No 2004 Esprit's Allowed in Massachusetts

[Lotusm10024]

I heard a rumor that the later 2003/2004 Esprit's are not allowed to be registered in Massachusetts because they have a high torque ECU that makes them fail the high Mass emissions standards. I am currently looking at an Esprit built in December of 2003. Does anyone know when the cut off is when they switched over to the higher torque ECU? Anyone else have this issue in those tough emission states. Thanks.

[karmavore]

You cann't just swap the chip with the old one for testing purposes?

[xjsjag]

Sounds like a load of crap! I never heard of such a thing. If you get one that's set up for the California emissions, which is the toughest in the country, I just can't believe Mass won't accept it! What does the dealer say? Call Lotus direct and ask them what you can do.

[Muck Savage]

I know Mike at Michael's Motorsports is also a licensed state inspector and can do stickers. He can tell you for sure, but sounds like horse poo to me.

Contact details at www.michaelsmotorsports.com

michael.

[karlfranz]

This is actually partially true, but it has nothing to do with the ECU being "high torque". Changes made in certain state's emissions laws (notably California)prevented the 2004 Esprits from being sold in them. In some cases the cars were simply sold as 2003.5MY cars to get around the laws. I believe you can still register any of these cars in those states as long as they pass emisions, you just couldn't buy them there. Not living in one of those states, I could be mistaken on this though.

The changes required to make them legal would have involved rewriting parts of the ECU code. Since only 33 cars were going to be built before the Esprit production ceased, Lotus decided it was not worth the engineering expense.

Cheers,

Karl-Franz
www.espritfactfile.com

[feffman]

You can buy a 2003 1/2 and get essentially the same car sans the tire pressure sensor system and it will be OK in Massachussetts.

Mark

[Autocross7]

I submit that the following is only my thought...

BUT... in all my travels I have determined Mass. is almost as full of crap as Cali. with regards to the government and people's rights. In fact, I feel very much like I'm in a sci-fi novel where everything "looks normal", but there is this "big brother" out there waiting to stop anyone from good times and free spirits (well, Ted likes the free spirits).....

On to the point (sorry, I ramble at times as you all know), given the small size of Mass, would it be crazy to think that NH is too far to move and still work? hope this 'rumor' is just that!

Good luck with you quest for an Esprit. You could always get the car and I can hook you up with a good graphics shop here that can replicate a couple stickers for your wind screen so it looks like you passed! I doubt any of the state DMV folks could decifer the VIN anyhow if you get pulled over... tell em' it's a 97.5 or something. It does not show as a manufacturer in most data bases... so... work it to your advantage.

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

>> Edited by Autocross7 on Tuesday 21st September 03:25

[country]

is build date 05/03 make it a 03 1/2?

[feffman]

Country:

Not sure about the build date questions. One easy way to find out if it's a 2003 1/2 is to look under and see if it has the Bilstein adjustable suspension. This was fitted on 2003 1/2 and newer models.

Mark

[lotusguy]

Hi,

Sounds like Horse Hockey Pucks to me as well. The car is Federal certified meaning that it is legal to sell in all states.

With regard to Cali EPA standards, this is written into the Fed law as an exception, Mass isn't.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[Dr.Hess]

I would suggest calling the Gestapo in Taxachussettes, but you are likely to get a wrong answer anyways. Lotus Cars USA would be the best place to get answers.

Can we change this to a "Lets All Bash Taxachussettes" thread?

Dr.Hess

[Muck Savage]

Yes let's!
Freakin' Mass-holes

michael.
(no longer in Boston)

[Dr.Hess]

Oh, Goody!!

Hey, does Taxachussettes still have a tax on people moving out of the state? I am not making this up. Friend of mine lived out on the cape and when he moved back to MS, they sent him a tax bill for moving!! He refused to pay it and they told him they would cancel his driver's license and go after anything he owned in the state, which was about all they could figure they could do. He told them they could keep the MA driver's license and anything of his they found in the state (nothing).

Dr.Hess

[Skerd]

What do you expect from a state that is in love with Ted Kennedy and John Kerry? How about we reduce to 49 states?

[Autocross7]

Skerd said:

What do you expect from a state that is in love with Ted Kennedy and John Kerry? How about we reduce to 49 states?

Anyone from Canada want it... we will sell it for 25 cents an acre. We'll take... hmmmmm... Chihuahua Mexico. Buy it for 30 cents and acre.


Remeber the game Risk? anyone?


Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[lotusespritworld]

Read this:

www.lotusespritworld.com/ETechnical/V8_ECU.html

kato
Lotus Esprit World

[roadboy]

We have enough stupidity here in Canada. We can't even get an Elise, Mitsu Evo etc. because of government rules. Although I can see Paul Martin(prime minister) accepting that offer.