Joining the Elite, or is that Elise, or Exige !!!
Discussion
First post for a newbie !!!
All,
After test driving an Exige S1 in September 2006 and deciding it was a little too 'hard' for me as the every day car that I was looking for, I ended up buying a mint 9k miles 911 996..
After 4 years and 4 months of (I must admit) glorious 996 ownership with no problems, big bills or hassles and a constant smile on my face, the itch came back......
It took about 5 weeks of trying to convince myself I needed to be sensible and get another 'everyday' car. 996 Turbo, 997S, Audi RS5, RS4, I even looked at a SL55AMG, then I came to my senses and decide I needed to scratch the Exige itch...
At the same time, I managed to convince Mrs Hydey that she needed to get a new car (primarily so I had something to do the 'non Lotus' journeys in) and the stage was set.
A couple of hours on the internet (Thanks PistonHeads, Exiges.com and SELOC) and I had decided it was an Exige S2 220 with Touring pack that I needed. The perfect compromise of power, comfort and Lotusishness for me...
A couple of hours later and I had narrowed it down to 2 dealers and about 5 cars... Both Lipscomb and Castle Motors were pretty local to me and had a few cars that were in the right price range and the right spec...
A couple of hours after that, I had visited Lipscomb to view a couple of frozen solid 08 and 09 models which, due to their icy coats, did not really do it for me and I left the garage feeling a little deflated... (Nothing to do with the guys from Lipscomb, more to do with the weather) Off to the lovely village of Stansted Mountfitchet and a visit to Castle Motors where there were a few more cars I wanted to see..
I arrived to be met full in the face by a fantastic red Cup 260 which I instantly fell in love with but almost instantly afterwards decided was a little too rich for me. Very soon afterwards my attentions fell to a MY09 Storm Titanium S240 with Sports, Performance and Touring packs, this surely was the perfect car for me.
After a chat with Ben, who is probably the most un-pushy and knowledgeable sales person I have ever had the pleasure to deal with, I decided it was the one for me and the plan was born....
48 hours later as I write this, the deposit is paid, test drive done, (wow, its quick) and only 6 more sleeps until I pick it up. I know that will be a day of unending smiles broken only by the whine of the supercharger and the grimace of my passenger on the way back home from Stansted.
I have read many threads on these forums over the last few weeks and hope to remain (become) a member who benefits from the combined wisdom of everyone on here and look forward to meeting some of you and showing off my new ride, long may it keep making me smile !
Chris (Hydey) Hyde...
All,
After test driving an Exige S1 in September 2006 and deciding it was a little too 'hard' for me as the every day car that I was looking for, I ended up buying a mint 9k miles 911 996..
After 4 years and 4 months of (I must admit) glorious 996 ownership with no problems, big bills or hassles and a constant smile on my face, the itch came back......
It took about 5 weeks of trying to convince myself I needed to be sensible and get another 'everyday' car. 996 Turbo, 997S, Audi RS5, RS4, I even looked at a SL55AMG, then I came to my senses and decide I needed to scratch the Exige itch...
At the same time, I managed to convince Mrs Hydey that she needed to get a new car (primarily so I had something to do the 'non Lotus' journeys in) and the stage was set.
A couple of hours on the internet (Thanks PistonHeads, Exiges.com and SELOC) and I had decided it was an Exige S2 220 with Touring pack that I needed. The perfect compromise of power, comfort and Lotusishness for me...
A couple of hours later and I had narrowed it down to 2 dealers and about 5 cars... Both Lipscomb and Castle Motors were pretty local to me and had a few cars that were in the right price range and the right spec...
A couple of hours after that, I had visited Lipscomb to view a couple of frozen solid 08 and 09 models which, due to their icy coats, did not really do it for me and I left the garage feeling a little deflated... (Nothing to do with the guys from Lipscomb, more to do with the weather) Off to the lovely village of Stansted Mountfitchet and a visit to Castle Motors where there were a few more cars I wanted to see..
I arrived to be met full in the face by a fantastic red Cup 260 which I instantly fell in love with but almost instantly afterwards decided was a little too rich for me. Very soon afterwards my attentions fell to a MY09 Storm Titanium S240 with Sports, Performance and Touring packs, this surely was the perfect car for me.
After a chat with Ben, who is probably the most un-pushy and knowledgeable sales person I have ever had the pleasure to deal with, I decided it was the one for me and the plan was born....
48 hours later as I write this, the deposit is paid, test drive done, (wow, its quick) and only 6 more sleeps until I pick it up. I know that will be a day of unending smiles broken only by the whine of the supercharger and the grimace of my passenger on the way back home from Stansted.
I have read many threads on these forums over the last few weeks and hope to remain (become) a member who benefits from the combined wisdom of everyone on here and look forward to meeting some of you and showing off my new ride, long may it keep making me smile !
Chris (Hydey) Hyde...
Congrats. Glad you've managed to finally scratch that Lotus itch. I was in a similar position and finally took the plunge in October last year. I've been the proud owner of a 2008 Starlight Black Exige S 220 with Sport pack since then and use it every day, it really does bring a huge amount of joy to me, and no doubt your 240 will provide similar pleasure. Best of luck with it and don't forget to post some pictures!
Congrats, a great choice!
I bought my Elise SC Jim Clark from Ben at Castle in May 2009, an easy and pleasant experience! I remember the red Cup 260 in the showroom at the time.
If you find you need more comfort, try fitting Toyo T1r's, I did and noticed a less bone breaking ride, I'm going to Nice again this year but not on AD48's!
I bought my Elise SC Jim Clark from Ben at Castle in May 2009, an easy and pleasant experience! I remember the red Cup 260 in the showroom at the time.
If you find you need more comfort, try fitting Toyo T1r's, I did and noticed a less bone breaking ride, I'm going to Nice again this year but not on AD48's!
Bebee said:
Congrats, a great choice!
I bought my Elise SC Jim Clark from Ben at Castle in May 2009, an easy and pleasant experience! I remember the red Cup 260 in the showroom at the time.
If you find you need more comfort, try fitting Toyo T1r's, I did and noticed a less bone breaking ride, I'm going to Nice again this year but not on AD48's!
Thanks for the tip on the Tyres, I was going to have a look on the forums about that very subject once I got the car.I bought my Elise SC Jim Clark from Ben at Castle in May 2009, an easy and pleasant experience! I remember the red Cup 260 in the showroom at the time.
If you find you need more comfort, try fitting Toyo T1r's, I did and noticed a less bone breaking ride, I'm going to Nice again this year but not on AD48's!
wukfitz said:
Bebee said:
Congrats, a great choice!
I bought my Elise SC Jim Clark from Ben at Castle in May 2009, an easy and pleasant experience! I remember the red Cup 260 in the showroom at the time.
If you find you need more comfort, try fitting Toyo T1r's, I did and noticed a less bone breaking ride, I'm going to Nice again this year but not on AD48's!
Thanks for the tip on the Tyres, I was going to have a look on the forums about that very subject once I got the car.I bought my Elise SC Jim Clark from Ben at Castle in May 2009, an easy and pleasant experience! I remember the red Cup 260 in the showroom at the time.
If you find you need more comfort, try fitting Toyo T1r's, I did and noticed a less bone breaking ride, I'm going to Nice again this year but not on AD48's!
)Edited by TIPPER on Monday 24th January 22:34
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