In the run up to Christmas, I’m looking to get back into a Lotus, ideally an S1 Exige. Seems they’re like rocking horse … at the moment, so if anyones thinking of selling this year, give me a nudge.
Not really interested in low-mileage garage queens, bodywork isn’t vitally important as long as mechanically it’s been treated like a king.
And I know I shouldn’t be picky in a tough market, but I’m not interested in Red or Orange (apologies to any current owners, I mean no offense 
)
Cheers!
If it makes you feel any better, its not the combination of a Red Exige, I just don’t like Red cars.
Actually, maybe that isn’t any better Yours does look great to be fair.
I still haven’t ruled out an S2 Exige, but the S1 has tons more character - its the reason I bought my Sport160 over a 111S, the latter lacked it (relatively speaking).
Edit - an old post back in Feb mentioned you were thinking about selling yours about now? That still the case? Obviously, as its red, the market value is affected… 
I dont think I should talk to you !!! 
Yesterday I went for a pax ride with Pete757 in his S2 Supercharged wonderbox and even though I am an S1 devotee I can now see that the S2 is a very able and FAST machine and does deserve its place here and I hereby take back any disparaging remarks I ever made about them…thats quite a lot then. 
Seriously If you cant find an S1 a Supercharged S2 is excellent.
(I dont think you can buy new anymore so the S2 will start to appreciate soon)
But given the choice of either an S1 or S2 to take home and keep…which would it be?
The S2 is a real consideration. Far more usable, with a boot and other such comforts. I looked up the review a while back that EVO did comparing S1 to S2, and the S2 was rated better in every department - except looks.
But its an age-old arguement…
Matt
My two peneth worth;
The S2 is better built, more refined, offers better reliability, � for � in S form relatively affordable to increase engine power, ABS, AC, TC, half decent lights, quieter etc, etc. I know, I had a 57 S for 2 years and covered 18K miles.
When I sold it to buy my S1 people outside of the Exige circle, (and some in it), could not get their heads round why I was selling a 2 year old car only to by a 9 year old one and on top of that, one with a ROVER engine in it� why did I?
The S1 (VHPD) - raw, noisy, stroppy, full of character and the sound of the throttle bodies on full chat does it for me. Then there is the weight, the S2 S weighs in at an additional 27.5 stone - that�s two passengers already onboard before you get in. The looks, for me just edge it over the S2 but the S2 is still one hell of a good looking car.
Horses for courses � very fast road car that you can use on the track, or a track car that you can use on the road, both brilliant at their original intended use and both slightly compromised outside of it. You pays your money etc
No doubt Pete will be along to comment as he has gone from S1 to S2 with Elise ownership in between the two
Mistress or wife material - depends what you’re after
Nice summary Harvey!
I LOVED my S1 Exige but I also love my S2 Exige!
The S1 is just the total dogs on the track! 27 stone lighter makes a huge difference and the car feels SO much lighter and more nimble about the circuit that the S2. That for me is the biggest difference, and perhaps one that I miss…
My S2 may have 15 - 20 BHP more power than the VHPD, but the power to weight advantage of the S1 is just HUGE… about 55 BHP per tonne more. BUT the S2 Supercharged engine is really torquey… and ‘should’ be a lot more reliable than the VHPD. My first VHPD engine only lasted 25K miles… others on here have lasted less than that, others more. But at then end of the day, it has SO much character and if carefully warmed up and cooled down there is no reason why it should not give good service.
On the road for everyday driving, I MUCH prefer the S2. It is quiter so you can actually drive a long way without blood coming from your ears! A/C is nice, you can hear the music AND to keep my wife happy on those summer says, the roof can come off easily!!! (not that I will EVER do this )
Overall, either are great cars. I have done about 3000 miles of Lotus driving overall in the last year, with only about 300 of those on track. So my car use is 90% road… So as I stand now, I would not swap my S2 for an S1… BUT if I won the lottery I would buy another S1 and just use it on the track! 
I appreciate the input.
As it’ll be a second car, I’m not too fussed about everyday usability - I just prefer cars with a bit of character about them, something the S1 has in spades!
(Not to mention I regularly see a guy driving around in a Blue S2 Exige near me, and I like to be different )
In a similar vein, practically everyone suggested I bought a 111S instead of an S160 way back when, but the S160 just had that edge for me. Its a similar story with looking at S1/S2’s.
I’ve been contacted by a couple of people on here thinking about selling theirs, so I’ll follow those up first. I also haven’t ruled out TVR T350’s, so keeping my options open at present.
Cheers all.
[quote=M7EXG]Apology not accepted 
One disgruntled Red Exige owner 
Seems to be a lot of peeps after the S1 but they can’t sell their S2
Happy Searching[/quote]
Make that two!
I’ve gone from S2 Exige as an everyday car to S1 Exige as a toy. Hopefully that says it all really.
As it appears we’re very much in a sellers market, I take back what I said - as the old adage says, “beggars can’t be choosers” so I’m accepting any colour Exige, from Pink to Brown and anything in between.
I mean, thats what resprays and wraps are for, right?
For the right price I might be willing to let mine go…
Bearing in mind it’s Honda powered and awesome the right price would be at the top end of the scale!
whats the right price for yours dave out of curiosity
Therein lies the big question !
Probably around 25k.
[quote=DaveP]
Therein lies the big question !
Probably around 25k. [/quote]
Is that just for the wheels
[quote=DaveP]
Therein lies the big question !
Probably around 25k. [/quote]
…and what would you replace it with…apart from a lasting feeling of regret and mourning
I would say �25k is now the going rate for a good car with sensible upgrades or a mint K series car, but what do I know I drive an S2
Does that mean mine’s cheap at that ?
White S1 Exige
Link-Up Honda NA conversion with JDM cams
Nitrons
304 AP discs up front with RS14s
295 AP discs on rear with RS14s
MOG drivers seat.
Randy 4-point cage.
Harnesses.
Plumbed in fire extinguisher
Electronic cut off switch
I must be mad!
Does seem a good price to me, and yes you are probably mad, but only as mad as the rest of us here
Not completely convinced I should sell it to be honest, but I have a hankering to build a car from the ground up and this would be the only way I could do it…
Does this have anything to do with getting married?
What happened to the fairies calling you?