to buy or not to buy...... Exige S dilema
Discussion
So, i currently have a vx220 NA, which i have owned for 4 years, and love it !
But.....I have then been thinking of getting something a tiny bit more practical, more comfortable etc, and was looking at Cayman S, 911, 996 gt3, ferrari 360....
but now, looking at performance figures, i was shocked ( in a good way ) to discover the Exige S, 0-60 in 4.1 secs !!!! Blimey that's nippy, my vx220 5.6secs !
So i am now in a dilema as i have always wanted an exige ( s1 if i am honest )and the Exige S looks amazing and goes like a rocket, only issue it's still not comfortable, although i am trying to convince myself and my gf that it has air con, and is more comfortable etc....the other stuff like 360 modena etc, i no longer want to fork out 40k,
what a dilema,
i really think the choices are
1. Cayman S
2. Exige S
both around the 20k ish mark
can anyone help me decide.....?
But.....I have then been thinking of getting something a tiny bit more practical, more comfortable etc, and was looking at Cayman S, 911, 996 gt3, ferrari 360....
but now, looking at performance figures, i was shocked ( in a good way ) to discover the Exige S, 0-60 in 4.1 secs !!!! Blimey that's nippy, my vx220 5.6secs !
So i am now in a dilema as i have always wanted an exige ( s1 if i am honest )and the Exige S looks amazing and goes like a rocket, only issue it's still not comfortable, although i am trying to convince myself and my gf that it has air con, and is more comfortable etc....the other stuff like 360 modena etc, i no longer want to fork out 40k,
what a dilema,
i really think the choices are
1. Cayman S
2. Exige S
both around the 20k ish mark
can anyone help me decide.....?
don't get a supercharged one unless you have a problem with your hearing, not an everyday car.
I go in a Cayman quite a lot and after a Lotus / VX it does feel like a shopping trolley.
I got a Europa and played with it. With an exhaust system mod you get 240hp and they are quiet enough to use every day.
C43
I go in a Cayman quite a lot and after a Lotus / VX it does feel like a shopping trolley.
I got a Europa and played with it. With an exhaust system mod you get 240hp and they are quiet enough to use every day.
C43
Hi there,
The 240 has a 0-60 of 4.5 seconds.
The Cup 260 has a 0-60 of 4.1 seconds
However, you'll need to spend the £40K+ that you are trying to avoid in order to obtain that car.
Last year I sold my 240 (on Pistonheads) and now own a black and gold 2010 Type 72 Exige with a factory 260 engine. I believe this is unique as only 20 were built and all those that I've seen were 220's and 240's. This is considerably faster than my previous 240. It has all of the optional 'luxuries' that can be added to an Exige making it marginally heavier than a Cup 260. However, it is an uncomfortable car around town and potholes feel like a major crash but there can be no car which is so much fun. I will put this up for sale for £34,950 on Pistonheads soon.
The 240 has a 0-60 of 4.5 seconds.
The Cup 260 has a 0-60 of 4.1 seconds
However, you'll need to spend the £40K+ that you are trying to avoid in order to obtain that car.
Last year I sold my 240 (on Pistonheads) and now own a black and gold 2010 Type 72 Exige with a factory 260 engine. I believe this is unique as only 20 were built and all those that I've seen were 220's and 240's. This is considerably faster than my previous 240. It has all of the optional 'luxuries' that can be added to an Exige making it marginally heavier than a Cup 260. However, it is an uncomfortable car around town and potholes feel like a major crash but there can be no car which is so much fun. I will put this up for sale for £34,950 on Pistonheads soon.
I've just sold my 111r for a Z4MC because after 20 months I really got fed up using it daily. On the right morning it'd feel ok and on that free Saturday it was amazing but it got tiresome.
What you got to realise though ( although its obvious) a boxster or say a Z4M gives you the extra kick and comfort but at a cost in real world running costs and that run into the countryside will go up dramatically.
I drove a Elise supercharged and tbh other than it feeling newer and smoother it didn't give me enough to justify the extra money spent on the same car essentially.
What you got to realise though ( although its obvious) a boxster or say a Z4M gives you the extra kick and comfort but at a cost in real world running costs and that run into the countryside will go up dramatically.
I drove a Elise supercharged and tbh other than it feeling newer and smoother it didn't give me enough to justify the extra money spent on the same car essentially.
0-60 times are a well used, but often worthless, piece of data. This data is gathered by numerous runs before the clutch is destroyed at the end of which the best time is recorded. However, this rule applies to all cars not just the Lotus so all 0-60 figures should be used as a guide and not gospel, imo. Suffice to say it is a quick car and can embarrass some very exotic machinery. If you want acceleration then no Caymen will match the Exige.
