Exige V6s - Exige S1
Discussion
Not too sure about "best" but certainly the rawest.
If you'd also consider the likes of an Aerial Atom or a Caterham then it could be a go-er, however be prepared for a likely underwhelming performance compared after the V6.
Don't take this as negative, I personally love them - it's a far more "characterful" car but better to be realistic.
If you'd also consider the likes of an Aerial Atom or a Caterham then it could be a go-er, however be prepared for a likely underwhelming performance compared after the V6.
Don't take this as negative, I personally love them - it's a far more "characterful" car but better to be realistic.
No never sat in one let alone driven one.
Ideally I’d be after one that’s had a k20 conversion. I know the purists will scorn me but that’s just my preference considering the issues with the k series.
Plus I already have a DC5 Integra with a K20 Turbo so think it would be kinda cool.
I will probably end up keeping the V6 for another year as I can’t imagine that trade in value being that great on my car.
Ideally I’d be after one that’s had a k20 conversion. I know the purists will scorn me but that’s just my preference considering the issues with the k series.
Plus I already have a DC5 Integra with a K20 Turbo so think it would be kinda cool.
I will probably end up keeping the V6 for another year as I can’t imagine that trade in value being that great on my car.
The S1 is a different experience, not better or worse...depends what aspects of driving you enjoy the most. S1`s are clearly not as punchy but are not as heavy so are generally more agile, so turning and braking is sharper. They can also be twitchy on the limit so require a different driving style and in many ways are a better pure drivers car, and a better track car.
Don`t be afraid of the K series as they are pretty reliable if put together properly. I been in several K20 conversions and they always seem a bit rough to me but that may be a consequence of removing sound deadening material etc.
Don`t be afraid of the K series as they are pretty reliable if put together properly. I been in several K20 conversions and they always seem a bit rough to me but that may be a consequence of removing sound deadening material etc.
I ran an S1 elise for 3 years and currently have a V6 exige. Chalk and cheese cars.
The V6 is quite pokey in a straight line (0-100mph in, what, 8 seconds or so?), but is quite a lot heavier than the S1 (my S1 was an early car on MMCs, ~730kg) -- my [early] V6 is about 1180kg. 450Kg makes all the difference, even if the V6 has massively bigger back tyres and much more poke.
In terms of driving/handling, please bear in mind the following: the V6 exige has ABS, motorsport-type stability control and traction control, and electronic brake force distribution. The S1 has none of these, and has a propensity for putting holes in hedgerows while people learn that they can't steer with the brakes fully deployed on cars that don't feature ABS, and that even if you're good on the brakes, the S1 has only one pedal and the V6's EBD controller has effectively 4.
S1 Elises *usually* lock up their front left tyre first on level, flat ground. V6's don't.
The S1's dynamics are such that the front axle is over-tyred generally (195s, 205s optional iirc?), whereas the S2 and later cars have narrower fronts.
It's quite easy to over-pivot without meaning to. The fact that the engine in the back of the S1 is quite high up compared to the short footprint of the car makes this a little worse, because when it starts rolling and yawing, it compounds the ensuing slide. The balance point is almost but not quite full lock. It's twitchy at the limit and you need to be good at steering to deal with it properly.
Having said all of that, if you're not a nutter it can totally be learned. I'm on board with the "fit a Honda K20" message too by the way -- a bog standard K (118bhp) has asthma over about 5600rpm and is slower than a lot of hatchbacks on motorways. The K20 suits the car a lot better, especially if it's been fettled a little, and the Rover K - while very light - is also prone to vomiting internally (mine did this twice in 3 years).
One thing I think you'll like is the steering. The rack is basically the same, but with smaller wheels/tyres/unsprung weight, and much less weight overall, the steering is just more feelsome; I'm not saying the V6 is bad, but the S1 is probably the nicest wheel I've ever driven (and I've driven a *lot* of nice stuff).
You should have a go in an S1. Even getting in and out is a bit different -- the S1's sills are much higher than the later cars so it's a bit more of a faff.
