Thinking of buying an Esprit Turbo SE?

[cjb1]

I currently own a 1988 911 Carrera 3.2 and am considering a change to something different. I've seen a very nice 1993 Esprit Turbo SE High wing for sale, 73k miles, cam belts done, serviced etc. right colour combo, I really fancy it but have heard the usual stories (Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious). Is that an old wives tale and only applies to older cars?`

What do you think? Any experiences good or bad? I'm an engineer and used to tinkering about or doing more major work, not frightened of getting my hands dirty and know my way around a tool kit.

[Mutley00]

They are no more troublesome than any Classic Supercar really. The mistake 'outsiders' make and comment on, is because they are ridiculously cheap for what they are, people assume they will cost the same in time, money and care to maintain as other Classics in the £10-15k price bracket. I think the model you are looking at was £40k+ when new, so the car should be treated and maintenance budgeted for with that in mind. Would you spend a relative pittance maintaining an 80s /90s Aston or Lambo etc and expect it to be trouble free?

The Lots of Trouble etc has become a bit tiresome now. TLF even ran a Topic about alternatives - I've got 'Lots of Tosh Usually Scurrulous' at the bottom of my reg plates. Join TLF and air your worries on there > http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/ buying advice can be found here > http://www.lotusespritworld.com/buying.html.

Bibs the 'Head Honcho' of TLF was an SE owner and reckons its the best of the best before they got pampered with driver comforts like PAS, so you wont be short of advice.

Take the plunge and welcome to a great (British) marque.

Edited by Mutley00 on Tuesday 20th May 15:37

Edited by Mutley00 on Tuesday 20th May 15:38

[OlberJ]

Considered the swap myself for something a bit more lively. Love the looks of the Esprit.

As build quality goes though, it's kind of one extreme to the other surely?

[Mutley00]

That's why I subtly compared it to 80s Astons & Lambos rather that Porsches & Fezzas ;-) !

[cjb1]

Great advice, thanks guys.

[benters]

I was in your shoes and took the plunge and ended up with a GT3. And as with my other three Lotus cars that I have owned, they have an appeal that I think you either get or don't. Many people will tell you of their woes, but like any car if its not maintained properly then it will likely cost you, but surely that can be said of any car.

The guys I spoke to before buying said in broad brush terms the newer ones are more reliable but when they go wrong its more expensive than the older ones that tend to go wrong more often !!! what a choice I hear you cry.

I think the best advice I could give is to drive it regularly, which ever model you end up with. I always do a weekly trip of some 50 miles or so if I haven't used the car during the week, if only to remind myself of why I think its a special car !

Since I have had mine, the only issue I have had is a faulty ABS sensor (see the thread) which was straight forward to replace, otherwise its been fine. Sure there are things that make it quirky, the windows sometimes work and sometimes don't, the odometer display is often very feint, but the next time I drive it its fine and so on. Hardly huge issues, but yes if your used to things working all the time every time then they may prove annoying, but fixing them also brings its own pleasure too.

[Impasse]

benters said:

the windows sometimes work and sometimes don't

Am I right in thinking your car is the new shape dash? If so, the (Ford - possibly Fiesta/Cougar or similar) window switches quite often fail due to knackered internal contacts. Just pop them out of the dashboard and replace, they're pricey for what they are - about £45 each - but not outrageous.

[benters]

tried that tip. . . they are better, but rarely faultless. . .I hate car electrics. . which is my next remedy hopefully..
Appreciate the tip though IMPASSE

[Nightmare]

Parts are horribly expensive for that age car.....I needed a new front bumper and it was £800 unpainted!

Also....the intake manifold (which runs veery hot) is basically in a direct line of where the wheel throws spray (genius bit of design). The cast iron original WILL crack at some point and that's a bloody expensive fit too - so get one which has had it replaced already

Apart from that, mine (was an '89 turbo SE) was pretty well behaved generally

Oh, the rad fans are slung very low - I managed to catch the fibreglass shroud on a particularly evil (illegally so) speed bump and it both wrecked the shroud and pulled the fans off, so be a little careful there too

My opinion was that 4-pots were better than the V8 cars, and a revised interior GT3 best pick of all (except maybe a Sport 300)

[Pat H]

Nightmare said:

My opinion was that 4-pots were better than the V8 cars, and a revised interior GT3 best pick of all

I agree.

Unless you like the classic ones. In which case, the S3 HC, either turbo'd or normally aspirated is a nice old thing.

I owned a S3 HC Turbo for ten years and it was generally reliable.

Steering racks last 25000 miles.
My clutch lasted 30,000 miles.
Expect to replace the radiator, which is a bh to do.
Petrol tanks rot, which are a bh to do.
Timing belt is a bh to do.
Turbo exhaust manifold is fragile, but mine was fine.

If you know you how to use a spanner and it is not a daily driver, then they are a good, if time consuming DIY prospect. The only jobs I entrusted to the specialists were the clutch and timing belt.

SJ Sportscars in Crediton are splendid for parts and servicing.

I loved my Esprit so much that I owned it twice. And once my divorce is settled, I might even treat myself to another one.

Just buy absolutely the best you can find and keep on top of it.

[Mutley00]

Here you go - get bidding!! Whilst I prefer the 4 cylinder cars, I cant help admire this beauty.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191186447269?ssPageName=... -

[markw996]

Mutley00 said:

Here you go - get bidding!! Whilst I prefer the 4 cylinder cars, I cant help admire this beauty.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191186447269?ssPageName=... -