need a lotus/live in the US
Discussion
Got mine on eBay. You can also look at Hemmingsmotornews.com, collectorcartraderonline.com, cars.com, umm, the Lotus dealers (I suppose they have cars too, right? Never been to one, actually.) Saw one go at a police auction once. Subscribe to the Yahoo turboesprit list; there are always some posted there, including now.
Dr.Hess
Dr.Hess
well, i'm not exactly sure. i wanted a 87 turbo; big Bond fan(bond drove a 77' and 80' esprit though), but i'm not positive. the fact file is kinda discouraging. currently i am gathering as much information as i can.
what do you people do to keep your esprits in good condition, besides driving it? i hope to get a better understanding on reliability.
what do you people do to keep your esprits in good condition, besides driving it? i hope to get a better understanding on reliability.
Lunatic:
The Esprit SE (1989.5 in the US) and newere models are by far the most reliable. THe 1993.5 SE offers the more roomy interior and slightly better ventilation controls. The 1998 V8 ergonomics are modern but you give up some gaugues.
Driving the car and doing the recommended services according to a regualr schedule make a world of difference. Synthetic oil (Mobil-1, RedLine) for the turbo engine, sythetic trasmission fluid (I use RedLine MT90 in my 1999 V8) helps take care of the gearbox, annual coolant flush adn timing belt changes as called for all add up to long life. That being said they are NOT Hondas adn a good relationship with a Lotus mechanic is essential if you can't do it yourself.
Buy the best example you can afford. Do NOT take on a project car to save $$$ as they can kill the fun real fast as your wallet empties.
Mark
The Esprit SE (1989.5 in the US) and newere models are by far the most reliable. THe 1993.5 SE offers the more roomy interior and slightly better ventilation controls. The 1998 V8 ergonomics are modern but you give up some gaugues.
Driving the car and doing the recommended services according to a regualr schedule make a world of difference. Synthetic oil (Mobil-1, RedLine) for the turbo engine, sythetic trasmission fluid (I use RedLine MT90 in my 1999 V8) helps take care of the gearbox, annual coolant flush adn timing belt changes as called for all add up to long life. That being said they are NOT Hondas adn a good relationship with a Lotus mechanic is essential if you can't do it yourself.
Buy the best example you can afford. Do NOT take on a project car to save $$$ as they can kill the fun real fast as your wallet empties.
Mark
Lunatic:
I know what you mean when you say the Factfile is discouraging. I cant imagine ANYONE would want to pursue an Esprit after reading the fact file. Nonetheless, many do, just as I will as well in the next coming months. My plan is to have one by the near end of the upcoming winter. Cant really do it any sooner than that. But thats a realistic time frame I think to research, watch the market, see how many times the same Esprit is listed, get my finances in order etc etc
From sifting through message boards for a while now, the conclusion I have come to in terms of reliability and PROPER ownership is this:
Half the people say they have a ton of problems, one after another after another after another...
The other half seems not to have anymore problems than you would on any car 15 years old and always express that they feel the Esprit gets a bad reputation more than it really is.
The conclusion I myself came up with as I prepare my self for the 'Buyers Mindset', half of it is luck, the other half is having knowledge enough to not buy anything, or trust anything the seller says. Instead, find the Esprit(s) you are interested in, check it over, ask a ton of questions, bring a group member along if you can, send it to your nearest TRUSTED Lotus mechanic via the recommendation of an existing Lotus owner, and have it get a FULL check up. Make a list of whats wrong, or possibles. Then continue this process on a few Esprits and compare the lists with the selling price and see which one looks the best to negotiate on.
If there is one thing I know, it is this: If they dont have service records on the car, no matter how perfect it is, its best to stay away. All you need is a clutch, or the timing chain to go, and thats a wrap!! Your fun adventure is over, and you now have a nonmoving beautiful piece of art to be a paperweight in your garage.
It would be like getting your dream girl, and finding out she has an STD.... Oh yeah, and you just got through breaking her in LOL If that doesnt ruin your day, month, year, or life, I dont know what will!!
In conclusion, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND DO IT THROROUGHLY!
Personally, I plan to buy from a club member, as more than likely you can get a tremendous insight as to how well the car was maintained, what needs to be done if anything, and you will get the full list of what was done, when, by whom, and so on and so forth.
Lotus's on Ebay all seem to have one distinct characterstic..there sellers have NO idea about the car beyond ITS FAST AND BEAUTIFUL!!
