Sourcing quality spares.
This hardcore take on the Lotus Elise is reliable and surprisingly cheap to run.
Lotus got pulses racing when it launched the Exige S1 in 2000 with its edgy 1.8-litre K-series engine and mini Group C racer looks. The S2 took things a step further in 2004, swapping the Rover unit for an equally eager Toyota 2ZZ-GE 1.8 and adding wider front and rear wheels, along with a more muscular body. With its aero kit and stiffer suspension, it instantly became the affordable weekend track toy on everyone’s wish list. The best was yet to come though in the form of the brutally quick 240R, which came along in 2005. With a supercharger bolted on, it shaved a second off the already swift 0-60mph time of the stock S2, taking it to barely feasibly 3.9 seconds.
Those in search of a happy compromise had their needs satisfied with the S model that broke cover a year later. It cost a lot less, but still boasted a supercharger and 31mpg economy.
There were numerous special editions during the car’s lifespan, but the following advice applies to all of them in equal measure.
Engines
Toyota reliability is legendary – and happily, that carries over to the engine in the Exige. Service intervals are every 9000 miles/ 12 months, although cars that get a regular ragging would benefit from more regular oil and filter changes. If you were worried about the prospect of that Magnuson MP62 Eaton twin rotor roots-type supercharger going wrong, don’t. It’s proving very robust. Incidentally, Hangar 111.com can supply and fit a 280S supercharger kit to regular cars for £6718.80.
One weak point is the radiator, which eventually leaks due to ageing. Lots will have been swapped already but, if not, the least expensive alloy replacements we found cost £258 from
eliseparts.com. Bear in mind that the front clamshell has to come off to fit it, so you will need to factor in a hefty labour charge if you don’t do the work yourself.
While Toyota’s six-speed transmission can handle lots of abuse, watch for loss of synchromesh when shifting from 2nd into 3rd, especially when cold. Due to their low mass, clutches tend to be long-lived, but when they do go you can expect to pay in the region of £350 for an uprated replacement.
Steering and suspension
The scalpel-sharp unassisted steering in the Exige is what gives it its edge, but wear and accident damage can introduce sloppiness. If this is the case, a replacement exchange standard ratio rack can be acquired for as little as £384. Early presupercharged cars were fitted with Bilstein dampers, but lots
will have had aftermarket upgrades. There’s a vast array of choices, but products from Öhlins and Nitron are popular; the latter sells a Street Series 2 suspension kit for less than £900.
To get the most out of an Exige, a four-wheel laser alignment check is recommended. At around £50, it’s money well spent. Tyre choice is important, too, so stick to the likes of Avon, Toyo and Yokohama.
One relatively inexpensive upgrade is to fit a limited slip differential. A Quaife unit will cost £774 and, as you’ll need to remove the clutch to fit it, it would be wise to upgrade that at the same time.
Brakes
As you would expect, the 282mm ventilated disc set-up is more than capable of scraping speed off the lightweight Exige. That said, there are all manner of upgrades available, from 308mm discs right through to complete aftermarket caliper kits costing thousands. For street use, a slightly bigger disc and performance pads are likely to be a good compromise.
Other issues
Beware of damage to the car’s tub as it’s the most common cause for an Exige to be written-off. Also, try to take a look at the underside to see if there’s been any damage from speed bumps or kerbing. The glassfibre body is strong, but look for spider cracks that could indicate more problems underneath.
It’s worth mentioning that tall drivers may struggle to fit inside an Exige, although a solution for many is to fit a steering wheel spacer to provide more knee-room.
With prices starting from £20,000 for an early Exige S2, if you’re looking for a car that’s cheap to run, fabulous to drive, reliable and inexpensive to maintain, you’ve just found it.