What to look for?
Discussion
Hello I`m going to look at an earlier car S2/S3 and cannot find much in the way of buying guides and what to look out for.
Is anyone aware of any guides or could advise? I am aware of cambelt servicing and coolant systems being of importance. I guess essentially they are fairly simple cars but prone to Lotus gremlins although I guess most will have been sorted in the last 35 years or so!
Is anyone aware of any guides or could advise? I am aware of cambelt servicing and coolant systems being of importance. I guess essentially they are fairly simple cars but prone to Lotus gremlins although I guess most will have been sorted in the last 35 years or so!
Iconic car but do your homework properly and take the time to find the right example for you,bought my S3 N/A last year and currently steadily working through the list of jobs that need doing. Parts backup has been excellent which suprised me for a 40 year old Lotus! Price wise I'd say around 15-20k for a 'going concern' project and 20-40k for a nicely sorted example.
Edited by evojam on Thursday 13th May 19:59
Lots of info on Lotus Esprit World and the Lotus Forums, every element / aspect of ownership covered. I’ve had a couple of Esprits with my latest in a series of boxes needing full restoration, if you can have a specialist check the car over that would be my advice.
It helps if you are handy in terms of mechanics, not complicated cars but need attention to keep them going.
Happy to speak to you if you’d like to talk through ownership, I’ve run Esprits for a number of years and have a deep passion for them still! The knowledge on the forums still makes me look like an amateur though, pretty much every aspect of ownership is covered.....
It helps if you are handy in terms of mechanics, not complicated cars but need attention to keep them going.
Happy to speak to you if you’d like to talk through ownership, I’ve run Esprits for a number of years and have a deep passion for them still! The knowledge on the forums still makes me look like an amateur though, pretty much every aspect of ownership is covered.....
Thanks for all your inputs.
Well not one to muck about I bought the first one I saw!! ha ha. I got it for a decent price so I am prepared to spend a bit if I have to.
Anyhow it is basically a good S3 with an excellent chassis and suspension. The engine starts on the button and runs very well with no blue or black smoke on start up. I did notice oil traces underneath the engine although it does not drop oil overnight but there is a leak/weap from around the rocker covers. The engine has done 58,000 miles and I`d be surprised if a car of this era were bone dry, and besides a bit of oil on a chassis can only be a good thing. The car also has a recent alternator and has had regular light use over the last 3 years, infact looking at the MOT certificates, more like the last 20 years! The interior is in good condition.
It has a recent radiator and hoses and the cooling system works fine without leaks...I drove 150 miles yesterday without any overheating issues, including a spell through Coventry in heavy traffic.
The negatives apart from the oil leak was that it consumed about a litre of oil on a mostly motorway speed drive home...and I did extend it a bit for the last few miles where it became turbine like smooth (whilst far from being a rocket ship by todays standards, I was surprised how well it actually went after you`ve found the end of the throttle travel!)...I`m guessing this is mostly leakage but then these engines might use oil normally? The gearchange is decent enough but the clutch may be on the way out although it might simply be adjustment?? The carbs need some sort of a tune up...its running fine but is running rich. There are some minor issues like some of the light bulbs need replacing and the front wheels need balancing. Overall I`m pleased, and it looks the dogs!
I live in South Norfolk...can anyone advise any decent specialists around as I would like the car to be thoroughly serviced. Stratton motors are no doubt very good, but they know how to charge, so are there any other recommendations.
I will look at the other forums you`ve mentioned.
Well not one to muck about I bought the first one I saw!! ha ha. I got it for a decent price so I am prepared to spend a bit if I have to.
Anyhow it is basically a good S3 with an excellent chassis and suspension. The engine starts on the button and runs very well with no blue or black smoke on start up. I did notice oil traces underneath the engine although it does not drop oil overnight but there is a leak/weap from around the rocker covers. The engine has done 58,000 miles and I`d be surprised if a car of this era were bone dry, and besides a bit of oil on a chassis can only be a good thing. The car also has a recent alternator and has had regular light use over the last 3 years, infact looking at the MOT certificates, more like the last 20 years! The interior is in good condition.
It has a recent radiator and hoses and the cooling system works fine without leaks...I drove 150 miles yesterday without any overheating issues, including a spell through Coventry in heavy traffic.
