buyers guide advice/pitfalls please
Discussion
If you're comparing the S1 and S2 Exige then be aware they are VERY different cars despite the apparent similarities.
The S1 Exige is very compromised, even in comparison to an S1 Elise, with a fairly highly strung engine and lots of heat soak in to the cabin. I drove a near standard one (177bhp tune VHPD, original LSS suspension, etc) a couple years back and it was probably my least favourite Elise variant, and on a hot summers day it was like sitting in an oven. I'd still love one in my garage as they are stunning looking cars and a real rarity, but it would have to have some tweaks to the engine (rebuilt to improve drivability and top-end power) and suspension.
The S2 on the other hand is much more daily usable and a 'better' car out of the box, but for me doesn't tug on the heart strings in the same way - I'd take an S2 Elise SC over an Exige S personally. There are far fewer differences between an S2 Elise 111R/SC and S2 Exige/Exige S than between the S1's.
Best bet is to drive both types and see what you think, then look in to the practicalities of running them.
The S1 Exige is very compromised, even in comparison to an S1 Elise, with a fairly highly strung engine and lots of heat soak in to the cabin. I drove a near standard one (177bhp tune VHPD, original LSS suspension, etc) a couple years back and it was probably my least favourite Elise variant, and on a hot summers day it was like sitting in an oven. I'd still love one in my garage as they are stunning looking cars and a real rarity, but it would have to have some tweaks to the engine (rebuilt to improve drivability and top-end power) and suspension.
The S2 on the other hand is much more daily usable and a 'better' car out of the box, but for me doesn't tug on the heart strings in the same way - I'd take an S2 Elise SC over an Exige S personally. There are far fewer differences between an S2 Elise 111R/SC and S2 Exige/Exige S than between the S1's.
Best bet is to drive both types and see what you think, then look in to the practicalities of running them.
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