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Exige S 240 - price justification?

14 messages,  Last post on Apr 06, 2009 at 12:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lotus Exige, Nissan GT-R, Car Comparisons, Coupe

Messages Page 2 of 2

#5 of 14 Re: Exige S 240 - price justification? [felonious] by al_b_bach

Jan 29, 2008 (12:01 am)

Replying to: felonious (Dec 26, 2007 9:20 am)
How do you justify? Do I really need too?
 Really can't... it's personal. This, the 240S, is my second Exige. I bought the first release to the US in 06 and it was a N/A engine. Love it, still drive it, and it performs like no other car I've owned. I passed on the 07 S because I knew this was coming stateside in 08. I've had my share of BMWs, Mercs and Porches, great cars, but they don't hold a candle to the thrill factor that the Lotus gives me. Granted, it's apples and oranges as a comparison.... but really, a Japanese car of this style against this fine little Heathle spawn? At least use an Accura NSX, even if it is a bit piggish. The 240S rules! Sweet candy doesn't even come close!
Now I'm not knocking the GT-R, it's a nice car... but not as good as a performer as the Lotus. You'd have to drive one to really understand the draw and mind set for this type of vehicle, it's not fancy, utilitarian or luxy.... if fact it's down right spartan but it drives like no other car out there and no other can. It not about horsepower, as others can out perform it... in a straight line, but put this honey on a twisty track or back canyon road and it is almost (if not) better than sex. There I said it, and I dare any other Lotus owner to disclaim that! The biggest draw back I can think of is having a passenger in the car. This is a personal car built in F1 roots and that's what it meant for. So like the person above said, it's something to think about.
Thumbs up on the Pokeman card comparison

#6 of 14 Re: Exige S 240 - price justification? [al_b_bach] by lesodgers

Feb 15, 2008 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: al_b_bach (Jan 29, 2008 12:01 am)
If they can get it, it's by definition justifiable. I came very close to getting an Elise a few years back and couldn't justify it over a Z06, mainly because of my size...240lbs, yes I could ingress and egress, but man, talk about Origami ! I eventually backed away from a Z06 as well, no frigging Camel interior could be had w/o tons of extra $ and after market seats covers at that. So here I sit hoping to be able to squeeze enough $ from my three 1st gen Camaro's to go get a F430 Scuderia... Ah as usual talent but no $ or lots a cash and no Talent... I also am still drawn to the NSX, still luv that car and it's comfort and layout and visibility, just needs some more go juice and updated cornering.

#7 of 14 Re: Exige S 240 - price justification? [felonious] by moogleii

Feb 26, 2008 (8:20 am)

Replying to: felonious (Dec 26, 2007 9:20 am)
As bluntly (and amusing) as Mikeebear put it, I'd have to agree. It depends what you're looking for.
 
Do you want a car that is fast, and does everything for you? That's the GTR. To me, as an enthusiast, I appreciate it, but it's totally cheating =). It's like a Playstation on wheels.
 
Or do you want a driver's car? With the lotus, you'll be doing the grunt work, *you* will be doing the racing, not the car. If you never ever plan to take your car to the track, I'd just go with the GTR.

#8 of 14 When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. by nitrousxl

Mar 30, 2009 (7:57 pm)

Yeah, I know this is a year old thread... But this guy brings up a valid point. Why exactly are these cars so expensive? Most exotics are pricey because they have large, powerful, complex engines (right?), but the Exige S240 engine is little more than a supercharged version of the Toyota Celica's. You can get more horsepower for less than $30K with, say, a 350Z (but of course this doesn't equate to speed, much less handling, simply due to the weight). If anything you would think Lotuses would cost less to make simply because they are smaller cars that require less material (the interior isn't exactly luxurious either). Is Lotus charging so much just because no one else bothers to build a tiny, lightweight sports car to compete with them or what? Like the OP said you get more car for the money with the GT-R (maybe not a better driving experience, but I don't see why it should cost $60K+ to make a car with a tiny body and a decent engine).

#9 of 14 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [nitrousxl] by fedlawman

Mar 30, 2009 (10:41 pm)

Replying to: nitrousxl (Mar 30, 2009 7:57 pm)
Try building a car in your garage from scratch that's better than the Exige and see how much it costs you...

#10 of 14 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [fedlawman] by nitrousxl

Apr 04, 2009 (5:53 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Mar 30, 2009 10:41 pm)
Building a car from scratch is one thing, building it in a factory is another. Or are Lotuses not mass-produced on assembly lines? I am just trying to figure out why they are so much more expensive than cars with similar engines (Celica, Cobalt SS, etc). I don't see why having a mid-mounted engine would justify the price either (MR2). And you would think the other materials would not cost a ton, since Lotuses aren't exactly made of alot of material (the whole thing weighs 2000lbs compared to 3000lbs for your typical sports car). So where are the extra $40,000 going? I really think they are just charging whatever they want for the car (pointing to the performance) since they don't have any competition. I mean, sport bikes have small engines and little material, but amazing performance, yet you don't see Kawasaki and Honda charging $60K for something so small, despite the fact that some of them can run the quarter mile faster than a Veyron.

#11 of 14 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [nitrousxl] by fedlawman

Apr 05, 2009 (5:57 pm)

Replying to: nitrousxl (Apr 04, 2009 5:53 pm)
Well, a Pontiac G8 weighs 1000 lbs more than a Ferrari F430, yet the Ferrari costs $160,000 more. Both have powerful V8 engines, 6-speed manual transmissions, leather interior, and power everything. What gives?
 
Seriously though, it takes a week to build an Exige - much of it by hand. Low volume, exotic materials, and hand craftmanship costs money. Worth every penny if you ask me...

#12 of 14 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [fedlawman] by nitrousxl

Apr 05, 2009 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 05, 2009 5:57 pm)
Well that makes sense . Now if only some company would take a similar-sized high-revving turbo/supercharged engine and stuff it into a tiny body and mass-produce it for the rest of us... Could make a great alternative to all the heavy, gas-guzzling sports cars out there.

#13 of 14 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [nitrousxl] by fedlawman

Apr 06, 2009 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: nitrousxl (Apr 05, 2009 8:53 pm)
The Miata and S2000 are both excellent FI candidates.

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