Silver 2011 Lotus Exige S

A silver 2011 Lotus Exige (S2) S arriving at and leaving the Early Rodders Car Meet at United Artists Theatres.

The last time I ran into an Exige, I explained to my wife that it was priced like many cars we see every day and powered by a Toyota engine - not exactly something she'd expect me to pull out my camera for. Of course, I then explained that its light weight and tiny size meant you could enjoy serious performance without spending too much on gas. $66,000 doesn't sound like much for a modern exotic car, but considering you're essentially getting little more than an enclosed go-kart, it's no surprise these cars are often harder to find than more expensive supercars.

As with many other Lotuses (Loti?), there are so many special versions of the Elise/Exige that half the ones you see are probably some sort of limited edition. Who knows, maybe this one is, too. This silver car is a final-year S2 S model; in 2012 the S2 was replaced by the S3 - the final-generation Exige before production ceased in late 2021 - and that model was never available in the U.S. for regulatory reasons.

Lotus has made many great cars over the years, but I think the S2 Elise/Exige will probably always be the first thing that pops up in my head when I think of the brand. These cars are obviously meant to be toys - the ride is uncomfortable, the interior is cramped, and you'll get more luxury amenities in a base-model Toyota Yaris. But take one out on a track or a windy road, and the smile on your face will be worth the $66,000 hole in your wallet. I don't know where the owner of this Exige was headed afterwards, but with the twisty Angeles Crest Highway only a few blocks away, let me take just one guess...

What do you think - Should Lotus bring back the Elise/Exige nameplates? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!