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Coupes & Convertibles Lotus Exige S 240 - price justification?
13 messages, Last post on Apr 06, 2009 at 11:13 AM
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Replying to: felonious (Dec 26, 2007 8:20 am) I delivered a 1997 McLaren F1 to a guy in the Portland area a few months ago. We met at a local supermarket as he didn’t think I could get my truck into and out of his drive. He asked me to follow him to his house in the F1, which I reluctantly did. When we got there, he had me back the car into a steel building that was approximately 150’ x 50’. As I backed the car to the back of the building to the spot he had set aside for his new car, I noticed that the building was completely full of exotic cars. I also noticed that he had 6 Lotuses lined up together. On our ride back to my truck (in an Enzo no less) we talked cars. This guy is one of the very rare collectors that actually drives all of his cars (and drives them like he stole them, I might add). In the course of our conversation, I asked him about having so many Lotuses, as they were clearly outclassed by the likes of his Enzo and F1, and other exotics. I mentioned that Lotus claims that they are the best handling car ever made and asked him for his opinion. His answer was that they are by far the most fun to drive of all his cars. That to me is the best endorsement Lotus could ever hope to get. Here’s a guy who has what must be a $100 million car collection. He drives these cars all time. He just paid $1.7 million for an F1 and is out cruising in an Enzo, and he says that his Lotuses are his favorite. Think about that for a few minutes and then continue contemplating if Lotus can justify its prices. |
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Replying to: felonious (Dec 26, 2007 8:20 am) 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 
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Replying to: al_b_bach (Jan 28, 2008 11:01 pm)  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.
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Replying to: felonious (Dec 26, 2007 8:20 am) 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. |
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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).
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Replying to: nitrousxl (Mar 30, 2009 6:57 pm)
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Replying to: fedlawman (Mar 30, 2009 9:41 pm)
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Replying to: nitrousxl (Apr 04, 2009 4:53 pm) 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...
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Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 05, 2009 4:57 pm) . 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.
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Replying to: nitrousxl (Apr 05, 2009 7:53 pm) |
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