I'm back! Maybe!

[Brendan]

Hi all. Not sure how many have been around long enough to remember me. Hope there's still some of the original crew around. I was a regular here up until around 9 years ago, having owned first a yellow S1, and then a red S2. I left the fold when I switched to my current Evora.

Any of the old-timers remember me? Can't remember many names now, but Pesky, IDG, Steve Green, SeanB, The Brothers Steve & Martin, and RussT all come to mind.

After 9 years of ownership, I'm feeling like my time with the Evora is coming to an end. Now that I'm working from home, the car's been relegated from daily workhorse to occasional weekend toy. Of course the Evora is far too sensible a motor for that role, so I'm now thinking about something more FUN!
I have 3 options in mind:

S2 Exige, S3 Elise, or V6 Exige.

The S2 I know well. A fantastic toy, and fast enough to be great fun, but not so fast you can't really give it a good thrashing on UK roads. Getting a little older now, but I'm sure a well cared for example would make an excellent choice.

S3 Elise, obviously offers a wide range of configurations of various power and suspension options. I'm told the Elise Cup 250 is basically a logical successor to the S2 Exige, but I find the wing, barge boards, splitter etc look a bit too aftermarket for my taste. I'm not sure I need the most hard-core suspension option anymore, as I've grown accustomed to a little more comfort in my old age. A Sport 220 is probably a better bet for me.

The V6 Exige is the one my heart is currently set on. I have a hankering for some proper power, and it looks a bit less of a toy, and more 'supercar' than the 4 cylinder options. I had a test drive in one a couple of years ago, and it seemed insane! Properly quick, and with all the raw feel and excitement that the Evora lacks. Pretty sure the 345bhp engine is more than I'll ever need on the road! Maybe even too much...I like the idea of having the torque for effortless overtaking, but can't help feel it might be too fast to properly exploit on the road. Could be tempted by an IPS due to old-man joint pains.

Any thoughts? Guess I should get some test drives to help me decide!

[seriouslylotus]

S3 Elise S ((220bhp) then pop and see John and me.
Little Komotec upgrade and you have 265bhp makes a very rapid car with factory like manners.

[Brendan]

S3 Elise S ((220bhp) then pop and see John and me.
Little Komotec upgrade and you have 265bhp makes a very rapid car with factory like manners.

That does sound a tempting option. I have to say I'm not a fan of supercharger whine. Is it loud on these cars? I really wasn't impressed when I tried an Exige S back when I had my Exige S2 190. The noise was horrible, and the throttle response was noticeably slower.
I never felt I actually needed more that the 190bhp in that car, though I guess the manic, rev nature helped keep me happy!

[tim_marra]

Yeah I remember you and your S1 plus tales from your Esprit owning days. I am an Evora owner too for 9 years now and still loving it.

[thommo]

Yeah I remember you and your S1

Welcome back, hope you find a car that suits

[Brendan]

Yeah I remember you and your S1 plus tales from your Esprit owning days. I am an Evora owner too for 9 years now and still loving it.

Hey Tim, I remember you! Didn't you swap your Exige for a 111R, or has my memory failed me? Still love my Evora, and wish I could afford to keep it alongside something more sporty. Currently operating a 2 car stable with my N/A Evora, and a £700 Polo, which is just perfect for regular use because I don't give a crap about it
The Evora is a great compromise for a daily-use sports car, and very comfortable for longer journeys, but it doesn't really come alive until you're pushing it well over the speed limit. Great thing about Elise and Exiges is they feel more exciting at lower speeds.

Thanks @thommo

[Rob999]

Welcome back @Brendan

Hope you find the right car…enjoy the test drives!

[tim_marra]

Hey Tim, I remember you! Didn't you swap your Exige for a 111R, or has my memory failed me? Still love my Evora, and wish I could afford to keep it alongside something more sporty. Currently operating a 2 car stable with my N/A Evora, and a £700 Polo, which is just perfect for regular use because I don't give a crap about it
The Evora is a great compromise for a daily-use sports car, and very comfortable for longer journeys, but it doesn't really come alive until you're pushing it well over the speed limit. Great thing about Elise and Exiges is they feel more exciting at lower speeds.

Thanks @thommo

Hi, your memory is fine Brenden! The 111R was eventually replaced with a S2 Exige and now the Evora. Pesky lives in Thailand nowadays and RussT frequents FB.

[Brendan]

Hi, your memory is fine Brenden! The 111R was eventually replaced with a S2 Exige and now the Evora. Pesky lives in Thailand nowadays and RussT frequents FB.

Funny how the only real replacement for any Lotus is... another Lotus Do you miss the Exiges at all?

Good to know Pesky and RussT are still kicking!

[6970K]

Good to see you back Brendan, I remember you from when I got my 1st S1 Exige in early 2003.

Pesky, Russ, Uldis, RoxTeddy were all very active here then.

The supercharger noise on the Exige S2 is quite noticeable, but I quite liked it and since I got a 250 Cup 2 years ago I miss it

Good choice with Evora NA I had one for few years and loved it before swapping for a 400, which after nearly 5 years I sold yesterday.

Next will be my 10th Lotus
Steve