Oil drain plug removal... success.
 

Drain plug 8mm hex had stripped.

Tried the HD Husky nipple extractor...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/STARK-USA-Multi-Spline-Screw-Extractor-Set-Hex-Head-Bit-Socket-Wrench-Bolt-Remover-25-Peices-33604-H1/319376103?mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D25H-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-HandTools_2023&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D25H-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-HandTools_2023-71700000117541823-58700008678130050-92700079618488909&msclkid=a839aa69399014bd235fcf96 3e2768a0&gclid=a839aa69399014bd235fcf963e2768a0&gc lsrc=3p.ds

I bought the package with just 5... and while the one I used "connected"... "bit"... when I started to try to remove the plug the "bite" quit and started spinning. The next larger extractor in the 5 piece set... was too large. That aluminum is soft.

So... I did some more reading and decided to go with this:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SER720

Following JFPs advice (from another forum and over a decade ago) I was gentle tapping, with a hammer, the largest extractor into the stripped hex hole. When I believed sufficiently was seated... i used a wrench to back out the plug. It didn't want to "agree" with me and, ever so slightly, I felt it some "give". I didn't want to further strip it out as this was my last resort before driving it down the hill to a guy I would trust with the removal... and oil change. So... I tried a technique I had read in an old thread...

I positioned my jack directly under and centered with the extractor sticking out of the plug. I placed a piece of wood on the jack and gently jacked it slightly into the extractor. This caused the extractor to better seat and, while I would turn the wrench... would hold it "up" and in position.

Started turning the wrench... and at the plug didn't want to release. Gave a little (just a little. just a little) more lift with the jack... and gave a little more effort to the wrench. "Pop". The plug released, and I finished the oil change. Hopefully this will help someone else.

Removed the extractor... tossed the old plug. On another, unrelated, note...

Lowering the car I noticed the nice "crows eyes" cracking at the driver side crease point of the vinyl window. I think I'm just taking it to a shop... cut out the vinyl window... sew in a custom fit black vinyl window. You know... same material as the top. No rear window. Thoughts?

:cheers:

Didn't the Lotus Exige come without a rear window at all? I'm sure it could be done, but my car came with an aftermarket glass window in the top and it's narrow enough I find myself ducking to see all the time. Personally I'd find it very difficult to deal with- I have to drive a big truck at work sometimes and even with a full time rear camera display, it makes me nervous not having regular visibility out the back.

IMHO, if you are going to sew something in... make it a vinyl window. Personally I would feel like Hasdrubal says, very nervous being blind behind the car.

Sure, do it. Then consider the top to be a parking and storage cover. Always have the top down when you drive. ;)

Several years ago I replaced my original (1998) top with a new one that included a glass window with defroster elements. Yes, the glass window is smaller than the original plastic....BUT....95% of the time, I drive with the top down (it's my sunny summer day driver only).

So the size of the window doesn't matter to me. The new cloth top is great and much needed on a 25 year old car.