2009 Lotus Exige Review
2009 Lotus Exige Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Ultralight curb weight, super-sharp steering, racetrack-oriented design, low volume ensures rarity, relatively good fuel economy, uncompromising performance.
Cons
- Spartan interior with little space, difficult entry and exit, poor outward visibility, rough ride quality, peaky power delivery, limited dealer network.
What’s new
The 2009 Lotus Exige lineup now includes a lighter and slightly more powerful S 260, while the base Exige S from previous years has been discontinued.
Edmunds says
The 2009 Lotus Exige makes no apologies for its lack of convenience or comfort. Its narrow focus on all-out performance is intended for racing enthusiasts who find joy in track days and tight canyon roads.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2009 Lotus Exige S 240 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 $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$237/mo for Exige S 240
Exige S 240
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
It's been said that anything worthwhile involves some sacrifice. For the 2009 Lotus Exige the sacrifices are many, but the payoff in performance and driver engagement is equally large. If you want a genuine street-legal racecar from the factory, look no further than the Exige. It's similar to the elemental Lotus Elise roadster, but its fixed hardtop and fastback-style tail distinguish it as the more focused car of the pair.
At the heart of the Exige's extraordinary performance is Lotus founder Colin Chapman's mantra: "To add speed, add lightness." Lotus' revolutionary process of chemically bonding the aluminum elements together results in an exceptionally stiff and lightweight body structure. Incredibly, the bare chassis tips the scales at a mere 150 pounds, and overall weight is a supermodel-light 2,077 pounds. This eliminates the need for a large engine, which is why you'll find a mid-mounted four-cylinder Toyota-sourced mill under the Exige's hood.
We mentioned sacrifices, so here they are: The Exige is comically small, and therefore about as visible as a scooter in traffic. It is so low to the ground that driveways and speed bumps are enough to induce a cold sweat. Climbing in and out of the cockpit is like trying to escape Alcatraz through a Frisbee-sized hole in the wall. The suspension is so tightly sprung that you'd swear this car had square wheels. Rearward visibility is on par with that of a Mini Cooper towing an Airstream trailer. Trunk space is almost nonexistent, and anything you stow there will be baked to a crisp by the engine and exhaust. We could go on, but you get the point.
On the flip side, though, the 2009 Lotus Exige handles more nimbly than any other car sold. Period. It also gives a high level of feedback through your feet, posterior, hands and inner ear. Meanwhile, acceleration from the supercharged inline-4 is simply maniacal, especially as it shrieks toward its 8,000-rpm limiter.
This is the Exige. If it all sounds like a bit much, the Porsche Cayman S is likely a better choice. But if you're willing to put up with the sacrifices, Lotus' road-legal racecar will no doubt bring a demonic smile to your face every time you happen upon a sinuous string of tarmac.
Performance & mpg
The 2009 Lotus Exige is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 1.8-liter four-cylinder mounted directly behind the cabin. The Exige S 240 produces 240 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. The Exige S 260 receives a slight increase in power, resulting in 257 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission available to both Exige models is a six-speed conventional manual. Acceleration is essentially a dead heat between the two Exiges, with claimed 0-60-mph blasts of 4.1 seconds for the S 240 and 4.0 seconds for the S 260. Fuel economy is also impressive at a miserly 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.
Safety
Since the Lotus Exige strives for lightweight, all-out performance, safety equipment is as low as federally mandated rules allow. Antilock brakes and traction control are included, but side airbags are not available.
Driving
Performance is the name of the game with the 2009 Lotus Exige. The manual steering, firm brake pedal and tight suspension relay data instantaneously to the driver, but they also deliver the worst parts of public roads directly to your spine. The brakes provide eye-bulging deceleration without fear of fade. Living with an Exige means sacrificing comforts and conveniences that have been expected of cars for over a century, but for the right driver, the rewards can be as gratifying as spraying the champagne atop a Formula 1 podium.
Interior
The Exige's minimalist design carries over to the cabin. The controls are sparse and not entirely user-friendly (especially the tiny radio buttons), and there's very little in the way of storage. The composite sport seats provide excellent lateral support, but the low fixed roof and wide sills make entry and exit a gymnastic feat for any creature bigger than a Hobbit. Tall drivers are likely to find the Exige downright painful, as their right leg can get painfully wedged between the steering wheel and gearlever. The trunk is rated at a laughable 4 cubic feet of capacity.
2009 Lotus Exige models
The 2009 Lotus Exige is a two-seat, high-performance coupe. It is offered in Exige S 240 and Exige S 260 Sport models. Standard equipment on the Exige S 240 includes forged alloy wheels (16-inch front, 17-inch rear), Yokohama Advan A048 high-performance tires, Lotus/AP Racing & Brembo ventilated and cross-drilled brakes, Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs, air-conditioning, power windows and locks, sport seats with Probax anatomical padding, black cloth upholstery, a leather-trimmed Momo steering wheel, a four-speaker Alpine stereo with a CD player, variable traction control and launch control.
Most options are grouped into packages. The Touring Pack includes additional sound insulation, a cupholder, an interior stowage net, a full carpet set, iPod connectivity and black leather for the seats, door panels, handbrake and center console. The Track Pack adds manually adjustable springs and dampers. A paint-protection film, limited-slip differential and special-order exterior colors are also optional, although some of these colors are more expensive than all the other options combined. The Exige S 260 receives a slight bump in power, and it includes all of the S 240's standard features plus the Touring Pack, Track Pack and limited-slip differential. This ultra-hard-core model also weighs about 50 pounds less due to some additional carbon-fiber body pieces and the deletion of the rear window, passenger footrest and interior rearview mirror.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2009 Lotus Exige.
5 star(64%)
4 star(36%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
11 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 2009 Lotus Exige, so we've included reviews for other years of the Exige since its last redesign.
2009 Exige Highlights
S 240
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $65,690 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $237/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
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