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Exige S 240 - price justification?

13 messages,  Last post on Apr 06, 2009 at 11:13 AM

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

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#8 of 13 When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. by nitrousxl Mar 30, 2009 (6:57 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). Replies to this message: fedlawman (Mar 30, 2009 9:41 pm) nitrousxl (Apr 04, 2009 4:53 pm) fedlawman (Apr 05, 2009 4:57 pm) and 2 more...
#9 of 13 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [nitrousxl] by fedlawman Mar 30, 2009 (9:41 pm)
Replying to: nitrousxl (Mar 30, 2009 6:57 pm) Try building a car in your garage from scratch that's better than the Exige and see how much it costs you... Replies to this message: nitrousxl (Apr 04, 2009 4:53 pm) fedlawman (Apr 05, 2009 4:57 pm) nitrousxl (Apr 05, 2009 7:53 pm) and 1 more...
#10 of 13 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [fedlawman] by nitrousxl Apr 04, 2009 (4:53 pm)
Replying to: fedlawman (Mar 30, 2009 9:41 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. Replies to this message: fedlawman (Apr 05, 2009 4:57 pm) nitrousxl (Apr 05, 2009 7:53 pm) fedlawman (Apr 06, 2009 11:13 am)
#11 of 13 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [nitrousxl] by fedlawman Apr 05, 2009 (4:57 pm)
Replying to: nitrousxl (Apr 04, 2009 4:53 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... Replies to this message: nitrousxl (Apr 05, 2009 7:53 pm) fedlawman (Apr 06, 2009 11:13 am)
#12 of 13 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [fedlawman] by nitrousxl Apr 05, 2009 (7:53 pm)
Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 05, 2009 4:57 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. Replies to this message: fedlawman (Apr 06, 2009 11:13 am)
#13 of 13 Re: When you consider the materials you would think Lotuses would be cheaper. [nitrousxl] by fedlawman Apr 06, 2009 (11:13 am)
Replying to: nitrousxl (Apr 05, 2009 7:53 pm) The Miata and S2000 are both excellent FI candidates.

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