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T350 or S1 Exige?


MattyB
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I've "done" the Honda thing with an ITR, great car, but not for me.

Skyline - nah

Ford Escort/Focus - Don't like Fords ;) And I wouldn't go from a 320bhp V6 Alfa to a Ford 4cyl, Turbo'd or not :P

VW GTi/R32 - Would never be a patch on the GTA.

Lancer EVO's - Almost went there with an EVO 6 TME, too garish for me now.

Impreza's - Too common

Boxster - Too common, and its not a 911...sorry!

VX220 - Badge snobbery wouldn't allow me to have one over an Elise.

Noble M12 - Not keen

Skoda VRS - The devils fuel. I'd cry going from the GTA engine to a TDi!

Appriciate the suggestions, but I've scoured the classifieds numerous times its always come back to the Lotus/TVR offerings. If I could stretch the budget past £20k then it opens up other options for me, but below that price nothing else has tickled me fancy.

Hmm... how about:

Audi RS4 (sadly wouldn't be the latest)

Aston Martin DB7 (proper badge snobbery right there ;D)

Chevrolet Corvette (american muscle? probably a left hand drive though...)

Jaguar XKR (bit of luxury performance)

Mercedes CLK55 AMG (could get it in a soft top too)

Toyota Supra (potential 10 second car)

Polo GTI (2009 already has the 1.8T, capable of high power afaik)

Masterati Quattroporte (estate ferrari? high mileage example within range)

Maserati Gransport V8 (more italia)

Audi TT 3.2L Quattro (plenty of scope)

If I had 20k for a car I'd never buy one due to being unable to decide.

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Matty - with the Honda converted Lotus, I was meaning to get an Elise with the Honda engine in, realised the Exige were a little on the high side of the budget range.

Not my thing but what about Lotus Europa?

Funnily enough, ones popped up on PH:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2137390.htm

Don't like the wheels, the Eliseparts rear clam is nasty with the extra join, and the spoiler would have to go also. Price isn't bad, although it doesn't say who's done the conversion, and it doesn't look its been done by one of the 'mainstream' garages....

Europa's I'm not keen on. Saw one on the road, it looks too "Proton" for my liking...

ive got it matty forget the monaro get a maloo! you could carry your trackday lupo in the back. just need someone to photoshop one in the back to win you over. :lol:

Maloo's are cool :shades: Couple for sale on PH...

Hmm... how about:

Audi RS4 (sadly wouldn't be the latest)

Aston Martin DB7 (proper badge snobbery right there ;D)

Chevrolet Corvette (american muscle? probably a left hand drive though...)

Jaguar XKR (bit of luxury performance)

Mercedes CLK55 AMG (could get it in a soft top too)

Toyota Supra (potential 10 second car)

Polo GTI (2009 already has the 1.8T, capable of high power afaik)

Masterati Quattroporte (estate ferrari? high mileage example within range)

Maserati Gransport V8 (more italia)

Audi TT 3.2L Quattro (plenty of scope)

If I had 20k for a car I'd never buy one due to being unable to decide.

RS4's are slightly too expensive at 26-27k base.

AM's put me off with the bills!

Corvette, I'd consider a Z06, but too expensive!

XKR is too old man for me ;)

CLK55 is a decent shout, but its too sensible

Supra is too "Fast and Furious"

PoloGTi is a bit dull (apologies to owners, but Exige/T350/Polo GTi? Not quite there!)

Maserati's....aiii! The bills! Its in Ferrari levels of running costs

Audi TT's I definately don't do - too common, too stylised. 5cyl engine in the TTRS is nice though!

Decisions are easier for me as I'm EXTREMELY picky, as you can see :P Narrows down my options considerably from the off!

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RS4's are slightly too expensive at 26-27k base.

AM's put me off with the bills!

Corvette, I'd consider a Z06, but too expensive!

XKR is too old man for me ;)

CLK55 is a decent shout, but its too sensible

Supra is too "Fast and Furious"

PoloGTi is a bit dull (apologies to owners, but Exige/T350/Polo GTi? Not quite there!)

Maserati's....aiii! The bills! Its in Ferrari levels of running costs

Audi TT's I definately don't do - too common, too stylised. 5cyl engine in the TTRS is nice though!

Decisions are easier for me as I'm EXTREMELY picky, as you can see :P Narrows down my options considerably from the off!

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Porsche Cayman (not sure if they fall into budget yet)

I agree what you mean about the Exige/T350/Polo GTI - different sorts of car. Depends if you wanted something a bit sleeper.

