Which Esprit is 'best' ??

[85S3NA]

I'm planning on changing my Elise in the autumn - either with an Esprit or a Ferrari 328. I've gone a bit cool on the idea of an Italian rust bucket just now.

However, when it comes to choosing which Esprit, I'm not 100% sure which way to go - whether to go for a late model S4S (eg 1996) - or a late model GT3 (say 2000) - or a V8 from 1998/9 - whichever model, I'll be looking for a low mileage example - somewhere between 10K - 15K in terms of mileage. My local dealer has put me off the V8 with stories around unreliability (drive shafts wearing out, clutches going quickly, engine mountings tearing under load etc etc) - not a huge amount of data behind these 'stories' I'm sure, but enough to make me question whether a good old 4-pot (either 2.2L or 2.0L) would be a better buy.

I'm intending to use the car only in summer, a few thousand miles a year - what's the consensus amongst Esprit owners - for a set amount of cash (say £30,000), what's the 'best' Esprit to buy ??

I realise this is pretty subjective - but all views much appreciated....

Jonathan 85S3NA

[rob.e]

Its one of those questions that is very hard to answer. However, there is an esprit that is closest in 'ethos' to the elise is undoubtedly the GT3. (ie, light weight, fantastic steering, not hugely powerful but great on a twisty road etc). Given that you'd prob get a newer GT3 than V8 for the same outlay, then the GT3 has to be the best choice IMO. Also, a late GT3 gets all the upgrades that the v8 model introduced ie better wiper, gear linkage, dash etc plus a GT3 having less power is not putting as much stress on components (driveshafts, gearbox etc) as a V8 although the components are identical (virtually).

Its a quick car straight out of the box, but if you're into that sort of thing you can have a chip (280bhp) bigger chargecooler, de-cat, sports exhaust etc etc. The only downside to the GT3 is old fashioned turbo lag, but thats all part of the experience.

Drive good examples of both before you decide.
Cheers
Rob


ps. over 74,000 miles on my v8 now, and no problems with drive shafts or engine mounts. Clutch on v8 and 4 cylinder cars both last approx 25-30,000 miles depends on driver though.

[PPP]

check out www.lotusespritworld.co.uk its top site with lots of info on all the esprits including a section on buying choosing which model is best for u. i'd recomend u have a good read around the site before choosing.

[ErnestM]

All Esprits are like women (no offense, Kylie):

If you treat them with respect, they will reward you with smiles. If you disresepect them, they will hit you in the wallet...

MHO

ErnestM

[cnh1990]

If you work on it yourself the 4 cyl is the easier of the 2. Not saying that you would not be able to work on a V8 but it does appear harder with twice the parts. On the other hand it does have few advantages as well.

[PatHeald]

85S3NA said:

I'm planning on changing my Elise in the autumn - either with an Esprit or a Ferrari 328.

If you already own a 1985 Esprit and plan on keeping it, then I'd be tempted by the Ferrari.

Any 4 cylinder Esprit is going to be broadly similar to the one you already have, except it will have lots more performance, will suffer from turbo lag, won't be as pretty and will still sound (relatively) crap.

If you are considering the Ferrari, then you are plainly not bothered by having absolute performance, as the Ferrari is outclassed in handling and acceleration terms even by my old Lotus.

If absolute performance is not a necessity, then I wouldn't have thought the extra expense and possible reliability issues of a V8 Esprit are justified.

The trouble with a Ferrari 328 is that you pay twice as much to buy and run one compared to a contemporary Esprit, which would do everything just as well as the Ferrari, except that it's looks are arguably inferior and there's no V8 in it.

So there you are, 1987 Turbo EspritHC....

Not that I'm biased...

Pat.

>> Edited by PatHeald on Sunday 30th May 11:33

[Kev@carnoisseur]

If you want a relible car, what ever you do dont buy a esprit! Dunno what ferrari's are like but if there as badly built as the esprit then there going to be s**t to.

[red_devil]

Agree with Kev. The most unreliable car I ever owned. But still love it.

[solar]

s4s is the best. 0 problems. Good clutch, fast as hell... great looks, even the AC works.

If you are comparing fcars just read about the nightmares at ferrari chat.

I was talked out of an early 90's fcar from ferrari heads. Thats how i got the s4s, and i love it.

I dont know about pre 90's esprit but the s4s is really awesome!

[95lotus]

solar said:

s4s is the best. 0 problems. Good clutch, fast as hell... great looks, even the AC works. If you are comparing fcars just read about the nightmares at ferrari chat. I was talked out of an early 90's fcar from ferrari heads. Thats how i got the s4s, and i love it. I dont know about pre 90's esprit but the s4s is really awesome!

I have to agree with Solar...the S4S is just plain awesome. Certainly the best of the 4 pots, with the S4 right behind it. Mine has over 47K on it and I've had nothing but minor problems, although the PO replaced the clutch after blowing it out.

