - which I have fully back at my height.
Incidentally, i went from a 4.5 Cerbera to an Exige & absolutely love it
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff