When I need a coffee when out in my Exige, I stop, pick up a coffee, stand by my car drinking my coffee admiring my car…thinking about the next drive..
Yes it is!! I saw a review by someone who was a very large man, and he complained about the size of the interior, but for normal people, this car is super! Since I last visited your site, I've gotten a Porsche 718 Spyder. I wanted a convertible. It's a very fun car. Still have my 504 bhp Evora GT. Cheers!
@@shortshiftuk Lots of fun! It has a NA engine, so it doesn't scream like our Lotuses, but I did a Softronic tune on it so in addition to the added HP and rwt it makes a deep sound (it's all about that bass lol) and rumbling sounds when I down shift.
I've always loved the Exige from when it originally came out to the last version and everything in between. For lots of reasons I never got round to buying one (life etc) and at 55, 6ft and a dodgy back it's not going to happen now. I've went for a compromise and own an Alpine A110S, not a patch on the ferocity of the Exige but thankfully still a taste of lightweight motoring. Thx for taking the time to film, edit and upload your car story, throughly enjoyable. Cheers Kevin.
@@shortshiftuk I absolutely love it, the lightness (circa 1100kg) comes through in everything you do - brake, accelerate, corner etc. The way it goes around bends just makes me smile. Hopefully you get access to one for a try, I suspect it won't win your heart over the Lotus but it will make you smile
Hmmm thing is about sports cars is it just depends on price and use I.e 2 door 2 seater or a coupe 4 seater. Because that makes a big difference. How many Toyota 86 do we see everyday? A lot! As well as C8 corvettes. But you can still make economy cars “sporty” or just good in general. Look at the line up Honda had in the 90’s it was kinda saturated but it was still a lot of variety. And that’s what I like about Toyota you can have a Toyota fleet of cars . A Tundra or Tacoma. A Sequoia or Highlander . A Corolla or Camry . A 86 or Supra….. or one of each segment.
Thank you for the honest and informative video! I’ve been hankering after an S3 Exige for years and now in the position to buy one. I stopped riding superbikes a couple of years ago but need something to replace the buzz!
@ I rode mostly Yamaha R1s and Ducati, last bike was a Panigale V4S with all the trimmings! I’m hoping something like the Exige will deliver the same sort of thrills!
Great video and amazing car. Wonderful it is being used as it should., driving. Lotus is special as Brits buy German, hence Lotus is all but gone. Makes yours even more special. Thank you.
I feel very fortunate to own my 2005 Elise (111R) which happens to be my dream car. I never plan to part ways with it. It makes me thankful for my 5’9” frame and motivates me to stay in decent shape! The Exige V6 is arguably the best track and road oriented car they ever built. Hoping I get to see one next year when I travel to the UK for the first time. Hope you own and enjoy it for a very, very long time! 🇬🇧
Interestingly, I would say the Elise is a much nicer car to drive on the road! It's a lot lighter so easier to manoeuvre etc too. When are you coming to the UK?
@@shortshiftuk I will be coming in July of next year and am still planning out my two week road trip itinerary. Only thing currently set in stone is that I'll be attending an Oasis concert in Manchester on July 11th. I'll definitely be planning to book a factory visit to Hethel and am hoping to pop by villages, historic places, and hopefully the Lake District. I'm definitely open to any recommendations!
My Exige S has the Komotec 430 kit on it and a “Signature Exhaust - SC Quiet Tech SLT012” amongst other things (installed by a previous owner.) Runs quiet on the motorway. IPS (Auto) too, means it’s super easy and quite relaxing to drive it. I’d happily drive it for hours. If parking wasn’t sometimes a challenge, I’d happily daily it (I just need to upgrade the sound system which is rubbish.)
@shortshiftuk, love the review! There's just no hiding your joy when your having fun which says everything! I've got a 420 and interested in the exhaust company you used. Can you share ? tx.
Saw your car at a lotus meet at caffeine and machine a few months ago what a beauty finally picking up my v6s this weekend not quite the same level as yours but still so exited 😁
@@shortshiftuk there are a few Exige S3s over here and a few 3-elevens imported by various individuals track and/or display only - not any legal road cars. The last year of Exige / Elise sold in the US was 2011
Had to come back to the video to tell you, it's horrible that you spill coffee on your car 😅 BUT it's your car, so yeah, your car, your rules. But for me, I could never do that and not be majorly bothered 😆
@@shortshiftuk Ha thanks Annie, it was fun indeed. Didn't turn out to be a very good road trip car so I sold it for a c6z06 which turned out to be a fabulous road tripper. Had it for 12 awesome years..:) I don't have a whole bunch of driving years left but I sure would love to have a Lotus before I'm done. I was in que for an Emira but gave up after all the delays..:(
I’d love to get the new Emira however I’m not quite there yet financially. I’ll stick with getting a Triumph Speed Triple 1200rs motorbike. Same British thrills for cheaper.
