Latest 08 exige news.....

[Bavarian Motorist]

Originally Posted by Jack

Glenn,

I agree that it's all about the driver ..... but the same driver will be faster in the S than the Elise at all the road courses we typically run. In all of our on-track experiments with Craig Stanton , he has proved to be faster in the S than the Elise, all other things being equal. Clearly, the difference in his times is minimized at a tight, short track like Streets and increases at faster and longer tracks like Big Willow and BW. But, for the average driver, will the difference between the S and the Elise be worth the money.....that's another question all together. The law of diminishing returns definitely comes into play.

Diminishing returns does not apply to taking turns fast or twisty roads fast. That's one thing we all have in common. Power, as you stated, will have diminishing returns...always.

[Westrock]

Exiges already have cup holders...the spot between the back edge of the drivers seat and side sills. I can fit a 20oz soda plastic bottle down there just perfectly.

I would absolutly spend the money on an 08 versus a discounted 07 if they offer the TVR blue/green paint....I freakin love that color

[Vishus_1]

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

Why would you want the factory reflash that gets you an additional 20 hp when you can get Sector111's that gets you an additional 45 hp?

Possibly because it will be street legal. If Lotus gets the change certified to be able to bring the new S's in the country then a reflash to mimic that change (if that is all it is) should also be ok. As it is, Sector111's will fail some states tests - like here in my ridiculous state of Missouri.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

1) How do '07 S owners feel about this? Do they feel alienated because Lotus keeps coming with huge upgrades the following years or does it make them happy having something to upgrade to? This happened to original Exige owners as well and some were not pleased.

doesn't really bother me. It does come with the cup roof and big brake kit that I really want. ECU to 240 is not an issue since there are a couple solutions to that. I mean the change is really not that large considering the change from 06 Exige to 07 Exige. That was a HUGE change.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Originally Posted by Vishus_1

Possibly because it will be street legal. If Lotus gets the change certified to be able to bring the new S's in the country then a reflash to mimic that change (if that is all it is) should also be ok. As it is, Sector111's will fail some states tests - like here in my ridiculous state of Missouri.

Unfortunately, even though it's a similar change, it's not the same thing in the eyes of a state



But let's be realistic about the emissions thing. It will probably not be an issue at all. If it is, I dunno, shove a napkin into your headers. (no, don't do that)

[mr1098S135r]

Evening All,

New kid on the block. This is an interesting forum....I am just about to trade in my 135R for an Exige S and the 2007 models in the UK have great discounts. I would like your advice - should I wait for the 2008 models to come into our showrooms or get a good deal on the 2007?.....you guys (mostly) seem pretty ecstatic about 2008...

[charliex]

If the deal you get is better than the difference between a 2007 S/brakes/roof and possibly a tune and the 2008 S, then i'd go for the 07.


As for the reflash of the older cars with the newer program and CARB legality, so long as its all the same hardware they should be able to just ride it on the back of 08 with a letter, if its the same ecu/compatible program. I don't believe they have to recert it, just verify its ok.

the s111 flashes shouldn't fail sniffer or OBDII tests, though of course they are not CARB certified and sold as off road only.

[Jack]

Originally Posted by mr1098S135r

Evening All,

New kid on the block. This is an interesting forum....I am just about to trade in my 135R for an Exige S and the 2007 models in the UK have great discounts. I would like your advice - should I wait for the 2008 models to come into our showrooms or get a good deal on the 2007?.....you guys (mostly) seem pretty ecstatic about 2008...

As Charlie mentioned, it really depends on the discount for the '07 and whether you really want/like the features of the "performance package".

It's my understanding that the P/P is being priced at 3K pounds in the UK. It would cost you significantly more than that to purchase the items (roof, brakes, HD clutch and 240HP re-flash, etc) that make up the P/P. Problem is that you will most likely have to pay full boat/retail for the '08.

So.... tell us how the math works out and whether it's worth the extra money to get the '08.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

I am in disbelief.


We have speculated SO much about the '08 changes to Lotuses...and all you do is a simple factory visit and answer all of our questions. It's like ... I was anticipating a huge announcement with drama and uproar to follow and you just casually answer all of our questions with a simple post Wow.


Now my concerns are...


1) How do '07 S owners feel about this? Do they feel alienated because Lotus keeps coming with huge upgrades the following years or does it make them happy having something to upgrade to? This happened to original Exige owners as well and some were not pleased.

2) Poor Elise owners...we never get anything



3) CHILLI RED IS GONE????? I AM SO MAD !!!!!!!!!!!!

You are such a nice young man; the fact that you are concerned about us '07 S owners. I knew I always liked you; right from the beginning!

[def]

Once these hit, I think I may try to get a used pre-bumper 07, I plan to have the top off most of the year (will chisel out the intercooler opening and watch temps closely at first). I also don't track the car so I don't care about the brake kit, plus I can always run up to forcedfed and have them install them. Gotham for a quick $2k takes care of the 20HP issue

[mr1098S135r]

Originally Posted by Jack

As Charlie mentioned, it really depends on the discount for the '07 and whether you really want/like the features of the "performance package".

