1989 Esprit history anyone?
Discussion
Hi everyone, anybody know about this car, I first saw it in the dealership in Bayside (Queens), NY in person and on collector car trader online for $24K, and later in dupont registry for $18K which struck me as a little suspicious. The dealer website later listed it as sold and it disappeared from collector car trader online. Yet once again it has been relisted on Collector car trader for $24K by the same dealership, I have yet to drive by the dealership to confirm it's presence. The website address for the dealership is
http://bimmers-benz.com//bb/dealer/index.html
the car is the red 1989 esprit turbo non se. This kind of sketchy popping-up makes me more than a little suspicious, but who knows maybe it's a good car if anyone knows about it. If anyone would know anything about this particular car's history it'd be you good folks. Thanks for reading my post, stay safe everyone.
>>> Edited by medic327 on Saturday 31st July 00:10
>>> Edited by medic327 on Saturday 31st July 00:12
>>> Edited by medic327 on Saturday 31st July 00:13
>>> Edited by medic327 on Saturday 31st July 00:14
http://bimmers-benz.com//bb/dealer/index.html
the car is the red 1989 esprit turbo non se. This kind of sketchy popping-up makes me more than a little suspicious, but who knows maybe it's a good car if anyone knows about it. If anyone would know anything about this particular car's history it'd be you good folks. Thanks for reading my post, stay safe everyone.
>>> Edited by medic327 on Saturday 31st July 00:10
>>> Edited by medic327 on Saturday 31st July 00:12
>>> Edited by medic327 on Saturday 31st July 00:13
>>> Edited by medic327 on Saturday 31st July 00:14
Can't help you on the history, but 25K is waaaayyy to much for an 89 Non-SE 
I sold my 88 (26K miles and all history) for around 18 if memory serves, about 6 months ago. I'm on the hunt for an SE, and prices seem to be in the 18-25 range for the 89.5-93 cars, depending on part of the country.
James
I sold my 88 (26K miles and all history) for around 18 if memory serves, about 6 months ago. I'm on the hunt for an SE, and prices seem to be in the 18-25 range for the 89.5-93 cars, depending on part of the country.
James
I'll agree with James. That does seem a bit high. Prices seem to be climbing a bit the past couple months (I look at this stuff 'cause I have developed a habit), but I'd personally 'top out' at 23 WITH a service history on a non SE. And I mean TOPS.
Can't hurt to go by the dealer and see what they have to say and offer in the way of history. If it is on the up n' up, they should give you the name of the previous owner... and not mind if you contact them. If they will not do that, something is up. Get the registry and do it yourself if you have the time. Could be worth it doing?...
I'll look at the site and see if I can turn up some info and post...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Oh well... the price is ALWAYs what someone is willing to pay. I looked on the site and called the dealership...
The car sold for 24,000.00 and tax. Maybe the new owner will turn up on the board?
Cameron
>> Edited by Autocross7 on Saturday 31st July 21:59
Can't hurt to go by the dealer and see what they have to say and offer in the way of history. If it is on the up n' up, they should give you the name of the previous owner... and not mind if you contact them. If they will not do that, something is up. Get the registry and do it yourself if you have the time. Could be worth it doing?...
I'll look at the site and see if I can turn up some info and post...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Oh well... the price is ALWAYs what someone is willing to pay. I looked on the site and called the dealership...
The car sold for 24,000.00 and tax. Maybe the new owner will turn up on the board?
Cameron
>> Edited by Autocross7 on Saturday 31st July 21:59
Lotusacbc said:
Wow, what a crock of shit. They sold a 1993 Jim Clark SE Esprit for 55k!!
Yep... I saw that. Like I said. The price it whatever people will pay. And... the prices are really jumping up there from dealerships the last couple months.
Drive topless!!!
PS: Anyone interested in giving me 28 or 30 for my 88' Turbo????
Hahahahaha....
Cameron
I don't see the esprit making a large leap in value that fast. Yes the end has come for the Esprit line, but the market of potential lotus owners is still very small. I mean, 90% of the population doesn't even know what/who Lotus is
Don't always go by what a dealer tells you something sold for either. Kinda like properties... sometimes the deals are done high on paper (too keep other values up, or keep the sellers "normal prices" in ballance), but the real price was much lower.
24K for an 89 non SE with that kind of miles is just tooo high IMHO. But, a car is only worth what someone is willing to pay I suppose.
James
Don't always go by what a dealer tells you something sold for either. Kinda like properties... sometimes the deals are done high on paper (too keep other values up, or keep the sellers "normal prices" in ballance), but the real price was much lower.
