QUESTION FOR CALVIN
Discussion
I have been tracking SE's in the USA since 1996. I am a person of limited financial resources, my children require much of it. I only had one shot to find, aquire, and maintain an Esprit. That is why I research and am extremely particular with my Esprit. There is no 2nd chance for me, this is it. A major unplanned finacial event will spell disaster for my Esprit experience. I have a projection schedule of work to be done to the car for the next 4 years. One can never forsee some events so I do have an emergency plan too.
Your car had a warning on it on the turbo Esprit list on yahoo that the descrption was a little off from the condition of the actual car.
It was posted on ebay several times and it did not sell in the first few go arounds, it fell short of the reserve price in past auctions. Many people who saw the car in person advised that it would take some work and TLC to bring it up to good level. It is not an accident or bad luck that your car has been somewhat troublesome.
The good cars are gone in flash, many times not ever making it to ad posting. There are many cars sold by word of mouth. I'm sure if someone was looking for a G car and if Jim casually mentioned he might sell his car he would probably get quite a few private emails inquiring about his car. I known this to happen to several owners getting offers from people who lurk on these lists. Many read but do not post, they know who owns what type of car and the probable condition of them.
Even your car after all that has been done must be very close to being up to par and might be considered one of the good ones or at least in the very near future.
One must be very wary of statements like all I did was change the oil in a car that is over 10 years old. That would mean he did nothing else that many of use do routinely or at least check regularly.
Unfortunately you are paying the tab that a portion should have been paid by the previous owner. He took the ride and you got the bill.
Unless one can do the work themselves an Esprit can cost a lot to bring it up to par. To many including myself it is much less frustrating to pay just a few dollars more for a good one, be able to enjoy the car right away, and not have to worry about many things.
To have the confidence to buy a one way ticket to drive the car 2k miles home is such a nice feeling.
So while a less expensive car might seem like a good deal, many times it is not. I have seen more than one person who has left the ranks of ownership with a sour taste and the wind taken out of them. Forced to sell because the car had put such a strain on them financially before they even got a chance to experience even one fun weekend of carefree driving.
Now that is a real shame when a boyhood dream turns into a nightmare. I had often wondered how your story would turn out. If you would have the tenacity to weather the storm or if you would give up?
The car brings out the best or worst in us, almost like an amplifier. If you are an inept, a jerk/A**hole, or a diligent workman it seems to give you more of what you are. If you are a type of person who cannot follow through and have many projects left undone the Esprit is not the car for you.
The happiest and long term Esprit owner is a highly displined, self motivated, a self starting achiever, someone who overcomes adversity and that are in the top percentile no matter what they are in to. We are winners and hate to lose at anything.
To experience great thrills there must great lows. You have experienced the lows, so after you have finished with your car go and experience the highs it has to offer. We will help you or assist you all we can, the rest is up to you.
Calvin
Your car had a warning on it on the turbo Esprit list on yahoo that the descrption was a little off from the condition of the actual car.
It was posted on ebay several times and it did not sell in the first few go arounds, it fell short of the reserve price in past auctions. Many people who saw the car in person advised that it would take some work and TLC to bring it up to good level. It is not an accident or bad luck that your car has been somewhat troublesome.
The good cars are gone in flash, many times not ever making it to ad posting. There are many cars sold by word of mouth. I'm sure if someone was looking for a G car and if Jim casually mentioned he might sell his car he would probably get quite a few private emails inquiring about his car. I known this to happen to several owners getting offers from people who lurk on these lists. Many read but do not post, they know who owns what type of car and the probable condition of them.
Even your car after all that has been done must be very close to being up to par and might be considered one of the good ones or at least in the very near future.
One must be very wary of statements like all I did was change the oil in a car that is over 10 years old. That would mean he did nothing else that many of use do routinely or at least check regularly.
Unfortunately you are paying the tab that a portion should have been paid by the previous owner. He took the ride and you got the bill.
