Is the Exige the most underrated performance car? | ReDriven Lotus Exige (2012-2021) used car review

Check out the Lotus Exige Cheat Sheet here: redriven.com/lotus-exige-s
Looking for a used Lotus Exige? - carsforsale.com.au/lotus
Simply Sports Cars: www.simplysportscars.com/
This week is a bit of a special one. It's not every day you get handed the keys to such a unique car. We need to say a huge thank you to the team at Simply Sports Cars for the loan.
Let us know what you think in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe to stay up to date with all our content.
Also, for all things Lotus and KTM in Australia, make sure you hit up the team at Simply Sports Cars.
00:00​​ - Intro
01:14 - What is it?
02:55 - Does it look good?
05:14​​ - How's the interior?
07:18​​ - How's the tech?
08:14​​ - Is it practical?
09:22 - What goes wrong?
10:14​​ - Is it safe?
10:31​​ - What's it like to drive?
15:23 - How much does it cost?
17:11 - Running costs?
17:49 - Should you buy it?
#lotus
#exige
#performance
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At ReDriven, we’ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a huge range of used cars to see how well they’re going now that they’re a few years old, have thousands of kilometres on the clock, and are coming toward the end of their warranty, or maybe don’t have one at all.
Plus, thanks to our resident mechanic, Jim, you’ll find out what commonly goes wrong with them and what might need to be fixed.
Most importantly, we want to make ReDriven a voice for the most in-the-know used car experts there are...you guys.. See, you’re the ones that actually buy, live with, love and sometimes unfortunately hate the cars we’ll be reviewing.
So we want to hear your thoughts. Hit us up in the comments, or on Instagram and Facebook.
We’d love nothing more than for you to give us as much feedback as possible, so we can make this channel the best it can be.
Find us on:
INSTAGRAM: / redriven_official
FACEBOOK: / redrivenofficial

[@bispal]

I have had 2, a 350 Roadster (like in the video) and now a 430 CUP. Its made of composites & aluminium so no rust and has a Toyota V6 so very reliable. Mine is an ex press car and has been driven by many journalists (including Chris Harris) and has had no issues in 3 years. Its utterly intoxicating, last weekend I drove mine 550 miles in 2 days in preference to my 675LT. It really is the most enjoyable and rewarding manual car you can buy at almost any price. And the sound! Buy one while you can they are thoroughly addictive. Is it practical you asked? well on my 550 mile trip I packed a full size 4 man tent, bedding clothes, walking boots and everything for a weekend hiking & camping so yes! And it was comfortable, 10 hours in the drivers seat with no aches or pains. Nice review thanks. Cant believe you didn't mention being able to see the throttle moving in the mirror when driving the car though, such a cool feature.

[@ReDriven]

Awesome comment mate. I actually did mention it on the shoot but the audio had a bit of a freak out so we had to cut it :( - AK

[@captain_context9991]

FUN FACT: When they were designing the new Ford GT, they wanted the optimal driving position for road and track and they wanted a small cabin. So they laser scanned the interior of a Lotus and copied it down to the minute detail. Trusting that Lotus probably did it right.

[@ReDriven]

No way! That's amazing, which we'd known that to mention in the video. - AK

[@eskamobob8662]

Was watching something the other day and someone said "what us holding lotus back from being porsche isn't what they do, because what they do they do perfect. Its what they don't do"

[@damilolaakanni]

Ford "copying" Lotus sounds funny😁😀😅😂. Could that be one of the reasons why they couldn't fit a V8 behind the driver and passenger, unlike the 2005-2006 models?

