A rare Loti might be landing on our Kiwi shores

[Kylie]

I think these pics of the ultimate limited edition Esprit made my decision quite clear. This is not the actual car I am buying as its a US one but identical in colour and everything else pretty much.
The full inspection report will be available in two weeks as the Official Lotus Servicing agent is busy for 2 weeks, so I have to sit patiently. The really nice chap is so confident that it will pass with flying colours he's now updated his ad for me and sending better pics of the car , so I can now sleep at night knowing that knowbody else can buy it. Let the fun begin
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/219565.htm

I am pretty confident getting compliance through talking to KW Historics. They are the listed compliance rep on LTNZ website for Lotus, so I shouldn't have any major issues.
Life is short lets play

[Kylie]

I cant tell ya how many sleepless nights I had over this decision, but I think once its on home soil it will be worth every penny and the grin factor will be priceless. I already have insurance lined up which is only a few measly pennies more than the four banger. Anyway I have another 2 weeks to really sort out what I need to do, so I should be ok. My fingers have never been so crossed, even the tootsies too!!

[Kylie]

Yes for sure you must come up!

An up date on the inspection saga....

I have a close friend who owns a Esp v8, lives in the area of the inspection place and who knows one of the Lotus service guys really well thats looking at the car and can possibly get my inspection moved forward. They are going to take piccies for me when it gets there up on the hoist of the underneath and other areas. The Lotus community out there are just wonderful people and the web a VERY small place

[Kylie]

Yeah, its pretty frustrating buying unseen not knowing the person and relying off a few people to get it here. I have already started to think about adding a nice spacer at bottom of driveway gutter to accomodate such a low front end. And yes I know I have to hold my horses and not get too carried away incase it goes to custard.

[Kylie]

Thanks guys its a timeless shape with raw looks but will handle extremely well and go like a cut cat so thats all I want. Not interested in luxury cream cow hide with to many gadgets that talk to you while driving etc etc in a sports car. The S350 sounds like me so I thinks its a good choice. It even comes complete with its own mini picnic table/towel rail strapped on the back......
...how considerate

[Kylie]

Hey if I get it, you sure can get a ride. I would love to take it down south and give it a blast around down there. If I did get down there would be going to Timaru at least. No doubt Dad an Co will want to see one in the flesh if he dosent get up here first. But not saying too much till the report comes up trumps and car is on the truck. Its all only early days. Every day is painfully slow. Got another week to go till I find out I have got that waking up at 2am syndrome going on at the moment with worry of it getting here and or what happens if it fails or the seller does something bizaire never to be heard of again. Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight

[Kylie]

As for the blue trim on the side skirts, I have to find out there, as yrs ago when they came out I heard of guys painting them in and other guys painting them over. And then USA cars were slightly different again. So I cant quite remember, if it were another factory option or not. I have signed up to the Sport350 Esprit forum so once I get the car, there certainly will be some small detailed questions to be answered.

[Kylie]

jamieheasman said:

Congratulations Kylie! That is a ridiculously cheap Sport 350 - how could you NOT buy it?

Definitely one to keep for posterity.

Yip youll have to come over home and see it. We will get a few Phers together and we could have the official unveiling of it over a few drinks

[Kylie]

Esprit said:

jamieheasman said:

Congratulations Kylie! That is a ridiculously cheap Sport 350 - how could you NOT buy it?

Definitely one to keep for posterity.

DEAR,

I AM RABUZU MBETE AND I AM WRITING TO YOU TO OFFER YOU AN EXCLUSIVE DEAL ON A LOTUS ESPRIT SPORT 350. A WEALTHY GENERAL WAS KILLED IN OUR CIVIL WAR OF 1999 AND I AM ACTING AS HIS BROTHER IN LAW AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CLEAR HIS ESTATE, PART OF WHICH IS THE ESPRIT. DEAR I ASK THAT YOU PAY AN UP-FRONT FEE TO SECURE THE PURCHASE OF US$15,000 WHICH I WILL USE AS A GUARANTEE OF FUNDS.......

