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General Category => Introductions => Topic started by: Esprit on May 23, 2008, 01:31:10 PM

Title: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Esprit on May 23, 2008, 01:31:10 PM
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.

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/Car/GTI01.jpg)

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.

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Newandold02.JPG)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Autocar%20Shoot/Lotus%20Exige%20(1).jpg)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Autocar%20Shoot/Lotus%20Exige%20(2).jpg)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Autocar%20Shoot/Lotus%20Exige%20(7).jpg)
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: monnymc on May 23, 2008, 01:36:53 PM
wow, your car is fast! exige = WIN  8)

btw, the plural of Lotus is Lotuses  :P sounds odd though
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: mrc_1979 on May 23, 2008, 04:31:24 PM
Mate, that car is frickin' badass. Noice!!! :P
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: Esprit on May 23, 2008, 05:33:26 PM
Quote from: DRTDVL on May 23, 2008, 04:43:02 PM
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 :)
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: ReonH on May 23, 2008, 05:35:14 PM
Quote from: DRTDVL on May 23, 2008, 02:03:28 PM
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 :P
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: 2052NV on May 23, 2008, 08:53:41 PM
sexige=fast numberplate I LIKE IT
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: Izzyrally on May 23, 2008, 11:43:46 PM
I used to work for lotus. good times.
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: McSweatydoug01 on May 24, 2008, 12:04:58 AM
sorry i just came
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: Esprit on May 24, 2008, 05:54:04 PM
Quote from: ReonH on May 23, 2008, 05:35:14 PM
Quote from: DRTDVL on May 23, 2008, 02:03:28 PM
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 :P


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.

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Autocar%20Shoot/Lotus%20Exige%20(4).jpg)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Autocar%20Shoot/Lotus%20Exige%20(5).jpg)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Autocar%20Shoot/Lotus%20Exige%20(14).jpg)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Autocar%20Shoot/Lotus%20Exige%20(10).jpg)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/NZHNIMM07Pics/SexigeSunset06.JPG)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/NZHNIMM07Pics/Pitlane%20Stalkers.jpg)

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

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Expire02.JPG)

(http://www.jsr.com/~dinks/Misc/George/Sexige/Tech/ExigeSuperleggera02.jpg)

Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: ReonH on May 25, 2008, 09:25:24 PM
That is just the sh*t isn't it! :o

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!
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: Esprit on May 25, 2008, 09:31:38 PM
Quote from: ReonH on May 25, 2008, 09:25:24 PM
That is just the sh*t isn't it! :o

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.
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: ReonH on May 25, 2008, 09:42:41 PM
Quote from: Esprit on May 25, 2008, 09:31:38 PM
......
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'....
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: Esprit on May 26, 2008, 05:29:21 PM
Quote from: ReonH on May 25, 2008, 09:42:41 PM
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).
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: ReonH on May 26, 2008, 06:46:26 PM
Oh poo.
although.....195/50/16 8)
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......
Title: Re: Non-frogger
Post by: Esprit on May 26, 2008, 07:45:39 PM
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 :)
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Esprit on June 08, 2009, 05:19:05 PM
Just thought I'd update this as I'm back in a GTi6 :)

(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d129/esprit350/Pug/MG_0488.jpg)

Now I've a fun daily driver, I just need to pull finger and get the Exige back on the road! :)
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Apex on June 09, 2009, 09:59:31 AM
Nice car that.. So your now a Frogger then  ;)
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Griffe on June 09, 2009, 10:30:47 AM
Nice one, looks mean as in Aden Red!
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Esprit on June 09, 2009, 11:26:52 AM
Quote from: Apex on June 09, 2009, 09:59:31 AM
Nice car that.. So your now a Frogger then  ;)

I am... just like you Graham... I feel dirty but those froggies don't half know how to make a great hot hatch... as well you know! :)

Quote from: Griffe on June 09, 2009, 10:30:47 AM
Nice one, looks mean as in Aden Red!

The colour's officially called "cherry red" so with her dented roof I've christened her "Cherry Ripple" :)
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Griffe on June 09, 2009, 11:39:50 AM
Look inside drivers door, colour code 1NP0
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Esprit on June 09, 2009, 01:34:00 PM
Quote from: Griffe on June 09, 2009, 11:39:50 AM
Look inside drivers door, colour code 1NP0

Nix.... paint code in bonnet shut near firewall BEKB

B = Clear-coated non-metallic paint
EKB = "Cherry Red"

:)

(According to this anyway http://www.peugeotlogic.com/workshop/wshtml/body/paint/paintc2.htm ... linked from 306 GTi6.com)
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Griffe on June 09, 2009, 01:39:59 PM
Ok sorry!

Looks mean anyway, have you fixed the roof yet?
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Esprit on June 09, 2009, 01:46:21 PM
Quote from: Griffe on June 09, 2009, 01:39:59 PM
Ok sorry!

Looks mean anyway, have you fixed the roof yet?

Hehe yeah I like it... strange as I HATE red cars.... mind you I'm also colourblind :)

No, I'll fix the roof at the end of winter.... car's only gonna get covered in crap during the winter, will do it as part of a major "spring clean" in Sept/Oct... hopefully once I've got some more garage space with the Exige being back in one piece :)
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Apex on June 09, 2009, 02:55:38 PM
Spring clean, Im sure you are going to pull this apart into 1,367 pieces and polish them and put it back together over summer  :)
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Esprit on June 09, 2009, 03:11:32 PM
Quote from: Apex on June 09, 2009, 02:55:38 PM
Spring clean, Im sure you are going to pull this apart into 1,367 pieces and polish them and put it back together over summer  :)

Mate, after what SEXIGE has put me through you can rest assured I won't be doing that to any other car for a LONG time!
Title: Re: Non-frogger (no more!)
Post by: Carpentry on June 09, 2009, 03:12:13 PM
Lewl they use "Peugeot" and "Logic" right next to eachother for that website ???