Unless one can do the work themselves an Esprit can cost a lot to bring it up to par. To many including myself it is much less frustrating to pay just a few dollars more for a good one, be able to enjoy the car right away, and not have to worry about many things.
To have the confidence to buy a one way ticket to drive the car 2k miles home is such a nice feeling.
So while a less expensive car might seem like a good deal, many times it is not. I have seen more than one person who has left the ranks of ownership with a sour taste and the wind taken out of them. Forced to sell because the car had put such a strain on them financially before they even got a chance to experience even one fun weekend of carefree driving.
Now that is a real shame when a boyhood dream turns into a nightmare. I had often wondered how your story would turn out. If you would have the tenacity to weather the storm or if you would give up?
The car brings out the best or worst in us, almost like an amplifier. If you are an inept, a jerk/A**hole, or a diligent workman it seems to give you more of what you are. If you are a type of person who cannot follow through and have many projects left undone the Esprit is not the car for you.
The happiest and long term Esprit owner is a highly displined, self motivated, a self starting achiever, someone who overcomes adversity and that are in the top percentile no matter what they are in to. We are winners and hate to lose at anything.
To experience great thrills there must great lows. You have experienced the lows, so after you have finished with your car go and experience the highs it has to offer. We will help you or assist you all we can, the rest is up to you.
Calvin
I dont think ill ever get rid of this car....But if I ever do the next owner can rest assured that no expense was spared in bringing my car up.....10 grand plus and counting......I dont mind though......At least I know the car,and I know it is now done right.That is the good side to this experience...I dont have to wonder wether or not something is gonna break,cause chances are, Ive already replaced it. 
My advice to everyone is no matter what never treat a Lotus bad...These cars are too beautiful to waste...Im sure i could have gotten out of it a long time ago when the storm was brewing....But to me its not worth it. Nothing compares to a Lotus. I should win some kind of medal of honor from you Lotus guys!!! Maybe you guys can each pitch in and buy me a present...My birthday is coming up. ....That reminds me of a new post!!!
Adam Abeles
The worlds youngest Esprit Owner.
My advice to everyone is no matter what never treat a Lotus bad...These cars are too beautiful to waste...Im sure i could have gotten out of it a long time ago when the storm was brewing....But to me its not worth it. Nothing compares to a Lotus. I should win some kind of medal of honor from you Lotus guys!!! Maybe you guys can each pitch in and buy me a present...My birthday is coming up. ....That reminds me of a new post!!!
Adam Abeles
The worlds youngest Esprit Owner.
Adam,
I love to hear you say that about the check signing. Great to see someone love their car no matter what.
I'm with Calvin's loooong post 100%. I paid premium (no, very very premium) for my car, but it was very well known and most people on the Yahoo list recommended it heavily. ErnestM alerted me to the possible sale, and I bought it really before it ever was advertised as being for sale.
I've had very few problems with it, and I believe it's because I paid what I did for the right car.
That said, I'd be lucky to sell the car for 10K less than I paid just one year ago. But I don't care, cause I'm keeping it. The one time I tried to sell it was because of looming financial disaster which was diverted.
But you have the right attitude...whatever it takes to make YOU happy with the car. When you're done, you'll have a keeper.
Good luck. Post pictures!
Mike
I love to hear you say that about the check signing. Great to see someone love their car no matter what.
I'm with Calvin's loooong post 100%. I paid premium (no, very very premium) for my car, but it was very well known and most people on the Yahoo list recommended it heavily. ErnestM alerted me to the possible sale, and I bought it really before it ever was advertised as being for sale.
I've had very few problems with it, and I believe it's because I paid what I did for the right car.
That said, I'd be lucky to sell the car for 10K less than I paid just one year ago. But I don't care, cause I'm keeping it. The one time I tried to sell it was because of looming financial disaster which was diverted.
But you have the right attitude...whatever it takes to make YOU happy with the car. When you're done, you'll have a keeper.
Good luck. Post pictures!
Mike
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