[@captain_context9991]

@@damilolaakanni Well if you actually want to know. The reason for the little V6 is... Ford wanted to beat Ferrari at LeMans. But Ford CANT beat Ferrari at LeMans. Which is why Ford always buys their Ford GT cars from English racing companies instead of Ford building the cars themselves. So... In order to almost guarantee they would beat Ferrari at LeMans in 2016-2017 or whatever. They designed the car to bend the rules as much as possible. There are very strict rules for how much downforce and active aero surface you can put on the car for LeMans racing. So they designed the Ford GT so that the bodywork also GREATLY helped with low drag and high aero. Which is why they made the 2 big holes right through the car in the back. But when they did that, they couldn't fit the big engine. So they went with the V6 instead. And even then. They didn't really "beat" Ferrari at LeMans. Well... They got 1st place. But they technically cheated. Using a trick called "Sandbagging" and by complaining to the judges that Ferrari was cheating. They basically made up things to complain about again, and again, until they found some tiny little thing and Ferrari got deducted some points. It was really an embarrassing try-hard victory rather than just designing a better car and beating Ferrari by racing the normal way.

[@damilolaakanni]

@@captain_context9991 thanks.

[@evansc3580]

I used to have a problem with always changing cars. I would buy a new car every year, sometimes two in a year. The cure to my problem was found when I bought a Lotus.

[@ReDriven]

Love reading that! - AK

[@pgn1993]

I have the same problem- I have an F Type V8 and love it - I wonder if I’d have more fun in the Lotus

[@Chunny95]

Great review! I’m in Sydney and own a black 430 Cup - I would attest to the fact that Lotus’ create some of the most thrilling cars to drive. I’ve driven quite a few cars, but rarely does anything feel as theatrical whether you’re just parked or cruising on the freeway. The interior is sparse, but the beauty of it is that everything is analog and timeless - all the new modern cars with LCD displays, no physical buttons, digital climate controls, they will all eventually age and become obsolete like your smart phone, newer and better tech every 2-3 years - and this is why, the Lotus will always be an instant classic. You just can’t make this stuff anymore…

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much mate! - AK

[@jayblack8515]

I've been lusting after this car for a hot minute now... thanks for the vid!

[@pwolsey42]

Great review. I love your enthusiasm. And you’re exactly right - we don’t need another artfully shot fillim of an Exige being driven at 10-tenths around a track. You should have mentioned though that we are in the last year of new Exige production as Lotus gears up for their next generation cars. The current model Elise, Exige and Evora might be the last gasp of the mid-engined, manual, petrol powered sports cars we ever see. Personally, I am going to hang on to mine for future generations.

[@ReDriven]

Great idea Peter and we might just be working on a celebration piece of sorts....maybe ;) And thank you so much for the kind words - AK

[@2mckayda13]

11q

[@bign1667]

Great review and beautiful car 👍 Definitely loved the out takes at the very end 🤣 very funny

[@ReDriven]

Thank you. - AK

[@governorairsoft4150]

Another great vid! I had forgotten about Lotus and their bare bones track toy fun.

[@ReDriven]

Thanks mate!

[@marmaladebrah]

Man its good to hear some nice aussie commentary, thanks for the review!

[@ReDriven]

You’re welcome!

[@alexanderbonardi4514]

I just committed to a series 2 exige (the lighter one 😉) with the komotec conversion. It is the most amazing car I ever bought, and like many have already said, worth hanging on for future generations. Worth saying also that back here In the EU the prices of Exiges have not dropped now for at least 3 years. She is definitely an older girl and requires maintenance and attention, but if you are like me (a nerd and an engineer), it is part of the experience, and don't be scared as the prices of spare parts are way lower than those of a McLaren (seeing many MP4-12s now in that price range), a Porsche or a Ferrari.

[@ReDriven]

Love this mate. - AK

[@trioxin428]

Awesome review and thanks for the cheat sheet, it's a great idea

[@ReDriven]

Cheers mate, our pleasure! - AK

[@user-vi7kx6jw5q]

Tbh absolutely great channel! You guys deserve more views 😊

[@MAKZM]

I sincerely hope this channel gets more views and subscribers. I love these videos

[@ReDriven]

Oh thank you so so much! We hope so too! - AK

[@SilverScarletSpider]

8:17 🤣🤣🤣 absolute madness my man. Great stuff

[@ReDriven]

Hahahaha cheers mate! - AK

[@rizin2213]

I have to laugh at this. I'm a lineman and traveled for work in my 2005 Elise. I had 14 days worth of cloths. All my climbing gear and hand tools fit in the trunk of the car!

