So, what do you like most about driving an Esprit?
Discussion
For me its the performance, handling foremost with the image and tweaking second. Still have my other fun cars being a TR7 Drop Head and an S reg mini cooper. Neither if these are like the Esprit except the mini which has the handling but as at less (way less) speed.
The TR is in need for some TLC and do miss the sunny roads with the roof down. Actually for that reason after trying to talk a friend into one I may get an Elan this summer instead of a second Esprit next year. The TR and Mini will have to go as I dont have the space but a worthy upgrade.
The TR is in need for some TLC and do miss the sunny roads with the roof down. Actually for that reason after trying to talk a friend into one I may get an Elan this summer instead of a second Esprit next year. The TR and Mini will have to go as I dont have the space but a worthy upgrade.
The performance.
The handling.
Image? Well I don’t pose in it and its normally dirty but I guess that’s an image of sorts
I like the fact that its RARE and I like the lotus heritage that goes along with ownership. Chapman was a true BRITISH innovator and a genius designer winning seven F1 titles. My driving heros Moss, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Ronnie Peterson, Andretti, Rindt, Fittipaldi and some bloke called Senna were all lotus drivers. You don’t get that with a porsche, lambo, tvr, noble etc etc.
What did I drive before? Esprit GT3.
The handling.
Image? Well I don’t pose in it and its normally dirty but I guess that’s an image of sorts
I like the fact that its RARE and I like the lotus heritage that goes along with ownership. Chapman was a true BRITISH innovator and a genius designer winning seven F1 titles. My driving heros Moss, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Ronnie Peterson, Andretti, Rindt, Fittipaldi and some bloke called Senna were all lotus drivers. You don’t get that with a porsche, lambo, tvr, noble etc etc. What did I drive before? Esprit GT3.
So, what do you like most about driving an Esprit?
The Symbiotic Involvement.
From the instant you sit in the car and turn the key, you are integrated.
The intakes behind your ears tell you that you are breathing normally...
The growl of the engine is your voice...
Movement is not on a conscious level. Your brain subconsciously selects the direction and the driver/car symbiot responds appropriately.
You are the encapsulated neural center of a combined being…
When, needed, the spooled up adrenal glands made by Garret dump an endorphin laced boost into the system.
You smile.
...a lot.
ErnestM
The Symbiotic Involvement.
From the instant you sit in the car and turn the key, you are integrated.
The intakes behind your ears tell you that you are breathing normally...
The growl of the engine is your voice...
Movement is not on a conscious level. Your brain subconsciously selects the direction and the driver/car symbiot responds appropriately.
You are the encapsulated neural center of a combined being…
When, needed, the spooled up adrenal glands made by Garret dump an endorphin laced boost into the system.
You smile.
...a lot.
ErnestM
What I like best is the rearward visibility, followed by the acres of legroom.
The handbrake position is also commendable, as well as the slick gearchange.
The finish and reliability are also major plusses along with the quality of the switchgear and the Morris Marina door handles.
The best bit is the turbo lag.
I simply can't find anything about the car to fault, apart from the crappy styling...
Right, I'd better be off.....
Cheers
Pat.
The handbrake position is also commendable, as well as the slick gearchange.
The finish and reliability are also major plusses along with the quality of the switchgear and the Morris Marina door handles.
The best bit is the turbo lag.
I simply can't find anything about the car to fault, apart from the crappy styling...
Right, I'd better be off.....
Cheers
Pat.
The car is a total package and that is what I love about it.
Feel: I love sitting in the car. It has a lot of nice features, is confortable, and fits perfect. I am 5'6" so actually enjoy the tons of room inside.
Performance: Good but not super fast. I have the 330HP chip and it moves, without a doubt, but isn't blistering to me. Just real nice. Then again, my daily driver has 350+WHP so that is my comparison.
Ride: Ride I find quite nice. For a car that handles so well, it has a real nice ride to it. I've been in a buddies C5 Vette and my Lotus has the same ride. Stiff, but not jarring.
Handling: Where it shines. I freaking love the handling of my Lotus. Absolutely wonderful.
Image: Of course I love the looks and the comments, good and bad. It does strike up some interesting conversations.
Repairs: Yes, I like the repairs. The Lotus (4 banger at least) is easy to work on and cost wise, most parts are reasonably priced. Some are not but most are. Plus, when I am working on it, I look forward to being able to drive it again. i am not just getting my sh!tbox running, I am getting my baby back on the road!
Before the Esprit I drove a 1996 Eclipse GSX I modified to somewhere around 300-325HP. It was a nice car, quick, comfortable and looked good. My current daily driver is a 1992 Eagle Talon AWD, modified to over 350WHP (approx. 425-450HP) and is fast but is brutal. Rough ride, loud, obnoxious, beat up... but hit the go pedal and it all goes away.
Feel: I love sitting in the car. It has a lot of nice features, is confortable, and fits perfect. I am 5'6" so actually enjoy the tons of room inside.
Performance: Good but not super fast. I have the 330HP chip and it moves, without a doubt, but isn't blistering to me. Just real nice. Then again, my daily driver has 350+WHP so that is my comparison.
Ride: Ride I find quite nice. For a car that handles so well, it has a real nice ride to it. I've been in a buddies C5 Vette and my Lotus has the same ride. Stiff, but not jarring.
Handling: Where it shines. I freaking love the handling of my Lotus. Absolutely wonderful.
