Esprit V8 - Will I be disappointed?

[Lee Jones Jnr]

the av8er said:

My advice. DON'T BUY ONE.
When buying a garage toy, track toy or "hobby" car. The sort of thing that's not your main transport.
The mental process is very different to that of choosing a regular car.
The desire outweighs everything else and you can't help yourself !! You obviously don't feel that way.

I want a MP4 -12 and looked at a few. There is a loud voice in my head warning me of the possible doom of reliability.
The fact that I spend too much time considering this issue tells me that I don't want it bad enough because if I did I would be ignoring this voice.

If your considering your negative thoughts on this issue....... Find something else.
if you find its performance too pedestrian for you ....... Find something else.
If your not totally smitten with Lotus ....... Find something else.

You obviously are not going to feel that owning an Esprit V8 is a privilege, therefore I would prefer you FIND SOMETHING ELSE !!

They are far to special and rare to be owned by someone who isn't a complete obsessed, lunatic of a fan and that's clearly not you!!

What a strange response.
I assume you’ll understand that someone thinking I don’t deserve one isn’t going to be an issue and it will still be decided by how old/creaky it feels to drive. If I feel it’s not enjoyable then I will settle with thinking they look great when I see them around. If I think the drive is okay then it won’t concern me at all that for some reason you don’t think I should be allowed a car that I’ve loved since I was a wee boy.
Coincidentally I’m also in the market for a McLaren but I’ve been looking at the 570S.

[the av8er]

You'll much prefer the 570, after all it's much quicker, faster, newer and better screwed together. Oh ! And you can get a comprehensive warranty. PERFECT !!

[Oilchange]

Whatever you do, don't decide for yourself.
Just take his advice and you’ll be fine.

[Terminator X]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

Having recently been drawn into a Lotus thread I have been reminiscing about one of my childhood heroes, the Lotus Esprit.
It seems like a late ish V8 would be the one for me, still quick ish, as modern an interior as they got and to my eyes anything from 88 onwards looks the way I remember them externally.
There are a couple of blue ones on the market at an affordable price which I will go and look at on the other side.
What I really want to know is, will I be disappointed when I drive one? Are they a reasonable drive or are they a bit agricultural?
I realise that anyone posting on here is likely to love them anyway and say they are great. For context I had a 360 Modena when I was 27 and it was a bit of a shock how old school that was to drive but it was acceptable, is an Esprit likely to be similar? better? worse?

True story bro, as a youngish lad I worked on the Royal College of Art when it was being refurbished in 1990. They had a lot of beautiful stonework that needed bringing up to scratch so a stonemason was employed. No joke this guy turned up at 11am and left after just 2hrs, that was his "full day". Mode of transport ... Lotus Esprit! So envious of that guy at the time

TX.

[Lee Jones Jnr]

the av8er said:

You'll much prefer the 570, after all it's much quicker, faster, newer and better screwed together. Oh ! And you can get a comprehensive warranty. PERFECT !!

Splendid, I’m sure I’ll do more miles in it than the Esprit

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Oilchange said:

Whatever you do, don't decide for yourself.
Just take his advice and you’ll be fine.

I suppose it was a waste of time posting in the first place really as it was always going to be ‘how do I feel about the drive’, but I thought that getting a bit of chit chat about it during lockdown might be nice.

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Terminator X said:

Lee Jones Jnr said:

Having recently been drawn into a Lotus thread I have been reminiscing about one of my childhood heroes, the Lotus Esprit.
It seems like a late ish V8 would be the one for me, still quick ish, as modern an interior as they got and to my eyes anything from 88 onwards looks the way I remember them externally.
There are a couple of blue ones on the market at an affordable price which I will go and look at on the other side.
What I really want to know is, will I be disappointed when I drive one? Are they a reasonable drive or are they a bit agricultural?
I realise that anyone posting on here is likely to love them anyway and say they are great. For context I had a 360 Modena when I was 27 and it was a bit of a shock how old school that was to drive but it was acceptable, is an Esprit likely to be similar? better? worse?

True story bro, as a youngish lad I worked on the Royal College of Art when it was being refurbished in 1990. They had a lot of beautiful stonework that needed bringing up to scratch so a stonemason was employed. No joke this guy turned up at 11am and left after just 2hrs, that was his "full day". Mode of transport ... Lotus Esprit! So envious of that guy at the time

TX.

The benefit of having a skill I suppose.
Unfortunately the lord didn’t see fit to bless me any skills, intelligence or natural ability

[nvubu]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

I’m 100% unsure if I want to buy one, because as I have said it’s now a very old car and I won’t enjoy driving it if it feels absolutely ancient. If a ‘98 or ‘99 car feels like a ‘98 or ‘99 car that will be liveable, but of course I’m aware that much of the car was already very old by that point, and asked the question at a time when it was unclear when I’d be able to get out and actually try one.
Of course essentially no matter what anyone said it wouldn’t have made a great difference as firstly on a lotus forum views will be weighted positively and secondly I’m well aware that opinions vary. For example (this is not the start of an argument) to me an Esprit isn’t a Supercar and by today’s standards it’s not big, heavy or a very fast and powerful continent crusher.
I’m 36 years old so can remember being a child and Esprits being a really impressive, beautiful sports car. I still thing they look fantastic and if they are ok to drive then that’s great.

