M3 or Lotus Exige S

rzm3 · 03-11-2009, 09:13 AM

Hey guys, need your opinions.

I am debating whether I should keep my M3 or sell it can buy a used 07 Exige S.

Recently I've come across some decent deals on the Exige for about $40k and am tempted. The pros of the Exige is the light weight, driving feel and very exotic exterior styling, though it is utterly unpractical, and the interior needs custom work.

I walk to work and don't use my car except for weekends. I rarely need all the space on my M3 (M3 drivers have no friends

). The Lotus will be my only car, so what do you think I should do?

tpipta · 03-11-2009, 09:22 AM

IMHO, if it is your only car that 'could' potentially get dicey. I have been down the road of only having a small sports car and it is perfect almost all the time but I always had those times when I wished I had something bigger. Flip side of the coin, it is one hell of performing machine and very fun to drive!!

valeram · 03-11-2009, 09:24 AM

As you said that it is not practical as compared to an M3. If it is a second car then go ahead. I would prefer to get an EVO. Just my $0.02 opinion.

gixxer_kidd · 03-11-2009, 09:25 AM

One of my buddies has an exige and the other a soon to be sc'ed elise. Both of them have another car. As your only car, I would stick with the m3. The elise is a fun car to rip around in on the weekends but other than that, it's not as useful as an m3.

alpineweissM3 · 03-11-2009, 09:28 AM

Do you want a loud, uncomfortable, rough riding sports car?

Or do want a comfortable and refined GT?

Personally, I couldn't live with an exige as my only ride.

JC919 · 03-11-2009, 10:29 AM

An exige would be fun as hell, but it would be murder on Houston streets with such a stiff suspension. Not mention all the a$$holes in huge trucks that won't see you coming up next to them in such a small car.

monsta · 03-11-2009, 10:42 AM

as a second car for use @ trackdays I was say go for it but definitely not as an only vehicle even if the M3 is more $ and you only get to drive it on the weekends keep the M3 & don't suffer on the loss your would take $ wise if you were to sell

JPH · 03-11-2009, 10:49 AM

All personal preference. If you are young with no family, I will say that there is a narrower window than you think where you can have a car like that, that is just for you and no one else is a factor. Except maybe for dates...who might not be as impressed by all the sporting capability and staring at the aluminum floor. Unless she "gets" cars and really likes the Exige. In that case, marry her and start a family...but that will have you back to square one with a need for a modest back seat

sparkyg · 03-11-2009, 10:49 AM

The Exige is a pure track car, nothing more.

Have you even sat in it or tried to drive, there is absolutely no outward vision.

It doesn't compare to an M3 in any regards. Period.

GL if you get one and get rid of the M3, biggest mistake you'll make.

Track car- great, DD car, brutal.

In Houston in the summer it will kill you too.

I have a friend who has one and you have to wear hearing protection for long drives it is so loud inside the vehicle. Who wants that.

Sticky · 03-11-2009, 10:55 AM

Keep the M3 and get a go-kart.

doba_s · 03-11-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Hey guys, need your opinions.

I am debating whether I should keep my M3 or sell it can buy a used 07 Exige S.

Recently I've come across some decent deals on the Exige for about $40k and am tempted. The pros of the Exige is the light weight, driving feel and very exotic exterior styling, though it is utterly unpractical, and the interior needs custom work.

I walk to work and don't use my car except for weekends. I rarely need all the space on my M3 (M3 drivers have no friends

). The Lotus will be my only car, so what do you think I should do?

I would stick with M3 ... much safer car, better ride quality and great for daily driving and HPDE ... Lotus is so uncomfortable and if you get in an accident you need to replace the whole car since it has like 3 panels or so ... The guy from my body shop was fixing one and told me he would never buy this car for many many reasons ...

montreal red · 03-11-2009, 12:25 PM

i dont think its a good idea if its going to be your only car... i mean i know you dont need a daily car for work but think bout it. if you have an elise or exige, it would be a challenge to even use the car to do a short road trip for example since you cant really fit much luggage into the car.

i say keep the m3... or you could go for a used 911 or cayman s?? they'll be much more practical than an elise/exige

psuwcc112 · 03-11-2009, 12:45 PM

I agree with most of the people..Keep the M3..

rcornelius · 03-11-2009, 01:01 PM

BMW for sure has it problems like the rest. But in general there is not many cars out there for the price that are better all around than your M3. Unless your going to purchase the very expensive Aston Martin, then KEEP your M3!

Jaypod · 03-11-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sticky

Keep the M3 and get a go-kart.

So what your saying is keep the M3 and buy the Exige S!

Sticky · 03-11-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypod

So what your saying is keep the M3 and buy the Exige S!

