Should I SELL my Lotus Exige?

I borrow a beautiful Caterham 620S SV for a week and it brings up the question of if I should sell my Lotus Exige in order to buy one.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:29 Food Shopping in Caterham
4:15 Motorway Driving in Caterham
6:00 Driftworks Lamborghini LP640 GT1
7:57 Lotus vs Caterham
13:04 Some Thoughts
14:27 Conclusion

[@drew699]

As a former Lotus & Caterham owner, I agree that a 7 is just SO much fun. People simply don’t understand the pure joy of being in a 7 - There truly is NO substitute. Having said that, I think a 620 is a bit OTT & even R400 (equivalent to the Exige) would in reality probably be more fun than even a 620. As you get older, your threshold for danger decreases & so I think if you leave it too long you might start considering leather seat options over BHP per tonne etc. Buy the 7 while you can....you won’t regret it!

[@shabbos-goy9407]

Correct. There is the 7 and there is everything else..

[@ShinySenpai]

Such a difficult choice, don’t limit yourself and have your mindset to owning both, you can do it dude!! 😎

[@michael1]

Yeah, I solved it by giving my Exige to my butler which means I still get to drive it whenever I want (and on the wages I pay he can't really afford to insure or use it anyway)

[@kencult]

after following your garage transformation on Instagram for the past few months, seeing it done in this video was extremely satisfying

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Just started on the floor, excited to actually finally finish it after months and months of work now!

[@julianadams2206]

Both lovely cars and I really enjoyed seeing both together. Cars like these make me increasingly doubtful if there is any need for supercars if you are looking for the ultimate Sunday morning drivers car.

[@swansmeister]

Both cars cost supercar money tho, definitely GF's exige, I don't wanna know how much money is in there already, you'de could probably buy a gt3 easy for that money.

[@isimon.]

Falling in love with your Exige a while ago, I can only say: Nooooo... Or maybe sell it to me with a YT-follower discount? 😂👌🏻

[@DriftingSquirrel]

Either one of these cars are driving at its best. Having only driven the Caterham on track, I can say that it’s great fun! Good video

[@gf04rce76]

😂👍 I have daily driven my seven and there is little you can’t do ... from strapping mountain bike to the roll cage to strapping skis on the back and heading into the alps with all season tyres.... but having a second car makes sense ... That grin you had sais everything about the seven .... The drive to Italy is Awesome by the way ... as long as you dont mind a lot of people taking photos on the motorway.... 😎👍

[@kignacio]

Sea Sucker mounts open up endless hauling possibilities.

[@markhendry1]

Superb video, both cars stunning and I’d have either. The colour of the Caterham is absolutely gorgeous, over the next couple of weeks I’d be interested to know how many times you swing between which to own, that’s before the man maths justification to actually own both😁

[@adammorgan100]

Great video George. Particularly like the nod to memories of your dad's car which feels particularly apt after this week's Top Gear. Good luck with the decision!

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Thanks, it's a fun decision to make!

[@markiebabes7]

Great video George 😎👍🏼 Hope it's not to long till you're back in a 7 👍🏼 I agree though, both would be an ideal solution 😉

[@323Ondrej]

Loved the video and feel for your dilema. There is, simply put, no substitute for Caterham and it is an emotional purchase as it should be. Give it time, trust your gut and most importantly, have fun with them ;)

[@adamkelsall3942]

I love Lotus, I had a 211 for 10 years.......but the most fun I've had in a car is a Caterham 420R. They're just so much fun and you can play at their limits more of the time. I'd love to own a Caterham one day. Brilliant, timeless things.

[@DuBstep115]

Exige looks like 200k supercar and Caterham looks like 200 years old car.

[@Motor_Alchemist]

Exige looks like a jelly mould and the Caterham a pure driving experience.

[@fourtry]

Yup

[@rufusjordan7733]

If you drove both you would choose the Caterham, it takes you back to what driving used to be like. The reason why it looks so old is because Caterham bought the designs of the lotus 7. The Caterham in my opinion looks better, but also feels quicker and is a far better car.

[@martinluke9470]

Cars weren't around 200 years ago.