I've owned my (4 cyl) Turbo Esprit for 33 years next month - it's 38 years old. I drive it today exactly the same as I did in 1987, so I'd say no, it doesn't feel ancient. It was a supercar back in the day - maybe not so by today's standards, as it has less HP than your average hot hatch. However, it's looks today are as dramatic, if not more so, than any other supercar out there.



My advice, go out and drive one and see how you feel after doing so.

[Oilchange]

I never judge a supercar by the hp and 0-60 etc. Its about the image and the ‘elan’. A supercar can be old, new, fast, not so fast, loved, hated. What it has to be though is a bit rare and ultimately respected.
Had my 4pot for almost as long, got it in 1999. Am waiting for the lockdown to ease too so I can stretch it’s legs...

Edited by Oilchange on Sunday 31st May 08:14

[Lee Jones Jnr]

nvubu said:

Lee Jones Jnr said:

I’m 100% unsure if I want to buy one, because as I have said it’s now a very old car and I won’t enjoy driving it if it feels absolutely ancient. If a ‘98 or ‘99 car feels like a ‘98 or ‘99 car that will be liveable, but of course I’m aware that much of the car was already very old by that point, and asked the question at a time when it was unclear when I’d be able to get out and actually try one.
Of course essentially no matter what anyone said it wouldn’t have made a great difference as firstly on a lotus forum views will be weighted positively and secondly I’m well aware that opinions vary. For example (this is not the start of an argument) to me an Esprit isn’t a Supercar and by today’s standards it’s not big, heavy or a very fast and powerful continent crusher.
I’m 36 years old so can remember being a child and Esprits being a really impressive, beautiful sports car. I still thing they look fantastic and if they are ok to drive then that’s great.

I've owned my (4 cyl) Turbo Esprit for 33 years next month - it's 38 years old. I drive it today exactly the same as I did in 1987, so I'd say no, it doesn't feel ancient. It was a supercar back in the day - maybe not so by today's standards, as it has less HP than your average hot hatch. However, it's looks today are as dramatic, if not more so, than any other supercar out there.



My advice, go out and drive one and see how you feel after doing so.

Thankyou for the reply, that’s exactly what I shall do!

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Oilchange said:

I never judge a supercar by the hp and 0-60 etc. Its about the image and the ‘elan’. A supercar can be old, new, fast, not so fast, loved, hated. What it has to be though is a bit rare and ultimately respected.
Had my 4pot for almost as long, got it in 1999. Am waiting for the lockdown to ease too so I can stretch it’s legs...

Edited by Oilchange on Sunday 31st May 08:14

I agree with your concept of ‘what is a Supercar’ and I don’t say that an Esprit is not a supercar to provoke or upset anyone and I certainly wouldn’t argue about it. I suppose I see it a bit like the R8 of its day. I don’t consider it a supercar but I’m fine with people that do and don’t have any desire to debate it.
Your car looks great.
Amusing use of the word ‘elan’.

[nvubu]

Oilchange said:

I
Had my 4pot for almost as long, got it in 1999. Am waiting for the lockdown to ease too so I can stretch it’s legs...

Mine is coming off SORN tomorrow.

[Oilchange]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

I agree with your concept of ‘what is a Supercar’ and I don’t say that an Esprit is not a supercar to provoke or upset anyone and I certainly wouldn’t argue about it. I suppose I see it a bit like the R8 of its day. I don’t consider it a supercar but I’m fine with people that do and don’t have any desire to debate it.
Your car looks great.
Amusing use of the word ‘elan’.

Yeah, all these cars are supercars but they can still be disliked for one reason or another which creates the squabbling.
I was going to use panache but...

[Terminator X]

nvubu said:

I've owned my (4 cyl) Turbo Esprit for 33 years next month - it's 38 years old. I drive it today exactly the same as I did in 1987, so I'd say no, it doesn't feel ancient. It was a supercar back in the day - maybe not so by today's standards, as it has less HP than your average hot hatch. However, it's looks today are as dramatic, if not more so, than any other supercar out there.



My advice, go out and drive one and see how you feel after doing so.

Damn that still looks amazing! 33 years ago you must have felt like James Bond.

TX.

[nvubu]

Terminator X said:

you must have felt like James Bond.

Still do

Out of SORN, off to work in it this morning

[Bob-iylho]

Mine drives like an old car, but I love it and it handles well. Had an Evora before this, the Esprit makes me smile more.
41 years old, aged well in my opinion

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Bob-iylho said:

Mine drives like an old car, but I love it and it handles well. Had an Evora before this, the Esprit makes me smile more.
41 years old, aged well in my opinion

Have you driven a ‘98-‘99 car for comparison?

[BigMon]

Loving these pictures. They still look amazing even after all these years.

I'd love one, but I'm 6ft 6 and the memory of me sitting in an 'F' reg one are still fresh. I also 'sat' in a Countach at the same time and that was equally amusing to the owner.

I'll just look at them longingly.

[Bob-iylho]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

Have you driven a ‘98-‘99 car for comparison?

Test drove an S4s which is mid 90's, much quicker car than mine but I just love the JPS.
It appeals to me that it is an old car and doesn't drive like a modern car.

[phumy]

I loved my `96 V8 it was a great drive, had a few niggles with it but soon fixed those.