interesting...... yes I guess I agree with everything, certainly more enjoyable than the elise, which I found boring, even the sport 250; boring noise, not that much power, didn't feel fast to me. Drove a 380 Exige, felt 100% improved...... shame its a bit "ugly", but I'd still have one I guess
@garymurraya the Elise is a great car. Much lighter, much nicer to drive on the road if you want a twisty road blaster that won't get you into trouble, but the Exige is definitely a step up in every way. I love the 410 and 430 front end, looks much more aggressive than the earlier ones in my opinion. Funnily enough I absolutely hated the look of the S3 Exige when it first came out so I get what you're saying!
@@shortshiftuk yes its the back that just doesn't look right.... in the end I have an Emira, which does look right from 95% of the angles, but of course not as hard core, but then I also have a Caterham, so covered :)
When I need a coffee when out in my Exige, I stop, pick up a coffee, stand by my car drinking my coffee admiring my car…thinking about the next drive..
Hahaha love this :D
Yes it is!! I saw a review by someone who was a very large man, and he complained about the size of the interior, but for normal people, this car is super! Since I last visited your site, I've gotten a Porsche 718 Spyder. I wanted a convertible. It's a very fun car. Still have my 504 bhp Evora GT. Cheers!
Oooh love a 718 Spyder! How are you finding it?
@@shortshiftuk Lots of fun! It has a NA engine, so it doesn't scream like our Lotuses, but I did a Softronic tune on it so in addition to the added HP and rwt it makes a deep sound (it's all about that bass lol) and rumbling sounds when I down shift.
I've always loved the Exige from when it originally came out to the last version and everything in between. For lots of reasons I never got round to buying one (life etc) and at 55, 6ft and a dodgy back it's not going to happen now. I've went for a compromise and own an Alpine A110S, not a patch on the ferocity of the Exige but thankfully still a taste of lightweight motoring. Thx for taking the time to film, edit and upload your car story, throughly enjoyable. Cheers Kevin.
Glad you enjoyed it :D
How is the Alpine overall though, as a stand alone and not taking into account the Exige? Dying to drive one of those!
@@shortshiftuk I absolutely love it, the lightness (circa 1100kg) comes through in everything you do - brake, accelerate, corner etc. The way it goes around bends just makes me smile. Hopefully you get access to one for a try, I suspect it won't win your heart over the Lotus but it will make you smile
Hmmm thing is about sports cars is it just depends on price and use I.e 2 door 2 seater or a coupe 4 seater. Because that makes a big difference. How many Toyota 86 do we see everyday? A lot! As well as C8 corvettes. But you can still make economy cars “sporty” or just good in general. Look at the line up Honda had in the 90’s it was kinda saturated but it was still a lot of variety. And that’s what I like about Toyota you can have a Toyota fleet of cars . A Tundra or Tacoma. A Sequoia or Highlander . A Corolla or Camry . A 86 or Supra….. or one of each segment.
Thank you for the honest and informative video! I’ve been hankering after an S3 Exige for years and now in the position to buy one.
I stopped riding superbikes a couple of years ago but need something to replace the buzz!
YES! What bikes did you have?
@ I rode mostly Yamaha R1s and Ducati, last bike was a Panigale V4S with all the trimmings! I’m hoping something like the Exige will deliver the same sort of thrills!
Great video and amazing car. Wonderful it is being used as it should., driving. Lotus is special as Brits buy German, hence Lotus is all but gone. Makes yours even more special. Thank you.
@@PeteAnda 🥰
I feel very fortunate to own my 2005 Elise (111R) which happens to be my dream car. I never plan to part ways with it. It makes me thankful for my 5’9” frame and motivates me to stay in decent shape!
The Exige V6 is arguably the best track and road oriented car they ever built. Hoping I get to see one next year when I travel to the UK for the first time. Hope you own and enjoy it for a very, very long time! 🇬🇧
Interestingly, I would say the Elise is a much nicer car to drive on the road! It's a lot lighter so easier to manoeuvre etc too. When are you coming to the UK?
@@shortshiftuk I will be coming in July of next year and am still planning out my two week road trip itinerary. Only thing currently set in stone is that I'll be attending an Oasis concert in Manchester on July 11th. I'll definitely be planning to book a factory visit to Hethel and am hoping to pop by villages, historic places, and hopefully the Lake District. I'm definitely open to any recommendations!
My Exige S has the Komotec 430 kit on it and a “Signature Exhaust - SC Quiet Tech SLT012” amongst other things (installed by a previous owner.) Runs quiet on the motorway. IPS (Auto) too, means it’s super easy and quite relaxing to drive it. I’d happily drive it for hours. If parking wasn’t sometimes a challenge, I’d happily daily it (I just need to upgrade the sound system which is rubbish.)
