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Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

Buying My First Exige S


bp1000

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Hello

 

I'm giving serious thought to selling my XFR and getting a weekend / evening car like the Exige S2 S.

 

I know very little about Lotus cars and i'm just trying to learn. I had a preconception that an Exige might be a temperamental, troublesome quite costly but rewarding ride.

 

So far i've gathered it actually isn't too bad to run

 

Tax 280

Insurance about 300

Servicing 250

Tyres 600 but probably not yearly

Brakes about 500

 

I'm likely to do about 5k or less per year, fuel isn't an issue.

 

I'm doing this because i want something more hardcore, lightweight and nimbler than my XFR.

 

What is the Exige like to live with? Quirks, reliability, things to look out for would be much appreciated.

 

 

I'm thinking i need a Exige S PP from around 2006-2007 for my budget. I'm not usually a fan of seriously modded cars. I just would like to know what i should look at for and if i have underestimated the mechanical bills and reliability. I don't fancy something that will let me down and spend time in the garage.

 

Thank you

 

Ben

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Hi Ben!

 

I used a 58 reg exige s 240 as a daily car doing a 70 mile a day commute with no problems at all. Loved it.

 

Economical and fun when i wanted it. You will have no problems using one for just social and domestic use.

 

The only issue i had was the header tank went on it. Quite a common issue i beleive, they go brittle at the pipes and cause a small coolant look and loss of pressure. Was a no hassle job done under warrenty by JCT600.

 

I dont think theres really many exige specific issues around just check it as you would any other used car.

 

Perhaps be more wary to check for water around the front end as i know on very minor occasions the standard radiators can leak and do with replacing.

 

Make sure its been serviced each year or every 9k miles what ever has come 1st.

 

Cant really think of anything else off top of my head. All in all just enjoy it!

 

And make sure you come to the famous Chatsworth event detailed in the events section, hoping for 200 Lotus cars of all models old and new this year. Will be a cracking day.

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Cheers guys good to know they are reliable. I read some stories on this forum about constant break downs but i think they were on much older elise' cars.

 

I picked up about the air con leaking and being temperamental and the head gasket sometimes failing but providing mechanical bills don't stretch into the thousands and it is not going to fail on me any more than a normal car could then i'm happy!

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Cheers guys good to know they are reliable. I read some stories on this forum about constant break downs but i think they were on much older elise' cars.

 

I picked up about the air con leaking and being temperamental and the head gasket sometimes failing but providing mechanical bills don't stretch into the thousands and it is not going to fail on me any more than a normal car could then i'm happy!

 

You have to remember that they use two different engines...

The hgf issues are on earlier rover powered Elise's and s1 exiges.

The age of car you are looking at come with a 1.8 Toyota vvti engine, generally bullet proof.

The Exige S comes as either a 220bhp 240 or 260bhp supercharger versions.

Like every car they can have issues but a lot of this is down to the care and maintenance the car has or hasn't received in it's life time.

 

If you find one you like get it checked out by a specialist such as Gav at Unit 4 in burton or a lotus main dealer, spend a little could save you a lot of sweat and tears later on.

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Hi Ben,

 

welcome to MLOC

 

as Dean/Alex state HGF normally associated with early S1 Rover engined Elise/Exige

 

have sent you a pm rather than boring the masses with how good the Exige is

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The head gasket isn't an issue on s2 Exiges, only on rover k series engined cars I.e. early Elises and s1 Exiges.

 

Ah that would explain it then, cheers, i thought it might have been the toyota engine. Thanks for clarifying.

 

You have to remember that they use two different engines...

The hgf issues are on earlier rover powered Elise's and s1 exiges.

The age of car you are looking at come with a 1.8 Toyota vvti engine, generally bullet proof.

The Exige S comes as either a 220bhp 240 or 260bhp supercharger versions.

Like every car they can have issues but a lot of this is down to the care and maintenance the car has or hasn't received in it's life time.

 

If you find one you like get it checked out by a specialist such as Gav at Unit 4 in burton or a lotus main dealer, spend a little could save you a lot of sweat and tears later on.

 

Thanks for the info on the garage, Burton is not far from me at all, when i find one and go ahead with buying i will get it checked over thanks.

 

Hi Ben,

 

welcome to MLOC

 

as Dean/Alex state HGF normally associated with early S1 Rover engined Elise/Exige

 

have sent you a pm rather than boring the masses with how good the Exige is

 

Thanks Darryl, just replied to your PM and cheers for the info! Just on the hunt now for the right one to look at and possibly buy if i like!

 

 

Is it safe to assume these lotus cars are set up to behave completely different from cars with a sporting edge. I don't know how to put it but i'm just looking for a road going, hardcore, thrilling weekend driver. Something that gives the experience of a racer to satisfy a petrol head.

 

Just fancy a stripped out dedicated motor that is a hoot to drive round the wonderful A/B roads that surround me through staffordshire, derbyshire, mid and north wales.

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The only problem I had in over a years ownership was my air con packed up. Other than that it was superb regarding reliability and day to day running was relatively cheap....

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Pah! air con you girl Scatty! lol

 

S1 air con never breaks... unless you cant be bothered to remove the roof!!! :)

 

Ben on the serious side go for it, its a great fun car and even better when you meet the people driving and enjoying them on the meets!

 

Jode.

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Is there any from within the community for sale that anyone knows of? Perhaps even the wider network of lotus members from around the country?

 

A car with a bit of documented history would be preferable.

 

cheers

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Speaking as someone who now has a V8 XF and previously had an S1 Elise, they both reward in different ways. My XF is quicker in a straight line than the Elise, but show any Lotus a series of corners and you'll quickly realise where the merits of each car lie. You'll obviously miss your creature comforts, but the smile on your face every time you get out of the Lotus will soon have you forgetting the heated and cooled seats, rotating vents and sat nav you've become accustomed to!!

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For what you want it for an Elise would also fit the bill I think, and you can have the roof off (although you can modify Exiges quite easily so the roof comes off). Although Exiges look better imo.

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