Entry level price for Exige S3?

[Edmundo2]

Hi.

I'm a long time admirer of the S3 Exige and wondered what the consensus is re current entry level budget?

I can see that like most other cars prices have jumped in 2021..

I've previously owned an S1 111s as well as TVR, Cayman etc. Sprinted for a while in single seaters and currently own a Caterham.

I'm thinking an S3 Exige could provide the best combo of rawness, track v road compromise etc..I like Elise also but like an engine to be a big part of the experience so V6 appeals..

Is £35k still doable?

[isleofthorns]

Edmundo2 said:

Hi.



Is £35k still doable?

looks like 40-45 is the current entry level.... Even at this level, I can't think of a better all round track / road car.

[Edmundo2]

That's a shame. I can see the cheapest cars around at the minute are £40k+ but wasn't sure if that was circumstantial.

I best get saving...

Edited by Edmundo2 on Sunday 12th September 11:55

[RevsPerMinute]

35K may have been doable 12-18 months ago...
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2015-lotus-exi...

However prices have been steadily rising since and availability is at an all time low.
It will be interesting to see where prices are in the spring, but with the price of the S2 Exige's now rarely below £30K, I think the days of a sound sub £40k S3 Exige may never happen!

I'm even surprised at the current price for even the earliest S2 Elise's now!

[Edmundo2]

Yes it does appear to be the case unfortunately. There was a nice looking white car that appeared on here about a week ago but I cant vouch for how good it is. Certainly looked good in the ad ..

As my max budget is circa £35 k then I think I'll look for an Evora S once my Caterhams sold...

[Shnozz]

Edmundo2 said:

Yes it does appear to be the case unfortunately. There was a nice looking white car that appeared on here about a week ago but I cant vouch for how good it is. Certainly looked good in the ad ...

If that is the one in South Wales then that too can be found on Collecting Cars previous auctions under its previous plate...sold a year ago at £32.5k with 3 owners. Now 5 owners and for sale at £45k.

Everything has risen in the last 12 months but not sure I can stomach paying £12.5k more with 2 more owners on the V5.

[Gibbo205]

Shnozz said:

If that is the one in South Wales then that too can be found on Collecting Cars previous auctions under its previous plate...sold a year ago at £32.5k with 3 owners. Now 5 owners and for sale at £45k.

Everything has risen in the last 12 months but not sure I can stomach paying £12.5k more with 2 more owners on the V5.

Problem is if you want one, you may have too do so.

Special cars with great engines and manual gearboxes won't drop back down that much, in fact they might just keep going up and up. Because what is coming to replace them? Not much at all, the Emira is already massively over sold and will be the last combustion car Lotus build and most manufacturers have already given up building fun cars and moved to hybrid/ev focus.

Fun cars are at an end and as such the fun used cars are now worth more and prices are strong and could go up even more.

[Shnozz]

Gibbo205 said:

Shnozz said:

If that is the one in South Wales then that too can be found on Collecting Cars previous auctions under its previous plate...sold a year ago at £32.5k with 3 owners. Now 5 owners and for sale at £45k.

Everything has risen in the last 12 months but not sure I can stomach paying £12.5k more with 2 more owners on the V5.

Problem is if you want one, you may have too do so.

Special cars with great engines and manual gearboxes won't drop back down that much, in fact they might just keep going up and up. Because what is coming to replace them? Not much at all, the Emira is already massively over sold and will be the last combustion car Lotus build and most manufacturers have already given up building fun cars and moved to hybrid/ev focus.

Fun cars are at an end and as such the fun used cars are now worth more and prices are strong and could go up even more.

Couldn't agree more. It's a (stupid?) psychological fight with myself. Knowing these cars were only early to mid £50s when new in 2014 and now command mid 40's doesn't help. Prices from 12 - 18 months ago don't help. Breaking down the sum of parts doesn't help (the same could be said of any Lotus but the drive is sensational). I have an Emira on order and paying not far from AMG money for an Exige that is 5 or so years old doesn't help.

When I last bought an Exige it was £16.5k for a supercharged example with Ohlins. It was spectacular and I never hesitated. Likewise a LE Evora in white for £28k. However, at nearly £50k for a 5 year old example S3 Exige I am pausing for thought a little longer.

[Gibbo205]

Shnozz said:

Couldn't agree more. It's a (stupid?) psychological fight with myself. Knowing these cars were only early to mid £50s when new in 2014 and now command mid 40's doesn't help. Prices from 12 - 18 months ago don't help. Breaking down the sum of parts doesn't help (the same could be said of any Lotus but the drive is sensational). I have an Emira on order and paying not far from AMG money for an Exige that is 5 or so years old doesn't help.

When I last bought an Exige it was £16.5k for a supercharged example with Ohlins. It was spectacular and I never hesitated. Likewise a LE Evora in white for £28k. However, at nearly £50k for a 5 year old example S3 Exige I am pausing for thought a little longer.

Think of it this way, you pay 45k now and your 45k in a years time is still worth 40-45k with some miles added, would you feel bad then?
Even better your 45k car now is 50k plus in a years time, so your making money, but if you don't buy one and this happens you be kicking yourself more so.

Yes the used car bubble is going to burst, yes we may see a recession, but even if both of those happen special cars like a Lotus, limited Porsche models and some NA supercars are still going to hold their money, because they are truly special and fun cars to drive.

Try to do a deal and buy a car now, then forget it even if prices do crash in a year or so you can rest assured a few years later the prices will rocket again as ICE cars come to an end and the world becomes boring with everyone driving around in silly fast boring milk floats.

[Shnozz]

You make a compelling case, a similar argument to the one I have been having over my left shoulder...

[dank]

My thoughts totally on Exiges, always wanted one, and this is the time to buy, this kind of pure driving machine will never be repeated...sad but that's the reality

I managed to bag a Exige S, factory 260 upgrade - love it !