In-depth reviews

Lotus Exige coupe (2004-2011): owner reviews

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by Richard Ingram

15 Jul 2013

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Carbuyer Rating

2.3 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

57%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Gearbox / clutch (1 case)
Brakes, Electrics (1 case)
Other (1 case)

Review 1 of 7

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Probably the best handling car in the world - the car always feels like and event to drive. The performance never ceases to put a smile on the face and it is the only car i have driven where other road users actively get out of your way and let you out of junctions - 10/10 for feel good driving!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

One of the best cars i have ever driven, took me nearly 2yrs to find the car and it was well worth the wait.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Awesome car does everything on the tin and more

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The exige s is, without rival, the best car i've ever owned; the fastest, best handling and i still enjoy just looking at it. In my view the vibrant chrome orange bodywork and black wheels really suits the profile of the car and not having to drive it every day maintains the sense of occasion when i do. Just getting in and out of an exige requires careful planning and i frequently contemplate the fact that one day in the future i will be physically unable to get out of a car like this. It stands to reason that this is all the more reason to make the most of the ability to do so now then. The lotus is by some margin also the most expensive car i have ever owned and i remain grateful and amazed that my understanding wife allowed me to spend such a vast amount of money on what is in essence a toy. The majority of my driving is on road but i have now completed several track days in the exige (it would be rude not to) which further highlights what a fantastic machine the little lotus is. Oe track based yokohama advan tyres are expensive and rears only last 3000 miles. That said, it is not worth running the car on cheaper road orientated rubber as such practice does not inspire cornering confidence and distracts from the experience. Prior to taking delivery i had heard various opinions about the build quality and reliabilty of lotus cars but 3 years on now consider such negative comments largely unfounded. The toyota based 1800 engine has been faultless and the car's build quality and detailing are both excellent. For sure, there is the odd squeak or rattle but the engine is so noisy with its stainless steel larini exhaust system that you really don't notice. In fact, the noise adds to the whole experience. Each occasion behind the tiny steering wheel of an exige really does feel like driving a racing car, a view complemented by the fitment of four point race harnesses to the car's incredibly thin but highly supportive probax bucket seats. What i can say is that after nearly three years of use i have no desire to change the lotus which is a first for me. I still enjoy it as much as the day i took delivery and everyone should at least have an opportunity to drive a supercharged lotus exige even if they have no desire or ability to own one. Many of my friends and family have driven the car and in most found it inspiring and terrifying in equal measure. What is never in dispute is that an opportunity to drive a car easily capable of sprinting to 60mph in around 4 seconds and which treats most corners with a casual distain, serves to dispel the myth that a car is, as some are want to say, just for getting from a to b.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Amazing

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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