Cheers guys,
As JG says the colour scheme is a bit of a marmite one. Luckily I love marmite.
In answer to the question how does it compare
@hairy - so pleased you like my write ups, I don’t want to disappoint you, so here we go...
For context I’ve moved from (a well documented) Stage 4 VXT modified carefully and considerably. It was an absolute beast putting out around 300bhp and similar levels of torque. Turbo torque is a slightly blunt tool but an amazing experience and very addictive. The shove in the back in 2nd, 3rd, 4th gear pace when the turbo kicks in gave it an extraordinary punch, which it kept on with riding a wave of torque all the way to the gear change.
Power to weight was up there with some serious machinery, I have an interesting data graph that shows the acceleration curve being the same as a modified Nissan gtr up to 120mph at Spa.
I think the Dave Hardwick/DG airbox helped with the free flowing air and usability of my set up as there wasn’t really any lag to speak of. The throttle was even adjustable in bends without being lumpy.
The slightly cheap thrill of the punch blasting past a car must be similar to what bikers feel and it made me grin every time.
I have traded that sensation for something a little different. Moving to an exige, I knew I wouldn’t get that same shove and sense of grunt. I knew I would miss that part. That is why I was very selective about my choice, it needed to be a 260 bhp version otherwise I think I would be left wanting for more.
The way the Exige delivers is a different sensation. I will detox from the crack cocaine of the turbo shove and replace it by a more fluid and complete driving experience. The set up of my Exige is spot on, beautifully balanced, more composed and planted on the corners.
More subtle than my stage 4. Refined, balanced. Brakes are better. Abs doesn’t interfere, traction control is non invasive and can be variable and most importantly completely turned off. Not had the chance to play with this feature but I like the idea of it for wet track days.
The VX can hold its head high in any company and the modesty of its unfashionable brand makes it very honest. Getting those knowing nods from people who knew their cars and looked beyond the brand name always made me smile.
The Exige development has clearly benefited from ongoing quality improvements. This 2008 version is a much better screwed together car, by contrast the VX feels a bit tinny. As simple as closing the door on the Exige, you get a much more reassuring clunk.
Along with the Performance and Sport packs, I’ve got the comfort pack so that helps add to the refinement.
I had never driven an Exige before and only been in an S1 one 15 years ago as a passenger on a track.
The first time I drove an Exige was after I had bought it. I knew it would have similarities to the VX so didn’t feel the need to test drive one, signing the paperwork and paying before even sitting in it! I just knew it would be good. I wasn’t wrong.
So as the proud owner I lowered myself in. The first thing I noticed is the seats are a little lower and slightly more reclined than the VX with a tinge more padding of Probax (although I always found the VX seats very comfy and could drive hours without issue). With the hard top I felt more enclosed and surrounded by the car.
The gear shift is similar with a longish throw so not much difference there. Both give a reassuring clunk as they slot neatly in.
The way the car delivers power is very different to the VX. It builds, while it lacks that initial punch, it continues to crank it up. With the red line at 8,500rpm, at first I was reluctant to go past 6000. However having owned an S2000 I was familiar with high revvers and it’s not cruelty to take it to 8, it’s designed for that - once fully warmed up.
The noise is very different too, my Milltek had developed a glorious tone over the years, a bit of a deep burble. The Exige 2bular along with supercharger gives a futuristic banzai scream as you hear the cams lift which increases in intensity until you hit the red line along with the odd pop fizz bang on the overrun. My son brilliantly described it as sounding like the past and the future all at the same time.
As the revs build so does the speed and when approaching 8000 you suddenly get this thought ‘woah this is quick’. A shift up and the car repeats the process again, building pace.
In a straight line it’s hard to know which is quicker as they deliver speed in different ways. The Exige on paper says 4secs to 60 and 9.9 to 100, which is probably about similar to the VX but with a different feel in how it gets there. Around a track I suspect the Exige would be quicker. It’s more stable, I can already tell that. I could feel that you can really play with the car, the advantage of an NA. I have all that to look forwards to.
The VX was visceral, like an angry hornet wanting to kill me at any moment should I make a mistake. It was set up very tight and completely unforgiving. I definitely enjoyed the challenge of driving it -respectfully.
I think the VX looks great, the Exige stunning. It’s a thing of beauty. I have to say this outside of earshot of my old VX but I absolutely love the shape and looks of the Exige, the curves and sculpted lines are a work of art. For me it really has a wow factor and is a visual delight that makes me smile.
Furthermore, I always liked the side mirror view of the VX’s haunches. The side mirror view in the Exige I find even better, looking down the curve of the engine bay drawing your gaze to that wing and the wheel arch haunch to its side, is an absolute treat.
I can already see the handling will be better. It’s the way the power is delivered and hooks up the rear end of the car as you go through a bend. Early on in my first drive, that difference in sensation took me by surprise and made me spontaneously grin.
It seemed to naturally bed down into the road and bend with it as I turned through it. It was a fluidity that is hard to describe the way it keys into the tarmac and contorts itself with the bend. Whereas my VX would try to smash through the road :-D
And that is the trade off, in return for giving up the crack I get a driving experience that is even more pure.
Writing this has made me a little melancholic and whistful towards the VX as it is such a special car. I will miss it with great memories and fondness.
I have always loved Exiges, When I spotted the Sprint version for sale it ticked all the boxes. I knew I had to go for it, it was just what I was looking for as my next car. After all, when you’ve owned a VX there is very little you can change to that will deliver as much.
Edited by dw1, 20 May 2019 - 10:26 PM.
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