I know what you mean when you say the Factfile is discouraging. I cant imagine ANYONE would want to pursue an Esprit after reading the fact file. Nonetheless, many do, just as I will as well in the next coming months. My plan is to have one by the near end of the upcoming winter. Cant really do it any sooner than that. But thats a realistic time frame I think to research, watch the market, see how many times the same Esprit is listed, get my finances in order etc etc
From sifting through message boards for a while now, the conclusion I have come to in terms of reliability and PROPER ownership is this:
Half the people say they have a ton of problems, one after another after another after another...
The other half seems not to have anymore problems than you would on any car 15 years old and always express that they feel the Esprit gets a bad reputation more than it really is.
The conclusion I myself came up with as I prepare my self for the 'Buyers Mindset', half of it is luck, the other half is having knowledge enough to not buy anything, or trust anything the seller says. Instead, find the Esprit(s) you are interested in, check it over, ask a ton of questions, bring a group member along if you can, send it to your nearest TRUSTED Lotus mechanic via the recommendation of an existing Lotus owner, and have it get a FULL check up. Make a list of whats wrong, or possibles. Then continue this process on a few Esprits and compare the lists with the selling price and see which one looks the best to negotiate on.
If there is one thing I know, it is this: If they dont have service records on the car, no matter how perfect it is, its best to stay away. All you need is a clutch, or the timing chain to go, and thats a wrap!! Your fun adventure is over, and you now have a nonmoving beautiful piece of art to be a paperweight in your garage.
It would be like getting your dream girl, and finding out she has an STD.... Oh yeah, and you just got through breaking her in LOL If that doesnt ruin your day, month, year, or life, I dont know what will!!
In conclusion, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND DO IT THROROUGHLY!
Personally, I plan to buy from a club member, as more than likely you can get a tremendous insight as to how well the car was maintained, what needs to be done if anything, and you will get the full list of what was done, when, by whom, and so on and so forth.
Lotus's on Ebay all seem to have one distinct characterstic..there sellers have NO idea about the car beyond ITS FAST AND BEAUTIFUL!!
Lunatic, I was also looking for an 87 G-type--found one & I couldn't be happier. Keep looking & check records on what you find. My car needed a clutch & all belts changed. I could also see that it had been re-sprayed due to fiberglass "spiderwebing". Despite these issues, I couldn't be happier w/my esprit. Has 41,000 mi., starts on first crank, does not lose a drop of oil, fastest veh. I have ever driven, etc. I'm no lotus expert, but due to the comparatively small operation/production numbers, maybe some lotuses are "hit & miss". I guess if you get a lemon, it may be a real bad lemon--don't know; I do know if you get a good one--it's real good! Keep looking.
Lunatic check believe it or not autotrader.com There is a subcategory, collectorcars I believe it is called. Also get in the ear of a high end dealer in your area. they may know of someone who is looking to move there car. That is how I got hold of my 94 s4. It is for sale but I am sure I wouold be asking way to much. 
JRJAJS
JRJAJS
Prior to buying my 88 Turbo, I read as much as I could on the fact file. I ran across and ad thru Piston Heads in January, and ended up buying the vehicle. The owner seemed upfront about a couple of issues, and was able to produce service records. All SEEMED to be inorder. Shortly after getting it home, all seemed to go to h*ll. After three rather pricey trips to the Lotus dealer, it does seem to be running pretty good. I seem to have a few oil leaks, but with it being British almost expect that.
I'm not sure the dealer route is necessarily the safest way to go. I had made contact with the local dealer, but ended up buying privately. I have gone back to the dealer for service, and can't say I'm entirely happy. First service was for hydraulic repairs on the clutch slave cylinder. Had the car a short time and the throwout bearing and master cylinder went. After a $5,400 repair bill, got the car back with a leaking radiator! Needless to say, I'm unimpressed with their "service".
Now that I've had the car (in my posession and not in being repaired) for a few months I'm still trying to decide if I made the right decision. I love the looks of the car, accept some of it's short comings (entry/exit, visability, turbo lag, and the other typical Lotus things), however it does seem to be a handful around town. Will I hang on to it? Guess only time will tell.
Kevin
88 turbo
I'm not sure the dealer route is necessarily the safest way to go. I had made contact with the local dealer, but ended up buying privately. I have gone back to the dealer for service, and can't say I'm entirely happy. First service was for hydraulic repairs on the clutch slave cylinder. Had the car a short time and the throwout bearing and master cylinder went. After a $5,400 repair bill, got the car back with a leaking radiator! Needless to say, I'm unimpressed with their "service".
Now that I've had the car (in my posession and not in being repaired) for a few months I'm still trying to decide if I made the right decision. I love the looks of the car, accept some of it's short comings (entry/exit, visability, turbo lag, and the other typical Lotus things), however it does seem to be a handful around town. Will I hang on to it? Guess only time will tell.
Kevin
88 turbo
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