NA Exige, anyone else prefer it to SC?
Discussion
Been without a Lotus for a while and suffering some withdrawal symptoms. Toying with the idea of an S2 Exige in NA format. Generally I'm not a huge fan of forced induction and having been in a few supercharged cars including an Exige S, I find the whine gets on my nerves. So it seems like the NA is for me which is great as they're cheaper but I'm concerned that I'll get bored and want more go. Although I don't think the NA 'yota engine is a bundle of character I do like the crazy top end feel. Will I eventually crave more? Would I better spending more on an Exige S?
Would be interested to hear from people who have had both.
Would be interested to hear from people who have had both.
This is always a matter of preference. I have an S so I am a little bias but I couldn't live with the top end screaming needed a lot of the time to keep the NA on cam. I much prefer the flexibility of the S, the supercharger really spreads the torque out over the rev range so you can have a good spirited drive without the need to keep stirring the gears. However, you can also ring its neck and have a good hoon if you fancy and it is equally rewarding in my view.
Personal view again but I love the whine of the supercharger. I've had turbo cars in the past as well and loved the whistle. Each to their own!
Personal view again but I love the whine of the supercharger. I've had turbo cars in the past as well and loved the whistle. Each to their own!
Edited by 400SE Dave on Friday 11th June 21:38
I've owned both and my view is exactly the same as 400SE Dave's. The n/a car is great when you're going for it but I used both cars most days so the extra flexibility of the s/c car was great in regular driving. The sound of the 'charger is a personal think I guess bit it did make driving the car feel like even more of an event.
Nevertheless, I don't think you will go wrong with an n/a S2 Exige.
Nevertheless, I don't think you will go wrong with an n/a S2 Exige.
Done 65,000 miles in Exiges of both sorts. The N/A is frustrating a lot of the time, very good about 10% of the time, and embarrassing quite a lot of time. Show it any sort of incline and it struggles, and is frankly outrun in a straight line by most normal cars above pensioner/shopping trolley level these days.
Get an S with performance pack ie. 240 bhp. You don't even register the S/C whine after a while, the brain just factors it in as part of the general background racket.
Get an S with performance pack ie. 240 bhp. You don't even register the S/C whine after a while, the brain just factors it in as part of the general background racket.
Edited by aelord on Sunday 13th June 10:16
i've got an N/A exige, agree completly. Its fine running in 3rd and 4th since the ratio's seem to be quite close, stays on cam nicely when thrashing from 70mph+. 1st to 2nd to 3rd you pretty much have to take it to the limiter for it to be on cam in the next gear, which can be a pain. It does make it quite challenging to keep in the sweet spot and unfortunatly it does feel pretty slow below it.
However, when your on it, and with an exhaust and induction kit it is pretty intense. Sounds lovely and is just about quick enough. The noise from having to rev the tits off it might well get on your nerves as much as a whine would though.
I wanted an S , however the extra 5-6k would have been a stretch for me and i couldn't justify it. I love the car from a drivers point of view, but it does need another 50bhp to make it perfect. ( however, no matter how much horse you have you always need more!)
Hope it helps, either way great cars!
Stu
However, when your on it, and with an exhaust and induction kit it is pretty intense. Sounds lovely and is just about quick enough. The noise from having to rev the tits off it might well get on your nerves as much as a whine would though.
I wanted an S , however the extra 5-6k would have been a stretch for me and i couldn't justify it. I love the car from a drivers point of view, but it does need another 50bhp to make it perfect. ( however, no matter how much horse you have you always need more!)
Hope it helps, either way great cars!
Stu
Not that I own an Exige n/a or otherwise but tbh although using my 111R on the daily grind it is only those times a supercharger would make sense.
My trip to Fort William confirmed that the car would be too quick in supercharger form to have any fun with. Even with the 111R your into licence losing territory in 2nd/3rd gear so getting there quicker in a S wouldn’t make sense to me.
However if its prime purpose was track days I could see every reason to want the extra power and I guess thats what differentiates my Elise ownership with Exige ownership. I have a dream to go on a track but don’t intend to live track side every weekend.
My trip to Fort William confirmed that the car would be too quick in supercharger form to have any fun with. Even with the 111R your into licence losing territory in 2nd/3rd gear so getting there quicker in a S wouldn’t make sense to me.
However if its prime purpose was track days I could see every reason to want the extra power and I guess thats what differentiates my Elise ownership with Exige ownership. I have a dream to go on a track but don’t intend to live track side every weekend.
