Need help finding a 91 Lotus

[mcurbo]

Hello - I have been reading and looking for about two months now. I have finally decided on a 91 model preferrably white with tan interior.

The only one I have seen looks beautiful, but has blue interior and the dealer wants $24,500. I don't think they are going to come off the price much, if any. I could live with the interior, but I feel the price is on the high side.

I need some suggestions of other places where people would list these cars for sale in the US. Here is what I am using right now:

Ebay
Lotus Esprit World
Online Auto
this site (PistonHeads)
Collector Car Trader Online
Autohopper
The Car Experience
World Wide Wheels

If anyone has any other suggestions, they would be much appreciated...

Thanks
Mike

[madmike]

Get on the Yahoo groups "turboesprit" list. It is the largest collection of Esprit owners in the country, and they can surely help you out.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/

BTW, where in the US are you located?

Mike

>> Edited by madmike on Sunday 15th February 16:07

[madmike]

Oh, and one small word of advice, if you can wait until you find a white 91 w/tan interior in good shape for the right price, then by all means stick to your guns.

However, if you are itching to get one soon, don't let that be a concrete criteria. A well sorted car for a good price (from that year) will make you very happy regardless of color if you'd like one soon.

According to KFMs www.espritfactfile.com site, 107 Esprits were sold in the US in 1991.

[95lotus]

There are some Esprits (46 currently) at www.dupontregistry.com in the autos->exotic/sports->Lotus section. There's a 91 that matches the description of the one you found w/20K miles on it listed for $24,950.

good luck!
Bill '95 S4S

[lotusguy]

mcurbo said:

Hello - I have been reading and looking for about two months now. I have finally decided on a 91 model preferrably white with tan interior. The only one I have seen looks beautiful, but has blue interior and the dealer wants $24,500. I don't think they are going to come off the price much, if any. I could live with the interior, but I feel the price is on the high side. I need some suggestions of other places where people would list these cars for sale in the US. Here is what I am using right now: Ebay Lotus Esprit World Online Auto this site (PistonHeads) Collector Car Trader Online Autohopper The Car Experience World Wide Wheels If anyone has any other suggestions, they would be much appreciated... Thanks Mike

Hi,

You've gotten a lot of good advise so far. But, if the one you've found for 24.5 will do it for you, go into the dealership and offer them $21K one time deal or you're walking away. Tell them you've found another, more desireable one out of state for $20K, but would rather not buy remotely, go through the hassle of shiipping etc. without first making an offer on this local car. Get your bank already lined up and offer to write the dealer a check there and then for $21k, you could very well be surprised at their answer. To a dealer, any car is nothing more than a unit, it's very difficult for them to pass on an instant sale for a couple thou difference. Besides, if they won't take that, they're bound to come back with another figure, you counter again and you'll probably meet in the middle.

Also, check Hemmings - www.hemmings.com . there are several Esprits listed there currently. Good Luck! Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE

[mcurbo]

Thanks everyone for the help so far...

Madmike - I am in Arkansas. I had seen The Eprit Fact File's numbers on production, and that is honestly one of the things that led me to choose the 91 over the 89 1/2 through 90 models.

95Lotus - That is the same car I was talking about. I have spoken with the dealer a few times, and he has sent me some interior pics. He has been trying to put the previous owner and myself in contact, but so far it hasn't happened. I have been able to get some basic info as far as timing belt being changed and such, but I really would like to talk to the PO.

lotusguy - The bank is lined out. There is a few things that have to be moved around and signed, but I basically have the money available to me within about 3 days of contacting them. I like the idea of offering them $21,000, and to be honest I would probably jump all over that, but they are about 1100 miles away, and I wouldn't imagine a dealer would care much to haggle over the price without being face to face.

Ironically, I actually found one through a nationwide classifieds search while I was waiting on a response to my post. It is actually PERFECT, at least in writing and pictures! It is red on tan. I had basically decided on white, as that seemed to be about all I was finding, but the red would be great. It has basically the same amount of miles as the white one, and is located a lot closer (6 hours away). i intend on calling the dealer first thing tomorrow to see if it is still available. If all works out, maybe I will be driving it home this Saturday.

Thanks again for all the suggestions/help.

Mike

[dr.hess]

Hey Mike,
Where you at in Arkansas? I am near Fayetteville.

Dr.Hess

[mcurbo]

dr.hess said:

Hey Mike, Where you at in Arkansas? I am near Fayetteville. Dr.Hess

I am from Little Rock, but living in Batesville at the present... Good to hear from a Lotus owner in the state. It has been a lomg while since my first drive in a Lotus, but at the time, there were only seven registered in the state...

Are you using Blair's for service, or are you going out of state?

Thanks - Mike

[dr.hess]

I do all my own service. There is at least one Esprit in LR that I know of. Some in Memphis too. Stop on by when you are in the neighborhood.

Dr.Hess

[cnh1990]

Only thing is the 91's has those nasty ABS brakes everyone dislikes. A 89 1/2-90 will out turn a 91 if it brakes on the washboards or loose gravel. If you follow a pre ABS car with a 91 or later they could find themselves mowing the grass off the apron.

Calvin