Look of the newer Esprits
Look of the newer Esprits
Author
Discussion

Lotusacbc

Original Poster:

2,591 posts

308 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
First let me say please no one who owns one get offended.

Does anyone think the new rear light cluster looks ridiculous and seems like it doesnt fit right. It makes the car look cheap if you ask me. I dont know what it is, the newer ones look somewhat cheap and plasticy to me.

The new rims are nice, but the gap between the wheel well and the tire is too huge, again making the fit and finish look cheap. And the plastic color matching door seam, again, on yellow and green Esprits looks cheap as hell.

I hope I didnt offend anyone, just my thoughts.

I just cant get over the rear light cluster... The lights are cool, but you can distinguish quite clearly what SEEMS like almost two slightly different shades of paint. Like it was a cheap aftermarket add on youd buy for a Mustang or something, and just plopped on the back. And the gap between the hatch, it just doesnt fit right.

johnny boy

340 posts

295 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
I'm totally offended by your comments

Lotusacbc

Original Poster:

2,591 posts

308 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
johnny boy said:
I'm totally offended by your comments






Hey I aint complaining, give me an old one, give me a new one
Maybe I was a bit over-descriptive and too hard on it.

>> Edited by Lotusacbc on Wednesday 15th October 18:17

karmavore

696 posts

279 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Why is it that the fender gap seems (?) to be more pronounced on the new Esprits?

mikelr

153 posts

272 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
I think it looks great, in fact I'm upgrading my S4 to the new style rear plinth.
I would asume that you are making you opinion on a few pictures that you have seen on the net, if you were to see a new Esprit in person you may change your mind.

At least you can't say that it has Toyota tail lights anymore.

karmavore

696 posts

279 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
I like the new lights, I just wish that the license plate cut out was rectangular not curved in keeping with the mood of the car.

Luke.

paul c

310 posts

273 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
May not have Toyota lights anymore, But WHERE are those lights from?. Cannot believe Lotus knuckled down and made their own.
Someone told me the lights on the Maclaren F1 were off a german bus,i laughed,but have seen many buses with similar rears....

No offence intended(my lights are leyland,arrgh!).

PAUL C

karmavore

696 posts

279 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
They are from the Elise.

Luke.

paul c

310 posts

273 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Err,Yes,i see that....

now.

unity1

271 posts

276 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Looks much better in the flesh. I must say I think its the best mod I've made to the car.

Lotusacbc

Original Poster:

2,591 posts

308 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Ive seen plenty of them in person, sure the pics never capture the true essence of the Esprit, but I wasnt too fond of it either in person.

Ill be interested to see the pics of the rear on an S4.
Again, to me it just looks too aftermarket or something. Maybe I should add, the lights themselves look great, its the way the sides and top of it flush against the rest of the car that seems cheap to me.

Your right about one thing, the license plate should have been rectangular

>> Edited by Lotusacbc on Wednesday 15th October 20:02

ErnestM

11,621 posts

291 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Well I, for one, like the new lights, it's the first gen US spec "cheese grater" that causes me a little trepidation. Although, I must say that when Karl colour coded his - it made it look better. Also, the final version (with rectangular slots) looks a little better.

ErnestM

Lotusacbc

Original Poster:

2,591 posts

308 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
ErnestM said:
Well I, for one, like the new lights, it's the first gen US spec "cheese grater" that causes me a little trepidation. Although, I must say that when Karl colour coded his - it made it look better. Also, the final version (with rectangular slots) looks a little better.

ErnestM


Cheese grater, what lights are you referring to? Pics?

ErnestM

11,621 posts

291 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
The "cheese grater" is the new diffuser on the 2002-2004 cars, with the central exhaust...

http://ae.videojava.com/pics/123_SCCDC08223HA10468_radio.jpg

The updated one (pics at Lotus Esprit World) has rectangular rather than circular holes...

ErnestM

Sorry for the confusion

>> Edited by ErnestM on Wednesday 15th October 21:55

>> Edited by ErnestM on Wednesday 15th October 21:56

Lotusacbc

Original Poster:

2,591 posts

308 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
ErnestM said:
The "cheese grater" is the new diffuser on the 2002-2004 cars, with the central exhaust...

http://ae.videojava.com/pics/123_SCCDC08223HA10468_radio.jpg

The updated one (pics at Lotus Esprit World) has rectangular rather than circular holes...

ErnestM

Sorry for the confusion

>> Edited by ErnestM on Wednesday 15th October 21:55

>> Edited by ErnestM on Wednesday 15th October 21:56


Oh I see what you mean now. Yeah I dont know what to think of that piece.

CHASEVDR

70 posts

271 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
Have the 2003 in black and have spent many hours inspecting the minutae on the car. I have reached the following conclusion: All the new changes look absolutely wicked.

Only complaint is that I wish I got those very cool quilted leather seats on the last 33 production run this year(see LotusEspritWorld for pics). Could care less about the adjustible shocks and tire pressure sensor. Indifferent on the slotted rear diffuser vs the round holes. Obviously the steering wheel is something they should've taken care of ages ago, pity they never got the message on that score.

karlfranz

2,008 posts

294 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
CHASEVDR said:
<snip> Obviously the steering wheel is something they should've taken care of ages ago, pity they never got the message on that score.

I may have a solution to your steering wheel aversion soon. Stay tuned.

solar

262 posts

275 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
the 03 is beautiful. I hope that i can arrange one of the final 33, one day soon...

I love the s4s though the most of all esprit. It sits lower and longer than the new esprit...

>> Edited by solar on Wednesday 15th October 23:44

karmavore

696 posts

279 months

Wednesday 15th October 2003
quotequote all
karmavore said:
Why is it that the fender gap seems (?) to be more pronounced on the new Esprits?



Any ideas?

Luke.

Lotusacbc

Original Poster:

2,591 posts

308 months

Thursday 16th October 2003
quotequote all
karmavore said:

karmavore said:
Why is it that the fender gap seems (?) to be more pronounced on the new Esprits?




Any ideas?

Luke.


I dont know what tires are used on the older models, but perhaps the new tires used are even a lower profile rubber?