I has 400 naughty thoughts....

[Kalli]

I'll start by saying my love for the Exige V6 is far from exhausted - but much like that of a dating male comparing potential new girls to his first love - I cant help but miss my Canyon Red Evora. 

So i'm playing the smutty game. I'm going to string the Exige along unbeknownst, whilst searching for her replacement over the coming weeks/months - and I cant help but confess I have the thought-naughties for something with wider hips. 

My dates have been narrowed down to two girls, and I need your opinions. A pub-talk comparison between a bloke and his fellas - my shortlist is down to a 400 and 410; but whilst my eye-candy-eyes love the look of a 410, I'm not sure I could justify the extra cost without serious temptation from the dealers. So the question to all those chaps with 400's - now that you're in a 400, are you tempted by a 410 and why? I'm incredibly prone to cheating on my cars, and whilst I aim to be faithful at the outset, I always get the green eyes for something new. However I (financially) have to make sure my pick of the 400/410 is the keeper  

I'll keep this thread going throughout my journey, for any potential buyers also tempted by the wide hips. 

[CocoPops]

Ooh, you are nawty!

 

[theelanman]

the thing is.........what ever you do its not going to be a keeper.......

when they bring something else out you'll be wanting that.........

I don't blame you at all.....

 

erm...its only serious when you change brand....then you'll be disowned for ever (or until you buy another Lotus......whichever is the sooner)

[Neal H]

I swapped a V6 Exige for an Evora 400 (Auto!!) and haven't looked back. The Evora 400 is 95% of the Exige drive but can gobble up motorway journeys in relaxed comfort when the need arises - the Evora is now my only car and I love it whether I'm blasting down a b-road or sat in a traffic jam.

I'm loving the look of the 410 (particularly the grey one) but I don't think I'd swap the 400 which is pretty much perfect for my needs. I'd really need to drive a 410 to see how much the road ride and refinement has been compromised in making a better track weapon, but I can't imagine that it would be far enough ahead of a 400 which is already a sublime road oriented sports car, to justify the change cost.

 

[PaulCP]

2 hours ago, Kalli said:

However I (financially) have to make sure my pick of the 400/410 is the keeper  

 

Well, at least for the 22 months until the Evora Roadster is launched 

[Gashead1105]

I've driven Greg's. it's a wonderful fabulous thing and I'd love one, but it's too loud for every UK track apart from the occasional unsilenced day - if you do trackdays then you will have to bear that in mind. If you could have one and keep the exige, that would be the way forward! 

[Colin P]

Not tempted at all. Mines a road car, wouldn't mind a few of the carbon bits, but not really bothered otherwise.

I suspect that you stand more chance of a much better deal on an "in stock" 400 than on a 410.

Besides, we all know you'll end up buying bits and sticking them on anyway, so may as well start with a 400. First mod is to add your big pink wing  

[Kalli]

Thanks for the comments so far folks. 

Firstly, @Neal H - Do you not miss the engagement of the gears/clutch from your V6? I'm solely planted on the manual, partly for the limited slip diff, but just curious

@PaulCP - Shush That's actually part of the reason why i'm perking up now. I was expecting a Roadster at Geneva, but with the new 20-22 months....Bah. That's a long time to be patient!

@Gashead1105 - I have a valved tubular - theres no chance i'm getting on track any time soon anyway!  

@Colin P - you know what colour i'm pondering right?

[DJW]

Moved from an Exige V6S with race pack, to an Evora 400 Auto which I love.

Aim is to get another Exige to sit alongside the Evora, as they are very much different cars.  

If I had to make a choice of only one, it would be the Evora as its a more accomplished road car.  If tracks days were my thing, then it would be the Exige. 

Re the 410, it is tempting but I'd need to buy a second hand one to make the  cost to change more palatable.

if I was in your shoes and you want to buy new, then 410 has to be strong contender as I imagine it will keep its value more than a stock car  

Cant go wrong with any of the cars really

Edited November 1, 2016 by DJW

[Chris J]

1 hour ago, Kalli said:

 

@Gashead1105 - I have a valved tubular - theres no chance i'm getting on track any time soon anyway!  

Let me leave this with you:

http://www.2bular.co.uk/exige-s-v6/trackday-silencing

 

He also has a page up for the Evora S, presumably there will be versions for the 400, 410 and anyone else who might need one...

 

Given a choice between an Exige V6 or a 410, I'd be in a 410 in a heartbeat. Choosing between a 400 and a 410, it really depends how day to day liveable you want I think. A lot of the reviews so far have commented on the carbon seats being quite unforgiving.

[Bravo73]

You are very, er, optimistic. Did you read the bottom of the piece? "PRICING!: TBA - still working with suppliers to bring these in at a competitive price. The 90mm Titanium add-ons are lighter (of course!) than the 100mm Stainless add-ons but not so quiet - might be of use at non-UK tracks."

ie I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for them.

[Neal H]

Do I miss the manual gear change?  - sometimes!

When I went Evora shopping I was set on a manual, until I drove the auto and realised it was actually really bloody good. In Sport mode the paddle changes up and down are almost instant and as the car is my daily drive, having an auto is sometimes really nice when just crawling in traffic. Added bonus is that it auto-blips on the downshifts, which with the exhaust valve open sounds fantastic and gives the false impression that I'm a driving god. I love this car

 

[chylld]

Moved from Evora S manual to Evora 400 auto. On very rare occasions I miss working the clutch pedal, but 95% of the time I let the awesome auto box do its thing. It's sensational for an auto, let alone a slushbox!

Never interested in a 410. The 400's best party piece is its dual personality capability and the 410 sacrifices that for too little gain. If I wanted a fast Lotus I'd either put R-spec tyres on my 400 or buy an Exige 350 / 3-Eleven.

[Chris J]

45 minutes ago, Bravo73 said:

You are very, er, optimistic.

I can hope, since I could use one for Kalli's old Evora... It's progress they've made it as far as the website!

[Colin G]

I reckon in a few months you'll be able to pick up a used 400 for low fifties, so you might as well. Or have I over simplified that?

[LF1]

Reading all these raving reviews of the 410 I'm starting to have naughty thoughts too...

[Colin P]

On 11/1/2016 at 19:47, Kalli said:

 

 - you know what colour i'm pondering right?

Looking forward to seeing what a Pink 400 looks like. Need to get Bibs to correct your login again.

[CocoPops]

KalliPink will reign again!

[mcx]

Interesting thread... I would agree with some of the posts, an ex demo or used 400 is pretty good value in the low £60s I think.. not sure what could be negotiated off a new 410 or if there will be any demonstrators around at some point? I think the regular 400 is a great road car/ good track car.. the only things I would change with mine for heavier track use would be the wheels/tyres... I would get some lighter forged wheels and cup tyres for swapping over, the std michelin super sports are great for the road, and also I may change the seats for track duty too. I have yet to try a 410, I like the look of the seats but I'm sure the factory ones will be reassuringly expensive, also as they seem to be the exige cup seats, perhaps an opportunity for slightly deeper seats has been missed. Am thinking of checking what will fit from tillett's catalogue, my old caterham seats were amazing, comfortable even with the padding removed and extremely supportive. The std seats are fine (although mine still creak.. waiting months for new parts ) but I'm sure a lot of weight could be dropped with some simple bolt in carbon buckets. I guess the decision of 400 vs 410 comes down to the real price difference and how much you want to track the thing..  If I sold my other track car I'd be tempted by a 410 I think.  Not sure I'm helping really    

[Kalli]

So my man maths is in full swing! 

As always, the Lotus (and especially the TLF) community is an asset that any car marque would be privileged to have! I've bounced many a thought off many an owner, especially the likes of Mr @CocoPops, @Colin P, @Mandi177 and their experiences. 

To put it simply, this past week or two i've been trying to find ways to use the Exige. I have two options currently - a Smart Roadster, or an Exige V6. It's literally like fighting logic vs passion. A single commute in the Exige costs an entire week of fuel for the Smart Roadster - thats how vastly different it is! However, I put logic to one side for a while, and used the Exige. There's no doubt, it's a fantastic beast of a vehicle. I can't say anything negative about it, as it truly is brilliant - but it does take a certain mindset to live with.....especially when it's the largest, most practical car you own......

So i've been suffering recently with numerous first world problems, i'll confess. The security at work means I need a security member to journey in the car with me through the site, which means I can't have my overnight bag on the passenger seat, I can't open the doors most frozen days, I have to wait an age to defrost the bastard, and the drafts in the footwell/sills are killing my mrs (very susceptible to the cold - or atleast certainly makes every effort to state how cold she is!!) It makes journeys in the Exige a bit of a chore - a winter conundrum perhaps, but a hassle none the less.

On the flip side, I've had pangs about my Evora for a while, long before I wrote this thread, and started the ball rolling. However shortly after this thread, I had to put my plans on hold for household sensibilities overtaking petrolhead enthusiasms. However that period has settled, and I'm now close to the point of a 400 again. Partly driven by the looming taxation changes as of 1st April, i'm keen to secure an Evora 400 before then to avoid the somewhat large increases coming towards any future owners. So the hunt has resumed! 

My initial desire was for a Canyon Red Evora - as many know, I loved my Canyon Red. It was commonplace of many a Newlands meet ups, with PinkKalli references abundant, however after seeing a Fire Red Evora 400, i've come to the realisation that it was my previous Evora was Canyon Red, and it should stay that way; a new Evora shouldn't try to emulate the last, nor try to compete with it for nostalgia's sake. My Evora NA was a supple Canyon Red with Oyster Interior - elegance without equal in my mind! The 400 however cannot carry the same elegance with it's more 'butch' boxer lip, aggressive mouth intake, and a muscular rather than plump ass. So i've come to the hard decision that Canyon Red is out! As is Fire Red.

I'm a man of colour when it comes to my cars, and it's something I failed to take into account when I got my Exige - I loved it at the time, but a pretty price did most of the influencing. I've refused to make such compromises this time around. So Black is out, as is Grey, White, Canyon Red, Fire Red, Ardent Red, Solar Yellow, and Motorsport Green. So it gives me few options on the 'standard' scale. I'm weighing between:

Essex Blue (Lee's looks fantastic, theres no doubt) - image courtesy of handmade-in-hethel.co.uk

Nightfall Blue (It's the original blue I fell in love with from Lotus)

 

Green (this kind  

 

All would be sister forged alloys, with alcantara interior. 

Will keep you all abreast with further steps, if my man-maths proves successful. 

[chylld]

Good luck with the man-maths

Alcantara interior is AWESOME, went from leather in my Evora S to red alcantara in the 400. It holds up so well, is never cold in winter or hot in summer, and when friends sit in the car the first thing they do is touch it and go "ooohh"

I have red alcantara in my signature silver car but black alcantara would maybe suit your chosen blue/green better. Remember you can have the stitching in any colour you want

[CocoPops]

Good luck!!

 

[CocoPops]

How about just polished?

[pickle]

How about an orange with black pack?

And here are a couple of photos in others colours in case it's useful. I collected them whist looking for mine...

Signature silver

[pickle]

Not sure of the blue, but don't think it's Essex

Boring white