[@zedlicious]

I’ve driven a V6 Exige over a weekend and they are an awesome amazing handling car. The sound and handling is amazing Simply Sports Cars let me take another one around Wakefield Park and in the track it’s even better. I know guys who test drove other brands but came back to buy an Exige S and definitely no regrets owning one

[@ReDriven]

Awesome Zed! - AK

[@martintownley5803]

Just before I emigrated to Aus in 2009, my wife treated me to a supercar driving day for my birthday. I got to thrash a DB9, 911 GT3, Ferrari 360, Audi R8, Gallardo and an early 1.8 Elise around Elvington airfield in Yorkshire UK. I can tell you now, not much could pass the Lotus. It was so much fun. I can only imagine how much better the Toyota engined cars would be over the early Rover K series 1.8 litre cars

[@RandomTaskEHE]

Nice review. I make a nifty aluminium tray divider that has a Ram ball for mounting a phone. I also make an adjustable double cup holder that slides into the OEM rail, and no ugly little leather jockstrap!

[@joshdinnerville2150]

Lmao Cockatoos! Love those bloopers! You guys should put them in the end of your videos more often!

[@ReDriven]

The plan is to add them at the end of every video however, sometimes my bad language gets to a point that my Mum may get very upset so there are a few that miss the cut. - AK

[@TheEntelexia]

Loving these videos guys, always a great watch. Could you do a video on the current Fabia, that would be great :)

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much mate. Our rule is that we try to only do video reviews on used cars more than 3 years old so the current Fabia might have to wait a little while sorry. - AK

[@jesseredfield8194]

Underrated humor. Loved the video. Tried to stay unbiased about how much i love the exige. And learned they make them still? 2021 exige… i did not know that here in the USA. Subbed.

[@ReDriven]

Cheers Jesse, wrapped you enjoyed it. Production is stopping but there are some new models still available if you look in the right places......like Simply Sports Cars! You'll just have to move to Australia, but it'll be worth it. - AK

[@jesseredfield8194]

@@ReDriven im down. Lol good content man!

[@VelocemotoHD]

Great review , your enthusiasm shines through - I have a 380, in Vic, they are brilliant, under rated

[@ReDriven]

Thank you so very much and congrats on a truly special car. - AK

[@xkimopye]

One day I will be an exige owner in vic, just got to live through the pain of paying off the mortgage. The girlfriend won’t let me buy one until the house is payed off ☹️ but hopefully that only 2-3 years away. I am pretty keen on the S2 as I like the idea of it being so light, and also because of the lower price. But do you think it’s worth the money to get the S3? I’ve never even sat in either of them so I really don’t know which one to strive for.

[@VelocemotoHD]

@@xkimopye I had an S2 Elise for a while which I loved, now the Exige 380 V6. There is no comparison in my eyes, the 380 is incredible but some still prefer the Elise/Exige S2. S3 Exige is on another level IMO, but it was twice as much. The seating position and ergonomics are the same between the S2 and S3.

[@xkimopye]

@@VelocemotoHD might have to do what you did and buy an s2 first then go s3 if that’s what I want to do. Both are so cool for different reasons. S3 does sound incredible. Thanks for your help.

[@dalamar6228]

Hello from the UK! Love this channel and really miss Oz now that I live and work over here. I had to get a V8 in my life to remind me of Oz and I bought a TVR Chimaera. Absolutely love it. Any chance you could feature some of the younger TVRs that are out there? Tuscan, T350, Sagaris and so on. It would be great to hear your take on them!

[@ReDriven]

Oh mate we would LOVE to film a TVR. However, they are few and far between here. We'll try to hunt one down for you but it may take sometime. We'll do our best. Thanks so much for the kind words too, really appreciate it. - AK

[@ddii2786]

Please do one on the MB C300. Keep up the great work.

[@ReDriven]

We'll try to track one down and thanks so much. - AK

[@mdebarchez]

Love your reviews.... would love to see one on the Saab 900

[@ReDriven]

Brilliant idea. They are super rare here but we'll try to find one to review. - AK

[@dominicabbott693]

I can't believe I've not seen your channel! You got a sub. Targa land

[@ReDriven]

Welcome!

