Why Lotus Exige values will CONTINUE to rise
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- Опубликовано: 13 фев 2022
- I take a look at some historical trends, some comparable cars and some external trends in the market which I believe will influence the market values of the Lotus Exige in years to come - not investment advice!
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I'm 31 and this year was fortunate enough to buy my first Lotus Exige 410 Sport. Every other car I test drove felt numb in comparison and I can honestly say I doubt I will ever sell it unless forced.
Congrats on the purchase! I hope you're still loving it?
You are spot on...I hunted for quite some time for a S1 exige (older chap here, halo moment happened in the early 2000s) but didn't find my match, settled on a S2 with a half botched Audi conversion. I happen to be an engineer so fixing it properly, documenting it properly, making it look like it was always meant to be built this way, was a challenge but doable. Now to my surprise I figured out that what I payed 2 yrs ago plus all I spent into it, is actually less than what I can sell it for...
Needless to say ... someone would have to pry it from my dead hands before I let it go now...😜
One last tid bit of sweet Lotus facts: I live in the Netherlands, we pay our road tax based on the cars weight....
Soooo sweet 😁
I’m a proud owner of a stock standard exige s1 with only 9,000 on the clock. I have been following the market as well and couldn’t agree more with you that they are going up in value. Not planning on letting mine go anytime soon! Great video 👍👍
Wow, a standard S1 with such low mileage is a rare beast!
Great vid! I just bought a 410 20th Anniversary for this reason. I’ve owned a CSL and 2x GT3s previously. Did well on all of them in terms of appreciation.
Having sat in the new Lotus SUV, I firmly believe we’ve reached a lotus inflection point where the Exige/Emira truly represent the last of proper Lotus. That’s a massive thing! We’re talking 75 years of motorsport and sports cars coming to an end.
Moreover, the last Lotus cars are properly well built, premium products.
I really think we’re going to see a climb in residuals. Upward values of all proper drivers cars of this millennium are proof positive of that.
Very jealous of the CSL, an E46 M3 is another bucket list car which I’m determined to own at some stage. Thanks for sharing your views, I have to agree and hope you’re correct! 🤞🏻
I agree with you in every way. A couple of years ago, for my wife I bought a second-hand Elise 220 Sport (a couple of years old, low mileage) and today I could already sell it for a bit more. I should add that at the same time I bought a brand new Exige 430Cup. I fell in love with it and would have bought it even if its value halved the following year. However, I was convinced that I was getting a good deal, as the end of production of these great cars had already been foreseen. Earlier this year I wrote to Lotus and asked how many Exige 430s were produced in total: only 280! I will never sell it, it will be a good inheritance for my sons.
Wow, what a great pair! Like you say, they're very much worth owning regardless of price, any price increase is just a bonus.
I think it’s great to hear how much you love the 430, but just as great to hear that you got a 220 for your wife and are already planning to leave the 430 to your sons. Sounds like a happy family!
I was wondering how many 430 had been produced. Thanks for the information Stefano !
Will try to never sell mine as well!
@@StartYourEngine This is a question that I can easily answer, since I asked it directly to Lotus: only 280 units
@@swissantiqueradios I was thanking you for your first comment telling us how much were produced 😁
Very good! Original topic and agree :) I've got an S3 Exige (such fun cars). I like what you said about all the hypercars not being related and the power is not usable / I'm sure less engaging
Thanks for your support, and congrats on your Exige! I’m sure all owners would agree, a lot of fun.
Another really good informative video 👍 weldone putting that together. I don't know if this helps your research but...prior to the all round used car market price increase. The Exige on average was gaining from £800-£1200 a year in value. It very much pays for itself anyway. The prices have gone up more recently due to the chip shortage but I don't see them reducing with the rest of the market.
Thanks! I agree, the chip shortage has radically shifted the whole market, but I believe 'normal' cars will see a stronger correction than specialised vehicles like the Exige. Interesting to hear that the average annual increase was in that range, makes it a bargain!
Totally agree with your analysis. Love both my S2 and my S1’s. No plan on selling.
Congrats on owning both!
@@BritishRacingGreens Thank you. They’re alike and not alike at the same time. Both wonderful in their own way.
