Where can I buy the soft top from?

[mark248am]

Is there a place other than the dealer where I can buy a soft top for my Exige?

[RedViper]

Either eBay or various forums for a second hand one I think. 

Its surprising after all these years nobody has copied the design and started selling them off at a discount mind 

[TonyKL]

And remember, you can use the softtop from any S2 variety or even the VX220 (however this is slightly wider at the rear - I have one; but it does fit for the occasional cover-up when parked)

[RedViper]

41 minutes ago, TonyKL said:

And remember, you can use the softtop from any S2 variety or even the VX220 (however this is slightly wider at the rear - I have one; but it does fit for the occasional cover-up when parked)

I bought a vx220 one for my v6 and it didn't fit. Not sure if there was something wrong with that particular roof or they are all like that but be careful/avoid VX ones 

[mark248am]

44 minutes ago, TonyKL said:

And remember, you can use the softtop from any S2 variety or even the VX220 (however this is slightly wider at the rear - I have one; but it does fit for the occasional cover-up when parked)

interesting so would this one work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201721081988?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[TonyKL]

10 minutes ago, usurp said:

interesting so would this one work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201721081988?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Yes, I'm pretty sure this would fit the Exige V6.  This is a newer Lotus softtop which has the thicker lining (when rolled it will be bigger) and also a newer design of the struts (my previous 3 covers the struts were just separate plastic strips without the joining material).  Althought EUR 1,299.00 sounds a lot.  Second hand I would have thought they would be around £300-£600 GBP.

One thing to note is that if you have only removed the hardtop then you should have the holes in the windscreen surround however you will probably need to cut the holes in the rear.

Edited May 22, 2017 by TonyKL

[mark248am]

5 minutes ago, TonyKL said:

Yes, I'm pretty sure this would fit the Exige V6.  This is a newer Lotus softtop which has the thicker lining (when rolled it will be bigger) and also a newer design of the struts (my previous 3 covers the struts were just separate plastic strips without the joining material)

One thing to note is that if you have only removed the hardtop then you should have the holes in the windscreen surround however you will probably need to cut the holes in the rear.

Oh damn you're right. I just checked a photo of my car when i had the roof off and there aren't holes in the rear. I guess no soft top for me

 

 

[TonyKL]

There are plenty of guides around on how to drill the holes, and might even be templates available.  Just need to put the holes in the fibreglass and optionally buy the inserts from Lotus.  The shape is the same as the S2 Elise/Exige.  I understand it's an easy job - I got Lotus to do mine when I ordered the car so I didn't have to worry.

Check out this thread on the playground (may need to register): http://forums.the playground.org/viewthread.php?tid=426053&page=1#pid7323904

It follow this guide: http://www.billswebspace.com/exigesofttopretrofit.htm

Edited May 22, 2017 by TonyKL

[mbes2]

2 hours ago, RedViper said:

I bought a vx220 one for my v6 and it didn't fit. Not sure if there was something wrong with that particular roof or they are all like that but be careful/avoid VX ones 

I've got a vx220 soft top on mine and it's a perfect fit. Not sure what roof you had ?

I drilled and fitted the roof bar grommets, very easy job.

 

[TonyKL]

My softtop is also from a VX220 and fits great - just sticks out a small amount at the rear as the VX roof line is more squarer that the lotus.

[RedViper]

The VX roof I had was extremely tight even before the side bits were snapped into place. I didn't expect it not to fit and had already spent a good few hours cleaning it and re-sealing it before even attempting to fit to the car.. maybe I was just unlucky..

[internets]

I believe mine was from a VX220, an eBay purchase, and again fitted no problems. As @TonyKL mentioned £300 - £600, in the U.K. at least, should buy one on eBay.

@usurp FYI if your not aware then roadster is limited to 150mph and without the hardtop fitted should not be driven at those speeds, my dealer warned me before they added the rear gromits and removed the security torx bolts ( and replaced with normal torx bolts) but as mentioned it's fairly straight forward to do.

[mbes2]

[TonyKL]

4 hours ago, RedViper said:

The VX roof I had was extremely tight even before the side bits were snapped into place.

I'm guessing this is just an adjustment, the cables can be adjusted to tighten/loosen the fit so that the tension is correct and holds the roof correctly to prevent lift when driven.

[mark248am]

Thanks for all the help guys. Ended up buying the one off eBay for like a 1000euros. The local dealer in Kuwait wanted £2,400 for the top!

[Mary Ellen Lapp]

Are you still looking for an Elise Soft top, I have one for sale and great condition!

[PJ]

No offense, but if I am not mistaken you are replying to a 2 yr old post? Just FYI 🙄

[Craigy]

On 21/05/2020 at 01:12, Mary Ellen Lapp said:

Are you still looking for an Elise Soft top, I have one for sale and great condition!

He might not be, but I am!

[Anthony Edward]

So am I. Can't seem to find anything on eBay. There is a backorder of like 50 softtops waiting fulfillment by Lotus, my dealer says... so are these as rare as hen's teeth?

[Anthony Edward]

Hello,

 

Do you still have the soft top for sale? How much, what condition is it in, and can you ship to Switzerland please?

Thanks, Anthony

[Bibs]

@Craigy

[Craigy]

8 minutes ago, Bibs said:

@Craigy

 

15 hours ago, Anthony Edward said:

So am I. Can't seem to find anything on eBay. There is a backorder of like 50 softtops waiting fulfillment by Lotus, my dealer says... so are these as rare as hen's teeth?

I actually obtained one second-hand last weekend. They are available, just rare.

--Craig

[Bibs]

No luck with @Mary Ellen Lapp?

@Anthony Edward, might be worth popping her a PM?

[Craigy]

22 minutes ago, Bibs said:

No luck with @Mary Ellen Lapp?

@Anthony Edward, might be worth popping her a PM?

There are three elise/exige soft-tops on eBay right now: blue S2, red S2, black S1.

I would not buy any of them (the two S2 ones look like they need to be completely renewed).

 

I found mine on a facebook group being sold by a UK based car and parts dealer who specialises in Lotus. I've dealt with him a few times now (including in 2005.. so he's been doing this a while) -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/748706438529414/ and the chaps name is will blackham.

--Craig

[Anthony Edward]

Thanks to all, I will check those links out and I have written to Mary Ellen.