Lotus Number 4...

[Daveb99]

After owning 3 Elise S1s over the last 17 years, I took the plunge recently and sold my beloved Elise Sport 160 (gulp!) in favour of an Exige S Roadster.

Two test drives about a month ago at Silverstone sealed it - thanks Aimee and Matthew for putting up with my overly-thorough tendencies - I decided I prefer the clean lines and slightly softer ride of the Roadster to the Coupe, and I'm not ready to give up my roof-off motoring for an Evora just yet.. 

I picked it up about 10 days ago, and although I haven't put many miles on it yet, it's clear that it's a big step up in terms of performance, quality and creature comforts.   I'll miss the S160 - it was a special and iconic car for sure - but hey ho, we all know when the time is right to move on I guess.

It's Carbon Grey, with the contrasting Venom Red interior.  It was actually one of the Lotus press cars originally when launched, and just the second Roadster off the line, so has benefitted from a decent spec (Premium and Convenience packs, Air Con, Heated Seats, Rear parking sensors, and also the Two-part performance disks) and being a demo, mechanically it been kept tip-top and has wanted for nothing according to the chaps at Hethel I spoke to at length (as part of that thoroughness thing I mentioned......!).

Looking forward to sharing my experiences (and experience, eventually) with the Exige V6 owners on here..

Here are a few photos - I'll add some more in the near future when the sun is shining 

Edited October 21, 2017 by Daveb99

[The Pits]

Stunning car, lovely spec. Congratulations!

[Stuart Monument]

Look great ! Don’t know much about the Exige but looks awesome with no rear spoiler 

[stephenwhyte]

That’s a pretty car Dave - always thought that style of wheel looked better in silver Looks a great purchase - enjoy!

[Bibs]

Cracking pics too! Conversely, my visit to Silverstone was a cup of coffee and the Evora purchase a month or so ago was a side thought, I'd pretty much made my mind up to buy it before I'd turned up

[Daveb99]

Cheers for the comments....I must confess I didn't take the photos in my original post - but I did take these on my phone the other day - slightly less inspiring backgrounds (and the quintessential litter bin shot!)..

Edited October 21, 2017 by Daveb99

[French Frie]

Congratulations  !  I only can approve your choice, as mine is almost a twin sister, apart from the sienna brown color, but both colors are almost the same ... sleek look of the roadster with silver wheels rocks  !

[ramjet]

Looks good Dave.

Even your photos that you took are pretty good.

[mcx]

Looks lovely, congrats. The red interior is beautiful!

[Daveb99]

Here's a couple of the interior - I've always been a fan of red leather with grey, black or silver.  When I saw this car advertised in this colour combination and spec I knew I was on a slippery slope....

[21gg]

Very nice mate!

[Daveb99]

3 hours ago, 21gg said:

Very nice mate!

Cheers Gav - I trust you and the mighty GTE are keeping well..?

[C8RKH]

Lovely car. Very very nice. Well done matey, you've got good taste!

 

[21gg]

We are mate, although it's now been relegated to a weekend car!

[Arun_D]

Congrats. I recall seeing this car rolling through Worthing during the summer. Great spec, my last V6S coupe was the colour combo.

[theelanman]

stunning and a teriffic colour combo......

congratulations

[DJW]

Best colour combo. Love red interiors. 

[Daveb99]

Another day, another photo...

Had a fantastic blast in it yesterday, what a car....

Thanks for all the positive comments - makes it feel even more special 

 

[French Frie]

Great ! Now, take it to the proper roads, and you’ll be in love forever  :

 

[Daveb99]

11 hours ago, French Frie said:

Great ! Now, take it to the proper roads, and you’ll be in love forever  :

 

Stunning scenery - I see you and your passenger have matching blue scarves....!     I intend to do a European trip in the car at some point.

[JohnnySC]

Brill choice, grey plus red leather is great combo, the roadster is a much underrated car imho, had mine 3 years now after 3 different elise versions, black with red interior set off by the silver wheels which I think look great, an  occasion  every time I take it out. You'll love it.

[GFWilliams]

That is a fantastic colour combo, enjoy!

[French Frie]

13 hours ago, Daveb99 said:

 I see you and your passenger have matching blue scarves....!   

 hey, we’re french, aren’t we  ?

please bring your roadster on the continent, and on mountains roads in particular... this is the best car for that: powerful enough to blast every other mechanical animal, yet small enough to compose with hairpins and narrow roads... and without front splitter and roof, the roadster is the best Exige there !

... ain’t no mountain high enough  !

[Daveb99]

Brilliant - I'll definitely be planning a mountainous trip in the near future...

Went out for a quick blast late this afternoon so grabbed some more pics.  Carbon Grey is pretty impressive when it catches the sun.