GT3 or V8...what would you suggest?

[gabriel]

cHi Everyone. New boy on the forum. Like many of you before I have always lusted after an Esprit. I know a little about the history & models etc and I suppose would be really looking at getting a GT3 or V8. I have heard tell that the GT3 is a good 2nd hand bet & that the later (98-V8) have the engine/clutch probs sorted?
I recon you'll all have your own opinions and if you have time it would be good to hear your thought on what car would suit best.
I have about £18k tops to spend, & so far just looking on the Esprit world site and Autotrader seems I am gonna be hard pressed to get what I want for the money. I am in no hurry so plenty of time to look round and check out a few.
Thanks
Gabriel

[rob.e]

You're unlikely to get a good V8 for that money, so based on that alone the GT3 is probably a better bet.

Some more info would help.. ie what have you driven before, other sports cars? if so what..? previous lotus experence? Do you want to work on the car yourself or is it main dealer all the way? What sort of driving do you do? Commuting in traffic, trackdays, sunday morning blasts only or transcontinental jaunts for weekends in monaco/geneva etc etc..?

cheers
Rob

[gabriel]

Hi Rob. Thanks for the reply. Previous cars include Twin Turbo Mk4 Supra..so no probs with handling the power although I suspect they will feel totally different to drive!
No Previous Lotus experience other than having a couple blasts in my brothers 111s Elise (which was great!)
Father in law used to have his own Garage so knows his way around a car but as for something specialised like the Esprit, don't know. Would it make that much difference to the resale value Main Dealer/Specialist dealer/Father in Law servicing.
Driving wise it would probably be Sunday morning blasts etc..nothing too hard although I would like to stick my toe down now and again. Also my wife's brother has a Civic Type R that he recons is the best thing on the road. Will the GT3 do the business and blow him into the weeds?
What model do you own Rob? & would you consider transcontinental motoring in it

[rob.e]

Ok, based on that i would say a GT3 is right up your street. I don't think it would matter too much if maintenance is not done by a known specialist - its the quality of work that matters at the end of the day..

Civic type R?? Well.. a bone stock GT3 will top 160 mph and 0-60 in about 5 seconds. That only tells half the story mind you.. get to some nice twisty bits and the esprit is fantastic. Autocar rated it as the best handling esprit. If 240 bhp is not enough there is lots of knowlege out there and mods available if that is your thing. Check out lotusespritworld.

gabriel said:

What model do you own Rob? & would you consider transcontinental motoring in it

Click my profile - i ran a gt3 a few years ago. I have a V8-GT now. I do Le Mans every year plus normally a couple of european GP's

Cheers
Rob

ps - good esprit chat also on:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/UKLotusEsprit/

[gabriel]

Thanks Rob. You have confirmed what I was thinking that a GT3 would be the best place to start.
Just one more thing, I prefer the V8GT wheels or the OZ Saturn alloys to the standard GT3 items. Firstly would the exchange be possible and secondly (as an owner of both models) do you think the wheel change would effect the car at all?
Thanks

[rob.e]

V8 wheels will bolt straight on. You'll also have no problem selling your GT3 wheels as there are often guys with SE's etc who want to upgrade to 17" wheels. Your GT3 wheels won't fit a straight on an SE but its only a small mod to fit them - check out Kato's car on LEW. He's fitted the GT3/S4 rims on his SE highwing.

You'll have more grip with the bigger tyres. I found my GT3 on standard rims would understeer slightly if i came barrelling in to a bend too quick, and it will oversteer nicely as you power thru an apex. Lots of fun in fact.. With the bigger tyres you'll find that it will grip much improved but you'll have less ability to be a hooligan - in fact i doubt you'll be able to provoke the rear at all with just 240bhp. My v8 rarely steps out of line at the rear unless i really provoke it, and thats with 350bhp..

I'd suggest you get the GT3 and put some miles on it first before you start changing things, but i agree that the 18" rears do fill the arches nicely