Exige S1 - road use?

[pistolp]

Hi Guys

Whats an Exige S1 like as a road car? thinking of either one of these or a 340R? The 340R being even less useable....

many thanks,

Jamie

[pistolp]

Just for the avoidance of doubt - its only for fun, not a daily.

[rob999]

I love it; noisy, hot, and you thank the lord every time you reach your destination

[Captain Muppet]

rob999 said:

I love it; noisy, hot, and you thank the lord every time you reach your destination

I've never been in an S1 Exige, is it much different to an S1 Elise with a hard top on in terms of noisy and hot?

[karl c]

Captain Muppet said:

I've never been in an S1 Exige, is it much different to an S1 Elise with a hard top on in terms of noisy and hot?

It's like being in a mini GT race car, very very hot, loads of noise and a grin from ear to ear, very impractical though, it is what it is a toy for the weekend.

[chevronb37]

I've done a few track days in mine but it's mainly for road use. I find it physical, hot and intense. Saying that, I don't have access to the kind of other toys you do, Jamie ;-)

Compared to any other road car I've driven, it feels alert, focused and serious with much more of a racing car character to it than any other Lotus I've driven. The engine is very free of inertia and revs really quickly with a really harsh, saw-tooth tone; especially about about 5k. It's not ultra quick but the feeling of fully winding it through second, third and fourth down narrow country roads feels entirely natural yet completely unhinged.

Oh, and you always feel relieved to arrive at your destination to find nothing has fallen off / imploded on the way. All part of the fun.

I'd strongly recommend.

[Shnozz]

I really fancied one but found at 6'3" I was pushing the roof and no way I could wear a helmet inside. Cracking cars.

[pistolp]

Thanks guys

[turbotoaster]

Shnozz said:

I really fancied one but found at 6'3" I was pushing the roof and no way I could wear a helmet inside. Cracking cars.

If your prepared to change the seats there is plenty of room, im 6ft3 and can drive mine with a helmet and still have a gap

Only picture I have with my helmet on so excuse my little mechanic

[Exige77]

Put an SC Honda in an S1 Exige and then you have a real weapon.

Completed several 3/4000 mile Euro trips in mine.

Yes it's hot and physical but really puts a smile on your face every time you use it.

[MattyB_]

pistolp said:

Hi Guys

Whats an Exige S1 like as a road car? thinking of either one of these or a 340R? The 340R being even less useable....

many thanks,

Jamie

Adored my Elise, regardless of the roads or location.

Disliked the S1 Exige unless it was an empty country road.

1. Visibility was terrible, obviously you can't see anything out the rear. Having harnesses didn't help either being rooted to the seat. Fit belts as well!
2. Heat. My word, it was hot in that cabin!
3. Continous smell of petrol, means I got to places convinced I still stunk of it.
4. Drivability wise, it felt even less willing than my S160 <3k. DVA could fix that.

Exige was absolutely epic at 9 or 10-tenths, but anything less felt a bit of a chore - whereas the Elise felt fun at any speed. I remember spending 45 minutes in town traffic heading out to Wales, hating the car with a passion.....then turned off, into the country roads and everything changed. The noise, grip, poise and intensity were something else.

Problem is, you can't drive around like that all the time, which is why I prefer the Elise.


That being said, I've never, ever spent more time looking at a car before, and despite the fact that I prefer the Elise, I still want another Exige on my drive, if nothing else, just to look at. They just look so....right. I'll take my garden orniment in black, please. Or yellow.

[bobo]

you wont lose any money on a clean one as long as you don't pay for the mods ....

buy it, try it, love/hate it, sell it back (if you have too) get your money back and regret you got rid lol....

as explained.... its hard work. also depends v much where you live. if you have easy access to country lanes etc the i cant see downside at all. if you live in central london it maybe a bit of a challenge with all the speed humps and standstill traffic lol.... but as said the pay off is massive once free or on track.

go for it

nb - top o' Exige77 ! hope you are still having lots of fun in the silver monster lol ))

Edited by bobo on Sunday 29th June 11:20

[chevronb37]

pistolp said:

Thanks guys

Did you make a decision?