Reminds me what a good decision i made.

[bradderztvr]

Just catching an old episode of Wheeler Dealers with a Lotus Esprit.
Memories came flooding back to 1987 when I drove to Christopher Neils to look for a TVR 350 and he tried to sell me a Esprit Turbo for the same money.
Seeing how hard the jobs are, and the rule of thumb that any more than two jobs on the Lotus engine, its easier to remove the whole engine, I'm realy glad I continued my search for a 350.
Interesting that at that time a series 1 350 or early series 2 1984/1985 was the same money as an "X" reg Esprit Turbo 11 to 12 grand. Wonder how they compare now ?

[adam quantrill]

They must have held their values well 'cos my first 350i was 12 grand in about 1991.

So... I've been driving wedges for 23 years... crikey!

[bradderztvr]

Too right, the prices are coming back after they bottomed out. I bought my series 1 in 1987 for 10,500, but at the same time a series 2 was £13,000 which I couldn't stretch to at the time. Been driving mine for 27yrs now......never tire of it.
Roar on, keep smiling.

[bradderztvr]

People say I've owned one for so long, I should know everything about them, far from it. I have to say contrary to belief mine has been so reliable (touches wood) I haven't done that many jobs on it apart from basics. It's on the original clutch after 133,000 miles.

[smash]

bradderztvr said:

Interesting that at that time a series 1 350 or early series 2 1984/1985 was the same money as an "X" reg Esprit Turbo 11 to 12 grand. Wonder how they compare now ?

Not very well from TVR point of view. An average S3 turbo Esprit is 10k now. Nice around £15k. Mint £20k.

Top end for a 360 is, what, 5-6k?

[bradderztvr]

But as the salesman reminded me, hundreds for a new TVR engine, thousands for a Lotus. As I run on a budget, it was a no brainer, and a decision I've never regretted.

[bradderztvr]

smash said:

Not very well from TVR point of view. An average S3 turbo Esprit is 10k now. Nice around £15k. Mint £20k.

Top end for a 360 is, what, 5-6k?

it's not about The Money Money Money, its about the size of the smile on your face.

[Wedg1e]

bradderztvr said:

hundreds for a new TVR engine, thousands for a Lotus.

Cobblers. I ran an Esprit (non-turbo but same engine) for no more money than my TVR has ever cost me enginewise - and I've rebuilt both the 2.2L 912 and the 4L RV8.
Even if you have to take the Esprit's engine out, I'd rather do that then pull the TVR's motor.
I even wrote half my website to prove that the Esprit IS a car for the home mechanic...

http://www.wedgeneering.co.uk/Lotus%20Esprit%20p1....

[MrPicky]

I went to Mike Spence motors in Shinfield near Reading to test drive an Esprit Turbo in 1985. Both my wife and I thought it was cramped and oppressive interior and decided not to bother.

I bought a new 390SE for similar money, never regretted that decision for more than a couple of minutes at a time.

[adam quantrill]

I wonder if we started a similar thread on the Lotus forum would be get a similar bias towards Lutuses (Loti?)

[smash]

Yes, it's not about the money but you did ask the question!

They both have their foibles to be fair. I bought my 390SE on the rebound from a fallen through purchase of an S3 Esprit HC n/a. The 390SE was a mistake and I should've held out for another Esprit but from the research I did at the time the non turbo Esprits are largely trouble free engine wise - the issues they have elsewhere were IIRC leaking petrol tanks, worn steering racks and that Citroen SM gearbox - sure there's probably a couple more.

Edited by smash on Friday 14th November 08:28

[PHJayV8]

I always loved the Lotus Esprit, stunning looking car, and remember with fondness being taken for a spin in an Elite when I was a boy, not an Esprit, but a Lotus nevertheless

Looks more than engines interested me in those days, and now feel the Esprit was missing the lovely rumble of a V8 or even a V6 - don't get me wrong, the Lotus unit is a peach of an engine when set up correctly.

Pushing aside originality for a sec, anyone ever considered a TVR powered Esprit? Is it possible?

[smash]

There are loads of V8 esprit conversions out there including TVR variant of the rover lump

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[c pryor]

The TVR is definitely the car to have but you can only pretend to be Roger Moore when you are driving a Lotus Esprit.

[V8 Fettler]

I'm sure Peter Wheeler could have produced a mid-engined TVR had he not been sidetracked by the S6 engine.

[wooly350i]

Theres more foot room in the wedge than in the esprit, which in my view makes it a better driving experience. Got a feeling the pedals were slightly offset but cant swear on that one.