Scottish Elises

dear doctor lotus,

to all exige s2 owners out there...or maybe all lotus owners for that mater..

is it just me but, i have began to develop a few addictive trends with my driving, since i have had the exige.

i have got a stage 2 exhaust fitted to the car and i have found that every time i am slowing for a set of traffic lights or just a junction, i will slow to just the right speed to drop it into secound. when i re-employ the clutch you get this great POP from the exhaust . i have to say its really addictive..... .
the other trend im finding is that, every time i come to a tunnel or over pass i will blip the throttle to get the exhaust echo ......am i ill, do i need medication? have i turned to the darkside? have i sold my sole to the devil? am i madder than a march hare?.......who can tell......answers on a post card.....

leigh

had the same issue about 5 years ago, along with a certain Mr E Paine.

We would routinely drive past each other on the way back from Knockhill on the A90 trying to make as much noise as possible.

Incidentally, although you love the noise, careful of your ears (hearing) if you are listening to it droaning away for over 1 hour

The fathering instinct is coming out in him already...

or headphone sales instinct?

Pardon what was that?

shooomer wrote:or headphone sales instinct?

I had a 2bular 8 x 24 on my Exige and used to love the popping and banging. Usually found this when lifting off the power suddenly. Was superb! Not sure why Lotus don't fit sportier exhausts in the first place as the standard ones are p!sh!!

Dear Leigh,
Your behaviour is perfectly normal and indeed typical of most Lotus owners. Through time you will develop the urge to replace perfectly serviceable parts on your car with 'upgrades' Many of these will not really make any noticeable difference to the car but you will feel that your life will be empty unless you go through the process.
In short you have been infected and there is no known cure, only therapy sought from fellow sufferers who understand what you feel and can support you with advise and encouragement to ensure your passion is controlled and your car is properly modded and doesn't look like the aftermath of a ramraid on Halfords.

It's not just the S2 exige that makes addictive noises! My S1 above 5K is very addictive! And the PO of mine did indeed spend all his hard earned in halfords on tat that I immediately removed of course and went though the nessesary upgrade route lol

Andy owns AMP3 who sell high end headphones and other really cool electronics. It's known that driving a convertable with the roof off causes hearing damage so headphones and a nice mp3 player from Andy will not only save your hearing but give you a decent sound system all in one

http://www.advancedmp3players.co.uk/

Oh, and just to say, that the Focus RS makes more Pops and Bangs with even less effort - and the standard exhaust!!!

Meh, pops are for kiddies - my old engine (grenade-tuned Rover) with the overrun fuel cut switched off, shot licks of flame.

Now that's cool

Until the engine ate itself....

When I had my Subaru I was so sad I used to time my gearchanges when I was overtaking people so it would pop a flame just as I passed them
But must admit the stage 2 exhaust in the Lotus drove me crazy after a while on long journeys so it had to go.

i need a new exhaust...

mikeyb13 wrote:When I had my Subaru I was so sad I used to time my gearchanges when I was overtaking people so it would pop a flame just as I passed them
But must admit the stage 2 exhaust in the Lotus drove me crazy after a while on long journeys so it had to go.

Yeah, the stage 2 in Elaines has now got to the stage where it just annoys me. Too droney when you're pootling about - sounds epic on a blat, but hers is an everyday car.

Phew...no shock therapy... .

another thing, is i have put this exhaust pop to good use! its ideal i find....to scare off un wanted tail gaters who are up your arse! when coming to a junction or lights. im not sure why they are so close, maybe they just want a closer look?...anyhow, a wee POP! seems to keep them at bay.

while on the subject......i dont know if this applies to all lotus owners, but i have noticed a few interesting things while driving the lotus. i have observed, that the wee kids love it! i was pottering alone the M8 a while back and this expensive black porsche convertible turbo cruised by. in the car was a proud dad and son. however, to my surprise the lad was staring in fascination and awe at the loty , nose pushed up on to the glass. this went on for a while untill the proud dad noticed his son staring at the loty and gave me the evils in the mirror and sped off.......job done. another one hooked.

leigh

I've noticed the wee kid thing. I often get points, waves and shouts when out and about in either Lotus or VX, i've been asked what the car is many times - possibly due to no rear badging on mine.

I'm also guilty of dropping a gear for tunnels and multi story car parks, it's all part of the experience

I think the other sports and prestige car owners are funny. Most either try to avoid looking directly at me, but you do get the occasional enthusiast that waves or at least smiles.

Chris