[rldzhao]

Hey guys, need your opinions.

I am debating whether I should keep my e92 M3 or sell it and buy a used 07 Exige S.

Recently I've come across some deals on the Exige in the $40k range and am tempted. The pros of the Exige is the light weight, driving feel and very exotic exterior styling, though it is unpractical, and the interior needs custom work.

I walk to work and don't use my car except for weekends. I rarely need all the space on my M3 (M3 drivers have no friends). The Lotus will be my only car, so what do you think I should do?

Thanks!

 

[Randy Chase]

Kinda like a daily driver then?

 

[Brennon]

Randy, I think we need this stickied. How is anyone to know if a Lotus can possibly suit the needs of an individual using it as his sole mode of transportation? :shrug:

 

[Chris Mackey]

Weird. It has 4 wheels, 2 seats and an engine. Miatas, MR2s and S2000s get this question all the time. The answer is "NO!"

 

[rldzhao]

Kinda like a daily driver then?

well, a DD that I drive only on weekends.

 

[PhlypSide]

Indeed, there is no Lotus "Tinkerbell-like" fairy that will answer this question since it's a sticky somewhere heheheheh.

(Sorry OP, if I knew where it was I'd give you the link instead of this wiseass comment.)

 

[mjf]

I find the Elise to be a great daily driver. I'd go so far to say I'm one of the proponents for the car as a daily driver.

But even I don't recommend it as an only car.

Buy yourself a cheap beater as well. Spend $5k or so on a 4 door saloon car with a hacthback or fold-down rear seats. For those days when you have to pick up family from the airport, or want to buy a bookshelf from Ikea or whatever.

 

[Randy Chase]

Please read this thread

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f221/official-one-only-can-lotus-used-daily-driver-thread-60032/

 

[serpent]

The pros of the Exige is the light weight

Exige is light weight?


haha, i'm just messing with you OP

Go read the thread Randy posted above, good info there and will answer every question you have.

 

[Maggie]

Like everyone else said.

But I can add that my Elise is currently my only car, and I carpool to work (so I only drive the Elise to work occasionally). I currently do have access to other cars, but I'm pretty uncomfortable with the Lotus as my only car and will be getting another car once I don't have access to those other cars.

There are just some situations when I'd rather not drive the Lotus--if I don't want to be quite so obvious, if I know I'm going to have to parallel park, and if it's snowing.

I plan to pick up a cheap Miata--that's what I had before (and my old one is one of the cars I still have access to, one the rare occasion that someone else isn't driving it).

 

[Exigent]

Keep the M3.

 

[VisualEchos]

The Elise/Exige twins are a small step up from a motorcycle with regards to DD duties, and considerably more fragile and depreciating.

If you have the money for an Exige, you have the money to buy a beater for your daily duties.

 

[Amarao]

I love these threads. rotfl

 

[LotusStig22]

M3 Drivers have no friends? Cmon...e46fanatics.com The M3 is a great car lol, not that you didn't say it wasn't...
As for your question, if its an only car for weekends, its a tossup. Performance can be modded either way, for a superior ride, so it's looks, comfort (although the exige isn't meant for comfort I believe.), and fun factor, being a weekend driver (as you had said). I'd go for the Exige if its PURELY weekend fun. If I could drive that is...

Just my Two Cents,

Sunny

 

[RQ_GT3]

Since I am still kind of new here, just one opinion:

I drive my E92 M3 to work. Comfy but relatively boring.

I drive my Exige to the track, or to the mechanic when I am doing stuff to it. I find no pleasure in driving it on the streets but absolutely love it on a track.

There is of course a crazy attention factor to an Exige, so if you like that then great.

So even if a weekend car for you, if you enjoy the track or the attention (nothing wrong with that) go for it else keep the M3.

 

[LotusStig22]

RQ, Try the E46, way more fun, and similarly comfy :coolnana:

My votes still for the "Exige as a supah-coolio weekend driver and fun!". Or get a Scion xB haha, there's a car. Joking apart, for fun, Exige.

"You just got passed by a toaster"

~Sunny

 

[SoCalLotusElise06]

Keep the M3.

+1.

I do DD my Lotus, but I do have three other cars, including a SUV. You will quickly find out how often you need other comfy cars. I'd shoot myself if the Lotus is the only car.

 

[RQ_GT3]

RQ, Try the E46, way more fun, and similarly comfy :coolnana:

~Sunny

Yup, had one of those some time ago, found it less fun than my E36. And it bored me to tears.

Less comfy and fun than my E92.

Even less fun than my M6 and that was my laziest cruiser.

IMO the E46 was the worst M car in BMW's history, but that is of course debatable and this is not the place to do so.

So back to the Exige, anyone that has driven 10 miles in an Exige and a E92 would not be posting this question.

Onwards, just trying to give the OP some perspective.

 

[Crazy05]

ARE YOU F**kin SERIOUS!!! If you can afford this amazing breath-taking machine you are crazy if you don't get one!!! Come on dude... get with the program!

 

[Crazy05]

daily driving the exige would be tits...