[@shahulhusman]

I'm bitter we didn't get an exige after 2011 ish in the US.. I had a 07 and was annoyed they stopped. Waiting for the Emira unveil or may do a evora gt/Cayman gt4

[@TheBakaxe]

Brilliant!

[@An3dmax]

You have the old prefacelift model, the open gearshift is a peace of art

[@ReDriven]

Oh isn't it ever. I remember seeing it for the first time and a sound emanated from my soul I didn't realise I could make. - AK

[@shanecameron7869]

Reminds me of overtaking a B Double freight truck at 80KPH on the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba Tokyo.....................in a go-kart.

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

Best to buy the coupe and then the soft top mounting kit, then have the best of both worlds. The hard roof just un-bolts. Also the convertable comes limited to 150mph as the soft roof can't take more than that.

[@tomgoodspeed]

Awesome🎉

[@beekiebiddyboo]

Great video. I've had an elise for 11 years now and don't think I will ever sell it! It's basic, rattles and is impractical but as pointed out in this video, it's an enthusiasts and drivers car. Maintenance is reasonable, my wife was complaining that I had to pay £100 for a wheel bearing, then I showed her a ferrari 355 wheel bearing on ebay for £1,400 as a comparison for perspective. If someone is looking for a very comfortable high tech car don't buy an elise or exige. 😂

[@ReDriven]

100% mate. - AK

[@drsrsv8884]

Why do you have a massa?

[@beekiebiddyboo]

@@drsrsv8884Ferrari? I wish 😂 No, it was to give her a comparison between Lotus Elise and Ferrari ownership costs. I'm still saving though 😂

[@beekiebiddyboo]

@@ReDriven I think you mean, boza, she's a ripper mate 😂

[@_HaydenMorris_]

13:03 “It feels like your front wheels are literally kinda moving the front wheels.” - Adam “AK” Morris 2021

[@ReDriven]

You know what I mean!

[@shoominati23]

Thats probably the closest thing you can get to something like a Lotus 7 or 11, or maybe an Elva in the 60s - that weighed only 500 kilos and only needed a little 1600cc 4 banger to go fast enough to beat things with 5 times the horsepower or engine size, especially around twisty tracks. Like Jay Leno is oft to say : It's more fun to go fast in a slow car, than go slow in a fast car. Whats the fun of a car where you are already exceeding the speed limit in first gear with 2000rpm to go?

[@jaypea2930]

What a car!!!

[@mwitachacha8329]

I like it because it's a proper manual, unlike most supercars these days.

[@sleebanger]

exactly the model and spec i've been chasing.

[@MatchBookNotes]

Ermagard i havent heard an iccent loik thit een awhaile. Fantastic. I miss living in aussie

[@ReDriven]

Hahahahaha!!!! Thanks mate! - AK

[@fcstrength7058]

Yes

[@TheMcBadie]

Great video as usual. Looks like SSC enthusiasm has worn off on you. Ok so I'm binging your vids and we obviously scour similar corners of Carsales. Slightly off topic, but I am an ex Evora S owner, current i8 owner, looking at a 2nd hand M6 or back into an Evora 400 or 410. Keen on your thoughts on the M6?

[@ReDriven]

Hey Brett. That's a tough call mate. Personally I'd go Evora as there's just something unique and special about the driving experience, however the M6 is a beast of a thing. I had an M5 Comp for a couple of weeks as a press car and it buried its way under my skin and took hold but after two weeks, I found it frustrating. It had so much performance but actually using it's full breadth of abilities was near impossible with our road rules and nanny state attitude to enthusiastic driving. The Evora feels amazing at any speed where as the M6 I feel, will feel like any other beautiful luxurious BMW until you truly plant that right foot. The problem is doing that, getting the M out of it and therefor getting your moneys worth, instantly puts you into calling your lawyer territory. The Evora is a barrel of laughs at 40km/h let alone 200km/h, the M6 needs a serious amount of landscape to really tap into it's incredible abilities. Hope this helps. Also, where are you located and would there be any chance of reviewing your i8?? - AK

[@TheMcBadie]

@@ReDriven based in Lockdown city. Melbourne. You'd be more than welcome to review it though, subject to lockdown rules. Are you in Sydney? Long way to go for a review 😁

[@ReDriven]

@@TheMcBadie Ah bugger. We're planning on coming down to film a load of friends cars down there once this chaos subsides. - AK

[@TheMcBadie]

@@ReDriven well if I still have it once lockdown is over, then your welcome to come test it. Big fan of the channel.