I think difficult to predict future markets who knows where we will be in 10 years time. I’ve had a Lotus S1 1.8 K for 12 years now, apparently it’s doubled in price I was out today had a great drive priceless ! Cheers Jim
Sounds like a great return financially, and I’m sure you’re enjoyed driving it too. Always difficult to predict the future, but I believe they’re going one way 📈
Good video, I think you are basically correct, especially when you consider the prices for special editions, British GT, Club Racer, Sprint, RGB and Scura etc etc which were all produced in low numbers so values have remained strong for a while, then consider the Cup variants which have seen prices of between 45-50K recently and likely to keep increasing, which in turn will bring the other models up in value. The one thing I will say is low mileage and unmodified variants seem to attract the best prices so I think this is an important factor on values.
Very true, the limited editions should have a halo effect on the ‘normal’ models’ prices. I’d have to agree re unmodified too, although I think there’s space for subtle or functional mods (E.g. toe links or intercooler).
@@BritishRacingGreens yeah I would agree with that and off course if you do modify it, the ideal is to keep the standard parts so it could return to factory spec. TBH though, even looking at increases in value, I cant think what I could replace mine with.
You're 100% right about the modifications. I found a SCURA for sale a few years back for £75k was beautiful and sold quickly. Another came on the market quite soon afterwards that had carbon fibre bits added and a few other performance modifications... £50k. I asked my local dealer for their opinion as i always wanted one and this one was faster... He said as soon as anything is modified the value is dropped. Especially with the RGB Cup and SCURA. He told me if I wanted to tune/modify an exige to get a cheaper none collectors version. As the decrease in value will be much smaller.
I'm pretty sure this may have changed a bit in recent year as finding unmodified ones gets more difficult.
@@hippy420 yeah, I think its important that any owners modifying their cars keep the standard parts so when it comes to selling their car, they can return it to standard to get the maximum resale value otherwise its a case f having to accept a reduced selling price. In all honesty and being quite old, I'm amazed by the used values of some cars, especially those models from the 80's which in the 90's weren't worth anything and Im not talking about supercars etc, just hot hatches and the like, if only I'd kept all those cars I had back then.
I would accept depreciation (which isn't bad) for the owner experience any day of the week.
Totally, the fact that they hold their value so well is just a bonus.
I was looking at a TVR sagaris years back. Wish I pulled the trigger as a mint one recently went for £80K. - Not making that mistake again! I have an MY2010 Exige S - Hopefully will be worth some big money in the future. :)
I love the Sagaris too, those side exit exhausts 😍
Hi. I sold my Lotus Elise 15yrs ago for 12k.... seen it by chance on Ebay 3wks ago for 19k.
I have a Mini Jcw atm but as my pension is looming I've been browsing the Exige ( which is how i found your channel ). Good work. Keep it up.
Thank you! I imagine you miss yours (at least a little!), good luck finding a nice example to buy 👍🏻
Where on earth are elises only 19k? You can’t even get a bad one in Australia for under $35,000usd
@@xkimopye United Kingdom
Now you know what I think, but what do you believe will happen to Lotus Exige values?
Got a 350 V6.... Great car
Fantastic to drive
And if the price are growing !!!!
It s Great 👍👍👍👍
That’s the right way to view it in my opinion; enjoy driving it, if values go up that’s a bonus.
Cancelled my 911 order recently and bought a Exige 420 FE , loving it and so pleased cancelled the 911 for one….
A very different prospect, but a more rewarding one I'm sure.
Nice to meet you.
I'm Japanese and my English is not very good, so I'll use a translation to comment.
I bought the S1 Exige in the picture two years ago.
The price was about €38,000.
But, the current Japanese market price for the S1 Exige is €60k+....
The market price of other S2 and S3 models is increasing as well.
In my opinion, the market price is going up because I don't think that fun cars with spartan features will be sold in the future due to safety and global warming.
I am happy to be born in an era where I can enjoy both electric and engine cars, but I still want to enjoy Lotus.
I don't know if you can understand my bad English.
Thank you for the good video :)
Fully understand your message and appreciate your position, similarly I’m not against electric cars but enjoy cars with a petrol engine. I agree that the purpose and focus will change with the introduction of electric cars making this type of car all the more special, particularly an Exige S1!
In a separate comment I commended the Japanese car scene, the only country where I’ve seen an Ultima and a Ferrari F40 casually cruising the streets.
@@BritishRacingGreens
Thanks for the reply.
I'm lucky enough to see Ultima and F40.
Japan is a small country, but I think it is full of a wide variety of cars.
Cars are the pride of Japan.
Is it possible that the Ultima you saw was purple?
I think I might have seen that Ultima before :)
I just checked my photos, it was a silver one, so there must be at least 2 in Japan. Next time I’m in Japan I will look out for your Lotus! 🏎
@@BritishRacingGreens
So there are two Ultima's in Japan...I am surprised.
I would love to see your cool S2 Exige as well.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
Thank you very much！
I wish they had brought the V6 Exige to the US. Essentially an Elise with twice the power. The 430 is a beast of a car.
I have 2010 Exige S260 RGB with just 3k miles from new, 100% stock (even tires)
Sounds like the perfect car. I’d hate to discourage you from enjoying it, with such low mileage you’ve got scope to put some miles on it!
@@BritishRacingGreens But change those tyres... they'll be like hard plastic by now!! ;-)
Maybe worth looking at the numbers left at some point in the spring as the sorned winter cars will be back in the road and give a better picture.
Good point, probably a high point for the year.
Great video. Low mileage, Green S2 Exige S owner here - been watching mine creep up in value over the last few years although have no plans to sell, much like you.
The only factor I wonder about is what kind of things are put in place by the government over the next few years - one extreme (unlikely) is a ban on petrol (or non electric) cars - that would of course really hit values of combustion engine vehicles.
Or perhaps a more likely approach is to allow them, but fuel and tax prices increase to make it very unattractive, which again would then bring the value down I imagine as the demand would decrease.
It's the unknown I guess, but I really do hope with the end of production, the diminishing numbers and an ever lasting love for an iconic, cool car, we might be onto a winner!
I agree with your prognosis, petrol and other taxes are likely to rise. I think that gradually squeezes enthusiasts into cars like the exige, if you’re going to pay a premium, you want it to be worth it.
Also, your car sounds perfect, congrats 👌🏻
Have an Aspen White 2008 Exige S 260 at the moment. Will do first trackday on 2nd April so with these points in mind I might well go a little easy on that day. I'd really not want to see such a beautiful and now fairly rare car crashed/written off. Brilliant cars and values only going one way.
That’s a great spec. Enjoy the track day, try not to worry too much, it’s built to be enjoyed!
I agree! I decided to buy an Elise Final Edition, and I’ve already seen two used ones come up in my market (Japan) at about 20% more than I paid new.
Congrats on the purchase! Wow, that’s a huge immediate jump in price. I do love the Japanese car scene, only place I’ve seen an Ultima and an F40 casually cruising on the road.
@@BritishRacingGreens Thanks! I drove a V6 Exige before the purchase and preferred the more nimble, balanced handling of the four pot. It seems that the Japanese market agrees, though used V6 Exiges are going up too. Yes, there are some passionate car guys here. Some will give up a lot to extend beyond their means to get something they really enjoy. Some have have the means and go all out.
Very interesting to hear! I had heard the V6 is quite different due to the weight, but you’re the first I know that’s moved back to lighter, 4 cylinder option. It was part of the reason (+ price) that I went for an S2.
@@BritishRacingGreens A number of people here have made the move back. But an additional factor may be that registration, taxes and insurance go up substantially above 2 litres of displacement.
Of course. The running and maintenance costs of the Exige were a real attraction.
Was torn between getting a Ferrari 360 or exige S3 chose the lotus ,both cars will go up there no doubt about that
Congrats on the purchase! I do love a 360 too, it’s the maintenance costs that terrify me with that car, never far away from a scary bill.
A big factor of the supply was/is due to the value of the Pound in recent years. These cars have been increasingly in demand from oversees buyers to the point where specialist Lotus dealers have begun to explain that the price of the car will be higher for oversees purchases in order to try and keep these cars in the UK for UK buyers but also for their business trade. That only adds to the increase in the prices of the Exige/Elise.
Interesting, I wasn’t aware of that
The biggest factor is those cars could be exported at the purchase price pre-brexit to the EU without VAT and duty added. Since brexit they now have to pay VAT on the purchase when it enters the EU which makes the price significantly more. It’s not about trying to keep the cars in the UK but telling an EU buyer what they need to spend to export the car.
There is a bit og a joker to the long term price: availability of fuel.
As ev’s becomes ever more popular and affordable, at some point it might not make sence to offer petrol at a gasstation anymore.