[@the72gt]

Speaking from experience, yes the Cat is everything and more from a driver / owner point of view. Winter driving...the novelty of scraping the frost off the inside of the windscreen at the end of a long day doesn't last long! Keep the Lotus, awesome car. 🤓

[@TheAlastair34]

Cracking vid george 👍🏼

[@Charleswhittakercurry]

Being able to learn more about your life on this channel is brilliant. I think your a child like all of us, I want to keep my Lotus but I want the caterham 7, I’ll get both. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Thanks for the kind words, I really should do more videos...

[@deseast1267]

An excellent video and owning a 170hp Caterham and Porsche Cayman I can sympathise with your dilemma, and the only solution if you have the space is to keep the fabulous Exige and get hold of a Caterham as well. I think both these cars are horses for courses. If I'm going on a long journey and need to cover miles fast and very safely in all weathers the Porsche is, like your Exige, perfect, but if I just want to have some instant fun and drive with an almost permanent grin on my face, then in the right weather and on the right roads, I think the Seven is untouchable. Part of the advantage of being a very light car is in the cornering and braking, I think this shows most when in convoy with friends in much more powerful sports cars where on lesser roads in virtually all situations I can out-brake and out corner them without having to raise my heartrate and wonder why they brake so early or can't get round that particular bend at the speed I have just done. Of course on the straights and major roads I wouldn't have a clue which way they'd gone! I think I've actually achieved the perfect set up with my cars at the moment which includes an old Mondeo, to go to the shops and the dump with a load of rubbish or when needing to leave the car in a less than ideal/safe place. Maybe you could consider consider a second hand Seven to go with your Exige get to motoring paradise? P.s I've driven my Caterham right across America from Texas to San Francisco and also across a lot of Europe so it can be done and the reaction these cars get in these places has to be experienced to be believed, often in the States a simple fuel stop would last about half an hour through answering all the questions from people who came out of the woodwork to look at it.

[@waynosfotos]

That is all great on a nice day, but when it is cold icy rainy it then shows how an exige is more practical daily. If you kept both no probs, but to sell one for the other. I wouldn't do it. I live in Aussie and even the hardtop of my exige makes a difference to my previous softop elise. I have daily drove a lotus exige/elise for 10 years. The caterham is just to an open car to be a serious daily or semi daily.

[@Scampi95]

Loving the cockpit style dash, what a beast

[@PaddyMcQueen]

Well... I actually really don't know where to start. Your garage project is just amazing. The catheram is just epic (that color 😱🔥🔥🔥), the same for your exige. But most of all, following you since the early days... just amazed by your job. The attention to details. Your analysis on daily driving a sport car is pretty accurate. Keep up the good work man!

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Thanks buddy, when I start a project I tend to get a bit carried away. The garage started as just wanting to paint it... Thanks for the kind words!

[@PaddyMcQueen]

@@GFWilliamsnet yes I saw on your instagram when you started. Really nice job. Kinds words ? Well deserved!

[@ericb1054]

I would try to find a way to own both if possible. The Caterham you tested is a driving experience on another level from what you showed us and looks quite nice. Like you said you’ve got a lot of work into the Exige, so it would be harder to just let it go vs. a completely stock one. All of your upgrades enhanced the car to premium level and looks like it could’ve came from the factory the way it sits. That’s a real testament to your flavor in modifications 👍🏾... Clearly both are sentimental to you, so try for both!

[@mjki2cl2]

The exige is a very difficult car to replace. I’ve had mine 7 years. My thought process is more refined and faster (a gt3) or less refined and a lot faster (caterham / atom). But then an atom is so impractical without having a roof it becomes a bit pointless so given you have a comfortable daily the caterham probably makes a lot of sense 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@sirdavidnorth]

Great video 👍 Btw what model is that phone holder, could use one in my caterham. Did it hold the phone in place during hard driving? Been looking for something effective to hold the phone at that lower angle in the car

[@TC_Geosci]

I'm just going to pop in and say that I'm totally down for a 10 minute video extension of the opening 20 seconds of b-roll and music.... The colors, the lighting, the garage, fit so well with the music choice and is the perfect way to kick up ones feet at the end of a work day.

[@domsbits3922]

Just gained a new sub. Just for the quality of your garage

[@OrionVX]

Your Exige is the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen, it looks much more expensive than what it is.

[@saraw6446]

Looks like the Beachy Head road where you have both cars, great road, I use it for cycling and my motorcycle, It was a bit too bumpy but It's been resurfaced

[@Bergie_78]

I’ve wondered this many times but they are so different - one needs both!

