New 93 SE Owner/Thoughts/Comments/Questions
Discussion
I've now had my "new" Esprit for three weeks. It's a 93, black, with the black X180R "knock off" wheels. Very sharp looking car in my opinion, but hell I'm not biased.
On to the car. I am in the US, and race in SCCA's Improved Touring class. I know most of you guys here are UK, and you might be interested to know I run a Triumph TR8. There are a few of us left who still race these cars. Fun vehicle, with some limitations, but very fun. That's a bit of background to my mechancial and track experience.
In any event, love the Lotus. Some thoughts:
1. Nothing like turn in on a mid-engined car. I owned a 91 MR2 Turbo for a while before moving to a BMW M Coupe. Now, the Lotus, and while the BMW's steering was very good, the Lotus is just so precise. I love it.
2. Much easier to kick the back end out than with the MR2 and feels a bit more confident in doing so. I've done it twice by accident and caught it both times before I got snap oversteer, which has bitten many an MR2 driver in the US. I didn't like the rear end loose feeling, especialy since it comes after you have used up the cars already prodigious grip, but it was fairly easy to correct.
3. The lag is not too bad. You aren't like a stick in mud like you were in the MR2 until boost comes on - the car is quite quick even revving to just 3.5 or 4k. However, that whack in the back above that is so addictive. You want to keep experiencing it, but your conscience says no, go easy on the car.
4. THe car is a decent commuter. The hardest part is getting in the damn thing. Once in, a 30-40 minute ride to work is more pleasurable than anything, and the gas mileage can be very good if you stay off the boost. A pleasant surprise here.
5. The car is a decent tourer. Assuming you can get the woman to pack light, this could be a weekend getwaway car.
6. Gearchange is not as bad as I'd heard. Not great, but certainly managable. Brakes are ok. Not up the car's potential, but at least the pedal is firm and direct.
7. Build quality is MUCh better than expected. I sort o fexpected a half-kit car. This thing is as good as GM/Ford/Chrysler products form the early 90s.
8. I farked up and overfilled the oil by a quart when I changed it. Didn't notice at first, and drove about 200 highway miles like this. Then, got billowing smoke on start up (stomach fell to my feet when I saw that). Siphoned out the extra quart and everything appears fine. Any long term issues here? Cylinder wall glazing or anything?
9. There is a noticeable non-turbo whine to the motor. It sounds like the (new) timing belt. Possible it is too tight?
10. Gas gauge does not work. Anyone experience this? Couldit be the sender and anyone know which tank it is on in a 93?
11. Power antennea does not work. I can't even figure out how to get to it. Any ideas? No radio right now in the car, which is bothersome. CDs only work for so long.
12. Track days. I fully intend to track the car. It seems to me all it really needs are decent brake pads, some hi-temp brake fluid and R tires. Anyting else I should be concerned about?
Very, very pleased with my purchase. Was looking for something in the 30k range that is fun, and I think this car is the best combination of exotic and practical. As I mentioned, I was coming out of an M coupe (great car by the way, even in the watered down 240 hp US version), and drove the following before deciding on the Esprit:
1. Ferrari Mondial. Decent car, great sounds, slower than a Miata, servicing is $$$$$.
2. Maserati Ghibli. You can get a coupe for $30,000. Great motor. Poor man's Ferrari Daytona. Parts and servicing OUTRAGEOUS.
3. C5 Corvette. Competent car. But blah.
4. Honda S2000. ZIIINNNNNGGGGGG. Hate the motor, chassis shines.
5. Acura NSX. These things hold their value. Hard to find anything with the newer higher hp motors in my price range. Eearly models go for around $30,000, but a bit underpowered and just not as "involved' as the Esprit.
6. Mitsusbishi Lancer EVO and Subaru WRX Sti. Blood brothers. Fun cars, very fast, solid handling, but still very much Japanese go fast boxes.
Assuming no large repair bills on the Esprit for the next year, I'm very pleased with my choice. And glad I found this board.
Thanks guys.
Jeff
On to the car. I am in the US, and race in SCCA's Improved Touring class. I know most of you guys here are UK, and you might be interested to know I run a Triumph TR8. There are a few of us left who still race these cars. Fun vehicle, with some limitations, but very fun. That's a bit of background to my mechancial and track experience.
