S3 Exige V6 or Sport 350+ ... for long test drive or hire?

[tail slide]

They are tempting.... but I'm fussy.

I've had the usual brief test drives in which the Sport 350 felt even better than the Cayman GT4 I tried, but a day or weekend is really needed to get properly used to it, and on all roads & ideally conditions to see if it ticks all my boxes. As they aren't cheap anymore it would be my main car (lucky me, I know!)

Anyone know of a dealer who allows more than the usual 20minutes? Happy to travel and if necessary pay for mileage or hire

[4pot]

Jamie at Bell and Colvill will let you take a 350 out for a good hour or so. Give him a call, explain your position and see what he can do.

Haven’t bought through him, but I’ve had several tes drives of 350’s over the years.

Bought privately in the end, but that was because it was a rare Cup car.

[gm77]

I confirm re Jamie. Most relaxed of all salesman I have dealt with

[tail slide]

That's better, cheers for recommendations.

Just need extra reason to take better half from Midlands to Surrey in next month or so, maybe London shopping but risky... £££

[mario328]

[quote=4pot]Jamie at Bell and Colvill will let you take a 350 out for a good hour or so. Give him a call, explain your position and see what he can do.

Haven’t bought through him, but I’ve had several tes drives of 350’s over the years.

This is what I did. Mainly to check if the car would fit in my garage and more importantly can I get in & out of it whilst garaged. Also happy to report it clears all of my local road speed bumps with no problems.

[Bispal]

I had a 350 now a 430 and also a 981 spyder (v.similar to a GT4). Depends what you want the cars for, the 350 is great for singular drives and while the GT4 is actually easier to live with the ride is a lot harsher! GT4 better gearbox, Exige better driving experience & quicker / lighter, I find the Exige slightly more comfortable as I am small and the ride in Porsches is over harsh for UK roads. I cant say which I prefer as they are very different. Jamie @ B&C is a top bloke but also try Steve @ at Oakmere in Cheshire, might be nearer? Most Lotus dealers will give you an extended drive and if you speak to any official dealer you should be able to pay about £100 and test yourself at Hethel with breakfast & lunch thrown in and a good day of track experience.

[tail slide]

Bispal said:

I had a 350 now a 430 and also a 981 spyder (v.similar to a GT4). Depends what you want the cars for, the 350 is great for singular drives and while the GT4 is actually easier to live with the ride is a lot harsher! GT4 better gearbox, Exige better driving experience & quicker / lighter, I find the Exige slightly more comfortable as I am small and the ride in Porsches is over harsh for UK roads. I cant say which I prefer as they are very different. Jamie @ B&C is a top bloke but also try Steve @ at Oakmere in Cheshire, might be nearer? Most Lotus dealers will give you an extended drive and if you speak to any official dealer you should be able to pay about £100 and test yourself at Hethel with breakfast & lunch thrown in and a good day of track experience.

Fair points - yes the use defines the capability of lots of cars. Mine would be occasional B-road commute in all weathers, but mainly day or overnight trips with better half (she's learned to pack light ) on the fun roads in nearby Wales. I disliked GT4's fixed back bucket seats - Lotus's far better - firm ride and lack of feedback below 60mph. Lotus can do all that better and be just as good on a track (I had a 300bhp VX220 SC, lighter but similar). Didn;t know about Hethel option, that might be worth the trip over, especially as I know the track from sprints in the TVR.

[P155flaps]

Had a GT4 for 18 months didn’t fall in love great car but over hyped (Porsche attracts fan boys it seems).

Got a 380 and love it to bits. Not as comfy as the GT4 (I had 918 buckets).

The suspension is harsher in the Exige (I have nitrons with adjustable dampers).

The Exige on a run makes hairs stand on end it’s too quick for the road in many ways (the noise of the 380 is brutal compared to a 350 mind).

The GT4 never did make me tingle. Do it you won’t regret it.

But if you want an extended drive and dealers won’t help (sure the will as per above) try the lotus forums or SELOC and someone near you may also be willing.

If you are passing Somerset I’m happy to oblige.

[tail slide]

P155flaps said:

Had a GT4 for 18 months didn’t fall in love great car but over hyped (Porsche attracts fan boys it seems).

Got a 380 and love it to bits. Not as comfy as the GT4 (I had 918 buckets).

The suspension is harsher in the Exige (I have nitrons with adjustable dampers).

The Exige on a run makes hairs stand on end it’s too quick for the road in many ways (the noise of the 380 is brutal compared to a 350 mind).

The GT4 never did make me tingle. Do it you won’t regret it.

But if you want an extended drive and dealers won’t help (sure the will as per above) try the lotus forums or SELOC and someone near you may also be willing.

If you are passing Somerset I’m happy to oblige.