Someone mentioned it is very noisy. Yes you can hear the SC and there is some wind noise and the sound deadening is not at Porsche levels but what do want, a comfy arm chair or a sports car??? Personally I like the noise of SC, would prefer it to be louder!
Practicality is not high on the list of things for an Exige. Boot is small, not much adjustment in the seats, needs a good technique to get in and out quickly and poor visibility to the rear as the intercooler blocks the rear view mirror.
Best is to try one and see what you think. Everyone likes different things and has different priorities.
Happy hunting, nice dilema to have.
Someone mentioned it is very noisy. Yes you can hear the SC and there is some wind noise and the sound deadening is not at Porsche levels but what do want, a comfy arm chair or a sports car??? Personally I like the noise of SC, would prefer it to be louder!
Practicality is not high on the list of things for an Exige. Boot is small, not much adjustment in the seats, needs a good technique to get in and out quickly and poor visibility to the rear as the intercooler blocks the rear view mirror.
Best is to try one and see what you think. Everyone likes different things and has different priorities.
Happy hunting, nice dilema to have.
If you want something more comfy i can't see a exige being a massive improvement over your vx. The likes of a cayman s or z4m will have the performance of an exige but with the extra comfort. As mentioned already 0-60mph isn't really worth the paper it's written on, how often would you kill your clutch off the lights? In gear acceleration is more appropriate and i'd imagine the exige, cayman, z4m would all have similar performance once moving. Test drive them all, see what floats your boat.
Edited by Denno B on Friday 11th March 18:58
We've had a Cayman S, we currently have an Exige S. I do love the Exige but if we could have afforded another Cayman at the time of buying the Exige we've have had that instead. The Cayman's just as quick in the real world, much more practical and much less deafening. The Exige probably attracts more attention from small boys but that's never been my thing!
Redmax said:
We've had a Cayman S, we currently have an Exige S. I do love the Exige but if we could have afforded another Cayman at the time of buying the Exige we've have had that instead. The Cayman's just as quick in the real world, much more practical and much less deafening. The Exige probably attracts more attention from small boys but that's never been my thing!
Funny, dont see myself as a small boy, yet would still rather drool over an Exige than a Cayman. Perhaps its just me but I can look at pics of Lotus cars all day long and still find them aesthetically pleasing. Porsches are great cars no doubt, better than a Lotus, no doubt, but they just dont do it for me. Its fine being practical but sometimes its nice to be emotional and fun. 
cirvy said:
From an owner of an Exige S for 4 whole days, they're bleedin outrageous.
Makes my old Cerbera 4.5 feel almost restrained & civilised.
Go get one quick, I never thought it would be such a scream!
Really are something else and truly addictive, aren't they?!Makes my old Cerbera 4.5 feel almost restrained & civilised.
Go get one quick, I never thought it would be such a scream!
Glad you're enjoying it
cirvy said:
From an owner of an Exige S for 4 whole days, they're bleedin outrageous.
Makes my old Cerbera 4.5 feel almost restrained & civilised.
Go get one quick, I never thought it would be such a scream!
REALLY?! Having owned a 4.5 cerby (think i followed youi in a couple of outings whilst you had the orange 4.5 Makes my old Cerbera 4.5 feel almost restrained & civilised.
Go get one quick, I never thought it would be such a scream!
) and now a 4.0 Tuscan....im surprised!!By the way...im interloping cause my brother is considering spending up to £20k on a new car and was considering a Focus RS....but i am trying to convince him an S2 is a much better buy.
I struggle that a Cerby could feel civilised (though more comfortable maybe), after my drive of an yota engined s2 i was left wanting a little, hence my decision to go TVR...the noise thing was also a dissapointment over a TVR too. The Cerbera is so animalistic...
I always worry a bit about the speed6 engine in the Tuscan often considered an Elise but my wife isnt keen so stuck with the Tuscan, which is still pretty focused, bloody fast, but not quite as extreme as an exige...
Interesting comments ont he Noble too... they have come down to very tempting prices!!
Ive had a 220 and now own a my 2010 240 that's a little different and can honestly say there is quite a difference..build quality between my old 57 plate car and new one are worlds apart. My old 220 was every bit as quick as a 240 when I had a run out with a friend who was surprised that his car didn't pull away at all, only mods my old car had were trd airbox and stage 3 exhaust. In saying all of this my new 240 does feel stronger at very high revs but the ap brakes are worth more than the extra power. The Exige really does punch well above it's weight level pegging with most very quick cars where it matters, ok it won't do 180 mph but how often are you doing those speeds? As an all round package I.e running costs, looks, performance I think it's unbeatable!! Oh and it's not uncommon for 220's to be putting out a bit more bhp than standard, they seem to loosen up with a few miles on.