Consider that a stock V8 puts out ~350hp compared to the S4S with 285hp (300hp peak), and the price premium for the V8. It would certainly be cheaper to chip the S4S to get 330hp, modify the air filter and exhaust for a bit more, and you're approaching the performance of the V8 (I don't know about torque though...my S4S has loads of it though, 269ft-lbs at 5300RPM on the dyno). Figure in the maintenance costs of the 4 cylinder (not to mention bragging rights when you beat an 8cyl), and the S4S really starts looking good.

IMHO, mostly
Bill
'95 S4S

>> Edited by 95lotus on Saturday 29th May 17:46

>> Edited by 95lotus on Saturday 29th May 17:48

[rlearp]

I've got a 90SE and the thing is dead reliable. I've had a couple of small issues over the last year, but nothing that would stop me from driving it. Buddy has a 90, his is driven daily. Maybe it is luck of the draw, I don't know, but mine is fine.

Good power too, last dyno pulls I was at a nice fat 285 ft/lb over a broad range and with the new turbo it feels a lot better. No complaints.

But I've seen some of the nightmares on here too and tried to help folks out. Seems some cars just have a mind of their own...

>> Edited by rlearp on Saturday 29th May 17:56

[ashd]

Well, i've run an S1 135 Sport and a V8GT. The V8GT cost *loads* more to run, bought one two years old with 9k on the clock for £36k and over 2.5 yrs...

- new exhaust (though an excuse to get the Lotus Sportrs version) - £600
- 2 new cats (£900 each + fitting - and hope you can use the old oxgyen sensors since each cat has 2 @ £90 a shot)
- rear disks and pads - 400
- front disks and pads - 400
- new vacuum unit on turbo - 200
- new electric water pump - 250
- 3 services @ approx. - 600 each
- 1 cam belt service - 1300
- 1 new starter motor - 200
- gearbox strip down and put back together - 1100

So as you can see getting on for £10k in costs over 2.5yrs - oh + 4 new boots @ £900 - so nearly £11k, and round town you get 10mpg and on motorway 20mpg if your lucky.

All being said, I absolutely loved the car and it never once left me stranded, though a blown cat confined me to vmax 40mph. Wish I still had one - but as the adage goes, if you think you can just about afford one - you can't.

Ash - just about to sign up for an S2 Exige!

[armynick]

I've had a GT3 for 3 years now, bought it second hand from a sports car dealer with 38k on the clock. I used it most days until last Sept when I had to go abroad. Had some repair and servcing bills but most were covered by my extended aftermarket warrenty. (Worth every penny) I have spent cash on extra goodies for it though but that was my choice.

I wanted a V8 but was scared of the even bigger bills I would've got. You will get some bills no matter what you buy, so get one through a dealer with a warrenty that you can extend each year. It'll make things easier.

oh, and find a good mechanic that you can trust.

Nick

[85S3NA]

Thanks to Everyone who's posted their perspectives here - really, really helpful & appreciated - I'm definately coming round more & more to the idea of another 4-pot - say an S4S or a GT3 - there's no doubt the V8 has tonnes of charisma just by being the 'V8', but this appears to come with a high price tag and associated risk. Same principles but doubled for a Ferrari 328 I guess.

I'd love a Sport 300, probably the ultimate 4-pot, but I've only ever seen one in the flesh and that was in 1997 !! So probably more chance of winning the lottery. Twice. On consecutive weekends.

So I'll start looking at S4S's and GT3's - one question though - has anyone experienced any issues with 'chipping' their cars ?? any longer terms reliability problems, or increased insurance premiums as a result ?? Thanks again in advance

Jonathan 85S3NA

[yardelli]

Unless you have the cash forget the Ferrari - My mate owns an Essex and Classic and Sportscar a few years ago lent him a 308 GTS QV for a comparison test that was featured in the magazine. OK not a 328 but prior to the test he looked at the prancing horse as the logical next step up the exotic-car ladder.....
Never has he been so disappointed with a car....
The Esprit out-handled, out-performed and believe it or not he reckoned the Ferrari build quality was no better than the Esprit. He was glad to get his keys back at the end of the day. Even famed journalist Martin Buckley preferred the Esprits driving experience although ultimately in the write-up he went for the 308 purely based on the badge prestige.
IMO - the 308/328 is prettier but the Giugiaro Esprit and then from the S4S onwards looks more exotic.
Got to say I'd be hard pushed to choose from an S4S or a 348 however? But the Esprit must be the Supercar bargain.
Read not long ago the factory stating the S4S was the best version made (including V8).

[caylpso]

Have owned a 2000 V8 Esprit for about 2 years. Paid three "A" services at about $60 U.S. and one "B" service at $550 U.S. (changed timing belt also). I drive mine about two or three times a week and have about 20K miles.

Zero problems...