24K for an 89 non SE with that kind of miles is just tooo high IMHO. But, a car is only worth what someone is willing to pay I suppose.
James
Thanks alot for the great posts everyone I appreciate you good folks taking the time out to look at this car! Just going by the research and the numbers I've looked at elsewhere I thought $24K was quite a bit of money for an 89 non-SE, especially one that seems to disappear and reappear. I'm spending some time getting to know the Lotus mark before jumping in to anything I don't really understand. I'd like to purchase one when I finish med school 12 months from now, so I'm really starting to look around now for just the right car. Stay Safe everyone!
Medic, I'm probably one of the newest members on the board, just bought a 89 Non SE last month.
The good stuff
- It had 49k on it
- service history going back to about 4 years. Bills totalling about 10k in maintenance
- totally clean Carfax history
- Cam belt replaced in 2002
- New clutch last year
- flawless canary yellow exterior(minor rock chips on the front) although previously the car was red.
- upgraded spoiler
- upgraded 17" wheels
- turns on everytime and idles at a bit less than 1k
- AC is cold
- pulls very strongly.
That was the good stuff.
The bad stuff:
- minor creakes and rattles
- some interior leather cracking (around the dash area)
- screws missing here and there
- one of the AC vents doesn't work (dunno why..)
- needs a wheel balance and alignment
- needs (I want to do it, although the car drives perfectly well) a complete fluid service, spark plugs, wires etc etc.
- There's some exhaust leak, gotta check it out.
I paid 18k, I'm in Maryland, the car was in Indiana. Maybe this will help you decide..
The good stuff
- It had 49k on it
- service history going back to about 4 years. Bills totalling about 10k in maintenance
- totally clean Carfax history
- Cam belt replaced in 2002
- New clutch last year
- flawless canary yellow exterior(minor rock chips on the front) although previously the car was red.
- upgraded spoiler
- upgraded 17" wheels
- turns on everytime and idles at a bit less than 1k
- AC is cold
- pulls very strongly.
That was the good stuff.
The bad stuff:
- minor creakes and rattles
- some interior leather cracking (around the dash area)
- screws missing here and there
- one of the AC vents doesn't work (dunno why..)
- needs a wheel balance and alignment
- needs (I want to do it, although the car drives perfectly well) a complete fluid service, spark plugs, wires etc etc.
- There's some exhaust leak, gotta check it out.
I paid 18k, I'm in Maryland, the car was in Indiana. Maybe this will help you decide..
Hey Kapone,
Congratulations on your new Lotus, I hope you enjoy it in good health. By the general consensus on this forum it seems that the Esprits being sold by this dealer in Queens are pretty over-priced. Thank You for the stats on your car, it's quite helpful as it lets me get a sense for the market values of the Esprit. I'm still looking around for the right vehicle and taking the time to educate myself about the marque. I very thankful for any valuable advice I can get from good owners. Anybody have any ideas where I can sample a ride here in metro New York? Stay Safe everyone!
Congratulations on your new Lotus, I hope you enjoy it in good health. By the general consensus on this forum it seems that the Esprits being sold by this dealer in Queens are pretty over-priced. Thank You for the stats on your car, it's quite helpful as it lets me get a sense for the market values of the Esprit. I'm still looking around for the right vehicle and taking the time to educate myself about the marque. I very thankful for any valuable advice I can get from good owners. Anybody have any ideas where I can sample a ride here in metro New York? Stay Safe everyone!
Medic, I'll be in New York later this month for a few days (in Manhattan). I'll be happy to let you take a test drive. (But, you break it, you buy it..)
lemme know (kappu@hotmail.com).
Kap.
89 Non SE
BTW, off topic, but I lived in New York for quite a few years, and generally, most dealers in Queens are rip-offs, either the cars are over priced, bad under pinnings with spruced up exteriors, or just plain shabby. Must be something to do with the NY market. I'd look outside the NY Metro area, if I were you, especially the West Coast, as the cars there are generally much cleaner, no rock salt damage, driven mostly on highways etc etc. My $.02.
>> Edited by kapone on Wednesday 4th August 12:12
) lemme know (kappu@hotmail.com).
Kap.
89 Non SE
BTW, off topic, but I lived in New York for quite a few years, and generally, most dealers in Queens are rip-offs, either the cars are over priced, bad under pinnings with spruced up exteriors, or just plain shabby. Must be something to do with the NY market. I'd look outside the NY Metro area, if I were you, especially the West Coast, as the cars there are generally much cleaner, no rock salt damage, driven mostly on highways etc etc. My $.02.
>> Edited by kapone on Wednesday 4th August 12:12
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