S4S vs 1996/98 V8

[97BlackC5]

OK gents, I like the looks of the S4S, OZ wheels, big wing, Brembo's etc, but I notice the early V8's have the same styling before they updated the wing & wheels...... Which one do you think would be the better buy & also how come the S4S prices seem to be around the £20k level & the early V8's seem to be around the £16k level. Is that telling me something about reliability? Also would I be right in saying the V8 is Lotus' own 'built' engine, where as the 2.2ltr of the S4S is an 'off the shelf unit'.

Just to give you an idea I currently own a C5 Corvete (V8 obviously)!

[Captain Muppet]

I know nothing of relative values or reliability, but both the 2.2 and the V8 are Lotus designed and built engines.

[beano700]

The differences between the two can be summed up as follows: V8 has a much heavier engine (Lotus design and built), very expensive when (and it will)it goes bang, not as nice handling, less "chuckable".
S4S has the four cylinder (Lotus design and built) engine. This engine had been continually developed over the years and is a very reliable free revving engine (over square short stroke, whereas the V8 is not over square and not free revving, the 4 cylinder has a much lighter flywheel too.
Drive both by all means but the S4S is far superior in every respect.

[Le TVR]

Thats odd cos my V8 is oversquare 83x81 and I would describe it as free reving.
Mine has only done 100,000 km so I clearly cant comment on reliability yet.
Significantly more urge than the S4s, very chuckable (but I do have SP350 suspension bits...)

The basic question is the maintenance costs are quite a lot more on the V8 than the 4.

[beano700]

Sorry Mr TVR you are correct about the V8 being slightly over square, my mistake. I must admit that having spent time in both cars, the V8 does feel very quick but more so because of the abundance of torque and lends itself to easy performance. The S4S has to be worked more for the performance, but I found it much better when really pushing on and certainly on a track.

[Bazza 2174]

This might help

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/2881...

[mmgt]

I think that Evo article is very good, I've had quite a few Esprits over the years. The v8 is so smooth and has so much torque, but I was always scared of it going wrong. Any super car is going to be costly to maintain but there are twice as many expensive bits on the v8!!!!! My last Esprit was a Gt3 and I loved it,it was very pure back to the old feel and balance.There is quite a lot of lag on the Gt3 and needs to be kept on the boil, very rewarding and quick if you do.I Suppose it depends on your running budget and driving style really. The S4s could be the middle ground?I'm Lotus less at the moment but will get another Gt3 when I finish with my latest car fling! Speak to Pete at P.N.M. very knowledgeable he knows the cars inside out and will give you facts to help, not just my opinion!