Looking for Esprit Turbo
Discussion
Hi, am new to this forum and Lotus but not PH, Im in the market for an Esprit turbo and have a budget of around £12-£14k, am I looking at the right price for a decent running Turbo?
I have trawled around the web forums and looked at the "What to Check" things to look for, so was just wondering if anyone could point me in a direction to find a decent one for sale, I have done the usual `Bay and PH and I`m narrowing down on a couple for this weekend hopefully. So any info you could give would be appreciated.
I have trawled around the web forums and looked at the "What to Check" things to look for, so was just wondering if anyone could point me in a direction to find a decent one for sale, I have done the usual `Bay and PH and I`m narrowing down on a couple for this weekend hopefully. So any info you could give would be appreciated.
I found a "nice looking" V8 for sale last week so as it was over 240 miles from me and the fact that I have never owned a Lotus before I decided to employ a professional inspection company to get it inspected before I decided to go to look at it. Inspection came back to be as favourable so I went to look on Saturday with a view to place a deposit if it was actually in the condition the report said it was.
Shock horror, I picked up about 5 points on the car that the inspector hadn't mentioned in the report and these were not small easy fixes, the owner knew of the faults but hadn't told me about them when we spoke on may occasions on the phone and via email. To say I was miffed about the 6 hour drive there on Friday evening was an understatement and really not happy about the very weak report.
Im not going into too much detail here on this due to the fact that I have written to the inspection company displaying my great displeasure in driving all that way to see a car and that in my opinion hadn't been inspected correctly. Suffice to say I did not buy the car.
The hunt goes on.
Shock horror, I picked up about 5 points on the car that the inspector hadn't mentioned in the report and these were not small easy fixes, the owner knew of the faults but hadn't told me about them when we spoke on may occasions on the phone and via email. To say I was miffed about the 6 hour drive there on Friday evening was an understatement and really not happy about the very weak report.
Im not going into too much detail here on this due to the fact that I have written to the inspection company displaying my great displeasure in driving all that way to see a car and that in my opinion hadn't been inspected correctly. Suffice to say I did not buy the car.
The hunt goes on.
Impasse said:
Give us a clue as to the nature of the issues. Some are more easily fixed than they might appear.
Without going into too much detail, engine/gearbox oil leaks and they were dripping.Serious engine misfire, in 3rd, 4th and 5th gear, when feathering the throttle and accelerating. Not sure why it didn't show in 1st or 2nd gear but it was enough to put the element of doubt in my mind, especially when im not up on Lotus engines.
Petrol filler pipe rubber seal between pipe and body heavily perished.
A very heavily corroded "Sandwich plate" at the very rear of the car inside the rear boot under the carpet, im not sure what it does exactly but seems it sandwiches tow body parts together, it fell to pieces when I touched it
and there were others. But really the inspector should have picked these up.
There I have probably mentioned too much now.
Thanks mmgt, it really is in superb condition (body work) but I need to really get to crawl all over it to see if it needs anything else underneath but so far and touch wood it seems ok. Just one issue, the gears are a bit tight to get, especially reverse gear, however a little perseverance and it falls into gear, is this normal on these old Esprit`s or is there an easy fix?
Over winter I will give it new springs, shocks, discs, pads and will get the wishbones cleaned up and powder coated with new bushes. It will be getting cam belts done within the next couple of weeks, including water pump change whilst the belts are off.
Over winter I will give it new springs, shocks, discs, pads and will get the wishbones cleaned up and powder coated with new bushes. It will be getting cam belts done within the next couple of weeks, including water pump change whilst the belts are off.
Hedgerley said:
There's no doubt smooth shifting an Esprit V8 is more an art form than anything mechanical. But keeping it all greased and upgrading worn out linkages will help. But even now, 10 years on, I sometimes struggle, especially with first to second when the gearbox oil is cold.
The key to reverse is to select first first, then move to reverse in one movement, lifting the collar at the right moment as it moves across the gate. It will come with practice and it becomes strangely satisfying when you get it right.
Thanks I will try that next time I take it out.The key to reverse is to select first first, then move to reverse in one movement, lifting the collar at the right moment as it moves across the gate. It will come with practice and it becomes strangely satisfying when you get it right.
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