Lotus Exige S (Burnt Orange S2)

[Barron]

Purchased from Castle Lotus Feb 2018.
- Burnt Orange (although advertised as Chrome Orange)
- 2008
- 39k Miles
- 4 Owners

Photos of when I first viewed the car

Agreed a price and collected it, photo with the M3

Removed the carbon fibre wrap from the spoiler, side pods and front access panels. Everything came off ok apart from the side pods that were damaged under the wrap so I fit real carbon fibre side pods. I also changed the headunit for a new Alpine system and gave the inside a good clean.

 

[Barron]

A 2bular Stainless Exhaust came up for sale cheap on ebay (had only covered 2k miles) so that was snapped up and the diffuser was removed, powdercoated black and a new genuine trim fit.

How it looks now

Plans for near future:
- Carbon Fibre Splitter
- New Genuine Exige Mats

 

[Daz...]

Love that!

 

[c4pob]

Looks lovely. Always liked these.

 

[leeds_182]

Player. Looks boss.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Love that!

 

[fez]

gorgeous

 

[Chris V6 255]

Have always loved them!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rob]

Incredible. Love that so much

 

[Matt W]

Ooft. Nice. Always wanted an elise but put off by the rubbish gearchange on an exige I drove. How's yours?

 

[Barron]

Ooft. Nice. Always wanted an elise but put off by the rubbish gearchange on an exige I drove. How's yours?

I would say the gear change is the weakest part of the car.

 

[brisa4984]

I would say the gear change is the weakest part of the car.

Really ?!
Should get that seen too. A simple fiddle with the linkages can change the feel astronomically.
The gear change was the best thing about my ex lotus.
Nice car. Enjoy !

 

[Barron]

Really ?!
Should get that seen too. A simple fiddle with the linkages can change the feel astronomically.
The gear change was the best thing about my ex lotus.
Nice car. Enjoy !

Yep, going to get it checked out by Castle as it’s under warranty.

I have looked at upgraded linkages etc but going to get it checked out first before upgrading anything.

 

[Ian_182]

I prefer the M3. The lotus looks like a decent example though.
Good luck with it.

 

[Gaz85]

Awesome, always have wanted one of these. How are you finding it? I see myself having something like this as the weekend car that can double up for a few track days a year

 

[George@RTR_Parts]

Very nice that mate

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Lovely!

 

[Pumba]

Absolutely gorgeous. Pricey tho IIRC

 

[brisa4984]

Absolutely gorgeous. Pricey tho IIRC

I remember seeing it up for 31k ish I think.
S2 is a weird one tbh. Good examples at sub 40k miles have appreciated) but the market is so niche and millage sensitive that it’s a gamble if you’re looking to sell at any point. Ie. They’re keepers now.

The 2013 v6 exige is encroaching on £35k now and high milllage s2s are harder to shift apparently. Personally I think their price has flattened before dipping now (unless it’s a Scura or 260) it also has the new Elise 260/250/220cups to contend with on the used car market. The exige s2 is an Elise with better suspension and aero which is exactly what the Elise cups are now.

It’s nohing to take away from a spectacular car tho.

 

[Barron]

Awesome, always have wanted one of these. How are you finding it? I see myself having something like this as the weekend car that can double up for a few track days a year

Really enjoying it. It’s cliche but every time I drive it, it makes me smile, even if I’m going 20mph in traffic. They are a brilliantly fun car.

I remember seeing it up for 31k ish I think.
S2 is a weird one tbh. Good examples at sub 40k miles have appreciated) but the market is so niche and millage sensitive that it’s a gamble if you’re looking to sell at any point. Ie. They’re keepers now.

The 2013 v6 exige is encroaching on £35k now and high milllage s2s are harder to shift apparently. Personally I think their price has flattened before dipping now (unless it’s a Scura or 260) it also has the new Elise 260/250/220cups to contend with on the used car market. The exige s2 is an Elise with better suspension and aero which is exactly what the Elise cups are now.

It’s nohing to take away from a spectacular car tho.

Ever since the v6 Exige was released, all the forums have been saying that the prices for S2s will flatten etc but they’ve always been proven wrong. Every Lotus garage I spoke to when I was hunting for this car (a hunt that took 2.5 years) said that they just cannot get enough Exige’s and that they sell almost immediately (if they are not black), which is leading to the strong resale values.

Comparing an Elise to an Exige in terms of resell value is just silly. Although spec wise they are similar, appreciation and uniqueness are completely different. When people are buying these type of cars, they are not looking for which has the best performance (where an Elise SC/S competes with an Exige), they are looking for uniqueness and the fact that it’s an Exige....not an Elise.

 

[brisa4984]

Really enjoying it. It’s cliche but every time I drive it, it makes me smile, even if I’m going 20mph in traffic. They are a brilliantly fun car.



Ever since the v6 Exige was released, all the forums have been saying that the prices for S2s will flatten etc but they’ve always been proven wrong. Every Lotus garage I spoke to when I was hunting for this car (a hunt that took 2.5 years) said that they just cannot get enough Exige’s and that they sell almost immediately (if they are not black), which is leading to the strong resale values.

Comparing an Elise to an Exige in terms of resell value is just silly. Although spec wise they are similar, appreciation and uniqueness are completely different. When people are buying these type of cars, they are not looking for which has the best performance (where an Elise SC/S competes with an Exige), they are looking for uniqueness and the fact that it’s an Exige....not an Elise.

I didn’t expect my post to be taken well. Your reply was as expected. I’m perfectly clear on people’s reasoning behind buying one. But they aren’t special. an sc Elise with sorted suspension will match it but they just look different. I’ve kept an eye on the market since the na came out in 2004. (I’m ocd like that. It’s my home page....need) I also remember this car from two to theee years ago. The points you mentioned about people expecting values to drop ever since the v6. Is true. But lately with the dip of the s3 to 35k it’s put those buyers who can now afford both cars in a dilemma they never had.

I wasn’t comparing resale value with the more capable Elise cups. I was merely saying that they too are falling in the bracket. Some s2 exige owners have moved on to them (but you already know this if you’ve been following owners experiences.)

Once brexit S2 owner will still have the French after them I guess.

 

[brisa4984]

there will always be a following for it but low millage examples are hard to find. You yourself took 2.5 years
Have we ever come across a more millage sensitive car come resale. ? Not sure.

 

[Matt W]

I follow a few lotus dealers on Facebook and it seems nearly every one they sell is to france! Going to be none left at this rate.

Has anyone driven a S3 exige? Any good?

 

[brisa4984]

I follow a few lotus dealers on Facebook and it seems nearly every one they sell is to france! Going to be none left at this rate.

Has anyone driven a S3 exige? Any good?

Savage. But not as nimble as the s2 and nimble is good. Hence the Elise cups retain the feel.

 

[rs 1an]

Had this in from Essex Autosport, series 1 Exige 19k miles worth £60,000. Most of the series 2 have a Toyota engine conversion I believe the rest have a Honda with a supercharger. I’ve driven loads but haven’t been impressed enough to buy one.

 

[Barron]

an sc Elise with sorted suspension will match it but they just look different.

But that’s completely not the point of an Exige...an Elise will never be as special or as valued as an Exige. This is due to limited numbers and nostalgia. When buying cars like these, you make the decision with your heart, not your head. Yes you can get a more powerful Elise or even a newer Exige v6 for similar money...but it’s not that car you saw and fell in love with in photos or at car shows.

You even said it yourself when you bought your Elise, “From seeing the exige at the excell mortorshow to tracking one at thruxton ive finally settled on a this example elise S. I fancied some hairdresser motoring and sacrificed some downforce but heyho.” And even though the Elise is a brilliant Car and you probably loved owning it, it still wasn’t that car you saw at the Excel or at Thruxton.

 

[Barron]

View attachment 1361288 View attachment 1361287
Had this in from Essex Autosport, series 1 Exige 19k miles worth £60,000. Most of the series 2 have a Toyota engine conversion I believe the rest have a Honda with a supercharger. I’ve driven loads but haven’t been impressed enough to buy one.

Love that! I bet the owner never wants to drive it. Did you get to drive that one? Would love to feel how raw an S1 Exige feels.

The S2s have a Toyota Engine and come in N/A & Supercharged varieties.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Loving the transparency on the paint over the number plate :up:

 

[TRH_Racing]

my dream ..

 

[brisa4984]

But that’s completely not the point of an Exige...an Elise will never be as special or as valued as an Exige. This is due to limited numbers and nostalgia. When buying cars like these, you make the decision with your heart, not your head. Yes you can get a more powerful Elise or even a newer Exige v6 for similar money...but it’s not that car you saw and fell in love with in photos or at car shows.

You even said it yourself when you bought your Elise, “From seeing the exige at the excell mortorshow to tracking one at thruxton ive finally settled on a this example elise S. I fancied some hairdresser motoring and sacrificed some downforce but heyho.” And even though the Elise is a brilliant Car and you probably loved owning it, it still wasn’t that car you saw at the Excel or at Thruxton.

I do love them. Id have one in a heart beat to keep forever if money was no exception and I didn't care at all about residual value or market dynamics. Taking everything into account however I consider brave to buy now more than ever. Only put a 2pence worth when a comment on it being overpriced was posted. I take nothing away from it though, they are an exceptional package! Man i remember when these were about 20k in 2008 and the NA 16k!. A missed opportunity.

Enjoy the car! At least this one stays in the uk for now.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Cars cost money, people that worry about that have less fun.

 

[Silent_Scone]

Awesome machines. Lovely colour, too.

 

[rs 1an]

I drive different ones all the time, the Evoras are best to get in and have a sport exhaust button.

 

[rs 1an]

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

A 1.4 Pagan ?

 

[Barron]

Sprayed the rear grills, number plate panel and fit the new number plate this weekend.

 

[Danith]

Still the most exciting car I've been in or driven. Mate has an orange one he uses a lot on track days. Brilliant motors and love the SC whine behind your head!!

 

[Stefan.]

Awesome car!

 

[mintno1]

I loved popping in to Castle Lotus and having a nosey around before they moved from where they used to be on the main road, i should make the effort and go and have look round where they are now. Car looks awesome, only ever sat in an exige, drove an elise but very briefly, such a great car in a great colour, will keep an eye on the thread :up:

 

[Barron]

The Exige goes into a Lotus Specialist tomorrow for its s260 upgrade. Took it out today for a quick drive today, the colour looks great in the direct sun.