Why is the Lotus Esprit not appreciating in value??
Discussion
peatmoor said:
Finlandese, your Esprit must be a rare thing on Finnish roads. Do you know if you are the only one?
I just moved to Helsinki, all I've seen of interest has been American muscle - which is a nice change actually because you don't see much in the UK.
There are three Esprits from the seventies (one S1 two S2´s). I know of two S3´s and about four Esprit Turbos ( one of them might have just been exported out of the country). There are seven post Giugiaro Esprits, so not an every day sight, I agree.I just moved to Helsinki, all I've seen of interest has been American muscle - which is a nice change actually because you don't see much in the UK.
My Excel is a bit rarer. Total of three cars, of which I am certain that mine is the only one that will grace the streets of Helsinki this winter..
Edited by Finlandese on Thursday 6th November 13:44
TP321 said:
Pat H - nce car. What would it be worth?
I first bought it in 2002. It had done 21,000 miles. I paid Paul Matty Sportscars £14,950.I sold it privately in 2004 for £14,800. It had then done 26,000 miles.
I bought it back again in 2008. It had done 27,500 miles. I paid a dealer £17,500 for it.
I sold it again in 2012. By now it had done 33,000 miles. I let Paul Matty sell it for me on a commission basis. He advertised it for £23,950. I don't know what it sold for, but my cut was £19,000.
I have just bought it again from Paul Matty. It has done 34,000 miles. Paul advertised it for £25,950 and had a lot of interest in it.
So there you have it.
It is a very late Giugiaro Turbo HC with a really good service history, has never been restored and is in near concours original condition in a desirable colour.
So my experience suggests that Giugiaro Esprits are creeping up in value but that there is a vast difference between the price of a good Esprit and a scruffy one.
I have always thought that they represent good value, but the current madness infesting the Ferrari 308/328 marketplace makes even the most expensive Giugiaro Turbos look very cheap.
To put it all in context, I paid £37,000 for a F328 in 2006 and sold it two years later for £34,000. It had done 1500 miles when I bought it and 7500 miles when I sold it. Today that car would fetch over £100,000.
Was it a better car than my Esprit? Yes, of course it was, in almost every way.
Was it twice as good? Certainly not.
Four times as good? Nope, that's just bonkers.
One of the things I like about the Lotus is how rare it is. Go to the classifieds and look at Ferrari 328s. There are probably a dozen of them for sale. All in resale red with crema hide.
Now try to find an immaculate Giugiaro Esprit.
"Very nice. Have you considered going the full Colmans mustard on the wheels?"
Nah, there was a version brought out with that scheme (dubbed the "John Deere" special edition!) but I have kept it mostly original apart from sensible mods when things needed replacing such as brake callipers and discs. About to pick it up after having a special exhaust manifold fitted as my cast one had cracked - again - despite only having done around 2000 miles since the last one was replaced.
It must be about one of the earliest SEs about.
Nah, there was a version brought out with that scheme (dubbed the "John Deere" special edition!) but I have kept it mostly original apart from sensible mods when things needed replacing such as brake callipers and discs. About to pick it up after having a special exhaust manifold fitted as my cast one had cracked - again - despite only having done around 2000 miles since the last one was replaced.
It must be about one of the earliest SEs about.
In that case Pat I saw your car at Paul Matty's last week, mine was parked right in front of it when I collected it from a service last Wednesday.
It is in spectacular nick. It might have a few names on the V5 now but at least they all took good care of it.
Stunning car and probably the best HC I've seen. £25k looks very good value to me for that actual car.
Totally agree, very few good Esprits around, which I suppose helps to explain why you ended up buying your own car back so many times, I bet you couldn't find a better one!
Might I suggest hanging onto it this time?
It is in spectacular nick. It might have a few names on the V5 now but at least they all took good care of it.
Stunning car and probably the best HC I've seen. £25k looks very good value to me for that actual car.
Totally agree, very few good Esprits around, which I suppose helps to explain why you ended up buying your own car back so many times, I bet you couldn't find a better one!
Might I suggest hanging onto it this time?
Edited by The Pits on Thursday 6th November 16:41
KTF said:
Pat H said:
The column is cock eyed, but the cowl is even more cock eyed, which makes it look ridiculous.
When driving, you don't notice it at all. You are more concerned with the offset pedals, the lack of clutch footrest and the absence of knee room.
Pat H said:
When driving, you don't notice it at all. You are more concerned with the offset pedals, the lack of clutch footrest and the absence of knee room.
You really should have bought a more modern one this time around. All those gripes and most of your previous niggles have been addressed in the later cars. Correct, they must have put a universal joint in the column in mine because it isn't cocked over but in the earlier ones I've sat in they are.
The instrument binnacle isn't cocked over but canted toward you at each end, you can't see the rhs of it in the pic.
Also, mine (S4) has a foot rest next to the clutch.
The instrument binnacle isn't cocked over but canted toward you at each end, you can't see the rhs of it in the pic.
Also, mine (S4) has a foot rest next to the clutch.
MarshPhantom said:
Cool at the time, now I'd much rather have an Alpine GTA which seems like a bargoni compared with the Espirit. Small engines and performance that didn't really match the looks doesn't help the Lotus.
They don't seem that slow, even the early ones - they certainly got a bit quicker in the late 80s/early 90s when the power went up over 250bhp. Certainly light though at under 1200 kg for an 87 MY
MC Bodge said:
kiseca said:
I don't really get why there are so many negative comments about the performance. The Esprits were always quicker than the contemporary Ferraris and Porsches. Then the SE came along and posted standing start and in gear acceleration times that beat the Countach QV! Never mind the V8 which one mag described as a "force of nature".
One thing the Esprit has always been is astonishingly quick for its time and for its power. Even the earliest Turbos, 34 years old now, aren't going to be embarrassed by todays best hot hatches. Unless they break down.
Yes, they were considered fast and great handling in the 80s. Some people must have short or non-existent memories. One thing the Esprit has always been is astonishingly quick for its time and for its power. Even the earliest Turbos, 34 years old now, aren't going to be embarrassed by todays best hot hatches. Unless they break down.
They probably don't weigh much compared with a contemporary car and a lot less than a modern one.
" quickest manufacturer's test car.."
.. .,
.. .,There's some 89 prices of different models
.. .,.Welshbeef said:
Lotus have just gone into administration and closed down F1 operations
Hahaha. WB you mug. Anyway, the early Esprits are just beautiful. Ogled one at the Ace cafe recently and it's now a serious itch.
The later ones lost the purity of the lines and got a bit bloated to my eye.
danjama said:
I was reminded about Esprit's after spotting this one in my work car park last year - had a good chat with the owner. I think they are brilliant looking cars and would consider one a worthy and interesting change from my MR2.
Untitled by danjama, on Flickr
Was that a lovely but scruffy Welsh fella? Untitled by danjama, on Flickr
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