[@WhiteRoseDrives]

15:11 I know exactly how you feel 😆 My 911 is currently up for sale. I know what I’ll do when it sells …

[@stevemain9582]

i miss my caterham..but i do still have the TVR Tuscan that i swapped it for..now that would be a comparison :-)

[@wb5mgr]

I would say living in a country where it rains more days than not the exige it’s probably a little bit more practical of the two cars. I know that’s not the point of this discussion, but considering your exige Is so highly modified I would think it would be quite a fun track car. Unless you’re just intent on selling it because you want something to generate better contact with which I would understand… The lotuses are just going to keep going up in value.

[@julianm-s9967]

What's the box with the wire coming out on top of your AIM dash binnacle at the end of the video? Nice dilemma to have by the way, but I think the second the Exige was gone from your life you'd regret selling it!

[@dougmaverick3287]

Your car sounds like a proper race car and that yellow colour is epic.

[@shabbos-goy9407]

I had a VHPD S1 Exige. It is an utterly magnificent machine. But a Caterham is in a different league. They are the most invigorating machine ever built. Period.

[@VirtualViolence]

What happened to your old blue SLO caterham?

[@An3dmax]

I can tell you want one. I would one too for my exige even if it is more impractible than a lotus. The only downside is the sound

[@BenzinioB]

Such an easy choice: Keep the Exige, work harder, do scarifies add Caterham next to it :)

[@paulchen508]

Please don't sell the exige and make more content with it

[@ILCapo-mo5jj]

Congrats on your great results on your garage! Here are my 2c: 1. Keep the Exige. 2. Dedicate to a very sacrificing year to save ALL extra money towards a Seven. That entails cheapest food budget, cheapest possible vacation or none. 3. Buy the Seven. 4. Remember, a Seven travels legally in a lightweight covered trailer. Buy such trailer. 5. Tow the Seven in your comfy E-Class to the Dolomites. 6. Spend all your vacation driving your wonderful Seven on all the epic alpine passes. 7. Install filtered vents and dehumidifier in the trailer and use it as a garage.

[@keithalexander6881]

Caterham Academy for the win, I'd keep the Exige, you'll find it difficult to replace with another one now it's out of production, have you ever considered a 2-Eleven?

[@MrAndyj007]

cant beat a 7 for the pure driving pleasure.. love your exige, but id take the 7 with the provis you have a decent daily as well

[@SH-1974]

The beep may be annoying... but its not as annoying as following a car where the driver has forgotten to switch off their indicators (and it WILL happen to a 7 driver as the car is so cramped and loud that it's easy to miss the fact you've forgotten to cancel them!).

[@gerrykuo5231]

how much would you sell it for?

[@sambagogo777]

3500RPM at 70MPH? Did it have the six speed gearbox?

[@dailydrivenlotus2994]

You should have driven your Exige top off for some segments and also top up on the Caterham. That would remove the wind in your hair element and make the comparison a little more apples to apples. That said great job!

[@GFWilliamsnet]

I can’t explain why, but I’ve never really enjoyed the Exige with the roof off. Caterham I always love with the roof off...

[@dabigesii]

Honestly, no you shouldn't. Your Exige is absolutely beautiful (and I'm normally not a fan of yellow). Your Exige makes me jealous that we can't get the Exige V6 in the US. Please keep it.

[@WightSkipper]

I take delivery of my third Caterham in July. I was just wondering if the Ear Pod Pros work well in the Seven?

[@shabbos-goy9407]

me too! I got my new seven about 3 weeks ago

[@GFWilliamsnet]

I didn’t try them with the roof off, but they really worked well with the half hood on.

[@mihkcs5372]

I have a stock exige 350 and owned a 620s alongside it for a while (neither my first car). When something else caught my eye and needed some room it never entered my mid to keep Caterham over lotus... all round including in particular traction and chassis composure/balance I think lotus drives better and is way more useable for me - the aggravation of caterham on many roads and getting caterham to track got the better of me - its truly special on rare occasions but they were too rare for me

[@thechilicrusaders1356]

Had two Caterhams and never had a lotus come past me even the 430 cup when in my 420R on track. Been out in both and if you like driving then it’s a no brainer for me, I however see the lotus purists and people who like a little bit of practical side of things would disagree.

