How about an Exige ?
Discussion
Looking to supplement my scooby with something a bit more sporty and a Exige came to mind. The questions are:
1. Running costs, servicing intervals, costs, insurance, MPG
2. Baby seat - is it possiable
3. Ground clearance
4. Problems, also looking at the TVR route
5. Any other info that might help me decide
1. Running costs, servicing intervals, costs, insurance, MPG
2. Baby seat - is it possiable
3. Ground clearance
4. Problems, also looking at the TVR route
5. Any other info that might help me decide
After you've tested one you're either hooked or not. I was totally hooked and spent 3 months tracking down the best I could buy.
There are compromises as with any car of this type but these are unimportant when set against the sheer thrill and pleasure of driving the li'l monster.
Clearance has not proved problematic so long as speed humps are treated with respect. Wouldn't recommend taking baby for a spin tho' the noise would frighten him/her to death, esp if sports zorst fitted and air filter modded.
There are lots of diff spec'd Exiges out there and all have differing historys - many will have seen trackdays, but if serviced regularly this should not be a prob. Servicing costs are reasonable and 6000miles intervals on a high performance car is not unusual.
To date I have not experienced any problems except that every boy racer wants to put their car against you.
I have never driven a car that grabs so much attention from others drivers and pedestrians, inc; being flashed by a girl passenger in a Clio - photo!!, had bonnet kissed at traffic lights and a guy in a Jag followed me for 10mins and when I stopped offered to buy the car!!
Most owners are generally enthusiasts. Tyres dont last long and are v expensive - can only buy orig spec tyres thru Lotus dealers.
mpg in traffic is well in the 20mpg range and similar when pressing the loud pedal, o/a 25mpg?. Insurance for me is reasonable, but then I am of the age where I am considered a safe bet
.
By the way my missus drives a Scooby
Mine is not for sale - it is now part of the family..
Honestly if you really do want one you will become so hooked you'll move heaven and earth to buy one..
There are compromises as with any car of this type but these are unimportant when set against the sheer thrill and pleasure of driving the li'l monster.
Clearance has not proved problematic so long as speed humps are treated with respect. Wouldn't recommend taking baby for a spin tho' the noise would frighten him/her to death, esp if sports zorst fitted and air filter modded.
There are lots of diff spec'd Exiges out there and all have differing historys - many will have seen trackdays, but if serviced regularly this should not be a prob. Servicing costs are reasonable and 6000miles intervals on a high performance car is not unusual.
To date I have not experienced any problems except that every boy racer wants to put their car against you.
I have never driven a car that grabs so much attention from others drivers and pedestrians, inc; being flashed by a girl passenger in a Clio - photo!!, had bonnet kissed at traffic lights and a guy in a Jag followed me for 10mins and when I stopped offered to buy the car!!
Most owners are generally enthusiasts. Tyres dont last long and are v expensive - can only buy orig spec tyres thru Lotus dealers.
mpg in traffic is well in the 20mpg range and similar when pressing the loud pedal, o/a 25mpg?. Insurance for me is reasonable, but then I am of the age where I am considered a safe bet
. By the way my missus drives a Scooby
Mine is not for sale - it is now part of the family..
Honestly if you really do want one you will become so hooked you'll move heaven and earth to buy one..
. Fortunately also have M100 for sunny days 
Can I agree with the above posts. I only got to drive one for a full day (had to fill up twice though 
). Its loud, its hot, but a great drive, looks the dogs danglies and sounds good.
As second car it would be brilliant. When I drove it I was very impressed with this car. It does need to be driven hard though and I got stuck in traffic at one point which was a bit of a pain (best method I found was to let the traffic move quite a bit then catch up instead of the steady crawl, as the idle was all over the place).
As an only car I think it would get on your nerves and long runs weren't that comfortable (NB compared to the m100 Elan I had at the time, the most comfortable car I've ever driven, Compared to ordinary cars it was fine.) I like the Exige a lot and IMHO is the best Elise of them all (including the S2, although I haven't had a chance to drive one of these. I'm going on looks and sound alone.)
Couple of points I didn't understand though.
The one I drove had inertia reel seatbelts. To me a harness would have been far better. On fast corners I moved within the seat I would have prefered to be strapped to the car and get the full feeling.
The second I couldn't understand at all. It had an expensive stereo fitted
When driving you can't hear sh*t due to you having an engine in your ear. 
If I had the money and wanted a second car the Exige would definately be on my list. Test drive it you'll either love it or be not that fussed.
). Its loud, its hot, but a great drive, looks the dogs danglies and sounds good. As second car it would be brilliant. When I drove it I was very impressed with this car. It does need to be driven hard though and I got stuck in traffic at one point which was a bit of a pain (best method I found was to let the traffic move quite a bit then catch up instead of the steady crawl, as the idle was all over the place).
As an only car I think it would get on your nerves and long runs weren't that comfortable (NB compared to the m100 Elan I had at the time, the most comfortable car I've ever driven, Compared to ordinary cars it was fine.) I like the Exige a lot and IMHO is the best Elise of them all (including the S2, although I haven't had a chance to drive one of these. I'm going on looks and sound alone.)
Couple of points I didn't understand though.
The one I drove had inertia reel seatbelts. To me a harness would have been far better. On fast corners I moved within the seat I would have prefered to be strapped to the car and get the full feeling.
The second I couldn't understand at all. It had an expensive stereo fitted
When driving you can't hear sh*t due to you having an engine in your ear. If I had the money and wanted a second car the Exige would definately be on my list. Test drive it you'll either love it or be not that fussed.
People to talk to hang out at www.exiges.co.uk
Appologies to Ted, not trying to drive people away!
>> Edited by DanH on Sunday 9th February 03:05
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