If petrol becomes hard or difficult (or maybe even impossible or illegal) to come by, we will hardly see increasing prices, sadly.
Ultimately you may be right, but I suspect we’re at least a couple of decades away from that reality and at the point that that is true, the only petrol cars people will own will be toys, meaning Exiges and Elises may fare better than others.
Totally agree with your analysis, but as one who luckily owns both S1 and S2 Exiges, what would you expect? If they stay solid in price that’s just a bonus, as I bought them because there’s nothing more fun to drive. Bought my S2 in 2006 and still own it today. The S1’s came later, but they’re also keepers.
Totally agree with your analysis, but as one who luckily owns both S1 and S2 Exiges, what would you expect? If they stay solid in price that’s just a bonus, as I bought them because there’s nothing more fun to drive. Bought my S2 in 2006 and still own it today. The S1’s came later, but they’re also keepers.
Thinking about picking one of these S2s up before I get priced out of the market. There are two cars that I've always loved- 96-97 Viper GTS Blue/white, and the Lotus Exige. Could've picked up the Viper a few years ago for $35k-$40k. Looked at them but got "colt feet" and decided to wait. Now those have doubled in value. Afraid the same will happen to the Exige. There will never be another car made like it again. I think values are only going to go up from here.
I hope you're right on values, with more and more EVs on the market, this type of experience will become rarer.
I own a 2010 cup 260 and 211 number 120,both cars gone up in value in Belgium,with the cup car they offer me crazy prices (70.000€) not many left ot them
Great pair, congrats! I’m sure they’ll only go one way from here.
I got my elise 5 years ago. When Elans S1 And s2 Elises were 7k 10k and 12k. I realised I could afford to buy an S2. I thought it wouldn't loose much but to make on it is a bonus. But I'd have to be a cripple before I got rid. The new lotus is nothing like an Elise or Exige that can only be good for resale.
I have had to get pre agreed value insurance but it makes more that the cost of that policy per year. I have had to spend very little. But a more than a few hours of time. It was sold to me in 1997 when watching a documentary about the S1. While I was at school. If I won the lottery tomorrow I'd buy a yellow and green 430Cup.
Sounds like your investment has paid off both financially and in terms of enjoyment! Re the lottery, we can all live in hope 🤞🏻
I hope you are right, as I have just bought mine....
Congratulations, welcome to the club! What did you buy?
@@BritishRacingGreens 07 S2 Exige In Ardent Red. Like you I fell in love with them the first time I drove one, can`t believe you leave yours on the street. I am lucky mine is in my dads garage on a trickle charger
Great choice, love that. Great that you can keep it safely inside on a trickle charger, certainly what they prefer 👌🏻
@@BritishRacingGreens Booked for Big brake upgrade and service soon. I love the vids mate and the car, are you planning any track days with it..?
None planned, I’m just enjoying it on the roads at the moment. I am planning on doing a track/training day at Lotus though. Will you track yours?
I have a lotus exige s1 motorsports car, (2002), silver . designed ,customized by lotus company. the point is only 2000 km
Very cool! Hope you still feel comfortable driving it with such low mileage.
To anyone that can help me out...... Im looking at buying a 2009 Elise SC but it has quite high mileage - 65,000 miles. What's your thoughts on an Elise with high mileage? Surely the engine is good for it being Toyota!🤷
Thanks in advance
My Exige is a 2008 SC, bought at around 60k now approaching 70k. Haven’t had any issues with the engine. Sounds obvious, but worth checking the service history, with cars often having long stretches of low mileage regular maintenance can be neglected.
On my 3rd Elise all been toyota engines. All been brilliant. Good on fuel and service costs too, if you have had a Porsche you will run the Lotus for a fraction of the cost.
Thanks for the replies guys, gives me more confidence, I also saw another channel and their Elise had 110,000 miles on it and it looked gorgeous 😍
That’s lucky…. Bought my S2 Exige S, 6 months ago with this very argument going round my head.
I’ll sell when they get to 50k
We must have bought around the same time, congrats on the purchase!
@@BritishRacingGreens - what did you get? I’ve got a 2006 220S - sounds like mad max on full chat… body lines are awesome, I keep looking at it in the garage 😂
Similar, I got a 2008 Exige S, it has the performance pack so 240hp and a few other benefits. I’m the same as you, can’t walk past it without pausing, love it! One of my other vids is a walkaround highlighting some of the mods.