The negatives apart from the oil leak was that it consumed about a litre of oil on a mostly motorway speed drive home...and I did extend it a bit for the last few miles where it became turbine like smooth (whilst far from being a rocket ship by todays standards, I was surprised how well it actually went after you`ve found the end of the throttle travel!)...I`m guessing this is mostly leakage but then these engines might use oil normally? The gearchange is decent enough but the clutch may be on the way out although it might simply be adjustment?? The carbs need some sort of a tune up...its running fine but is running rich. There are some minor issues like some of the light bulbs need replacing and the front wheels need balancing. Overall I`m pleased, and it looks the dogs!
I live in South Norfolk...can anyone advise any decent specialists around as I would like the car to be thoroughly serviced. Stratton motors are no doubt very good, but they know how to charge, so are there any other recommendations.
I will look at the other forums you`ve mentioned.
Cheap Esprits are never kind mistresses. CTE said:
Thanks for all your inputs.
Well not one to muck about I bought the first one I saw!! ha ha. I got it for a decent price so I am prepared to spend a bit if I have to.
Anyhow it is basically a good S3 with an excellent chassis and suspension. The engine starts on the button and runs very well with no blue or black smoke on start up. I did notice oil traces underneath the engine although it does not drop oil overnight but there is a leak/weap from around the rocker covers. The engine has done 58,000 miles and I`d be surprised if a car of this era were bone dry, and besides a bit of oil on a chassis can only be a good thing. The car also has a recent alternator and has had regular light use over the last 3 years, infact looking at the MOT certificates, more like the last 20 years! The interior is in good condition.
It has a recent radiator and hoses and the cooling system works fine without leaks...I drove 150 miles yesterday without any overheating issues, including a spell through Coventry in heavy traffic.
The negatives apart from the oil leak was that it consumed about a litre of oil on a mostly motorway speed drive home...and I did extend it a bit for the last few miles where it became turbine like smooth (whilst far from being a rocket ship by todays standards, I was surprised how well it actually went after you`ve found the end of the throttle travel!)...I`m guessing this is mostly leakage but then these engines might use oil normally? The gearchange is decent enough but the clutch may be on the way out although it might simply be adjustment?? The carbs need some sort of a tune up...its running fine but is running rich. There are some minor issues like some of the light bulbs need replacing and the front wheels need balancing. Overall I`m pleased, and it looks the dogs!
I live in South Norfolk...can anyone advise any decent specialists around as I would like the car to be thoroughly serviced. Stratton motors are no doubt very good, but they know how to charge, so are there any other recommendations.
I will look at the other forums you`ve mentioned.
Congrats on the purchase. Any photos ?Well not one to muck about I bought the first one I saw!! ha ha. I got it for a decent price so I am prepared to spend a bit if I have to.
Anyhow it is basically a good S3 with an excellent chassis and suspension. The engine starts on the button and runs very well with no blue or black smoke on start up. I did notice oil traces underneath the engine although it does not drop oil overnight but there is a leak/weap from around the rocker covers. The engine has done 58,000 miles and I`d be surprised if a car of this era were bone dry, and besides a bit of oil on a chassis can only be a good thing. The car also has a recent alternator and has had regular light use over the last 3 years, infact looking at the MOT certificates, more like the last 20 years! The interior is in good condition.
It has a recent radiator and hoses and the cooling system works fine without leaks...I drove 150 miles yesterday without any overheating issues, including a spell through Coventry in heavy traffic.
The negatives apart from the oil leak was that it consumed about a litre of oil on a mostly motorway speed drive home...and I did extend it a bit for the last few miles where it became turbine like smooth (whilst far from being a rocket ship by todays standards, I was surprised how well it actually went after you`ve found the end of the throttle travel!)...I`m guessing this is mostly leakage but then these engines might use oil normally? The gearchange is decent enough but the clutch may be on the way out although it might simply be adjustment?? The carbs need some sort of a tune up...its running fine but is running rich. There are some minor issues like some of the light bulbs need replacing and the front wheels need balancing. Overall I`m pleased, and it looks the dogs!
I live in South Norfolk...can anyone advise any decent specialists around as I would like the car to be thoroughly serviced. Stratton motors are no doubt very good, but they know how to charge, so are there any other recommendations.
I will look at the other forums you`ve mentioned.
Cambelt is being changed along with major service. Engine runs beautifully and fuel lines have been replaced but I have a nagging doubt about the carburettor diaphragms and the potential for fire due to leaks, or am I concerned about nothing really? I`ve been told the car has been run regularly...
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