In any event, love the Lotus. Some thoughts:
1. Nothing like turn in on a mid-engined car. I owned a 91 MR2 Turbo for a while before moving to a BMW M Coupe. Now, the Lotus, and while the BMW's steering was very good, the Lotus is just so precise. I love it.
2. Much easier to kick the back end out than with the MR2 and feels a bit more confident in doing so. I've done it twice by accident and caught it both times before I got snap oversteer, which has bitten many an MR2 driver in the US. I didn't like the rear end loose feeling, especialy since it comes after you have used up the cars already prodigious grip, but it was fairly easy to correct.
3. The lag is not too bad. You aren't like a stick in mud like you were in the MR2 until boost comes on - the car is quite quick even revving to just 3.5 or 4k. However, that whack in the back above that is so addictive. You want to keep experiencing it, but your conscience says no, go easy on the car.
4. THe car is a decent commuter. The hardest part is getting in the damn thing. Once in, a 30-40 minute ride to work is more pleasurable than anything, and the gas mileage can be very good if you stay off the boost. A pleasant surprise here.
5. The car is a decent tourer. Assuming you can get the woman to pack light, this could be a weekend getwaway car.
6. Gearchange is not as bad as I'd heard. Not great, but certainly managable. Brakes are ok. Not up the car's potential, but at least the pedal is firm and direct.
7. Build quality is MUCh better than expected. I sort o fexpected a half-kit car. This thing is as good as GM/Ford/Chrysler products form the early 90s.
8. I farked up and overfilled the oil by a quart when I changed it. Didn't notice at first, and drove about 200 highway miles like this. Then, got billowing smoke on start up (stomach fell to my feet when I saw that). Siphoned out the extra quart and everything appears fine. Any long term issues here? Cylinder wall glazing or anything?
9. There is a noticeable non-turbo whine to the motor. It sounds like the (new) timing belt. Possible it is too tight?
10. Gas gauge does not work. Anyone experience this? Couldit be the sender and anyone know which tank it is on in a 93?
11. Power antennea does not work. I can't even figure out how to get to it. Any ideas? No radio right now in the car, which is bothersome. CDs only work for so long.
12. Track days. I fully intend to track the car. It seems to me all it really needs are decent brake pads, some hi-temp brake fluid and R tires. Anyting else I should be concerned about?
Very, very pleased with my purchase. Was looking for something in the 30k range that is fun, and I think this car is the best combination of exotic and practical. As I mentioned, I was coming out of an M coupe (great car by the way, even in the watered down 240 hp US version), and drove the following before deciding on the Esprit:
1. Ferrari Mondial. Decent car, great sounds, slower than a Miata, servicing is $$$$$.
2. Maserati Ghibli. You can get a coupe for $30,000. Great motor. Poor man's Ferrari Daytona. Parts and servicing OUTRAGEOUS.
3. C5 Corvette. Competent car. But blah.
4. Honda S2000. ZIIINNNNNGGGGGG. Hate the motor, chassis shines.
5. Acura NSX. These things hold their value. Hard to find anything with the newer higher hp motors in my price range. Eearly models go for around $30,000, but a bit underpowered and just not as "involved' as the Esprit.
6. Mitsusbishi Lancer EVO and Subaru WRX Sti. Blood brothers. Fun cars, very fast, solid handling, but still very much Japanese go fast boxes.
Assuming no large repair bills on the Esprit for the next year, I'm very pleased with my choice. And glad I found this board.
Thanks guys.
Jeff
Well done on purchasing the '93. You will not regret it providing you checked the car out thoroughly as I suspect you will have! I too have a '93 model, although mine is the high wing, which is not to everyones taste although I quite like it. You have picked the right place to get the answers to your questions. Hopefully you will be sorted out pretty quickly. I know that it is a bit of a mission to fix your aerial - so good luck with that. Is your car an SE model or an early S4? Just wondering because if it is an SE it is easier to tell people that it is a 92 model when ordering spares, otherwise it can cause confusion. Enjoy the experience of driving one of the best kept secrets of the supercar world!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Esprit's 
For additional good information and a slightly more US centric membership (although certainly not exclusively at all) have a look at the yahoo group if you haven't been pointed that way already.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/
Many also come onto this forum as well.
