Now in the club...

[DJV83]

So I took the Exige out for a test drive on Saturday along with the wife and needless to say after a blast in 2nd gear I was ready to sign on the dotted line! 

I pick the car up in 2 weeks from Howard's Lotus who I highly recommended. Very honest and knowledgeable chaps with no pressure involved in the sale. 

I'm already thinking about modding however so have some questions if anyone can help me! 

It's a stock 2014 Exige in Matte black. Pic attached. 

1. I noticed on some YouTube videos that people appear to have shift lights on the speedo? As you don't have much time to check the Speedo I thought it may be useful to get one. Any suggestions on how? 

2. What does the car rev to? The Speedo didn't indicate, I think it depicts up to 9k but not where the redline is.

3. What and where can I get harnesses fitted? 

Any other must have mods people can suggest? 

I'm intent on attending club events going forwards so hopefully see some of you in person one day ?

Dave 

[stephenwhyte]

Well done Dave - glad you bought it and sure you’ll enjoy. Someone else that’s managed to get an Exige before me...........will get there though

[DJV83]

Thanks Stephen. Well... the wait will be well worth it I assure you! ?

I've just spent the entire day clearing the garages ready for it. My wife said it's like I'm nesting in preparation for bringing a baby home ?

[The Pits]

Very smart. Welcome to a very fun club.

The V6 revs to 7200rpm in Sport and Race modes, 6800rpm in Tour mode.

I'd drive the car first on track before any mods to have a baseline to compare against. You can also use the time to work out what you want to change or uprate and what you want the mods to achieve.

If you've no interest in trackdays then things like harder suspension and uprated brakes are probably not where you want to be looking. However a soft top conversion might be an idea for more road use.

Some good options out there now for more power and exhaust noise but the latter may restrict your choice of trackdays. I'd just enjoy the car as standard first. In 4.5 years of Exige ownership all I changed was the tyres. It was a brilliant straight out of the box.

 

 

[stephenwhyte]

Ha ha - you enjoy Dave......good times ahead!

[FF]

Congratulation for the recent purchase!! 

[DJV83]

4 hours ago, The Pits said:

Very smart. Welcome to a very fun club.

The V6 revs to 7200rpm in Sport and Race modes, 6800rpm in Tour mode.

I'd drive the car first on track before any mods to have a baseline to compare against. You can also use the time to work out what you want to change or uprate and what you want the mods to achieve.

If you've no interest in trackdays then things like harder suspension and uprated brakes are probably not where you want to be looking. However a soft top conversion might be an idea for more road use.

Some good options out there now for more power and exhaust noise but the latter may restrict your choice of trackdays. I'd just enjoy the car as standard first. In 4.5 years of Exige ownership all I changed was the tyres. It was a brilliant straight out of the box.

 

 

That's good advice, thanks.

The standard car does seem amazing as it is! 

[NickEng]

That’s a stealthy one  Welcome to the club! 

The shift lights are in the Rev counter, the red blinking of the immobiliser is one of 3 that light up as you approach the redline. 

I’ve done a few track days in mine and the only mods I’ve done are fit a towing eye (which you’ve already got) and swapping the brake fluid to Castrol SRF. I never got brake fade, but I tend to share the car with my gf at trackdays so I upgraded to make sure. 

Enjoy!

[DJV83]

Yeah bit of a batmobile! 

Ah I see so mine should have the shift lights as standard then? 

Awesome thanks for the tip ?

[ramjet]

Aww bugger. You beat me.

I was going to go:

Dana Dana Dana Dana Batman!

[mcx]

Matte black is the best..  

[swanny71]

Congrats on the new car, enjoy!

Mods I've done, listed in order of how much more amazing the car feels to me.

1. 2Bular exhaust, simply the best thing ever for a V6

2. Soft top conversion - adds a whole new dimension to the fun, you also can hear more of mod 1 above.

3. Forged Lotus wheels and new tyres. Never really thought much of the standard P-Zero's and having tried Michelin PS4's I'm glad I changed. Wheel/tyre combo has improved ride comfort, lowered road noise, given better steering feel by reducing tram lining and unwanted 'chatter'. Also increased ability to get the power down, though the rears were down to 3mm.

4. Ticking indicator relay - unless of course you've done mods 1 and 2 above, in which case it's pointless.

 

[DJV83]

Someone else mentioned the 2bular exhaust. Do you have a link as to where to get it? 

Soft top... the Mrs would be happy with that. Where do I start?! 

Thanks for the info!

DV

 

[swanny71]

 

Link for exhaust, be warned Jim always seems very busy and it might take a while for the exhaust to arrive.

http://www.2bular.co.uk/exige-v6-70mm-bore-system

Hardest part of the conversion is actually finding the soft top, £1000+ from Lotus if they have any in stock. Keep an eye on all classifieds, I got lucky on the playground and found a good one for £400.

Then buy this https://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/14/1389/s2-exige-soft-top-conversion-kit/ and swallow some brave pills as you take a Dremel to your lovely Lotus - it's quit simple though. Measure twice (maybe 8 times) and cut once as they say.

Search on here, there's a few threads on the topic.

 

Edited October 23, 2017 by swanny71

[DJV83]

That's brilliant thanks mate.

Exhaust sounds like the good option to go for first ?

[2GOOD]

Don’t think @DJV83 you’ll need to worry about cutting your car for the soft top. One of the cars in the thread linked above might look familiar!

[DJV83]

Well I'll be dammed ? Excellent, now to find a soft top! 

[NW76]

Welcome in the matt black club ?? 

You will love the car ... for street use and even the occassional track day its perfect out of the box ... be careful when you start to modify its a dangerous and expensive virus ... there will always be the next thing you want to do no matter how far you have gone already ??

[Daveb99]

Congrats - stunning in Matt black.  I know the "new car feeling" very well at the moment - happy days!

[alias23]

As mentioned already... for sure get Castrol SRF brake fluid changed and you'll be fine on track whilst you find your feet with the car.

[NANO]

Also by my congratulations for the purchase of your new toy ... I'm sure you will enjoy a lot and you will not be able to do it anymore ... you will want to drive ... to drive .... to drive ...

[DJV83]

Thanks for the comments, advice and warm welcome to the forum all.

Exciting times ahead!! ?

[Bassman]

You will not be disappointed by this car! I have had my matte black V6 Cup for 3 years and nearly 20,000 miles - every time I get into it all my troubles melt away and I just drive with a big fat grin on my face! As to mods, mine was delivered with a Quicksilver exhaust which sounds amazing but I have to be a bit careful on certain track days. For serious track work I find a harness to be essential. My dealer, Bell & Colvill, supply and fit Schroth harnesses which are fine, so I imagine Howard's Lotus could do similar for you.

Enjoy the drive.....!

 

[theelanman]

congrats and welcome....looks like youre about to be grinning from ear to ear....

I bet you get jaw/cheek ache in the first week......

[JohnnySC]

Fantastic car and welcome to the club!