Greetings from Texas! I’m about to order an '07 Exige S and would like advice from the people that know these cars. I’ve been into cars for 30 + years, but I’ve never been lucky enough to have a Lotus. Please let me know what to expect, look for, ask and worry about. I’ll post info on the car as soon as I order.
THANKS!
Ben Jenkins
It’ll be light. A different way of driving. Carrying speed rather than blasting places. You’ll learn how quick that really is on track (where you must take it).
Make sure you get the extra oil cooler for your hot climate.
Ian
I may be wrong, but I think it may be too late to get one now. The 07 Exige S for the US does not meet the new bumper requirements, so Lotus is rushing them out before the facotry closes at the end of this November. They can’t build them after Dec. 31, 06 or they have to have the new bumpers. Rumor has it Lotus won’t spend the money to certify the Exige at this time with the bumpers. Lucky for me I pick mine up tomorrow!!! Can’t wait.
Good luck, and I may be wrong about this.
Re: Exige S for the US does not meet the new bumper requirements.
Non of the Lotuses do, they have enjoyed limited type approval.
Unless that agreement has ran out, or It might just be a blag by dealers to get customers to to get their deposits down before christmas.
I know about the bumper exemption, but no one at the dealer has said anything about it expiring. I’m going to place the order tomorrow and the dealer said the car should be delivered in 60 to 90 days. They have 4 Exiges in stock, 2 of them are “S” models, but they don’t have the color I want.
I just hope I can wait 2 to 3 months!
The (US federal) bumper exemption expires at the end of 2006.
Per Lotus, there’s a solution engineered, but no one here has seen photos of it yet - we’re expecting the 1980’s (US) P-car rear bumper pads on the back and the front clam to be the same visually but having a foam-filled leading edge.
That said, I’d echo pete_k: If you can find one in the color you like, with the options you like, anywhere in the States - you should probably go ahead and buy it.
At any rate, you should come out to the Londoner (in Addison) tomorrow evening for the North Texas Lotus Club monthly pub night.
Look for me (silver Exige) or Tom (yellow V8 Esprit w/ straight pipes - you can’t miss it).
Lots of good info (for us Yanks, at least) over at EliseTalk as well.
It’s done. I ordered a 2007 Exige S in Chrome Orange with Track Pack, Touring Pack, Limited Slip and StarShield. They said it should be here in about 90 days.
The dealer had 2 2007s in stock and showed me the changes made to the bumper and headlights. I got to compare it with an '06 and you can see the difference, but only if you really look for it.
So, it’s on the way and I can’t wait to drive it! Sorry I missed the Lotus Club pub night, but I’m sure I’ll make the next one! (And the one after that… and the one after that…)
Ben
Great news. Keep logged on here. It’s fun and you’ll learn lots.Fill us in about your motor history . . why a Lotus? . . . why now? . . .
You’re right! I am learning about the Exige and other cars as well. I’m sure I’ll be asking lots of questions once I have the car.
Here’s a part of my “Motor History”
'64 MGB
'66 1/2 Sunbeam Tiger
'68 Shelby GT350 Fastback
'69 Mustang Mach I
'70 Mustang Boss 302
'94 Mazda Miata
'02 Mazda Miata SE
And 14 other cars over the years.
I’ve been watching motor sports from the time I could turn on the TV. I am a Formula 1 fan all the way back to the '60s, so I knew the Lotus name and I always associated it with winning. My wife started watching Formula 1 about 8 years ago and now she loves it as much as I do. I wanted the Elise the first time I read about it, but I didn’t think it would ever make it to the US. The first time I read that the new Elise would be sold in the US was in Playboy. I watched and waited and as soon as the Lotus Dealer in Dallas had a car I could test drive, I took the car out� I couldn’t believe the way the car handled. I also loved the way people looked at the car. As I was talking to the dealer he said they would be bringing another car to the US in '06. I asked if it would be the Exige and he smiled. That was when I knew my next car would be an Exige. I was looking at an �06 Exige that the dealer had in stock and was thinking about buying it when I heard that the Exige S would be available at the end of the year. I put down my deposit just in time.
So in about 90 days or so, I�ll have my car. I can wait. I�m sure the time will fly. Right?
Looks like it may be a long winter!
Ben
I made a stop at the Dallas Lotus dealer and they gave me the new 2007 brochure (just got them in) and a Lotus DVD. Still no details as to when my car will be delivered, but it looks like the first part of March.
I can’t wait!
I was looking at an �06 Exige that the dealer had in stock and was thinking about buying it when I heard that the Exige S would be available at the end of the year. I put down my deposit just in time.
Ben
And that from somebody who lives near the FI guru Corky Bell. Would have thought somebody would have contacted Bell Engineering by now…
Nico