[@CRM82]

Unfortunately the 620 is not legal in CH otherwise I would have the same thinking ...

[@automotivetestdriver3473]

There is only one choice Mr.Williams you Need both. Ps.I would like to know if you could help me to get the mirrors you produced for my Exige .

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Pop me an email - [e-mail]

[@golddemon7]

The exige is glorious! Do you have a figure in mind for someone to steal her away from you?

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Depends which day I’m asked... I know roughly what it’s actually worth though.

[@LaneHouse]

I don't think I could fit in to either one comfortably... so I'd probably just take the Merc you wish you commuted in lol.

[@fwijffels]

Two tips: 1. First strap and tighten your belt buckle, only then attach the shoulder belts! The buckle now is way to high, with a chance of submarining in a crash. 2. Get yourself a lavalier microphone that you can wear, to improve audio.

[@GFWilliamsnet]

1. Because the car is an SV, the belt straps couldn’t go any tighter. If I owned it I’d sort this, but as it’s on loan this was the best I could get them. 2. I was using a lav mic Thanks for your help though

[@fwijffels]

@@GFWilliamsnet oh haha fair enough! Yeah I did notice the audi got better later in the video. Maybe it was just the echo in the garage in the beginning 🤔

[@GFWilliamsnet]

@@fwijffels I think so, the garage needs some pictures on the walls to sound proof it a bit!

[@dair919]

Keep and get one of the lower models.... Perhaps the 420s

[@gjbspark]

i had a Caterham R300 Duratec tuned by caterham themselves to 232bhp from the original 175bhp.....ballistic car but 0.5 sec slower to 60 than a 620s... you get wet, and then you get wet some more..still great fun. now i have an Elise S....a different car yes, but more usable.

[@Viral__TV]

Dont replace it. Add it to your collection. Beautiful cars by the way!

[@GFWilliamsnet]

That's the aim, I need to save some money first!

[@stubayliss2936]

For ultimate power to weight thrills, you HAVE to try a decent sports bike or if you're braver, superbike, like Chris Harris. I would love an Atom or R620 myself, but heard (and believe, as a superbike rider) they're for men who maybe don't have the minerals to ride a bike! Add in the costs and no man maths will win the 4 wheel argument. Nice vid and mancave!

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Can't argue with your logic. Can't drift a bike though...

[@stubayliss2936]

@@GFWilliamsnet oh contrare, bikes can and do drift, the latest have electronic configurable drift (power & decellerations).

[@willinilli]

I was always into bikes, but now I appreciate being able to share the experience more genuinely with my girlfriend and not squash my head into a helmet or have to carry my leathers around when not on the bike.

[@global_nomad.]

nice s-works? cannot quite work it out. hunt wheels, rotor rings...almost as interesting as the caterham...nice cars, nice garage....

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Good eye - it’s an S-Works with a custom paint job (first lockdown project). Hopefully have a bit more time to get out on it as the weather improves!

[@global_nomad.]

@@GFWilliamsnet Petrol Ped channel currently also doing a bike fit series..cycles and cars clearly having shared interests

[@global_nomad.]

ps don't sell the lotus

[@stfu6397]

What bike is that?

[@GFWilliamsnet]

It’s an S-Works Tarmac with a custom paint job and Hunt wheels :)

[@7Spot556]

Yes! ... but then I’m somewhat biased.

[@CarToneHK]

I'd figure you want a roof in case of sudden downpour

[@GFWilliamsnet]

The Caterham can have a soft roof which does a good enough job to be honest. The Lotus has air conditioning and a radio which contribute towards comfort more than the roof I think.

[@CarToneHK]

Still think hardtop's better just on refinement front with a bit less noise, although the things you mentioned definitely does contribute more to it. Wouldn't a slower Caterham be more affordable and similarly fun though, an academy car as you said at the end seems like the best way to do it, cars are road legal anyway

[@steverabbits]

I'm less than 60 seconds in, A. It's not a toy, it's a serious machine and B. It's brought up not bought up. Young people, tut tut 😂 By the time you are the age of the average Caterham driver you will be able to afford both anyway! And maybe a few others, 911 perhaps? You seem to be heading in the right direction 👍👍

[@johnrb9397]

Did you render the walls or put up boards over the old brickwork. Looks very nice. And yes keep the lotus.