How's the Komotec been? I keep thinking about doing the 460/ 475 conversion on mine but scared haha
Apart from a permanently on EML light (can clear but the error comes back), the Komotec kit has been good 👍🏻
Really enjoyed the review thanks.
Almost sounds like the sensible option to my Caterham 620 r.
En joy,
Be safe
Oh yeah 100%! 620R is an absolute weapon though!
@shortshiftuk, love the review! There's just no hiding your joy when your having fun which says everything! I've got a 420 and interested in the exhaust company you used. Can you share ? tx.
Saw your car at a lotus meet at caffeine and machine a few months ago what a beauty finally picking up my v6s this weekend not quite the same level as yours but still so exited 😁
Ahh congratulations!! How exciting!! Where are you getting it from??
@@shortshiftukAlexander David in Woking 👍
i wish we had gotten the Exige S3 across the pond!
@@lt1fd3s did you not get them at all?!
@@shortshiftuk there are a few Exige S3s over here and a few 3-elevens imported by various individuals track and/or display only - not any legal road cars. The last year of Exige / Elise sold in the US was 2011
Love it, always dreamt about getting an Exige S3, but I can’t help thinking the rear pipe looks like it’s off a log burner? ……😂
Oh that's not the standard one! Mine gets me on a track hahah
Interesting video. Thanks 😊
Had to come back to the video to tell you, it's horrible that you spill coffee on your car 😅 BUT it's your car, so yeah, your car, your rules. But for me, I could never do that and not be majorly bothered 😆
Hahaha love it :D Naa you can wash it off right?! :D
Spot on
@@evansc3580 thank you! 🥰
The GRP (Greg's Racing Parts) aluminium mirror stalks with carbon mirrors would look soo good on this. 2 of my mates have them on their S3s.
OOF! YES!! Carbon mirrors look awesome on the Exige!!
Great review. I sold my 410 last year and am actively looking for another as I’ve not found a new car that gets close to it.
@@si.fazoul there is something irreplaceable about these cars!!
awesome
I feel the same about mine!
@@MagnumBTS ❤️❤️
you put a lot of love in the UK Sticker ;-)
Hahahah that was a rushed job at the tunnel border ahahah!
I wish we could have had the Elise/ Exige with the 3.5 in the States. There must be someone who makes a conversion kit since we know the engine fits.
What have you guys got?
@shortshiftuk We have just the 1.8 and 1.8 supercharged.
Fun video! And I thought my Pantera was small...:)
@whatsupwithsteve ahaha Pantera is one of my favourite cars ever made!!! Fabulous choice sir!
@@shortshiftuk Ha thanks Annie, it was fun indeed. Didn't turn out to be a very good road trip car so I sold it for a c6z06 which turned out to be a fabulous road tripper. Had it for 12 awesome years..:) I don't have a whole bunch of driving years left but I sure would love to have a Lotus before I'm done. I was in que for an Emira but gave up after all the delays..:(
I’d love to get the new Emira however I’m not quite there yet financially. I’ll stick with getting a Triumph Speed Triple 1200rs motorbike. Same British thrills for cheaper.
👌
These have the Toyota V6?
@dgo9121 yup, have a while! Even the later S2s were a Toyota engine (not V8 but the relationship has existed for a long time)
Damn.... the price of my bitcoin needs to rocket - I want one!
@Da-Real-Cookie-Monster 🤣 you'll get there I'm sure 😁
interesting......
yes I guess I agree with everything, certainly more enjoyable than the elise, which I found boring, even the sport 250; boring noise, not that much power, didn't feel fast to me. Drove a 380 Exige, felt 100% improved...... shame its a bit "ugly", but I'd still have one I guess
@garymurraya the Elise is a great car. Much lighter, much nicer to drive on the road if you want a twisty road blaster that won't get you into trouble, but the Exige is definitely a step up in every way. I love the 410 and 430 front end, looks much more aggressive than the earlier ones in my opinion. Funnily enough I absolutely hated the look of the S3 Exige when it first came out so I get what you're saying!
@@shortshiftuk yes its the back that just doesn't look right.... in the end I have an Emira, which does look right from 95% of the angles, but of course not as hard core, but then I also have a Caterham, so covered :)
87db in the track??!
@@gaad tbf that's drive by at Bedford. Mine's about 99 static now and passes just about!
It sounds like this car is only for sociopaths. Do you use it enough to justify owning it?
Interesting conclusion. How did you come to that? I use it loads. Although I'm actually racing it more now than anything.
@@shortshiftuk The window to have fun is way too small in these cars and you made it even smaller but as long as you’re happy that’s all that matters.