Upgrade question

[SincityBartender]

I’m in the process of buying my first esprit next week and it’s a 93 . What I would like to know is if I can upgrade the body to look like the new 03?

Thanks Bill

[lotusguy]

Deja Vue ....????


>> Edited by lotusguy on Monday 18th August 06:59

[kylie]

lotusguy said:

Deja Vue ....???? >> Edited by lotusguy on Monday 18th August 06:59

You havent driven it yet, why don't ya get used to it first then you might change your mind. They are such a nice car, it would be a shame to chop her up, save your pennies a bit more if thats where your heart is.
But hey if thats what you want, am sure someone here will help ya.
Kylie

[Skerd]

Don't do it. The few that know Lotus for real, would know what you did and laugh. Some things (door handles) cannot be upgraded and would be a dead giveaway. The car looks perfect as is. Besides it would be very, very expensive to do.

[cnh1990]

Most of that type of upgrades were done to cars that were already damaged in some sort and in need of repair. I wouldn't do it.
Calvin

[SincityBartender]

Thanks for all the input. I don’t think I will ever do it. I was just checking to see if it was possible. I love the car the way it sits im not going to change a thing except for the exhaust and rims I have a set of HRE 447 on order.

[superdave]

SincityBartender said:

I’m in the process of buying my first esprit next week and it’s a 93 . What I would like to know is if I can upgrade the body to look like the new 03? Thanks Bill

Hi there and welcome to this forum.

I think what you wanted to hear was an answer to a technical query. I think some members get a little fed up as this question gets asked on a regular basis, quite often by people who haven't even bought their cars yet. So be a little sympathetic to the responses you get.
If you want to upgrade your exterior on your 93 car, you'll need to do the following:-
Question first, what model is it? SE or turbo non SE?

Side skirts are relatively cheap to buy copies but tricky to fit.
Front bumper, fogs and front air dam.
All these mods can be found on black89lotus.com or something like that. He had a tough time fabricating the under tray to the front bumper underneath.
You'll also need rear bumper and valance.
Other things which are a pig to change is the door handles. Have a look on www.lotusespritworld.com and look at the owners pages, Stevens shape and take a look at Mark McKenzie who has converted his 89 turbo to the latest 2002 version. It was very costly but he already had the donor car.
If this is what your after, one suggestion may be to buy a later model as the cost can soon add up and what you spend, could buy you a later model.
I too asked these questions when buying my 1990 Turbo last year and was told the same advise by other members. I listened and to be honest they were right to a degree. At the end of the day it's up to you but if you haven't owned one of these before, try to get to know your car as it is first. Even if you do decide to mod it in any way then at least you have a benchmark to work from and to compare to.

Hope this helps,


Cheers,


Dave Walters

[cnh1990]

It is possible but the value will be quite a bit lower at resale. There have been a few 4 cyls show up at ebay with such mods and the prices never get up to what the person wants (they wanted SE money for a non SE with V8 body mods). There is even a 97 V8 with upgrade but 0 bids at 40K USD.
Calvin

[lotusguy]

cnh1990 said:

Most of that type of upgrades were done to cars that were already damaged in some sort and in need of repair. I wouldn't do it. Calvin

Bill,

I think Calvin's right on this. I would add that often, these mods are simply a substitute for a proper repair. It's easier to slap on a new this or that to both avoid proper repair as well as to divert attention from a fault which still may have some unresolved issues. I would be very suspect of a car which had been so modded, especially should a Carfax flag pop up, and would be especially leery of the structural integrity of such a car. Btw, Congrats on the New Baby ! Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE

[Nuck]

If you want to put something new on your car look at the later model wheels. You can spot the bigger rubber a block away and the best part is, when you get rid of the car you can put the stockers back on and sell the upgrade to someone like you.

[unity1]

cnh1990 said:

It is possible but the value will be quite a bit lower at resale. There have been a few 4 cyls show up at ebay with such mods and the prices never get up to what the person wants (they wanted SE money for a non SE with V8 body mods). There is even a 97 V8 with upgrade but 0 bids at 40K USD. Calvin

I think this is missing the point. Bill if you want the change the look because you prefere it but cannot find/Afford the new car then go ahead. However if your intentions are to pass it off as a new car or increase its resale then forget it.

I change my car to the 2k rear lights and twin exhaust because I think the car looks better for it. It was also not very expensive and no way near the cost or a newer example. Especially when you consider the other problems you could get from a car that you dont really know the history. I would also say that I have not had any negative feedback on the changes. In fact many suggest the end result/Finish is better than factory.

I would follow the general line and say get the car, drive it and enjoy it for what it is first.

Steve

[rob.e]

Anything's possible. Check out Mark Mackenzies 88:

www.lotusespritworld.com/EOwners/McKenzie.html

I have to agree with the other comments on this thread though: don't do it.

Rob