I currently drive a VX220 which i hope to get in decent nick over winter to then sell to get a Series 1 Exige.
I’ve been doing a lot of searching and have calmed my fears on the k-series engine which i’ve heard horror stories about (that’s the internet for you!). I was just wondering if there is any specific Exige things i should look for over an Elise?
I understand you could get some Exiges with racier seats and harnesses, were there any other desirable factory options in addition to this?
Am i also right in saying that all 2001 models had air con?
The S1 is a fantastic car, a little fragile maybe, but not as bad as people would have you believe if you get a good’un
All the later-build cars had aircon, yes… but this isn’t strictly the 2001 cars as there are some late build numbers that were registered in late 2000 and some early build numbers that were registered in late 2001. As a loose rule of thumb though, most of the early cars were sans-aircon, with most of the later ones having aircon.
Sports seats, which came with the harnesses was a desirable option. You could also get an alcantara trim-pack, which swapped the dash inserts, sill pads and door-cards for alcantara in your choice of blue, red, black or silver. The sports seats (if fitted) came in alcantara to match.
That was about it for the options. Most cars came with a Radio fitting kit (speakers and aerial).
Try to find one that’s been well looked after… a pampering owner who’s treated it with respect as their pride and joy. Having one that’s been tracked isn’t an issue so long as all the preventative maintenance has been done, along with the typical “safe” mods of toelinks, remote stat etc.
I’m new to S1 ownership myself, so I’m a newbie in here too, some of the old hands will be along shortly to tell you I’ve got it all wrong and shouldn’t listen to a word I’ve said
All the usual ‘caveat emptor’ clauses apply, of course, but if you start looking for a particular colour/spec combination you are unlikely to find it. There are only a few hundred to choose from and very few of them actually on the market, so don’t be too fussy. Any S1 is a future (current?) classic (let’s not start that debate again) and is infinitely modifiable. Get one that works for you (colour and spec) and if you want to change it there will be plenty of scope to do so.
I appreciate what you’re saying with regards to finding my desired spec car. Ideally i’d like a Chrome Orange one but appreciate i’m going to have to be lucky if one were to turn up when i’m ready to purchase.
Some VX220s had paint bubbling issues on the clam, are you aware of similar problems with the Lotus?
I’m trying to find out what the service intervals are for the 190 VHPD engine too if anyone can help out…
6k miles or 12 months - although there is 3 different levels.
A) oil and filter plus checks
B) as above plus plugs spark plugs
c) as b but cambelt, fuel filter
A services can had a dealer for �199 genrally or less from a friendly specialist.
Full service history isn’t all its cracked up to be with specialist cars like this. Some are owned by very technically capable people who do all their servicing themselves, and frankly will do a better job than the YTS new boy that the Lotus dealer decided to let loose on your car that day. This is especially true of tracked examples as they tend to be fettled all the time, and not just when the service book arbitrarily dictates.
Also, if it’s not been on track, punch the owner squarely in the face for being such a numpty, then refuse to buy it on principle.