Haha, I guess so.

sparkyg · 03-11-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypod

So what your saying is keep the M3 and buy the Exige S!

Yeah a good solution, just make sure you pay your bills first

dcstep · 03-11-2009, 04:12 PM

If you bought the M3 new you'll get killed on the resale. I think of the M3 as a car that'll drive 5 to 10 years; otherwise, I'd only buy it slightly used.

The two cars are totally different, but the Lotus could make sense if you only drive it on weekends and track performance is a high priority to you. When figuring the cost of the Lotus, add one-year of M3 depreciation to the cost. That'll put you North of $50,000 since this is an optional change.

Dave

endofanera7 · 03-11-2009, 05:02 PM

I think you def should reconsider keeping the M3. It takes 5 mins everytime you get in a Lotus...

Splinter4784 · 03-11-2009, 05:09 PM

stick with the M3

A lotus S as ur DD

thats crazy Talk

GTM · 03-11-2009, 06:14 PM

TOTALLY two different cars... cant even compare between two.

I had Exige for almost 2 years, only be able to put like 6000 miles even if I tried hard to drive as much as possible.
I thought it was too impractical even being my 3rd car.
The problem was, only time I can enjoying driving the car was at track. (Almost half of the 6000miles was driven at track)

I had S2000 as DD when I was younger which was totally fine.
Exige as your only car? that's totally different story.

Robo Squirrel · 03-11-2009, 08:40 PM

i drove what was essentially a race car from may till september (Viper) as my only car...holy shiot...it kind of sucks. it just did not cope well with traffic or weather. too much work to drive daily...not to mention sweating my a$$ off b/c there was no a/c. Very uncomfortable. Very fun when no one is in front of you, haha

