Discussion
Chaps,
I thought I'd introduce you to my latest wallet-burner. For 2 years I was running this gorgeous Elise 111R as a weekend plaything, covering 20k miles in that time. It was almost faultless and we managed a couple of laps of the full Le Mans circuit and loads of fun hooning every weekend. It's the perfect turn-key Lotus.
However, I felt myself yearning for more, something sillier. I'm not ready for a Caterham just yet as I do too many miles but I had always admired the S1 Exige from afar. When #447 came up for sale, I had to have it. This car was owned for almost its entire life by one person, a well known figure in Lotus and motor racing circles. He has lavished it with so much love, attention and care, but I am pleased to report, used it properly. This means it has done trackdays, European touring and plenty of proper motoring. This means it is tidy rather than immaculate - exactly what I need.
It is laser blue with most of the mods you might wish for including Lotus Power diffuser and splitter, 190 upgrade, Nitron 2-way dampers, braided hoses, etc. It creates the most amazingly brutal road car experience. It's noisy, it stinks of petrol and it hates going slowly. However, when you open the taps and find a flowing road it simply pulverises the tarmac like nothing I've ever driven. The speed it carries into corners and the confidence it imbues in you as the driver is remarkable and addictive. With no ABS, no servo assistance, no power steering and no FBW throttle it is physical, analogue and so rewarding. You get out deaf and sweating buckets but exhilarated. Just writing about it makes me want to be out in it...
First trackday booked for 3 weeks time. Can't wait to find out what she can really do in a safe environment. And just a quick shot of a properly rare performance car - my daily 306 Rallye. Makes the Exige look common.
I thought I'd introduce you to my latest wallet-burner. For 2 years I was running this gorgeous Elise 111R as a weekend plaything, covering 20k miles in that time. It was almost faultless and we managed a couple of laps of the full Le Mans circuit and loads of fun hooning every weekend. It's the perfect turn-key Lotus.
However, I felt myself yearning for more, something sillier. I'm not ready for a Caterham just yet as I do too many miles but I had always admired the S1 Exige from afar. When #447 came up for sale, I had to have it. This car was owned for almost its entire life by one person, a well known figure in Lotus and motor racing circles. He has lavished it with so much love, attention and care, but I am pleased to report, used it properly. This means it has done trackdays, European touring and plenty of proper motoring. This means it is tidy rather than immaculate - exactly what I need.
It is laser blue with most of the mods you might wish for including Lotus Power diffuser and splitter, 190 upgrade, Nitron 2-way dampers, braided hoses, etc. It creates the most amazingly brutal road car experience. It's noisy, it stinks of petrol and it hates going slowly. However, when you open the taps and find a flowing road it simply pulverises the tarmac like nothing I've ever driven. The speed it carries into corners and the confidence it imbues in you as the driver is remarkable and addictive. With no ABS, no servo assistance, no power steering and no FBW throttle it is physical, analogue and so rewarding. You get out deaf and sweating buckets but exhilarated. Just writing about it makes me want to be out in it...
First trackday booked for 3 weeks time. Can't wait to find out what she can really do in a safe environment. And just a quick shot of a properly rare performance car - my daily 306 Rallye. Makes the Exige look common.
Cheers, chaps. I should mention that sadly I had to sell the Elise to fund the Exige, but it has gone to a great new home locally so I still have visiting rights! We are fortunate that my girlfriend has something sensible and diesel for long journeys and she is happy for me to indulge. Really looking forward to some adventuring over the summer in the new beast.
chevronb37 said:
It's noisy, it stinks of petrol and it hates going slowly. However, when you open the taps and find a flowing road it simply pulverises the tarmac like nothing I've ever driven. The speed it carries into corners and the confidence it imbues in you as the driver is remarkable and addictive. With no ABS, no servo assistance, no power steering and no FBW throttle it is physical, analogue and so rewarding. You get out deaf and sweating buckets but exhilarated. Just writing about it makes me want to be out in it...
I agree with this, but its (one of) the reasons I'm selling mine!Its absolutely freaking *awesome* when your 10/10ths on a dry road - massively quick, brilliant feedback, confidence inspiring and makes a great noise. But for every other situation, its just a very, very difficult car to live with.
Personally, I thought my Sport160 Elise I had a few years back was the 'better' car. Much, MUCH easier to live with day-to-day, and almost as enjoyable on the B-roads, if not better if the roof was off. Can't comment on trackdays, but thats where the Exige really shines and its strengths come in to play. However...you've got the knee-trembling looks of the Exige - can honestly say that in 'the plastic' its one of the best looking, best proportioned and most purposeful cars I've ever laid eyes on.
But thats just me - I'm in no way critisising the car here, its just not suited to me, and as many Lotus owners seem to aspire to Exige ownership you just need to be fully aware that it really is a very different beast to the Elise.
Sorry...rather put a damper on your RR thread! Its clear from your opening post you "get it" so I'm sure you'll have loads of fun - best of all, its currently an appriciating asset so its almost free motoring!
MattyB, I can fully appreciate where you're coming from. The VHPD is an extremely particular engine and town driving is painful at times. It does nothing below 2,000rpm. It's funny as the chassis and brakes feel so intuitive but the engine and the gearbox require very careful attention. Quite apart from the care required not to catch the splitter on sharp inclines. I have an Emerald ECU which I'm thinking about installing later in the year. It's supposed to lose a little of the "character". I think it's probably got enough of that already!
You're absolutely right, though, once you're on the open road and pressing on a little it is just phenomenal. Like an Elise turned up to 11, I suppose. Really sorry to hear you're selling up, but I can understand your decision. I'm currently trying to persuade my other half that we ought to be driving it to the Italian GP next year. Response currently muted...
You're absolutely right, though, once you're on the open road and pressing on a little it is just phenomenal. Like an Elise turned up to 11, I suppose. Really sorry to hear you're selling up, but I can understand your decision. I'm currently trying to persuade my other half that we ought to be driving it to the Italian GP next year. Response currently muted...
Snotrag - I should've mentioned Malton sooner, sorry. I may/may not be there. I suspect if I am playing out that day that I'll head over to Cadwell for the HSCC meeting as I'm a hopeless motor racing fanatic, but will depend on my workload. I do a part-time degree so sometimes exams and coursework interfere. I did go to Malton a couple of years ago and it's a good crack!
Re the lack of roof, well that was a concern. Taking the roof off is part of a good summer drive with a sportscar. But I do find the Exige feels more focussed and more intense so funnily enough I've never thought about taking the roof off. I'm sure when summer comes and it's 25deg and all my clothes are plastered to me then it might be a somewhat different matter!
Re the lack of roof, well that was a concern. Taking the roof off is part of a good summer drive with a sportscar. But I do find the Exige feels more focussed and more intense so funnily enough I've never thought about taking the roof off. I'm sure when summer comes and it's 25deg and all my clothes are plastered to me then it might be a somewhat different matter!
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