350z to Exige advice please

[cragus]

Hello all,

I have been signed up on Scottish Elises for a fair while, although I have lurked in the shadows for the most part. I am good friends with Scott Cruickshanks on here and have attended several club meets and track days at Knockhill so there is a chance we may have met. I am hoping to draw on the experience and knowledge of members during my search for a Lotus Exige S2 (preferably of the supercharged variety). I am an active member of http://www.350z-uk.com/ and have owned my 350z for 4 years, spending far too much money on the car . The car is being picked up by it's new owner on Sunday as I have decided that it is time to sell up and move on. I have considered several cars but I have always wanted an exige and I think it may be the right time in my life to satisfy this. For those interested, this is a photograph of my 350z.



I know the basics and that is a supercharged S2 that I would like to purchase (Well, I would like the newest 3.5l V6 but the funds don't quite stretch that far). My 350z is a 56 plate with only 38k on the clock but I am having to look at older cars and add more cash as the residuals seem to far better with Lotus cars. The car that has caught my eye most at present is this one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4066998.htm

Now I know it is not factory fitted supercharger but it claims to be putting out marginally more power. How reliable and respected is the Katana system over the factory option? Visually, I like the look of the spoiler and longer roof scoop. Does anybody know this car or able to highlight some considerations for me to make. As I have stated, I am pretty amateur when it comes to Lotus and appreciate any advice you can offer me.

[robin]

Unfortunately I know nothing about this actual car.

I would avoid the after market super charger kits - not because of the reliability which may well be as good as the factory option, but because it's much easier to sell the Lotus variant.

I think the Exige S2 S/C prices are looking pretty strong compared to a year or so back. I would be inclined to wait until after the new Exige actually starts shipping and also until winter where I think it will be cheaper.

In the meanwhile save up some more cash and see if you cannot get a later model - CALLING GRAEME ROBERTSON - somebody will know where the breakpoint is for the facelift - I've owned two S2 Exiges one the earliest N/A spec and a factory 240 - the latter was much nicer inside.

Have you considered an Elise instead? A factory (or dealer fit factory) s/c is probably closer to your budget and they are great cars.

Cheers,
Robin

[r10crw]

Agree with Robins comments but also worth noting that with this aftermarket set up you are a little restricted. The factory ones can be modified for very little money to around 280 and further. This is mostly because they are intercooled where as this setup is not. Too get this much further could be quite costly as you are somewhat restricted, assuming you want off the shelf fittings.
Craig.

[mikeyb13]

Beat me to it Robin. Ive also owned an Exige and if I was to buy another it seems only an extra few grand for a much newer model.
Personally I would be looking at an Elise sc or Honda rather than an Exige.

[Andy G]

One of the chaps on here used to have a Katana Exige and it was pretty quick.

Think he did about 5-6k in it without too many issues, and if i remember correctly a good bit of that was on the way home from getting it fitted in Switzerland or something!

As the chaps are saying though, you could get a Katana one of n/a Exige money, whereas an S or factory SC version will always command a premium.

You are right to lust over the V6 Exige - drove it last weekend - epic car!

Elise SC is worth a look also - a tremendous car with a very broad depth of talents, and with a few upgrades Exige quick also (tyres & suspension and you'll have an Elige!!)

Honda Elises are worth a look, but then your dependant on who did the install as to whether it will be a mare or not.

Good luck with the hunt, its often the best bit!!

[Rosssco]

Not much to add other than I used to have a 350Z (really good cars) and they are a completely different cars / prospects, as I'm sure you will be aware.!

If your just after speed and the Lotus chassis, you should also consider a VX220 in either Turbo or supercharged form, although not as pretty or quite as sharp in standard for as the Exige..

[cragus]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the replies! It looks like I should go back to the drawing board. To clarify, if I am going to go down the exige s route, I am better to buy a factory installed one but may be better waiting to winter and the release of the new exige. This will give me more time to get the budget up too I guess.

I may start looking at elises too as I haven't really given them much consideration and there are certainly more on the market - growing up I loved the exige and the esprit and this is why my focus leans towards the exige. As for the VX220 - it just not do it for me.