Del
S4s (UK)
For additional good information and a slightly more US centric membership (although certainly not exclusively at all) have a look at the yahoo group if you haven't been pointed that way already.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/
Many also come onto this forum as well.
Del
S4s (UK)
I don't think the oil over fill will affect it much as long as it was not churning around that long.
The sender is in the left fuel tank.
Might be a tight belt or one of the accessories making noise. How many miles on the car and what has been done to it so far?
The antenna is a B*tch to get out. You have to peel back the carpet just ahead of the door opening and take apart the darn dash section to get it out in one piece. I have heard of people bolt cutting the mast and taking it out in peices and putting in a manual antenna, never seen it done in person though.
Regards,
Calvin
The sender is in the left fuel tank.
Might be a tight belt or one of the accessories making noise. How many miles on the car and what has been done to it so far?
The antenna is a B*tch to get out. You have to peel back the carpet just ahead of the door opening and take apart the darn dash section to get it out in one piece. I have heard of people bolt cutting the mast and taking it out in peices and putting in a manual antenna, never seen it done in person though.
Regards,
Calvin
Mike, I get whomped on by the E36s and 2nd Gen RX7s. However, I'm new (first season) and a lot of it is driver. Car does have potential, especially on tracks that aren't very hp dependent. Car has the most torque in IT, so from the middle of the corner off, it is very competitive. However, at the end of the long straigts at VIR and Road Atlanta, I'm getting eaten alive.
I can probably run with most of the 944s and the slower 240zs and E30 325s, once the driver gets up to speed. In the SE Division, the car will never win because the E36s and 2nd Gens are too fast, but it is a fun car, sounds great, handles good.
Calvin, thanks. I did do about 200 miles on the overfill. Hope no damage was done but if it was, it's my fault so I'll deal with it.
I figured that on the antennae.
Car is a 93 SE. A weird one. Not a 93.5 -- it has the window switches on the door panels, but the a/c panel is like a 93.5's and it has the 93.5 black wheels.
I can probably run with most of the 944s and the slower 240zs and E30 325s, once the driver gets up to speed. In the SE Division, the car will never win because the E36s and 2nd Gens are too fast, but it is a fun car, sounds great, handles good.
Calvin, thanks. I did do about 200 miles on the overfill. Hope no damage was done but if it was, it's my fault so I'll deal with it.
I figured that on the antennae.
Car is a 93 SE. A weird one. Not a 93.5 -- it has the window switches on the door panels, but the a/c panel is like a 93.5's and it has the 93.5 black wheels.
Hi!
Great to hear that you found *the* car! About your timing belt: It could be to tight, however correcly tensioned belts do tend to whine when they get older. Mine was 11 years old when I bought the car and it whined quite a bit. After changing it the sound dissapeared. Try to find out when the belt was changed the last time. The belt should be replaced at 30.000km or 3 years, whichever comes first. If you look around this forum you will notice that "belt-issues" are among the favourite discussions amongst Esprit owners because of the difficulty of getting the right tension upon replacement and because of the potential damage that could be caused by a failing one...
Good luck with your new experience!
Best Regards/ Lasse
Great to hear that you found *the* car! About your timing belt: It could be to tight, however correcly tensioned belts do tend to whine when they get older. Mine was 11 years old when I bought the car and it whined quite a bit. After changing it the sound dissapeared. Try to find out when the belt was changed the last time. The belt should be replaced at 30.000km or 3 years, whichever comes first. If you look around this forum you will notice that "belt-issues" are among the favourite discussions amongst Esprit owners because of the difficulty of getting the right tension upon replacement and because of the potential damage that could be caused by a failing one...
Good luck with your new experience!
Best Regards/ Lasse
Hi Jeff, congrats on your purchase. I bet she looks nice. I too have the 3 peice Revolution X180R wheels. They are incredibly light weight. I am not sure if mine are aftermarket ones though. The centres being magnesium and the rims alloy. Mine were originally with black centres but are now powder coated a silver colour and rims are now mirror polished. Pics in my profile. I got some billet alloy lotus centre caps made to fit. They came up looking ace.
Look forward to seeing some pics when you get a chance.
