Exige S 220 to 997 C2S - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Has anybody moved from an Exige S to a 997 C2S (3.8)? I have a BMW 535d tourer (E61) as a daily driver and an S2 Exige S for fun. The only reason I have an estate car was that I needed something big enough to cart the dogs about in and still be a fairly nice place to be on my daily commute. The Mrs has recently got a dog-friendly car, so I don't really need an estate. In addition to this, I've changed jobs and now get the train to work so I don't actually need a sensible car at all so am mulling over getting rid of the BMW and the Exige and having just the one car for the time being. The cars I've looked at: BMW M5 BMW M3 Porsche 997 C2S Lotus Evora Audi R8 Nissan GTR The truth be told, it's the GTR I'd like the most, but as I have a few projects coming up around the house, it would eat up all my budget and the running costs put me off a bit. I've been on one of the owners clubs and the running costs seem pretty horrible! The 997 is currently my favourite from the list so keen to follow this route. Most of my friends say I'll get bored of the Porsche, but I just don't see how this is possible It seems like a brilliant compromise and the running costs are acceptable. It's got a load of the thrills you get with the Lotus but much more refined so good for those days when I do drive to work. Anyone moved from an Exige to a 997 who can chip in with their experiences?

Usually an Exige driver is drawn to a GT3 of some sorts...

It's like being on SELOC

I see you posted here too. :-) You'll probably get pointed to Boxster Spyder or Cayman R any minute now.

A me from an Exige S to a mk1 GT3. I guess really it depends what use you were getting from the Exige. Lots of track or just fast road fun stuff ?

I've had a VX, S1 Elise and run a Motorsport Elise. It is fair to say that a 997 is a different kettle of fish! You are not going to get the same sort of connection to the road and ultimately more grip will mean you have to push harder to get the car moving underneath you. The upside is that the 997 isn't a torture to drive! The quality of the noise in the Porker is also a lot nicer than any 4cyl. Compared to most cars, the steering is nice, the gearshift good and i personally think the 997 is a beautiful thing to look at. As a weekend car though, i would be keeping the Exige.

For a fun car that does not need to be especially compromised look into a 996 GT3 or a fettled 993/964 You certainly wont get bored of any of those 997/boxster etc are not replacements for a good Lotus imo (p.s. I grew up on 340r/111s/R500's etc.)

jackal said: For a fun car that does not need to be especially compromised look into a 996 GT3 or a fettled 993/964 You certainly wont get bored of any of those (p.s. I grew up on 340r/111s/R500's etc.) +1

Autopilot said: It's like being on SELOC Most Seloc end up in Pork, I ran away from it all but all the f4ckers are on here now !!!

Magic919 said: I see you posted here too. :-) You'll probably get pointed to Boxster Spyder or Cayman R any minute now. not by me, rather they by some s t wagon.

ArcticGT3 said: A me from an Exige S to a mk1 GT3. I guess really it depends what use you were getting from the Exige. Lots of track or just fast road fun stuff ? Mainly fast road fun and the occasional commute to work.

Thank you all for your responses. I haven't found many people who think a move to a 997 is a good one....less rewarding drive, less thrilling etc, so quite surprised. I'll figure out what to do! Cheers

test drives ;-) you will fall into a trap after a Exige though, I did and had so many cars ie 3 a year for about 5 years, finding some thing which felt any good. Most cars feel , and I mean driving feel, poor after an Exige, So imo try a GTR or some thing totally different. or buy a more focused car, if you by a car which is a bit "meh" you will be moving it on in 3 months. Edited by mrdemon on Tuesday 9th December 13:52

No comparison 997 C2s vs Exige. ive had both and for sheer fun its the exige all day and im a P nut. As already mentioned good P alternative is a modified 964. Huge community to play with too

I ran a 111r for 6 years it was an awesome car, before I got my 997 turbo I tried a 997 C2S/C4S but none really floated my boat. Do I miss the lotus? Sometimes yes but then the shove of the turbo more then makes up for it . Try a few and see how you feel. PS I'm on SELOC too lol

Scooty100 said: No comparison 997 C2s vs Exige. ive had both and for sheer fun its the exige all day and im a P nut. As already mentioned good P alternative is a modified 964. Huge community to play with too As long as it revs to 9k right? ;-)

fastgerman said: As long as it revs to 9k right? ;-) Steady :-)