--Craig
The V6 is quite pokey in a straight line (0-100mph in, what, 8 seconds or so?), but is quite a lot heavier than the S1 (my S1 was an early car on MMCs, ~730kg) -- my [early] V6 is about 1180kg. 450Kg makes all the difference, even if the V6 has massively bigger back tyres and much more poke.
In terms of driving/handling, please bear in mind the following: the V6 exige has ABS, motorsport-type stability control and traction control, and electronic brake force distribution. The S1 has none of these, and has a propensity for putting holes in hedgerows while people learn that they can't steer with the brakes fully deployed on cars that don't feature ABS, and that even if you're good on the brakes, the S1 has only one pedal and the V6's EBD controller has effectively 4.
S1 Elises *usually* lock up their front left tyre first on level, flat ground. V6's don't.
The S1's dynamics are such that the front axle is over-tyred generally (195s, 205s optional iirc?), whereas the S2 and later cars have narrower fronts.
It's quite easy to over-pivot without meaning to. The fact that the engine in the back of the S1 is quite high up compared to the short footprint of the car makes this a little worse, because when it starts rolling and yawing, it compounds the ensuing slide. The balance point is almost but not quite full lock. It's twitchy at the limit and you need to be good at steering to deal with it properly.
Having said all of that, if you're not a nutter it can totally be learned. I'm on board with the "fit a Honda K20" message too by the way -- a bog standard K (118bhp) has asthma over about 5600rpm and is slower than a lot of hatchbacks on motorways. The K20 suits the car a lot better, especially if it's been fettled a little, and the Rover K - while very light - is also prone to vomiting internally (mine did this twice in 3 years).
One thing I think you'll like is the steering. The rack is basically the same, but with smaller wheels/tyres/unsprung weight, and much less weight overall, the steering is just more feelsome; I'm not saying the V6 is bad, but the S1 is probably the nicest wheel I've ever driven (and I've driven a *lot* of nice stuff).
You should have a go in an S1. Even getting in and out is a bit different -- the S1's sills are much higher than the later cars so it's a bit more of a faff.
--Craig
Worth speaking to Will Blackham or Jon Seal (Lotus Hardtops) as they tend to stock S1 Exiges and could be more interested in a px.
I came from an S1 Honda Elise and now have a 410 Exige. They both drive in a broadly similar way but naturally with the S1 you notice the lower mass and direction change more acutely.
The V6 is more stable and the brakes are way better.
The S1 felt faster but that’s down to the noise (no sound deadening on mine) plus the higher revving Honda. It was hot, raw and visceral, the V6 by comparison sounds muted inside and more isolated.
An S1 still feels special to drive but you really need to spend some time in one to see if it’s for you especially if you’ve come from a V6.
Nice dilemma to have
I came from an S1 Honda Elise and now have a 410 Exige. They both drive in a broadly similar way but naturally with the S1 you notice the lower mass and direction change more acutely.
The V6 is more stable and the brakes are way better.
The S1 felt faster but that’s down to the noise (no sound deadening on mine) plus the higher revving Honda. It was hot, raw and visceral, the V6 by comparison sounds muted inside and more isolated.
An S1 still feels special to drive but you really need to spend some time in one to see if it’s for you especially if you’ve come from a V6.
Nice dilemma to have
CTE said:
The S1 is a different experience, not better or worse...depends what aspects of driving you enjoy the most. S1`s are clearly not as punchy but are not as heavy so are generally more agile, so turning and braking is sharper. They can also be twitchy on the limit so require a different driving style and in many ways are a better pure drivers car, and a better track car.
Don`t be afraid of the K series as they are pretty reliable if put together properly. I been in several K20 conversions and they always seem a bit rough to me but that may be a consequence of removing sound deadening material etc.
It’s just your old age Mark Don`t be afraid of the K series as they are pretty reliable if put together properly. I been in several K20 conversions and they always seem a bit rough to me but that may be a consequence of removing sound deadening material etc.
Went to buy a V6, test drove a 350, then test drove the S1...and bought the S1! Quite different to drive, so at least get a run in each to see what you think. Personally, I wouldn't buy an exige without a VHPD though, it really gives the car the road-racer character. The Honda engine is great in an S1, would make sense to buy an 'elige' if that's your thing though, rather than pay the extra for a genuine Exige.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff