A few months into ownership and after signing up and creating an introduction thread, I wanted to start an owners thread to document/share the journey with like minded people.
My first time in an Exige was back in 2007 when one of my best mates bought a 2005 n/a one, I loved them from then on and the next year, following a trip to the ring in it, further cemented my desire to own one at some point in life.
Picture of the Exige in question…
Fast forward through the years of various car ownership from fast fords, civic type r, E92 M3, RS Audis and track prepped Megane 3 RS to a few months back when I spotted Jon Seal had a Chrome Orange S2 for sale with low mileage.
It was the colour I wanted so got in touch with Jon and the rest is history. The car only had two owners from new with the 260 conversion being carried out in 2010 with TRD and 2ubular back box fitted at the same time. Service history was good and the previous owner spent a small fortune sorting several air con issues too which was a bonus.
So early June and the car was delivered…
First order of business was a proper shakedown on some of my favourite local (ish) roads up to the Glenshee ski centre and everything felt pretty solid with no dramas whatsoever.
After that I set about getting the paintwork sorted out as it was a bit flat/marred/swirled etc… and one of my mates has a detailing business so why not get it corrected. It will mainly be used for track days and b road blasts but I have a bit of OCD when it comes to paintwork so it would just annoy me if left the way it was….
Anyway, I few after shots of two stage correction and ceramic coating. The wheels are done and need a refurb but I knew that and will get it done later when I get the suspension refreshed.
Next up was it’s first track day at Knockhill. I hadn’t been on a track for about five years since I sold my track prepped Megane 3 RS and my wife had our eldest daughter so was excited but apprehensive at the same time. To add to that, the track day was anti-clockwise on this occasion and I had never driven it that way so added to the anxiety…
Anyway, the session was an evening two hour open pit lane. It was dry which was a bonus as wasn’t sure how the NS-2Rs would fair in wet conditions. The car ran well but the brakes were poor on the standard discs/pads/fluid and faded badly a good few times which killed confidence. The heavens opened with about half an hour to go so called it a day.
Some pictures of the car on track, can’t quite believe how much roll there appears to be in some of the shots.
Had a few hours drive home to think about things and definitely wanted to deal with the brakes first, followed by some other track related mods i.e. Spitfire toe links and a baffled sump.
Got up the road and the following day made a few calls, Seriously Lotus were very helpful and ended up ordering some nice shiny bits which are due for delivery tomorrow along with some new pads but I’ll save for the next post….
