Exige S1 - Buying Guide / Tips ?!

Evoman · Post by **Evoman** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:16 pm

Hi

I'm a Lotus fan and love the cars though never having owned one yet I'm considering buying an S1 Exige, I wondered if there are any buying guides out there or is there a thread on here with discussion points or tips on what to check and look out for?

Any tips or pointers would be really appreciated

Cheers

Rich

kerryxeg · Post by **kerryxeg** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:12 pm

Hi, the exige VHP engine is a little more highly strung than the elise, so can need a rebuild, but it is very dependent on use and maintenance. Modifications on exiges can be very track oriented so I'd consider the suspension and bush changes and decide if that is what you want. If it has not had the toelinks replaced I'd probably consider it.

My car has had a few upgrades, thermostatic bypass (to avoid overheating and HGF), vernier pulley's, emerald ecu, exhaust with sportcat, nitron suspension, nytralon bushes, RS 14 pads and alloy bell discs, carbon seats. I'm currently changing the bushes, refurbing the nitrons, upgrading the toelinks and lots of TLC cleaning.

If you've been in one, you will be aware it is a noisy place to be - this is normal. Earplugs are quite a good option for long trips.

Other than the above, it's the usual things like accident damage, corrosion of chassis and suspension mounts etc.

Worth looking on exiges .com for more historical info.

douglasgdmw · Post by **douglasgdmw** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:41 pm

I am also sure that Evo magazine did a buying guide ages ago which may give you an idea of things to look for.

Had a look at the website but could not see it in their buying guides (found an S2 but that will be of limited help)

George

Evoman · Post by **Evoman** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 3:14 pm

Thanks for the info - as much as like the idea, that K series does niggle at me with its reputation and rebuilds on an engine seem crazy and are obviously not going to be cheap... I think you've given me a reality check, love the idea but... They're also costly to buy now, I wonder if the have peaked or will they keep going up?

kerryxeg · Post by **kerryxeg** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:17 pm

Well I think it depends what you are after. I know some people who have run them as everyday cars and others which have stayed in the garage for the odd track day. It's not that practical a car, but with a bit of thought you'd be surprised what you can achieve.

I wouldn't buy one with the expectation to make money, but compared the newer models they should hold their value. On the engine front, the K series suits the car well. When things go wrong, they are not usually that hard to fix. A K series rebuild isn't that expensive in my book, but everything is relative. So I would say what you save on depreciation may end up going on additional maintenance.

j2 lot · Post by **j2 lot** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:19 pm

The window to buy cheap and make a killing is passed for the S1 Exige, they are all strong money although they must be close to their peak in the short term(?).
Whereas an Elise S1 is possibly easier to live with, cheaper to buy and if you buy at a decent price and keep it in good order it is going to at least keep its value or probably increase.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:05 pm

Evoman wrote:Thanks for the info - as much as like the idea, that K series does niggle at me with its reputation and rebuilds on an engine seem crazy and are obviously not going to be cheap... I think you've given me a reality check, love the idea but... They're also costly to buy now, I wonder if the have peaked or will they keep going up?

The previous owner of my car had the head gasket done, and sorted with a decent gasket. I have done 20K+ hard miles in the car (trackdays and motorsport stuff included) and it is never been a concern. It is quite a high milage car. The main thing is that it is well maintained.

When looking at any older lotuses, it's worth looking at how they have been looked after. It will often be the case that a well used, well maintained car will be less troublesome than a low milage example that has hardly been used.

mwmackenzie · Post by **mwmackenzie** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:15 am

Andy G has a cracker for sale at the moment, if he's not already sold it? It has all the nice desirable extras you could throw at one

Evoman · Post by **Evoman** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 12:53 pm

Thanks for the advice folks, I will be on here no doubt quite a bit from now on as I am now the proud owner of an Exige S1

The car felt really good the way the engine pulled so cleanly and vibrantly from low down the rev range, the steering felt a little over light and slightly 'wandery' so I headed with the owner to John Danby Racing (JDR) for a very helpful checkover. Wow, what a place that is if anyone has never been I recommend you do (miles away from Scotland but if you're in the area), great bunch of guys, very accommodating and obviously hugely respected with the motor exotica they are trusted with to look after and a lot of jaw dropping historical machines there. Anyway, the Exige checked out well and a rear tyre at 14psi the only culprit in being responsible for the slightly light feel at the helm. Pressures set up correctly and it felt 'dialed'-in'. The drive back from Essex to Scotland was fantastic

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 1:13 pm

Congratulations!!!

What spec / colour?

Where abouts in Scotland are you?

Elise / exige are quite sensitive to a good geo set up, tyre pressures, mixed tyre brands, all of which can make a difference. When all that is correct, they feel great!

Evoman · Post by **Evoman** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 8:46 am

That's interesting to know Dominic, I will keep an eye on the tyre pressures, it currently has Conti's on the front and Goodyear's on the back, purely changed by the previous owner as the original tyres were starting to perish with age...

It's a silver Exige with the 190 factory upgrade, 14k on the clock, sold from Lotus to the previous owner who owned it from 6 months old and parked it up in his garage to use on occasion for dry days, it's never even seen a track. It is an interesting spec, red alcantara dash inserts, door panels and sill covers and standard seat belts which is quite nice for road use. Everything is as it left the factory, not one upgrade or modification though I'm surprised the exhaust is standard, it's sooo loud and raspy and snorty and just plain crazy! I don't think it would be legal these days to sell a vehicle like the Exige S1, far too racey

What a machine, it really is a special little place to be.

It was interesting taking it to JDR (JohnDanbyracing), they reckoned the Exige S1 is going to follow the Elan with prices with those now climbing around 150K. Ha, that was a great start for bargaining the price down

Oh, and Glasgow area, cheers, Rich

j2 lot · Post by **j2 lot** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:39 am

Congrats on the Exige purchase, definitely a good investment.look forward to seeing it about

JDR must be smoking some pretty strong stuff if they think an Elan is going to sell for £150k

Even the strongest money is still £100k short of that valuation

Post by **campbell** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:18 am

If you can live with, enjoy and maintain an Exige S1, you are onto a total winner. Forget about investment. Just revel in the fact you're driving a racing-derived Lotus icon that will sell for what you paid.

It's the closest you'll get to free motoring

Oh and it's a pretty competent performer too!

kerryxeg · Post by **kerryxeg** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 7:43 pm

Congratulations on the purchase, sounds like you've found a nice one. If you didn't mind driving it up the motorway then I think you'll love it when you get on some more entertaining routes.

There isn't much sound deadening and the cabin isn't very isolated so even the std exhaust is pretty loud inside the car. The std exhaust weighs a ton so is usually changed for something lighter.

enjoy

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:16 pm

Sounds like a good original car. Will hopefully get to see it at a meet or run soon.

Scottish Elises