Thoughts on Exiges?

[colgy]

Hey guys, thinking of returning to a squeaky plastic car after 5 years of Porsche ownership. Thinking of an Exige - always hankered after an S1 but after seeing the prices recently, realised it’s probably out of my £45k price range! Recently drove a 350 and was blown away, but I think realistically it’ll probably be between an S3 CR or a nice S2 240/260 - anybody know how the gearchanges compare between the two? And is the pre-350 shifter really that bad...

[campbell]

Can't say for sure but my experience over 3 different Lotuses in 19 years is, the gearchange is always better the newer you go.

Shift in my 2013 S3 Elise CR is snickerty snick

[campbell]

Oh and nice well cared for example of S2 Exige in our own Classifieds right now

[BigD]

The pre-350 gearchange in mine felt way better than the elise before it. I haven’t tried a 350 so not sure what it’s like but no issues with the pre-350 at all.

[colgy]

Cheers guys, I guess maybe I need to sit in a few and try it out. Can't make my mind up what I want though, keep changing my mind every day! The car in the classifieds does indeed look a cracker, unfortunately I have terrible taste in colour, and I'm after something a bit brighter! It's been ages since I've had a proper look around an S2 - are there any meets/runs planned in the next month or two?

[campbell]

A few.

See Meets sub forum

[mxvx]

Quite an informative thread over on PH
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/top ... &t=1743074
Good luck

[Ferg]

The good example prices for 240/260 S2s isn't far off V6 money. It's a slippery slope from there.

[campbell]

The PH thread talks a little about heatsoak. Seem to recall this kinda negates the power claims of the 240 Exiges. But as a package and an "investment", an S2 Exige may be the clever move.

[colgy]

Thanks for the tips. Yeah I know, man-maths is confusing things here! I had sort of had a budget of up to £45k and I really like the looks of the V6 CRs, bu at that price, you’re almost in to Sport 350 money. I think I would definitely consider a low mileage S2 if it had the 240/260 upgrade in a nice colour though....

There’s a low mileage sprint for sale, but it has a roll cage, which puts me off a little. Are there any £45k S1s out there anymore??

[Ferg]

An S1 Exige is a beautiful thing. You won't get a better handling modern Lotus derivative IMO. I can't in my right kind say you shouldn't, but you'll end up wanting more and mods now on those are considered sacrilege.

[Rosssco]

You could have a very nice Lego Elise / VX either turbo or SC'ed for half what you'd pay for a top spec S2 Exige S, and it'll do 99% the same thing.. Although you probably already know that! You won't loose money on it either..

An S3 V6 mind you is another level IMO (though not necessarily a massive leap in straight performance terms)

[colgy]

Yeah, both fair comments. After owning a tweaked tubby Lego car for 7 years, I fancy something a bit different. Are the 240/260 cars much slower in a straight line?

I kinda get what you mean about modifying an S1, not that I would alter much anyway. Never been in one, although I remember how raw a sport 160 felt inside compared to the VX, which put a smile on my face! I see there is one at £49k now - is this a realistic price do you think?

[philthy]

Coming from the V6 side of things and having owned an (S1, had a shot of a few S2s) the S3 is night and day in terms of noise, torque, ride comfort and overall finish.

I’d go and try some to help you make your mind up!
I had toyed with selling mine this year but I just can’t bring myself to, saying that if the right offer was presented

[Rosssco]

Yeah, both fair comments. After owning a tweaked tubby Lego car for 7 years, I fancy something a bit different. Are the 240/260 cars much slower in a straight line?

I kinda get what you mean about modifying an S1, not that I would alter much anyway. Never been in one, although I remember how raw a sport 160 felt inside compared to the VX, which put a smile on my face! I see there is one at £49k now - is this a realistic price do you think?

I doubt there is much if anything in it, but different engine experiences - torque and longer gearing on a 5-speed vs. low(er) torque and high-rev with short gearing. Both have their appeal, and depends how you intend to use it..

The whole S1 Exige thing is a bit of an self-inflating bubble tbh (from what I've read), with many not selling at the prices advertised..