Public Service Announcement

For anyone looking to add a fun and exciting car to their collection, without going the F-Car route, I have to suggest that you drive a Lotus Exige (or Elise). I was looking for a fun car to add to my stable, and kind of bought a 2007 Exige on a whim. It looked cool, I knew they were raw, and I was hoping it would be a good compliment to my 458 and Viper.

Anyway, long story short, it is an absolutely incredible little car. It takes the rawness of the Viper ('97 GTS) and mixes it with the incredible athletic responses of the 458.. and the result is amazing. It is an absolutely pure and unobstructed driving experience that you just have to experience to appreciate.

So, if you're looking for a new toy, at least give these little things a look! I hate to say it, but in some ways it might be more fun than the 458


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Troll much?

I'll nibble though: The Toyota engine in the exige is awesome. Trash it, beat the snot out of it, blow it up, and you're on the road again for a few grand. Honestly the toyota parts are one of the things that makes the Elise/Exige so great!

Also, if you think a Ferrari is 100% made by Ferrari, then I've got some ocean front property in Arizona for ya

The Exige isnt for everyone, that is for sure, but it is an amazing little car for some. The fact that I will grab the Exige keys over the 458 keys sometimes says a lot about the car.

 

As mentioned earlier the GT4 weighs more, and is larger overall - it is about 900lbs more than an Exige. In all likely hood a stock GT4 would trounce a stock Exige at the track with similar drivers... but eventually you have to get passed the whole idea of what is faster than what. If you don't, you'll be chasing your tail forever because there will always be something faster. What the Exige delivers is more than just speed, it's driver involvement and "feel".

Something else about it - and this would go in the "plus" category for some people - it's really really nice. You are comforted and coddled in the GT4 in a way that you aren't in the Exige. For me, I wanted something different. I have cars that are comforting and luxurious (458, M3). I wanted a car that felt like I was a part of it, that communicated a lot of information directly to my hands, feet, and, well, my butt

I'm kind of disappointed to see that the thread got moved from the 458 section because I honestly think people should know more about the Exige/Elise. I think a large portion of the 458 driving set would absolutely love these little things. But - rules are rules I guess!

 

Getting in/out of the car is by far the worst aspect of having it.. I'm pretty good at it now but I'm only 5'8" and 160lbs. BUT - once you're in it's golden