[@slckb0y65]

only if you are versed in mechanic, and are willing to upgrade a few parts on it, the wiring loom to begin with (like on most british cars) but put a K20/K24 in is, supercharge it, new ECU, get proper suspensions and breaks, and you got yourself a freakin' rocket ship. with proper aero and some carbon panels on top, you get to Bugatti Veyron power to weight ratio territory, you will not get the top speed, but in corners and accelaration, it will boggle your mind. the ultimate driver's car imho.

[@CameraJosh]

Nice vid. Check your site though, cheat sheet for exige says s2 this is s3. Also spelling errors lol.

[@ReDriven]

Cheers Josh, we're onto it now. - AK

[@MadelnMachines]

You mentioned modern cars being too fast but there aren't many cars faster than this cars 0-60 in 3.8 seconds. Thanks for sparing us the journalism nuance BS.

[@fernandom6811]

Wow! ❤

[@garyhenderson4376]

Any chance of bloopers reel special ??

[@ReDriven]

Gary, awesome idea! I'm happy to be embarrassed for the purpose of entertainment. We might do it as a Christmas special! -AK

[@maxmackinlay618]

If you are a family man just buy a camry with the same engine. Use the spare 100k to buy a boxster, kluger, cessna, jetski, mistress and lamborghini rental for track days.

[@EzzaLeo]

If you're not going to track the car much at all but rather use it for road trips, would you have this or the equivalently priced Evora?

[@ReDriven]

Oh such a tough question. Personally, I'd have the Exige but the Evora does make so much sense. - AK

[@jerryli5537]

I recently sold my exact same 2015 Exige S roadster for $100k with 25k on the odo. As an ex Exige owner, I must correct one thing in the vid - the gearbox is absolutely not bulletproof especially on models before the updated 350, 380 410 etc. Mine suffered from a few issues like shifter cable swelling under hard driving, master & slave cylinders leaking, clutch not disengaging properly... Also the cup holder is an add on, my exige didn't have one and it really sucked but if you fit a fire extinguisher from SSC you can jam a bottle between the gap in the seat and the bracket of the extinguisher lol. This car is full of little quirks that makes it a Lotus (expect water to leak through the window gap when you wash your car), if you can live with things like that the Exige is an absolute pleasure to drive and it turns so many heads when you're cruising around.

[@jerryli5537]

Oh, and good luck getting in and out of one if you're over 6ft.

[@ReDriven]

Hi Jerry, thanks so much for watching and commenting. Was the shifter issue resolved under warranty?? - AK

[@ReDriven]

@@jerryli5537 Thank god those yoga classes paid off for me! - AK

[@robertp9858]

Awesome

[@kennethbowry1521]

loved mine S2 but had to sell it owing to a broken hip, but anyone with the money and a soul buy one now.

[@ReDriven]

Hope the hip is ok now Kenneth. - AK

[@kennethbowry1521]

@@ReDriven Hi ya its OK about 70% on a good day so mobile and not in any pain,but a legged thrust is out of the question, only for the young and fit methinks.

[@donatczigler4889]

A Ferrari is in a different price range, however some Porsche-s fall into the same price and horsepower bracket as this Exige. Wouldn't it be worthy to consider the Exige as a Porsche alternative, rather than a Ferrari 488 alernative, with more track focus and less practicality over newer Caymans/Boxsters or slightly older 911-s?