Thank you to everyone for the initial advice. I am sure I will rack you brains 100 times more until hopefully the right one comes up.

[mikeyb13]

Pop along to a meet or trackday. Plenty of people will be happy to show you there cars.

[ryallm]

Agree that it is probably not an ideal time to buy an Exige S. The prices have held very firm since they stopped making them (late 2010 I think?), but I suspect they may take a significant hit once the V6 Exige supply starts. I had been planning to buy a 240PP Exige this year, but apart from the fact I simply wouldn't have had any time to use it, I reckoned it might be wise to wait a while. Or wait longer still and save my pennies for the V6

Mark

[douglasgdmw]

Craig,

Have you though about the Europa (and Evora if budget allows).

Admittedly the Europa is not as focussed as the Elise/Exige but is an interesting alternative, especially is you get an S with the 225 upgrade pack.

George

[hendeg]

I was just having a look at Exige prices yesterday and they've certainly moved up a bit recently. The main problem for me is that if I sold it, what would I replace it with? I don't know if other Exige owners are thinking the same. The V6 should bring more of the S2s onto the market, but the upgrade isn't for everyone. I doubt I'd go down that route.

The Exige is an awesome car but I had a great time with the Elise and still miss it. The roof-off driving is the best thing about it. You can remove the roof of the Exige and some will have a soft top conversion. It just doesn't look the same without the roof though and taking the hard top on and off is a bit of a pain.

I know what it's like once you've set your heart on getting a certain car though...

[GraemeLotus]

I suspect they may take a significant hit once the V6 Exige supply starts.

Not necessarily the case; now very different price points from previous new Exige launches (S 220, S 240PP, RGB etc) forcing down other "late model" prices.

Currently NA cars from 16-20k, factory S's from 22k-25k, 240s from 27-32k, and 260s/RGBs/late Cups from 32k-39k. The V6 arrival might slightly depress RGBs and very late "facelift" 240s and 260s down to the mid-30ks (arrived from MY10 so from a 59-plate onwards, hello Robin ) - but people buying a specced V6 at 55-58k are financing or paying quite a lot more than the newest 4cyl cars. Thus the general structure of pricing of used Exige should stay the same - but more cars will arrive onto the market in the next 6 months onwards as current owners trade in for V6, so perhaps the best cars (spec, mileage, colour, condition) will command premiums.

Thus more cars for all, more Exiges on the road, and more new people to meet

[Clarkie]

I suspect they may take a significant hit once the V6 Exige supply starts.

Not necessarily the case; now very different price points from previous new Exige launches (S 220, S 240PP, RGB etc) forcing down other "late model" prices.

Currently NA cars from 16-20k, factory S's from 22k-25k, 240s from 27-32k, and 260s/RGBs/late Cups from 32k-39k. The V6 arrival might slightly depress RGBs and very late "facelift" 240s and 260s down to the mid-30ks (arrived from MY10 so from a 59-plate onwards, hello Robin ) - but people buying a specced V6 at 55-58k are financing or paying quite a lot more than the newest 4cyl cars. Thus the general structure of pricing of used Exige should stay the same - but more cars will arrive onto the market in the next 6 months onwards as current owners trade in for V6, so perhaps the best cars (spec, mileage, colour, condition) will command premiums.

Thus more cars for all, more Exiges on the road, and more new people to meet

Thanks Graeme, the grief I've given you about the price of my Exige falling in the past and now it's an "investment". Certainly holding onto mine for the forseeable, depreciation is always the biggest cost with any car, with current market values you can't go wrong with any Exige

The V6 is tempting though........................

[Dominic]

Have you driven the V6 Clarkie? If not, the temptation will only increase considerably when you do. It is some car!

[Clarkie]

Dom, sat in the demo one when it was up earlier in the year
Craig got me to start it and the noise was incredible
Couldn't make last weekend, feedback from the mags & the guys on here it will be mega to drive
Have had my Exige since new 4 1/2 years now and I'm rather attached to it which is the main sticking point!
In agreement with Hendeg on his reflection of Exige ownership, V6 roadster may tip the balance

Cheers