Used Lotus Exige Coupe 2000 - 2002 review

What's the used Lotus Exige like?

Despite what Lotus will tell you to the contrary, this is much more of a weekend plaything than an everyday car. It's a hard-topped two-seater, and the low doors mean getting in and out requires gymnastic levels of flexibility.

However, once you finally have established yourself behind the wheel, it's fantastic fun. The bucket seats hold you firmly in place, although some fuller-bodied people may find them too narrow.

Overview

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but on B-roads, the Exige is a blast

Pros

• The Exige provides outstanding grip and a sensational drive

Cons

• It's impractical for everyday motoring and noisy at speed

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On the motorway, the experience is noisy and unpleasant, but everywhere else it's noisy and brilliant. Find a twisty back road and the Exige will put a smile on your face; grip and cornering ability are sensational. The turn-in and steering feedback are what driving are all about.

This car's not the place for a romantic chat; despite the claustrophobic nature of the cabin, you'll struggle to hear yourself or the audio system. Storage space is virtually non-existent.

Our recommendations

Which used Lotus Exige should I buy?

The first Exige went on sale in summer 2000, and 583 were sold before production ended in spring 2001. The car was powered by a 177bhp version of Rover's 1.8-litre K-series engine. It's extremely noisy in the cabin and, despite basic air-con, it gets pretty hot.

As a result, we recommend the Exige S2 (Series Two), which went on sale in 2004, and was a much bigger seller. With a slightly softer body design, it was meant to be a more usable road car. Powered by a 1.8-litre Toyota engine, it delivers 189bhp.

The Touring Pack adds leather and carpets, while Super Touring gives a slightly different interior, airbags and even a cupholder. The Sports Pack means racing seats and a roll bar, and Super Sports equals adjustable dampers and lightweight alloy wheels. In 2005, came the limited-edition Sport Exige 240R, which offered 243bhp. A year later, Lotus launched the 218bhp Exige S.