Non-frogger (no more!)

[Esprit]

Hi All,

I'm George, I'm 28 and I'm a non-frogger. I have, however, been a long time froggy fan, since living with a 205GTi addict back in 1999.

I'm into my Brit sportscars but do have a softspot for the approach that the French take (or at least used to take) to making a hot hatchback.

I managed to convince my ex to get herself into a 306GTi (Phase 3 GTi6) back when we were together and I spent many a happy hour driving this baby around.



For me it was the near-perfect daily driver. I even had thoughts of buying it from her after we split, but sadly it's well beyond my current budget.

As for my main affliction, it's Lotuses (Loti?). I got my first Lotus back in 2005, the realisation of a dream I had since I was four. Never wanted to sell that car, but had to because I wanted an S1 Exige. There were no S1 Exiges in NZ so I had to import one, which meant beating the emissions restrictions that took effect on Jan 1 this year. As such, I've had to get rid of the Elise but the Exige is the same but a faster, louder, meaner incarnation of the same car so I'm more than happy.

First photo shows both cars together, the others are a few of my fave snaps of it.

[monnymc]

wow, your car is fast! exige = WIN 

btw, the plural of Lotus is Lotuses  sounds odd though

[mrc_1979]

Mate, that car is frickin' badass. Noice!!!

[Esprit]

does rupert have a seat?

Rupert's always got a seat... 4-point Schroth harnesses in this one too so he doesn't move about quite so much as he used to in the Elise

[ReonH]

lotus vs 306 = lose! 

love the car man...

can't wait till its in one peice again...

Aye?? What??

And, yeah, I think you're gonna have to post some more pics than just your faves!!
I've already made some "backups" of those pics for ya

[2052NV]

sexige=fast numberplate I LIKE IT

[Izzyrally]

I used to work for lotus. good times.

[McSweatydoug01]

sorry i just came

[Esprit]

lotus vs 306 = lose! 

love the car man...

can't wait till its in one peice again...

Aye?? What??

And, yeah, I think you're gonna have to post some more pics than just your faves!!
I've already made some "backups" of those pics for ya

Don't worry, Heath's just stirring

Moar pics (some of the above and below pics are from when it was featured in Autocar Feb 2008).... 56k apologies.













And no collection of photos would be complete without the Exige assuming a more natural position

[ReonH]

That is just the sh*t isn't it!

Are they Yoko's? - some reckon they're not that good in the wet - have you had any bad experiences??  I'm quite keen to get them for my 205 GTI....but as long as they've got progressive break away who cares!

[Esprit]

That is just the sh*t isn't it!

Are they Yoko's? - some reckon they're not that good in the wet - have you had any bad experiences??  I'm quite keen to get them for my 205 GTI....but as long as they've got progressive break away who cares!

They're Yokohama Advan A048 LTS tyres. They're the Lotus-specific variant of the tyre (different carcass construction designed to work with the lighter car). They're not that bad in the wet, you just have to be very careful in standing water, but then again you'd have to be with any similar type of tyre. I don't drive the car through winter so water-handling's not such a problem.

In the damp they're awesome so long as you've built some heat into them, which can be tricky, they're like ice in the damp when cold.

I've driven it through downpours though on near-bald 048s and so long as you slow RIGHT down and drive it  with extreme care, it'll be fine... if I was driving it year-round though, I'd get a set of winter tyres for it as well.

[ReonH]

......
They're Yokohama Advan A048 LTS tyres. They're the Lotus-specific variant of the tyre (different carcass construction designed to work with the lighter car).
.......

Sounds like they're just the thing for a 205 - what does the Exige weigh? I think my 205 will be lucky to weigh 800kg when I've finished with it!
'Spose they charge a nice premium for the 'specials'....

[Esprit]

Sounds like they're just the thing for a 205 - what does the Exige weigh? I think my 205 will be lucky to weigh 800kg when I've finished with it!
'Spose they charge a nice premium for the 'specials'....

Exige has a fully loaded kerb weight of 760kg. The "LTS" tyres are only available in the Exige sizes, which is 195/50/16 and 225/45/17, neither of which would be particularly well suited to the 15" 205GTi rims. The standard A048s will be fine and much cheaper/more available. There are a range of compounds available, S/M/MH/H (with M/MH being the most common).

[ReonH]

Oh poo.
although.....195/50/16
Yeah, I think I'll stick to the standard ones... they're not that expensive....I priced some (it was a while ago....) and worked out at just on a grand for 4xA048's....

So if the Exige is 760Kg, what's it's bhp/ton?  Must be pretty impressive......

[Esprit]

Exige is just under 200bhp so still not spectacular power/weight ratio, but more than quick enough for me

The LTS tyres are about twice the price of normal 048s from memory (about 2 grand a set all up).

I've actually got a set of 195/50/16 for sale in MH compound if that's any use to anyone