It's my understanding that the P/P is being priced at 3K pounds in the UK. It would cost you significantly more than that to purchase the items (roof, brakes, HD clutch and 240HP re-flash, etc) that make up the P/P. Problem is that you will most likely have to pay full boat/retail for the '08.

So.... tell us how the math works out and whether it's worth the extra money to get the '08.

Just to give you a little background....a couple of weeks ago I was looking to upgrade my 135R to the 190bhp Toyota 111r. The dealer suggested I should give the Exige a try. He gave me a drive in the Exige S with, I believe, a standard touring pack...staggering performance and I was hooked. So I came out of the shop with a new direction.
Not being as technical as you chaps, I think any Exige would suit me fine. But the dealer has offered me a "fully loaded" 2007 with both Super Touring and Super Sports packs for GBP 37K which when taken at full retail is quite a bargain (and maybe a stange mix but my wife likes the fed dashboard). The 2008 S will be base price GBP 34.5K + GBP 3K for PP = GBP 37.5K for starters.
So that's where I am at the moment....

[mike325ci]

Originally Posted by ducatiexigeowner

.........
and a better fed pic....

lol the front wheels are on the wrong side of the car (tire tread pattern facing wrong way)...

i expected the power bump, and the cup roof, but not the uprated brakes... either way, a natural evolution of the line...

thanks for the report and photos.

[def]

seloc.org might be more useful for pricing info, since that is THE forum for the UK

[charliex]

hmm dunno, 2008 S sounds like it might be the better deal, but then i'd pay not to have super touring (and probably did)

[AttAkker]

Alas, the proper roof scoop. I hope it fits the 07 S. M250? Not making it to the US market I assume like the Europa. That would look perfect next to the Noble in the ole stable.

[charliex]

Can't see why it wouldn't fit. the m250 has been around for 10 years or so, dunno if it'll ever surface.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by AttAkker

Alas, the proper roof scoop. I hope it fits the 07 S. M250? Not making it to the US market I assume like the Europa. That would look perfect next to the Noble in the ole stable.

I just don't like the Cup scoop, it looks like a mohawk; the thing looks tacked on and silly to me; kind of an after thought. But in the end I really don't care. What matters is how I feel when I am driving it; and at that time I don't see the roof scope. I'm sure I would get used to it in about 2 days, then I would kind of like it, and then one day I would look at the '07 roof and say "what were you thinking Stephen; this mohawk is much cooler looking.

I also did not like CO, but it was the only color my dealer had and I wanted to buy from them. It looked kind of cheap to me and I do not need the extra attention it brings; the car already gets enough with a simple color like silver. But now I love the color and would consider ordering my '08 Exige S in orange again. Although this blue (blue is one of my favorite car colors, if it is done right) is what I will probably order:

[RBien]

Is it possible that driving without the top on in the '08 will be more of an issue now?
Perhaps the proper scoop was a necessary upgrade for the performance boost?

[Pk8]

Originally Posted by Jack

As Charlie mentioned, it really depends on the discount for the '07 and whether you really want/like the features of the "performance package".

It's my understanding that the P/P is being priced at 3K pounds in the UK. It would cost you significantly more than that to purchase the items (roof, brakes, HD clutch and 240HP re-flash, etc) that make up the P/P. Problem is that you will most likely have to pay full boat/retail for the '08.

So.... tell us how the math works out and whether it's worth the extra money to get the '08.

I have a 2 month old S that I've been itching to upgrade. Plans were to pull the trigger on the AP front brake kit upgrade (available now from Lotus that will fit the standard S model wheels), more HP via the FF boost upgrade (injectors, ecu, pulley) and a replacement clutch to handle the additional power. A cup roof would be nice (all though the look hasn't grown on me) as would adjustable tractional control with launch control.

After pricing things out, it seems that the cost for all the parts and labor will be more than taking the dealer depreciation hit. I can spend less money to get out of my existing S and purchase a 2k8 as compared to upgrading to approximately what the new S/240 will equate to. Not to mention I will still have a warranty with the vehicle.

With that said, I plan to take the "S/240" route unless a street legal GT3 is to arrive in 2k8. If so, I'll hold out. If we only knew the plans for the GT3 ...

[Jack]

Originally Posted by Pk8

I have a 2 month old S that I've been itching to upgrade. Plans were to pull the trigger on the AP front brake kit upgrade (available now from Lotus that will fit the standard S model wheels), more HP via the FF boost upgrade (injectors, ecu, pulley) and a replacement clutch to handle the additional power. A cup roof would be nice (all though the look hasn't grown on me) as would adjustable tractional control with launch control.

After pricing things out, it seems that the cost for all the parts and labor will be more than taking the dealer depreciation hit. I can spend less money to get out of my existing S and purchase a 2k8 as compared to upgrading to approximately what the new S/240 will equate to. Not to mention I will still have a warranty with the vehicle.

With that said, I plan to take the "S/240" route unless a street legal GT3 is to arrive in 2k8. If so, I'll hold out. If we only knew the plans for the GT3 ...

That's entirely possible.

In the US, we still need to know the cost of the '08 S to really do the analysis.

If the going used market for an S is low $50K and the new S is north of $70K plus tax, cost-wise you may be able to do the mods for less than the price differential. On the other hand, it may cut the other way. We'll have to wait and see.