Scottish Elises

I'm really struggling to decide if I should keep the Exige or not

The problem I have is that if I sell it I would want to 'upgrade' to something like a V8 Vantage, 997 GT3, R8 etc but I'm just not sure if it's the right time to do that (i.e. going into summer).

I have only decided to drop it up for sale as I have spent so much money on it recently yet the Edinburgh roads are destroying it day by day. I just spent a couple of hundred pounds having MMC fix rattles - seriously And now it's developed a new one which i'm off to fix this afternoon. Really love the car, had it for three amazing years, i'm just not sure I can be bothered with that anymore - I want something I can just jump in and drive and it'll be nice and comfy and rattle/problem free. Is it just a phase? Anyone else had the same thought?

just a phase....as long as its just rattles and nothing major....i usually the same with noises but started to get my car around the aberfoyle region for some good drives and makes you want no other car!

Did you pick up another exige mate? Can't remember..

Car is perfect in every other way. Sounds a bit petty but it gets to me, especially when I can't seem to fix them! Just wondering if it's a good time to sell and move on or stick with it.

yes i got a chrome orange exige....and from my experience i sold my first and thought..."sh*t" i want another lol and so i have another...

yours looks awesome! any engine mods?.....maybe that your next step.... mines has rattles and av got the new 08 dash and thought it would iron out from prevous versions.....no such luck but that the lotus way ...

vantage and r8 would be nice to have....if you dont spend the money fixing small problems on them it definetly going somewhere else with those cars.....

With the amount you must have spent getting yours the way you wanted it I think you'd be daft to sell up. I'd imagine the sort of car you'd be looking to replace it with will suffer the same with the roads, but you'd be adding a zero to any repair bill you'd get with the Exige!

Had the ECU remapped but that's been it so far. Spoke to a few people about supercharging it but never took it any further. For everything I have added in weight I have saved the saved the same elsewhere (lighter exhaust, lighter induction kit, carbon floors, heat wrap in place of heat shield) so if anything it feels a bit quicker than when I first got it.

I guess you are right though Neil - looked seriously into a F360 last year but it was the potential repair bills that put me off. That said, I would have thought a Vantage or R8 would have better build quality (especially the Audi) and maybe hold up a bit better.

Confused.com

If it stops rattling the part has fallen off.


Bent Exige wheels are cheaper than bent Aston wheels. Get a RRS.

Move to Old Deer........

tut

X7LDA wrote: I guess you are right though Neil - looked seriously into a F360 last year but it was the potential repair bills that put me off. That said, I would have thought a Vantage or R8 would have better build quality (especially the Audi) and maybe hold up a bit better.

Confused.com

I may stand to be corrected by those in the know but I thought the earlier Vantage's build quality was not exactly up to Porsche standards (although better than previous Astons). However if its a newer Aston then I would hope they are better.

If correct - you fix the little niggles but it costs you a lot more due to the increased Aston labour rate.

George

Lewis, remember that your use of an Exige is very unsual (as a daily urban driver) - most people using one every day have a more rural commute, and the town guys would normally use it as a second car. I commuted thru town in Lotus product for over 10 years and I feel your pain - but then I didn't feel your financial pain as I had a workshop to fix the niggles !!

The various cars you mentioned will all of course be more comfortable and usuable - but with the wear and tear your use will attract they will be lots more expensive to run. Perhaps it is time for a change - I admire your resiliance in flying the flag, it's one of the best known Lotuses in Edinburgh - but I wouldn't hold it against you if you fancied a change (just a shame I'm not there to sell you an Evora But of course plenty people are...)

The good news is that your car has not changed in value over the last year - and will continue around the same now all the new Exiges are gone...

Rear arches are fairly flared.
Looks great. Upgrade to Exige S

I swap cars so often it would be hypocritical of me to blandly say "keep it" but on the other you get a lot of character with a Lotus (maybe the rattles and squeeks are part of that) that you don't get with other cars. My Porsche Turbo never rattled but zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thanks Graeme - I know we have had this chat in the past and I have never had the grits to go through with it

Evoras have been looked at as well; i'm just trying to look at things that already have had a knock in depreciation. I think that is what I am most focused on. Exiges seem to increasing in value (maybe just due to the fact it's coming up to summer?).

George; interesting to know and having read into a bit it appears you are correct That's the kind of thing I need to know as I would be truly gutted if I got another car and found the same problems.

Thanks for the input guys

Gareth wrote:Rear arches are fairly flared

Looks awesome but I think you want a change

340r? Or do you need something comfier / more robust?

Porka turbo?