[@ReDriven]

For sure, Porsches are definitely more comparable in terms of pricing. But the references to Ferrari were more to question whether those that go past cars like Lotus to spend 300k+ more on a Ferrari, do they really get 300k more car for the money

[@malcolmscott4150]

Lovely car - I was waiting to see those child bearing hips get into the vehicle as from memory it resemble human origami lol 😝 great review love that these cars exist and yes more special than so called exotica cheers

[@ReDriven]

Hahahahaha 'human origami', I really wish I'd thought of that mate! - AK

[@SimplySportsCars]

Acutally we have quite a few owners who are 6 foot tall that with a bit of technique just slide in and out relatively easily

[@fch8264]

can you do a redriven episode on Nissan GTR?

[@ReDriven]

100% YES!!!!! Awesome idea. We've been trying to track down the right example to film so fingers crossed. - AK

[@surfman0115]

It's the TRD Aurion motor

[@Jimmy_Wei]

Perhaps most of the newer Ferrari drivers can't drive manual transmission properly, that's why they are not interested in Exige.

[@swissantiqueradios]

This is the point. Why buy a Ferrari if it does all the fun on its own? Please allow me the pleasure of changing gears manually. If you can't do it, buy a Ferrari (Lamborghini is also OK). In the end, I'm not interested in gaining a tenth of a second from zero to one hundred, I prefer pure driving pleasure.

[@craigykart]

The roadster (which is what was being reviewed) had an auto option, that few people bought. Buying a car for driver involvement and then getting an auto transmission is pointless, short of people who *cant* drive a manual for one reason or another.

[@alanngli]

Would you do a current gen XC90 review?

[@ReDriven]

Mate, great idea! We have an XC60 video coming up soon but we'll start trying to track down an XC90. Hope it performs as good as it looks! - AK

[@speedsteran]

Option automátic....?

[@yaakarkad]

Fancy Shmancy video

[@ReDriven]

Thank you! - AK

[@Ty-so1ox]

Mustang next!

[@ReDriven]

Trying to find the right example to film mate. - AK

[@swissantiqueradios]

I am the happy owner of a 2018 Exige 430 Cup. After 10,000km every time I get behind the wheel it's like the first time. 430 hp for 1056 kg dry weight. I have essentially the performance of a McLaren at a third of the price. In return it's a bit more challenging to drive but certainly more fun when you do it right. In your video you talk about consumption. Mine in daily use ranges from 8 to 10 litres per 100 km. Obviously on the track it's a different matter. What can I say about quality? I haven't even replaced a single light bulb in 10,000 km. This year Lotus will definitively end the production of Elise, Exige and Evora. The next models will be easier to drive, heavier, full of electronics, maybe hybrid, in short more like Ferrari. The time has come to get an Exige and wait for time to increase its value. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@smudger369]

Definitely not the performance of a mclaren! I drive my lotus on track alot and mclarens are far quicker!

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting Stefano. - AK

[@swissantiqueradios]

@@smudger369 I suppose this depends on the type of Exige and McLaren. Both makes have different models and performance. What is your Exige model?

[@bispal]

I have a 430 CUP and a 675LT. While the Exige is very quick the McLaren is on another level entirely. The Exige is as fast on the road as you would ever need it to be but I have driven almost every McLaren model made and the Exige is just not as quick. Speed is not everything though and I would say the Exige is much more rewarding to drive but McLarens are witchcraft. 10 of the Exige / Elise engineers were poached by McLaren to develop the P11 cars and it shows, there is a lot of shared DNA between both marques. Both are 10/10 for me.

[@alwinbenjamin]

⚡️

[@BB-zi5wi]

❤

[@Moneyonmain]

16:30 ...or four Loti.

[@paulslightam1355]

Buy one because after the latest model there going over to electric

[@mugdays]

This is probably the first time I've heard an Australian say "fancy-schmancy."

[@ReDriven]

And hopefully not the last! - AK

[@SilverScarletSpider]

The Lotus Elise and Exige are really nice, but my heart is set on the Lotus Evora. I just like it better, it’s like a Porsche 911 but with Toyota-Power.

