The best value proper supercar?

[toppstuff]

I have been watching the prices of this car, and they are amazing value now.

This car handles better and is faster than a Ferrari 355 and a 360. I know this because my best driving buddy has one ( he has also owned a 355, 360, and a Countach). When he needed cash for his business he sold the ferrari and got one of these - and says it is far superior to the Italian product, because of its superb chassis and compliant suspension that does'nt get thrown off by bumps.




It is the Lotus Esprit V8 !

A recent model with the facelift interior is in the Ph classifieds for £23k...

I cannot think of anything for the money that comes close..

[dragCorleone]

1-0 to Lotus

Grazi. ravioli, bona bella pizza

[toppstuff]

Yep, the guy is a real enthusiast and knows how to drive ( races karts).

I have never seen him as excited about a cars abilities ! The handling of the V8 and its ability to get all sideways in controllable and sensitive way is just stunning ! I am a convert - the 355 is jerky and ill handling in comparison.

[ErnestM]

ErnestM

[dragCorleone]

ill say it really slowly:

TRADE...IN...THE...996

[argonaut]

toppstuff said:

...and says it is far superior to the Italian product... It is the Lotus Esprit V8 !

..superior, when it's actually running properly maybe!
Not the most reliable supercar - as Clarkson used to say, LOTUS stands for: Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious.
The best value proper supercar HAS to be a 911. There IS no substitute.

[UpTheIron]

argonaut said:

The best value proper supercar HAS to be a 911.

But is the 911 not something of a victim of its own success? Is it really a supercar? Was it ever? Hardly exotic is it?

The 4wd versions are arguably the best daily point to point any weather drivers, but I'm not convinced they stir the soul quite like a mid engined 'Rari or Esprit...not for me anyway.

[toppstuff]

dragCorleone said:

ill say it really slowly: TRADE...IN...THE...996

I would, bu there is a reason.

I am 6'5' tall... and the Esprit is a real squeeze. The only way I might fit in would be to remove the seat and replace it with a racing seat bolted to the floor. A steering wheel spacer would be needed to bring the wheel out as well...

And if I do that , Mrs topstuff won't be able to drive it.. bugger.

If I have the cash, I might pick one up for track days. I can then hack it about internally to fit into it !

Edited to say that Clarkson is talking bo$$ocks ! The V8 is a reliable car.

>> Edited by toppstuff on Thursday 15th January 20:23

[HarryW]

What is a 'proper supercar', by 'proper' do you mean it costs loads of money therefore by default it must be 'proper' or are you going by performance i.e. 200+mph sub 9 secs to a 100 in which case the Macca F1.
However if it was my money and I'll never have enough, the TuscanS and Cerb are pretty much a supercar IMHO. But then again they're British, so perhaps not exotic enough for some

Harry

[toppstuff]

HarryW said:

What is a 'proper supercar', by 'proper' do you mean it costs loads of money therefore by default it must be 'proper' or are you going by performance i.e. 200+mph sub 9 secs to a 100 in which case the Macca F1. However if it was my money and I'll never have enough, the TuscanS and Cerb are pretty much a supercar IMHO. But then again they're British, so perhaps not exotic enough for some Harry

A good V8GT ( the lighter one ) will turn in times under 10 secs for 0-100mph ! For £25k !

[ErnestM]

toppstuff said:

dragCorleone said: ill say it really slowly: TRADE...IN...THE...996 I would, bu there is a reason. I am 6'5' tall... and the Esprit is a real squeeze. The only way I might fit in would be to remove the seat and replace it with a racing seat bolted to the floor. A steering wheel spacer would be needed to bring the wheel out as well... And if I do that , Mrs topstuff won't be able to drive it.. bugger. If I have the cash, I might pick one up for track days. I can then hack it about internally to fit into it ! Edited to say that Clarkson is talking bo$$ocks ! The V8 is a reliable car.

Don't let your 6'5" stop you. I'm just a tad over 6'1" and it's no problem fitting in. There is a trick to it. You slide the seat slightly forward and then recline it back. It gives you a slight reclined position (similar to the position in the Diablo) and, consequently, brings the wheel closer as well. This technique is listed in the FAQs on the Esprit forum as well as some other tosh about removing a piece under the seat (which I have never needed)...

...Esprit is reliable as long as it is looked after.

...IMHO the 911 (especially one like Dazren's) is a supercar, it is just not an exotic (too many of them made).


ErnestM

[toppstuff]

ErnestM - my pal is very kind and lets me drive his cars. We spent the best part of 2 hours trying to shoe-horn me in !

Long legs are the problem..

I can drive the car for short bursts but after 45 minutes I am crippled. Looks like a race seat bolted to the floor is a solution - we found that with the seat removed I fitted perfectly !

So the Esprit can only really be a track day toy for me sadly. When I can justify a toy like that I will buy one...

>> Edited by toppstuff on Thursday 15th January 21:24

[ErnestM]

ToppStuff -

I'm going to move this to the Esprit forum where you might get some good and proper mass to seating advice...


ErnestM

[planetdave]

Thank you Ernest

the hagiography was getting a bit

[kylie]

toppstuff said:

ErnestM - my pal is very kind and lets me drive his cars. We spent the best part of 2 hours trying to shoe-horn me in ! Long legs are the problem.. I can drive the car for short bursts but after 45 minutes I am crippled. Looks like a race seat bolted to the floor is a solution - we found that with the seat removed I fitted perfectly ! So the Esprit can only really be a track day toy for me sadly. When I can justify a toy like that I will buy one... >> Edited by toppstuff on Thursday 15th January 21:24

Don't give up toppstuff there are loads of tall timber people here who have modded their esprits so they can sit comfy. Well I hope you do buy one soon eh.

[Rob P]

If we are talking new supercars I would say either a Noble or Ultima, depending on how you determine what a "supercar" is!