That's great to hear thanks, an owner of both backing up my quick impressions is very helpful. My TVR is also on Nitrons, they are always on the firm side I think, so with the Sport350 on Bilsteins probably softer - more optimised for bumpy roads nearby Wales. Hairs standing on end sounds ideal

[gareth h]

I bought my 350 from Matt and Aimee at Silverstone, they were very accommodating with test drives, having bought from 3 different dealerships I wouldn't go anywhere else if I was buying again.

[matoakley]

How about a few days on the roads around the evo triangle and mid wales. Would that help make your mind up ?
Sports car hire in Shrewsbury have one for hire. https://sportshire.co.uk/car/lotus-elise/#.XLYq9xb...

[tail slide]

matoakley said:

How about a few days on the roads around the evo triangle and mid wales. Would that help make your mind up ?
Sports car hire in Shrewsbury have one for hire. https://sportshire.co.uk/car/lotus-elise/#.XLYq9xb...

Ok taking a Sport 350 around those epic roads would be fun anyway & ideal before taking the plunge. Cheers!

Edited by tail slide on Wednesday 17th April 20:55

[Foggy748]

Lotus Silverstone gets my vote. Aimee let me take out a 350 for the day, you can’t ask for more than that!

[tail slide]

Ok I now have to buy a 350 (or 430!) as my fussy partner loved it too, after a long weekend hiring this from Sportscarhire;

https://www.facebook.com/sportshire/videos/3613994...tn__=kC-R&eid=ARCBqPBKa-dRH9yPUSeSfr4J5qDfx6wR_GNu6GmkZBfAKcvo0M-HetgZCwv8rd_Y7xGOD9uH_sY2pGiw&hc_ref=ARRZ7ZuyCQ92C31wnp91GC82GNpq8lijfPGtUlTdoTrtAxGUF4awxq-aGGMU89HZKDU&fref=nf&__xts[0]=68.ARBnGGuiCKd0DwEj-FkNJygyyKVhKZeuZipIjiQacqtIsxth4WyCM6UxwbPAsw6KM6rwRqtKB_34Fq_y14wKKFAQK2R3xQl20ygP9tx71jYTjOiiKrVM6TLBD8hTEeqRPw1hJQS-ZdurZhY7th8O2WqvyMrpH6xecPLhX1piTI-vehHtANsUPhvU5etgTYEhq9lC5nKBCcouUdbTXau8qm9970-iozSk-4L0tf5UEyW5E9AlSPp85VDd4lQosc2x08-QqUn_iy3vshA0cpNYKxOI0mihtThZWAMkkZW-jfffsXcAau_BYOk8Uc-fxMuhWBZG24rqp_HC0K0vwNSLdf7GNwVvpZeVCc3lxA

Edited by tail slide on Wednesday 19th June 12:56

[Bispal]

tail slide said:

Ok I now have to buy a 350 (or 430!) as my fussy partner loved it too, after a long weekend hiring this from Sportscarhire;

https://www.facebook.com/sportshire/videos/3613994...tn__=kC-R&eid=ARCBqPBKa-dRH9yPUSeSfr4J5qDfx6wR_GNu6GmkZBfAKcvo0M-HetgZCwv8rd_Y7xGOD9uH_sY2pGiw&hc_ref=ARRZ7ZuyCQ92C31wnp91GC82GNpq8lijfPGtUlTdoTrtAxGUF4awxq-aGGMU89HZKDU&fref=nf&__xts[0]=68.ARBnGGuiCKd0DwEj-FkNJygyyKVhKZeuZipIjiQacqtIsxth4WyCM6UxwbPAsw6KM6rwRqtKB_34Fq_y14wKKFAQK2R3xQl20ygP9tx71jYTjOiiKrVM6TLBD8hTEeqRPw1hJQS-ZdurZhY7th8O2WqvyMrpH6xecPLhX1piTI-vehHtANsUPhvU5etgTYEhq9lC5nKBCcouUdbTXau8qm9970-iozSk-4L0tf5UEyW5E9AlSPp85VDd4lQosc2x08-QqUn_iy3vshA0cpNYKxOI0mihtThZWAMkkZW-jfffsXcAau_BYOk8Uc-fxMuhWBZG24rqp_HC0K0vwNSLdf7GNwVvpZeVCc3lxA

Edited by tail slide on Wednesday 19th June 12:56

So what you going to do :-

[gareth h]

I test drove a 410 today at Silverstone, way more composed than my old 350, quite tempted but might have to wait until there are a few more 2nd hand cars, or some deals on new ones.

[tail slide]

Yes I drove an S a few years ago, which was good but still felt an evolution of earlier models. The small detailed changes make newer Sport models feel so much more composed and supple, for road use they really do stand comparison with exotica now, but retain that direct steering and handling connection with the road. I have hired a McLaren 570S too, and the Lotus was nearly as much fun on A and B -roads.

I have a friend who last year had one after a 650S, while waiting for a new McLaren..... he now just has the Exige. Obviously the Mac is even faster and looks more exotic, but they are similar for road driving and the Lotus's engine sounds a lot better, and is much less expensive to buy and maintain of course.