[@ReDriven]

Oh we LOVE the Evora. Must be one of the most underrated performance cars ever mate. _ AK

[@davidwebber6956]

Exige or Caterham

[@ReDriven]

Both? - AK

[@giggygiggy1393]

I need to know how soft the top of the dash is with a Durometer pls. LOL

[@jaykazama9132]

😅

[@ReDriven]

Have you seen this done somewhere? 🤔

[@giggygiggy1393]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jaykazama9132]

@@ReDriven If ya know, ya know.

[@ReDriven]

@@jaykazama9132 I think I follow :)

[@darrenporter1850]

Look out for stone chips- every single car. It's low and gets hit by stones. Repairs to the front clam isn't too expensive, it's fiberglass. McLaren shouldn't even be a comparison.

[@ReDriven]

Exactly! - AK

[@N-JOI]

Not underrated. Just too expensive in Australian. When I was in UK this was going to be my next car on custom order before I moved to Australia. Couldn’t believe the price jump after getting here. ( same with Nissan GTR). Both I could afford in UK in 2007. Can’t afford one now and I earn lot more now🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jbfrodsham]

The TRD Aurion will be the world’s first production car to use the new Eaton twin-vortices supercharger (TVS) which has been engineered by Melbourne based Harrop Engineering, well known for their top-shelf high quality product and attention to detail. The Lotus also uses the Harrop, my guess is 90% similar.

[@virtuousheathen981]

Is it really an Exige if it doesnt have the hardtop? Or just an Elise in disguise? 😂😂

[@thatasiandude1351]

I have the worst experience on this car literally on highway you can snuck in to a 10 wheeler truck.

[@ReDriven]

Isn't that an awesome experience? - AK

[@s0516122]

I must say you and I have very different aesthetic tastes. I look at the exterior and think 'meh'. The dashboard, with its sea of black, looks like it has come from an economy car. And the cup holder at 9:10, the one you declare as 'the coolest in all of automotive', looks to me like the kind of underwear barbarian warriors in movies wear.

[@ReDriven]

We can now no longer see the cup holder as anything other than barbarian underwear, thanks for that! 😂

[@s0516122]

@@ReDriven You're welcome.😜

[@OjsMatte]

I guess it bowls down to what you compare with. I have had girls running at me asking to sit in it and take a picture, people looking to the point i have to look away because akward. And i only have an Elise that is a bit more toned down compared to an Exige. And the interior, well thats why its relatively cheap, i dont even understand why that would be an issue. It´s a car for.. Maby not you?

[@s0516122]

@@OjsMatte That's certainly my point in the original post - To each their own.

[@200mphgt40]

Taste is subjective. I love the interior and especially dash on my S2 pre-airbag Exige. Don't like the airbag dash that has been used since late 2006 so much. Early dash is Alcantara, aluminium and leather. All the plastic bits are easily replaced with CF if that's your thing too. The thing you can't get from pictures is just how small it is. Like everything (instruments, wheel etc) are 3/4 scale size of a normal car. I was cross shopping against a early Cayman S...now that's an interior that hasn't aged well...IMHO.

[@jayblack8515]

if you wanna get nitpicky about looks... you can knock the mirrors.

[@ReDriven]

Ah wished I'd mentioned that Jay, great point. - AK

[@Vinnitintin249]

That title needs fixing 😬

[@ReDriven]

Thank you! 🙏

[@msp5616]

Lotus made in Britain by a man in a shed... you guys ever get any TVR down under now that's backyard engineering that makes you shit your pants. After an enthusiastic drive in one of those, you end up in the boot the gutter and the emergency dept 🤣🤣

[@ReDriven]

Hahahahaha "man in a shed", brilliant. We never received TVR officially but some made down here as personal imports. They're as rare as hens teeth. Love to have a go in one.....the TVR, not the hens. - AK

[@bispal]

You have obviously never been to Hethel!

[@msp5616]

@@bispal indeed I have and I have also visited Hangzhou, both lovely this time of year

[@johnmitchell2269]

Your thinking of Noble

[@juewang2912]

aussie speed bumps are too high ....

