Does the 1990's Lotus Esprit look dated?

[markw996]

I'm trying to decide on a new toy, I love Lotus Esprits but am interested to hear what other people think of the styling by todays standards.
(I don't want to put this in the Lotus forum as I'm looking for unbiased opinions on the styling).

Here are 2 currently for sale on PH within my budget:

[Hoofy]

I think so - but it's still a great car. The lines are straight and things like the bumpers aren't integrated with the body. Compare it to a Gallardo in terms of the way the bumpers are flush to the body and the way its straight lines are not quite so straight plus it's a simpler shape.

[Negative Creep]

With a private plate most non petrolheads would struggle to tell the actual age. So I'd say no, especially s the design dates back to the 70's

[Urban Sports]

There is a red V8 not far from where I live, it still looks great but yes dated.

[Risotto]

Objectively, they look st. Cheap, parts-bin bits stuck all over a shape that's had one too many facelifts in an attempt to disguise the fact that Lotus had been sitting on their laurels rather than developing a worthy successor, etc, etc. Don't even get me started on the interior...

But when you actually see one on the road, they somehow manage to look awesome.

Edited by Risotto on Thursday 4th July 21:03

[Swoxy]

Yes, it looks old, but it looks great.

[Urban Sports]

Risotto said:

Objectively, they look st. Cheap parts bin bits stuck all over a shape that's had one too many facelifts in an attempt to disguise the fact that Lotus been sitting on their laurels rather than developing a worthy successor, etc, etc. Don't even get me started on the interior...

But when you actually see one on the road, they somehow manage to look awesome.

Yes that's it!

[k9l3k]

I think its very dated especially from the back buy a supra tt look good tarted up and the way these go are amazing. Decent
On fuel . Cheapish maintanence and very reliable if looked after. Automatic box is very good aswell

[Troubleatmill]

Of course not. The Muira and 250GTO look fresh from the factory too.

Give it 20 more years.

[jamieduff1981]

Yes, and that's a good thing.

Better than everything designed to scoop up pedestrians and covered in fairy lights.

[SystemParanoia]

Just because...

Edited by SystemParanoia on Thursday 4th July 21:11

[Baryonyx]

It looks old, but better for it. Had a play with a yellow one the other day, still the best looking of all the Espirits.

[Mymk5zs123]

jamieduff1981 said:

Yes, and that's a good thing.

Better than everything designed to scoop up pedestrians and covered in fairy lights.

Well said.

[Mastodon2]

It looks old, but "of the period". It's better looking than any similar car I can think of that is on sale at the moment.

[mollytherocker]

I don't care about pigeon holing cars into contemporary or dated. Cars are fab or they are not.

The lotus esprit is what it is, the only question is whether YOU like it.

I love it, but that's irrelevant.

[jamieduff1981]

I'll elaborate. It was never fashionable. Always great, but never fashionable. It looked dated in the 1990s with a lot of 70s and 80s throwbacks in it's general character.

It was dated before it started and because of that it hasn't really aged like everything around it. It's not just a blob covered in fashionable details like LED tail lights, such that when the details are superceded by the next fad the whole car becomes old hat.

A 10 year old Audi or BMW by contrast just looks old.

[juansolo]

They're oddly timeless. They continue to look good no matter what, when all logic states that it shouldn't.

[jayemm89]

Personally my favourite Esprit by a country mile is the Giugiaro Turbo.

I was never fond of the Stevens esprit, however that white one with black stickers and wheels just looks.... "right"... somehow. I can't quite describe it.

[milu]

In 2005 I had a V8 gt..some of my mates and family didn't get it even then. But it looked like a proper car to me and was definitely a head turner..
Wish I still had it

[jamieduff1981]

None of my friends get my cars either. If I decided to buy an Esprit, they still wouldn't get it. Absolutely not a reason not to have one though, on the basis that friends usually have no passion for cars and should be ignored.