Based on my observations on track the Exige S 240 are not as fast as you'd expect them to be. The added weight (~950kg) along with the unproven cooling efficiency makes them relatively easy targets in a straight line. I had an Exige S 240 owner come up to me and ask why I passed him with ease on the Silverstone stowe back straight when he was on full throttle.
I can now see why the S1/S2 Honda's easily sail past the stock Exige S and 240's.
I can now see why the S1/S2 Honda's easily sail past the stock Exige S and 240's.
aelord said:
Done 65,000 miles in Exiges of both sorts. The N/A is frustrating a lot of the time, very good about 10% of the time, and embarrassing quite a lot of time. Show it any sort of incline and it struggles, and is frankly outrun in a straight line by most normal cars above pensioner/shopping trolley level these days.
Get an S with performance pack ie. 240 bhp. You don't even register the S/C whine after a while, the brain just factors it in as part of the general background racket.
Get an S with performance pack ie. 240 bhp. You don't even register the S/C whine after a while, the brain just factors it in as part of the general background racket.
Edited by aelord on Sunday 13th June 10:16
STEVEY_SC said:
Based on my observations on track the Exige S 240 are not as fast as you'd expect them to be. The added weight (~950kg) along with the unproven cooling efficiency makes them relatively easy targets in a straight line. I had an Exige S 240 owner come up to me and ask why I passed him with ease on the Silverstone stowe back straight when he was on full throttle.
I can now see why the S1/S2 Honda's easily sail past the stock Exige S and 240's.
When you say cooling efficiency do you mean cooling to the radiator or intercooler? Having changed intercoolers on my own forced induction cars the performance differences can be very dramatic. Whats the problem with the Exige S, not enough airflow through the roof scoop?I can now see why the S1/S2 Honda's easily sail past the stock Exige S and 240's.
aelord said:
Done 65,000 miles in Exiges of both sorts. The N/A is frustrating a lot of the time, very good about 10% of the time, and embarrassing quite a lot of time. Show it any sort of incline and it struggles, and is frankly outrun in a straight line by most normal cars above pensioner/shopping trolley level these days.
Get an S with performance pack ie. 240 bhp. You don't even register the S/C whine after a while, the brain just factors it in as part of the general background racket.
Get an S with performance pack ie. 240 bhp. You don't even register the S/C whine after a while, the brain just factors it in as part of the general background racket.
Edited by aelord on Sunday 13th June 10:16
Guys - I am looking at an Exige as my everyday car.
Having read the stats and with mooted 0-62 times in the sub 5.0secs area I struggle to understand what you mean when you say it gets easily embarrassed on the road?
I cant afford the S version - buying a N/A and upgrading the exhaust - getting the elise roof conversion is no issue.
however whilst I want it for the looks, cornering, direct feel, specialness I am concerned that I am now going to be constantly pissed off with the fact it gets humbled by boy racers in their STi's!
thanks
M
Having read the stats and with mooted 0-62 times in the sub 5.0secs area I struggle to understand what you mean when you say it gets easily embarrassed on the road?
I cant afford the S version - buying a N/A and upgrading the exhaust - getting the elise roof conversion is no issue.
however whilst I want it for the looks, cornering, direct feel, specialness I am concerned that I am now going to be constantly pissed off with the fact it gets humbled by boy racers in their STi's!
thanks
M
It's not the 0-60 time you want to be referencing, its the 0-100 time (13 sec for the NA and 12 for the S) and the mid-gear pull times which aren't that great given there is bugger all torque below 4k rpm.
The Exige is about cornering and braking, its not about going fast in a straight line. If you want to go fast buy a 996 Turbo.
The Exige is about cornering and braking, its not about going fast in a straight line. If you want to go fast buy a 996 Turbo.
Munkeyfeet said:
Guys - I am looking at an Exige as my everyday car.
Having read the stats and with mooted 0-62 times in the sub 5.0secs area I struggle to understand what you mean when you say it gets easily embarrassed on the road?
I cant afford the S version - buying a N/A and upgrading the exhaust - getting the elise roof conversion is no issue.
however whilst I want it for the looks, cornering, direct feel, specialness I am concerned that I am now going to be constantly pissed off with the fact it gets humbled by boy racers in their STi's!
thanks
M
Lol!Having read the stats and with mooted 0-62 times in the sub 5.0secs area I struggle to understand what you mean when you say it gets easily embarrassed on the road?