[@ReDriven]

100% - AK

[@kecupabece4000]

Once a UK brand but Lotus was bought by Malaysian Proton brand and in 2017, Lotus was taken over by China’s Geely Holding and Malaysia's Etika Automotive, with Geely holding a controlling stake. Not really a comparison with Italian supercars

[@MrInternFTL]

They didn’t really go down in quality

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much for watching mate and especially for commenting. Lamborghini has been owned and operated by six different organisations (including Chrysler between 1987 and 1994) and while Ferrari is Ferrari, as Matthew mentioned, Fiat hold a huge stake in the company. I think the point we were trying to make is that, is an Italian supercar really worthy of the immense extra expense. No denying Lambo/Ferrari are very very special cars but we argue Lotus offer an equally unique experience, with all the supercar feels, for hundreds of thousands of dollars less.

[@xkimopye]

Made by British engineers, and British assemblers in a British warehouse, geely are just the ones in control of costs and profits.

[@alanngli]

First!!

[@alanngli]

Sorry, I know it’s silly.

[@ReDriven]

@@alanngli All g mate, we just appreciate you watched and commented!

[@captain_context9991]

This car UNDER RATED?? Try buying one second hand and you will find that it costs almost as much as a new one. Exactly because they arent under rated at all.

[@ReDriven]

We mean in terms of so many people lust after other exotic brands but almost seem to forget how unique and amazing Lotus are. Sorry to hear you had dramas too. - AK

[@captain_context9991]

@@ReDriven Yeah when I lived in the UK in the late 90s I had a Gunmetal Grey Lotus Elise. And I didn't think of it as very special back then because I was new to sportscars and other people at my company had 2 Lamborghinis, and there were a couple of Ferraris and the Lotus Esprit. And also classics like the S2000 and NSX in the company parking lot. But today I would literally murder to have my Lotus back.

[@ReDriven]

@@captain_context9991 That sounds like one amazing car park!

[@captain_context9991]

@@ReDriven It was a fun time to be in the games industry. Today... The publisher runs off with all the money if something is a success.

[@ninjashidan]

Here's a crazy idea: you can buy Sports cars because they are beautiful and because love to drive them. Stop telling people how to enjoy their cars

[@marcusbarnes5929]

Sorry man Audi R8 way nicer

[@ReDriven]

Oh Marcus they're both incredible in their respective ways.....and we'll have a definitive answer to that argument soon as we might just have an R8 booked in to review soon. -AK

[@LostChildOfTime]

"Nicer" is a good way of putting it. The Audi is nicer like a woman in that perfect evening dress. But an Exige is like that woman who goes to the gym to look good with no clothes on.

[@CORLEONESPORTS97]

Yeah its great you can't fit anything what a joy. Lol

[@nissivlogs9828]

If you Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins then Resurrected three days later and is our Lord and Savior you will be saved ! He who is sinless died on the cross for our sins just so we could be here. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords from generation to generation! Read your bible daily please and Repent!! God bless you and your. family!💜 (Not trying to force upon. anyone. who doesn’t agree

[@jimsmith9912]

Nissi, I'm not disagreeing, but this is about the Lotus Exige. Not religion. Think about it. It's not about money, greed or even wealth. It's about driving an awesome car that everyone loves. Apart from the fact that you are the only female to write a comment, do you get the picture? Your comment makes you look a bit silly or even non compos Mentos. Don't go making comments that people do on social media just to get attention. On other apps people who do that are retarded and get blocked.

[@jeeves6490]

If I get a Lotus I'll pray to any damn God. Satan, let's talk!

[@NunYaBiz1313]

Hate videos that make a documentary out of a simple question. Get to the point bro.

[@jbfrodsham]

The Engine is a 2GRFE it’s really the same set up of the Aurion 2007 supercharged. A car way underrated, check them out they are a bargain. 12 to 16 k used. I have not checked out whether the supercharger is the same brand. But it could be after all Toyota Australia put in a heap of money into its development. What bought the car down was mainly front wheel drive and no manual transmission available. If it had been manual with all wheel drive that car would be a classic collectable, worth $100,000 today. Great shame really.

[@MarioRossi-no7hs]

Best sport car of all time.