Regards,
Kylie
Black 89 Esp Turbo
>> Edited by kylie on Wednesday 22 October 19:39
Look forward to seeing some pics when you get a chance.
Regards,
Kylie
Black 89 Esp Turbo
>> Edited by kylie on Wednesday 22 October 19:39
Jeff congrats on the new purchase and I hope you blast many a happy mile together. Look forward to seeing the pics. I still have a TR7 which I've had since 19. Was going to put a V8 lump in it but young habbits and the need for a house stopped that. Great fun car especially at that age but not in the same league as the Esprit. Needs some TLC now as its been off the road for just over five years. Decided to get the Esprit and just couldnt bring myself to sell it.
Steve
89 Turbo
Steve
89 Turbo
It's a brand new belt put in by the dealership when I purchased the car (had the C service, the valve adjustment and the timing belt done). All other auxiliary belts were replaced at the same time.
Car had 22,000 miles, and then I drove it home across the country (from Seattle, Washigton to Raleigh North Carolina) -- didn't skip a beat. Has just over 25,000 now.
BUt that whine is troubling me. It does not sound normal.
Car had 22,000 miles, and then I drove it home across the country (from Seattle, Washigton to Raleigh North Carolina) -- didn't skip a beat. Has just over 25,000 now.
BUt that whine is troubling me. It does not sound normal.
My antennae didn't work either. Well, it sort-of worked, it just would not stop working like when it got to the end of Up, and sometimes Down. There were also some funny wiring issues, like if I pulled the fuse for the antennae motor, the left front speaker wouldn't work anymore. The PO had a cell phone hard wired into the car with a mike wire running up the driver's A pilar. I cut the mike part off, spliced on some extra wire and stuffed it under the front upper headliner area and spliced a radio connector on the other end and put in a new Alpine AM/FM/CD/MP3 unit. No more antennae problems.
Dr.Hess
Dr.Hess
Hey Jeff, Welcome. I am originally from SC, near Myrtle Beach, but will be moving to Charlotte in Feb. when I get back to the states. Maybe we will run into each other at some car meets next summer. By the way, I had to remove the power antenna in my pervious 83 Turbo. It is a bit difficult, but not impossible. When I did get it out though, I didn't replace it. I installed a roof mount Fubu. I am more into keeping all my mods reversable now, so I wouldn't do it again, although it is an option. Enjoy your Esprit.
John
94 S4
http://24.25.100.254/
John
94 S4
http://24.25.100.254/
Hi again Jeffrey!
The simplest solution to your concern about the belt whining is to contact a authorized Lotus sevice provider where you live and have them measure the tension of the belt. This is done in split seconds (nothing needs to be disassembled) so it shold be the simplest thing to do. Make sure they use the original calibrated tool for Lotus Esprit 4-cyl.
Best Regards /Lasse
The simplest solution to your concern about the belt whining is to contact a authorized Lotus sevice provider where you live and have them measure the tension of the belt. This is done in split seconds (nothing needs to be disassembled) so it shold be the simplest thing to do. Make sure they use the original calibrated tool for Lotus Esprit 4-cyl.
Best Regards /Lasse
JeffYoung said:
BUt that whine is troubling me. It does not sound normal.
I had an intermittant wine in the V8 not too long ago (coincidentally right after all belts changed). Turned out it was symptomatic of the alternator failing. I don't know if this applies to the 4 cylinders as well, but you may want to have it checked out...
ErnestM
JeffYoung said:
I've now had my "new" Esprit for three weeks. It's a 93, black, with the black X180R "knock off" wheels. Very sharp looking car in my opinion, but hell I'm not biased.
Neat, I just got my "new" 1993.5 (with the S4 interior & OZ wheels) about two months ago. I'm in Atlanta, if you're ever down this way, look me up. I do join you in many of the points you made in showing your appreciation for this car and the hope that it proves reliable.
JeffYoung said:
3. C5 Corvette. Competent car. But blah.
I own a red 1998 C5 6-Speed and wouldn't get rid of it (outstanding reliability, comfortable, nice heritage, exhaust sound, etc.), but the Lotus is stunning in comparison. If I had to keep one, it'd be the SE hands down.
Jay in Atlanta
1993.5 Silver Frost Esprit SE
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