I’ve been considering a Lotus Elise or Exige for a while, and I’ve watched a lot of videos. Just found yours, which I’m going through now. What a treat, they are so informative. Thanks for making and sharing them.
My 2-year old son have become totally excited about your video. He screamed constantly "racecar" in Swedish and when the motorcycle was keeping you up on Nurburgring he mentioned "moped" many times. Amazing story of your car and the details are really extensive. Great review!
I drove an Exige S at a track day this summer and absolutely loved it. It was an easy choice for me because it was the only manual transmission option in the fleet. That combined with the low mass, low power combination is so intriguing. While it is the only really high performance car I have driven, I am certain that the feel of the Exige is very hard to beat. You feel the lack of mass. The raw driving experience (heavy steering, loud cockpit, manual tranny, etc.) is so thrilling. I can only imagine the extra thrill from the big power V6, especially since I assume it comes with not much of a mass penalty. It would make it even easier to pass the slowpokes driving GTRs, Porsches and Ferraris on the track day! You are a lucky man!
You can feel the extra mass of the V6 but the huge increase in torque makes it a worthwhile compromise. You can also feel the 65kg weight reduction between Exige S and Exige V6 Cup too, so it was great that Lotus did a lightweight version of an already lightweight car.
Full San Bernadino Pass video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Xs97UhOPBxY.html Full Furka Pass video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UUQhjRfRG0M.html
Hello Doctore, I like the way you do the films. Do you think the 2GR-FE is reliable? I mean, is the engine 'strong enough' for about 100.000 miles in the 350hp Version? I hope you can read my bad english, regards from germany- Christian.
Seriously considering one of these or the cup 350 for my next car (currently in a 370z Nismo). Beautiful colour that one. Are they as difficult as reputed to get in and out of? (I'm only 5.8)
They are difficult to get in and out of but that's part of what makes them feel special. That high sill is also giving you better side impact protection than any ordinary car door so be glad it's there! There is a technique that makes it easier, ask your dealer to show you. If you really struggle with it get the Roadster, with the roof off getting in and out is really easy. Anyway I managed to get in and out in 7.8 seconds! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IkJ5kYYU1EY.html
DrPittenstein Shame I am desperate for some decent roads. Dont suppose they are within reach of Woking or West Byfleet are they? I only really have the Pirbright bends in Surrey.
Have you had any noise issues on track? I got have just got a 360cup and was kicked off my first track day with it at Brands. Passed the static test but failed on drive by, and that was in normal mode not sport. Drive by on the GP circuit was 90db but I was 92 apparently.
No problems with the standard exhaust but the 360 has the twin exit sports tail pipe which loses the valve in the silencer I believe. You should be fine at most tracks, 90db sounds like you picked a very strict day. Great choice going for the 360, stunning looking things.
+DrPittenstein thanks for the quick reply. The static was 101db which was fine, I agree just a silly low drive by level. £495 well spent, works out about £50 per lap.
+Feral Mass yes I often soften them for road use and firm them up for track work but they work perfectly well on both road and track with the factory settings.
I am returning back to the UK soon and trying to decide what car to get. I hate bloated gadgety cars with a vengeance and I want the same car for trackdays. There does not seem to be much choice for people like me and my budget unless I wind the years back and start looking at 996 GT3, Z3/4M Coupes and like. I had a GT86 and found it boring after a couple of years. I really like the look of the Exige, but suspect it is too hardcore as an only car that I will do 25,000 miles a year in. Maybe with the radio, carpet, sound deadening pack? Perhaps the Evora, but the look of the Exige makes me combust like no other.
Sounds like you would really appreciate an Exige to me. Rear vis is actually slightly better than the Evora but that is the better car for daily use. Main Exige issue for daily use is entry/exit. Roadster version with roof off is s lot easier but you need some room to open the door wide enough to get out. A prob is some buffoon parks too close in a multi story. Some complain about heavy steering when parking but ignore them, they are wimps! Get an Exige then a beater for daily grind if you feel the need. Cheers!
Is the V6 Cup road legal in Europe even without an airbag? Why my home country of the USA so lame about this stuff? I can't even get a standard V6 Exige here.
+Vincent Chiaro Yes road legal in the UK, not sure how, sneaked under the radar I think. Take the $ price of 620bhp Mustangs as consolation. They cost us a lot of money, near $100k new. Can't believe someone hasn't found a way to get them road legal in the US, there must be a way. How do all those hot rods and custom cars get to drive on the roads? Nevermind, the next Exige will be federalised from the get go, and is probably about 12 months away.
+DrPittenstein Thanks for the reply! I really enjoyed the video. It's a shame but good to know that a new one is around the corner. Maybe I'll have to buy an Evora S as a compromise in the meantime.
+Vincent Chiaro Sounds like a plan! Evora S is amazing, even nicer on the roads than the Exige and great for long journeys. Still so pure in the corners. No idea how Lotus did that but I guess stuff like forged aluminium wishbone suspension helps. The suspension specs are off the charts with the Evora as they were going to use the same parts for the new Esprit which was going to be a 500+bhp monster. In other words, over-engineered. You could hang them on the wall they are that nice.
+Juma Ali It's a good compromise as it is and can be adjusted but yes would love to try the Ohlins TTX option, Lotus really rate them but they are £££ and I fear not so good on the road.
Suena de puta madre. In english (literally): It sounds bitch mother (aka, very good!). Also, sorry for being rude, but You have air conditioner inside?, I mean a machine to refrigerate the air, It´s optional, I saw in Lotus Cars webpage. Insane sound when passed near the bystander with the camera. Lol. That´s from the exhaust? Oh..I see, It´s the 2 seats, not the only one seat, for me much better option, nothing like have a partner in the co-pilot to speak, enjoy and have fun. Or to travel, too. Ops!, I saw Nurbungring and then I knew that was a serious matter, great track, but very demanding. I stop saying nonsenses. I don´t have this car man, thanks for the video uploader DrPittenstein. I enjoy It.
+vantagesc yes I'm sure you're right plus the Elise and Exige are very prone to front chips being so low. My Elise was peppered when you looked close up. However I was hoping there would be no chips at all for what it cost. The finish is very good with Xpel Ultimate, the best I've seen. Very clear, doesn't yellow and thinner than the other films.
