Esprit GT3 at last???

[britten_mark]

I've been narrowing down my choice of Esprits to buy to an S1 and a GT3 (weird combination I know, but I like extremes) and plopped a deposit on the GT3. Still have a few nagging doubts though, and would appreciate a bit of advice. It will be my first Esprit, so looked at some archived threads on the forums. Read about £12k engine rebuilds and got that twisting feeling in the stomach like you're going to be sick; was reminded of the servicing costs and went white (even though the "C" is some years away. It will be a stretch to get it in the first place, just dreading the thought of problems too soon, if you know what I mean. Main Questions are:

1. The engine on the S1 sounds glorious, the GT3 like a hoover. I heard some nice burbles around Donington this March, so assume its easily rectified by an aftermarket pipe. Can you recommend one that sounds nice and sporty without sounding like the ones used by spotty adolescents in the Saxo VTRs that make my telly go funny when they go past the house?? Is it really necessary to remove the cat, as I'd prefer not to? Does the engine suffer loss of back pressure and have to be retuned, or does the management system deal with it?

2. The gearchange was a bitch, although it was the first example I had driven, and I don't think I was depressing the clutch far enough. I am well used to stiff pedals, but I think the length of travel surprised me. The car has apparrently had a recent clutch.

3. There was a dull thudding rattle from the dash area over only the worst potholes; I read Rob Ellis's message about bulkhead bolts being loose, are there ones in the front as well as rear bulkhead?

4. The car has a full history from Murray Motor Co in Edinburgh. Can anyone recommend them, as they are not too far away from me (I live in Tyne and Wear), or are there better alternatives/independant specialists. Distance isn't too much of a problem as I could turn it into a mini-break for the missus and me, but value for money and attention to details are.

Don't get me wrong, I love the car, it's just being a bit of a trauma parting with this sort of cash. The S1 is a fleabite by comparison. The car comes with a good warranty, so should I stick it in for service with this in mind and let the dealers search for anything that could cause future problems and could be claimed on? Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
Mark

[superdave]

Hi there,

I bought my 1990 Turbo in December last year and was a little like you over which car to choose. I bottled out in the end but wanted to buy a GT3 or S4. The thought of the running costs together with my other two family cars and house running costs, coupled with a wife giving me a hard time, I decided to go for a cheap Stevens turbo instead. Now at least Iam on the Esprit ladder, the wife has come to terms OK, I can cope with the running costs for the time being and I can always trade up whenever I feel like it. When I trade up, the nagging wife issue will almost certainly dissppear. If i'd gone out and bought a GT3 or S4 and something major came up, I wouldn't be able to afford it. I would always get the comment 'I told you so' and 'When are you going to sell it' and 'We can't afford it, get rid of it!!'
Iam made up with my car and when I first bought it, it needed cosmetic attention which gave me a hobby as well. As I don't have any other hobbies this is great. Probably when I buy a newer car, I won't mind buying one that needs tidying up.


Cheers,


Dave Walters

[britten_mark]

Some very familiar bells ringing there, Dave! And getting a foot on the "Esprit ladder"! I thought I was the only one who used that phrase, to the derision of my missus!

>> Edited by britten_mark on Sunday 27th April 11:00

[superdave]

You'd be very surprised the amount of similarity and buzz words people use from diffenerent parts of the world and different backgrounds.
I've already found my new motors and haven't even seen it them the flesh yet. These guy's are looking after them for me until they trade upto a v8. The car Iam talking about is a GT3. Adrian Mugridge has one and I've already told him to start taking it easy ha, ha. Iam hopefully meeting up with Adrian for the first time this week.
The other is Doors Hendrie with his balck GT3. I've got this feeling htat he now thinks he should have bought a V8. So Iam also keeping my eye on this one as well. Iam hopefully meeting Doors this week too for the first time.
If I sell mine, shouldn't lose any money on it from what I paid for her.
Go and buy your GT3 and if something serious comes up on it (God forbid), you can always sell your house!!

Cheers,


Dave Walters

[adrianmugridge]

Hi Dave

I spoke with CN re: my exhaust. It did not sound very promising to me. They have had the car 4.5 weeks, how long does it take to get an exhaust copied ? If I don't get it back by the middle of this week I shall start making a fuss. In the past they have been really good, but I think the piss is being taken out of me !

Adrian
97GT3
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk

[britten_mark]

Hi Dave
I have seen that nice black one owned by Doors; I hope you get it before he puts the V8 wing and wheels on, as to me the stock wheels and clean tail are what makes the GT3 so pretty. The one I am looking at is orange like Adrian's
Cheers
Mark