I cant afford the S version - buying a N/A and upgrading the exhaust - getting the elise roof conversion is no issue.
however whilst I want it for the looks, cornering, direct feel, specialness I am concerned that I am now going to be constantly pissed off with the fact it gets humbled by boy racers in their STi's!
thanks
M
I think there's too many cock wavers about,190bhp in an Elise is plenty on the road and even on standard suspension and brakes will be more than a match for any hatches.
If you're concerned about driveability then get the Motorsport ECU reflash which lowers the cam change point and a decent exhaust(2bular or Larini)is a necessity on a Toyota,the standard exhaust is dire!
STEVEY_SC said:
Based on my observations on track the Exige S 240 are not as fast as you'd expect them to be. The added weight (~950kg) along with the unproven cooling efficiency makes them relatively easy targets in a straight line. I had an Exige S 240 owner come up to me and ask why I passed him with ease on the Silverstone stowe back straight when he was on full throttle.
I can now see why the S1/S2 Honda's easily sail past the stock Exige S and 240's.
Easy targets for what ? A 240 is much faster than an N/A, given similar conditions and driver, in all situations except perhaps for an exceptionally tight, short course, to suggest otherwise is bonkers!I can now see why the S1/S2 Honda's easily sail past the stock Exige S and 240's.
aelord said:
Done 65,000 miles in Exiges of both sorts. The N/A is frustrating a lot of the time, very good about 10% of the time, and embarrassing quite a lot of time. Show it any sort of incline and it struggles, and is frankly outrun in a straight line by most normal cars above pensioner/shopping trolley level these days.
Get an S with performance pack ie. 240 bhp. You don't even register the S/C whine after a while, the brain just factors it in as part of the general background racket.
Get an S with performance pack ie. 240 bhp. You don't even register the S/C whine after a while, the brain just factors it in as part of the general background racket.
Edited by aelord on Sunday 13th June 10:16
The Bandit said:
Munkeyfeet said:
Guys - I am looking at an Exige as my everyday car.
Having read the stats and with mooted 0-62 times in the sub 5.0secs area I struggle to understand what you mean when you say it gets easily embarrassed on the road?
I cant afford the S version - buying a N/A and upgrading the exhaust - getting the elise roof conversion is no issue.
however whilst I want it for the looks, cornering, direct feel, specialness I am concerned that I am now going to be constantly pissed off with the fact it gets humbled by boy racers in their STi's!
thanks
M
Lol!Having read the stats and with mooted 0-62 times in the sub 5.0secs area I struggle to understand what you mean when you say it gets easily embarrassed on the road?
I cant afford the S version - buying a N/A and upgrading the exhaust - getting the elise roof conversion is no issue.
however whilst I want it for the looks, cornering, direct feel, specialness I am concerned that I am now going to be constantly pissed off with the fact it gets humbled by boy racers in their STi's!
thanks
M
I think there's too many cock wavers about,190bhp in an Elise is plenty on the road and even on standard suspension and brakes will be more than a match for any hatches.
If you're concerned about driveability then get the Motorsport ECU reflash which lowers the cam change point and a decent exhaust(2bular or Larini)is a necessity on a Toyota,the standard exhaust is dire!
B&C exhaust is first on the list and upgrading the pads
Which ECU remaps are best? Do they increase the power or just lower the point at which the cams come in?
My budget is £20/21 but have noticed a white exige s went for £23.5 so might have to stretch a little further!
Gad-Westy said:
Cheers gents. I think I'm going to have to do a bit more test driving, no bad thing.
Couple of other questions: Does a sports exhaust and induction kit nullify the supercharger whine a little?
Is there much MPG difference between NA and SC?
Graham, if you want to come out in my S you are more than welcome. You cannot here the whine for the exhaust, however, you'd struggle to here a world war II over the exhaust but it will you give a comparison to N/A Exige. Couple of other questions: Does a sports exhaust and induction kit nullify the supercharger whine a little?
Is there much MPG difference between NA and SC?
zebra said:
Gad-Westy said:
Cheers gents. I think I'm going to have to do a bit more test driving, no bad thing.
Couple of other questions: Does a sports exhaust and induction kit nullify the supercharger whine a little?
Is there much MPG difference between NA and SC?
Graham, if you want to come out in my S you are more than welcome. You cannot here the whine for the exhaust, however, you'd struggle to here a world war II over the exhaust but it will you give a comparison to N/A Exige. Couple of other questions: Does a sports exhaust and induction kit nullify the supercharger whine a little?
Is there much MPG difference between NA and SC?
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