Image: Of course I love the looks and the comments, good and bad. It does strike up some interesting conversations.
Repairs: Yes, I like the repairs. The Lotus (4 banger at least) is easy to work on and cost wise, most parts are reasonably priced. Some are not but most are. Plus, when I am working on it, I look forward to being able to drive it again. i am not just getting my sh!tbox running, I am getting my baby back on the road!
Before the Esprit I drove a 1996 Eclipse GSX I modified to somewhere around 300-325HP. It was a nice car, quick, comfortable and looked good. My current daily driver is a 1992 Eagle Talon AWD, modified to over 350WHP (approx. 425-450HP) and is fast but is brutal. Rough ride, loud, obnoxious, beat up... but hit the go pedal and it all goes away.
I had an 85 Corvette for several years, when I got my 85 Jag XJS (you should see it!) I was amazed how, with such a soft and pliable ride, it cornered as fast as the Vette! The major difference was with the Jag you were much less nervous!
I've also been addicted to the Jag's handling 'cause you just can't make a mistake with it. You can throw it so hard into a corner and it doesn't matter, the back end will never come around on you, the front end will never plow out, it's just got the most poise I have ever seen.
Funny thing is, whenever I had trouble with it (none last year though) I would often tell my mechanic
"This car isn't worth this much trouble, it isn't a Lotus!
For a Lotus I would put myself through this." So now I'm gonna try a Lotus for a year
, then see about letting the Jag go. I need to see if I can live with the Lotus on a daily basis. Can't wait...
Wes
I've also been addicted to the Jag's handling 'cause you just can't make a mistake with it. You can throw it so hard into a corner and it doesn't matter, the back end will never come around on you, the front end will never plow out, it's just got the most poise I have ever seen.
Funny thing is, whenever I had trouble with it (none last year though) I would often tell my mechanic
"This car isn't worth this much trouble, it isn't a Lotus! For a Lotus I would put myself through this." So now I'm gonna try a Lotus for a year, then see about letting the Jag go. I need to see if I can live with the Lotus on a daily basis. Can't wait... Wes
f1ace said:
Funny thing is, whenever I had trouble with it (none last year though) I would often tell my mechanic
Wes
[
mode]Hmmmm, the force is strong in this one[/ mode] ErnestM
Nope, gonna stick with "what do you like".
What's with the handling? I sure see a fair number that are either wrecked or damaged from spinning out or what have you. Is the car twitchy at the limit, or are people having to do 100mph just to get the car near it's limits?
You just don't see many XJS's so traumatically treated. I guess they mostly lumber around.
Wes
What's with the handling? I sure see a fair number that are either wrecked or damaged from spinning out or what have you. Is the car twitchy at the limit, or are people having to do 100mph just to get the car near it's limits?
You just don't see many XJS's so traumatically treated. I guess they mostly lumber around.
Wes
f1ace,
I had a '86 XJS and without a doubt that car was the most comfortable riding car I have ever been in. Going from the XJS into the Esprit for a everyday car would be a real wake-up! At this point I would keep the XJS and buy the Esprit for the nice days that you won't have to drive defensivly and watch every car around you (similar to driving a motorcycle). A lot of people can't see you coming around another car or pulling out from a street with a hedge of bushes.
Bottom line for me is most days I enjoy rush hour trips in my 7 series but there's nothing like a sunny day in the country to let the Esprit stretch it's legs.
This makes every ride in the Esprit a treat. No screaming at the other guy to spoil the karma!
I had a '86 XJS and without a doubt that car was the most comfortable riding car I have ever been in. Going from the XJS into the Esprit for a everyday car would be a real wake-up! At this point I would keep the XJS and buy the Esprit for the nice days that you won't have to drive defensivly and watch every car around you (similar to driving a motorcycle). A lot of people can't see you coming around another car or pulling out from a street with a hedge of bushes.
Bottom line for me is most days I enjoy rush hour trips in my 7 series but there's nothing like a sunny day in the country to let the Esprit stretch it's legs.
This makes every ride in the Esprit a treat. No screaming at the other guy to spoil the karma!
f1ace said:
Can't wait to hear the words behind the smiles!
This one is easy, with me, its waking up in the morning and seeing her on the drive, the sheer joy of driving anywhere and anytime for no dam reason at all especially the Hoon, the roar of my exhaust in a tunnel, the look of envy on another car drivers face when you go past, the look of awe on a young child when they see the pop-ups, the stupid grin you make when your filling up with petrol, "pump no 9 mam, the Esprit", Pretty women "She corners like she's on rails" and above all the brotherhood that Espritism bonds us all together by
What do I like best? It would have to be the hordes of gorgeous women who throw themselves at me on a daily basis when they see my car.
Wait a minute, that never happens. Damn.
I guess in lieu of that then, it's the sheer speed and acceleration, the handling, the styling and the exclusivity.
Mike
Wait a minute, that never happens. Damn.
I guess in lieu of that then, it's the sheer speed and acceleration, the handling, the styling and the exclusivity.
Mike
Ive only had my 89SE about 6 months now and for the small amount of use it gets (always broke, or being painted) its the attention it gets what I love most. Ive always wanted a 300 sport since I was 13, now Im 24 and its as close as Im going to get ( will be when bodykit and spoiler arrive ). Havnt had a chance to see what they handle like yet with the weather always crap.
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