[@GFWilliamsnet]

I boarded it so I could add insulation and hide the electrics more neatly. Was my first time doing anything like it, it's far from perfect, but I'm happy considering!

[@henryrichardson2479]

Garage needs some sound insulation. Pretty echoey

[@GFWilliamsnet]

It's on the (long) list of things to do!

[@james010181]

Own an Exige. Hire a Caterham. I can fully appreciate wanting to drive both.

[@waynosfotos]

Exige, Just swap the roof for a softop. It is an easy conversion. Then the hardtop can be put back anytime. Semi caterham. 😆

[@GFWilliamsnet]

I have the soft top, exhaust is so loud that it’s painful with the roof off...

[@rfouR_4]

If I want to touch a cacti I can touch a cacti 🌵

[@theoknowscars5418]

I think you can have them both

[@superseven7947]

S5 wide chassis looks awkward /clumsy compared to S3

[@theone5776]

Applewood and hobnobs. Food of kings XD

[@MadelnMachines]

Simplify, then add shopping.

[@michels2358]

Why??????????

[@danym6547]

here we go. Same troubles...same doubts. You know what? I bought both of them, Exige V6 and Caterham R500. That's the only way. Whatever you are going to sell, you will miss because they're too different. The Caterham is a pure magic driving machine, the Exige is a great overall car.

[@Freshiemaster]

You sound like you want to move on from the exige. Just do it. And who knows you may buy another one later on.

[@andabossftw]

If you can't afford this Caterham without selling the Lotus, remember you can also buy a cheaper lower spec caterham or a similar car based on the lotus 7

[@punkuk1979]

Take it to the track then decide

[@ericgriffin6698]

Er.. yeh absolutely

[@cayman9815]

it’s obvious you want the 7. so go for it

[@HondaExige1]

No way mate! Has to be 'as well as, not instead of'.

[@fredericberthou]

Difficult but the difference lotus is lovely Caterham is a saugage 😂😂👌

[@ICEFARMERS]

Caterham is already fun at 20 ml/hr. 😉

[@superjervis]

Short answer...no

[@anthonyskilton4006]

Perhaps you should ask yourself if you could live with that indicator noise?! 🤣

[@GFWilliamsnet]

No, I’d be cutting wires under the dash!

[@anthonyskilton4006]

@@GFWilliamsnet thought as much! PS, great channel with compelling well produced content, also featuring my favourite Exige! 👏

[@MaxxUK]

Mega Fast, Well Sorted Sportcar or 150mph Coffin on wheels, you can guess my answer :)

[@GFWilliamsnet]

The coffin?

[@MaxxUK]

@@GFWilliamsnet Yeah the Caterham, chop the wheels off, remove the engine and bulkhead, lay down, sheet metal cover over the cockpit and you have yourself a DIY coffin (I'm not a fan of Caterhams as you might have guessed) LOL

[@jakesteward6798]

Caterhams are awesome but the Exige is so much more car!

[@GFWilliamsnet]

It is a lot more car, but the other thing to consider is that the running costs on the Exige are much more too.

[@Easytiger007]

Just get Honda S2000 powered Westfield...,,keep it as second toy..,,will be way cheaper than 620...R...S....

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Once you’ve owned a Caterham once, you can never even consider a Westfield or similar...

[@andrewthornley8910]

keep the exige it will become so rare

[@ibingly]

no

[@darylswalker]

Short answer. NOOOOOOOO :(

[@jonnyego]

Answer = Yes.

[@andrewthornley8910]

and the exige sounds so much better

[@TheHesK9]

No

[@sh4969]

I only drive my car on b roads never on motorways to boring.

[@Mirka-]

I know im month late, but if you still havent sold your exige, then DONT

[@dinono10]

No competition Lotus all day.

[@luckyal3963]

no !

[@xIRATUMx]

If you want to sell this let me know im a serious buyer.

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Not sure I'd sell, but if you want to make a genuine offer please email: [e-mail] Car has 61k miles and upgraded most things...

[@edturner3474]

Never sell the exige…complete regret will overcome you...work a solution to own both...I challenge you

[@raymundjusay4632]

Noooooooo PLEASE 🙏

[@underballbutter]

5 cars: wife's, off-road, daily, weekend sportscar, track car.