New guy says hello
Discussion
Hi all,
I'v been lurking here and on the other lists for several months soaking up like a sponge all the tidbits of great info from you guys and gals.
Like many of you I have lusted for a Lotus since I was a kid. After stating my case to my lovely wife of 20 years in a way that would make F. Lee Bailey proud, I received her blessing to go ahead and make the plunge.
So tomorrow I will fly from Central Florida to Minnesota to finalize the purchase of a 95 s4s. Many thanks to our own illustrious "Lotusguy" Jim McFadden for going out of his way to make this a reality. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of the "LOONS" and hopefully seeing some of their cars during my brief stay.
Thank you all for making this a great website.
Sincerely,
Jim Knowles
I'v been lurking here and on the other lists for several months soaking up like a sponge all the tidbits of great info from you guys and gals.
Like many of you I have lusted for a Lotus since I was a kid. After stating my case to my lovely wife of 20 years in a way that would make F. Lee Bailey proud, I received her blessing to go ahead and make the plunge.
So tomorrow I will fly from Central Florida to Minnesota to finalize the purchase of a 95 s4s. Many thanks to our own illustrious "Lotusguy" Jim McFadden for going out of his way to make this a reality. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of the "LOONS" and hopefully seeing some of their cars during my brief stay.
Thank you all for making this a great website.
Sincerely,
Jim Knowles
Jim,
A thousand welcomes, both to the threads and to the world of Lotus ownership. I too had another lister help me find my car..this community is fantastic, and I will always be grateful to it.
As for why there are so many American posters here, correct me if I'm wrong but at least in the later years, weren't the majority of Esprits produced sold in the US?
I can tell you the main reason for the Esprit's demise this year, is that the US safety waiver ran out. If the Esprit was to be sold in the US beyond 2003, it would have to undergo the full safety tests and be held to standard. The re-engineering would have been way to costly to justify on a 30 year old model. And without the US market for the Esprit, production would not have been viable. Hence, it goes away, and we will soon be getting the Elise.
Mike
A thousand welcomes, both to the threads and to the world of Lotus ownership. I too had another lister help me find my car..this community is fantastic, and I will always be grateful to it.
As for why there are so many American posters here, correct me if I'm wrong but at least in the later years, weren't the majority of Esprits produced sold in the US?
I can tell you the main reason for the Esprit's demise this year, is that the US safety waiver ran out. If the Esprit was to be sold in the US beyond 2003, it would have to undergo the full safety tests and be held to standard. The re-engineering would have been way to costly to justify on a 30 year old model. And without the US market for the Esprit, production would not have been viable. Hence, it goes away, and we will soon be getting the Elise.
Mike
ErnestM said: ...but he Esprit name will continue in the future according to LCU
ErnestM
And that is a plus, as long as they develop a car that fits the name.
I for one was never all that impressed with the M250. I suppose right now I don't really know what I want the next gen to look like. I'd say that I do want something that completely breaks from the current styling cues (much like the original did.) It seems like a lot of designs you see at concept shows, etc stress the futuristis sleak look, that is quite boring. No flare. Basically, I don't want something that'll look like a poor man's Murc/Gallardo.
I hope the folks at Lotus give us something that makes us go "Damn. I never expected that."
If it borrows heavily from the M250 and Elise, I'll be pretty disappointed.
Low, slim, fast and angry.
Mike
Thank you all for the warm reception.
Just got back from a great weekend in Minneapolis spent with a terrific group of folks affectionately known as "The LOONs" (Lotus Owners Oftha North), and a loony bunch they are. Best fun I've had in a long time.
I'll be anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new baby later this week as it's being transported back to Cent. Florida.
I'm sure I'll need plenty of help and advice from you guys and gals in the weeks and months ahead.
Thanks again,
Jim K
Just got back from a great weekend in Minneapolis spent with a terrific group of folks affectionately known as "The LOONs" (Lotus Owners Oftha North), and a loony bunch they are. Best fun I've had in a long time.
I'll be anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new baby later this week as it's being transported back to Cent. Florida.
I'm sure I'll need plenty of help and advice from you guys and gals in the weeks and months ahead.
Thanks again,
Jim K
robp said: Just an observation I have made recently;
Most of the Esprit posts are from the USA. Is there more of a following for them over there, or is it becasue you have to look to British websites for a wealth of other owners?
Was just wondering you see!
I think there are more Esprit's in the USA than any other place.
Owners in the USA tend to work on their own Esprit's than in other parts of the world.
In Minnesota not many take their Esprit's in to a shop for service.
Calvin 90 SE
as I have found talking to fellow members. The only way you get to know a car is to work on it yourself.
cnh1990 said:
I think there are more Esprit's in the USA than any other place.
Owners in the USA tend to work on their own Esprit's than in other parts of the world.
In Minnesota not many take their Esprit's in to a shop for service.
Calvin 90 SE
What models do Lotus sell in the states? Can you get the Elise, 340, Exige....?
Only the Esprit is sold for street use. The only Elsie and Exige sold in the USA legally are the motorsports versions for track use only. There have been a few gray market conversions but those are rare and might not be legal. We are supposed to be get the US Fed. version of the Elise next year.
Calvin
Calvin
mmmmmm they look verrrrrry nice! great cars!Jim,
Nice meeting you in Minneapolis when you came in to ink the deal. We did have a fun time driving through city on Friday night. Glad you finally got the car back to Florida. It was pretty funny when we sped by the boy racers on the way to Dave Cammack's toy box.
Best wishes for a good Lotus experience. Keep in touch on the club BB as you are our long distance member. We do have another club member in FL but I think he is in the Naples or Sarasota area.
Regards,
Calvin
Nice meeting you in Minneapolis when you came in to ink the deal. We did have a fun time driving through city on Friday night. Glad you finally got the car back to Florida. It was pretty funny when we sped by the boy racers on the way to Dave Cammack's toy box.
Best wishes for a good Lotus experience. Keep in touch on the club BB as you are our long distance member. We do have another club member in FL but I think he is in the Naples or Sarasota area.
Regards,
Calvin
Jim,
The car's looking pretty nice. No offense to Reed, but I think your wheels look much better. Personal taste I know.
Keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on. Also, give us some advance warning when you come back up here. We'll try to arrange a drive or other such get-together. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
The car's looking pretty nice. No offense to Reed, but I think your wheels look much better. Personal taste I know.
Keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on. Also, give us some advance warning when you come back up here. We'll try to arrange a drive or other such get-together. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
Thanks guys,
They are beautiful aren't they.
Calvin and Jim, I had a great time with you guys and the rest of the LOONs. What a terrific bunch of guys. If any of you folks on the list ever have a chance to hook up with the LOONs, I highly recommend it.
Thanks for posting the pic EM.
Jim K
They are beautiful aren't they.
Calvin and Jim, I had a great time with you guys and the rest of the LOONs. What a terrific bunch of guys. If any of you folks on the list ever have a chance to hook up with the LOONs, I highly recommend it.
Thanks for posting the pic EM.
Jim K
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