OK, the time has come. Since 2003 in my fight against bowel/rectal cancer I�ve had seven operations, all under general anaesthetic generating a total of 39ins of scar tissue. I was declared the winner in late 2009. However, the scarring hides a big sheet of plastic in my abdomen to stop it from tearing itself open; this makes bending in the middle quite difficult. Last January I had a knee replacement; this can make it difficult bending at the extremities. This year it looks like I might have the other knee replaced. As much as I love my Exige, and I do, and as much as I am willing to squeeze myself in and out of it to enjoy the pleasure of driving it, it isn�t getting any easier. Mrs Stripe will not go on long trips in it (well, we are both nearly 60!). I�m too old, too fat, and too messed about with to enjoy it the way I wish I could. I have, therefore reluctantly decided that it is time to move on. It is for sale.
2000/1 LOTUS EXIGE S1 - SOLD
Date of First Registration: 230101 (Nick Whale Sports Cars) as X48 UOM (now on private plate of no value to anyone else)
Chassis No: 80447
Engine No: 18K4FN04365526
Sold: 310101 against Purchase Order placed on 190101
Sold to me : 11070 with 389 miles recorded
Current Mileage: 25,500
Colour: Laser Blue from new
Trim: Black Alcantara/Blue Leather
Restraints: Standard 3-point harnesses
Engine: Original VHPD with Lotus Cars 190 upgrade
Wheels and Tyres: Standard Rimstock with Toyo R1R nearly new tyres
Extras when new: Air conditioning (currently not functioning), Satin black cabin fittings
History, Modifications and Additions: As you can see from the details above, although I am technically the third owner, I have had the car for almost all of its life and the manufacturer�s warranty was passed to me. The dealer registered the car to comply with the SVA Type Approval process. I have the EEC Certificate of Conformity for the car (dated 29 Nov 2000), the META Alarm Certificate of Installation and the original Code Card and key fob tag and two keys, of course. I have all receipts for all work done, all MoT certificates, and, other than paint, work had only been carried out by authorised dealers or Lotus Power (The Edwards Boys). The car is probably one of the most original and standard cars around but, like most Exiges, has had the odd upgrade and supplementary part. The first of these was the factory approved 190bhp upgrade performed by Lotus main dealers at the first service on 060801. A Lotus Sports exhaust was fitted on 280502. This car was one of the first to be fitted with a Lotus Power rear diffuser which was fitted on 210902. The car suffered alternator failure at 8,259 miles and this was replaced by main dealers on 041002. Steel braided brake hoses were fitted at 10367 miles on 180403 as were Castrol SRF brake fluid and Magnacor plug leads. Only routine servicing was required in 2004. A replacment air conditioning compressor (from Pesky�s VHPD) was fitted at 14,000 miles on 080405. A new timing belt was fitted at �C� service at 17,772 miles on 060406.Only routine servicing was carried out until early in 2007 when Lotus Power fitted a front splitter, a new HD battery, a remote thermostat, replaced a rear wheel bearing. Nitron two-way spring and damper units were fitted at the same time. The original LSS equipment is available as spares if required. Only routine servicing has been carried out since although a replacement front clam was fitted in 2010 following an �off � at Curborough that damaged the front nearside clam and the rear splitter (kerb damage) and buckled a wheel; this was also replaced. The crash structure and chassis were not damaged in any way and Lotus Power reset the geometry on 130710. Throughout its life the car has done about a dozen track days (Donington, Anglesey and Curborough mostly) but most of the current mileage has been accrued on long foreign trips where the car has performed faultlessly. It�s now 11 years old and not perfect but with its recently painted front clam it is very smart. A silenced cat replacement pipe goes on and off the car around visits to the MoT station. There is a sensible pack of original/spare parts with it. Always garaged and on a trickle charger.
The S1 Exige was recently listed by the Sunday Times as one of the six best investments in classic cars.
I hate the tought of selling this wonderful little car. I�ll keep it (and drive it!) if I don�t get a sensible price for it. The starting point for negotiations is �24,000. I don�t need the money so no stupid offers please. If you can find another one that is quite so original and quite so well documented, buy it, store it or sell it and then do the same with this one.
Available separately:
2 x Rimstock Exige S1 OE front wheels, no tyres. �400 - SOLD
1 x Rimstock Exige S1 OE rear wheel, god AO39 (4mm) tyre �230 - SOLD
1 x Exige S1 engine cover, bought used but never unpacked, genuine rocking horse pooh. Offers when we unwrap it and see what state it is in taking into account that you can�t get them and when you could they were �1200 from Lotus SOLD
1 pair Exige S1 wing mirrors �30 SOLD
Emerald ECU (bought second hand from IDG and never got around to fitting it, this ECU has the correct plug on it for immediate fitment to a VHPD-engined S1 - still needs the help of an expert but less than starting from scratch) �500
1 set OE LSS yellow strut dampers and springs (20,000 miles) �250
All open to offers.
so who is actually going to buy the Exige??? (to be fair, I’ve had one serious enquiry already)