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Cheapest Sagaris is about £35k, it's only double the budget ;)

Not convinced on the Cayman - something wrong about the rear end on them.

The Alfa is being collected tomorrow, bad times :( I'm temporarily replacing a sonorous 3.7 V6 with a moon-mileage 1.8T with 150bhp....not sure I can wait till nearer Christmas for the replacement!

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Just curious, have you sat in/driven either? I remember i tried to get into a work collegue's S1 elise, and tbh, it wasn't a pretty sight, nor was it that dignified ;) I think in the end he took the panel off the roof and I clamboured in that way.

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Just curious, have you sat in/driven either? I remember i tried to get into a work collegue's S1 elise, and tbh, it wasn't a pretty sight, nor was it that dignified ;) I think in the end he took the panel off the roof and I clamboured in that way.

Owned an S1 Elise for 2 years. Getting in/out is an art, you get used to it! Far easier with the roof off though...although you don't have that option with the Exige...

Sold my GTA today, so cash is in the bank and replacements are being actively sought out...

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a little off topic, but richard hammonds section in the mirror yesterday showed lotus's new versions of all there previous models. some cool looking cars. save up until 2015 and get the new elise for 40 grand. :D ive been in an elise and a vx220 its definately an art getting out. better for a lass in a skirt ;)

Edited by jonnykell1980
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This is turning out to be a pain in the arse - nice T350 went up on the Sunday (Here) thought I'd go and have a look up close to help make my decision. Sold mid-week before I got a chance to look.

But I think I'd got my mind set on an S1 Exige anyway...but feck me, the bloody French keep buying them before I get a chance. I spotted this one last night when I got home:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2017464.htm

Awesome - DVA kit, Motorsport seats, good colour. I emailed him at 11pm last night, the advert had been running since 8pm. He emailed me at 9am today to say he's already received a deposit from a French guy! He's going to get in touch if it doesn't work out, but I had this issue before - its either dealers buying them quickly and putting rediculous mark-ups, or French people buying them 'blind'.

Gah!

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The French (and Germans) are now going nuts for Lotus cars, especially S1 Elise and Exiges.

It all kicked off when the Euro plummeted against the UKP, making them really cheap (for the French) - a bunch of companies in France started offering LHD conversions, and since then they've been shipped over the in bucketloads. Elise prices firmed up due to demand, and Exige prices have gone from about £18/19k to more like £21/22k in the space of about 18months.

Great for them, shit for people like me!

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thats interesting didnt realise they were so keen for them just thought it was mainly the british that wanted british cars and the rest of the world generally wasnt interested.

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Is the S1 exige better than the later ones? I like the look of the newer ones to be honest.

It's not just with cars it's all luxury goods... A friend runs a second hand luxury watch business, most of his sales are to europeans since the recession hit here. Same with boats, it's such a short distance to france they pop over on the ferry and sail a nice boat back.

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Is the S1 exige better than the later ones? I like the look of the newer ones to be honest.

EVO did an S1 vs S2 comparison a few years back when the S2's first came out - apparently the S2 is better in every way. But for me, the S1 has a certain raw charm, and I do prefer the "Mini GT Racer" looks.

but I'm STILL struggling to locate one. I've just been offered a Blue S1, but its got no history between 2000 (when new) and 2004, when it was owned by Lotus and did 20k miles (he believes it was used by a Lotus director on trade plates??) its now on 30k miles in 2010. So 2/3rd's of its mileage is unaccounted for, and its up for £23k.

I like the S2's, but I wouldn't want anything but a Supercharged one, and they don't start at less than £24k, which is a bit of a stretch for me.

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did S2 they tested have a supercharger?

Is an uncharged S2 better than an S1?

I am still undecided what to do with my car. I think about buying cars every day!!! Just got back from 3 weeks away did a run down to the coast to see my parents. The hardtop is squeaking like a cricket, roof off lube the seals and make adjustment to the catches. Pain in the bottom!

needs new tires on the back, pads on the front and swapping the front anti roll bar back to OEM for the winter. Hope to get this all sorted tomorrow. you're lucky you have a daily! i used to think my car was pretty good around town... Now i think the suspension is too hard for the bad london roads and on motorways its really noisey. I need something german!

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It was the un-supercharged version they tested. I'm going to have a look at this one this week:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2106637.htm

The interior is....different, but the spec is good, with Nitrons, lightweight forged wheels, Sport pack, exhaust etc. Price is good too considering its a dealer car. I'm guessing people are put off by the interior, but I reckon I could sell that on. I'm just undecided about whether to really stretch the budget and get a supercharged one. Apparently the N/A is better on track, being lighter and doesn't suffer from heatsoak. Day to day, the Supercharged is better due to increased torque. On top of that, I'm still open to S1 Exiges...options options...