Edited by TOENHEEL on Monday 14th March 01:03
I looked at Nobles, but seem to remember reading that running costs etc are epic, Ferrari territory!? Performance and road presence are very tempting though! 
I have always wanted an Exige, but somethings holding me back in the fact that's it's not a million miles away from my vx220....
TVR, hmmm, well i like the t350c and the Sagaris, although again running costs make them a bit too expensive,
Cayman S is a lovely car but when comparing to all that's been mentioned, seems maybe a bit subdued? Although when i see them on the road they do look rather tasty, esp in cobalt blue!
I have always wanted an Exige, but somethings holding me back in the fact that's it's not a million miles away from my vx220....
TVR, hmmm, well i like the t350c and the Sagaris, although again running costs make them a bit too expensive,
Cayman S is a lovely car but when comparing to all that's been mentioned, seems maybe a bit subdued? Although when i see them on the road they do look rather tasty, esp in cobalt blue!
I had a gem of a Noble 3R between the Exiges and it was fantastic, I know people who have used them as a daily but I really see them as a weekend car. Servicing costs etc are ridiculous as it's such a simple car and the dealers take the piss. If your handy it's a piece of cake to work on. Downsides were the obvious fuel costs..not cheap to run especially giving it the beans. Chassis also quite exposed to the elements so heavy winter use can cause a bit of a mess. Mine was bone dry and only used on sunny or dry days. A car I'm very pleased to of owned but the Exige just ticks more boxes for me and although slower in a straight line it's hardly a cart horse, plus you can't really access the Nobles performance on the road not without getting lots points or a ban which seemed to of hit a few on the noble forum 
Robertjp said:
REALLY?! Having owned a 4.5 cerby (think i followed youi in a couple of outings whilst you had the orange 4.5 ) and now a 4.0 Tuscan....im surprised!!
By the way...im interloping cause my brother is considering spending up to £20k on a new car and was considering a Focus RS....but i am trying to convince him an S2 is a much better buy.
I struggle that a Cerby could feel civilised (though more comfortable maybe), after my drive of an yota engined s2 i was left wanting a little, hence my decision to go TVR...the noise thing was also a dissapointment over a TVR too. The Cerbera is so animalistic...
I always worry a bit about the speed6 engine in the Tuscan often considered an Elise but my wife isnt keen so stuck with the Tuscan, which is still pretty focused, bloody fast, but not quite as extreme as an exige...
Interesting comments ont he Noble too... they have come down to very tempting prices!!
With the Cerb, i could easily fall into the Sunday cruise mode when driving, there's no chance of that with the Exige. It's the snappy Terrier to the Labrador Cerb ( sorry about those analagies ).) and now a 4.0 Tuscan....im surprised!!By the way...im interloping cause my brother is considering spending up to £20k on a new car and was considering a Focus RS....but i am trying to convince him an S2 is a much better buy.
I struggle that a Cerby could feel civilised (though more comfortable maybe), after my drive of an yota engined s2 i was left wanting a little, hence my decision to go TVR...the noise thing was also a dissapointment over a TVR too. The Cerbera is so animalistic...
I always worry a bit about the speed6 engine in the Tuscan often considered an Elise but my wife isnt keen so stuck with the Tuscan, which is still pretty focused, bloody fast, but not quite as extreme as an exige...
Interesting comments ont he Noble too... they have come down to very tempting prices!!
Having said the above, i had the Cerb 9 years & so far, the Exige one week, so i suppose, to me, it's bound to feel more exciting!!!
Robertjp said:
"my wife isnt keen"
I'm afraid listening to her indoors when trying to choose the right car for you is doomed to compromise, of course she's not keen on the Exige, If she's anything like my wife she'd rather stick pins under her nails than be seen struggling to get in / out of one.I went from a Noble M400 to an F430 to an Exige S (240) in the space of two years.
The Ferrari is a Luxo-barge, fine for big wide roads but down country lanes is a liability, lovely handling considering its all up weight but not as much fun as the Noble.
The Noble is a fine drive and blisteringly quick especially when all of the quirks have been Ironed out, Servicing is the biggest rip off since the Kings clothes and in my experience with the "longest serving Noble dealer" fell well short of the mark.
A competent mechanic with assistance from the Noble massive would cut your bills in half.
That said dodgy (IMO) corrosion prone chassis would (has) put me off buying another.
The Exige is a more "precise" car to drive and requires more driver input to get the best from it, there is no wall of torque like the Noble to help you out when rinsing the last drop from it.
If I could buy a new Noble M400 for sunny days I would.
Pound for pound the biggest grin factor of them all.
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