Which one would you go for?
Discussion
Looking at possibly getting an Exige S (S2) for mainly road trips, some work, some fun (Europe) but also for around 4-5 track days a year, Brands, Abingdon and 'Ring. It'll be a second car and I'm quite handy with a spanner, although I'd rather not tinker too much this time!
I've been toying with these 3 cars below, can anyone offer advice on which one and why? I want something with more poke than stock and a few trick bits to stop me tinkering. Also any thoughts on ownership...annual servicing only? Any wear and tear areas of concern? Do these cars excel in the areas I'm looking for? I want something fun, convenient to drive, low maintenance and useable.
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus...
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus...
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus...
I've been toying with these 3 cars below, can anyone offer advice on which one and why? I want something with more poke than stock and a few trick bits to stop me tinkering. Also any thoughts on ownership...annual servicing only? Any wear and tear areas of concern? Do these cars excel in the areas I'm looking for? I want something fun, convenient to drive, low maintenance and useable.
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus...
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus...
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus...
If it was me, I'd go for the bottom (orange) one. The top 2 aren't great colours for the car and to be honest, I wouldn't want those engines. I've spoken to a few people with audi converted cars at track days and they seem to have endless issues, which I couldn't be bothered with. Also, as they are non factory OEM, you will have more issues come resale. The orange cup has qdos and is a great car
The Grey one has a great spec, but i don't see a mention of a gearbox upgrade and with turbo torque you will surely need one.
The black 400bhp Audi engine conversion has been done by a well respected company and will have cost an awful lot, i cant comment on reliability but if you want to win on track days then that is the car to go for as you wont see many things out dragging you on the straights.
The Cup cars have great spec from the factory and will hold their price really well.
Have you considered this car http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus...
It has been for sale for as long as i can remember unless it had a short term owner recently. When i was searching probably two years ago now it was for sale for months and months across two or three dealers, then just disappeared and popped up recently again.
I don't know the car at all but it has had lots of money spent on it with a top spec.
My guess is it hasn't sold for 2 reasons,: one because it is a limited edition with a changed spec, or because people think it is too hardcore with the roll cage, which is easy to change.
The black 400bhp Audi engine conversion has been done by a well respected company and will have cost an awful lot, i cant comment on reliability but if you want to win on track days then that is the car to go for as you wont see many things out dragging you on the straights.
The Cup cars have great spec from the factory and will hold their price really well.
Have you considered this car http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus...
It has been for sale for as long as i can remember unless it had a short term owner recently. When i was searching probably two years ago now it was for sale for months and months across two or three dealers, then just disappeared and popped up recently again.
I don't know the car at all but it has had lots of money spent on it with a top spec.
My guess is it hasn't sold for 2 reasons,: one because it is a limited edition with a changed spec, or because people think it is too hardcore with the roll cage, which is easy to change.
That blue/white/gold one at B&C, I saw yesterday (I live 1/2 mile from them)...didn't really stand out at me but the spec looks good. Problem I have with B&C is their pricing, it's a bit 'optimistic' shall we say?
What about this one?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
What about this one?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
nightSpirit said:
I thought that also (I'm no expert on Lotus). Is there anything tell tale that says it's a Cup car? Apart from a plaque in the car?
I'm also now drawn to that 400hp monster...god I suck at buying cars
It is definitely a cup car, it has the external fuel and electrical cut off. I'm also now drawn to that 400hp monster...god I suck at buying cars
As for the lovely blue one in Scotland I would have a look on Scottish Elise's for some history. I would say the guy has had an Elise or Exige before as all the mods he has put on are very popular on the forums. I don't understand what he means by belled disc have been fitted unless he means floating bells? That car appears to have all the three packs fitted, in other words fully loaded. As part of the performance pack you get the AP four pot brake upgrade which included alu belled discs but not floating. I would also expect those 240R wheels to come with the car as they are the best Exige wheels and part of the sports pack.
The orange cup would in theory be a good investment for future resale when it comes round, but why has it got the newer roof/different spoiler making it none standard cup spec, you might want to ask has it been damaged repaired and is that the reason for the mods, I might be wrong but it seems crazy to play about with a limited edition car.
they all look nice in the add's but you wont know how nice they really are until you view them.
they all look nice in the add's but you wont know how nice they really are until you view them.
nightSpirit said:
Thanks for that, I'll have a nosey on the forums a bit. On the 400hp car, when people say they have lots of issues....what sort of issues?
Willb, the trader is very well respected, and knows his stuff, so i'd buy with confidence.I've had an audi elise, albeit the 1.8t @ 317hp, another planet compared to the exige s i had before. And not a single issue. That 400 exige is a very good price, there at least 12k in the conversion, and in my book reliable. Gearbox more reliable than the 'yota. And a lotus got better at putting cars together, so IMHO a 2009 car is going to be more enjoyable than an early exige.
Said so the cup will retain more value and will probably sell faster when you want to move on.
Just my 2p
300HP and its associated torque of a SC Yota Engine are the limit for the gearbox.
JuBu racing make a gear kit to fix this.
The engines take a bit more. there are problems reported of the Accusump having issues doing its thing.
On track and with 260HP+ the Yotas start having issues. Search for Lotus 2-11 engine issues on track.
JuBu racing make a gear kit to fix this.
The engines take a bit more. there are problems reported of the Accusump having issues doing its thing.
On track and with 260HP+ the Yotas start having issues. Search for Lotus 2-11 engine issues on track.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff