2008 Lotus Exige Review
2008 Lotus Exige Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+4
Used Exige for sale
Appraise This CarLotus Exige types
- Coupe
- S Club Racer
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Ultralight chassis, laser-scalpel steering, racetrack-oriented design, low volume ensures rarity, relatively good fuel economy, you'll be the envy of neighborhood car nuts.
Cons
- Spartan interior furnishings, contortionist entry and exit, cramped interior, poor outward visibility, Flintstones ride quality, peaky power delivery, limited dealer network.
What’s new
For 2008, the base model Exige is discontinued; however, the more powerful Exige S 240 debuts. With 20 more horses than the Exige S, the 240 can reach 60 mph in an estimated 4 seconds flat. The 240 also gets bigger brakes and a larger roof-mounted air scoop. All Exiges get a new gauge cluster with trip computer for 2008.
Edmunds says
By conventional measures, the 2008 Lotus Exige S is a miserable little car. But Lotus didn't build it to be a grocery getter. As a weekend track-day weapon, the Exige is unsurpassed.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2008 Lotus Exige S 2dr Coupe (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.47 per gallon for premium unleaded in New Hampshire.
Monthly estimates based on costs in New Hampshire
$246/mo for Exige S
Exige S
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Ever dream about owning your own racecar? If you don't want to spend the cash and time to transform an existing car (and void the warranty), the 2008 Lotus Exige S is a quick and easy way to make your dreams come true. A fixed-roof version of the company's Elise targa-style roadster, the supercharged Exige is easily the most focused from-the-factory performance car on sale in the United States. Creature comforts are kept to an absolute minimum, while the suspension is set up for the smooth surfaces and high G-forces of a track rather than soaking up the choppy mess of America's roads. The Exige is not just a weekend toy; it's a toy that can only be enjoyed on one playground -- a racetrack.
Despite a mere 220 horsepower generated from its supercharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder, the Exige S still manages to go from zero to 60 mph in an estimated 4.1 seconds. By comparison, the Chevy Corvette Z06 needs 505 horses to accomplish the same task. Credit a curb weight of 2,077 pounds, which is a minor miracle in this era of perpetually pudgy vehicles. By comparison, a Mazda Miata weighs 2,498 pounds and has only 170 hp aboard. For 2008, the Exige S 240 debuts, featuring a larger roof-mounted air scoop, which forces more air into the supercharger, resulting in 20 additional horses. Lotus estimates only a 0.1-second improvement in 0-60 time, however.
But the Exige isn't a dragster. Instead it features sublime handling and massive grip. In fact, this coupe was built for no other purpose than to carve up corners, whether on a racetrack or a favorite back road. Unencumbered by the safety equipment and luxury amenities of most cars, the featherweight Exige S responds immediately to driver inputs and does so with minimal lean or roll. And with no power steering assist or extraneous seat padding buffering the feedback, the interface between car and driver couldn't be more direct.
Considering the Exige's performance potential, the price of admission for the street version is relatively modest. But don't plan on taking the missus out for a Sunday drive in the thing. On regular old roads, the Exige's ultra-stiff suspension will bounce and crash you about as if you belonged to the modern stone-age family. Storage space is also practically non-existent, while the "cabin" is really only suitable for small-to-average-sized people who are flexible enough to finagle themselves over the wide door sill and under the low roof. Most buyers will therefore be happier with a Porsche Cayman S or BMW M Coupe. But if you're not "most buyers" and you're searching for a toy to play around with on a weekend track day, it's hard to beat the 2008 Lotus Exige S.
Performance & mpg
The 2008 Lotus Exige S is powered by a supercharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder producing 220 hp and 165 pound-feet of torque. Lotus estimates that a 0-60-mph sprint will take 4.1 seconds. The Exige S 240 features a more powerful supercharger (fed by a larger roof scoop) that increases output to 240 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is the only transmission available on both cars. Despite its greater output, the estimated 0-60 time is only a tick quicker at 4.0 seconds. Fuel economy is excellent at 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway for both Exige styles.
Safety
Don't expect much more than federally mandated safety equipment on the 2008 Exige S. An antilock brake system and traction control is included, but neither stability control nor side airbags are available.
Driving
Because of its 1-ton curb weight, super-sticky tires and unassisted steering, the 2008 Lotus Exige S is pretty much the most precise-handling car available at any price. No other car feels more eager to go where it's pointed and no other car speaks to its driver as clearly in the process. The Exige's body modifications over the open-top Elise do make a difference, but only at the higher speeds seen at a racetrack. Because of its sport-tuned suspension, the Exige rides like the Flintstone-mobile on normal pavement and makes a horrible commuter car for all but Barney Rubble. The brakes are simply phenomenal, though, providing fade-free performance in nearly every situation and bringing the Exige to a stop with the tenacity of an aircraft carrier catch wire.
Interior
The Exige's minimalist design carries into the interior. The controls are simple and there's not much room available for storage. The composite sport seats provide plenty of support, but the car's low fixed roof and wide sills make entry and exit particularly challenging for any human more than 3 feet tall. Plus, those twice that height may find it difficult to drive the Exige, as their right leg can get painfully sandwiched between the steering wheel and gearlever. The trunk is rated at 4 cubic feet of capacity, which is enough for a to-go box and not much else.
2008 Lotus Exige models
The 2008 Lotus Exige S is a two-seat, high-performance coupe. It is available in Exige S and Exige S 240 styles. Standard equipment on the S includes forged alloy wheels (16-inch front, 17-inch rear), Yokohama Advan performance tires, Lotus/AP Racing & Brembo ventilated/cross-drilled brakes, Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs, air-conditioning, power windows and locks, sport seats with Probax anatomical padding, black cloth upholstery, leather-trimmed Momo steering wheel and a four-speaker Alpine stereo with a CD player. The S 240 adds a more powerful engine, a larger roof-mounted air scoop, larger brake discs, variable traction control and launch control. The Touring Pack available on both styles includes additional sound insulation, a cupholder, interior stowage net, full carpet set, an auxiliary audio jack and black leather for the seats, door panels, handbrake and center console. The Track Pack adds manually adjustable springs and dampers. A limited-slip differential and special-order exterior colors are also optional, although some of the latter are more expensive than all the other options combined.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2008 Lotus Exige.
5 star(70%)
4 star(30%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
10 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Exige, Mighty Mini Supercar
Al B Bach, 05/21/2006
2006 Lotus Exige 2dr Coupe (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Exige will take you're breath away. Not a practical utilitarian car by any means. This car car is designed for one purpose: to be driven on back twisty roads where the adrenaline flows through your veins. This is a "me" car that spells out individuality with F1 roots. This car is for serious drivers in a small niche track drivers, car enthusiasts and those that want pure performance … without killing the pocket book. From its 150lb chassis to the hand layer fiber body it is definitely worth the wait for an order to be processed for the US market. I waited since 2004 for mine since the first US announcement for ramp up in Nov 2005, delivery was Feb 2006. Only 300 made and I'm glad I got mine.
4.38 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Car - But Not For Everyone
XEEEJ, 03/23/2006
2006 Lotus Exige 2dr Coupe (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
The Exige is an amazing machine. Steering feel, braking & cornering are all phenomenal. The car is also beautiful to look at while being functional. I love mine, but prospective buyers need to know what they're getting. The car is not for everyone and you have to be willing to deal with its total impracticalities. It's basically a 4 wheel motorcycle. The car is best used on twisty … back roads or on track. Commuting or highway cruising is a waste, in my opinion. You have to accept the attention that the car draws. It's a surprisingly comfortable car once inside. Ingress and egress are tricky but get easier with a little practice. Nothing comes close to an Exige for the money.
5 out of 5 stars
wow
danny8623, 01/23/2006
2006 Lotus Exige 2dr Coupe (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
This has to be the funnest car I have ever had. Maybe not the fastest but I can take any turn at any speed. You have got to have one; it IS the BEST.
5 out of 5 stars
You Wear this Car
gtlotus, 02/14/2006
2006 Lotus Exige 2dr Coupe (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
The Exige and you become one. You can feel everything that goes on. Every bump, every crack. There are no surprises. This is the best Lotus ever. Colin is smiling!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2008 Lotus Exige, so we've included reviews for other years of the Exige since its last redesign.
2008 Exige Highlights
Coupe
S
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $61,000 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $246/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 4.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Exige include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Post-collision safety system
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2008 Lotus Exige info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Buick Regal 2020
- Used Ford Transit Wagon 2021
- Used INFINITI QX30 2019
- Used Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 2014
- Used BMW X1 2021
Shop used vehicles in your area
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Chevrolet Blazer 2023
- Buick Envista
- Toyota Pickup 2024
- 2023 RAM 150
- 2023 Ford F-150
- 2023 Corolla
- BMW 3 Series
- BMW M4 Car
- Corolla Crosshybrid
- Ford Ranger
Research similar vehicles
- 2025 8 Series Gran Coupe
- GT Cars
- 2025 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
- BMW M8 2025
- Alpina B8 Gran Coupe
- 2025 BMW 4 Series
- 2024 Continental GT
- BMW M8 2023
- 2025 BMW ALPINA B8 Gran Coupe
- 2023 Nissan 370Z
Other models
- Used Audi Allroad-Quattro in Groton, CT
- Used Toyota Yaris-Hatchback in Concord, NH
- New Volkswagen Taos for Sale in Munster, IN
- Used Volkswagen Golf-R in Coshocton, OH
- Used Bentley Continental-Flying-Spur-Speed in Ooltewah, TN
- New Volkswagen Atlas-Cross-Sport for Sale in Fargo, ND
- Used Alfa-Romeo Stelvio in Dublin, GA
- New Nissan Kicks for Sale in Sparta, TN
- Used Chevrolet Blazer in Owings Mills, MD
- New Toyota Mirai for Sale in Southaven, MS