[Kylie]

Kylie said:

As for the blue trim on the side skirts, I have to find out there, as yrs ago when they came out I heard of guys painting them in and other guys painting them over. And then USA cars were slightly different again. So I cant quite remember, if it were another factory option or not. I have signed up to the Sport350 Esprit forum so once I get the car, there certainly will be some small detailed questions to be answered.

The trim was a factory option at the time. Its actually a large decal I was told and not sprayed on. I cant see how you could get a decal in there though without wrinkling it up. I mean you could but I bet theres been a few stuff ups at the factory getting them right.

4 more days to go till I find out its a goodun.... Painfully slow exercise !

Edited by Kylie on Tuesday 18th September 05:51

[Kylie]

drac said:

Hey Kylie

The ad says its sold. Does that mean its definately on its way?

Just been on the phone to George and he tells me that his exige and my elise hardtop will be here next Friday.

The orange exige has already landed apparently. Seems like lots of cool lotus are arriving in NZ.

Hi there, its pretty much sold pending an inspection which is this Saturday. Seller is confident it will pass. The following Saturday its booked to being picked up and taken to shipping yard. So until it gets picked up I am not celebrating just yet. Fingers crossed.
And yeah theres going to be some decent Loti on our shores soon

[Kylie]

Esprit said:

Is MJK doing the transport for ya?

Yip hes booked. He said they have taken Esprits before and I am wanting the same treatment he gave you with pics of car loaded, extra air in tyres, disconnected battery etc (if he dares to touch anything in there ). So looks like hes the man

[Kylie]

I am not expecting it to be perfect when it arrives anyway. It probably will get the odd scrape or damaged wing mirror shifting it around. But these are all things I can deal with and can easily get it detailed.

[Kylie]

Yeah - a wanna be Sport 350!!! He used to have the Sport 350 rims on it but I see hes gone back to the monobloc ones. A tad over priced for me.
Edited to add, a lovely car though

Two days to go!!

Edited by Kylie on Wednesday 19th September 23:31

[Kylie]

Heck you would hate the esprit forums out there then, its "you should see my latest Loti pics", "heres my Loti and I", "Loti loves it when I...". It would make you sick Roger!

Edited to add: Its ok you can call me Ky

Edited by Kylie on Thursday 20th September 10:35

[Kylie]

[Kylie]

Yeah that Mikes car. Its actually for sale I think for 30,000. Simon was eying that one up. For me that would be the ultimate track car
But I love this one and seen a few vids of it in action. When it was running it was a front runner with the McLaren GT's, superb performance, shame about its reliability though.

[Kylie]

Its pretty much official, I am awaiting the inspection report to be faxed through. But talking to the seller, it passed all the major inspection points I wanted checked. So its pretty much all go. I have asked for pics in transit etc before loading into container. So you shall see more soon.
I will be really jumping up and down with joy once I see these. But I am extremely happy now, I cant help myself

[Kylie]

Thanks fellas, its a shame I didnt get my $hit together earlier and get the car back here in time for Nov sprints at Puke. Will be really pushing it.

And yes its the best ever xmas present I have ever received in my life!!

[Kylie]

drac said:

Congrats Kylie can't wait to see this beast in the flesh.

Post more pics!

Yep pics never do these cars any justice, hence why I posted a US car, its the best pics I have seen yet. Despite a few asthetic differences between them, will post more soon. Mark Mason from Seloc will get me some fresh pics next weekend.

I seen a few home made movies of these cars tearing up the country side for group drives and from what I can gather the sound and stance of them is amazing. They are beautifully clad with carbon fibre goodies on the inside too as standard. I have always been a carbon fibre buff, so I am going to love it. I have looked at standard V8's and while they are equally lovely, they dont cut it enough for me and most people always aspire to the 350. So why not just get one!! There was another I was looking at for bit over 26,000 pounds with dry low miles but really just fell out of my budget. But this car has been well serviced with everything I need done so I can just get in and enjoy it.