I love my lotus I have a exige s2 260 not selling nothing drives like lotus!
Congrats on the 260, very special, don’t blame you for holding onto that!
Interesting take on current/future trend values. Clearly ICE cars are more engaging than EVs but at some point 2025 Alpine EV, Lotus Elise replacement EV 2026, MG F replacements will arrive & youth then will naturally adopt this new technology as the norm, they won’t understand anything to do with mechanicals in an engine etc (neither will their parents) and will simply opt for an EV with lower maintenance & ease of use. Battery technology will improve (both in terms of range & weight) rendering old smelly petrol ICE cars as obsolete as a typewriter. Petrol will also reduce in supply as filling stations move over to offering most pumps as quick charge EV. The hassle finding petrol pumps (higher octane even less so & could even be banned) & of maintaining this old technology will simply see the majority migrate to EV. One caveat in all of this for me however is alternative fuels- only petrol ICE are banned from 2030, but what about hydrogen ICE cars or the plant based fuel Porsche is growing in S America that has only 10% of the CO2 emissions of petrol? A cheap alternative plant based fuel etc, might negate much of the petrol ban & provide real opposition to the EV momentum but only if sales of new ICE cars are maintained. If new car sales of EV’s dominate, I’m afraid it’s game over for petrol ICE cars & values of all but the high end will fall. Ask yourself would you prefer a secondhand Lotus Elise replacement EV in say 2030 or a +40 year old Exige that is slower & more unreliable? I agree with ICE cars being more engaging gears/noise etc but I still not convinced that the majority will see it that way, after all they are the ones who chose sadly not to buy a new Elise/ Exige when they had the opportunity back then (more fool them).
Thanks for your considered response, I enjoy a healthy debate. I agree that in time a significant shift towards EV could impact infrastructure to a point that running ICE would be unpractical, however, the UK car parc is currently c.40m (predominantly) ICE vehicles, so I believe we're at least a couple of decades away from that happening and hopefully alternative fuels like the Porsche developed one you referenced present a viable alternative.
The other factors that will no doubt come in are increased taxes on ICE making EV a more economical choice and in the much longer term, a shift towards self-driving cars with increases to insurance premiums (or a total ban in certain areas) for cars that are driven by a human. Again, I think we're a way off that point, and at the stage that ICE becomes the reserve of enthusiasts and our roads become dominated by self-driving cars, people will want their ICE car to be fun on the twisties or suitable for track days on special occasions, the perfect answer? Exige.
@@BritishRacingGreens I have to say I agree with you. EV cars aren't the future unfortunately. It takes 85000 miles of use before it even comes close to making up the co2 made in its production.
Ask someone why they're buying an EV...the response is normally because "its the way things are going". They generally aren't people that are after a driving experience.
Although I would love it to be the solution...it's not...neither is hydrogen unfortunately. It's benefits will how ever be of use in large plant machinery and transportation.
Cars/vehicles etc are a very small part of the problem.
There are so many issues with EVs the infrastructure just isnt viable. The cost of buying one is so high...for the purchaser and for the earth. They may find a good use for it in the autotrade...eg taxis buses
Filling your car with electric that's just tripled in price here in the UK won't appeal to many drivers either.
People that want an exige aren't generally part of the majority.
If in 40+ years people want a classic car...will a EV that has old tech that has to be updated all the time and small battery use (similar to laptop or mobile phone tech) appeal over a little 1.8 petrol that can be worked on at home as a hobby?
Cars like exige will be more popular as EVs take off. EVs are brill but not exciting ignoring 0-60. Fun weekend car like the exige or Elise will be just the ticket
Agree entirely. EVs are pretty incredible to be honest and that acceleration is exhilarating, but they are missing some personality.
255 cup baby
I have an orange chrome Exige S1.
I'm surely against electric cars.
Why spend a lot of money for an electric car without autonomy and driving pleasure?
An S1 in chrome orange must look very special 👌🏻, congrats! I can see the benefits of EVs, particularly for certain people/uses (tax, TCO etc.) but clearly my personal preference is an Exige.
@@BritishRacingGreens Thank you!
Mine will have over 50k miles when I sell her.
They’re made to be driven and enjoyed!
Continueranno a salire perché auto come elise ed exige non ne faranno mai più.
Sono un mito irripetibile
I agree.