03-11-2009, 09:13 AM	#1
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	M3 or Lotus Exige S Hey guys, need your opinions. I am debating whether I should keep my M3 or sell it can buy a used 07 Exige S. Recently I've come across some decent deals on the Exige for about $40k and am tempted. The pros of the Exige is the light weight, driving feel and very exotic exterior styling, though it is utterly unpractical, and the interior needs custom work. I walk to work and don't use my car except for weekends. I rarely need all the space on my M3 (M3 drivers have no friends). The Lotus will be my only car, so what do you think I should do?
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03-11-2009, 09:22 AM	#2
tpipta First Lieutenant 24 Rep 318 Posts Drives: F15 X5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD iTrader: (0)	IMHO, if it is your only car that 'could' potentially get dicey. I have been down the road of only having a small sports car and it is perfect almost all the time but I always had those times when I wished I had something bigger. Flip side of the coin, it is one hell of performing machine and very fun to drive!! __________________ 2008 AW 335i (Lemon), 2009 AW 335i (Round 2 w/ Basic Mods), 2011 BSM 335i LCI MSport (Sucked), 2010 PW MINI Cooper S Hatchback, 2014 AW M235i, 2017 X5
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03-11-2009, 09:24 AM	#3
valeram Major 37 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 992 TTS, 991.2 GT3 T, F80 M3 C Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dublin, OH iTrader: (0)	As you said that it is not practical as compared to an M3. If it is a second car then go ahead. I would prefer to get an EVO. Just my $0.02 opinion.
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03-11-2009, 09:25 AM	#4
gixxer_kidd Major 83 Rep 1,461 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (18) Garage List 2008 m3 [10.00]	One of my buddies has an exige and the other a soon to be sc'ed elise. Both of them have another car. As your only car, I would stick with the m3. The elise is a fun car to rip around in on the weekends but other than that, it's not as useful as an m3.
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03-11-2009, 09:28 AM	#5
alpineweissM3 I love my beautiful wife! 22 Rep 628 Posts Drives: e90 ///M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Do you want a loud, uncomfortable, rough riding sports car? Or do want a comfortable and refined GT? Personally, I couldn't live with an exige as my only ride.
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03-11-2009, 10:29 AM	#6
JC919 Lieutenant Colonel 72 Rep 1,803 Posts Drives: CSL Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland iTrader: (0)	An exige would be fun as hell, but it would be murder on Houston streets with such a stiff suspension. Not mention all the a$$holes in huge trucks that won't see you coming up next to them in such a small car.
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03-11-2009, 10:42 AM	#7
monsta Brigadier General 218 Rep 3,592 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bergen County, NJ/Y.O, NY iTrader: (2)	as a second car for use @ trackdays I was say go for it but definitely not as an only vehicle even if the M3 is more $ and you only get to drive it on the weekends keep the M3 & don't suffer on the loss your would take $ wise if you were to sell __________________ '08 E92 M3 6MT \| IB \| FR \| RAC RG63's \| VRS Ti Exhaust \| Fabspeed HFC & Xpipe '09 X5 35d SG/SB '11 X3 28i AW/CN/FW (wife's car
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03-11-2009, 10:49 AM	#8
JPH Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 254 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	All personal preference. If you are young with no family, I will say that there is a narrower window than you think where you can have a car like that, that is just for you and no one else is a factor. Except maybe for dates...who might not be as impressed by all the sporting capability and staring at the aluminum floor. Unless she "gets" cars and really likes the Exige. In that case, marry her and start a family...but that will have you back to square one with a need for a modest back seat
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03-11-2009, 10:49 AM	#9
sparkyg Brigadier General 142 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: A6 Allroad Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oil Country iTrader: (5)	The Exige is a pure track car, nothing more. Have you even sat in it or tried to drive, there is absolutely no outward vision. It doesn't compare to an M3 in any regards. Period. GL if you get one and get rid of the M3, biggest mistake you'll make. Track car- great, DD car, brutal. In Houston in the summer it will kill you too. I have a friend who has one and you have to wear hearing protection for long drives it is so loud inside the vehicle. Who wants that.
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03-11-2009, 10:55 AM	#10
Sticky Banned 78 Rep 2,244 Posts Drives: E92 Jerez DCT M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Anaheim Hills / Malibu iTrader: (0)	Keep the M3 and get a go-kart.
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03-11-2009, 12:25 PM	#12
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	i dont think its a good idea if its going to be your only car... i mean i know you dont need a daily car for work but think bout it. if you have an elise or exige, it would be a challenge to even use the car to do a short road trip for example since you cant really fit much luggage into the car. i say keep the m3... or you could go for a used 911 or cayman s?? they'll be much more practical than an elise/exige __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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03-11-2009, 12:45 PM	#13
psuwcc112 Major 444 Rep 1,061 Posts Drives: 2015 YMB M4 coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dublin, CA iTrader: (7)	I agree with most of the people..Keep the M3.. __________________ 2015 F82 YMB M4 (Feb 28th ED, re-deliveried on Apr 18th) \|My 2015 YMB M4 ED Journal 2008 E92 SSII M3 Coupe (Sold) \| My long gone 2008 E92 SSII M3 2002 E39 SG 530i (Gone)
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03-11-2009, 01:01 PM	#14
rcornelius Faster 5 Rep 132 Posts Drives: M3 Coupe Melbourne Red/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gastonia, NC / Grafenwoehr, Germany iTrader: (0)	BMW for sure has it problems like the rest. But in general there is not many cars out there for the price that are better all around than your M3. Unless your going to purchase the very expensive Aston Martin, then KEEP your M3!
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03-11-2009, 04:12 PM	#18
dcstep Major General 1291 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	If you bought the M3 new you'll get killed on the resale. I think of the M3 as a car that'll drive 5 to 10 years; otherwise, I'd only buy it slightly used. The two cars are totally different, but the Lotus could make sense if you only drive it on weekends and track performance is a high priority to you. When figuring the cost of the Lotus, add one-year of M3 depreciation to the cost. That'll put you North of $50,000 since this is an optional change. Dave __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
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03-11-2009, 05:02 PM	#19
endofanera7 Major General 514 Rep 5,392 Posts Drives: 08 JB E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (16) Garage List 2018 Porsche GT3 [9.50]	I think you def should reconsider keeping the M3. It takes 5 mins everytime you get in a Lotus...
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03-11-2009, 05:09 PM	#20
Splinter4784 414 little horsies 56 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Beverly Hills iTrader: (2)	stick with the M3 A lotus S as ur DD thats crazy Talk __________________ Race Precision Inc
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03-11-2009, 06:14 PM	#21
GTM 68 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Crystal Lake, IL iTrader: (2)	TOTALLY two different cars... cant even compare between two. I had Exige for almost 2 years, only be able to put like 6000 miles even if I tried hard to drive as much as possible. I thought it was too impractical even being my 3rd car. The problem was, only time I can enjoying driving the car was at track. (Almost half of the 6000miles was driven at track) I had S2000 as DD when I was younger which was totally fine. Exige as your only car? that's totally different story.
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03-11-2009, 08:40 PM	#22
Robo Squirrel Major 70 Rep 1,008 Posts Drives: 991.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MI iTrader: (1)	i drove what was essentially a race car from may till september (Viper) as my only car...holy shiot...it kind of sucks. it just did not cope well with traffic or weather. too much work to drive daily...not to mention sweating my a$$ off b/c there was no a/c. Very uncomfortable. Very fun when no one is in front of you, haha __________________
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