As for your S2000, isn't that your second one? What are you considering changing to? If you find the Honda hard work around town, don't consider a Lotus :D

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CSL?

Would much rather have the toyota lump in the exige mk2 than the mk1 k series though it isn't as light. Not one for supercharged whine and the 190bhp one was decently quick with a vtec like upper limit. Both the T350 and S1 are very low at the front and might have problems with speed bumps if you have any round your way. Too many horror stories about the speed six engine though there have been a few with LS3 v8 replacements which could be a lot of fun.

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It was the un-supercharged version they tested. I'm going to have a look at this one this week:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2106637.htm

The interior is....different, but the spec is good, with Nitrons, lightweight forged wheels, Sport pack, exhaust etc. Price is good too considering its a dealer car. I'm guessing people are put off by the interior, but I reckon I could sell that on. I'm just undecided about whether to really stretch the budget and get a supercharged one. Apparently the N/A is better on track, being lighter and doesn't suffer from heatsoak. Day to day, the Supercharged is better due to increased torque. On top of that, I'm still open to S1 Exiges...options options...

As for your S2000, isn't that your second one? What are you considering changing to? If you find the Honda hard work around town, don't consider a Lotus :D

Wow thats lovely, i like the interior. I would much rather that than the S1. who gives a poop about it being supercharged or not, look at it. its awesome out the box! if you don't like the interior there can't be much that needs replacing leather wise in an Elise. You could easily get something done to your tastes!

Yes it's my second S2000, 5 year gap between the 2. However I had a VW Passat and a motorbike when I got this one so it wasn't my daily. I sold the Passat to Adamk for £500! lol I was thinking 996 C4S as I loved my mates one however just sunk the upgrade money into my new bike which i pick up next weekend. I am looking at more sensible cars with a little more room and will sell mine, realistically if i got £13k for mine thats all I would really put in to my new car. I took the stiffer anti roll bar out and put the old one back in today, got the brake pads fitted and tomorrow is tyres + geo. I will see how I get on in the next month with her but if she starts to bore me I will probably get a warm hatch for the winter and look at the options come spring time... it's a long winter!!!! There is a guy at work with a very very nice RS6 but sadly its well out of my budget... A R32 would be great for winter.

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Phoned about that car this morning, he'd just taken a deposit on it! I'm now looking at this one: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1978689.htm

But it means taking out a bigger loan - spec is fantastic though, even has an LSD. Only downside seems to be a gap in the service history, nothing from its initial service 1100 miles, to its second service 2 years later on 21000 miles.

In terms of your choices, went in a 996 once and didn't like it. Too muted, didn't feel very quick, horrible grey dash. Great all-rounders, but it didn't feel very exciting. I'd have to have an RS or GT model if it were a 996, to get that 'edge'.

RS6's? They are STUPIDLY expensive to run. Have a look on Pistonheads on people blogs, absolutely massive bills, running into thousands...hence they're so cheap now! R32 is a good shout, hold their values reasonably as well. You might find both of them a bit dull after the RWD S2000, but sometimes you can just be glad of the comforts over winter!

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I think that's the one matty! It looks great in white and a great spec, I am a little suprised they don't have an LSD as standard? I know you have a large budget however is it really worth £5k more than this one? after all 5k is 5k !!!!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2217018.htm

ah looks like all my buying plans are on hold till spring. I am buying a little run around for the girl friend this weekend and got to pick up a new bike so will have two cars to use, bank account emptied :) On the plus side I have sorted the hardtop on my car which was driving me insane. It has never been this quiet. I also sorted the strange handling, I need to go back for a full geo set up, the problem was the Toe was miles out on the rear so when I hit a bump it steered the back round. I thought it was due to the stiffer anti roll bar on the front so had this removed.

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Its worth paying the extra for one with the 06 revisions (LED lights, revised pedal box) plus I need a Sports Pack equipped one, or I'll be forking out for seats with harness holes and something to mount them on. This one:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2131416.htm

Is probably a better bet. Newer, lower mileage, and has Sports Pack. Reckon I could get that for £20k. But then my thinking it, for £3.5k extra I'm getting WAY more with the white one??? I'm concerned over residuals for the N/A ones too, as I reckon they're going to take a tumble now the "S" models are getting close in terms of price.

What car are you buying for the other half? Geometry settings are vital - you don't realise how far they're out until you get them adjusted, they slowly get worse so you don't notice! Remember getting my old Elise done and it felt like a totally different car!!

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