Buying a late 80's esprit

[curilotus]

Hello all. I dont know much about the lotus. But I know that they are beautiful, and I want one really bad. I'm looking at 1988 or 1989. I find it strange that any lotus I've come across from those years, that is for sale, has no more than 45,000 miles. ...Why don't you ever see a lotus with more than that? ..Are they really THAT unreliable? And what are some of the most common serious problems with that year model?

Any other info or tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks

John

[cnh1990]

A car with more miles than that will not get as much in resale. Around 100K or a little more is the upper end of life. I have seen Esprits with 100K, while not a spring chicken they ran okay. So Esprits with 50K is around a 1/2 life. I don't know many that would by an Esprit with more mileage unless they were going to restore or rebuild. Those cars usually go for less money and the hobby people snatch them up as they can rebuild just about anything. Many times high mileage cars are usually kept, as resale is low so it makes sense to keep them and renew them. Cars that old for the most are paid off and without a lien. I would never just leave mine parked in the garage, but many do, under the car cover. Many of us have more than one car. Most of the time I only use my Esprit when the journey is more important than the destination. Go for a fun drive as sitting in traffic is not what I consider fun and a waste of an Esprit.

Some cars may have had their speedo's replaced as they are known to fail and have more actual mileage than displayed. A good eye will be able to identify these cars.

Calvin 90 SE 32K miles

[lotusman]

I have a '89 non-SE that I got back in May 1996 when it had about 20,000 mies. It now has about 50,000 actual miles. A C service on warranty was done just before I got it. The major problems I have had are an ECM that went out, $90, this forum and Kato's data kept the price low and The trouble codes will not tell you that that is why it won't run. I have changed the voltage regulator three time about once every other year, $90 a shot. My head light switch went out, and the dash light pot, besides plugs, oil etc. Frankly, It does't have the power of the 90's but much easier to own. And earlier years have more varied parts IMO.

And my paint job, Calypso red with grey under looks like new. Never waxed(the wax imbeds dirt so you must remove it before ever doing it again). Never in the sun more than 2 hours without a sunscreen cover and I live in Louisiana. I have one from California Car Covers.

What they say is true, " For the people who know the difference", i.e., if you don't know anything about cars it's not for you. If you have a dealer close by and have lots of money you can get it, let them do the work, but you may not use it much if you don't know how to drive it. (My friend has a Porsche and I was happy he only drove my Lotus 2 miles. Thought my tranny would be in pieces any farther than that.)It will be in the shop.

I had a Europa for 100,000 miles, never let me down.

Why they don't have many miles? Family, kids, jobs that require travel, a pain to drive in the city, third car, or in my case fifth car.

But OH!! that handling, acceleration. My heart races like I was at LeMans, Hockenhiem, Indy.

[curilotus]

Wow, Thanks for all the great input. True, I don't know much about cars. But my dad knows a lot about them. And he really wants a lotus too. So I figure, I'll do the driving, and he'll do the repairs. And maybe I'll let him drive it, if he's really nice. ..

I'm looking at a 1988 esprit, with 43,000 miles. It looks very nice. the outside and the interior. It's at a used car lot. They are asking 22,500 US. They said it wouldnt be any problem for me to talk to the previous 2 owners. From the research I've done, that price seems a little high. Without knowing the true condition of the car, Whats the most I should pay?

Again, Thanks for your help.

John

[lotusman]

It depends on when the C service was last done, its about time to do it. Its costs about $5000 to do it. If it has been done I think that would be okay, i.e., you'll get it for $17,000 which is okay if the exterior and interior are in good shape. That is about what the insurance companies in the CPI think it's worth.

Is it a GM fuel injection? It is much easier and cheaper to work on. IMO, carburetors are problematic. I had Webers on my Europa and wouldn't have anything else for a carbureted car. I haven't heard much about the Bosch fuel injection.

About insurance, I don't have collision but then it is about the best handling car in the world so let someone else hit me. The Kevlar is VERY tough. I pay $600 per year for my liability from Progressive.

Just my 2 cents.

Bob Kumse
'89 non-SE

[curilotus]

Again, Thanks for the information. A couple of questions about the last post. What is "C Service"? ..and secondly, was I understanding that, if that service HAS been performed, that the car should sell for about 17,000?


Thanks,

John

[dictys]

'C' service (all models up to 1993)

Parts used

5.4L Mobil 1(15W/50 MOTORSPORT)
1x C907E6000W OIL FILTER (Lotus)
4x NGKBPR6ES SPARK PLUG
2x CAM COVER GASKET
1x AIR FILTER ELEMENT
3L GEARBOX OIL (Castrol TAF-X)
1x CAMBELT, HIGH COMPRESSION
1x ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT
1x ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT
1x AIR CON DRIVE BELT

16 hours labour

Above approx for Lotus specialist around £600 GBP or 980 US$